Residents criticize commissioners: County’s Shoreline Management Program is lacking climate change plans

On March 1, at a public hearing before the Skagit County Board of Commissioners, representatives of several organizations expressed concerns about the absence of references to climate change and sea level rise in the February 2022 draft Shoreline Master Program. Molly Doran of Skagit Land Trust described “planning” as the most effective way to reduce impacts on shorelines, homes, farmland and infrastructure. With another update not due for eight years, many fear it will be too late. The SMP is going in the wrong direction said Tim Mann of Skagit Audubon.

While some changes have been made based...