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HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2022-036Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 "Nt- Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010 Agenda Bill Master Report File Number: AB2022-422 File ID: AB2022-422 Version: 1 Status: Substitute Approved File Created: 07/20/2022 Entered by: Department: File Type: Resolution Assigned to: Council Committee of the Whole Agenda Date: 08/09/2022 Primary Contact Email: D13rown@co.whatcom.wa.us TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM: Final Action: 08/09/2022 Enactment #: RES 2022-036 Resolution establishing priorities for Whatcom County's 2025 Comprehensive Plan update SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: See memo. HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To: 07/26/2022 Council Committee of the Whole DISCUSSED 07/26/2022 Council HELD IN COMMITTEE Council (Special) Aye: 5 Buchanan, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, and Kershner Nay: 1 Frazey Absent: 1 Byrd 08/02/2022 Council (Special) DISCUSSED 08/09/2022 Council Committee of the Whole FORWARDED TO COUNCIL WITHOUT A RECOMMENDATION WITH PROPOSED AMENDMENT(S) Aye: 4 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, and Elenbaas Nay: 1 Frazey Absent: 0 Abstain: 1 Galloway emp Absent: 1 Kershner Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 811012022 Agenda Bill Master Report Continued (AB2022-422) 08/09/2022 Council SUBSTITUTE APPROVED Aye: 5 Frazey, Galloway, Kershner, Buchanan, and Donovan Nay: 2 Elenbaas, and Byrd Absent: 0 Attachments: Staff Memo, Substitute Resolution (Version 4 - Clean), Substitute Resolution (Version 4 - Track Changes), Substitute Resolution (Version 5 - Track Changes), Substitute Resolution (Version 6 - Clean for 8.9.2022), Substitute Resolution (Version 6 - Track Changes for 8.9.2022), Substitute Resolution (Version 7 - Track Changes Following 8.9 COT" Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 811012022 PROPOSED BY: GALLOWAY, FRAZEY INTRODUCTION DATE: August 9, 2022 RESOLUTION NO. 2022-036 ESTABLISHING PRIORITIES FOR WHATCOM COUNTY'S 2025 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE WHEREAS, the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) requires Whatcom County to develop a Comprehensive Plan for managing population growth and development, which was adopted in May of 1997; and WHEREAS, the GMA requires Whatcom County to review urban growth areas (UGAs) under RCW 36.70A.130(3) to be able to accommodate population and employment growth projected for the 20-year planning period; and WHEREAS, the GMA requires Whatcom County to periodically review and revise its Comprehensive Plan and development regulations under RCW 36.70A.130(1); and WHEREAS, on August 9, 2016, Whatcom County adopted Ordinance 2016-034 updating the Comprehensive Plan; and WHEREAS, Whatcom County should conduct an evaluation of the current Comprehensive Plan outlining progress made towards achieving goals and policies, and identify remaining areas of opportunity for improvement; and WHEREAS, the GMA requires Whatcom County to review, and if needed, revise its Comprehensive Plan and development regulations on or before June 30, 2025, and every ten years thereafter; and WHEREAS, the current Comprehensive Plan contains chapters on many intersectional issues impacted by climate change, equity, and economic security including Land Use, Housing, Capital Facilities, Utilities, Transportation, Economics, Resource Lands, Recreation, and Environment; and WHEREAS, on November 9, 2021, the Whatcom County Council passed Resolution 2021- 049, adopting the 2021 Whatcom County Climate Action Plan, which develops goals, strategies, and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resilience related to buildings, energy, industry, transportation, waste, land use, water, fisheries, agriculture, forestry, and ecosystems; and WHEREAS, Whatcom County has experienced increasingly severe and frequent effects of climate change including wildfires, smoke, heat dome, drought, and floods; and WHEREAS, recent scientific reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change point out that time is running short for communities everywhere to mitigate and adapt to the worst effects of climate change; and WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan needs to more clearly integrate climate change, equity, and economic security throughout; and WHEREAS, over the last several years, the Washington State Legislature considered several bills that address GMA and comprehensive planning including, but not limited to, H,B 1099 (2021- 22) and HB 1117 (2021-22); and Page 1 WHEREAS, legislation failing to pass during previous legislative sessions does not preclude Whatcom County from proactively and voluntarily incorporating these policy frameworks into the updated Comprehensive Plan; and WHEREAS, in addition to climate change, Whatcom County has experienced significant socio-economic impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and WHEREAS, as early as 2019, the lack of affordable housing is recognized as an impediment to economic growth within Whatcom County by many in the community including the Business and Commerce Advisory Committee; and WHEREAS, housing affordability continues to decline under unprecedented levels of national inflation; and WHEREAS, historic growth trends may not accurately predict future needs and new methodologies may need to be introduced; and WHEREAS, cities within Whatcom