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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRACKS 9 Climate 2025_0423Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-1 Public Review Draft April 2025 9 Climate 9.1 PURPOSE The purpose of the Climate Element is to enhance Jefferson County’s resilience to climate change and climate change impacts. The Climate Element is a new addition to the comprehensive Plan as part of the 2025 periodic update. This element follows Growth Management Act (GMA) requirements (chapter 36.70a RCW) introduced in 2023 by Washington House Bill (HB) 1181, which call for cities and counties to integrate climate change policies into all future comprehensive plan updates. The GMA sets the following goals for climate change and resiliency: Ensure that comprehensive plans, development regulations, and regional policies, plans, and strategies adapt to and mitigate the effects of a changing climate; support reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and per capita vehicle miles traveled; prepare for climate impact scenarios; foster resiliency to climate impacts and natural hazards; protect and enhance environmental, economic, and human health and safety; and advance environmental justice. (RCW 36.70A.070(9)) Carolyn Gallaway This element supports the Vision Statement by enhancing County resiliency to climate change impacts, protecting ecosystems, natural and working lands, infrastructure, and community and cultural wellbeing; it also works to reduce future emissions that contribute to a changing climate. Goals and policies in this element seek to address current climate change impacts and assess future needs of the County, and how to prepare for these changes while maintaining a thriving Jefferson County. Connection to the Vision Statement [This is a new element proposed as part of the 2025 Periodic Update. All material is new and is not shown in tracks for legibility.] CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-2 Public Review Draft April 2025 Jefferson County is required to develop a Climate Resilience sub- element that equitably enhances resiliency to, and avoid or substantially reduce the adverse impacts of, climate change in human communities and ecological systems. This includes identifying, protecting and enhancing natural areas and community resiliency, and addressing natural hazards that are created or aggravated by climate change. The Climate Element must also meet the following resilience requirements: ▶ Requirement 1: Address natural hazards created or aggravated by climate change, including sea level rise, landslides, flooding, drought, heat, smoke, wildfire, and other effects of changes to temperature and precipitation patterns; ▶ Requirement 2: Identify, protect, and enhance natural areas to foster climate resilience, as well as areas of vital habitat for safe species migration; and ▶ Requirement 3: Identify, protect, and enhance community resilience to climate impacts, including social, economic, and built- environment factors, which support adaptation to climate impacts consistent with environmental justice. A key component of the Climate Element is promoting equitable climate outcomes for community members, as not all climate impacts are experienced equally. Vulnerable populations are defined by HB 1181 as groups that are more likely to be at higher risk for poor health outcomes in response to environmental harms, which could be due to adverse socioeconomic factors (e.g., high housing and transportation costs relative to income, limited access to nutritious food and adequate health care, linguistic isolation, and other factors that negatively affect health outcomes and increase vulnerability to the effects of environmental harms). In alignment with these goals and requirements, the Climate Element addresses key climate issues facing the Jefferson County community to help build community resilience to climate change impacts. Jefferson County is not required to include a greenhouse gas (GHG) sub-element; however, building off existing County climate planning efforts, the Climate Element includes general strategies to reduce GHG emissions, as is consistent with the county’s GHG emissions reduction goal. The issues in the Climate Element are complex and dynamic, and several other elements in the Comprehensive Plan interact with the Climate Element: ▶ Land Use Element. Assesses current and future land uses in Jefferson County, preserving rural lands and character, communities, natural spaces, and resource lands while meeting community growth and other needs. Land use and specifically land CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-3 Public Review Draft April 2025 preservation can be used to enhance climate resiliency and sequester carbon. See the Land Use Element for specific land use policies. ▶ Environment Element. Protects a variety of environmental landscapes, biodiversity, and ecosystem functions in the county. Healthy, functioning ecosystems can provide resiliency against climate impacts and work to mitigate against future climate impacts. See the Environment Element for specific environmental protection policies. ▶ Open Space, Parks & Recreation, Historical & Cultural Preservation Element. Protects and expands parks and open spaces to provide for long-term agriculture and sustainable silviculture as well as greater visual and direct access to open spaces for county residents and visitors. Encourages historical and cultural preservation. Open Spaces and parks provide carbon sequestration opportunities and can help mitigate against climate impacts such as extreme heat and flooding. See the Open Space, Parks & Recreation, Historical & Cultural Preservation Element for specific policies. ▶ Transportation Element. Identifies opportunities to enhance transportation system reliability and promotes multi modal transportation development that can reduce GHG emissions. See the Transportation Element for specific policies. ▶ Natural Resources Element. Protects and enhances the function of county natural resource lands, bolstering resiliency and future yields. See Natural Resources Element for specific policies. The Climate Element was developed through a planning process that included a baseline assessment of climate impacts and climate vulnerabilities (see Appendix F Vulnerability Assessment) and an engagement process that included working with the Jefferson County / Port Townsend Climate Action Committee, broader community engagement via the Comprehensive Plan update, and additional engagement touchpoints (see Appendix F Engagement Plan). 9.2 TRENDS & OPPORTUNITIES This section provides an overview of climate impacts and climate vulnerability across Jefferson County, with more details in the Vulnerability Assessment (Appendix F). CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-4 Public Review Draft April 2025 Climate Impacts Jefferson County, like the broader Puget Sound region and Olympic Peninsula, is already experiencing the effects of climate change, including rising temperatures with more frequent heat events, coastal impacts and sea level rise, drought, heavy winter rainfall with increased risk of flooding, and prolonged wildfire smoke episodes. These impacts are projected to intensify, with their severity depending on global reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and the ability of the County to adapt to the projected impacts. ▶ Temperature and Extreme Heat: Jefferson County's average temperature increased by 1.7°F on average between 1895 and 2024.1 Historically, the county is known for mild summers, however summer temperatures have been warming and are expected to continue warming with climate change. The county has experienced an increase in summer temperatures particularly in more populated areas (Exhibit 9-1). Compared to the 1952–2004 baseline, Jefferson County’s average daily maximum temperature could increase up to 8.3°F by 2100.2 This warming trend is expected to result in an increase in hot days. By 2100, the county could experience an average of 29 additional days with a maximum humidex of 90°F, relative to the 1980–2009 baseline of 2.3 days.3 ▶ Coastal Impacts and Sea Level Rise: Sea level rise in the Salish Sea has already increased by 0.17 feet between 1972 and 2024 due to climate-related and non-climate related drivers such as glacier and ice sheet melting, thermal expansion of seawater, and vertical land movement.4 The sea level at the Hoh Tribal Reservation, Quinault Tribal Reservation, and Port Townsend could rise as high as 2 feet by 2060 or 5 feet by 2100.5 ▶ Drought: Although the Olympic Peninsula is renowned for its high rainfall, Jefferson County faces frequent precipitation drought and occasional snowpack drought conditions. Eastern Jefferson County deals with more drought conditions than the western areas of the county due to the shadow rain effect, however, dry conditions occur throughout the county.6 Summer precipitation may decrease 16% by 2100, increasing dry conditions and risk of drought.7 The projected reductions in summer precipitation can worsen drought conditions, affecting local ecosystems and water resources, as well as soil moisture conditions, which are projected to decrease during 1 NOAA, National Centers for Environmental Information. 2 U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit Climate Explorer, 2023. 