The county is required to update our policies relating to Critical Area Regulations (CAR) in response to our Comprehensive Plan changes and by state agencies. Over this last year, staff from the county’s Planning and Development Services (PDS) division identified areas that may be impacted by changes to our county’s comprehensive plan and new scientific research, and then used this information to develop a proposal that would work to protect and preserve CARs across Snohomish County. Staff brought forward an updated Ordinance to the county’s CAR Policies and presented these to council for approval. The proposals used a collection of best available science, diligent review by expert staff, several briefings and updates, direct tribal consultation, and the necessary public outreach process for input.  

The original ordinance proposed by PDS would increase buffers and strengthen efforts to protect clean water and restore salmon populations. An amendment proposed by Councilmembers Mead and Nehring would re-instate previous regulations, in effect denying stronger protections on environmentally sensitive areas in our county. The amendment has brought up important discussions on need for housing and housing affordability but our subject matter experts, community members and tribal governments have raised concerns with the proposed amendment. The council has passed changes to increase density to allow for more housing and housing types in our urban areas, such as allowing accessory dwelling units and increasing heights. But the need for housing and clean water do not have to be in conflict - we can have both. Council should make our decision on protecting critical areas using the framework set forth by the state-and continue the conversation on affordable housing with different legislation and a more engaged community process.  

The ordinance and proposed amendment were both heard at the January 15 Public Hearing Meeting. After the presentation by our council staff person and lingering questions that were brought forth, it was clear that department staff had not had enough time to thoroughly review the recently introduced amendment, which was still in draft form. Ordinance 24-097 has been referred back to committee for further review and discussion in the coming weeks. After that discussion, it will be assigned and noticed for another Public Hearing meeting for a final vote, though a date has not yet been set. I will share more updates as they come available. In the meantime, if you have input or feedback about this Ordinance (24-097) or the proposed Amendment, please email full council at contact.council@snoco.org.  Emails sent to this address will also become a party of record and you’ll be notified of the next hearing date.  

Snohomish County Surface Water Management (SWM) has added river-gauge notifications to its Real-Time Flood Information Center. Anyone can sign up for text or email notifications when any of the 16 river gauges in the county reach flood phases 2 through 4. You can select specific river gauges and flood phases you wish to monitor and will be notified when the river exceeds the flood phase(s), and when it recedes below the flood phase(s) you signed up for.  

To sign up, go to https://snohomish.onerain.com, click “Subscribe to Flood Notifications”, select which river basin you are interested in, then select the gauge and phase. 

The recent Bomb Cyclone weather event in Snohomish County left a wake of damage felt by many neighborhoods and residents. A recent presentation from our Snohomish County Departments of Human Services and Emergency Response showed how widespread the damage was, and what financial relief may be available to residents who sustained damage not covered by insurance (Slide 6 of this presentation).  

Those affected can now meet in-person in Monroe with representatives of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience to explore applying for low-interest disaster loans up to $500,000 available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.  

The SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center is scheduled to be open weekdays through Jan. 31 and is located in the VIP Cabin at the Evergreen State Fair Park, 14405 179th Ave. SE in Monroe. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday.  

Learn more: https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2969    

On Thursday, February 6, Martha Jordan, the Director of the NW Swan Conservation Association will host an educational event at the NW Stream Center called White Birds of Winter. This presentation will share more about the Trumpeter and Tundra Swans and Snow Geese that migrate from Alaska and Canada to farm fields across Washington State this time of year, and where to go to view them. Registration and more information can be found at: https://www.streamkeeper.org/product/the-white-birds-of-winter-with-martha-jordan/439.   

Thank you to The NW Stream Center for their continued hard work to educate the public on the importance of the preservation, protection, and stewardship of wetlands, streams, and rivers. The boardwalk nature trail is a great way to learn more about local restoration projects, water quality and salmon.