Why does King County care about the amount of forest cover?
Scientific studies show that as the total amount of forest cover is reduced in a basin, there is increased risk of flooding and other adverse impacts to streams and wetlands in the basin. This is true even if the clearing takes place far away from the stream or wetland. If allowed to do the job, nature is the most effective, and also the most cost effective, way to manage stormwater. Forest cover is also important for a variety of wildlife species and important for recharging groundwater, a key source of drinking water for rural property owners. Q: Does this decision affect stream or wetland buffers or other county regulations? A: No. King County requires that the buffer around a stream or wetland be left alone. Those regulations were not affected by the Court of Appeals decision. King County’s zoning and stormwater regulations also remain in effect. *Note: To view PDFs, free software from Adobe is required. See helpful hints for assistance. To request this information in alternate for