3 Abatzoglou & Brown, 2012; Raymond, 2022. 4 Miller, 2018; NOAA; Raymond, 2022 5 ESA, 2023. 6 National Integrated Drought Information System. 7 Hegewisch, n.d. Formatted: bold teal Deleted: Exhibit 9-1 CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-5 Public Review Draft April 2025 the summer months.8 Further, the county is expected to lose glaciers by 2070 and see a decrease in annual snowpack.9 There is a 63% likelihood that the April 1st snowpack will fall below 75% of normal levels by 2100.10 ▶ Heavy Winter Rainfall: Winter precipitation could increase 14% on average by 2100, indicating wetter winters that can saturate soils and increase the risk of landslides and erosion.11 Heavy precipitation can lead to impassible roadways and flooding in populated areas as well as riverine flooding. Maximum streamflow in the Hoh River Watershed and the Queets River near Clearwater, for example, could increase on average up to 64% and 39%, respectively, by the end of the century.12 ▶ Smoke & Wildfire: Across the northwest, warmer temperatures and drier summers lead to more severe and frequent wildfires,13 resulting in poorer air quality. The county may experience on average up to 10 additional “high fire danger” days per year by 2050.14 In addition to an increase of high-risk days, the fire season will also likely begin earlier and end later.15 8 Krosby, 2018. 9 Fountain, 2021; Raymond, 2022. 10 Chegwidden, 2017; Raymond, 2022. 11 Rogers & Mauger, 2021. 12 Krosby, 2018; Raymond, 2022. 13 Halofsky, Peterson, & Harvey, 2020. 14 Abatzoglou & Brown, 2012; Raymond, 2022. 15 Dye, 2024. CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-6 Public Review Draft April 2025 Exhibit 9-1 Change in Summer Surface Temperatures (2013–2023) Note: Increase in temperature is shown in orange and decrease is shown in purple. Source: BERK, 2025. CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-7 Public Review Draft April 2025 Climate Vulnerability The following sectors will be impacted by climate change and require resilience measures to ensure the Jefferson County community and surrounding environment continue to thrive. Public Health Climate change has direct health implications for Jefferson County community members, including heatwaves and worsening air quality. Vulnerable populations with pre-existing mental and physical health conditions, and individuals with socio-demographic risk factors are especially vulnerable to climate impacts. Lower-income community members and those without health insurance are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change because they may be less able to access resources during climate events. In addition to health of the general population, public health infrastructure is also vulnerable to these climate impacts, for example if facilities, transportation routes, and emergency communications are directly affected or overwhelmed due to climate events. There is high risk to human health from hotter temperatures in urban areas, like Port Townsend, and in regions with higher concentrations of vulnerable populations. These vulnerable populations that have increased risk from high heat and poor air quality include: ▶ Children and youth can have increased difficulty regulating body temperature, identifying signs of heat-related illness, and may be more sensitive to health conditions associated with high heat. Children are more sensitive to wildfire smoke because they are still developing, breathe more air per pound of body weight, and tend to spend more time outdoors.16 ▶ Outdoor workers due to their increased exposure to the elements. ▶ Unhoused and underhoused residents, who may lack shelter or have inadequate housing. ▶ Pregnant people, who are at greater risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and more sensitive to poor air quality due to increased respiration. ▶ People with pre-existing health conditions (e.g., heart disease and hypertension), lower-income residents, and/or people without health insurance. ▶ The county’s above-average proportion of residents aged 65 and older (see Exhibit 9-2).17 16 Jefferson County, 2024. 17 CDC, 2024; Jefferson County, 2024. Commented [LH1]: It might be worth considering here that summer temperatures are often hotter in South County (Brinnon). The number of ‘Extremely Hot Days’ experienced in recent years are fairly similar across different areas of the county. I have not seen a data source that shows that Port Townsend experiences Urban Heat Island conditions in comparison to other county areas (in fact, the climate seems more mild, perhaps due to proximity to the water). Additionally, many population risk factors other than the listed 65+ age are often higher in areas in the county outside of Port Townsend, including: % of population under 18, % of population living in poverty, % of population with a disability, % of population without health insurance, and more. While the data I have currently doesn’t break down to county geographies for AQI, we can also see that South County experiences a higher burden from Wildfire Smoke. Environmental Dashboard | Jefferson County, WA Formatted: bold teal Deleted: Exhibit 9-2 CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-8 Public Review Draft April 2025 Exhibit 9-2 Percent of the Population Age 65 or Older in Jefferson County (2022) Note: Darker shades indicate higher proportion of population over 65 years old. Sources: ACS 5-Year Estimates, 2018-2022; BERK, 2024. CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-9 Public Review Draft April 2025 Climate events like flooding can also impact access to services. For example, flooding may isolate community members in rural areas and those without access to vehicles, could cut off access to routine or emergency care if floods damage transportation routes, and may cause flooded facilities to scale back care or temporarily shutter operations. Access disruptions may especially affect those who require regular or emergency care, individuals who are under 18 or over 65, and individuals with disabilities. Jefferson County can improve public health resilience by: ▶ Leveraging and expanding cooling and clean air centers and investing in alternatives such as weatherization programs and education campaigns. ▶ Developing flood plans for public health infrastructure, including relocation plans (e.g., health care facilities, emergency operations, hospitals). ▶ Locating new facilities or investments outside of flood prone and other areas vulnerable to climate impacts. ▶ Expanding climate-related health initiatives. Economy & Resource Lands Healthy forests, opportunities to connect with nature in natural areas and parks, and conservation of other resource lands are critical to Jefferson County’s economy. Additionally, forest preservation can provide opportunities for the county to sequester carbon (see Exhibit 9-3 with tree canopy coverage in Jefferson County). The county has a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities including the Olympic National Park and Forest, 10 State parks, and over 20 county parks. Jefferson County’s forests and wildlands are vulnerable to wildfire risks due to warming temperatures and drier summers, for example when dry vegetation increases the amount of fuel in timber and recreation areas. Hotter and drier summers are also likely to increase pine bark beetle infestations, which can cause tree deaths and increase risk from wildfires and impact timber productivity.18 Increased wildfire and wildfire smoke will impact recreation to these open space lands and could drive disruptions in the tourism and recreation industries, which delivers enormous economic benefits for communities across the Olympic Peninsula. The economic impacts of tourism to Jefferson County in 2023 were $148.9 million in direct visitor spending, generating $47 million in direct labor income and $14.1 million in direct state and local taxes.19 Jefferson County’s other major economic sectors are natural resource-based, including timber harvest. 18 Petersen S. B., 2015. 19 (Olympic Peninsula Tourism Bureau, 2023). Formatted: bold teal, Condensed by 0.1 pt Deleted: Exhibit 9-3 CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-10 Public Review Draft April 2025 Working Forests estimates that there are over 289,000 acres of working forestland in Jefferson County, with $33 million in wages from specialized jobs supported by private forestry, and $3.9 million in taxes and fees returned to state and local agencies.20 Jefferson County can improve resilience for its economy and resources lands by: ▶ Implementing wildfire prevention and protection planning. ▶ Protecting and establishing resource lands to maintain Jefferson County’s economy and reduce climate vulnerabilities. ▶ Protecting forest lands to enhance climate resiliency, reduce emissions, and act as carbon sinks. 