Whatcom Priorities
Document Actions
FUTUREWISE WHATCOM
Our chapter works to ensure that local governments (both Whatcom County and the incorporated cities) manage growth responsibly. Our purpose is to ensure that local governments implement Washington’s Growth Management Act (GMA) so as to benefit citizens rather than special interests. To achieve this goal, we conduct a variety of activities, including organizing and advocacy work, public education, litigation (when necessary), and technical support to local groups focusing on particular land-use “hot spots.” We deal with and seek to influence the governing bodies of these entities as well as their planning commissions and planning departments.
SUBSTANTIVE PRIORITIES FOR 2008
1. Stop Sprawl: Participate in Whatcom County’s urban growth area (UGA) update to ensure that the UGAs are appropriately sized and located in the right areas.
Click here to learn more.
2. Protect Resource Lands:
Collaborate with Whatcom Farm Friends, the Whatcom Conservation District and other sustainable-resource advocacy groups to better protect working farms and farmers and other natural-resource areas (e.g., forests).
3. Maintain Rural Character : Ensure that urban services are not provided extended to rural areas. We believe that preventing the inappropriate (e.g., when water supplies are insufficient) extension or expansion of piped water-delivery to rural developments can help protect these areas and maintain their rural character.
4. Make Sure Development Pays for itself!
Work for implementation of tough cost-based development impact fees. Impact fees require developers to pay for their proportionate share of the infrastructure associated with their developments.
Click here to read our Strategic Plan.