Overview: Critical areas are some of our most fragile and important ecosystems in the Methow Valley. They include wetlands, aquifers used for potable water, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, frequently flooded areas, and geologically hazardous areas.
State law requires that counties adopt a Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) and use the best available science to develop policies that protect them.
Latest News: In 2015, Okanogan County provided a draft update of its CAO. MVCC submitted detailed comments on this draft as well as earlier ones. We believe the CAO draft does not use the best available science as state law requires. We also believe that the best available science justifies stronger environmental protections than those in the draft, particular around critical aquifer-recharge areas. The CAO draft also fails to mention studies conducted in the Methow and Okanogan watersheds that document the limitations of aquifers and forecast water shortages, particularly in the Lower Methow Valley.
Archive:
View our past work on the CAO here.