Cashmere City Council approves climate study

CASHMERE– The Cashmere City Council voted to assign the city’s construction consultant, Perteet Inc., with the preparation of a state funded Climate Change Resiliency Element (CCRE). This element is planned to be part of Cashmere’s 2026 Comprehensive Land Use Plan as a means of developing for the future and maintaining city infrastructure in preparation for the effects of climate change. 

To accomplish this crucial goal, the CCRE includes in-depth local surveys of various city resources, such as the river-based water supply system, the city’s power grid, and its firefighting capabilities.

Steve Croci, Cashmere City Director of Operations, introduced the state mandated CCRE project to the City Council, explaining its importance.

“It’s essentially a part of the comprehensive land use plan,” he said. “We’re going to look at our key infrastructure, be it road, sewer, water, or storm, and ask, ‘what do we have and how do we protect it from potential climate impacts? Acute ones or long term ones. To make sure we have enough water for the city, make sure the wastewater is clean and operational and has the power to run.” 

A major aspect of the city infrastructure that could be affected by climate change is Cashmere’s river water treatment system, which provides the area with vast amounts of clean water.

Through the CCRE, Croci explains that systems like this will be closely analyzed for their ability to respond to changing climate conditions. In essence, the CCRE asks important questions about the community’s most vital infrastructure.  

“If river levels are low or maybe too high,” Croci proposed, “do we have enough groundwater to support our water system?

As Croci reveals, as river levels fluctuate more extremely, which they have begun to do, the city’s reliance on the Wenatchee River for clean water is left at a high level of risk and instability. Through aspects of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan like the CCRE, the city plans to confront these increasingly emerging issues.

Additionally, the CCRE helps to ask major questions about other critical areas of Cashmere’s infrastructure.

“If there’s a major fire, do we have the resources to help fight or be prepared?” Croci asked, introducing important aspects of Cashmere to investigate and improve.” Are we set up to keep providing power if the power goes out because of high winds or fires?” 

In shedding light on the possible limitations and areas of improvement inherent in some of these necessary city resources, the CCRE also helps to involve the community in confronting the ongoing effects of climate change.

“One of the main things is this climate planning element, which is new,” Croci shared. “And we’re looking for people to be involved in it. So, if somebody wants to be on a committee to help guide our climate planning actions… just contact City Hall, ask for Mayor Jim Fletcher or myself.”

A major benefit of the addition of the CCRE to Cashmere’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan is its full state funding, allowing the City of Cashmere to prepare for further climate planning projects without directly spending its own funds. The assumed cost for the implementation of the CCRE is $23,933, while the grant provided by the State Department of Commerce is an impressive $35,000.

Residents will also have the opportunity to provide feedback on the CCRE and all publicly disclosed information, including survey findings and future community plans.

As Cashmere continues to grow, projects like the Climate Change Resiliency Element seek to help the community maintain its iconic balance with the local environment while also preparing city infrastructure for countless foreseeable issues. In pursuing the CCRE, Cashmere City Council looks towards the region’s uncertain future in the hopes of implementing lasting security and a brighter tomorrow for its residents.

Will Nilles: (509) 731-3211 or will@ward.media