County Council calls for policy to keep King County “Green”

The Metropolitan King County Council is calling on County Executive Dow Constantine to continue the legacy of programs such as Forward Thrust and voter approved levies to protect the environment by developing a work plan to protect and conserve valuable land and water resources.

“We live in one of the fastest growing counties in the nation,” said motion co-sponsor Councilmember Rod Dembowski. “Conservation enhances the region's quality of life and is an essential building block for our vibrant economy. 

As we grow, the opportunities to protect special land and water resources diminish. That’s why I believe we must double down on our communities efforts to ensure future generations continue to enjoy the beautiful landscape of King County.”

Starting with the regional collaboration that helped restore Lake Washington in the 1950’s, King County has made a commitment to identify, protect, and conserve the county’s land and water resources.

Forward Thrust helped to fund the preservation of 4,000 acres of park lands and 53 miles of waterfront and riparian corridors, the County’s Conservation Futures Program has preserved more than 100,000 acres of resource lands and farmlands, and voter approved levies have ensured the protection of parks and open space throughout the county.

The motion adopted by the Council at its November 16 meeting declares that it is County policy to ensure that King County remains one of the greenest metropolitan areas in the world by protecting and conserving land and water resources.

The motion asks the Executive to develop a work plan for implementing a preservation and conservation program to identify, protect, conserve, and maintain water and land resources.

The motion supports the goals of the recently adopted update to the King County Strategic Climate Action Plan, the County’s blueprint for reducing carbon pollution and preparing for climate impacts.