Are the regulations to conserve forest land and to conserve farmland adequate under the Growth Management Act?
The County is required under RCW 36.70A.060 to assure the conservation of both forest and agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance until such time as the comprehensive plan is completed. The second edition of the Random House Dictionary of the English Language defines “conservation” as 1) “the act of conserving, prevention of injury, decay, waste or loss” and 4) “the careful utilization of a natural resource in order to prevent depletion”. Thus, conservation prevents the loss or degradation of the resource. Using this definition, we hold “conservation” as used in RCW36.70A.060 is intended to maintain agricultural and forest resource lands. The Ordinance does not adequately protect these lands, since any designated land can be developed so long as its development does not interfere with the long-term commercial use of other agriculture or forest resource lands. Ordinance 93-07, Section 3, A. Under this ordinance, each individual parcel of natural resource land can be conv
Related Questions
- Property Size and Growth Management Act Issues According to current Jefferson County regulations, how large a piece of property does one need to build a single-family dwelling?
- Are the regulations to conserve forest land and to conserve farmland adequate under the Growth Management Act?
- Can ordinances that pertain to the Growth Management Act be enacted by initiative?
