Board of County Commissioners
Skagit County Climate Impact Advisory CommitteeThe Skagit County Commissioners created the Climate Impact Advisory Committee (CIAC) on December 15, 2025, to bring together scientific, local, and indigenous knowledge in collaborative, transparent dialogue, providing the Commissioners with Skagit-specific climate risk assessment and policy options that are broadly accepted in the Skagit community, within the scope of the County's jurisdiction, authority, and direct responsibilities. The authorizing resolution for the CIAC can be found at the link below, including the charter for the committee. Ordinance #O20250013 Establishing Skagit County Code Title 2.22, Skagit County Climate Impact Advisory Committee MembershipThe CIAC consists of 15 voting members, all of which must be full-time Skagit County residents, as well as one non-voting Skagit County staff member. The committee includes the following representation:
The Skagit County Commissioners nominated the first nine members to the CIAC on February 2, 2026. There will be six additional members represented by the four Skagit County federally recognized Tribes and the Skagit County dike and drainage districts. Those six seats will be filled by members nominated by those Tribes or organizations. Current MembersJon Riedel. Recently retired after a career with the National Park Service, Dr. Riedel is widely regarded for his expertise in North Cascades glaciers and how they are impacted by climate change. He divides his time between Marblemount and Anacortes. Don McMoran. A Washington State University professor of agricultural science, Don is the Director of the WSU Skagit extension in Mount Vernon. Don grew up on his family's farm on the Skagit Delta. Patsy Martin. Patsy was the Executive Director of the Port of Skagit for 14 years. Her education is in earth science and environmental studies. Joel Dryden. An experienced forester with an education in forestry science, Joel formerly worked for the Washington Department of Natural Resources, and is now General Manager of the 15,500 acre Pilchuk Tree Farm. Robert Pavia. A professor at the University of Washington School of Marine Affairs and former NOAA scientist, Dr. Pavia has a background in coastal resilience. Jason Vanderkooy. Jason owns and operates Harmony Dairy, one of the largest farms on the Skagit Delta. Jason is a Dike District 1 commissioner, board member of the Skagit Dike Partnership, and serves on the Salmon Recovery Council of the Puget Sound Partnership. Bob Carey. Bob is the Columbia Basin Program Manager for the Nature Conservancy. He was previously the Nature Conservancy's Skagit River program director. Carey was also a principal founder of Floodplains by Design, a nationally renowned climate adaptation and river management program. Mark Radka. Mark is the former Chief of United Nations Environment Programme's Energy, Climate and Technology Branch. He has deep background and experience at the intersection of climate science and policy. Swinomish Indian Tribal Community - Member TBD Upper Skagit Indian Tribe - Member TBD Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe - Member TBD Samish Indian Nation - Member TBD Skagit County Dike Districts - Member TBD Skagit County Drainage and Irrigation Districts - Member TBD Upcoming MeetingsThe first meeting of the CIAC will be on Wednesday, March 18th, 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Interested residents may join in-person in the Commissioners' Hearing Room at 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon. The CIAC will meet quarterly throughout the year. Agendas, meeting materials, and meeting summaries will be shared here as they are available. How to CommentThe public may join the CIAC meetings and provide comment during designated comment periods. You may also submit written comments to commissioners@co.skagit.wa.us or mailed to 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. |
Press ReleasesFebruary 2, 2026 December 31, 2025 November 20, 2025 |