Olympia council accepts Natural Environment chapter of Olympia 2045 comprehensive plan

The Olympia City Council voted to accept the Natural Environment chapter of the Olympia 2045 comprehensive plan, a periodic update that city staff said incorporates public and tribal input and aligns the chapter with current best practices in environmental planning.

Kim Foley, environmental planner in Public Works Water Resources, told the council the comprehensive plan update is required by the Washington State Growth Management Act and sets high-level goals and policies for the city’s growth over the next 20 years. Foley said the Natural Environment chapter was revised to emphasize environmental justice and equity, balance human and environmental well-being, and to strengthen language around Puget Sound and salmon recovery while centering tribal sovereignty and treaty rights.

Foley also said climate mitigation and resilience material is being moved into a separate climate chapter; the Natural Environment chapter still references climate resilience but many climate-specific policies will appear in the new chapter. Foley described outreach that informed the update: three rounds of edits, two rounds of review with the Squaxin Island Tribe, engagement with citizen advisory committees, commissions, state agencies and interdepartmental staff.

Council members praised the update. Council Member Gilman called the advisory and council summary “the strongest reflection” she’s seen of how advisory conversations affected drafting. Council Member Vanderpool highlighted the chapter’s attention to tribal stewardship and equity in adapting to climate impacts. After discussion, Council Member Cooper moved to approve the resolution accepting the Natural Environment chapter; the council voted in favor and the motion passed by voice vote.

Foley said the acceptance is for the chapter only; the city will seek acceptance of the full comprehensive plan later this year.