20 Working Forests, n.d. CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-11 Public Review Draft April 2025 Exhibit 9-3 Tree Canopy Coverage in Western and Eastern Jefferson County (2021) Source: BERK, 2025. CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-12 Public Review Draft April 2025 Built Infrastructure Jefferson County’s infrastructure, including roads, buildings, and critical facilities, faces significant vulnerabilities to sea level rise, wildfires, and flooding. Housing, transportation networks, and essential facilities, including emergency services and county-owned buildings are all at high risk from these climate hazards. Wildfires and flooding threaten homes and public facilities, while roads, bridges, and highways are increasingly susceptible to flooding and sea level rise, disrupting transportation and emergency response. The Jefferson County Sea-Level Rise Study identified risks to critical assets, including FD1 – Wally Westergaard Station, FD4 – Fire Headquarters, FD7 – Clear Water, the Jefferson County Sheriff Station and Brinnon Elementary School as being located in areas at risk of flooding under certain sea level rise scenarios (see Exhibit 9-4). Their locations put them at risk of operational disruptions during coastal flood events due to limited or inaccessibility, potentially delaying emergency response, impacting essential services, and threatening community safety. Quilcene Schools’ recreational and sports facilities and the Quilcene Community Center are also close to the flood hazard zone, meaning they are also increasingly vulnerable to flooding. Exhibit 9-4 Major Transportation Routes and Public Facilities at Risk of Sea Level Rise and Flooding in Jefferson County Asset Type Brinnon Elementary School School Quilcene School Recreational and Sports Facility County Shop Upper Hoh County Owned Facility FD1 – Wally Westergaard Station Fire Station FD4 – Fire Headquarters Fire Station FD1 – Station 33 Fire Station FD7 – Clear Water Fire Station Jefferson County Sheriff Station Police Station Kitsap Household Hazardous Waste Collection - Chimacum *Owned by Kitsap County; used by Jefferson County residents Hazardous Materials Facility Highway 101 - Brinnon, and Discovery Bay Road SR 104/Shine Road Road State Route 116 Road State Route 20 Road Sources: ESA, 2023; Jefferson County GIS, 2018. Built infrastructure in the county is also vulnerable to wildfire impacts, including some Jefferson County businesses, major highways that Formatted: bold teal Deleted: Exhibit 9-4 CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-13 Public Review Draft April 2025 traverse wildlands, and the 10,475 Jefferson County households located near wildlands.21 Jefferson County can improve built infrastructure resilience by: ▶ Implementing sea level rise adaptation strategies, such as elevating or waterproofing structures and infrastructure, elevating property grades, relocating infrastructure to higher elevations, and avoiding building in areas likely to flood. ▶ Maintaining county bridge strength to support resilience to flooding. ▶ Implementing existing wildfire protection planning. ▶ Implementing transit-focused climate strategies. Water Systems Jefferson County’s stormwater and wastewater infrastructure is vulnerable to inland flooding, heavy precipitation events, coastal flooding, and sea level rise. Water infrastructure (e.g., stormwater and wastewater treatment systems) is especially vulnerable in low-lying and urban areas and coastal areas that rely on septic systems. Currently nearly 4 miles of wastewater pipelines throughout the county are exposed to the 100-year flood,22 while sea level rise will further increase the exposure to wastewater lines.23 Increased flooding and precipitation could damage systems and reduce capacity, exposing up to 1,053 additional septic systems to flooding risks.24 See Exhibit 9-5 for a map of flood hazards in Quilcene Bay based on the amount of sea level rise. 21 NODC, 2015. 22 ESA, 2023. 23 ESA, 2023 24 ESA, 2023. Commented [CE2]: WAC246-272A (on-site sewage systems) was recently updated and now requires local health jurisdictions to specify how we will identify septic systems that will be impacted by sea level rise. Commented [CE3]: Where did this number come from? No necessarily wrong, just curious how it was determined? Formatted: bold teal Deleted: Exhibit 9-5 CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-14 Public Review Draft April 2025 Exhibit 9-5 Flood Hazard Mapping of Different Levels of Sea Level in Quilcene Bay Source: ESA, Jefferson County Sea Level Rise Study, 2023. CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-15 Public Review Draft April 2025 Jefferson County can improve water system resilience by: ▶ Implementing regional stormwater and wastewater improvement plans. ▶ Conducting comprehensive river restoration and flood mitigation planning based on river-specific flood hazards, protection of Tribal Treaty Rights, and relevant Endangered Species Act listings. ▶ Developing long-term strategies to acquire and restore floodplain properties, such as those efforts being implemented in Brinnon, and Big Quilcene. Agriculture & Food Systems Multiple climate hazards may impact agriculture production and food systems in Jefferson County, at both the local and regional level. Increased annual temperatures, extreme heat exposure, reduction in water supply, and changes in precipitation can affect the growing season and crop production. The county has about 8,717 acres of land in farming25 and has zoned nearly 7,490 acres as agricultural. Exhibit 9-6 shows the agriculture resource lands within the county. Farmland is sensitive to drought and heatwaves, conditions that can increase pests, diseases, and demand for water, while reducing crop yields and soil quality. High heat and poor air quality also impact the county’s farm and outdoor workers who have increased exposure to these climate hazards. 25 Census of Agriculture, 2022. Formatted: bold teal Deleted: Exhibit 9-6 CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-16 Public Review Draft April 2025 Exhibit 9-6 Agricultural Resource Lands in Jefferson County (2024) Source: USDA NRCS, 2024; Jefferson County, 2025; BERK, 2025. CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-17 Public Review Draft April 2025 Jefferson County can improve agriculture and food system resilience by: ▶ Building on existing County planning to continue protecting agricultural systems and their economies. ▶ Protecting farmland through future food systems planning. ▶ Supporting permanent protections for farmland such as land trusts. ▶ Investing in food from local farms for schools, food banks and other community needs. ▶ Educating farm owners and agricultural workers on extreme heat and wildfire smoke safety. ▶ Managing water supply for agriculture through water systems planning. Natural Environment & Ecosystems Jefferson County has a rich variety of ecosystems from shorelines, forests, and mountain ranges to freshwater habitats, and shrublands. Climate change impacts such as drought, extreme heat, and ocean acidification challenge each of these ecosystems. For example, changing conditions may make some ecosystems more susceptible to wildfire, whereas others may be more threatened by invasive species and impacts from human development. Additional impacts include: ▶ High temperatures may decrease tree canopy coverage. ▶ High temperatures may cause trees to be more vulnerable to invasive pests. ▶ Warmer temperatures will mean more winter precipitation falls as rain instead of snow (see Exhibit 9-7). ▶ Sea level rise (SLR) and warming ocean temperatures will impact the county’s coastline, wildlife, and infrastructure. ▶ Ocean acidification will impact marine ecosystems, wildlife, and food systems. Formatted: bold teal Deleted: Exhibit 9-7 CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-18 Public Review Draft April 2025 Exhibit 9-7 Historic and Future Air (Shading) and Stream (Dots) Temperature Throughout the Olympics and the Impact of Temperature on Salmon Source: Peterson et al., 2015. Jefferson County can improve natural environment and ecosystem resilience by: ▶ Utilizing green infrastructure such as soft shoreline armoring and permeable surfaces. ▶ Restoring floodplains, river channels and surface and groundwater sources to increase the resilience of natural floodplains and ecosystem. ▶ Collaborating with the agriculture community to prevent soil erosion and soil organic carbon loss, improve ecosystem and water quality, and encourage peat soil retention in stream corridors such as Beaver and Chimacum drainages. ▶ Developing management strategies to address invasive species, such as Scotch Broom and Japanese Knotweed, that can destabilize riparian areas and contribute to increased wildfire. ▶ Protecting natural marine ecosystem processes to support native biodiversity and increase resilience to climate impacts such as water chemistry changes that harm marine ecosystems and their ability to support marine-based food sources for humans, including shellfish and kelp. ▶ Expanding tree canopy coverage to promote resilience. ▶ Incentivizing forest management techniques to improve carbon sequestration and increase fire resistance. CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-19 Public Review Draft April 2025 9.3 CLIMATE PLAN Jefferson County has an extensive list of existing climate efforts that seek to integrate resilience and GHG mitigation efforts into County programs and operations. The Climate Element of the 2025 Comprehensive Plan aims to build on these prior efforts by adopting climate change goals and policies for the county while also complying with GMA requirements. This element builds on past planning efforts by strengthening existing goals and policies, where needed, and