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KingCountyLandConservationAdvisoryGroup
Phase1Report
January2017
ExecutiveSummary
ExecutiveConstantinehasproposedacountywideinitiativeto“finishthejobofprotectingourgreatplacesforever.”TheLandConservationandPreservationInitiative(“Initiative”)setsforththegoalofconservingandpreservingremaininghighconservationvaluelandsthroughoutKingCountywithinthenext30years.Fivecategoriesoflandaretargeted:naturalareas,farmland,forests,rivervalleyandnearshorelands,andtrailcorridorconnections.TheInitiativecallsforpreservingsuchlandsincitiesaswellasruralandurbanunincorporatedareasoftheCounty.
TheAdvisoryGroupwasconvenedbytheExecutiveinSeptember2016andtaskedwithreviewingandproposingrefinementstotheInitiative.TheAdvisoryGroupendorsestheInitiative,recommendssomeadjustmentstotheproposedscope,andrequeststhattheCountyundertakeasecondphaseofwork.TheAdvisoryGrouprequeststobereconvenedinthefallof2017soitcanissueafinalsetofrecommendationsbeforetheendof2017.FinalendorsementoftheInitiativeisdependentupontheAdvisoryGroup’sreviewofthePhase2workandfurtherdeliberationontheissuesnotedinthisreport.
TheAdvisoryGroup’smainPhase1recommendationsinclude:
• AddingasixthcategoryoflandstotheInitiative:urbangreenspace.ThiscategoryshouldbegenerallyconsistentwiththeCounty’sfivelandcategoriesidentifiedaboveandshouldbedefinedthroughworkwithcitiesandhistoricallyunderservedcommunitiesinthenextseveralmonthsbeforetheAdvisoryGroupisreconvened.
• Workingwithcitiestocompletealistofurbanprioritylandsandtrailsinthenextsixmonths,andtoensureongoingfundingisavailabletocitiestopreservebothhighvalueconservationlandsandurbangreenspacethatcitiesmayidentifylater.
• Workingtobetterdefineandquantifytheinterestofsomecitiesinfindingrevenuesourcesforrestorationofurbangreenspacesalreadyinpublicownership,aswellascityneedsforparklandmaintenancedollars.
• IncorporatingequityandsocialjusticeconsiderationsintotheInitiative,includingaddressingdisparitiesthatexistamongstsomecommunitiesregardingaccessandproximitytoopenspaceandgreenspace,andworkingwithhistoricallyunderservedcommunitiestoidentifythetypesofurbangreenspacesthattheyvaluemost.
• Refiningcostassumptionswithrespecttothe66,000acresofidentifiedKingCountypriorityland,andtheacreageyettobeidentifiedinsidecities.
• Workingtobetterdescribeandeffectivelycommunicatethebroadrangeofenvironmental,humanhealth,communityresilienceandeconomicprosperitybenefitsthatcouldbederivedfromthisInitiative.
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• Ensuringthataccelerationoffundingisavailablesothatquickactioncanbetakentopreservelandsunderthreatofdevelopment.
• DevelopingastrategythatwillensurebothsuccessoftheInitiativeasrefinedoverthenextseveralmonths,andrenewalofthecurrentCountyParksLevy.
• Leavingfourpotentialpublicfundingsourcesonthetablefornow,pendingfurtherworktorefinethescopeandcostoftheInitiative.Ofthefourpublicfundingoptionsdiscussed,theAdvisoryGroupismoststronglysupportiveofConservationFuturesTax.Thegroupexpressedalesserdegreeofsupportfornewrealestateexcisetaxauthority,anotherpropertytaxlevyorgeneralobligationbondsasInitiativefundingsources.
• DoingadditionalworktotesttheassumptionsabouttheroleofprivatefundinginsupportingtheInitiative.
• Proceedingwithasenseofurgency,asdevelopmentpressurescontinuetogrow.
