Ensure smart development and protect intact habitats and processes by channeling population growth into attractive, transit-oriented urban growth areas (UGAs) with easy access to natural spaces.
Forested lands, open spaces, agricultural fields, and wetlands absorb water and are the home for an integrated and biodiverse web of life. These same systems are at the heart of a vibrant economy of working lands for forestry and agriculture. They also serve multiple uses as the backdrop for cities, the location of roads and utility lines, and desired places to recreate and explore nature.
Development of natural areas throughout Puget Sound has disrupted natural hydrologic processes and habitat functions. If we continue along our path towards adding 1.7 million additional residents, or the equivalent of an additional two and a half Seattles, expected in the Puget Sound area by 2050, we must balance affordable infill development and infrastructure improvements with protection of the important functions provided by forested and riparian areas as well as agricultural lands.
This strategy focuses on protecting ecologically important lands by channeling population growth into affordable and vibrant urban growth areas and reducing conversion of forests, farms, and natural areas into developed uses. To foster smart development and protect habitats, the recovery community will need to work alongside transportation authorities; affordable housing agencies, nongovernmental and community-based organizations; state and local decision-makers, natural resource and land use planners, investors and developers, and vulnerable populations and underserved communities and representatives to improve implementation of regulations and incentives that channel development into preferred growth areas. To prevent conversion of ecologically important lands, we must improve implementation of, and make modifications to, the Growth Management Act (GMA) to foster the protection of these natural areas and working lands. These protections should be incorporated into regional infrastructure planning and supported by creating incentives for new market demands for growth in city centers.
Implementing the Land Development and Cover and other Implementation Strategies supports the success of this strategy.