[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6488866,"mediaKeyId","5489818-d102c32b9dfdaaef63adfc14f26b5b40","parentId",5489818,"title","Skagit County holds public hearing on 2025 Critical Areas Ordinance update; decision set for Aug. 4","audioSeconds",3066,"startMs",401000,"endMs",3467000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5489818-d102c32b9dfdaaef63adfc14f26b5b40&start=401&end=3467","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5489818-d102c32b9dfdaaef63adfc14f26b5b40/thumbnail_401000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6488866/Skagit-County/Washington/Skagit-County-holds-public-hearing-on-2025-Critical-Areas-Ordinance-update-decision-set-for-Aug-4","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488866-838ef44750e507a9ca0282a59d952b8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445331&Signature=UvLWWrGHLcXr9GRGrAZmpxZ4TM59OEMsJeVNIrC9Sb29E4~t3pVxqlPCvesssSzKwgH2KVK3Mil9l8hNKa-X19VkkkpskTdUtWWwUDz-5PACkjthKD26j16u6mO1SmzRI7y7TBdbJ6OWEpEjkYuP5AMpeM1E7EupAVsFretc8CILNArT561wZlxww8yVmj3Fl47mIQxQ7dlNqGBbZOO~yL3NiwUN~MfhCZaQRhBZigv5oN3A32nhEAcZQKd74wRc4bXddLxnu~MGreFJatXQpoQsM3dD0CFcDzaDi44d~V5gT0mu7GxQGshedI9PD18UsxLX3YgFluIe0Os-N-et4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Skagit County","date","2025-07-28T00:00:00Z","article","Skagit County Planning and Development Services held a public hearing July 28 on proposed updates to the county’s 2025 Critical Areas Ordinance, with the board of county commissioners taking public testimony and setting a decision for Aug. 4 at 10 a.m.

The hearing drew conservation groups, farmers, Big Lake residents and tribal representatives who urged the county to strengthen protections for wetlands, riparian areas and other critical resources and to address off-site stormwater impacts that commenters said bypass the county’s 200-foot review limit.

Robbie Eckroth, senior planner for Skagit County Planning and Development Services, summarized the process leading to the draft. He told the commissioners the Growth Management Act requires counties to update comprehensive plans and related development regulations every 10 years and to evaluate critical areas under state rules. Eckroth said the planning commission recommended approval with amendments on June 17 and that the board discussed the draft at a July 7 work session.

Why it matters: commenters said the draft would leave gaps that could allow cumulative loss of ecological function — a concern for fisheries, drinking-water recharge and shallow lakes such as Big Lake. Several speakers asked the board to reject proposed exemptions for small wetlands and to eliminate new rules that would allow timber harvest in riparian buffers.

Key public concerns
- Skagit Land Trust: Kirk Johnson, board president of Skagit Land Trust, asked the county to make clear that protecting intact ecological functions cannot be achieved by substituting mitigation for on-the-ground protection. He recommended removing a requirement that conservation organizations routinely notify planning staff of routine restoration activities, calling the proposed notice requirement “more burdensome than current code.”
- Notification for restoration: Rick Haley, a board member of Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group, said the draft’s requirement to notify the planning director about routine riparian restoration (mulching, nonnative-vegetation control) is unnecessary and “a waste of everybody’s time.” He asked the county to remove that notification requirement and to address rare enforcement cases individually.
- Wetlands and timber harvest: Multiple commenters urged the county to decline proposed exemptions for category-4 wetlands smaller than 4,000 square feet and for wetlands under 1,000 square feet. Several speakers and written comment summaries cited a May 2025 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife letter opposing timber harvest within riparian buffers; one commentator read that letter’s line that allowing timber harvest “compromises the critical ecological functions and values these areas are intended to protect.”
- Big Lake watershed and the 200-foot limit: Numerous Big Lake residents and neighborhood groups described what they said are measurable stormwater impacts beyond 200 feet. Jake Hoopmans, a resident speaking on behalf of family members at Big Lake, described an approved development that he said routed sediment-laden stormwater through ponds, ditches and pipes into Big Lake. He told the board: “Phosphorus gets to the lake from stormwater; current county code and the proposed changes are not protecting Big Lake from polluted stormwater runoff.” Other residents pressed the board to require off-site impact analyses when stormwater leaves a project site and flows toward a receiving water.
- Tribal and government commenters: Heather Spore, tribal staff for the Swinomish Indian Community, said the tribe had submitted multiple comment letters and requested more time for review; she said the tribe has asked the state Department of Commerce to open tribal mediation with the county to resolve remaining treaty-resource concerns.

