Commissioners press staff to strengthen water, wildfire and landscape protections in Chapter 6

Planning staff presented Chapter 6 of the general plan, which focuses on protecting natural and cultural resources, including wetlands, wildlife habitat, scenic landscapes and the county’s agricultural heritage. Staff emphasized updating the county’s inventory of historic sites, coordinating with state natural‑resource agencies, and exploring a landscape ordinance for the East Side to conserve water and adapt to changing climate conditions.

Commissioners urged more detail on water stewardship and wildfire resilience. One commissioner pressed staff to expand policies around wildfire and land‑use stewardship and flagged migration corridors for elk and deer as an area that needs concrete controls. Another commissioner recommended stronger coordination with the Trails Foundation and careful placement of bike and pedestrian routes so they connect meaningfully rather than dead‑end in small subdivisions. Several commissioners stressed preserving public lands and open space — noting the county’s existing general‑obligation bond for open space as an example of prior voter support for land conservation.

Staff committed to build out the chapter’s water‑resource and wildfire sections and to coordinate with state agencies on wildlife and habitat protections. The commission indicated support for measures that preserve agricultural landscapes (for example, Marion Meadow) and for including concrete stewardship and mitigation strategies in the next draft.