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Whitman County planners start SEPA review for Critical Areas Ordinance update
Summary
The Planning Commission voted April 15 to begin SEPA review of a broadly updated Critical Areas Ordinance that incorporates Ecology and WDFW guidance on wetlands, floodplains and habitat protection; the motion passed unanimously and triggers a May public hearing timeline.
The Whitman County Planning Commission voted April 15 to initiate the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review for a proposed update to the county's Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO), moving the draft closer to hearings before the County Commissioners.
Douglas Yormick, the consultant who drafted most of the CAO changes, told the commission: "So next steps, we are completing the SEPA checklist so that we could get SEPA determination to the paper on May 7th for a May 20th public hearing." Commission chair Brian Davies then called for a motion; Commissioner Weston Kane moved to proceed and Chris Melhus seconded. The motion passed with all members voting in favor.
The SEPA step will begin the formal 14-day comment window and a 60-day Commerce review required for changes touching critical-area rules. Staff said the SEPA notice would be placed in the newspaper and that the Planning Commission aims to hold a public hearing in mid-to-late May, after the Commerce review window closes. County staff and the consultant emphasized that some sections were largely technical updates while others include substantive policy choices, such as riparian buffer methods and mitigation options.
The commission’s vote does not finalize policy. Instead it authorizes publication of the SEPA notice and triggers written agency review. If approved by the Planning Commission after public comment, the draft CAO will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final consideration and adoption.