TheAdvisoryGrouprequestsworkproceedoverthenextseveralmonths,withtheCountyworkinginconcertwithcitiesandotherstakeholders,toaddresstheitemsoutlinedabove,inorderthattheAdvisoryGroupmaybereconvenedearlyinthethirdquarterof2017toreviewtheresultsofthisworkandissueafinalreportandrecommendationsbeforetheendof2017.
TheAdvisoryGroupbelievesthatbypreservingtheremainingnaturalareasandopenspacesinourruralandurbanareas,ensuringaccessiblegreenspacesineverycommunity,strengtheningourregion’scommitmenttopreserveworkingfarmsandforests,andcompletingourtrailnetworks,wecanensureKingCountyremainsoneofthebestplacesinwhichtoliveandworkforgenerationstocome.
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TABLEOFCONTENTS
Topic PageExecutiveSummary iTableofContents iiiReportBody 1
I. TheLandConservationandPreservationInitiative 1A. SummaryoftheAdvisoryGroupProcessandMission 3B. OurSupportfortheGoalsoftheInitiative 6
i. TheVision 6ii. BenefitsoftheInitiative 7iii. InclusionofLandsInsideCities 7iv. EquityandSocialJustice 9v. BuildableLandsandAffordabilityIssues 9vi. Phase2WorktobeCompletedBeforeFall2017 9vii. Urgency 9
II. RecommendedRefinementstotheWorkPlan 10A. TheCountyProposalforUnincorporatedAreas 10
i. ProposedScope 10ii. Costs 13iii. ExistingRevenues 13iv. AdditionalStepsNeeded 14
B. ConservationLandsInsideCities 14C. EquityandSocialJusticeConsiderations 15D. ImplicationsfortheCounty’sParksLevy 17E. PrivateFundingSources 18F. PublicFunding 20
i. ConservationFuturesTax(CFT) 21ii. REET 21iii. PropertyTaxLidLift 21iv. GeneralObligationBonds 22v. NextSteps 22
III. BuildingtheOverallPackage 22A. TheProposedScopeandUrbanGreenSpace 22B. Overall.FundingRequirementsandCityPriorities 22C. AccelerationStrategies 24D. PublicandPrivateFunding 24E. InterplaywithParksLevy 25F. EquityConsiderations 25G. Metrics 25
IV. Conclusion:Phase2Work,TimelineandNextSteps 25 Exhibits:
A. KingCountyLandConservationAdvisoryGroupMembers 27B. KingCountyExecutive’sLandConservationWorkPlan:Summary 28C. HighLevelMapshowinglocationofCountyPriorityLands 30D. Phase2WorkPlan 31E. Glossary 32
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FiguresandTables: PageFigure1:OverviewoftheLandConservationandPreservationInitiative 2Figure2:CurrentPublicFundingandthe“FundingGap” 4Figure3:BenefitsoftheLandConservationInitiative 8Figure4:AcquisitioninFeeversusEasement 11Figure5:LandsRemaininginCurrentUseTaxation(CUT) 11Figure6:RangeofOperationsandMaintenance(O&M)CostsandLevels 12Figure7:StructureofCurrentKingCountyParksLevy 18Figure8:PossiblePrivateFinancingMechanisms 19Table1:PublicFundingOptionsSummary 23
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KingCountyLandConservationAdvisoryGroup
Phase1Report
January2017
TheresidentsofKingCountyhavealongrecordofsupportingboldinitiativestoadvancethequalityoflifeinourregion—fromtheForwardThrustbondprogramofthe1960s,totheFarmlandsPreservationProgramofthe1980s,theOpenSpaceBondseffortofthelate1980sandearly1990s,andtheseriesofregionalparksleviesbeginningin2002thathelpedgrowtheCountyParkssystemintotheState’ssecondlargestparksystem.Morerecently,CountyvotersapprovedtheBestStartsforKidsinitiativeandathirdphaseofgrowthinourregionaltransitsystem.Asaregion,wehaverepeatedlyapprovedmeasurestoensureourgrowingpopulationcanenjoythespectacularnaturalsettingthathasdrawnsomanyofushereoverthedecades.