Process and next steps
Planning staff and the consultant team will continue to accept written comments through 4:30 p.m. the day of the hearing; staff said written comments will be reviewed, forwarded to commissioners and posted to the project website. No formal action was taken during the hearing; the board set a potential decision date of Aug. 4 at 10 a.m.

What the record shows: testimony emphasized three repeating themes — (1) that stormwater impacts can travel beyond a 200-foot radius and may require off-site analysis, (2) that small wetlands and category-4 wetlands should not be broadly exempted, and (3) that allowing timber harvest within riparian buffers undermines protections. Tribal representatives asked for more time and mediation under state processes.

The county’s second draft of the Critical Areas Ordinance and associated documents, including comments on the first draft, are posted on the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update Project website; the board may act on the draft at its Aug. 4 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Skagit County - Record of the Proceedings - Monday Session","oneSentenceSummary","Skagit County Planning and Development Services held a public hearing July 28 on proposed updates to the county’s 2025 Critical Areas Ordinance, with the board of county commissioners taking public testimony and setting a decision for Aug. 4 at 10 a.m.","taxTitle","Skagit County, Washington","taxId",5125,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6488856,"Commissioners approve consent agenda including housing and public‑health contracts; recusals recorded",717,5269000,5986000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5489818-d102c32b9dfdaaef63adfc14f26b5b40&start=5269&end=5986","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5489818-d102c32b9dfdaaef63adfc14f26b5b40/thumbnail_5269000.jpg","/articles/6488856/Skagit-County/Washington/Commissioners-approve-consent-agenda-including-housing-and-publichealth-contracts-recusals-recorded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488856-d2039c5b2d609d8f11140525d6ae8535/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445331&Signature=ienDDHC0d9mlyIvCvlQXm46F-h6QYyFoc9dRArooyh4A-ubyWvbHyLenAq5rFbEYtNX~TO3SCjJ-QoEfua2LF5OvvaFprDaU8PnXmyWnDbwXpqcSfj33eEdWl7qHhk~NOIbZreKChCOyW1J7kpZQBKtoo9ZuM7gz49UpclgGG-fzUlrNAx7PngLuRSmKgulWU-rd1t8n5OoMDp2wzLCKirDMe-1EcOz84pGGzD4FhY0zdkkz8JJL6ycF2RODbHcNeU87I0SN~zJV3efYby~vxNhqXdPqMGnepl~qEiOI0A08oOsFr-4B80P-wNC19AF9eOEw~zMz-678aRqN6gwZtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Skagit County Board of Commissioners approved the consent agenda on July 28, voting 3‑0 to adopt items 1 through 30, and approved several miscellaneous contracts and resolutions, with recusals recorded for items where commissioners had board affiliations.

Items called out in discussion included funding for local infrastructure and facilities projects, a vendor services agreement for a county staff event, and personal services agreements for housing and developmental‑disability services.

Specific items and votes
- Consent agenda (items 1–30): Commissioner Wiesen moved and Commissioner Browning seconded a motion to approve the consent agenda; the motion carried 3‑0.
- Vendor services agreement (miscellaneous): The board approved a vendor services agreement with Sabore's LLC to provide meals for an all‑staff summer event, compensation not to exceed $6,700; vote 3‑0.
- HUD/Home Investment Partnerships assurances and Community Action contract: The board approved a resolution to submit HUD assurances and a personal services agreement with Community Action of Skagit County to provide short‑term rental assistance and related targeted prevention services. Compensation for Community Action was noted as not to exceed $829,376; Commissioner Wiesen recused himself from these two items because he serves on the Community Action board. The motion to approve carried 2‑0 with one recusal.
- Chinook Enterprises: A personal services agreement with Chinook Enterprises to provide individualized and group supported employment and community inclusion services for eligible individuals with developmental disabilities was approved; compensation based on a fee schedule shall not exceed $750,000. Commissioner Browning recused himself (board affiliation); the motion carried with two affirmative votes and one recusal.

