The City of Tacoma is proposing changes to the Critical Areas Ordinance that would weaken protections for wetlands, streams, and wildlife habitat. These rollbacks could cause long-term harm to our water, climate resilience, and public health. CHB is urging the Planning Commission to reject or substantially revise the proposed updates to Tacoma’s Critical Areas Ordinance.
WHAT’S AT RISK:
More wetlands could be filled in: New exemptions allow developers to destroy “small” wetlands without proper review or mitigation.
Weaker buffers: Reduced protections around streams and wildlife corridors would fragment habitats and increase pollution.
Expanding development: Vague “public interest” exemptions and “interrupted buffer” rules make it easier to build in sensitive areas.
No solid science: The City hasn’t presented a clear picture of how many square feet of wetland this change could impact, despite tools like LiDAR being available.
Send written comments by 5pm on Friday, August 22, 2025. Visit our letter campaign for an easy template you can personalize today! Or you can email planning@tacoma.gov or mail to Tacoma Planning Commission, 747 Market St., Room 345, Tacoma, WA 98402.
We need strong protections for wetlands and wildlife corridors—not weaker ones. Please speak up to defend Tacoma’s environment. Together, we can stop these rollbacks.
The City of Tacoma is proposing changes to the Critical Areas Ordinance that would weaken protections for wetlands, streams, and wildlife habitat. These rollbacks could cause long-term harm to our water, climate resilience, and public health. CHB is urging the Planning Commission to reject or substantially revise the proposed updates to Tacoma’s Critical Areas Ordinance.
WHAT’S AT RISK:
More wetlands could be filled in: New exemptions allow developers to destroy “small” wetlands without proper review or mitigation.
Weaker buffers: Reduced protections around streams and wildlife corridors would fragment habitats and increase pollution.
Expanding development: Vague “public interest” exemptions and “interrupted buffer” rules make it easier to build in sensitive areas.
No solid science: The City hasn’t presented a clear picture of how many square feet of wetland this change could impact, despite tools like LiDAR being available.
Send written comments by 5pm on Friday, August 22, 2025. Visit our letter campaign for an easy template you can personalize today! Or you can email planning@tacoma.gov or mail to Tacoma Planning Commission, 747 Market St., Room 345, Tacoma, WA 98402.
We need strong protections for wetlands and wildlife corridors—not weaker ones. Please speak up to defend Tacoma’s environment. Together, we can stop these rollbacks.
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