Buildingonthisheritage,ExecutiveConstantinehasnowofferedupanotherboldinitiative,onethatwill,inhiswords,“finishthejobofprotectingourgreatplacesforever.”Havingdeliberatedforthelastfourmonthsuponthisvisionandtheworkplantoaccomplishit,weissuethisreportendorsingthegoalsoftheExecutive’sLandConservationandPreservationInitiative,recommendingsomechangesandrefinementstoit,andrequestingthattheCountyundertakeaphaseofinterimworkinorderthatwemayissueafinalsetofrecommendationswithrespecttotheInitiativeinthefallof2017.
I. THELANDCONSERVATIONANDPRESERVATIONINITIATIVE
TheExecutivetransmittedthe“LandConservationandPreservationWorkPlan”totheCountyCouncilinMarch2016,inresponsetoCouncilMotion14458askingtheExecutivetodevelopandtransmitaworkplanforimplementingaprogramtoprotectandconservehighvaluelandandwaterresourcesthroughouttheCounty.ThatMotion,unanimouslyadoptedinNovember2015,statesinpart:“ItisthepolicyofthecountytoensurethatKingCountyremainsoneofthegreenestmetropolitanareasintheworldbyprotectingandconservinglandandwaterresourcesthatwillenhanceourqualityoflife,strengthenourregion’seconomy,enhancebiodiversity,providerecreationalopportunitiesandpromotesustainableforestryandfarmingandlocallygrownfood.”TheCouncil’sTransportationEconomyandEnvironmentCommitteereceivedabriefingontheExecutive’sworkplaninspringof2016.
TheWorkPlansetsforththegoalofconservingandpreservingremaininghighconservationvaluelandsthroughoutKingCountywithinthenext30years,inbothunincorporatedareasandincities.Highconservationvaluelandsaredefinedas:
• Landswithimportantnaturalorscenicresources,suchasforests,streams,rivers,wetlands,soils,nearshoreresources,beaches,andothertypesoffishandwildlifehabitat;
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• Landsthatareimportantforspeciesandbiologicaldiversityandimportanttosupportandrecoverthreatenedandendangeredspecies;
• Landsthatareimportantforhabitatrestorationorfloodhazardreductionprojects;• Landsprovidingpassiverecreationorregionaltrailopportunities;• Timberlandoragriculturallandssupportingcommercialproduction.
Basedonthisdefinition1,theCountyhaspresentedfivecategoriesoflandstobeconservedorpreserved:naturallands;farmland;forests;rivervalleyandnearshorelands;andtrailcorridorconnections.SeeFigure1.2
Figure1.OverviewoftheLandConservationandPreservationInitiative
Source:KingCounty.
Inthelastseveralyears,theCountyhasundertakenanintensiveefforttoidentify,parcel-by-parcel,landsintheunincorporatedarea(andafewparcelsinsidecities)to“protectourgreatplacesforever,”resultinginalistofover5,500parcelstotalingapproximately66,000acres.
1SeeExhibitEforaglossaryoftermsusedinthisreport.2Throughoutthisreport,weincorporateworkproductsfromtheCountythathelpillustratetheInitiative.
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TheCountyhasdevelopedarangeofestimatesforwhatitwouldcosttoacquire,orotherwiseprotectandmaintain,these“Countyprioritylands.”Therangeofestimatesisbasedonvaryingassumptionsabout:(1)howmuchlandisacquiredinfeeversuseasement;(2)howmuchlandnowintheCurrentUseTaxationProgram3mustbeacquired(infeeoreasement)toensureitscontinuedprotection;and(3)whatlevelofmaintenancefundingisneededforCounty-acquiredparcels.FortheCountyprioritylands,thecostforthis30-yeareffortisestimatedbytheCountyat$1.5to$1.8billion.Thiscostestimateexcludesthecostoflandsthatcitiestargetforpreservation.
TheworkplanfortheInitiativeincludesthegoalofidentifyinghighvalueconservationlandswithincitiesforpreservation.Theworkwithcitieshasbegun,butisfarfromcomplete.
