Skagit County just released the third draft of its Comprehensive Plan, including a first-ever, state-mandated chapter focused on climate change, marking a major milestone in how local governments are expected to address climate change in land use planning.
The proposed “Climate and Resiliency Element” outlines goals and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), prepare for natural hazards worsened by climate change, and protect vulnerable communities. It is tied closely to the county’s Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO). The state requires local governments to update these planning documents every 10 years.
This newest draft addresses some concerns raised by the public that earlier versions did not go far enough to protect wildlife habitat, but did not address others, including a widely popular suggestion that the county form an Environmental Advisory Board.
Skagit County Communications Manager Jenn Rogers said the omission wasn’t an oversight, and that county staff recommended the Skagit Council of Governments (SCOG) would be a better governing body to form such board because “climate-exacerbated hazards and vehicle travel extend beyond jurisdictional boundaries and the Growth Management Act (GMA) calls for a regional approach with coordinated action,” she wrote in an email response.
Concerns with the draft goals and related county rules
Tribal nations and environmental organizations have voiced concern that the draft plan doesn’t go far enough to address the scale of the climate crisis. One major point of contention is CAO, which some argue remains too weak to protect wetlands, shorelines, and fish habitat from ongoing development pressure and the growing impacts of climate change.
“The Swinomish Tribe remains deeply concerned that the County’s planning documents continue to prioritize short-term development interests over long-term ecosystem health, cultural preservation, and climate resilience. The failure to integrate enforceable standards, comprehensive scientific data, and protections for Treaty rights, natural resources, and cultural resources leaves critical gaps in the County’s planning framework,” wrote Swinomish Environmental Policy Manager Heather Spore.
Others point to the timeline as a potential concern. While the plan lays out near-term goals to 2035, such as collaborating with cities on zoning changes and exploring EV transitions for County fleets, much of the heavier lifting in sectors like energy and buildings is deferred to the second half of the 20-year planning horizon.
The county’s Rogers said the proposed climate policies are based on the Climate Vulnerability Assessment and GHG inventory from the Department of Commerce, and that it focused on areas it can directly regulate, while energy policies would require coordination with energy and utility companies. She added that sector-specific data was not available during the plan drafting.
What’s next
The third draft Climate and Resiliency Element is now open for public comment, with a public hearing scheduled for June 16, and may be adopted as written on June 23. The outcome will not only shape Skagit’s climate trajectory but may also influence how other rural and suburban counties across Washington approach their own climate responsibilities under the GMA.
The documents are available for review and comment at skagitcounty.net/2025CPA.
How to share your thoughts on Skagit County’s climate plan
Whether you support the draft climate and resiliency policies, have concerns, or just want to suggest improvements, your feedback can help shape the final version of the plan.
Public comment is open until 4:30 p.m. June 16, 2025.
Option 1: Email. Send your comments to pdscomments@co.skagit.wa.us. Use the subject line: “Skagit County 2025 Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations Update.” Be sure to include your full name and mailing address in the email.
Option 2: Mail or drop off a letter. Write or type your comments on 8½ x 11 paper and mail or deliver to:
Skagit County Planning and Development Services
Comments on “Skagit County 2025 Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations Update”
1800 Continental Place
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Make sure your letter includes your full name and mailing address and arrives before the 4:30 p.m. June 16 deadline.
Option 3. Speak at the public hearing in person or via Zoom. A public hearing will be held at 1 p.m. June 16 at the Skagit County Commissioners’ Hearing Room, 1800 Continental Place in Mount Vernon.
You can join in person or online via Zoom. If you’d like to speak, email pdscomments@co.skagit.wa.us with your name, phone number, and a request to be added to the speakers list. Or, you can sign up on the day of the hearing. Public comments are usually limited to three minutes, so written comments are encouraged if you have more to share.
Need special accommodations? Contact Planning and Development Services at (360) 416-1320 at least 96 hours before the hearing.
Kari Mar: kari@laconnercommunitynews.org. Kari is editor and publisher.
