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Farmers and environmental groups press Island County to correct comprehensive plan draft, cite GMA and technical errors
Summary
Speakers representing the Agricultural Resources Committee and the Whitby Environmental Action Network told the board the draft comprehensive plan contains technical, definitional, and policy errors; they asked for a corrected revised draft, a public workshop on identified technical issues, and confirmation that Department of Commerce review will follow full public review.
Danielle Bishop, representing the Agricultural Resources Committee for Island County, and Marnie Jackson of the Whitby Environmental Action Network spoke during public comment on Jan. 20 about the county's draft comprehensive plan update.
Bishop thanked county staff for outreach and said the committee's priorities remain economic viability for farms, clearer communication with county administration, housing, water availability and farmland preservation. She said, "Since 1950, Island County has lost almost 35,000 acres of farmland," that the overall value of agricultural products sold in the county has "dropped by nearly half since the 1950s," and that farmland values are now about eight times higher; she said formal written comments will be submitted before the Feb. 9 deadline.
Jackson said the draft contains inconsistent definitions, mathematical and technical errors, and replaces mandatory protections with optional considerations that, she said, could violate the Growth Management Act (GMA). She asked the board to direct staff to prepare a corrected revised draft and to schedule a dedicated public workshop to address technical errors, particularly for critical areas and use of the best available science before submission to the Washington Department of Commerce.
A county commissioner thanked the speakers, asked for the written comments, and encouraged the groups to consult directly with the plan consultant about methods used in the parks element. The commissioner said the county has extended public outreach past its original schedule and reiterated that staff will continue to review public input; he also said he would raise additional concerns and comments in the next day's meeting.
Why it matters: Speakers framed the issues as having legal and practical implications for land conservation, water quality and housing allocation. Jackson specifically urged corrections to ensure Growth Management Act compliance and stronger protections for critical areas.
What happens next: Bishop said the committee will submit written comments before the Feb. 9 deadline; the speakers requested a revised, corrected draft and a dedicated workshop. The board indicated staff will review submitted materials and consultants remain a contact point for technical questions.
