In addition to the University of Washington-facilitated Growth Management Act (GMA) reform stakeholder process and omnibus bill, which we reported in November, there are two other efforts underway to add new responsibilities on growth planning. Rep. Debra Lekanoff (D–La Conner) is proposing a bill focused on salmon recovery and a net ecological gain standard. Futurewise, an environmental advocacy group, is proposing a climate-focused bill. These draft bills have been revamped since the proposals surfaced last session and we are requesting city feedback. In both cases, there is significant interest from cities to make progress on these issues. If there are elements of either bill that are problematic, please suggest workable alternatives.

These draft bills have been revamped since the proposals surfaced last session and we are requesting city feedback.

The salmon/net ecological gain bill proposes the following changes:

• Adds definitions for “net ecological gain”, “compensatory mitigation ratio”, “mitigation hierarchy”.
• Adds salmon recovery as a goal of the GMA (there is no longer a proposed stand-alone salmon recovery element).
• Requires comprehensive plans be consistent with the appropriate elements of applicable regional salmon recovery plans adopted under the Endangered Species Act. Of particular interest, there is a belief that cities participated in creating these plans and should be taking actions to implement them. We are interested in detail about the engagement of your city in your regional salmon recovery efforts and any examples of how land use decisions are affected.
• Directs Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to adopt rules for what comprehensive plan consistency with salmon recovery plans looks like.
• Directs WDFW to monitor progress in each jurisdiction toward achievement of net ecological gain / goals set forth in the salmon recovery plans, and report to the Governor and Legislature every two years.
• Adds mitigation hierarchy / compensatory mitigation ratios into the development regulations adopted under the GMA.
• Adds the mitigation hierarchy / compensatory mitigation ratio into various statutes, including the Water Pollution Control Act and Shoreline Management Act.

Please provide feedback on this proposal as soon as possible.

The climate bill proposes the following changes:

• Adds climate change resiliency goal and element.
• A new greenhouse gas reduction sub-element only applies to the ten urban counties (Benton, Clark, Franklin, King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, and Whatcom).
• Directs the Department of Ecology to set greenhouse gas reduction targets.
• Directs Ecology to approve greenhouse gas reduction sub-element plans.
• Directs the Department of Commerce to create a model climate change element.
• Requires regional coordination.
• Directs the Department of Transportation to compile vehicle miles traveled per jurisdiction.

Please provide feedback on the climate proposal by Friday, December 11.

Finally, a new version of the UW GMA reform omnibus bill is out. Highlighted yellow text shows all the changes being considered. Highlighted text in any color but yellow is the newest language from various stakeholders.

Please provide feedback on these changes by Monday, December 14.