District 1 candidate faces incumbent Sheilah Kennedy
By Marcy Stamper
Chris Branch is challenging incumbent Sheilah Kennedy for the seat of District 1 commissioner. The District 1 commissioner represents Omak, most of Okanogan, and the Colville Reservation and southern Okanogan County, but all voters in the county vote for the position in the general election.
Kennedy did not respond to numerous phone calls and emails from the Methow Valley News seeking to schedule an interview for this profile.
Personal information
Chris Branch was born in Nespelem and has lived in Okanogan County for most of his life. His mother’s side of the family is Colville Indian.
Branch is the community development director for the City of Oroville. He has worked in planning and community development for 26 years for most towns and cities in Okanogan County, among them Twisp, Winthrop, Pateros, Brewster and Omak.
Prior to that, Branch was a machinery technician in the U.S. Coast Guard, worked on ranches and farms, and worked in the timber industry as an equipment operator and mechanic.
Branch is chair of North Central Washington Economic Development District. He serves on the board of the Okanogan County Economic Alliance, the Okanogan County Tourism Council, the county’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee and the Oroville Housing Authority.
Past positions include serving as president of the Planning Association of Washington and of the Okanogan County Community Action Council.
Branch has a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Evergreen State College. He has a minor in business and economic development with a focus on tribal resource development.
Branch lives in Omak with his wife. They have two adult children and two grandchildren.
Jobs and economy
To attract businesses and support existing ones, Branch wants to be sure that county planning and zoning create a predictable business environment.
“We need a clear policy direction so people can start businesses,” said Branch. “It should be quality, instead of quantity.”
Branch stresses the importance of transportation infrastructure, such as the short-line railroad that runs from Oroville to Wenatchee. The railroad currently transports lumber, value-added wood products and powdered cement, but Branch is interested in exploring the potential for a passenger or tourism train.
Branch would improve airport infrastructure the support their critical role in economic development and emergency functions such as firefighting.
Among ideas he is exploring for enhancing the county’s transportation infrastructure is creating a port district.
Branch would like to see a renewed effort in timber production and harvest that would provide good forest management, address wildfire risk, and satisfy the concerns of the environmental community. He envisions possibilities for value-added wood products that could be used in fine homebuilding.
Okanogan County must both protect its existing tourism industry and look for ways to expand it. For example, tourism in the upper Methow Valley depends on the natural environment. In other parts of the county, tourism may emphasize other attractions. The northern part of the county should take advantage of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail.
“I would ask existing businesses what’s missing as a service or infrastructure that would help,” he said. “What would they need to expand?”
Land use and planning
Branch wants to be sure that the county’s planning documents — such as the comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance — take into account whether there is adequate water to support development.
He would look to scientific research to assess water availability in individual basins. For example, when permitting subdivisions, the county needs to determine that there is adequate water to support all the lots so that we only subdivide land where it makes sense.
“I’m not anti-development, but I’m in favor of responsible development,” said Branch. “We need to look at the science.”
By taking these steps in advance, the county protects its residents. “People have expectations about property when they buy — they assume they have adequate water,” he said.
Getting the public involved
Branch said that commissioners should gather objective facts to back up their decision-making and to avoid conflicts and litigation. For example, for projects that go through the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review process, Branch would do outreach to agencies and the public to make sure they’re aware of — and understand — a proposal, and to encourage them to submit comments.
“I would make sure we’re reaching the community at large, versus just a few people,” said Branch.
“It’s harder to talk to people when they’re challenging things in court. I’d try to remedy the issues by building relationships,” said Branch.
Emergency planning
Branch said it is vital to be sure all emergency planning is current and to make sure the county — and all its communities — are engaged in hazard management and mitigation plans. County commissioners should be leaders — they should ask each community about its needs — before an emergency arises. New developments and subdivisions must have appropriate ingress and egress and fire protection.
“Things we do today will affect people way down the road,” said Branch. “That’s what we’re dealing with today.”