County have expressed concern that the traditional use of Urban Growth Areas (UGAs), and their associated restrictions, may incentivize development within unincorporated Whatcom County rather than targeted growth areas; and WHEREAS, preservation of the Whatcom County's farmlands and agricultural industries is a common goal; and WHEREAS, public input is a critical component to identifying priorities of the Comprehensive Plan; and WHEREAS, The Whatcom County Council believes the updated Comprehensive Plan should reflect our shared values and address the current and future needs of Whatcom County; and WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council acknowledges that Whatcom County is a diverse landscape, home to a broad spectrum of cultures, and serving a wide variety of industries, and therefore recognizes that the solutions to the priorities identified here may take various forms throughout the County; and WHEREAS, The Whatcom County Council looks forward to working collaboratively with the Executive, county staff, relevant Whatcom County boards, commissions, and advisory committees, seven cities, Native Nations, and stakeholders to adopt an updated Comprehensive Plan; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that the following priorities be considered for incorporation into the updated Comprehensive Plan due on or before June 30, 2025: 1. Equity, environmental justice, and economic security should be guiding principles throughout all chapters of the Comprehensive Plan and associated planning and regulatory documents. 2. Engage government -to -government with Lummi Nation and Nooksack Indian Tribe in the development and implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, and work to ensure tribal treaty rights and sovereignty are considered and upheld in all aspects. Page 2 3. Incorporate climate change mitigation, adaptation, resilience, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction throughout the Comprehensive Plan, 4. Promote the protection and restoration of healthy habitats for fish and wildlife throughout the Comprehensive Plan. 5. Collaboratively work towards economic security and affordable housing without sacrificing environmental health and public safety. 6. Support a thriving local agriculture and food system economy and food security, considering the impacts of climate change on agriculture as well as equity and housing needs of farmworkers. 7. Build resilience to climate change in forests that enables both a thriving timber economy and healthy sustainable forest ecosystems for wildlife, carbon sequestration and storage, production and storage of cool, clean water, and environmentally safe recreation. 8. More thoroughly consider impacts of climate change, equity, and economic security in relation to natural hazards mitigation and emergency response. 9. More thoroughly consider how growth patterns may have been altered from historic patterns in light of socioeconomic changes, climate change, and housing affordability challenges and what impact this should have on future planning. 10. Analyze the use of, and restrictions to, municipal Urban Growth Areas (UGAs) within the County to avoid unintended incentives to build outside of UGAs. 11. Maximize the environmental benefits of wetland mitigation and consider opportunities to increase development yield in urban areas by establishing off -site wetland mitigations with rigorous monitoring and adaptive management requirements in areas outside of cities. 12. Consider equitable contribution from development within unincorporated Whatcom County toward public and park infrastructure with the implementation of an impact fee program. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Whatcom County Council that the attached Exhibit A be considered as possible implementation strategies and actions that could help accomplish the priorities listed in this resolution. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Whatcom County Council recognizes the importance of coordinating and collaborating throughout the planning process with the following governments and stakeholders: • Whatcom County departments including the Planning & Development Services, Public Works, Parks & Recreation, Health Department, Finance Department, and the Emergency Management Division of the Sheriff's Office. • Whatcom County boards, commissions, and advisory committees including, but not limited to, the Planning Commission, Climate Impact Advisory Committee, Flood Advisory Committee, Marine Resources Committee, Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Racial Equity Commission, Forest Advisory Committee, Agricultural Advisory Committee, Food System Committee, Child and Family Wellbeing Taskforce, Business and Commerce Advisory Committee, Housing Advisory Committee, and WRIA 1 Planning Unit. Page 3 • Native Nations including Lummi Nation and the Nooksack Indian Tribe. • The seven incorporated cities of Whatcom County: Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Lynden, Sumas, Everson, and Nooksack. • The Port of Bellingham. • The Public Utility District No. 1 of Whatcom County. • Whatcom Conservation District. • State government including local legislators, Governor, the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Ecology, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, and other relevant agencies. • Federal government including local Congressional delegation, U.S. Forest Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Interior, National