adding new goals and policies to address identified gaps. In addition to reviewing existing related plans and policies, the Climate Element engaged the Jefferson County / Port Townsend Climate Action Committee (CAC) to further identify climate priorities, current work, and existing gaps. The CAC was engaged throughout the Climate Element development process. Additionally, the County held the Jefferson County Climate Summit in May of 2024, where County staff and leadership across departments worked to catalogue existing and coordinate future climate work. The CAC and Climate Summit identified a need to integrate equity and vulnerable population considerations throughout the element, increased agriculture and food systems security and resilience, and increased coordination across Jefferson County departments to tackle climate change impacts and reduce emissions. The Climate Element goals and policies are organized by key sectors to target resiliency and GHG reduction across County operations. Sectors were selected using Washington Department of Commerce guidance and aligned with Jefferson County priorities. The key sectors in the Climate Element are: ▶ Zoning and development ▶ Water resources ▶ Ecosystems ▶ Cultural resources and practices ▶ Agriculture and food systems ▶ Emergency management ▶ Transportation ▶ Communication and collaborations CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-20 Public Review Draft April 2025 9.4 GOALS & POLICIES [This is a new element proposed as part of the 2025 Periodic Update. All goals and policies in this element are new. In some cases, where policies are directly adapted from the 2018 Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan, edits are shown in tracks with reference to the 2018 policy in parenthesis.] The goals outlined below provide a general direction for building climate resilience in Jefferson County across sectors, including zoning and development, water resources, ecosystems, cultural resources and practices, agriculture resources and food systems, buildings and energy, emergency management and community well-being, transportation, and communications and collaboration. These goals are based on the requirements of HB 1181, which outlines specific criteria for addressing climate hazards that Jefferson County currently experiences and that are expected to worsen in the future. The Climate Element policies intersect with other Comprehensive Plan Elements and additional climate resilience policies are cross-referenced at the beginning of each sector. Zoning & Development The zoning and development sector includes goals and policies that support growth and development while addressing the challenges posed by climate change, such as drought, sea level rise, and increased precipitation and flooding, while facilitating greenhouse gas reductions and carbon sequestration as practical. Goal CE-G-1 Utilize land use planning, conservation, restoration, and comprehensive river restoration and flood management strategies to minimize the occurrence and impacts of climate hazards, such as flooding and wildfire, including relocating existing infrastructure located in flood prone and inundation areas while restoring natural floodplain functions. Policy CE-P-1.1 Evaluate flood control structures based on increased risks of flooding due to changes in the annual hydrological cycle and more severe peak flow events, and concomitant impacts on ecological functions and processes. ▶ Evaluate opportunities to remove, redesign, or relocate flood control structures such as levees and dams and restore natural floodplain functions, to mitigate flooding impacts and risk, improve ecosystem health (such as salmon habitat restoration), improve Additional zoning and development policies related to climate resilience and GHG emissions reduction can be found in the following elements: ▶ Land Use: Policies LU-P- 5.2. LU-P-7.1, LU-P-7.2, LU- P-7.6, LU-P-7.8, LU-P-8.1, LU-P-8.5, LU-P-16.2, LU-P- 17.2, LU-P-19.2, LU-P-23.6, LU-P-32.3, and LU-P-34.10 ▶ Housing: Policies HS-P-2.1 and HS-P-2.18 ▶ Open Spaces: Policy OS- P-2.5 ▶ Environment: Policy EN- P-6.2 ▶ Capital Facilities & Utilities: Policies CF-P-4.4 and CF-P-9.1.c CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-21 Public Review Draft April 2025 resilience to climate stressors, reduce adverse shoreline ecological impacts, and protect treaty rights and resources. ▶ Allow the construction of new flood control structures only where there is a documented need to protect an existing structure and mitigation is applied. Policy CE-P-1.2 Adopt fire-resilience design and performance standards for new and redeveloped sites in high-risk wildfire areas. Encourage new development in areas where exposure to climate hazards is low. [Note: cross-reference to WUI policy if relevant] Policy CE-P-1.3 Develop information and action plans regarding impacts to land use from climate change, including protecting or moving infrastructure from inundation areas; review of hydrologic budgets and water impoundment and conservation measures to adapt to changing precipitation patterns; and protection of water quality from seawater intrusion or other pollutants to drinking water quality. [former LU-P-7.3] Goal CE-G-2 Establish land use patterns and development practices that increase the resilience of the built environment, ecosystems and natural ecosystem processes, and communities to climate change. Policy CE-P-2.1 Discourage new or expanded development, including subdivisions, that would require flood control structures due to their location at or near a stream, channel migration zone, flood-prone area, or an area at risk of flooding or sea level rise due to climate change. The use of new flood control measures should be limited to: ▶ Maintain resilience of ecosystems to sea level rise and flooding due to climate change. ▶ Reduce flood occurrences that damage existing buildings and homes. ▶ Support economical options, both planning and grants, for relocation where flood control measures would otherwise be the only option. Policy CE-P-2.2 Address rising sea water and flooding risks by planning, siting, and relocating hazardous industries and essential public services away from the 500-year floodplain. For all affected areas, consider sea level rise projections, and develop codes that require the bottom of a structure’s foundation be located higher than the level of expected future sea-level rise for flood hazard protection. Minimize the potential for shoreline developments that result in significant vegetation removal, structural shore armoring, or a net loss of shoreline ecological functions and processes at the time of development. Deleted: for CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-22 Public Review Draft April 2025 Policy CE-P-2.3 Encourage the planning, designing, and locating of new utility installations away from flood hazard zones to eliminate the need for structural shoreline armoring or flood hazard reduction measures. Policy CE-P-2.4 When appropriate, utilize pervious materials and low impact development techniques to improve soil and geologic conditions to reduce stormwater runoff and storm surges, increase aquifer recharge, and reduce impacts of increased flooding and runoff. Policy CE-P-2.5 Develop programs such as Transfer of Development Rights to create a market solution using urban growth area density and compact development to protect rural lands and resource areas from conversion and to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. [former LU-P- 36.4] Policy CE-P-2.6 Identify and map areas in the county that are likely to face increased flooding due to climate change, based on repetitive historical flooding and surface water drainage obstructions and those that significantly impede natural floodplain functions. Provide options (such as DNR programs) to voluntarily sell properties over time. Restore these areas to natural conditions to address wetland and habitat loss, riverine flooding, and sea level rise. Policy CE-P-2.7 Review and update Critical Area Ordinances regularly to utilize best available science in water management and zoning decisions. Watershed management should consider salmon recovery plans, conservation and protection of surface and groundwater, and protecting agricultural usage, drinking water supplies and fish habitats during times of extreme precipitation (flooding and drought). Policy CE-P-2.8 Consider zoning and land use requirements that minimize the reliance on motor vehicles to reduce vehicle miles traveled and GHG emissions. See also Policy LU-P-36.4 in the Land Use Element Deleted: program CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-23 Public Review Draft April 2025 Water Resources The water resources sector includes goals and policies that preserve water quality and quantity while addressing the challenges posed by climate change, such as drought, reduced snowpack, sea level rise, and increased precipitation and flooding. Goal CE-G-3 Manage water resources and systems that seek to protect and preserve water quality and quantity from drought, extreme heat, and other hazards exacerbated by climate change. Policy CE-P-3.1 Utilize the best available climate science and promote floodplain connectivity where feasible to ensure adequate aquifer recharge and water quality. Collaborate with other agencies and