• Policy Category: Floodplains, Healthy Rivers
• State: Washington
• Date Implemented: 7/25/2021

7/25/2021

The Climate Commitment Act (CCA) caps and reduces greenhouse gas emissions from Washington’s largest emitting sources and industries, allowing businesses to find the most efficient path to lower carbon emissions. This powerful program works alongside other critical climate policies to help Washington achieve its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2050.

Section 30 of CCA, “Natural Climate Solutions Account,” breaks down how funds generated through the act can be used for clean water investments “that improve resilience from climate impacts” including:

“(iv) Reduce flood risk and restore natural floodplain ecological function;
(v) Increase the sustainable supply of water and improve aquatic habitat, including groundwater mapping and modeling;
(vi) Improve infrastructure treating stormwater from previously 19 developed areas within an urban growth boundary designated under 20 chapter 36.70A RCW, with a preference given to projects that use green stormwater infrastructure;
(vii) Either preserve or increase, or both, carbon sequestration and storage benefits in forests, forested wetlands, agricultural soils, tidally influenced agricultural or grazing lands, or freshwater, saltwater, or brackish aquatic lands; or
(viii) Either preserve or establish, or both, carbon sequestration by protecting or planting trees in marine shorelines and freshwater riparian areas sufficient to promote climate resilience, protect cold water fisheries, and achieve water quality standards…”

For additional information, see the Floodplain by Design grant program and its Funding Guidelines, and read the Lessons from the Network interview for a more complete narrative of the nuances of this program.

• Action Agency(ies): State of Washington Department of Ecology
• Read the full policy language