Skagit County Climate Change and Sustainability Initiative

Skagit County is committed to reducing and mitigating our operational and regional greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the effects of our changing climate. On June 24, 2008, the Skagit County Commissioners approved Resolution R20080304, setting in motion a broad-ranging initiative to address climate change, reduce resource consumption, and create a Sustainable Skagit.

Skagit County is conserving energy, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing resource consumption, both as a local government and as a region.

• Climate Action & Sustainability Taskforce: On June 24, 2008, the Skagit County Commissioners approved a resolution launching our sustainability initiative and creating a citizen taskforce to advise county government on policies, programs, and regulations needed to achieve those goals.
• Energy Efficiency: Skagit County is reducing energy consumption by remodeling our existing structures and office buildings, and addressing daily operations. We’re wisely investing the funds allocated to us as part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, and proposing to help residents improve the energy efficiency of their homes.
• Fuel Efficiency: We believe leading by example is one of the best ways to achieve community-wide change. That’s why Skagit County has self-imposed strict fuel economy standards on new vehicle purchases and why we’ve invested in hybrid cars for our regular vehicle fleet and all-electric vehicles for maintenance and mail delivery.
• Waste Reduction: Because greenhouse gas emissions are associated with the production of every item we buy, and prevented by recycling or reusing the item, Skagit County is promoting the “reduce, reuse, recycle” mantra through several effective programs.

Skagit County recognizes the effects of climate change will be significant and costly without adequate planning and preparation.

• Swinomish Climate Change Initiative: Along with the Town of La Conner, the community of Shelter Bay, and the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group, Skagit County is participating in the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community’s study of a wide range of potential climate change impacts to the Swinomish reservation, including sea level rise and impacts to upland communities and forest lands. The project will ultimately produce an action plan with recommendations for adaptation measures. The County plans to use the lessons learned through this project to advance our own adaptation planning.
• Alternative Futures Project: In fall 2008, Skagit County received a four-year grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop a fifty-year vision for Skagit County that addresses ongoing conflicts between agricultural, environmental, and development interests while anticipating the effects of population growth and climate change. The project will ultimately recommend changes to zoning, regulations, incentives, and other policies and programs necessary for implementation.

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