Have concerns about how rising temperatures, wildfires and low snowpack could threaten the Tri-Cities? The local city governments need to hear from you. 

The Benton-Franklin Council of Governments along with officials from Benton County, Kennewick, Richland, Pasco and West Richland will have community meetings March 6, 11 and 13 to hear from community members ahead of developing a regional strategy and updating comprehensive plans. 

Jurisdictions across the state are required to gather community input under a new state law adopted in 2023 when updating their comprehensive plans. Comprehensive plans provide guidance for how each jurisdiction grows in the future and the four cities and Benton County are updating their comprehensive plans by 2026. 

“Local knowledge is key to updating comprehensive plans. Community input grounds plans in what is happening locally and people’s hopes for the future,” the council said in a release. 

All meetings will be from 6-8 p.m. at the following locations:  

• March 6, Kennewick City Hall council chambers, 210 W. Sixth Ave., Kennewick. Attendance via Zoom available (registration required). 
• March 11, city of Richland, virtual meeting only 
• March 13, city of West Richland, police station community room, 7920 W. Van Giesen St., West Richland. Attendance via Zoom available. 

More information and links to attend remotely are available at bfcog.us/climate-change.