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Environmental group urges Island County to update wetland mapping in Clinton subarea before approving plan
Summary
An environmental advocate told commissioners that Clinton subarea planning relies on incomplete wetland mapping and asked the county to apply best available science and ground-truth delineations before finalizing the plan; commissioners said the item will be discussed at a work session and with Board of Health as appropriate.
Marnie Jackson of Environmental Action Network used public comment time to press Island County to strengthen wetland protections in the Clinton subarea element and to update mapping and data layers before approving planning language.
Jackson cited the county's 2023 Surface Water Quality Monitoring Report, saying only 7 of 16 monitored streams met water-quality standards and warning that growth could harm fragmented wetlands. She referenced state law, including RCW 36.70A.172 and related WAC provisions, and urged the county to adopt a precautionary approach where scientific information is incomplete: "We must not make wetlands an afterthought, but center their care and restoration in our plans for community vitality," she said.
The chair and other commissioners acknowledged the comment and indicated the Clinton subarea element and surface-water issues would be discussed at an upcoming work session and possibly with the Board of Health. Commissioners asked that Jackson's written materials be emailed to staff for review.
No policy decision was made at the March 11 meeting; commissioners described the issue as part of ongoing planning work and set no formal vote or timeline during the session.