utility districts to ensure on-going water conservation and protection of sources and review existing aquifer recharge areas and possible vulnerabilities to future climate change impacts. Policy CE-P-3.2 Ensure the location, construction, operation, and maintenance of all current and future land uses and developments maintains or enhances the quantity and quality of surface and ground water over the long term to protect future water supplies from the increased risk of drought due to climate change. Policy CE-P-3.3 Develop and implement a comprehensive drought response plan that sets action levels for different drought strategies and is implementable across the county. Policy CE-P-3.4 Include climate science and projects in developing water usage standards for new water rights across natural resource industries (mining, forestry, agriculture, livestock) to ensure adequate quality and quantity of water is available for all uses, and water conservation strategies are implemented. Utilize water banking in areas most at risk of drought and water shortages. Policy CE-P-3.5 Encourage education and outreach to residents and businesses regarding water conservation strategies. Additional water resources policies related to climate resilience and GHG emissions reduction can be found in the following elements: ▶ Capital Facilities and Utilities: Policies CF-P-5.2 and CF-P-5.10 ▶ Land Use: Policies LU P- 8.1, LU-G-10, LU-P-10.2, LU- P-11.4, LU-P-34.10, and LU- P-34.4 ▶ Natural Resources: Policies NR-P-6.3, NR-P-8.3, and NR-P-8.6 ▶ Environment: Policies EN-G-1, EN-P-1.1, and EN- P-6.1 CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-24 Public Review Draft April 2025 Goal CE-G-4 Utilize and update flood maps, climate science, and hazard mitigation strategies to ensure climate change is considered in stormwater management and planning. Policy CE-P-4.1 Utilize stormwater management, including cooperating with relevant agencies, to mitigate impacts on built and natural features including residential developments and floodplains. Mitigation strategies should ensure the safety of infrastructure and protection of ecosystems. Policy CE-P-4.2 Utilize existing policies and agencies to increase the resilience of stormwater infrastructure to flooding. Include community- based flood hazard management planning and water conservation priorities and consider current and future water needs. Goal CE-G-5 Encourage the use of green infrastructure and nature-based solutions for water resources management. Where feasible, require use of green infrastructure and low-impact development to address increased storm intensities and stormwater runoff. Policy CE-P-5.1 Ensure that the County’s codes support stormwater management plans, infrastructure designs, and operation and maintenance standards to account for projections in increased precipitation, storm intensities, duration, and stormwater runoff volumes as well as drought conditions. Policy CE-P-5.2 Utilize natural protective measures such as native plants, trees, wetlands, and prairies, to recharge groundwater, reduce flooding impacts, improve water quality, and minimize drought severity. Ecosystems The ecosystems sector includes goals and policies that seek to protect natural resources and ecosystems vulnerable to climate change impacts, such as extreme precipitation and flooding, drought, erosion, and wildfires. Additional ecosystems policies related to climate resilience and GHG emissions reduction can be found in the following elements: ▶ Land Use: Policies LU-P- 7.1, LU-P-7.6, LU-P-7.8, LU- P-8.5, and LU-P-23.6 ▶ Environment: Policies EN-P-2.4, EN-P-6.2, EN-P-6.3, EN-P-6.4, EN-P-6.5, and EN-P-7.3 CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-25 Public Review Draft April 2025 Goal CE-G-6 Ensure the protection of and support the recovery of ecosystems to provide functioning habitats in a changing climate. Policy CE-P-6.1 Prioritize the protection of natural systems and processes, including public open spaces and natural areas, forests, wetlands, fish and wildlife habitats, streams, the Pacific Ocean, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Hood Canal. Policy CE-P-6.2 Preserve existing forested habitats and support expansion of forest areas to increase carbon sequestration for the county by promoting best management practices and voluntary open space conservation that protect critical areas in land use regulations related to septic systems, forest management, agricultural practices, industry, and other development. [former EN-P-2.4] Policy CE-P-6.3 Encourage the location, design, and maintenance of flood control structures, when proven necessary, in a manner that: ▶ Minimizes adverse effects on shoreline ecology. ▶ Is compatible with navigation and recreation, especially in shorelines of statewide significance; provided, that public safety and ecological protection are fully addressed. ▶ Incorporates native vegetation and natural materials to enhance ecological functions, create more natural areas , improve ecological processes, and provides more flexibility for long-term shoreline management. ▶ Encourages nonregulatory methods to protect, enhance, and restore shoreline ecological functions and processes and other shoreline resources as an alternative to flood control structures. Nonregulatory methods may include public facility and resource planning, land or easement acquisition, education, voluntary protection and habitat restoration or enhancement projects, or incentive programs. ▶ Is resilient to the potential for more intense or frequent flooding impacts due to climate change, and where necessary, worsening flooding impacts combined with potential sea level rise impacts. Policy CE-P-6.4 Protect saltwater habitat from threats from climate change impacts. Deleted: e Deleted: to CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-26 Public Review Draft April 2025 Goal CE-G-7 Improve the health and resilience of the county’s streams and rivers, including efforts to mitigate climate change impacts such as flooding and drought. Policy CE-P-7.1 Increase aquatic habitat resilience to low summer flows by encouraging natural systems processes and ecological restoration that promotes increasing water residence time, storing water on the landscape, conserving water, protecting groundwater, keeping waters cool, and protecting water quality. Policy CE-P-7.2 Protect and restore streams, riparian zones, estuaries, wetlands, shorelines, floodplains and their ecological functions to achieve healthy watersheds, ecosystems, and habitats that are resilient to climate change. Policy CE-P-7.3 Implement actions identified in restoration and salmon recovery plans to improve the climate resilience of streams and watersheds. Goal CE-G-8 Encourage forest canopy cover in urban and rural areas with native tree species to reduce wildfire risk, sequester carbon, improve air quality, and reduce surface temperatures for humans and wildlife. Policy CE-P-8.1 Increase and protect existing native tree canopy coverage to reduce neighborhood temperatures, prioritizing frontline and at-risk communities most vulnerable to climate change. The County should explore drought resistant species with minimal impact to infrastructure and offer maximum shade. Policy CE-P-8.2 Ensure the ongoing protection, management, and maintenance of native trees and forests to ensure healthy, wildfire resistant forests. ▶ Implement incentives and programs to maintain open space buffers to protect habitats, land, and property against increasingly frequent and intense wildfires due to climate change. ▶ Utilize prescribed/controlled burns, to minimize the risk of large wildfires exacerbated by climate change. ▶ Support efforts to increase carbon sequestration in Jefferson County forests. ▶ Protect forest health and improve fire safety by protecting sensitive ecosystems and their vegetated areas. CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-27 Public Review Draft April 2025 Cultural Resource & Practices The cultural resources and practices sector includes goals and policies that seek to protect valued cultural and historic resources vulnerable to climate change impacts, such as extreme precipitation and flooding, erosion, and wildfires. Goal CE-G-9 Protect and preserve valued cultural and historic resources at risk to climate change impacts. Policy CE-P-9.1 Consult and work with communities, agencies, and Tribes to identify and protect important historical or cultural sites and natural resources at risk by climate change impacts, such as coastal or inland flooding, erosion, and wildfires. Policy CE-P-9.2 Protect, enhance, and restore ecosystems, water resources, and water quality to fulfill Tribal treaty rights and conserve culturally important consumptive and non-consumptive resources, including foods, wildlife, salmon, medicinal plants, and materials that could be adversely impacted by climate change. Policy CE-P-9.3 Use farm and forest preservation programs, such as the Forest Stewardship Program, and other tools to preserve historic working lands and improve carbon sequestration. Agriculture & Food Systems The agriculture and food systems sector includes goals and policies that seek to promote climate resiliency against impacts such as extreme heat and drought. Goal CE-G-10 Support sustainable local and regional food system practices, infrastructure, and