Environmental group seeks community input

WEAN announced a survey to understand which aspects of the environment are most important to people.

Whidbey Environmental Action Network, or WEAN, is working to bring the community’s environmental values closer to the county government.

This week, the Langley-based nonprofit announced a brief online survey to get a feel for which aspects of the environment are most important to people, as Island County plans for growth over the next 20 years.

The comprehensive plan, required under the Growth Management Act, is the county’s centerpiece, long-range planning document and contains policies, visions and goals for the community. It is intended to guide county decision-making, codes and day-to-day actions.

The county has been drafting a periodic update to the comprehensive plan due at the end of the year.

“Comprehensive planning is about clarifying what we value and how we’ll care for place and community during the next twenty years of growth and change,” Marnie Jackson, WEAN executive director, said in a press release. “This survey is a chance for neighbors to share perspectives with planners about the local ecosystems, special places, and planning issues that deserve consideration during this process.”

The survey asks participants which environmental issues most concern them, such as aquifer recharge, beach loss, farmland loss, fireworks, groundwater contamination and more. It asks which type of land should be prioritized, which methodology is preferred and offers a short answer section where participants can share their own thoughts.

WEAN developed the survey in collaboration with Island Roots Housing, Island County Agricultural Resources Committee and Goosefoot. The consortium received a grant from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act to bring more community perspectives to the comprehensive plan.

The survey can be found at tinyurl.com/weansurvey and will be open to the public until Feb. 3. Jackson will then share the survey results with the Island County Planning Commission and the planning department on Feb. 19. For questions, email engage@whidbeyenvironment.org.