Our Issues
Whidbey Environmental Action Network (WEAN) works to protect the diverse and fragile ecosystems that make Whidbey and Camano Islands unique—from biodiverse shorelines and forests to rare prairies, vital wetlands, and urban green spaces.
We serve as civic educators, environmental watchdogs, and policy advocates, helping ensure that public love and concern for nature is reflected in sound government policy and lawful decision-making.
Standing Up for Shorelines
The Challenge
Whidbey and Camano Islands are defined by their shorelines. Rising sea levels and increasing storm intensity pose growing risks to coastal ecosystems and communities. Shoreline “hard armoring,” such as bulkheads and seawalls, can disrupt natural coastal processes, reduce sediment supply to beaches, increase erosion over time, and degrade habitat important for forage fish and salmon.
How We’re Working
Protecting Natural Shorelines
We review and, when appropriate, challenge proposals for new shoreline armoring that may be inconsistent with the Shoreline Management Act and best available science. Our goal is to promote approaches that maintain natural shoreline functions and long-term resilience.
Advancing Statewide Reform
We collaborate with partners across Puget Sound to engage in shoreline policy discussions and rulemaking, helping bring a coordinated, science-based voice to shoreline protection.
Public Transparency & Education
We maintain a Shoreline StoryMap to help the public understand the cumulative impacts of shoreline development and learn how to participate effectively in shoreline decision-making.
Protecting Forests
The Challenge
Washington’s Forest Practices Act was designed primarily to regulate commercial timber harvest. In some cases, its permitting structure can be used in ways that are difficult to reconcile with the land-use goals of the Growth Management Act, particularly when forest clearing precedes conversion to non-forest development with limited local environmental review.
How We’re Working
Closing Policy Gaps
We advocate for legislative and administrative reforms that better align forest practices with local land-use planning and environmental protections, including expanded local authority where appropriate.
Incentivizing Conservation
We work to strengthen Island County’s Public Benefit Rating System (PBRS) to better reward long-term conservation stewardship. Previous improvements have expanded incentives and participation options, and we continue to push for more robust reforms.
Monitoring & Accountability
We track Forest Practices Applications and raise concerns when proposals appear to threaten critical areas or conflict with long-term land-use protections.
Defending Wetlands & Water Quality
The Challenge
Wetlands play a critical role in filtering pollution, reducing flooding, and supporting biodiversity. Recent water-quality monitoring has shown that a substantial portion of local streams do not meet state standards, highlighting the importance of strong wetland protections and effective enforcement.
How We’re Working
Using the Law to Protect Critical Areas
When voluntary compliance can't be achieved, we use the tools provided by state and federal law—including litigation against jurisdictions and agencies—to help ensure that critical area protections are upheld.
Data-Driven Advocacy
We are analyzing decades of variance permits and mitigation reports from the public record to better understand where existing systems are falling short. Findings will be shared through a technical report, white paper, and StoryMap planned for release in 2026.
Improving Local Ordinances
As the next Critical Areas Ordinance update approaches, we are developing policy recommendations to clarify ambiguous language and improve consistency with state and federal environmental law.
Shaping Responsible Growth
The Challenge
Responsible growth means growing up, not out—directing development toward areas with existing services while protecting rural landscapes and natural systems. In practice, planning outcomes sometimes fall short. In some cases, unincorporated areas adjacent to cities lack adequate infrastructure, while rural lands experience development pressure that can undermine rural character and strain environmental resources.
How We’re Working
Smart Planning
We advocate in coalition with housing and farming advocates for population allocations, planning policies, and growth assumptions that support compact, well-served urban areas and reduce pressure on rural lands. These decisions influence zoning capacity, infrastructure planning, and long-term environmental outcomes. We're also going through Comprehensive Plan draft with a fine toothed comb, making sure the guiding documents that shape land use planning until 2045 reflect the communities' needs, perspectives, and priorities.
Infrastructure That Protects Water
In places such as Clinton, Freeland, and Limited Areas of More Intensive Rural Development (LAMIRDs), we support clear, science-based standards for community-scale wastewater solutions. When properly designed and managed, these systems can reduce pollution risks, protect groundwater, and support appropriately scaled housing near services.
Preventing Rural Sprawl
We support reasonable limits on rural development—including Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (DADUs)—to ensure rural lands remain rural and continue to provide ecological, agricultural, and scenic value.
Defending Urban and UGA Green Space
The Challenge
We support responsible redevelopment for increased housing density in urban areas. Growth must not come at the expense of the limited remaining natural and recreational spaces within city limits or Urban Growth Areas (UGAs). Urban green spaces provide essential ecological functions, climate resilience, and public health benefits.
How We’re Working
Enforcing Environmental Review Laws
WEAN is currently engaged in litigation against the City of Oak Harbor to ensure compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). This case challenges actions related to changes in park and green space protections that were undertaken without adequate environmental review, as required by state law.
Our goal to ensure that decisions affecting public lands and ecological resources are made transparently, informed by environmental analysis, and consistent with Washington law.
Monitoring Site-Specific Development
We also monitor annexations and development proposals to ensure they align with adopted agreements, environmental constraints, and site-specific conditions. In Langley, this includes continued attention to development proposals on Coles Road to ensure consistency with the original annexation agreement and the site’s environmental and hydrogeological limits.
Join Us In This Work
When land use policies, implementation, or enforcement fall short, the environmental consequences can be serious and long-lasting. WEAN works through public education, policy advocacy, administrative appeals, and—when necessary—litigation to protect the irreplaceable ecosystems of Whidbey and Camano Island. Your support moves this work forward.
What is the Growth Management Act?
Washington’s framework for smart growth. The GMA requires cities and counties to plan for development in ways that protect farmland, forests, housing affordability, and critical environmental areas while preventing sprawl.
What is the Shoreline Management Act?
Washington’s law to protect shorelines, and especially shorelines of statewide significance. The SMA prioritizes ecological health, public access, and long-term stewardship of rivers, lakes, marine waters, and shorelines.
What is the State Environmental Policy Act?
Washington’s environmental review law. SEPA ensures that government decisions consider environmental impacts—and alternatives—before projects move forward, giving the public a voice and agencies the tools to avoid or reduce harm.
What is the Forest Practices Act?
Washington’s primary law regulating logging and forest management. The FPA sets rules, ostenstibly to protect water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and public safety while guiding how and where timber harvesting occurs.