policy that improve Jefferson County’s resilience to climate change impacts. Policy CE-P-10.1 Increase local food security and support the expansion of the food-related economy to address climate impacts and increase access to healthy, affordable, and climate-friendly foods. Policy CE-P-10.2 Preserve land outside of urban growth areas for long- term agricultural use, recreation, open spaces, forestry, mineral resources, and other uses consistent with rural character. Policy CE-P-10.3 Consistent with water management rules and laws, promote environmentally sustainable water-storage and farming policies and practices that help agricultural producers adapt to changing conditions and reduce production losses. Additional agriculture and food systems policies related to climate resilience and GHG emissions reduction can be found in the following elements: ▶ Land Use: Policies LU-P- 1.17, LU-P-25.2, and LU-P- 32.9, ▶ Natural Resources: Policies NR-P-8.2 and NR- P-8.6 ▶ Economic Development: Policy ED-P-6.4 Additional cultural resources and practices policies related to climate resilience and GHG emissions reduction can be found in the following elements: ▶ Land Use: Policies LU-P- 1.16, LU-P-16.3, and LU-P- 19.2 ▶ Natural Resources: Policy NR-P-1.2 ▶ Environment: Policy EN-P-4.3 ▶ Historical & Cultural Preservation: Policies OS-P-3.4 and OS-P-5.7 CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-28 Public Review Draft April 2025 Policy CE-P-10.4 Conserve existing agricultural lands and support future agriculture needs through researching future technology and investments that promote climate resiliency for the agriculture industry. Policy CE-P-10.5 Identify and support the creation of community gardens in suitable locations in urban growth areas or in LAMIRDs with a priority to locate in areas with overburdened communities. Policy CE-P-10.6 Consider a countywide food system security and resilience action plan, that prioritizes sustainable agriculture and food systems practices and helps farmers preserve food for year-round access and use, while serving vulnerable populations. Policy CE-P-10.7 Support research, education and investments in climate adapted food system methods and infrastructure suited to Jefferson County’s soils, including collaborating with and capacity building of partners. Policy CE-P-10.8 Consider opportunities to reduce GHG emissions in the agricultural sector. Buildings & Energy The buildings and energy sector includes policies to increase energy reliability and resilience, improve building energy efficiency and increase the sustainability and resilience of housing to climate impacts such as flooding, extreme heat, and wildfire. Goal CE-G-11 Increase renewable energy project development and improvements to provide jobs and clean, reliable electricity. Policy CE-P-11.1 Encourage and support the development, production, siting, installation, and use of renewable energy such as solar, wind, water, alternative fuels, and other innovative renewable sources. Prioritize locally owned and operated renewable energy sources, power production, and storage systems, consistent with land use development regulations. Avoid siting new renewable energy projects that would impact sensitive areas and species. [former ED-P-7.2 and CF-P-14.4] Policy CE-P-11.2 Encourage existing power distribution systems to accommodate existing and future renewable energy projects and enhance power utilization and efficiency. Policy CE-P-11.3 Work with energy utilities to improve the safety and reliability of infrastructure vulnerable to climate change, and plan for outages. Additional buildings and energy policies related to climate resilience and GHG emissions reduction can be found in the following elements: ▶ Housing: Policies HS-P- 1.6, HS-P-1.7, HS-P-2.1, HS- P-2.18, HS-P-3.1, HS-P-3.2, and HS-P-4.5 ▶ Capital Facilities & Utilities: Policies CF-P-17.1, CF-P-17.3, and CF-P-17.4 Deleted: S Deleted: non-fossil based Deleted: ammonia CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-29 Public Review Draft April 2025 Goal CE-G-12 Promote equitable, affordable, and sustainable housing options that enhance community resilience to climate change. Policy CE-P-12.1 Encourage collaboration between the county and housing and service agencies to support low-income, elderly, and/or BIPOC communities with home repairs, energy efficiency improvements, and weatherization to reduce energy demands and impacts of wildfire smoke, flooding, extreme temperatures, and other risks. Policy CE-P-12.2 Prioritize weatherization and housing quality improvement efforts in underserved areas of the county. Policy CE-P-12.3 Increase housing diversity and supply within urban growth areas in places that minimize harm to ecosystems, are at low risk for wildfire, or are outside of flood hazard areas. Policy CE-P-12.4 Increase affordability and sustainability of housing that allows for long-term economic stability and health of residents while increasing climate resilience and resource conservation. Policy CE-P-12.5 Explore opportunities to incentivize standards such as Built Green Washington, Low Impact Development, and/or LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) to reduce energy burdens and increase the resilience of buildings to climate change impacts. [former LU-P-1.10] Goal CE-G-13 Seek opportunities to repurpose and renovate existing buildings, especially historic buildings, to reduce resource consumption and GHG emissions. Alternative uses for buildings can include housing and public spaces that provide shelter, warmth, or cooling during extreme weather. Policy CE-P-13.1 Develop high-heat and air quality resilience strategies such as providing public access to cooling and clean air centers, running high-heat and wildfire smoke awareness campaigns, and directing coordination efforts with local public health and emergency service providers. Policy CE-P-13.2 Prioritize the preservation and weatherization including passive cooling options of housing in overburdened communities, particularly at higher densities, to reduce emissions and increase resilience. Policy CE-P-13.3 Promote salvage, deconstruction, and recycling of construction and demolition debris. Deleted: , dependent upon the availability of funding… CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-30 Public Review Draft April 2025 Policy CE-P-13.4 Incentivize community replacement of woodstoves and fossil fuel heating with heat pumps or similar technology to provide resilience for high-heat and poor air quality and reduce emissions. Goal CE-G-14 Prioritize developments that use technological and passive strategies to mitigate harm to public health, safety, and welfare, especially those caused or amplified by climate change. Policy CE-P-14.1 Develop inventories of buildings and infrastructure at risk to climate change impacts such as sea level rise and increased precipitation. Prioritize mitigation projects that relocate critical infrastructure out of the inundation zone or 100-year flood plains. Policy CE-P-14.2 Design buildings for passive survivability to ensure that they will stay at a safe temperature for occupants if the power goes out. Policy CE-P-14.3 Encourage or incentivize new developments to use low emission construction practices, low or zero net lifetime energy requirements, and green building techniques. Policy CE-P-14.4 Incentivize new buildings to be solar ready and EV charging ready. Emergency Management The emergency management sector includes goals and policies that seek to prepare Jefferson County and its residents for hazards exacerbated by climate change, including increased flooding and precipitation, sea level rise, wildfires and wildfire smoke, extreme heat, and more. Climate hazards pose risks to community wellbeing by reducing water availability, disrupting food production and availability, and impacts to public health and safety. Emergency Management policies should ensure residents can be fully prepared and informed about relevant climate risks and response systems for emergencies in the county. Additional emergency management policies related to climate resilience and GHG emissions reduction can be found in the following elements: ▶ Land Use: Policies LU-P-9.3 and LU-P-16.2 ▶ Natural Resources: Policy NR-P-3.8 ▶ Environment: Policy EN- P-6.3 CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-31 Public Review Draft April 2025 Goal CE-G-15 Enhance community well-being and emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts to mitigate risks and impacts associated with extreme weather and other hazards worsened by climate change ensuring the most vulnerable residents do not bear disproportionate health risks. Policy CE-P-15.1 Continue to develop long-term, comprehensive flood hazard management plans in cooperation with other applicable agencies and persons that consider the potential climate change impacts using projected flooding and sea-level rise assessments. Plans should seek to minimize the likelihood of flood damage, maintain the natural hydraulic capacity of streams and floodplains, protect human health and well-being, and conserve or restore valuable, limited resources such as fish habitat and floodplain connectivity water, soil, and recreation and scenic areas. Policy CE-P-15.2 Update, develop, and disseminate fire hazard maps that consider