Good day, My name is Jeff Benefield and I reside in the 99203 zip code. I am a born and raised Spokanite and have lived here over 60 years and greatly enjoy the natural lands and wildlife habitat I find in and around Spokane. I wish to express my support for environmental reviews for further development within all parts of the city, and not have these reviews eliminated. Please refer to the following talking points:
1. Support Tree and Natural Land Inventory: Spokane has a tree canopy goal of 30% and strong support for natural land protection without adequate codes. An inventory of trees, natural areas, and wildlife habitat is necessary to inform the critical areas code. The Growth Management Act requires protection of critical areas, forests, habitat and natural lands.
2. Support for an enforceable critical areas ordinance is required to protect critical areas, trees, habitat, water quality, etc. There are unprotected natural lands throughout the City.
3. Oppose the blanket Environmental Review exemption in order to protect critical areas such as wetlands, forests, wildlife habitat and riparian areas in neighborhoods.
4. Support environmental review exemption only if 100% disturbed and impervious.
5. Support the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Board’s recommended Policy Land Use & Zoning 2-4 [“Protect, restore, acquire, and maintain urban agricultural lands, urban forests, critical areas, shorelines, habitats, and open spaces as interconnected natural systems that provide flood protection, heat reduction, and carbon sequestration benefits, including through codes, capital investments, and regional partnerships.”]
Thank you very much for your attention to these issues.
Jeff Benefield
Feb 18, 2026
Local Resident
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Good day, My name is Jeff Benefield and I reside in the 99203 zip code. I am a born and raised Spokanite and have lived here over 60 years and greatly enjoy the natural lands and wildlife habitat I find in and around Spokane. I wish to express my support for environmental reviews for further development within all parts of the city, and not have these reviews eliminated. Please refer to the following talking points:
1. Support Tree and Natural Land Inventory: Spokane has a tree canopy goal of 30% and strong support for natural land protection without adequate codes. An inventory of trees, natural areas, and wildlife habitat is necessary to inform the critical areas code. The Growth Management Act requires protection of critical areas, forests, habitat and natural lands.
2. Support for an enforceable critical areas ordinance is required to protect critical areas, trees, habitat, water quality, etc. There are unprotected natural lands throughout the City.
3. Oppose the blanket Environmental Review exemption in order to protect critical areas such as wetlands, forests, wildlife habitat and riparian areas in neighborhoods.
4. Support environmental review exemption only if 100% disturbed and impervious.
5. Support the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Board’s recommended Policy Land Use & Zoning 2-4 [“Protect, restore, acquire, and maintain urban agricultural lands, urban forests, critical areas, shorelines, habitats, and open spaces as interconnected natural systems that provide flood protection, heat reduction, and carbon sequestration benefits, including through codes, capital investments, and regional partnerships.”]
Thank you very much for your attention to these issues.
Sincerely, Jeff Benefield