Thurston County has received $593,299.08 in grant funding for local planning projects that support salmon recovery.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, through the Washington state Department of Commerce, awarded the money to Thurston County as part of a Salmon Recovery through Local Planning grant program.
The county formally accepted the funds during its regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 17
The funding comes from the Climate Commitment Act and supports updates to comprehensive plans and development regulations focused on protecting ecosystems, improving water quality and improving vital salmon habitat.
The program aims to support local governments and tribes working on salmon recovery.
In Thurston County, the money will help fund the county’s Critical Areas Ordinance update and its Integrated Water Initiative.
The Critical Areas Ordinance guides how land can be developed safely near environmentally sensitive areas.
In Thurston County, those sensitive areas include wetlands, critical aquifer recharge areas, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas like streams and riparian corridors, frequently flooded areas and geographically hazardous areas like landslide-prone slopes.
The county began updating the ordinance in the fall of 2025, and is expected to finish the update at the end of 2026. The last major update was in 2012.
Updates to the ordinance could include using the best available science to protect critical areas, making it easier for landowners to engage in conservation work on their properties and clarifying the permitting process, according to the county’s website.
The Integrated Water Initiative, also known as the One Water Project, is a planning effort that brings in an outside team to help the county assess its programs and look for opportunities to streamline and collaborate across county water programs, according to Thurston County Community Planning and Economic Development Director Ashley Arai.
“It will also prepare us to lead integrated regional efforts into the future, because water doesn't care which department you work in or which city you're part of,” Arai said.
The grant funding allows the county to hire an outside consultant as part of the project. The consultant will help the county in complete program assessments, engagement activities, policy development and regional gaps analysis.
Thurston County Commissioner Carolina Mejia thanked Arai and her team for their work on the Integrated Water Initiative and their work to acquire the grant funding needed for it to proceed.
“I know your staff has worked really hard to be proactive and go out and get these grants,” Mejia said on Feb. 17.