Parks Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and other relevant agencies. • Whatcom County residents, business owners, farmers, farmworkers, community interest groups, and nonprofits. APPROVED this 9th day of August 2022 pp /r� �y��• c wa�-^a a e �a o m � ®QiA99 �a � ATTEST ,,® o ` ��>� R1 O�®° DanaBrow`ybsMise,y°�ierk of the Council m APPROVED,,, AS TO:FORM,:�`` /s/ Karen Frakes (via e-mail 8/10/22) / JL Karen Frakes, Civil Deputy Prosecutor WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOI` 16 UNTY ASHINGTON Todd Donovan, Council Chair Page 4 .1_:_M 4 3A�F SUGGESTED IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS 1. Equity, environmental justice, and economic security should be guiding principles throughout all chapters of the Comprehensive Plan and associated planning and regulatory documents. Strengthen the "Diverse Cultural Composition" section of the Land Use chapter to include both equity and sovereignty. Incorporate relevant components from SB 5141 (2021-22) the Healthy Environment for all (HEAL) Act and the Washington Environmental Health Disparities Map. Incorporate the Whatcom County "Healthy Planning" approach established by resolution 2015-038. Consult with the Whatcom County Health Department, Racial Equity Commission, Child and Family -Wellbeing Taskforce, and organizations representing farm workers, farmers, low-income families and children, and other groups disproportionately impacted by climate change, environmental injustices, and economic insecurity. Prioritize actions in overburdened communities that equitably enhance climate resilience and avoid or substantially reduce the adverse impacts of climate change in people, property, and ecological systems using best available science and climate projections. Consider impacts to economic security and incorporate into relevant chapters. 2. Engage government -to -government with Lummi Nation and Nooksack Indian Tribe in the development and implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, and work to ensure tribal treaty rights and sovereignty are considered and upheld in all aspects. Follow the framework established in HB 1717 (2021-22), concerning tribal participation in planning under the growth management act. 3. Incorporate climate change mitigation, adaptation, resilience, and greenhouse gas(GHG) emission reduction throughout the Comprehensive Plan. Page 5 Mitigate and adapt to climate change, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and build climate resilience by implementing the recommendations of the Whatcom County Climate Action Plan. Change the title of the Environment chapter to "Environment and Climate Resilience" Add goals of climate change mitigation and adaptation, and include measures to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change on people, property, infrastructure, and ecological systems. Consider and plan for how population growth and development impacts climate projections and associated risks and adverse events, and vice versa. Add language to encourage a natural climate solutions approach to climate mitigation and resilience. Use the best available science associated with climate change and biodiversity. Transportation Chapter Incorporate measures aimed at reducing transportation related emissions, including adding a goal to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by enhancing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, encouraging the use of public transportation, and improving coordination between development and transportation systems. Enhance access to safe active and alternative transportation modes by implementing the recommendations of the Whatcom County Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan, the Regional Trails Plan, and Route Map proposed by the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Accelerate the transition to a low- or zero -emission transportation system (bicycles, cars, trucks, buses, and ferry) and associated infrastructure, per Resolution 2022-033. • Develop a plan to transition the county fleet, including passenger vehicles, ferry, and other equipment, to electric, hydrogen, biofuels or other low- or zero -emission technologies. Identify areas throughout the County, including the small cities, which may be feasible locations for transit -oriented development. Page 6 Capital Facilities Chapter Assess and analyze the climate impact of existing County facilities, outline specific actions and secure funding to improve energy efficiency, health, and safety while reducing GHG emissions and harm to people and the environment. • Identify and replace outdated County facilities, such as the current jail, that become noncompliant with State Building Code standards, and present other health and safety concerns; ensure county facilities are a safe and dignified space for staff and all residents. • Retrofit County buildings where feasible to increase energy efficiency and install electric heat pumps. • Increase renewable energy generation and storage in County facilities. Consider climate change impacts to critical infrastructure and Whatcom County facilities. Evaluate the climate vulnerability and risk of existing infrastructure in Whatcom County. Facilitate the construction of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure at County facilities such as buildings, parks, and other community spaces like schools, libraries, and senior centers. Ease existing barriers by updating relevant development regulations and land use and building codes such as updating parking requirements to