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Whitman County adopts Critical Areas Ordinance updates ahead of new FEMA flood maps
Summary
County Planner Alan Thomson presented updates to Chapter 9.05 (Critical Areas Ordinance), emphasizing floodplain changes to meet Department of Ecology requirements ahead of FEMA maps becoming effective Dec. 23, 2026; the board approved the amendments on June 29, 2026.
County Planner Alan Thomson presented required updates to the Critical Areas Ordinance (Chapter 9.05) and Natural Resource Areas during a hearing June 29, 2026, explaining that much of the floodplain language was pre-written by the Department of Ecology and that wetland sections include specific numeric and distance changes. He told the board the update was prioritized so the floodplain ordinance would be in place before the new FEMA flood maps become effective on Dec. 23, 2026.
Commissioner Chad Whetzel questioned broad, non-measurable goal language (for example, references to volcanic eruptions or seismic events) and urged measurable goals; Commissioner Tom Handy observed that building codes overlap with ordinance protections. Following discussion, Commissioner Whetzel moved, Commissioner Handy seconded and the board carried a motion to approve the amendments to Chapter 9.05 as presented.
