Critical Areas Ordinance update process under way

The Critical Areas Ordinance is in the process of being updated after a decade. The ordinance refers to land use regulations surrounding critical areas. The ordinance can be found in Whatcom County Code chapter 16.16 and is required by state law to be updated every 10 years. 

The update is meant to incorporate new standards that have been adopted at the state and federal levels.The last update was in 2016, and the current update is moving from phase 1 (planning) to phase 2 (outreach). During upcoming public meetings community members will be able to make comments about the proposed updates. 

Community members can see which parts of the Point will be affected by the updated ordinance by checking out maps of each critical area type at whatcomcounty.us/714/Maps-Geographic-Information-System-GIS. The critical area types include: shoreline, frequently flooded areas, geographically hazardous areas, critical aquifer recharge areas, wildlife habitat conservation areas, fish habitat conservation areas and wetlands. The Point is featured on the maps, with critical areas in many of the categories.  

The goal of this update, according to the Whatcom County website, is to use the best available science to better protect the critical areas, safeguard the public from hazards and update general processes. A Sept. 11 post to the county website stated, “The purpose of the CAO is to maintain harmonious relationships between human activity and the natural environment.”

Individuals wishing to engage in the process can email comments to PDS@co.whatcom.wa.us or attend meetings and provide comments virtually or in person. 

Online, meeting dates were described as tentative, so visit whatcomcounty.us/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/5691 before jumping in your car to cross the two borders into the mainland. Alternatively, exercise the virtual attendance option which is available for many of the slated meetings. 

An update presentation to county council is scheduled for Sept. 29 at council chambers, 311 Grand Ave.,  in Bellingham, and there will be a virtual option. A Whatcom County Open House is scheduled for Sept. 30 also at the county courthouse. 

An update presentation to the planning commission is scheduled for Oct. 8 at 5280 Northwest Drive with a virtual attendance option. Three additional meetings are scheduled for November and December. For more information on these meetings, visit whatcomcounty.us/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/5691.