Title
Special Recognition - Nature’s Scorecard Update
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee
City Manager Recommendation:
Recognize Olympia’s continued designation as a Green Star Community by Nature’s Scorecard, a joint project of the Puget Soundkeeper and Washington Environmental Council.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing on a recent update to the Nature’s Scorecard
Staff Contact:
Rich Hoey, P.E., Public Works Director, 360.753.8495
Eric Christensen, P.E., Water Resources Director, 360.570.3741
Presenter(s):
Eric Christensen, P.E., Water Resources Director
Background and Analysis:
In 2016, the Washington Environmental Council and Puget Soundkeeper created the “Nature’s Scorecard” to report on whether cities and counties were complying with state stormwater requirements. Nature’s Scorecard specifically rates communities on their efforts to make low impact development (LID) “the preferred and commonly used approach” in their communities, as required under state rules.
In the first Nature’s Scorecard, Olympia was one of the few communities in the state to receive a “Green Star” - the highest rating. Green Stars are awarded to cities and counties that “went above and beyond the permit requirements and truly embraced LID in their codes.” The Scorecard refers to Green Star communities as “champions…creating livable, resilient communities that will protect our waterways for generations to come.”
In a recent update of the Nature’s Scorecard, Olympia again received a designation as a “Green Star” community, one of only twelve in Western Washington (letter and scorecard update attached).
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
N/A
Options:
N/A
Financial Impact:
N/A
Attachments:
Letter
Nature’s Scorecard Update