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Whitman County planners set June adoption target for updated Critical Areas Ordinance
Summary
Consultants told the Planning Commission the CAO update is intended as a consistency-focused, "light-touch" revision to align county rules with state law and best-available science; staff said a 60-day Commerce notice in April and a May public hearing would put adoption before the Board in June.
Consultants from Facet told the Whitman County Planning Commission on April 1 that the county's Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) is being updated mostly for consistency with state law and best-available science, and that the work is funded by a grant that runs through June.
"We have a grant that's funding this process through June of this year," consultant Dan Nickel said, laying out a timeline that calls for a 60-day notice to the Washington State Department of Commerce in April, a SEPA review and public comment period, and a likely public hearing before the planning commission in May so the board could consider adoption in June. Nickel described the update as a "fairly light touch" following a major 2019 revision.
The draft focuses on five statutory critical-area types (wetlands, critical aquifer recharge areas, frequently flooded areas, geologically hazardous areas, and fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas) and emphasizes two recurring themes across chapters: an explicit "no-net-loss" requirement and alignment with best-available science guidance.
Consultants said the update includes a redline version in the meeting packet; staff agreed to resend the redline and provide printed copies for commissioners who prefer paper. Commissioners asked for additional time to review the 131-page draft. Staff and consultants discussed the option of an additional workshop (possible April 15) before the public hearing, acknowledging ongoing time constraints tied to the grant timeline.
Next steps: staff will distribute a redline copy for detailed review, the commission will consider a workshop in mid-April, a public hearing is expected in May, and the county aims for Board adoption in June pending SEPA and Commerce review.
