In a vote during their regular meeting on Tuesday, the Tacoma City Council chose to strengthen environmental protections by amending the City’s Critical Areas Ordinance. These revisions focus on protecting fish and wildlife habitats by using recently updated scientific guidance for wetlands, streams, and buffers.
“The Critical Areas Ordinance update is another important step in the work we’ve been doing to strengthen environmental protections across Tacoma,” District 2 Council Member Sarah Rumbaugh said. “It builds on the collaborative foundation established through the Tideflats Subarea Plan, demonstrating that economic opportunity and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. Our community has consistently said protecting our environment is a priority, and this ordinance delivers meaningful action that reflects those values.”
“Our review of the Critical Areas Ordinance takes place every ten years to ensure that our regulations incorporate the best available science related to environmental conservation and natural hazards,” District 1 Council Member John Hines said. “This update follows extensive engagement with the public and more than a year of hard work by our Planning Commission and City staff. I’m pleased that the updates we have adopted tonight will protect our wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, and much more, while also ensuring that Tacoma continues to be economically dynamic and able to accommodate our future needs as we continue to grow.”
Updates to the Critical Areas Ordinance ensure the City of Tacoma is meeting or exceeding protections laid out in the Washington State Growth Management Act; maintaining consistency with the One Tacoma Comprehensive Plan; and incorporating the current best available science to ensure no net loss of wetlands or fish and wildlife conservation, aquifer recharge, geologically hazardous, and flood hazard areas.
“I am disappointed in this rushed update and believe the City Council missed an opportunity to ensure Tacoma maintains a strong working waterfront while also evolving toward a more sustainable industrial future,” said At-Large Council Member Latasha Palmer. “I believe we should be abiding by the Planning Commission’s recommendation to prohibit industries that have significant emissions, hazardous material storage, heavy truck activity, and potential contamination risks near our drinking water. The last-minute rejection of the Planning Commission’s recommendation, which was based on a year of extensive research and work, is a mistake. I also believe that this update is out of step with our broader strategic plans, including our new Tideflats Subarea Plan, and our call for innovation in building a more sustainable future.”
More information is available on the Critical Areas Ordinance Update and the Tideflats Subarea Plan project pages.