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Planning Commission urges county-specific analysis before new sea-level regulations, debates 'best management practices' wording
Summary
Commissioners argued for local data and stakeholder review before adopting sea-level regulations and discussed whether the comp plan should add broader definitions for best management practices and environmental science.
The Skagit County Planning Commission debated on April 15 whether the comprehensive plan should direct the county to develop new regulations to address sea-level rise before the county undertakes detailed, local scientific analysis and stakeholder engagement. After extended discussion, commissioners agreed to recommend adding conditional language to coastal and resilience policy text requiring in-depth analysis and stakeholder input before developing prescriptive regulations.
Commissioner Day raised concerns that policies calling for regulations on elevation and setbacks read like "cart before the horse" when the county lacks a local monitoring program for sea-level impacts. "We talk about sea level rise but we don't currently in our county have any monitoring or ability to really look at…
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