impacts from climate change. Maps will be used to: ▶ Educate and assist builders and homeowners in wildfire mitigation practices. ▶ Guide emergency services during response. Policy CE-P-15.3 Enhance emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts related to wildfire and wildfire smoke impacts associated with climate change. Possible actions include: ▶ Educate district personnel on federal cost-share and grant programs and Fire Protection agreements. ▶ Participate in the Firewise Program and enhance outreach and education programs aimed at mitigating wildfire hazards and reducing or preventing the exposure of residents, public agencies, private property owners, and businesses to natural hazards. ▶ Provide private forestland owners and residents living in Wildland- Urban Interface (WUI) areas information about fire prevention (e.g., Firewise) practices, and support application of such practices via building code provisions. ▶ Create multilingual versions of a wildfire hazard atlas for Jefferson County and the City of Port Townsend that incorporates climate change impacts and identifies vulnerable populations. ▶ Enhance Emergency Services to increase efficiency of wildfire response and recovery activities by integrating climate mitigation strategies. CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-32 Public Review Draft April 2025 Policy CE-P-15.4 Develop community-based resilience hubs, prioritizing access for at-risk populations, to support residents and coordinate the distribution of resources and services before, during, and after a hazard event including wildfire and wildfire smoke and extreme heat. Resiliency hubs should include cooling options (passive cooling or AC) and air filtration systems. Policy CE-P-15.5 Strengthen emergency services preparedness response efforts to mitigate risks and impacts associated with climate change by linking emergency services with natural hazard mitigation programs. Possible ideas include: ▶ Promote inter-agency response planning and training among various first response agencies within Jefferson County, including public health, law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS). ▶ Continue involvement at the county level with the Northwest Region Fire Defense Board and the Northwest Region Fire Mobilization Plan. ▶ Encourage local fire service, emergency medical, and law enforcement agencies to include Jefferson C.E.R.T. members in training opportunities. ▶ Develop and distribute maps and awareness tools so the public and planners recognize current and future wildfire and smoke patterns and can plan evacuation routes and protocols. Safety measures should be developed to protect vulnerable populations from dangerous wildfire smoke. Policy CE-P-15.6 Employ outdoor work protocols during extreme heat or smoke events to reduce potential adverse health effects applicable to the county’s workforce and provide outreach to community businesses and organizations on safer work protocols during extreme heat and smoke events. Policy CE-P-15.7 Identify and address the disproportionate impacts of climate change on overburdened communities when prioritizing investments, policies, programs, and projects. Ensure benefits and outreach materials are inclusive to, accessible to, and focused on underserved communities, including rural communities. Policy CE-P-15.8 Educate the public on wildfire smoke risks, vulnerable populations and measures to reduce exposure. Policy CE-P-15.9 Maintain and expand a system of open space, trails, parks, and greenbelts that provide opportunities to be outside and active. Ensure public parks and beaches have adequate shade elements and benches where appropriate to protect against extreme heat. CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-33 Public Review Draft April 2025 Transportation The transportation sector includes goals and policies that seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resiliency to climate change impacts, including extreme precipitation and flooding, and sea level rise. Goal CE-G-16 Ensure that the local transportation system—including infrastructure, evacuation routes, and travel modes—can withstand and recover quickly from the impacts or hazards exacerbated by climate change, with special attention to the needs of overburdened and vulnerable populations, including isolated communities. Policy CE-P-16.1 Reduce stormwater impacts from transportation and development through watershed planning, redevelopment and retrofit projects, and low-impact development, ensuring the integration of local climate impacts risk assessment into planning efforts. Policy CE-P-16.2 Design and site new and retrofit existing transportation infrastructure, including low-lying roads, non-motorized trails, rail systems, and bridges vulnerable to coastal or inland flooding, repetitive flooding and/or landslides, and sea level rise. Transportation infrastructure should ensure the least possible adverse impacts on existing ecology and habitat restoration projects, limit impact on public access, and integrate future climate projections into siting and design. Goal CE-G-17 Promote opportunities to reduce GHG emissions in the transportation sector. Policy CE-P-17.1 Improve the efficiency of the transportation system, promote electric vehicle infrastructure and adoption, and expand active transportation infrastructure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Conduct audits of existing transportation systems to identify and address accessibility gaps among overburdened and vulnerable populations. Policy CE-P-17.2 Promote public transit expansion and use through coordination of land use and transportation planning, prioritizing historically vulnerable populations such as low-income and rural communities. Provide and promote mobility options during emergency events. Policy CE-P-17.3 Expand electric vehicle infrastructure development and support the transition to electric vehicles. Additional transportation policies related to climate resilience and GHG emissions reduction can be found in the following elements: ▶ Land Use: Policies LU-P- 17.2 and LU-P-32.3 ▶ Transportation: Policies TR-P-4.10, TR-G-8, and TR-P-9.7 CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-34 Public Review Draft April 2025 Policy CE-P-17.4 Collaborate with regional partners to promote the expansion of regional multimodal transportation systems, to connect transportation hubs such as ferry terminals to other high-density county areas. Policy CE-P-17.5 Promote a safe and well-connected multimodal transportation network to encourage active transportation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Policy CE-P-17.6 Design streets to reduce vehicle miles traveled and GHG emissions and encourage active transportation by considering how street network connectivity can be utilized to reduce VMT. Communications & Collaborations Policies in the communications and collaboration section encourage interdepartmental county collaboration and community-led efforts to increase climate resilience across the county. Goal CE-G-18 Expand county and community partnerships to integrate equity and vulnerability to frontline communities in prioritizing resilience strategies. Policy CE-P-18.1 Build and support partnerships with community-based organizations and Public Health with the capacity and relationships to convene diverse coalitions of residents and to educate and empower them to implement climate resilience actions. Policy CE-P-18.2 Consider developing a countywide Climate Resilience Office to support the integration of equity into climate change adaptation efforts, as well as promote, adaptation, mitigation and planning for climate change across all county departments and with community partners. Goal CE-G-19 Increase public involvement, communication, and participation in programs to support resilience and adaptation. Policy CE-P-19.1 Identify, improve, and sustain collaborative programs focusing on the real estate and insurance industries, public and private sector organizations, and individuals to avoid activity that increases risk and exposure to climate impacts. ▶ Continue and/or enhance and expand the Neighborhood Emergency Response Team Program. ▶ Consider participation in the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System Program to inform residents, in participating jurisdictions, about the flood risk in Jefferson County. Additional communications and collaboration policies related to climate resilience and GHG emissions reduction can be found in the following elements: ▶ Land Use: Policies LU-P- 9.12, LU-P-9.3, and LU-P- 34.4 ▶ Natural Resources: Policies NR-P-3.8 and NR- P-8.6 ▶ Environment: Policy EN- P-7.3 CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-35 Public Review Draft April 2025 ▶ Continue to make public awareness materials and programs available to the public to help inform the communities within Jefferson County as to the risks associated with various natural hazards. ▶ Ensure climate related outreach and education materials are inclusive, accessible, and culturally contextualized. Policy CE-P-19.2 Build and support partnerships with jurisdictions, agencies, private businesses, and community organizations to identify and pursue funding opportunities to implement local climate and natural hazard mitigation activities. Actions include: ▶ Identify and encourage partnering with various agencies and organizations within Jefferson County that have an interest in or have established natural hazard mitigation programs. ▶ Hold recurring cross-sector coordination meetings to share updates on climate resilience work. ▶ Establish a climate charter within the county to anchor cross-sector coordination with shared goals, resources and standards and that establishes agreement of mutual aid across county departments. ▶ Develop a shared internal website or online collaboration tool to share climate resources and work. ▶ Partnering with various state and federal agencies that have programs that support natural hazard mitigation programs such as the Flood Control Assistance Account Program administered by the Washington State Department of Ecology. Policy CE-P-19.3 Establish and maintain government-to-government relations with Tribes for the preservation of archaeological sites and traditional cultural properties that are vulnerable to climate impacts. Policy CE-P-19.4 Establish and support interactions with individuals to increase involvement, communication, and participation in programs for climate resilience and adaptation. Actions include: ▶ Provide outreach to youth, BIPOC communities, LGBTQ+ residents, low-income families, and those with disabilities. ▶ Support school-based education, youth-led activities, and culturally inclusive programs that encourage all generations to shape a resilient future. 9.5 ACTION PLAN [The action plan will continue to be refined following the release of the public draft and additional input from the public and Planning Commission on community priorities.] CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-36 Public Review Draft April 2025 Exhibit 9-8 highlights key activities the County can use to implement the Climate Element over the next ten years (prior to the next periodic update), several in partnership with other entities: Exhibit 9-8 Climate Action Plan Action Sector Nexus Description Climate Change Outreach and Education ▶ Emergency Management ▶ Communication & Collaborations ▶ Continue climate centered communications and create outreach tools that can be used to inform Jefferson County residents about climate change impacts and resilience strategies. Strategies should include actions that residents can take at home to bolster resilience and reduce GHG emissions. ▶ Build staff capacity to conduct targeted outreach to community organizations, businesses, and schools, to help these organizations integrate better climate practices, including both preparing for climate impacts and reducing GHG emissions. ▶ Encourage department and agency development of climate hazard-related emergency plans. ▶ Partner with relevant stakeholders across the county to implement the policies in this element. Climate Science Updates ▶ Zoning & Development ▶ Water Resources ▶ Ecosystems ▶ Agriculture & Food Systems ▶ Buildings & Energy ▶ Transportation ▶ Conduct periodic updates of climate maps and data such as sea level rise, flooding, heat, precipitation and snowpack, and more. ▶ Integrate climate findings into County plans and policies, noting impacts to County infrastructure or operations. Update Zoning and County Code ▶ Zoning & Development ▶ Water Resources ▶ Cultural Resources & Practices ▶ Agriculture & Food Systems ▶ Buildings & Energy ▶ Emergency Management ▶ Transportation ▶ Integrate climate data and projected future conditions into policies impacting zoning and land use decisions and building and infrastructure requirements. ▶ Leverage planning, conservation, and restoration efforts to improve natural and built infrastructure resilience to climate hazards. Infrastructure Improvements ▶ Zoning & Development ▶ Buildings & Energy ▶ Ecosystems ▶ Water Resources ▶ Agriculture & Food Systems ▶ Continue efforts to increase built infrastructure resilience to climate hazards through implementation of nature- based solutions and green infrastructure. Support Local Economy ▶ Agriculture & Food Systems ▶ Ecosystems ▶ Cultural Resources & Practices ▶ Communications & Collaborations ▶ Agriculture, timber, marine, and tourism industries; support of established economic activities that also increase climate resilience and ecosystem health and promote carbon sequestration. ▶ Support plans and policies to protect key county natural resources and natural resource economies. Source: Jefferson County, 2025. Formatted: bold teal Deleted: Exhibit 9-8 CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-37 Public Review Draft April 2025 [ This page intentionally blank ] CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-38 Public Review Draft April 2025 Remove prior intentionally blank page from PDF if needed—formatted as a placeholder to ensure each element starts on a right hand spread. Do not publish from this point forward. Remove pages from consolidated PDF. 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A collaboration of Washington Sea Grant, University of Washington Climate Impacts Group, University of Oregon, University of Washington, and US Geological Survey. Washington Coastal Resilience Project. CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-40 Public Review Draft April 2025 NOAA. (n.d.). Relative Sea Level Trend. NODC. (2022). Phase 2: Municipal Level Climate Action Planning for the North Olympic Peninsula – Final Report. North Olympic Peninsula Resource Conservation & Development Council. Prepared by NODC and Cascadia Consulting. Retrieved from www.noprcd.org Petersen, S. B. (2015). Climate Change Preparedness Plan for the North Olympic Peninsula. A Project of the North Olympic Peninsula Resource Conservation & Development Council and the Washington Department of Commerce. funded by the Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved from www.noprcd.org Pramova, E. L. (2012). Forest and trees for social adaptation to climate variability and change. WIREs Clim Change, 3, 581-596. doi:doi: 10.1002/wcc.195 Raymond, C. M. (2022). Climate Mapping for a Resilient Washington. Climate Impacts Group, University of Washington, Seattle and Research Data & Computing Services. Rogers, M., & Mauger, G. (2021). Pacific Northwest Climate Projection Tool. Salathé, E., & Leung, L. Q. (2010). Regional climate model projections for the State of Washington. Climate Change, 102(1-2), 51-75. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-010-9849-y SWCA. (2024). Community Wildfire Protection Plan. Jefferson County. Washington State Department of Health. (2023). How Climate Change Imapcts Zoonotic, Vector-borne, and Environmental Fungal Disease in Washington State. Retrieved from https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-03/420567- ZoonoticClimateImpactsFlyer.pdf Washington State Department of Transportation. (2011). Climate Impacts Vulnerability Assessment. Washington State Department of Transportation. Retrieved from https://wsdot.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2021-10/Climate-Impact- AssessmentforFHWA-12-2011.pdf Washington Tracking Network. (2024). Extreme Heat”. Retrieved from https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/wtn/WTNPortal/home/#!q0=8960 Wildfire Risk to Communities. (n.d.). Retrieved from Wildfire Risk. org: https://wildfirerisk.org/explore/overview/53/53031/ Working Forests. (n.d.). Private working forestry in Jefferson County has a unique role. Retrieved from Working Forests: CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-41 Public Review Draft April 2025 https://workingforests.org/working-forests-in-jefferson-county- wa/ Contents 9 CLIMATE 9-1 9.1 Purpose 9-1 9.2 Trends & Opportunities 9-3 Climate Impacts 9-4 Climate Vulnerability 9-7 Public Health 9-7 Economy & Resource Lands 9-9 Built Infrastructure 9-12 Water Systems 9-13 Agriculture & Food Systems 9-15 Natural Environment & Ecosystems 9-17 9.3 Climate Plan 9-19 9.4 Goals & Policies 9-20 Zoning & Development 9-20 Water Resources 9-23 Ecosystems 9-24 Cultural Resource & Practices 9-27 Agriculture & Food Systems 9-27 Buildings & Energy 9-28 Emergency Management 9-30 Transportation 9-33 Communications & Collaborations 9-34 9.5 Action Plan 9-35 Exhibit 9-1 Change in Summer Surface Temperatures (2013–2023) 9-6 Exhibit 9-2 Percent of the Population Age 65 or Older in Jefferson County (2022) 9-8 Exhibit 9-3 Tree Canopy Coverage in Western and Eastern Jefferson County (2021) 9-11 Exhibit 9-4 Major Transportation Routes and Public Facilities at Risk of Sea Level Rise and Flooding in Jefferson County 9-12 Exhibit 9-5 Flood Hazard Mapping of Different Levels of Sea Level in Quilcene Bay 9-14 Deleted: 9-3 Deleted: 9-3 Deleted: 9-7 Deleted: 9-7 Deleted: 9-9 Deleted: 9-12 Deleted: 9-13 Deleted: 9-15 Deleted: 9-17 Deleted: 9-19 Deleted: 9-20 Deleted: 9-20 Deleted: 9-23 Deleted: 9-24 Deleted: 9-26 Deleted: 9-27 Deleted: 9-28 Deleted: 9-30 Deleted: 9-32 Deleted: 9-33 Deleted: 9-35 Deleted: 9-6 Deleted: 9-8 Deleted: 9-11 Deleted: 9-12 Deleted: 9-14 CLIMATE Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 9-42 Public Review Draft April 2025 Exhibit 9-6 Agricultural Resource Lands in Jefferson County (2024) 9-16 Exhibit 9-7 Historic and Future Air (Shading) and Stream (Dots) Temperature Throughout the Olympics and the Impact of Temperature on Salmon 9-18 Exhibit 9-8 Climate Action Plan 9-36 Deleted: 9-16 Deleted: 9-18 Deleted: 9-35