At the January 16th Natural Resources meeting, President-Elect Brenda Harrison introduced Molly Beeman, Snohomish County Energy and Sustainability Manager.
Using PowerPoint slides filled with charts, Molly detailed the various climate resilience initiatives that she oversees. Foremost is the Climate Resiliency Plan, which, at 75% completion, will be ready for its debut by June 2026. This plan has seen tremendous community-wide input and cooperation. She excitedly shared good news about successful grants obtained for solar projects and surface water management – especially after the recent flooding. Grants have allowed both commercial and residential buildings to be built at “green” standards. With new EV chargers, the County is fast creating its own clean transportation fleet. Have you caught Molly’s excitement?
The County’s weatherization program has proven popular by helping seniors and low income families retrofit their homes for cost saving. Applications currently exceed their staff’s ability to review them and find contractors! Forterra continues to work with the County Natural Resources Department to identify lands for conservation. The Healthy Forest Program for planting and maintaining trees remains an integral part of the County Climate Action Plan. For Agriculture, the Transfer of Develop Rights (TDRs) is a tool to keep farming viable. Molly emphasized the importance of cross-departmental collaboration. Such cooperation has flourished under the leadership of Tom Tiegen, Director of Natural Resources, and County Executive Dave Somers.
The Committee asked Molly for a number of links and follow-ups to answer questions further in depth.
She is seeking three volunteers to sit on the Climate Action Committee. For the complete report on Molly’s dynamic presentation, please visit the League’s YouTube,
Natural Resources channel.
REPORTS:
Transportation – Still no leader. Interested in volunteering? Contact Joan Smith.
Reasonable Forest Management – Kate Lunceford is busy working out presentations for bills in Olympia.
Sierra Club/ Edmonds Marsh Advocates– Marjie Fields spoke to several issues: “Kicking Gas” program still has funds, education on wetlands, watersheds, and riparian zones, with upcoming bills in the legislature, as well as a challenge to the GMA Board against the shrinking of buffers in the County’s critical areas section of the Comprehension Plan. She also addressed Molly about grant efforts for marsh restoration.
League Connections- Brenda encouraged all members to sign up for Lobby Week and for the coming Birthday Luncheon on February 21st.
Book Shelf – Joan shared
Isola by Allegra Goodman as a tale of Margueritte, a 16th Century French noblewoman, who learns her own personal strength while struggling to survive on an island. The images of nature depict pristine flora and fauna of early America along the St. Lawrence River.
NEXT MEETING: February 20th, 10:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. by Zoom.