Climate Element and Resiliency Subelement

The Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) now requires the County to adopt a climate and resilient element as a part of their Comprehensive Plan update. This element will address the following: enhancing community assets resilience to climate change impacts, identifying natural hazards created by climate change, and protecting natural areas to enhance resiliency to climate impacts. This analysis was conducted using the best available science and scientifically credible climate projections and impact scenarios.

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Over the summer, the project team completed the first draft of the Vulnerability and Risk Assessment for Kittitas County, following the recommended methodology provided by the Department of Commerce. 6 priority hazards were identified as most impactful to Kittitas County. These are:

• Extreme Heat,

• Extreme Precipitation,

• Flooding,

• Wildfire, and

• Drought/Reduced Snowpack

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The vulnerability and risk assessment then identifies the physical features in Kittitas County most vulnerable to the priority hazards identified above. The assets most impacted by Extreme Heat include Roads, Urban Developments, Parks, and Hospitals. This is based on the severity of heat waves at each asset location. County Administrative Buildings, Resorts, and Roads are the most susceptible to Flooding in the County due to their location in a floodplain. As wildfire events are expected to increase in severity and intensity, they pose a risk to Electric Facilities, Police/Fire Stations, Hospitals, Nature Preserves, and Forests. Assets that are exposed to changes in Drought/Reduced Snowpack are Farms, Resorts, Stormwater Devices, and Irrigation Facilities.  

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Assets with a high-risk rating identified in the vulnerability analysis:

• Resorts (most vulnerable to drought/reduced snowpack)

• Roads (most vulnerable to floods)

• Water systems (most vulnerable to drought/reduced snowpack)

• Irrigation facilities (most vulnerable to drought/reduced snowpack

• Police/fire stations (most vulnerable to wildfire)

• Forests (most vulnerable to wildfire)

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Now that the Preliminary Analysis of hazards has been conducted, the project team will engage with the community to ensure approval of the findings, identify what is missing, and adjust accordingly.

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Preliminary draft climate and resilience policies will be brought for first review to the Planning Commission in November 2025.