require or incentivize parking spots to be EV-ready on all new industrial, commercial, and residential multi- family construction. Design and build new county facilities in a sustainable way including net zero energy use, increasing energy resilience, utilizing local, sustainably sourced building materials, enhancing microgrid capabilities, and developing at locations that increase accessibility to public and alternative transportation modes. Conduct an economic analysis for current county infrastructure, buildings, and transportation that factors in externalities of climate change to inform replacement prioritization and timeline. UtilitiesChapter Page 7 Work with public and private utilities to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase renewable energy resources, and modernize the energy grid to build community and climate resilience. Support the evaluation of Whatcom Public Utilities District #1 to expand renewable energy production, water, and broadband throughout the County. Support Universal Broadband Access as a foundation for energy transition and digital equity. • Establish a goal to achieve symmetrical gigabit broadband throughout the County. • Support efforts to establish and increase municipal/public broadband. • Incorporate a coordination, or "Dig Once", policy for all new road construction projects, utility installations, and in planning for new residential, commercial, and industrial development. Enhance goals to reduce fossil fuel consumption and increase access to renewable energy resources. • Review, and consider repealing, the moratorium and other restrictions on new wind energy systems, and updating any relevant wind energy code. • Evaluate potential for geothermal and hydrogen energy in Whatcom County. • Assess opportunities to modernize the energy grid and other technologies and infrastructure necessary to deploy renewable energy and increase efficiency and energy security. • Work with privately or investor -owned utilities to support their transition to more renewable energy. • Incentivize a methodical transition away from natural gas and other fossil fuels while supporting a transition to electrification or other zero -emission alternatives. Set goals to further improve water quality and quantity. • Fully implement the outcomes of the Nooksack Adjudication and "Solutions Table" process to ensure legal use of water that supports water use efficiency, salmon recovery, agriculture, and drinking water for all residents. • Update policies and take action to further protect Lake Whatcom watershed. • Explore water infrastructure and technology solutions that can help store, conserve, improve efficiency, and alleviate the high demand during times of limited supply. • Incorporate recommendations and priorities from the Whatcom County Drought Contingency Plan. • Ensure the Coordinated Water System Plan is consistent with the comprehensive plan and development regulations, confirming current water supply and water systems can support future growth. Quantify and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste management and septic systems in the county. • Implement the strategies in the Comprehensive Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Plan. • Promote and incentivize composting (food and yard waste) and the recycling of building materials. 4. Promote the protection and restoration of healthy habitats for fish and wildlife throughout the Comprehensive Plan Add a salmon recovery goal. Implement the actions outlined in the Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 1 Salmon Recovery Program and Salmonid Recovery Plan. Incorporate recommendations and priorities from the WRIA 1 Watershed Management Plan. Identify and update regulations that protect wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity, protect, preserve, and restore healthy habitat and biodiversity, and protect fish and wildlife populations from human activities and structures. • Identify and map wildlife corridors and connectivity throughout the county. • Evaluate what lands are best for wildlife corridors and habitat restoration based on a cost -benefit analysis. • Develop and expand voluntary programs that work with and compensates participating landowners. Land Use Chapter Work with the State to evaluate a framework and strategy for achieving net ecological gain of salmon and other aquatic species habitat for all public projects and a voluntary incentive driven framework and strategy for private projects. Coordinate land use policy with water supply goals. Transportation Chapter Include an updated culvert inventory and prioritized list and proposed schedule for the elimination of identified fish passage barriers in coordination with the Tribes, State, Cities, and private landowners. S. Collaboratively work towards economic security and affordable housing without sacrificing environmental health and public safety. Housing Chapter Page 9 Outline specific goals and policies to ensure housing development meets current and future housing, equity, climate, and economic needs. Ensure adequate housing and services for seniors and people with disabilities. • Services to include housing support, assistance with daily living, transportation, recreation, accessing healthcare and assistance at a person -centered level. • Comprehensive Plan must include zoning allowances for residences, compliance with ADA, and transportation component appropriate to this population. Add a goal that everyone, at every income level, has access to affordable housing, as