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<br />________________________________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> Page 19 of 22 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Attachment A: Scope of Work <br />The creation of a new tree policy and ordinance will deliver measurable ecological, <br />community, and climate resilience benefits for Everett. By embedding forest hydrology <br />science into local regulations, the city will strengthen protections for streams, wetlands, <br />and salmon-bearing corridors, ensuring healthier watersheds and improved water <br />quality. Expanded urban tree canopy and stronger tree retention standards will reduce <br />localized flooding, filter pollutants, and mitigate urban heat islands, directly improving <br />public health and livability. Incentive programs for tree planting and retention will <br />encourage private landowners and developers to contribute to canopy expansion, <br />multiplying the impact beyond public lands. <br />The ordinance will also establish enforceable standards and guidance that provide long- <br />term accountability, ensuring that tree protections are consistently applied across <br />permitting and development processes. These outcomes are transformative because <br />they not only safeguard Everett’s ecological assets but also prepare the city for climate- <br />driven challenges such as extreme heat, drought, and storm events. <br />Equity and environmental justice are central to the anticipated impacts of this project. <br />Community engagement will be designed to ensure that historically underserved <br />neighborhoods—those most vulnerable to flooding, poor air quality, and heat stress— <br />are prioritized in both policy development and implementation. Multilingual materials, <br />culturally relevant outreach, and partnerships with trusted community organizations will <br />ensure that residents who are often excluded from planning processes have meaningful <br />opportunities to shape the ordinance. <br />By incorporating equity mapping tools and community feedback, Everett will identify <br />areas where tree canopy is lowest and environmental burdens are highest, directing <br />resources and incentives to those neighborhoods first. This approach ensures that <br />frontline communities benefit from cleaner air, cooler streets, and improved access to <br />green space. The engagement process itself will build trust and accountability, <br />empowering residents to influence policies that directly affect their environment and <br />quality of life. <br />The anticipated impact of this work is highly significant because it addresses Everett’s <br />most pressing ecological, climate, and community challenges in a unified and <br />enforceable way. By creating a tree policy and ordinance that preserves forest <br />hydrology and expands urban tree cover, Everett will directly improve watershed health, <br />protect salmon-bearing streams, and reduce stormwater runoff. These outcomes are <br />essential for maintaining water quality in the Snohomish River basin and Puget Sound, <br />ecosystems that are central to the region’s identity, economy, and treaty obligations. <br />Locally, the impacts will be transformative. Expanded tree canopy will reduce urban <br />heat islands, improve air quality, and provide shade and cooling in neighborhoods most <br />Docusign Envelope ID: 3ED29C65-02FC-4491-841C-0700C4920370