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State wildlife official urges habitat buffers, connectivity language in Leavenworth comprehensive plan
Summary
Paul Christensen of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife told the Leavenworth Planning Commission that modest additions to the draft comprehensive plan — new land‑use and transportation policies emphasizing riparian buffers, low‑impact stormwater measures and habitat corridors — would align the plan with state priorities and help conserve wildlife values around the river corridors.
Paul Christensen, land‑use lead with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, told the Leavenworth Planning Commission on May 6 that the city’s draft comprehensive plan is “very well done” but could use a handful of targeted additions to better protect wildlife habitat. He said he suggested two new land‑use goals (for example, a proposed land‑use policy labeled 5.7) and a transportation policy (proposed 1.14) aimed at preserving habitat corridors, riparian buffers and low‑impact stormwater practices.
Christensen said the measures are intended to align local policy with Fish and Wildlife guidance and state mapping of priority habitats. “Most of what I kind of talk about is…riparian buffers for maintaining water quality, especially for fish‑bearing streams,” he said, adding the proposed language would be consistent with existing goals in the draft plan and the agency’s priorities.
Commissioners asked whether the recommendations would feed into the city’s forthcoming critical‑areas update; Christensen said the additions are intended to inform that work and that he would provide suggested wording and follow up with staff. He noted that while full wildlife crossings are less likely to be needed within the small city limits, a transportation policy that asks planners to check WDFW maps and priority habitats when siting roads or major projects can avoid future conflicts.
Christensen also emphasized the agency’s willingness to consult further, saying he could share a near‑final set of suggested edits so the city can forward them to staff and incorporate them into the comp plan update. The commission thanked him and agreed to accept his comments in writing.
Next steps: Planning staff will collect written comments and incorporate consultant and agency suggestions into the draft plan; Christensen offered to provide language and to be available for follow‑up coordination.
