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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDiscussion: Jefferson Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Actions - 122324 JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORKSHOP AGENDA REQUEST TO: Board of County Commissioners FROM: Kate Dean, Commissioner DATE: December 23, 2024 SUBJECT: Discussion: Jefferson Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Actions STATEMENT OF ISSUE: The Climate Action Committee has asked the county for a list of what it is doing towards both adaptation and mitigation in response to the climate crisis. ANALYSIS: Attached for discussion are two lists the county has developed. The first list, in Excel format,was developed in 2023 and was updated in 2024 with revised Public Health goals. The second list, in Word format, was developed this month. Staff requests that the Board review both lists and develop a combined list for submission to the Climate Action Committee. FISCAL IMPACT: N/A RECOMMENDATION: Discuss the County's climate action goals and provide direction to staff. REVIEWED BY: Mark McCa 1 , County Administrate Dat °�° � 41"` ���r °� U wh 1,17 ti „ U K Climate Action Goals Board of County Commissioners Develop a Commute Trip Reduction Program Support telecommuting where appropriate,covered bike racks Promote travel-free business practices Onlines services such as permit applications with Energov Virtual meetings with clients and partners and for conducting county business Manage County-owned land for multiple benefits,including carbon sequestration,storage and forest health via the Community Forestry Program Fleet Switch to renewable(bio)diesel fuel when available Replace 2 medium duty trucks with dual fuel vehicles(propane) Hoh Shop-replace oil heat and gas generator with propane powered equipment Purchase electric vehicles for Public Works,Community Development,and Public Health Install solar panels and solar light tubes on a new Hadlock shop roof Facilities Continued interior LED light retrofits(outside lighting already LED) Institute County-wide recycling program Smart thermostats for PH,PW,DCD Replace employee owned space heaters with more efficient/safe panel heaters Brinnon Community Center remodel to usie green techniques and solar panels Port Townsend Community Center Gym to be rebuilt with better insulation,windows and heating system Install bike racks at county buildings Purchasing Mandate the use of recycled paper Promote the use of reusable/compostable cutlery,cups and plates-eliminate plastics Require purchases to be evaluated through the Climate Change lens:discourage single-use materials,require products made with recyclable/reusable/compostable materials Public Health Reduction in plastic incentive items given to families receiving services in the Community Health Division(example:toys/supplies for WIC,NFP,WIC families) Develop Climate and Health program to respond to wildfire smoke,heat events,severe weather,flooding,sea level rise,emerging infectious diseases,and other potential impacts to public health. Increase coordination between JCPH and DEM,and build partnerships within the community to ensure adequate sheltering capacity exists for cooling and clean air centers. Increase community resilience to flooding through the Dosewallips River Project and the Floodplains by Design program. Monitor shorelines,lakes,and streams for signs that climate change may be affecting water quality and coordinate with state and federal partners on adaptation strategies. Public Works Establish more resilient infrastructure to handle increased stream/river flows by replacing and upsizing culverts and bridges,fish barrier correction work and with Federal Highways on the county roads serving Olympic National Park. Road protection on the Upper Hoh Rd in collaboration with Federal Highways to withstand increased flood flows. Continue to create more non-motorized facilities including extension of Olympic Discovery Trail,Lopeman Trail,Tollefson Trail. Target and reduce snow and ice applications(and allow for use of smaller vehicles)to reduce diesel Continue Solid Waste education efforts aimed at waste reduction. Continue to promote backyard and school composting to remove food waste from the waste stream and eliminate the carbon footprint associated with transporting. Community Development Prepare a comprehensive flood hazard management plan for Big and Little Quilcene Rivers&a relocation study for floodprone households abutting the Dosewallips and Duckabush Rivers-Ecology grant#1. Conduct a Sea Level Rise Study to guide planning and development activities in response to anticipated sea level changes-Ecology grant#2 Create a shoreline users guide to explain provisions governing shoreline development-Ecology