Climate Resilience Planning

City of Toppenish Climate Resilience Planning

 With the passage of E2SHB 1181 during the 2023 Washington state legislative session, The City of Toppenish is now required to add a Climate Change Element to its Comprehensive Plan. 

The legislation creates a new mandate that spans several elements in the comprehensive plan, such as transportation, land use, parks and recreation, capital facilities and utilities, environmental, and economic development. The new Climate Element needs to include a resilience sub-element. 

The Washington State Department of Commerce developed guidance for local governments to follow as part of this legislation. The City of Toppenish received grant funding through the Climate Commitment Act to complete this work. 

Climate Policy Advisory Team

The city seeks applicants interested in participating in a consensus-based process to creatively and collaboratively develop goal and policy recommendations for the city’s Climate Element. These policy recommendations will be reviewed and considered by the public, the City of Toppenish Planning Commission, and the City Council. 

The group will meet periodically throughout the duration of the project, which is scheduled to run through May 2025. Policy team member responsibilities will include:

• Advising staff on project priorities;
• Assist with development of the public participation plan;
• Reviewing and providing feedback on key project deliverables;
• Developing goal and policy recommendations; and,
• Encouraging community members to participate in the public process.

The Climate Policy Team will demonstrate a balanced commitment to the adopted project scope of work and represent a broad spectrum of interests, including but not limited to, the following:

• Affordable and market rate housing
• Agriculture/farming
• Bicycle and Pedestrian
• Business
• Economy and workforce development
• Education
• Environment
• Freight/Industry
• Healthcare
• Land Development
• Outdoor Recreation

The WA Department of Commerce climate planning grant is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.