Commissioner remarks
Commissioner Wiesen highlighted facilities projects in Cedar Woolley (intersection improvements) and a railroad undercrossing project, and noted capital work to install anti‑climbing barriers at the Community Justice Center costing more than $1 million. Commissioner Browning praised continued stable funding for public health and noted an amendment to a consolidated contract with the Washington State Department of Health would not reduce public‑health funding.

Outcome and next steps
All actions on the consent agenda were ratified as recorded, with recusals noted in the minutes where commissioners had conflicts of interest. The board adjourned to an executive session after the consent vote and scheduled the Board of Health meeting for 2:30 p.m.","The Skagit County Board of Commissioners approved the consent agenda July 28, including funding for housing assistance, public‑health contracts and facilities work. Several commissioners recused themselves on items where they had organizational ties.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6488861,"Skagit County proclaims August 2025 Breastfeeding Month; public‑health partners highlight local services",1645,3658000,5303000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5489818-d102c32b9dfdaaef63adfc14f26b5b40&start=3658&end=5303","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5489818-d102c32b9dfdaaef63adfc14f26b5b40/thumbnail_3658000.jpg","/articles/6488861/Skagit-County/Washington/Skagit-County-proclaims-August-2025-Breastfeeding-Month-publichealth-partners-highlight-local-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488861-787f808019252e49c3b00760bfe59486/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445331&Signature=FvpxvpK375bc-8dKEp2oX~-rqOCp8GYmjd7mxPcIOjN5efTQ54FR~wwYOJdSrsdYWkwxqwmXKUrfswoGD0l-evFGx69heyj3pWM~okhpbtXxRWFY7B5HYcBXVFNFMbRnfeplrVP9aZpfEyCzi74J47pvjO1aHkaglE~1UAJ1MR0gzwPV1nyhPjWcaqowVSJkXHLHNRhWLqgMgeDEAsNNl1d-QIPkIPuLdllUcV67dZdv0MEnecdHrfJVNO6EX7bRQNjcb-hlYrGz0VpNga7FfkJ8Cg~HVfdhL2NwOdDRv4QrZ~g1qnO9QmrXIEKEPdFvPd4z0scuIjlwB7laGPvSRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Skagit County Board of Commissioners unanimously proclaimed August 2025 as Breastfeeding Month on July 28 following a presentation from the Skagit Lactation Coalition and public‑health partners.

Jennifer Sathwalton, prevention and community health division manager at Skagit County Public Health, introduced the presentation and thanked coalition members for local work supporting lactation. Terry Schilling, chair of the Skagit Lactation Coalition and a lactation consultant, described coalition activities that include peer support, hospital coordination and newborn resource bags distributed to families.

Valeria Chilcote, a breastfeeding peer counselor with WIC at Mount Vernon, summarized public‑health benefits of human milk and barriers parents face, including lack of prenatal education, early formula introduction in hospitals and workplace constraints. She said that Washington state’s breastfeeding initiation rates are high but exclusive breastfeeding at six months remains lower.

A mother who identified herself as Amanda described personal struggles after a NICU separation and difficulties establishing breastfeeding with her first baby; she said subsequent support from WIC and hospital lactation staff helped her reach her breastfeeding goals with later children.

Skagit Valley and Island hospitals were cited as scoring well on the CDC’s mPINC survey (maternal practices in infant nutrition and care). Speakers also noted local services such as lactation pods (a private space for pumping), WIC peer counselors, donated human‑milk programs for premature infants and community breastfeeding education.

Commissioner action and context
The board moved and seconded the proclamation and voted unanimously in favor. The proclamation notes Skagit County welcomes nearly 1,500 new babies each year and calls for continued collaboration to ensure families can access pregnancy and postpartum supports.

The presentations highlighted an array of county supports — WIC peer counselors, hospital lactation consultants, newborn outreach bags, lactation pods at the courthouse, and community classes — that partners said help families meet breastfeeding goals.","The Skagit County Board of Commissioners proclaimed August 2025 as Breastfeeding Month after a presentation from local lactation partners. Public Health, WIC and hospital representatives described a network of peer counselors, lactation pods and newborn outreach that they say supports families countywide.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Skagit County holds public hearing on 2025 Critical Areas Ordinance update; decision set for Aug. 4

Commissioners approve consent agenda including housing and public‑health contracts; recusals recorded

Skagit County proclaims August 2025 Breastfeeding Month; public‑health partners highlight local services