
Actions for a Livable Tri-Cities
Upcoming events, workshops, public meetings: event calendar.
Below is a list of ongoing issues and related actions the Sustainable Tri-Cities has taken around transportation, climate issues, land use, and natural spaces.
Let’s Walk, Bike & Roll
The Alliance advocates for an improved Walk, Bike, Roll infrastructure for the Tri-Cities. We strive for mobility equity, extra safety measures for vulnerable road users and an infrastructure encouraging active transportation. Read more.

Actions taken by Sustainable Tri-Cities (STC) or affiliates:
- STC called for comments on BF Cog’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), (2023)
- STC called for comments on the WA State Transportation Carbon Reduction Strategy– (2023)
- STC called for comments on the BF Transit funding and Transit Development Plan (2023).
- The STC Transportation working group wrote a guest commentary for the local Tri-City paper describing the experience and pointing out the cost advantages of driving an electric vehicle cross country. (2022) They met with City of Richland regarding electrifying their fleet, and area auto dealers to provide information on incentives for EV purchases. (2022)
- STC signed a letter to support the WA State legislature Transportation bill package. (2022)
- ALSC Feedback Letter in response to the Richland Connectivity Study. (March 2020)
- ALSC Feedback Letter in response to the Regional Active Transportation Plan BFCOG (July 2020)
- Bike-TriCities Feedback Letter in response to the Regional Active Transportation Plan BFCOG (Sep 2020)
- For Review: Pasco Transportation System Master Plan.
- Measure to Save Open Space for outdoor recreation.
To participate and take action, contact Sustainable Tri-Cities, or connect to one of the community organizers/organizations below.
Climate Resiliency
ALSC brings climate change awareness to our region and reviews new approaches that focus on impacts and change.

- STC partnered with MCEV on National Drive Electric event, September 30, 2023.
- The BF Health District has partnered with STC on Urban Heat Resilience and wants our support with the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). We also partner with Kids for Urban Trees (2022, 2023).
- The STC Urban Heat Resilience working group wrote a white paper and met with Richland City leaders recommending work toward greater heat resilience in the city and surrounding area, and providing recommendations for what the city could do to plan for and mitigate rising heat levels as global warming continues.
- STC helped with community outreach on Washington State Department of Ecology’s call for comment on WA Climate Commitment Act rule making (2022).
- STC called for public comment on the proposed Horse Heavens Hills wind farm (2022 -23).
- STC lent our voice to a push to recognize nuclear power, including Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs) and other next generation advanced reactors, as an essential step forward in the challenge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (2022). Read the Tri-City Herald article.
Information resources:
The Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) is an international, non-partisan, grassroots organization committed to creating the political will for a livable world. The WA Tri-Cities Chapter is just one of 200 across the world, serving the region of Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco.
EVITA: An industry collaboration comprised of Energy Northwest, Benton PUD, Franklin PUD, Benton REA, City of Richland Energy Services, City of Ellensburg Energy Services and TRIDEC. (Brochure)
Get involved by contacting Sustainable Tri-Cities or connect to one of the community organizers/organizations below.
Nature Preservation
STC is proposing that city development is done mindfully and with an awareness of the health, ecological and economic importance of environmental protections. A checklist should be part of every development plan.

Recent actions taken by the STC or affiliates:
- Cool and surprising footage from Tapteal Greenway trail cams.
- Our affiliate, Futurewise, is encouraging restoration of riparian buffer zones preventing pollutants entering the water streams. A demonstration site is currently under way at Chiawana Park
View event calendar for upcoming events, workshops or public meetings.
For more info, contact Sustainable Tri-Cities or connect to one of the community organizations below.
Water

Ongoing activities and advocacy efforts:
- STC helped with community outreach on the Washington State Department of Ecology’s call for comment on its reissued Washington State Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Permits (2023).
- Shared warnings about the toxic algae problem in the Columbia River (2023).
- Yakima River Delta Restoration Project
- Columbia/Snake River water temperatures
- Groundwater and Waste Sites in Hanford’ 100-BC Area
- An informative speaker event (hour) at the Columbia Basin Badger Club about future water shortage planning.
- Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project
See event calendar for upcoming open houses and public meetings.
STC can connect you to several sustainability issues in the Tri-Cities in regards to water. Being in a high desert climate, conservation is part of the efforts, maintaining high quality water for consumption, plus monitoring runoff, the effects of a rising water temperature and point source pollution.
For more info, contact Sustainable Tri-Cities or connect to one of the community organizers/organizations below.
Land Use and Economic Development
STC supports enhancing our environment, competitive economic advantage, and visual appeal through planning that incorporates mixed-use, well-connected, compact and equitable development.

- STC helped with the City of Richland’s call for comments for Leslie Groves Park Long Range Plan (2023).
Hillside Development Regulations – letter
Kennewick Development Plan Vista Field – letter
Pasco Major Planning Projects
City of Pasco Urban Growth Area Expansion & Comprehensive Plan 2018-2038 Update. Stay Current: City of Pasco Comprehensive Plan Project Page
Richland Capital Projects
Columbia River Shoreline
STC is proposing that additional public meetings should be held and convened by a neutral facilitator, that a definitive position of CTUIR and other impacted tribes on the matter be in place, that Columbia River treaty negotiations between the US and Canada conclude, and that a true community-wide discussion and vetting of any proposed legislative proposal occurs. Any reconveyance must be done in a mindful way, i.e. with environment protections, tribal involvement and recreational access for all.

Recent actions taken by the STC or affiliates:
- ALSC letter to reporter (press) in response to Dan Newhouse visit (Aug 2020)
- ALSC Letter to Congress member Dan Newhouse Letter (March 2020)
See event calendar for upcoming open houses and public meetings.
For more info, contact Sustainable Tri-Cities or connect to one of the stakeholders below.