TheCountyhascataloguedexistingfundingavailabletosupporttheInitiative.Atallyofprojectedfundingavailablefromtheseexistingsourcesoverthenext30years(afterdeductingexistingcommitmentstowhichsuchfundsareapplied),resultsinanestimated“fundinggap”of$223millionto$533million(again,excludingthecostofyettobeidentifiedcitylandsandexcludingexistingcityfundingavailabletoacquirecitylands).SeeFigure2.TheCountyhasidentifiedarangeofpotentialfundingoptionstofillthisgap,includingbothpublicandprivatesources.SeeTable1.
AsummaryoftheLandConservationandPreservationInitiative(“Initiative”)aspresentedtousisreproducedatExhibitB.ExhibitCmapsthelocationoftheCountyprioritylandsatahighlevel.
A. SummaryoftheAdvisoryGroupProcessandMission
TheAdvisoryGroupiscomposedof25CountyresidentsconvenedbyExecutiveDowConstantineinSeptember2016,aftercloseconsultationwithCountyCouncilmembers.AlistofourmembersispresentedatExhibitA,andincludesprofessionalsfromlocalbusinesses,realestatecompanies,environmentalnon-governmentorganizations,investmentfirms,aswellaslocalphilanthropists,localfarmers,ruralforesters,twoformercountycouncilmembersandfiverepresentativesfromcities.
Ourmission,insummary,wastoreviewtheExecutive’sproposaltoprotectremainingunprotectedhighconservationvaluelandsinKingCountywithinagenerationandmakerecommendationsforapreferredapproachorapproachestoimplementtheproposal.Morespecifically,wewereaskedtoofferourrecommendationson:
3TheCurrentUseTaxationprogramisauthorizedbytheWashingtonStateOpenSpaceTaxationAct(1970;RCW84.34).Landownersreceiveapropertytaxreductioninexchangeforvoluntarypreservationandstewardshipofopenspace,farmland,orforestlandontheirproperty.Onceenrolled,thepropertyisassessedata‘currentuse’ratherthanthe‘highestandbestuse’value
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• AnyrefinementsproposedtotheExecutive’sproposal• Theexpectedbenefitsof,andchallengesassociatedwith,implementationofthe
proposal,inparticularconsideringthehealthandqualityoflifeforCountyresidentsandequityandsocialjusticeconsiderations
• Apreferredtimelineforimplementation,includingconsiderationofoptionstoacceleratethepaceoflandacquisition
• Theamountofprivatefundingthatcanreasonablybeanticipated• Strategiesforengagingprivate,nonprofitandNGOagenciesinKingCountywithsimilar
landconservationgoalsandprogramstointegrateandleverageeffortswhereappropriate
• Preferredpublicfundingoption(s)• ImplementationstrategiesHowhighconservationvaluelandswithincitiesshouldbe
addressed• ImplicationsfortheCounty’sParksLevy,whichisupforrenewalin2019
WemetninetimesbetweenSeptember2016andJanuary2017.TheExecutiveappointedformerCountyCouncilmemberLarryPhillipsandTukwilaCityCouncilmemberDe’SeanQuinntoserveasourCo-Chairs.WeweresupportedbyCountystaffandanindependentfacilitator.Allourmeetingswereopentothepublic,andourmeetingmaterialswerepostedonline.Overthecourseofourwork,theCountyalsoconductedthreepublicmeetingsontheInitiative,inadditiontoholdingmanyadditionalmeetingswithcitiesandotherstakeholders.
WebeganourworkbyhearingfromExecutiveConstantineaboutwhythisInitiativeisimportanttohim.WethenheardfromCountystaffabouttheprocesstheywentthroughtoidentifytheCountyprioritylands,theirassumptionsregardingtheircostoftheselands,andfundingthatiscurrentlyavailableforthispurpose.TheDirectoroftheCountyOfficeofPerformance,StrategyandBudgetidentifiedforusarangeofpublicfundingoptionsthatcouldfillthefundinggap.
