Skagit County holds public hearing on 2025 Critical Areas Ordinance update; decision set for Aug. 4

Skagit County Planning and Development Services held a public hearing July 28 on proposed updates to the county’s 2025 Critical Areas Ordinance, with the board of county commissioners taking public testimony and setting a decision for Aug. 4 at 10 a.m.

The hearing drew conservation groups, farmers, Big Lake residents and tribal representatives who urged the county to strengthen protections for wetlands, riparian areas and other critical resources and to address off-site stormwater impacts that commenters said bypass the county’s 200-foot review limit.

Robbie Eckroth, senior planner for Skagit County Planning and Development Services, summarized the process leading to the draft. He told the commissioners the Growth Management Act requires counties to update comprehensive plans and related development regulations every 10 years and to evaluate critical areas under state rules. Eckroth said the planning commission recommended approval with amendments on June 17 and that the board discussed the draft at a July 7 work session.

Why it matters: commenters said the draft would leave gaps that could allow cumulative loss of ecological function — a concern for fisheries, drinking-water recharge and…