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Yakima County approves $2,000 for consultant to draft unique comments on proposed grizzly reintroduction
Summary
The Board authorized $2,000 to hire a consultant (Landmark) to prepare county-specific comments on a federal proposal to reintroduce grizzly bears in the North Cascades, citing a tight timeline and requests that comments be region-specific.
The Board of Yakima County Commissioners on April 24 gave consensus approval to obligate $2,000 to a consultant, identified in correspondence as Landmark, to prepare county-specific public comments on a federal proposal to reintroduce grizzly bears into the North Cascades.
Commissioner McKinney described the request as time-sensitive and said the federal review requires unique, area-specific comments rather than form letters. "The administration has made a specific request that all comments be unique to the area and truly substantive," McKinney said, adding that county staff lack the time and technical expertise to prepare the comments on short notice.
Public Services Director Lisa Freund told the board that the consultant requested an immediate commitment and that the consultant expects to deliver the written comments by the middle of next month. Freund said planning's general fund would be the logical funding source but that financial-services staff would handle the formal accounting procedures. "They had asked for a commitment by Tuesday," Freund said, noting the deadline had already passed and the timeline is tight.
Brenda Garcia of Financial Services said she had no concerns about the funding coming from Public Services and that accounting staff could process the obligation offline. Commissioners clarified an amount discrepancy: county correspondence showed a range of $1,000 to $2,000 while Landmark had quoted $2,000 to $3,000; the board approved the $2,000 option.
Commissioner McKinney moved that the board give consensus approval for Public Services and Financial Services to obligate $2,000 to Landmark for the comments; Commissioner Lindy seconded. With Commissioner Curtis excused, the commissioners present voted aye and the motion carried. Clerk Julie Lawrence was asked to send an email documenting the board action for the record.
McKinney said other Washington counties, including Okanogan and Stevens, have used the same consultant to prepare localized comments. Commissioners noted the item does not change county policy on wildlife reintroduction; it authorizes a consultant to prepare and file comments in the federal rulemaking record on the county's behalf.
