Committee continues review of conservation element; staff seeks comments on critical areas, urban forestry and urban agriculture

Tumwater planning staff continued the General Government Committee's review of the draft conservation element on July 9, asking council members for feedback on goals and policies for natural resources, critical areas, urban forestry and local food production.

Why it matters: The conservation element sets policy direction for how the city designates and protects wetlands, wellhead protection areas, frequently flooded areas, geologically hazardous sites, fish and wildlife habitat, urban tree canopy and agricultural uses. Those policies guide future permitting, restoration, and code changes such as tree protection and critical-area regulations.

Staff summary and major topics

Dana, a staff member leading this portion of the meeting, summarized two main parts of the conservation element: (1) natural resources (agricultural, forest and mineral lands) and (2) critical areas (wetlands, critical aquifer recharge areas, frequently flooded areas, geologically hazardous areas and fish and wildlife habitat areas). Dana asked…