FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  September 18, 2020

CONTACT:  Allison Osterberg, Senior Planner
osterberga@trpc.org  |  360.956.7575

Community Feedback Sought on Local Climate Action:
Draft Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan Available for Review; Virtual Community Meetings set for October

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The public is invited to learn about the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan, a plan for local action on climate change for the communities of Thurston County, Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater. An online Open House with information on the plan is now open, and two virtual Community Meetings are scheduled for Monday, October 5th and Wednesday, October 14th. Comments on the draft plan will be accepted through Friday, October 16th.

About the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan

Climate change is already affecting our communities. Impacts like hotter summers, wildfire smoke and flooding affect our homes, health, and local businesses. The governments of Thurston County, Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater partnered with Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) to develop a Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan that identifies a collaborative framework for reducing local contributions to climate change. The project was initiated by the four governments to address the urgent threat and opportunity climate change poses to the region’s economy, public health, public safety, and environment. 

In 2018, all four governments adopted shared targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 45 percent below 2015 levels by 2030 and 85 percent below 2015 levels by 2050. Over the past two years, the planning team behind the project has worked with the public and key stakeholders to identify strategies and actions to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions from sources like transportation, buildings, solid waste, and land use. This plan provides a roadmap to help our region build toward a healthier, more livable, and resilient future.  

Opportunities for Public Comment 

• Visit the Open House at www.ThurstonClimatePlan.com - through October 15, 2020.
• Find other project information, including the full draft document at www.trpc.org/climate
• Register to attend one of two virtual community meetings. At the community meetings, members of the public will have an opportunity to learn about the draft plan and ask questions of the project team. Visit www.trpc.org/climate to register for these events.
  • Virtual Community Meeting #1: Monday, October 5th, 4 to 5:30 pm
  • Virtual Community Meeting #2: Wednesday, October 14th, 5:30 to 7 pm
• Comments on the draft plan may be sent to climate@trpc.org. The deadline for comments is Friday, October 16th.

The document is available free of charge online or by request to TRPC at 2424 Heritage Court SW, Suite A, Olympia, WA  98502; (360) 956-7575. Written comments may be submitted to Lester Tobias, TRPC, by mail, email to climate@trpc.org or FAX at (360) 956-7815. Comments should be received by 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 16, 2020. 

Members of the public needing special accommodations to participate in this process can call 360-956-7575 by 10:00 am three days prior to the meeting. Ask for the ADA Coordinator. For TDD users, please use the state's toll-free relay service, 711, and ask the operator to dial 360-956-7575. Arrangements can be made to review and comment in other languages.

The Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan builds on the work of the award-winning Thurston Climate Adaptation Plan adopted by TRPC in January 2018. That plan includes a summary of the science around projected climate impacts, an assessment of the region’s vulnerabilities to climate change, and more than 90 climate “adaptation” actions to help Thurston County and the broader region prepare for and adjust to rising seas, stronger storms, deeper droughts, and other projected climate impacts. 

About Thurston Regional Planning Council

TRPC is a 23-member regional council of governments comprised of elected officials from the county, cities, tribes, Intercity Transit, school districts, colleges, and a variety of local government special districts. TRPC offers broad representation to decision making on regional priorities such as transportation, growth management, and environmental quality. Learn more at www.trpc.org 

Thurston Regional Planning Council ensures full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by prohibiting discrimination against any person based on race, color, national origin, or sex in the provision of benefits and services resulting from its federally assisted programs and activities.  For questions regarding TRPC's Title VI Program, you may contact the Title VI Coordinator at 360.956.7575 or email info@trpc.org.

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