Clallam County commissioners are expressing a shared interest in actively planning for a changing climate.

The commissioners’ discussion March 28 on a resolution sought to create the framework for adapting to the potential impacts of climate change comes as the county and its communities are emerging from one of the most extreme weather years experienced.

The 2014-2015 winter brought little snowpack, spring and summer resulted in a statewide drought emergency, yet the annual precipitation in Sequim set a record from its usual 16-17 inches with 23.07 inches.

The draft resolution leans on the “Climate Change Preparedness Plan for the North Olympic Peninsula” — a localized adaptation plan for Jefferson and Clallam counties released in late 2015. The report provides the relevant science and strategies to build traction and direction toward the next steps needed to adapt on a local level to climate change.

Acknowledging the report as a helpful tool, Commissioner Mark Ozias initiated the board’s discussion on the draft resolution and associated report.

“The resolution is intended to ask and encourage several departments within the county to take a look at those anticipated (climate) changes and reflect on them in terms of their 2017 work plans and budgets,” Ozias said.

The departments listed are the Clallam County WSU Extension, Health and Human Services, Public Works, Parks, Fair and Facilities. The identified departments “shall consider the projected climate change impacts and adaptation strategies” contained in the report and “address applicable findings when proposing their 2017 work plan and budget,” according to the draft.

Also, it “strongly urges” the director of the Department of Community Development and the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management Division to reflect the report findings in their 2017 budgets and include the projected impacts and adaptation strategies in the Comprehensive Plan and the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.

“I see this as an initial piece of work that can help to normalize the concept of thinking about climate change and what it means and starts to internalize it,” Ozias said.

Both Commissioners Bill Peach and Mike Chapman spoke positively of the draft resolution.

“Under this approach each individual leader in a department says to themselves ‘What is it I need to do to help manage climate change within my department?’” Peach said. “It’s a good approach given we have a lot of really good, responsible people thinking about the issue.”

Chapman echoed Peach, noting, “I think we’re on the right track.”

“This will formalize a process … for considering, planning and preparing for the climate change impacts on our way of life,” he said. “I think that the community will be well served by this process so you have my support 100 percent.”

During public comment on the draft resolution, former county commissioner Mike Doherty was appreciative of the “small step” but would like to see more action.

“I am grateful for the small step but it’s really not enough,” he said.

Doherty referred to the Dungeness, Three Crabs Road and Jamestown Beach areas as the “poster child” for needed action when issuing building permits.

“There is still building going on,” he said. “You have the projections of the most scientific estimates of sea-level rise and within 25-30 years that property could be determined a serious matter.”

“I was just hoping we would have a bigger step and get onto some strategies,” he said.

For those behind the local climate change preparedness report, the possible adoption of the resolution is significant.

“We’re thrilled to see the work being adopted, especially at the county level,” Kate Dean, North Olympic Peninsula Resource Conservation and Development Council regional director, said.

To see Clallam County take the lead as possibly the first jurisdiction to put the report into action is “exciting” because there was more participation from Jefferson County during the creation process, she said.

“I’m particularly excited about the commissioners’ collective leadership,” she added. “That’s what we need moving forward with the projections.”

The commissioners are expected to take action on the draft resolution at their upcoming meeting at 10 a.m., Tuesday, April 12.

As a follow-up to the floated resolution, Ozias noted he plans to review the county’s climate action plan created about four years ago, but was never formally adopted.

“I think it might make good sense for us to look at coming up with a way of reviewing and revising and ultimately adopting (the county climate action plan) because that will open up funding sources that we don’t currently have access to because we don’t have that plan adopted,” he said.

In moving toward a county climate action plan, Chapman suggested the commissioners ensure public participation as part of the approach.

A bit about the report

The development of the report was a multi-year, collaborative process led by the North Olympic Peninsula Resource Conservation and Development Council and grant funded by the Washington Departments of Commerce and Ecology.

The project brought together a diverse representation of the North Olympic Peninsula with more than 175 participants from federal, state, local and tribal governments, nonprofits, academic institutions and private businesses.

Additionally, a “Core Team” with representatives from Green Crow Corporation, Puget Sound Partnership, Port Angeles City Council, Clallam County, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, a citizen volunteer, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Port Townsend Marine Science Center, Makah Nation, Port Townsend City Council, City of Port Townsend and Olympic Climate Action, collaborated monthly to help guide and refine the project.

The project also sought input and assistance from experts with Adaptation International, a consultant firm that aids communities in becoming more climate resilient.

The full climate change preparedness report and its supplemental material, including suggested and identified adaptation strategies, can be viewed at www.noprcd.org or contact NOPRCD at 360-301-1750.

The Board of County Commissioners meets at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays at the Clallam County Courthouse in Room 160.