Leadership Council unanimously adopts 2026–2030 Action Agenda and will seek EPA CCMP approval

The Puget Sound Partnership Leadership Council voted unanimously to adopt the 2026–2030 Action Agenda and agreed to send a resolution to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency seeking formal approval for the plan to serve as Puget Sound's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan.

Rob Crabill, who led the staff presentation, described the draft as organized into four main chapters and 20 priority topics ‘‘to focus on what needs to happen on the ground to achieve recovery,’’ and demonstrated an online Action Agenda Explorer intended to show commitments, progress indicators and related data. He said the document reflects years of tribal consultation, partner workshops and public comment.

Acting chair Kate Dean framed adoption as the next step toward implementation: "This is the culmination of a two‑year update process and it will help identify priorities for budget requests and policy items," she said. EPA Region 10 water division director Krishna Viswanath told the council the agency will review the submission through its established staff and political briefing process before any national decision.

Council members asked questions about a small number of actions that were flagged with a Washington‑only icon because they are not expected to receive federal research funds. Staff explained those items were intentionally identified to reflect state responsibilities while keeping the agenda compliant with federal CCMP requirements.

With the motion moved, seconded, and called to a vote, the chair announced the result: "Motion carries unanimously." The partnership said the next steps include submitting the resolution to EPA and continuing implementation work through tracked partner commitments and program targets.