defined by a household spending 30% or less of its income on housing costs. Provide permanently affordable housing and home ownership opportunities in all neighborhoods for individuals earning between 50% to 120% of AMI. Provide a full range of affordable housing types ranging from multifamily apartments, condos, and duplexes to detached single family homes, ADU's, and tiny homes. Target an average rental vacancy of 5%, and available housing supply of 4-6 months, for all income levels. Update, strengthen, and streamline land use codes, housing regulations, and permitting processes that further encourage, and where appropriate, require more affordable, dense, sustainable, low impact, and energy efficient development. Support building and energy, codes that incentivize a'strategic transition to all -electric new residential construction, ensuring that our communities are sustainable, affordable, equitable, and (healthy now and in the future, while addressing resiliency and vulnerabilities to climate change disproportionately impacting rural and low-income communities in Whatcom County. To help facilitate a strategic transition: • recognize and assist residents still dependent upon access to wood, natural; gas, diesel, and other fossils fuels for backup energy when homes have limited, or no access, caused by such things as power outages, severe weather, or location. • prepare for emergencies and build community resilience and self-sufficiency by working with our state and federal partners on energy grid modernization, investing in underground utilities, and access to affordable and reliable electricity for all communities. Page 10 Support incentive programs that promote solar panels, electric heat pumps for space and water heating, and weatherization for existing residential and commercial buildings. Consider permitting and land use policies that increase affordable housing such as sustainable development incentives, expedited permitting and fee reductions, form -based building codes, transit -oriented development, infill development, density bonuses, clustering subdivisions, urban villages, and farmland trusts. Consider County acquisition of land for permanently affordable housing development such as a community land trust or land bank model. Expand availability and development of housing, especially mixed and middle housing options, near transit and employment opportunities to reduce travel needs and vehicle miles travelled. Invest in wetland mitigation throughout Whatcom County and explore off -site wetland mitigation as a strategy to increase development capacity. In development regulations, protect critical areas by strengthening mitigation requirements including requiring net gain in pervious surface area and tree canopy cover. Economic Chapter Promote a more diverse, equitable, sustainable, and climate resilient future economy. Support living wage job creation in green industry, commerce, forestry, and agriculture. Support a just clean energy transition for workers and communities. Invest in robust economic and workforce development at all levels, including in climate- resilient and green energy related fields. Support supply chain resiliency. Increase access to quality and affordable childcare by implementing the recommendations of the Whatcom County Child and Page 11 Family Well -Being Action Plan. Work with the Port of Bellingham and Whatcom PUD to increase access to quality and affordable high-speed broadband. As Whatcom County continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, assess the impact the Comprehensive Plan had/has on supporting the local economy, business models (such as streets turned into outdoor dining for restaurants to reopen), the working population, the basic necessities and logistics for our community, and incorporating lessons learned. 6. Support a thriving local agriculture and food system economy and food security, considering the impacts of climate change on agriculture as well as equity and housing needs of farmworkers. Resource Lands Chapter Consider the impacts of climate change, water resources, and flood control on agriculture and agricultural workers such as rising temperatures, more severe and unpredictable weather events, flooding, air quality, water quality and quantity, and soil health. Work to provide secure and legal access to water for faFmeFs all farmers with an end goal of water use efficiency to drive profitability for a diverse agriculture ec®norr'y, reco nizinq that the "use it or lose it doctrine" of water rights does not promote water use efficiency,_ Integrate water supply planning and land use planning to support Whatcom County's goal of maintaining a minimum of 100,000 acres of agricultural land. Promote opportunities to increase sustainability and climate resilience in agriculture and processing. Enhance local food security and food sovereignty by implementing the recommendations of the Whatcom Community Food Assessment. Improve wages, housing, and working conditions for food chain workers. Ensure safe and affordable on -farm housing, transportation, and healthcare for farmers and farmworkers. Increase demand for local food products and expand support networks for local agriculture product development. Page 12 Increase capacity for local food producers to connect with local food enthusiasts by allowing processing and..-pqq-kqginci--..i.-nfrastructu.