Weheardfromavarietyofsubjectmatterexperts,includingmedicalprofessionalsstudyingthehealthbenefitsofgreenspace,leadersfromlocalphilanthropicorganizationsandnonprofitagenciesworkingtoengageprivatemarketsinpreservationofland.
TheCountyandForterrapartneredonapollseekinginformationonhowpeopleperceivethevaluesandbenefitsoflandconservation.Thepollresultsweresharedwithus,togetherwithresultsfrompollingcommissionedbyForterraonPugetSoundarearesidentattitudesaboutgrowthandtheenvironment.(AsummaryoftheCountypollresultscanbefoundathttp://your.kingcounty.gov/dnrp/library/water-and-land/land-conservation/meeting-12-14-16/presentation-polling-summary.pdf.)
Atourlastfourmeetings,wediscussedthecomponentsofthemissionstatementandprovidedourthoughtsanddirectiontothefacilitatorandstaffteam,whopreparedthisreportonourbehalfandatourdirection.
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B. OurSupportfortheInitiative
i. TheVision
WeendorsethevisionandtheInitiativeaspresentedbytheExecutive.ItdescribesalevelofaspirationappropriateandnecessarytokeepKingCountysustainableandinclusiveinthe21stcenturyandbeyond.Itrepresentsagenerationalefforttohelppreservethefoundationofwhywelivehereandwhywehopeourchildrenwillwanttolivehere.
Identifyingandpreservingopenspaces–frompocketsofgreenspaceinurbanareas,toourworkingfarmsandforests,tothelastbestwildandnaturalareasofourCounty–advancesthehealthandqualityoflifeofeachandeveryresidentofKingCounty.Manyofusweredrawnherebythemountains,forestsandwatersthatmagnificentlyframeourcommunities–andwestayherebecauseofthem.Weunderstandthatourbeautifulnaturalenvironmentisnotonlysomethingweenjoypersonally:italsodirectlybenefitsoureconomy,drawingnewpeopleandemployerstotheregion.
WesharetheExecutive’svisionofaregionwherewe,andthegenerationsbeyondus,liveinsustainableneighborhoodsinvibrantcommunities,withmyriadlocalnaturalareasandgreenspacestoenjoy.Thevisionreinforcesourregion’slongcommitmenttopreservingworkingfarmsandforests.Ithelpsimplementourcommitmenttosalmonrecoveryandspeciesdiversityinournaturalareas.Itpromotesathrivingeconomyandthecompetitivenessoflocalbusinessesbymakingthisaplacepeoplewanttolive,andthatbusinesseswillwanttocallhome.Itseekstoimproveequityacrossallcommunitiesinaccesstonaturalareasandgreenspaces.Itfurthersourcommitmenttoaddressingtheimpactsofclimatechangelocally.Webelieveitcanalsobethelaunchingplatformforbroader,regionalpreservationandconservationworkwithourneighboringPugetSoundcounties.
Oneofthepointsthataroseearlyinourdialoguewasthataccomplishingaregionalenvironmentalvisioniscomplex.Weseektoprotectapricelessenvironmentalheritagethatisoverlainbydozensofjurisdictionsthatarehometonearlytwomillionpeople.Wewanttodothisinawaythatwillcontinuetogrowjobsandopportunityforresidents,maintainlivableandaffordableneighborhoodsanddiversecommunities,whilepromotingequityandsocialjustice.Webelievewemustembracethiscomplexityinordertosucceed.
Asourpopulationgrows,theneedtopreserveopenspaceandurbangreenspacesbecomesevermoreimportant.Newtoolsneedtobedevelopedtoenablepreservation.Thetimetoactisnow,beforetheselastpreciouswildareasandgreenspacesarelosttousforever.
