Current and former Thurston County officials commemorated a major milestone for their long-awaited Habitat Conservation Plan on Tuesday.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recently issued the county a 30-year Incidental Take Permit that will allow it to implement the plan by 2023. This development brings the county one step closer to streamlining the permit process for projects affecting federally protected species, including the Mazama pocket gopher.
During a Tuesday meeting, Brad Thompson, state supervisor for the USFWS Washington State Field Office, presented the Board of County Commissioners with a ceremonious permit and called it a "tremendous accomplishment."
"Although we have said several times, 'It's been quite a while,' it is the beginning at the same time," Thompson said. "The next 30 years, the county will be permitted to take on this lead role and responsibility and we look forward to standing side by side with you."
County staff started officially preparing the HCP in 2014 after the USFWS moved to protect several species under the Endangered Species Act, according to the county's HCP website.
In addition to the Mazama pocket gopher, protected species in Thurston County include the Oregon spotted frog, Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and the Oregon vesper sparrow.
County Manager Ramiro Chavez reflected on the long journey to this point and thanked those involved for their efforts. For county residents, he said the HCP will soon remove a "dark cloud" over their projects.
"There's several steps that we need to take obviously and we're planning to have this up and running by Jan. 1, 2023," Chavez said. "But certainly, this is the first and most pivotal step that we have achieved in coordination with U.S. Fish and Wildlife."
"By proactively addressing the long-term conservation needs, the Habitat Conservation Plan strengthens local land use and provides greater flexibility in meeting different needs, such as housing, transportation and economic growth."
Commissioner Tye Menser said he felt excited for the county to finally be given the permit. Though there are a few more steps ahead, he said those will be within the county's control.
"I'm at a loss for words because there's been no project that I worked on as commissioner, and I'm getting into my fourth year, that's had the importance, the impact, the frustration, the complexity, the long-standing history as this."
Commissioner Gary Edwards echoed that sentiment as he addressed Thompson in the board room.
"It's been quite a run," Edwards said. "Frustrating but thank you. I'm glad we're finally here."
As the newest commissioner, Board Chair Carolina Mejia said she felt like she arrived just when the county was nearing the finish line. After saying she felt excited, she gave former Commissioner John Hutchings a chance to speak.
Hutchings said he worked to push the HCP forward during his time on the board. However, he credited Community Planning and Economic Development Director Joshua Cummings and his staff for realizing the goal.
"This is a great moment in the sun for the county," Hutchings said.
Cummings called the achievement a "huge occasion and monumental success." He said staff worked with "tenacity" to help serve citizens affected by the endangered species protections.
"Without this HCP, in the service areas the HCP covers, we could be in a position where people couldn't develop their land at all," he said.
Cummings also laid out the next steps for implementing the HCP: The county now needs to change its codes and ordinances to integrate the new rules.
Additionally, the county must acquire enough land for mitigation purposes. He said the county is close to acquiring the necessary land it needs for the first few years of HCP implementation.
He said he is confident the county will complete these two steps by the end of the year.
