Thurston County adopts Forest Lands Conversion Code Update 

Thurston County’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) approved the Forest Lands Conversion Code update at a meeting on Tuesday. 

Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) Director Joshua Cummings emphasized the innovative nature of the update. 

“This is one of the most, if not the most, innovative and protective tree ordinances in the state once it's approved,” said Cummings. “New things can be difficult to implement which is why the board-directed adaptive management is critical.” 

This update clarifies forest conversion regulations, improves consistency with other county goals and policies, protects landmark and heritage trees, and incentivizes general tree retention in the county. 

The process 

The BoCC officially docketed the county-initiated Healthy Forests Project in 2009 as A-25, Update Forest Conversion Ordinance and Review Tree Protection Standards.  

In 2022, it was clarified to include a focus on a review of rural tree protection standards and countywide canopy assessment. 

In 2023, the Planning Commission held three work sessions and a public hearing. (Meeting recordings are in the materials section here). By a vote of 5-2, the commission recommended the draft code for the board’s adoption. 

The BoCC then held two briefings in November, a public hearing in February, and requested staff to schedule the item for discussion during a regular board meeting on March 19, 2024. 

CPED Associate Planner Dana Bowers said that the community engagement for this project was broad, early, and ongoing. All meetings were with 39 groups including forestry professionals, conservation partners, environmental advocacy groups, and property developers. 

Adoption 

To implement the code update, the board approved the ordinance repealing and replacing Thurston County Code (TCC) Chapter 17.25, amending sections of TCC Titles 13, 14, 20, and 26, and creating TCC Chapter 17.27 for tree conservation. 

Four commissioners were in favor while District 2 Commissioner Gary Edwards abstained.  

“Change is hard, but the board direction helps to gather data to better understand the results of implementation and change accordingly. I will say that at this moment in time we don't know what we don't know…we would like that opportunity to learn those things,” said Cummings.