Resolution 990 – Support Closing the Sprawl Growth Loophole in the Growth Management Act
WHEREAS Washington State’s population is expected to reach 10 million by mid-century according to the Office of Financial Management forecast1, and
WHEREAS urban sprawl encroaches on farmlands, forests, shrub-steppe and other critical habitats, the combination of habitat loss and pollution being directly responsible for the 35 species on the Washington State Endangered Species list, and 5 others on the Washington State Threatened Species list2, and
WHEREAS urban sprawl creates undue financial burden on taxpayers and jurisdictions to provide adequate facilities, utility infrastructure, and services needed to serve these new developments that sprawl beyond current service areas, and
WHEREAS the Growth Management Act (GMA) RCW 36.70A was intended to reduce urban sprawl, a legal framework loophole allows cities and counties to accept, vest, and issue development permits during the Growth Management Hearings Board (GMHB) appeals process and the permits remain valid no matter what the GMAB decides,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Environment and Climate Caucus of the Washington State Democratic Party endorses legislation that will close the sprawl growth loophole in the Growth Management Act by setting a new effective date for actions relating to urban growth areas, agricultural, wetlands, forest or mineral resources lands, limited areas of more intensive rural development, new fully contained communities, planned residential developments, or master planned resorts as proposed in 2021 SB 50423, and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to the Governor of the State of Washington and all Washington State House and Senate Democrats. And that it be submitted to the Washington State Democratic Central Committee for consideration at its January 2022 meeting.
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Adopted by the Environment and Climate Caucus on 2021 December 16:
Contact Information ECC Chair: Steve Verhey, verheys@hotmail.com (509) 899-4956
Contact information ECC Resolutions Committee Chair: Angie Homola, angiehomolad2@gmaoil.com
References:
2 https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/at-risk/listed
3 https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5042&Year=2021&Initiative=false