grant#3 Review existing implementation of Chapter 15.15-Flood Damage Prevention to ensure compliance and reduce loss of life and damage to property during flood events Implement Climate Action goal of incorporating teleconferencing,telecomuting and alternative work schedules where practicable Emergency Management Update Hazard Mitigation Plan in 2022 with required Climate Change section(and intersections of climate impacts associated with other risks) Complete Community Wildfire Protection Plan Jefferson County Climate Actions 2024/2025 Mitigation: • Continue the conversion of the County fleet to electric vehicles where appropriate. • Install EV chargers at County-owned facilities, including County offices and the Hwy 19/104 visitor's centers and the Port Townsend Community Center. • Conduct energy audits on county facilities and implement energy conservation measures where possible, including installation of heat pumps. • Manage County-owned forestlands for multiple benefits, including carbon sequestration, forest health and reducing fire risk. • Increase diversion of organic waste from the waste stream at new, modern solid waste facility. • Continue to build the Olympic Discovery Trail and new trails in the Port Hadlock UGA to encourage non-motorized transportation. • Complete the Port Hadlock sewer to encourage density to reduce vehicle miles travelled and encourage active transportation. Adaptation: • Replacing metal pipe culverts with wider concrete box culverts/bridges, protecting the roads from fast moving water during extreme rain events. • Install engineered armoring along river banks on the rivers on the west end of the County to prevent road wash-outs during severe storms. • Implement 2024 Community Wildfire Protection Plan, including outreach to educate about defensible space, fuel reduction and evacuation routes in the event of wildfires. • Work with local community centers and other organizations to develop capacity to provide climate refuge centers during severe weather, including extreme cold and winter weather, extreme heat, and smoke from nearby wildfires. • Integrate climate change preparedness into existing county outreach programs,through Public Health, Emergency Management, and others. • Incorporate climate change planning into all planning processes, including the Comprehensive Plan, the Shoreline Master Program,the All Hazard Mitigation Plan, Capital Facilities Plan and other County plans and code changes. Apprr."ect by the Board of Jefferson County Climate Actions 2024/2025 Jeffers or :Our ty C ,mmissioners Date: /7/2-3 2-cf Mitigation: • Continue the conversion of the County fleet to electric vehicles where appropriate. • Install EV chargers at County-owned facilities, including County offices and the Hwy 19/104 Olympic Gateway Visitor Center and the Port Townsend Community Center. • Conduct energy audits on county facilities and implement energy conservation measures where possible, including installation of heat pumps. • Manage County-owned forestlands for multiple benefits, including carbon sequestration, forest health and reducing fire risk. • Increase diversion of organic waste from the waste stream at new, modern solid waste facility. • Continue to build the Olympic Discovery Trail and new trails in the Port Hadlock UGA to encourage non-motorized transportation. • Complete the Port Hadlock sewer to encourage density to reduce vehicle miles travelled and encourage active transportation. • Encourage reduction in paper use by moving to a paperless contracting system,for example. • Use recycled paper and print double sided, whenever possible. • Review county policy regarding remote work for commute reduction and to address space constraints. Adaptation: • Replacing metal pipe culverts with wider concrete box culverts/bridges, protecting the roads from fast moving water during extreme rain events. • Install engineered armoring along river banks on the rivers on the west end of the County to prevent road wash-outs during severe storms. • Implement 2024 Community Wildfire Protection Plan, including outreach to educate about defensible space, fuel reduction and evacuation routes in the event of wildfires. • Work with local community centers and other organizations to develop capacity to provide climate refuge centers during severe weather, including extreme cold and winter weather, extreme heat, and smoke from nearby wildfires. • Integrate climate change preparedness into existing county outreach programs, through Public Health, Emergency Management, and others. • Incorporate climate change planning into all planning processes, including the Comprehensive Plan, the Shoreline Master Program, the All Hazard Mitigation Plan, Capital Facilities Plan and other County plans and code changes.