Local Government

County Updates Critical Areas Rules

Friday, July 24, 2026

2 min read

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Skamania County is updating its Critical Areas Ordinance, first adopted in 1996, as required by Washington’s Growth Management Act. The proposed changes aim to replace outdated regulations protecting wetlands, floodplains, and wildlife habitats. The City of Stevenson plans to adopt the updated ordinance as well.

The public can comment until August 12, 2026, on the proposed changes. The update follows a mandatory review cycle under state law. Skamania County and the City of Stevenson are the lead agencies for the project.

The changes will affect development projects near protected natural areas. Residents can view the full proposal online or submit comments via mail or email.

📄 Source: WA Ecology SEPA — Skamania County — https://data.wa.gov/resource/mmcb-z6jf.json?countyname=SKAMANIA

Source receipts6 of 14 claims supported · 43%

Legacy automated check: the original source text was not preserved. These earlier verdicts have not passed the current publication checks and may contain errors. Source: original document ↗

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Skamania County is updating its Critical Areas Ordinance“Project: Critical Areas Ordinance Periodic Update Lead agency: Skamania County Type: DNS Applicant: Skamania County & City of Stevenson Location: 170 NW Vancouver, Stevenson, WA 98648, Stevenson Description: Critical Areas Ordinance Update – 2026 Periodic Review. Proposed revised critical areas ordinance to replace the County’s existing critical areas regulations, first adopted in 1996. The update is being conducted as part of the required periodic review by the Growth Management Act. City of Stevenson intends on adopting Skamania County CAO update.”
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The Critical Areas Ordinance was first adopted in 1996“Critical Areas Ordinance Update – 2026 Periodic Review. Proposed revised critical areas ordinance to replace the County’s existing critical areas regulations, first adopted in 1996. The update is being conducted as part of the required periodic review by the Growth Management Act. City of Stevenson intends on adopting Skamania County CAO update.”
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The update is required by Washington’s Growth Management Act“The update is being conducted as part of the required periodic review by the Growth Management Act.”
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The proposed changes aim to replace outdated regulations protecting wetlandsNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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The proposed changes aim to replace outdated regulations protecting floodplainsNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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The proposed changes aim to replace outdated regulations protecting wildlife habitatsNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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The City of Stevenson plans to adopt the updated ordinance“City of Stevenson intends on adopting Skamania County CAO update.”
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The public can comment until August 12, 2026, on the proposed changes“Comments due: 2026-08-12”
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The update follows a mandatory review cycle under state law“Critical Areas Ordinance Update – 2026 Periodic Review. Proposed revised critical areas ordinance to replace the County’s existing critical areas regulations, first adopted in 1996. The update is being conducted as part of the required periodic review by the Growth Management Act.”
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Skamania County and the City of Stevenson are the lead agencies for the projectNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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The changes will affect development projects near protected natural areasNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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Residents can view the full proposal onlineNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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Residents can submit comments via mailNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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Residents can submit comments via emailNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.