posted 6.30.10

SKAGIT COUNTY — Skagit County is seeking letters of interest from residents of the county—including its rural communities, cities, towns and tribes—to serve on a Citizen Committee considering the future of Skagit County.
The 12- to 15-member Citizen Committee will work together to develop a broadly supported, forward-looking vision (or “preferred future”) for Skagit County through 2060. The committee will craft recommendations for a “preferred future” drawing on broad community input and information gained from the evaluation of several alternative future scenarios.

Envision Skagit 2060, formerly known as the Skagit Alternative Futures project, is a collaborative effort involving Skagit County cities, towns, tribes, and numerous local and regional organizations. The project is funded with grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and substantial in-kind contributions from Skagit County and other participating organizations.

“We want to signal our desire to work with all members of the community to shape a future for the Skagit Valley that we can proudly pass on to our children, their children and grandchildren,” said Sharon Dillon, chair of the Skagit County Board of Commissioners. “An important step is selecting a Citizen Committee that reflects the general citizenry of the county—in terms of geography, age, ethnicity, vocation, and diverse visions for the future.”

The Citizen Committee will be selected by the County Commissioners and the Mayors of Anacortes, Burlington, La Conner, Mount Vernon, and Sedro-Woolley. The committee, with support from project staff, will work between September 2010 and June 2011 to develop a long-term vision of the Skagit landscape and specific steps to implement that vision.

The project ultimately will recommend changes to Skagit County’s land use plans and policies. The County Commissioners hope that other participating jurisdictions and organizations also will consider implementing the project’s recommendations.

“The project’s recommendations will be shared with and shaped by the broad community, including cities and towns, tribes, and various interest groups,” said Commissioner Ken Dahlstedt. “We’re very interested in working with our partners to develop and consider recommendations that advance their long-term goals.”

Citizens interested in serving on the Envision Skagit 2060 Citizen Committee are encouraged to apply by submitting a letter of interest describing their background, interests, and reasons for wanting to serve on the committee. Two references also are required. Letters of interest, along with reference contact information, should be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on July 9, 2010, to Emma Whitfield at [email protected] or to 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, Washington 98273.

Skagit County is looking for a broad spectrum of applicants, including youth. To emphasize the citizen focus of this committee, applicants are not eligible if they are full-time paid elected officials, staff to the county, cities, towns, and tribes, or are applying as full-time paid employees of organizations involved in advocacy on behalf of conservation, natural resource, or economic development interests.

Further information regarding the role of the Citizens Committee, requirements, selection criteria, and the selection process can be found at www.skagitcounty.net/envisionskagit or by contacting Emma Whitfield,  Skagit County Public Information Officer, at 360.336.9410, ext. 3152, or [email protected].