HB 1592 - DIGEST

     Authorizes a rural county , after conferring with its cities, to develop alternative methods of achieving the planning goals established by RCW 36.70A.020.

     Declares that the authority provided by this act may not be used to modify:

     (1) Requirements for the designation and protection of critical areas or for the designation of natural resource lands under RCW 36.70A.060(2), 36.70A.170, and 36.70A.172; or

     (2)  The requirement to establish a process for the siting of essential public facilities pursuant to RCW 36.70A.200.

     Provides that, in any petition concerning whether or not a rural county's methods of achieving planning goals are in compliance with chapter 36.70A RCW, the board shall give great weight to decisions made by the rural county with regard to developing alternative methods of achieving planning goals under this act, and the board shall find that such alternative methods are in compliance with this chapter unless it finds by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence that the alternative methods will not achieve the planning goals established by RCW 36.70A.020.