-re on --farm and elsewhere,_Ln the size, scale, use and intensity of agripulture in Whatcom County. Encourage research and development of drought- and heat- tolerant crops, and agriculture technologies that will reduce emissions, improve soil health, and increase efficient use of water. Enhance flood control and drainage vitally important to protecting people, farm families, and infrastructure. • If ?R.ri c u 11­g-re land is utilized for "overflow areas" ,the county should also plan to facilitate drainage to enable the ability of the land to be productively farmed. • Manage drainage areas, including wildlife control, to protect land intended to produce food and fiber, except where they have been placed in the conservation programs. Encourage climate smart farming practices that protect and regenerate soil, water, land, and carbon sequestration. Preserve productive agricultural lands across Whatcorn County by implementing the recommendations of the Whatcorn County Agricultural Strategic Plan and the .2019 Rural Land Study, considering rezoning opportunities (such as R5 to Ag 20 or similar), and increasing funding and staff capacity for the Conservation Easement Program in order to protect more agricultural lands from development pressure. Expand allowable agricultural land uses to include non-traditional farming models. 7. Build resilience to climate change in forests that enables, both a thriving timber economy and healthy sustainable forest ecosystems for wildlife, carbon sequestration and storage, production and storage of cool, clean water, and environmentally safe recreation. Support a thriving local forest products industry and sustainable local resource economy including living wage jobs. Encourage and incentivize working forest management practices that enhance ecosystem services such as healthy fish and wildlife habitats, forest and watershed health, clean water, climate resilience, carbon sequestration and storage, open green space, and sustainability. 0 Develop Forest Management Plans for Lake Whatcom Park, Canyon Lake Community Forest, and Stewart Mountain Page 13 Community Forest with these values in mind. Encourage research and development and the use of best available science in the evaluation and mitigation of potential adverse impacts from timber harvesting to peak flows, low summer stream flows, water quality, wildlife, slope stability and wildfire risk. Engage and collaborate with forest management experts, practitioners, professionals and researchers to obtain well informed and broad understanding of issues in order to facilitate prudent decisions and formulate positions on forestry issues. • Examples include the Cooperative Monitoring, Evaluation, and Research (CMER) Committee (Forest Practices Board), DNR's Olympic Experimental Research Forest scientists and its research partners, and the Whatcom County Forest Advisory Committee. Recognize the ability for sustainable forest practices to produce a wide variety of benefits, and identify opportunities to optimize the wood production and carbon storage capacity of forestlands in Whatcom County through the application of extended harvest rotations. Consider opportunities to protect old and mature forests while also exploring ways to maintain harvestable forest land base, such as actively managing County owned lands and working with the federal government on harvest potential of federal lands. Provide feedback into Environmental Impact Statements or State Environmental Policy Act on regulatory or policy changes to forest management during planning level analyses in order to influence and encourage climate considerations in decision making while providing certainty to industry and other proponents. Encourage uneven -aged forest management practices through selective harvest and variable density thinning to enhance structural complexity, biodiversity, drought -tolerance, fire resilience, hydrologic function, and protection of fish -bearing and non -fish -bearing streams. Expand carbon market opportunities that reward landowners who actively manage their forests to increase carbon storage and sequestration and enhance ecosystem services. Evaluate the net loss or gain in carbon emissions and ecological function when rezoning forest lands for other uses. Encourage reforestation, or afforestation, of previously cleared riparian and upland areas through providing funding, seedlings, expertise, and outreach. Consider development pressures on working lands and work with partners on the possibility of establishing a Whatcom County Page 14 goal of maintaining a minimum number of working forest land that is required to sustain local forestry infrastructure. Work with private landowners to support their investment in the environment and infrastructure, including road improvements, removal of fish passage barriers, and installation of fish -friendly culverts and bridges. Increase funding and staff capacity for the Conservation Easement Program in order to protect more forest lands from development, particularly as a strategy to protect forest lands in the Lake Whatcom watershed. Promote development of Whatcom Grown timber products that support climate resilience, the local timber economy, timber and forestry jobs, and reduce transportation -related emissions. Support the forest industries and workers as they transition to more climate resilient forest harvest techniques, including any support needed to increase wages, benefits, and safety of workplace conditions. Support environmentally safe recreation on working forests by adequately funding Whatcom County Parks and Recreation to actively manage recreation, mitigate any negative impacts, and develop and maintain existing county owned lands and infrastructure. • Collaborate with all levels of government and other landowners in planning, development, maintenance, and habitat restoration as well as enforcement support. • Provide funding to support other landowners in managing public use impacts in recognition of the benefits forest recreation provides to the county and its residents. Determine countywide reforestation opportunities in the built environment and expand and strengthen tree canopy requirements and retention in existing and newly developed areas of all sizes to enhance carbon storage, reduce ambient air temperatures, mitigate urban heat island effect, and lower the future cooling costs of residential and commercial buildings. 