Forest Preservation and the GMA
Professor Gordon A. Bradley Guest Lecture

Dr. Gordon A. Bradley spoke with the UDP 498C class on November 3, 1999. He addressed several ssues concerning forest preservation and the GMA in Washington state. Dr. Bradley is a Professor of Environmental Planning and the Associate Dean for academic affairs in the College of Forest Resources at the University of Washington.
To see a synopsis of his guest lecture, please click here.

I. Overview

The Pacific Northwest Region contains nineteen National Forests, a National Scenic Area, a National Volcanic Monument and a National Grassland. The forests serve as an invaluable resource for people, forage for cattle and wildlife, and habitat for fish, plants, and animals. Few old-growth forests are left in Washington state. The majority of forests in the state are commercial forest with a 40-60 year maximum harvesting cycle.

Washington state’s population has gone from 3.4 million in 1970 to 5.3 million in 2000. Much of the new growth is taking place and living in suburbs. As the population has risen, the forested land we consume on a per capita basis has increased dramatically. Economic growth in the Puget Sound region in particular has resulted in increased use of forested land in much of Washington state.

As population growth continues, residents continue to consume much more acreage. Larger lot subdivisions, even 5-20 acre lot subdivisions, have become common. Land use changes and rates have experienced a particularly sharp reaction due to the use of the private automobile. More people are driving more miles in more cars. Increased pressure on the state’s forests has become an inevitable part of that growth.

Washington’s Growth Management Act focuses on forest preservation by means of (1) establishing minimum standards for forest practices; (2) establishing classes of forest practices; (3) handling of applications for classes, applications for forest practices; (4) administering of fees; (5) and restricting local political subdivisions or regional entities in terms of forest preservation.

A wide range of institutions serves to manage forest preservation in Washington from the point of view of the Growth Management Act. The Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, the Commissioner of Public Lands, Washington Department of Natural Resources, and Washington Department of Ecology are some of the most important state agencies in the determination of forest protection and related compliance with the Growth Management Act.

The Forest Practices Act requires the Department of Natural Resources to administer and enforce all adopted rules in terms of forest policies and compatibility with the GMA. The Forest Practice Act states that "… where necessary to accomplish the purposes and policies stated in RCW 76.09.010, and to implement the provisions of this chapter, the board shall promulgate forest practices regulations pursuant to chapter 34.05 RCW and in accordance with the procedures enumerated in this section."

An instructive graphic overview of Washington state forest use is available at http://www.washingtonforests.com/fz_chart.html

II. Government Agencies

A. Washington Forest Practices Board and the Washington State
Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

The Washington Forest Practices Board is an independent state agency but the DNR provides staff support for the board. The Commissioner of Public Lands both administers DNR and chairs the board. The Washington Forest Practices Board was established in 1975 by the Legislature under the state Forest Practices Act.

By law, the Board is charged with establishing rules to protect the state's natural resources while maintaining a viable timber industry. Those rules, as embodied in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), specifically consider what effects various forest practices have on fish, wildlife and water quality.

Forest practices rules involving water quality protection must be jointly adopted by the Board and the Washington Department of Ecology (see http://www.wa.gov/dnr/htdocs/fp/fpb/ for more information)

The Department of Natural Resources has a wide range of information on forest protection available at:
http://www.wa.gov/dnr/

B. Washington State Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED),

Washington State Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) is responsible for the GMA and forestry practice compliance. The CTED is a cabinet-level state agency, was created in 1994 to assist local governments and their partners in planning and achieving livable communities for current and future generations.

The Agency administers the Growth Management Program through forest practices regulations, promulgation, review of proposed regulations, hearings, and adoption.

More information about the CTED, including texts of laws governing the GMA and forest practices in Washington state, is available at http://www.cted.wa.gov/info/lgd/growth/law/index.html

C. Washington Department of Ecology

The mission of the Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment, and promote the wise management of our air, land and water for the benefit of current and future generations. Its goals are to prevent pollution, clean up pollution, and support sustainable communities and natural resources.

