Tumwater reviews draft conservation element; council raises wetland, tree-protection and implementation questions

City planners presented a draft conservation element for Tumwater’s 2025 comprehensive plan at the June 11 General Government Committee, prompting detailed discussion about wetlands, urban forestry, mineral resource lands and how the draft will be implemented through the development code.

“We really focus on the fact that this is, you know, GMA wants us to develop in our urban spaces,” said Dana Bowers, associate planner at the City of Tumwater, describing the element’s structure and purpose. Bowers told the committee the conservation element is being drafted in two parts: Part 1 will be an accessible document that lists goals, policies and implementation actions; Part 2 will contain the technical ‘‘best available science’’ information that supports the policies.

Bowers said the draft aims to protect the functions and values of natural spaces while recognizing Growth Management Act (GMA) requirements to accommodate urban development within the urban growth area. She said the…