New Deadline: January 18, 2019
Email comments to Rocky (Roxanne) Robbins: rrobbins@co.okanogan.wa.us

It’s hard to find time to write comments over the holidays!

That January 4 deadline was too close to allow for a thoughtful response from our dedicated community members, many of whom just learned about the opportunity the day after Christmas, from the Methow Valley News.

In response to MVCC’s request, the county has extended the comment period to January 18.

To recap, Scoping Comments tell the county which impacts to analyze in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) – a thorough review of potential impacts of each alternative for the Comprehensive Plan. The county is considering three alternatives, with the “status quo” as Alternative 1.

Scoping comments can also contain proposals for new alternatives to add to the EIS analysis – we have been working hard on a new alternative to share with you!

MVCC’s team is putting the final touches on our comments and proposed alternative, and will share them within the week. Here are a few highlights from our comments.

• For analysis of each proposed Alternative in the EIS, consider the most current, widely-accepted climate science: identify how each alternative addresses predictions for a future that includes reduced snowpack, increased drought and longer, more intense wildfire seasons. With that in mind:
• The EIS should analyze both the comprehensive plan and zoning updates.
• The EIS must analyze the impacts of the comprehensive plan and zoning code updates and alternatives on fire (and other emergency) services and fire hazards.
• The EIS must analyze the impacts… on senior water rights holders, ground water resources, stream flows including instream flow rules, and lake levels.
• The EIS must analyze the impacts… on farmland.
• The EIS must analyze the impacts… on plants and animals and their habitats.
• The EIS must analyze the impacts… on Air Quality.
• The EIS must analyze the impacts… on critical areas such as landslide hazards, aquifer recharge areas, and flood plains.
• A mitigating measure that should be identified is to update the Okanogan County Critical Areas regulations to comply with the Growth Management Act.
• Please include the proposed Fourth Alternative in the EIS analysis.