8. More thoroughly consider impacts of climate change, equity, and economic security in relation to natural hazards mitigation and emergency response. Incorporate climate change into the Whatcom County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan, and synchronize with FEMA hazard mitigation planning best practices and the comprehensive plan. Incorporate climate change impact assessments and vulnerability and risk assessments to inform future development and preservation efforts. Page 15 Consider the impacts of flooding, increasing temperatures, heat domes, droughts, wildfire, and smoke to human health, the environment, natural resources, resource lands, and economic security. Land Use and/or EnvironmentChapter Enhance flood sections to help recover and mitigate against increased intensity and frequency of flood events. • Conduct a comprehensive review of the systems, plans, policies, and current codes that must be changed or updated to better prepare for the next flood (such as UGA's in flood plains/floodways), and incorporate improvements based on lessons learned. • Reduce flooding risk by fully supporting the implementation of recommendations and priorities from the most current and ongoing Whatcom County Flood Integrated Plans, including the Lower Nooksack River Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan. • Factor flood -related displacement of people and property into growth projections and urban growth areas. • Restore, where possible, the environmental functions of rivers and streams. • Improve flood plain water storage and infiltration capacities. • Consider levee setbacks where appropriate. • Better prepare for floods and consider the disproportionate impacts of flooding on rural and vulnerable communities. • Support buybacks in designated floodways. • Consider water storage options that do not include dams. Build resilience to climate change while reducing flood risks by supporting efforts to increase tree canopy cover (particularly in riparian areas) and reducing impervious surfaces. Enhance land use planning in the wildland urban interface (WUI) to reduce and mitigate the risk to people and property posed by wildfires. • Reduce residential development pressure in the wildland urban interface area. • Create open space buffers between human development and wildfire -prone landscapes. • Protect existing residential development through community wildfire preparedness and fire adaptation measures. Environment and/or Shoreline' Chapter More thoroughly incorporate coastal resilience to plan, prepare, build resilience to climate impacts, and reduce vulnerabilities and risks. Ensure consistent language is included in associated codes as well, including the Critical Areas Ordinance, Shoreline Management Program, and relevant sections of Title 20 zoning. Plan for sea level rise, changing ocean conditions, storm surges, and floods, and its impacts on coastal residential communities, declining marine fisheries, shellfish beds, coastal infrastructure, and recreation areas. Reduce development in current and projected future shoreline areas. Capital Facilities Chapter Consider establishing and maintaining County Resilience Centers during emergencies or disasters. These facilities could: o Provide controlled temperature shelter as well as food, water, and cots for disasters or power outages. e Prioritize under -served communities more vulnerable to disasters such as floods, wildfires, and prolonged heat/cold spells. 10. Analyze the use of, and restrictions to, municipal Urban Growth Areas (UGAs) within the County to avoid unintended incentives to build outside of UGAs. Update policies on UGAs in light of current environmental regulation such as critical areas, shorelines, and stormwater regulations. Update policies using current best practices for agricultural and protected watersheds. Consider provisions for flexibility of municipal UGA boundaries to yield greater development densities, fewer environmental impacts, and more affordable housing outcomes. 11. Maximize the environmental benefits of wetland mitigation and consider opportunities to increase development yield in urban areas by establishing off -site wetland mitigation areas outside of cities. Develop cooperative policies that preserve and grow natural areas outside of cities by allowing off -site mitigation in the County. Update policies on wetland mitigation to allow lower quality wetlands with little to no habitat value to be mitigated off -site. Increase capacity to steward and conserve natural resources on private property, including considering a mechanism by which rural, private property owners are able to derive monetary benefit from wetland mitigation initiatives or other environmentally beneficial activities. 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