For more information about the Deparment and their activities, please see: http://www.wa.gov/ecology/

D. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

The Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) Program fulfills one of the most fundamental responsibilities of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

Although the WDFW is charged with protecting and perpetuating fish and wildlife species, the agency has very limited authority over the habitat on which animals depend. Instead, protection of Washington's fish and wildlife resources is currently achieved through voluntary actions of landowners and through the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), Growth Management Act (GMA), Forest Practices Act (FPA), Shoreline Management Act (SMA), and similar planning processes that primarily involve city and county governments.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website is available at: http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/

III. Commercial and Non-Government Actors

A. Associations

1. Washington Forest Protection Association

Founded in 1908 to help fight and prevent uncontrolled forest fires, members of the Washington Forest Protection Association - including large and small companies, families, and individual members - own and manage about 4.5 million acres of forests, today close to two-thirds of the private commercial forestland in Washington state.

2. Intermountain Forest Association

The Intermountain Forest Association is an organization of wood product manufacturers, timberland owners and related businesses in the northern rockies. The Association develops and implements solution-oriented policies aimed at securing a stable and sustainable supply of timber on public and private lands.

3. Northwest Forestry Association

The Northwest Forestry Association (NFA) represents the forest products industry on issues affecting both public and private forest lands. NFA's membership ranges from small, family-owned companies to large multi-national corporations. NFA's members are committed to ensuring a plentiful supply of timber in Oregon and Washington. NFA strives to maintain healthy and productive forests, where trees are grown to produce lumber and paper products for millions of people. Membership in NFA is open to any company directly or indirectly involved in the forest products industry.

B. Commercial Firms

1. Weyerhaeuser Company

2. Plum Creek Timber Company

C. Non-government Organizations

1. Washington Trails Association

Join WTA's indexcountry Response Network and receive action items and updates on the land management decisions that impact hiking trails.

2. Coalition for Public Trust

The Coalition for Public Trust is a non-partisan citizen’s group dedicated to stopping the development of Novelty Hill and Bear Creek and putting teeth into the Washington State’s Growth Management Act.

IV. Forest Protection Initiatives

A. Mountains to Sound Greenway

The Greenway Trust represents coalition of people, representing all major landowners and managers along Interstate 90, together with foresters, business representatives, recreation groups, environmentalists and government agencies. The group has forged a plan and a network of alliances that is protecting more and more of the scenic and recreational landscape along I-90. Additional material can be found at: http://www.mtsgreenway.org/

B. I-90 Land Exchange in Central Washington

With the completion of the I-90 land exchange, many critical areas of the central Cascades will achieve long-sought protection. Foremost among them are four roadless, old growth forested valleys near the Alpine Lakes Wilderness: Scatter Creek, Silver Creek, Domerie Creek, and the West Fork Teanaway River. These four valleys represent the largest remaining areas of privately owned ancient forests in Washington state, which will now be protected in public ownership. More information at: http://www.plumcreek.com/company/press/991104.html

C. Forests and Fish Plan

The Forests and Fish Plan, a significant increase in salmon habitat and water quality protection on private forestland, has been passed by the Washington State Legislature and was signed into law. Governor Locke, the state legislature, federal and state fisheries and environmental agencies, a number of the treaty tribes, and county government all worked with private forest landowners to produce this long-term protection plan. They have produced a plan that, for the first time, meets the requirements of both the federal Endangered Species Act and federal Clean Water Act. See http://www.washingtonforests.com/wfpa_news.html for further information.

D. Transfer of Development Credits Program of the King County
Department of Natural Resources

The Transfer of Development Credits Program allows qualified forest landowners to sell "development credits" (residential development potential) to urban residential developments. TDC allows landowners to receive financial compensation without having to develop or sell their land, preserves rural resource lands, and focuses growth into more appropriate areas.

King County's Forestry Program focuses on retention of forestland for its environmental, social, and economic benefits. The Forestry Program provides education, technical assistance, and economic incentives aimed toward retaining the forest resources of King County. See the Forestry Program website at: http://splash.metrokc.gov/wlr/lands/forestry.htm

V. Further Sources of Information/Case Studies

King County
Primary Contact: Ikuno Masterson Tele: 206-205-0706
Kittitas County
Primary Contact: Clerk Tele: 509-968-0220

Prepared by Nathaniel Trumbull and Professor Christine Bae. Last updated 11/20/2000.