The Climate Resiliency Element (CRE) is an important step in meeting state planning requirements and for integrating climate planning into Stevens County's 2027 Comprehensive Plan.

The Washington Growth Management Act (GMA) requires Washington cities and counties to develop comprehensive plans that respond to challenges associated with population growth. The GMA was amended in 2023 to include House Bill (HB) 1181, which requires cities and counties to integrate climate resilience into their comprehensive planning. Accordingly, Stevens County is preparing a CRE as part of their 2027 Comprehensive Plan update.

The CRE will evaluate the risks associated with the following expected hazards.

These hazards are considered along with their potential to impact 11 different sectors:

Climate resilience is the ongoing process of anticipating, preparing for, and adapting to changes in climate and minimizing negative impacts to our natural systems, infrastructure, and communities.

The steps to developing the Climate Resilience Element include those below.

The County intends to coordinate its Climate Resilience Element work with the County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan Update.

For more information on Climate Planning requirements and Guidance see: 2025 Climate Planning Guidance.

In preparing the CRE, targeted outreach will occur to seek input and participation from disadvantaged and underserved areas in Stevens County. Some in the County are considered disadvantaged because of their vulnerability to climate hazards (including changes in flood and wildfire risk) as well as environmental health conditions, affordable housing access and limited access to services, and potentially other factors.