HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 92-4763, by Representatives Forner, Cantwell, P. Johnson, Sheldon, Edmondson, Rayburn, Betrozoff and Winsley

     WHEREAS, The Growth Management Act focuses on accommodating growth and protecting the environment through improved planning by and between local governments; and

     WHEREAS, The Growth Management Act seeks to accomplish this accommodation while also protecting private property rights; and

     WHEREAS, The Growth Management Act requires that all counties and cities designate and protect critical areas by March 1, 1992; and  

     WHEREAS, Critical areas are regulated also by several other state laws, including the State Environmental Policy Act and the Shorelines Management Act; and

     WHEREAS, Owners of private property, particularly owners of single, small parcels of land, may face significant costs or hardships if local governments act unreasonably in adopting or enforcing regulations protecting critical areas, or if local governments have separate, uncoordinated processes for regulating critical areas under the Growth Management Act, the State Environmental Policy Act, the Shorelines Management Act, or other laws; and

     WHEREAS, The state is making efforts to coordinate the laws protecting the environment, particularly critical areas, such as the Environmental Pilot Projects administered by the Department of Community Development under the Growth Management Act; and

     WHEREAS, Legislation likely will be necessary to integrate the Growth Management Act, the State Environmental Protection Act, the Shorelines Management Act, and other laws; and

     WHEREAS, The House of Representatives, which spearheaded growth management legislation in Washington State, should remain involved in the implementation of this legislation, particularly regarding integrating the Growth Management Act and other environmental laws to minimize the impact of regulations on private property owners and to ensure predictability and certainty in local processing of development permits;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives hopes that the goals of protecting the environment and protecting private property rights are balanced in the implementation of the Growth Management Act, particularly in the designation and protection of critical areas; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourages affected and interested parties, in conjunction with the state, to develop alternatives to integrate environmental protection laws and improve the local permitting process; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Association of Washington Cities, the Washington State Association of Counties, the Association of Washington Businesses, and the Washington Environmental Council.