Residents will have another chance to weigh in on Thurston County's plan to locally manage federally protected species such as the pocket gopher during an April 6 public hearing regarding county code amendments.
The county's Planning Commission will host the hearing virtually at 7 p.m. Wednesday, according to a county news release. An online open house began on March 28, allowing residents to submit comments before the hearing.
This step will further along the county's long-gestating Habitat Conservation Plan. Preparation for the plan began in 2014 and final approval may come before June, according to an informational county website.
Once it's approved and adopted, local developers should have an easier time getting permits for development projects in unincorporated Thurston County.
The Endangered Species Act requires developers to get federal approval prior to starting projects on land that could affect listed federally threatened and endangered species.
The county applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for a federal permit and drafted its plan after certain species, including the Mazama pocket gopher, were added to the ESA list.
A public comment period for a draft environmental impact statement ended on Nov. 8. Currently, the USFWS is working to finalize the draft EIS and review the draft HCP submitted by the county, according to the county.
With the permit and plan in place, the county could handle the entire permit process. This would allow most developers to apply and get answers on development proposals year-round rather wait for times when gopher inspections could be conducted, according to the county.
The plan describes how the county will protect threatened and endangered species within its boundaries in accordance with the ESA.
In addition to the Mazama pocket gopher, these species include the Oregon spotted frog, Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and the Oregon vesper sparrow.
For its part, the county's Planning Commission is reviewing a proposal to place the plan into a regulatory framework for the county development code, according to the county's news release.
Specifically, the county has proposed amending Title 17 to add a Chapter 17.40 and change Chapter 17.20. The proposal also calls for amending Title 24, Chapters 20.01, 20.04 and 24.25.
Additionally, the release says the county hopes to amend existing environmental code, including Title 24, which is called the Critical Areas Ordinance.
Copies of the proposed amendments can be obtained online or by visiting the Thurston County Community Planning and Economic Development Department, Building Development Center, at 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW in Olympia.
After the hearing, the Planning Commission may recommend the Board of County Commissioners implement the changes to the county code.
More hearings would then follow, and the Commissioners would ultimately vote to either adoption or reject the amendments.
Residents can attend the Wednesday public hearing virtually through Zoom or by calling in at 253-215-8782. The Webinar ID for the Zoom is 891 2663 5335 and the passcode is 820331.
Written comments may also be submitted by emailing Community Planning Manager Christina Chaput at Christina.chaput@co.thurston.wa.us. Comments must be received no later than 4 p.m. Wednesday.
