PRESS RELEASE

November 20, 2025

Contact

Jenn Rogers, Communications Manager

[email protected]

360-416-1300

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Skagit County to Create Climate Impact Advisory Committee

The Skagit County Commissioners have proposed the creation of a Climate Impact Advisory Committee (CIAC), inviting qualified Skagit County residents to provide recommendations to the Skagit Board of County Commissioners on issues related to climate change impact risk, risk reduction, and adaption. The proposed ordinance and changes to Skagit County code can be found on the Commissioners’ website.

The CIAC will consist 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 will include the following representation:

• Four seats are reserved for each of the four federally recognized Skagit Tribes (Swinomish, Upper Skagit, Sauk-Suiattle, Samish).
• Two seats are reserved for a representative of the Skagit County dike districts and the Skagit County drainage and irrigation districts, respectively.
• One seat is reserved for a citizen, unaffiliated with any governmental entity, principally involved in climate change advocacy and education in Skagit County.
• The remaining eight seats are open to any Skagit County residents meeting the qualifications set forth by the ordinance.

The principal purpose of the CIAC is to collect and analyze peer-reviewed science related to climate impacts, providing the Board with recommendations regarding climate impacts, risk reduction and adaptation as to issues within the County’s jurisdiction. The proposed ordinance provides a more detailed explanation of the CIAC’s role.

The Commissioners will host a public hearing on the creation of a Climate Impact Advisory Committee on Tuesday, December 2^nd, at 10:30 a.m., in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room to hear feedback on the proposal. The public may join the hearing in-person at 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, or via Zoom at the link on the Commissioners’ website.  Written comments will also be accepted through the conclusion of the public hearing via email to [email protected] or mailed to 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, ATTN: Climate Impact Advisory Committee. The hearing is intended to take comment on the proposed ordinance. Appointment of specific individuals pursuant to the ordinance will occur through individual application and appointment subsequent to potential adoption of the ordinance. 

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