Thurston County planning commission sets year‑long schedule to update critical areas ordinance; public urges wildlife corridors, climate monitoring

Thurston County Planning Commission members on Oct. 15 reviewed a staff‑proposed schedule to update the county’s Critical Areas Ordinance and heard multiple public commenters urge stronger protection for wildlife corridors, climate resilience and long‑term monitoring.

The commission’s work plan schedules discussions of “best available science” and code drafting from November 2025 through spring and early summer 2026, with wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, geologic hazards, frequently flooded areas and critical aquifer recharge areas each receiving dedicated review, staff said. Department briefings, mapping tools and a public engagement plan are included in the timeline.

Why it matters: CAO revisions will define how Thurston County regulates wetlands, streams, slopes and habitat and therefore shape where and how development and conservation occur in the unincorporated county and some urban growth areas. Public commenters and commissioners framed the issue as both an ecological and a community safety concern — from habitat connectivity to reducing wildlife‑vehicle collisions and protecting groundwater.

Public commenters urged commission members to prioritize wildlife corridors and to fold climate projections and monitoring into the CAO. “Wildlife corridors are essential for the movement and survival of various species,” said Phyllis Farrell of the South…