HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2026-022Whatcom County
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2026-390
File ID:
AB2026-390
Version: 1
Status: Substitute Approved
File Created:
05/12/2026
Entered by: jsmiley@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department:
Public Works
File Type: Resolution
Department
Assigned to:
Council Committee of the Whole
Final Action: 05/26/2026
Agenda Date:
05/26/2026
Enactment #: RES 2026-022
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: SDraper@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution regarding greenhouse gas reduction sub -element voluntary review as part of the Whatcotn
County Comprehensive Plan periodic update under the Washington State Growth Management Act
(RCW 36.70A.096)
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
05/19/2026 Council Special Committee of the Whole DISCUSSED
05/26/2026 Council Committee of the Whole RECOMMENDED FOR
APPROVAL
Aye: 7 Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
05/26/2026 Council SUBSTITUTE APPROVED
Aye: 7 Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
Attachments: Proposed Resolution, Substitute Resolution
Whatcom County Page 1 Punted on 5/27/2026
PROPOSED BY: PUBLIC WORKS
INTRODUCED: MAY 26, 2026
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-022
A RESOLUTION OF WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL, REGARDING GREENHOUSE GAS
REDUCTION SUBELEMENT VOLUNTARY REVIEW, AS PART OF THE WHATCOM
COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PERIODIC UPDATE UNDER THE WASHINGTON
STATE GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT (RCW 36.70A.096)
WHEREAS, the Washington Growth Management Act (RCW Chapter 36.70A)
requires that Whatcom County and other jurisdictions within Whatcom County adopt
comprehensive plans; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County is using a phased approach to the periodic update,
with the Whatcom County Council reviewing and preliminarily approving drafts of each
chapter individually before taking final action on the Comprehensive Plan in its entirety at a
later date; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Climate Impact Advisory Committee issued its
recommendation for revisions to the advisory committee Climate Element draft on March
20th, 2025; and
WHEREAS, consistent with the submittal procedure for voluntary review of the
Greenhouse Gas Reduction subelement in WAC 365-196-443, Whatcom County submitted a
Notice of Intent to the Washington State Department of Commerce on June 23rd, 2025; and
WHEREAS, County staff presented the draft climate element for a Planning
Commission work session on May 8th, 2025 and supporting technical documentation to the
Whatcom County Council on June loth, 2025 and at a joint Planning Commission -Council
meeting on August 6th, 2025; and
WHEREAS, County staff presented the Whatcom County Planning Commission with
the draft climate element for public hearing on August 14th, 2025, including a Summary of
Public Comments, WA Department of Commerce Whatcom County 2022 Greenhouse Gas
Emissions Analysis, 2025 Whatcom County Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trends and
Projections Reports, and 2025 Whatcom County Climate Hazard and Impact Reports as
supporting documentation; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Planning Commission issued a preliminary
recommendation for the draft climate element on September 30th, 2025 with eighteen
recommended amendments; and
WHEREAS, County staff presented the Whatcom County Council with the Planning
Commission recommendation on November 5th, including supporting supplementary staff
memos dated September 30th, 2025 and November 5th, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Planning Commission held a public hearing on the
draft Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan on January 22nd, 2026; and
WHEREAS, consistent with notice requirements in RCW 36.70A.106, on January
29th, 2026, Whatcom County staff provided the WA State Department of Commerce with a
notice of intent to adopt the comprehensive plan at least 60 days prior to final local
adoption; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County received a letter from the WA State Department of
Commerce dated February 13th, 2026 regarding the draft Whatcom County greenhouse gas
reduction subelement; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council began review of the draft climate element
on April 7th, 2026 using the Preliminary Council draft dated 4.7.2026, which was the
Planning Commission version from January 22nd, 2026 and additional edits proposed by
councilmembers as listed in the Chart of Proposed Council Changes for 4.7.2026; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council completed review of the draft climate
element on May 19th, 2026 with 34 recommended amendments and approved a motion to
request staff prepare Chapter 12- Preliminary Council Draft dated 4,28.2026 as amended
for inclusion in a future agenda bill file for Council introduction and public hearing.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that
Whatcom County is voluntarily seeking approval of the greenhouse gas emissions reduction
subelement of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan under RCW 36.70A.096; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that Council will sign a
cover letter requesting approval of the subelement to be submitted following the adoption of
the Comprehensive Plan; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that within 10 days of
adoption of the Comprehensive Plan, the Whatcom County Council directs staff to submit
the greenhouse gas reduction subelement application for Commerce review following the
requirements listed in RCW 36.70A.096(3)(b); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that the adoption
ordinance for the comprehensive plan update will state that the effective date of the
greenhouse gas reduction subelement is upon approval by the WA State Department of
Commerce; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that the department's
final decision to approve or reject the subelement will be provided within 180 days of the
date of receipt of application and may be appealed as provided in RCW 36.70A.096; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that there will be no
further modifications by the County to the proposed greenhouse gas emissions reduction
subelement during the current update cycle; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that any modifications
by Whatcom County after the department's final decision will cancel legal protections as
provided in RCW 36.70A.280; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that the climate
element shall be subject to continuing review and evaluation by Whatcom County, If
Whatcom County amends the greenhouse gas reduction subelement in between the
mandatory periodic update cycle, as allowed in RCW 36,70A.130(2), the subelement must
be resubmitted for WA Department of Commerce review and approval,
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APPROVED,kfi� .d�8if,� 0� May 2026
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Cathy;Halkd,ietki'6,fih�'Co.urcil Kaylee Galloway, Council Chair
APPROVE'D,AS TO05ORM?
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Civil Deputy Prosecutor