Asnotedabove,theAdvisoryGroupendorsestheInitiative.However,afewofourmembersprefertoreservejudgmentastoanyspecificmeasureorfinalimplementationplanfortheInitiativependingassessmentoftheworkandinformationgatheredoverthenextseveralmonths—particularlytheworktoengagethecitiesandtounderstandbothcityprioritiesandtheoverallcostoftheInitiativeoncecityprioritiesareincluded.
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ii. BenefitsoftheInitiative
TherangeofbenefitsfromtheInitiativeisextremelyfar-reaching—fromtheobviousenvironmentalpreservationconsiderations,toadvancingthehealthandwellnessofresidents,improvingsocialequity,andstrengtheningoureconomy.Figure3presentsatabledevelopedbyCountystaffatourdirectionthatprovidesahigh-levelmappingofthesebenefits.Benefitswillvarydependingonthelocationandtypeoflandbeingpreserved,andoursuccessinidentifyingandimplementingstrategiestopromotesocialequityandhealth.Insomeplaces,weseeanopportunitytofocusonclimatechangegoals.Instillothers,wecansavewetlandareasandprotectcommunitiesfromflooding.
Wecallattentiontothegrowingbodyofevidencearoundthehealthbenefitsofhavingaccesstogreenspace.Whileinsomewaysintuitive,itisaffirmingtoseetheearlydataonthesehealthbenefits,andwefindthisoneofmanycompellingreasonstopursuethisInitiative.Theissueofhealthbenefitsalsoreinforcestheneedtoincorporatecitiesinthisinitiative,givenexistingdisparitiesingreenspaceaccess.
iii. InclusionofLandsInsideCities
Eightythreepercent(83%)ofthepopulationofKingCountylivesinsidecities.4Landsinsidecitiescompriseapproximatelyone-fifthofthetotalacreageintheCounty.5ProtectinghighconservationvaluelandsandurbangreenspaceswithincitiesisessentialtoachievingthevisionandbenefitsoftheInitiativeandthesupportandactiveengagementoflocalcitygovernmentissimilarlyessential.CitiesarenecessarypartnersinthesuccessofthisInitiative.
WehopeandexpectthatcitieswillidentifyalloftheimportanturbanincorporatedlandsofhighconservationvalueforpreservationorconservationthroughthisInitiative.Werecognizethatthetypesoflandandtheconservationopportunitiesinsidecitiesmaydifferfromthoseintheruralareaandthatcitieshaveadditionalneedsandprioritiesthatcomewithhigherdensityandurbanspaces,asmadeclearbythecityrepresentativesoftheAdvisoryGroup.Inrecognitionofthis,werecommendaddingan“urbangreenspace”categorytotheInitiative,andworkingwiththecitiesincomingmonthstomoreclearlydefinethisadditionaldimensiontotheInitiative.ThegoalistoreachanalignmentwiththesepartneragenciessothattheycanbroadlysupporttheInitiative.
Itisimportanttoacknowledgethatworkbycitiestoidentifyconservationlandsanddefineurbangreenspacesisjustgettingunderway–andisasignificanttask.
4WashingtonStateOfficeofFinancialManagement,2016officialpopulationcounts.5PercentageofapproximateareabasedonpoliticalboundariesandexcludingPugetSoundandLakeWashington.Datasource:KingCountyGIS.
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iv. EquityandSocialJustice
WestronglyendorsetheincorporationofequityandsocialjusticeprinciplesintothisInitiative.WemustacttoensuretheresultsoftheInitiativeareasholisticasourvision.Thiswillrequirefullengagementofcities,aswellasworkingwithunderservedcommunities.TheCountymustreachouttohistoricallyunderservedgroups,communitiesofcolorandlowincomeresidents,aswellasorganizationsthatworkwiththesecommunities,toidentifythebestapproachestoimprovestewardshipof,andaccessto,greenspaceintheirlocalcommunities—tolearnfromthemwhattheyvalueandwanttoseehappenwheretheylive.
CountystaffpresenteddatatousshowingdisparitiesinaccessandproximitytoopenspacesandtrailsinmultiplecommunitiesandneighborhoodsthroughouttheCounty,particularlyinurbanareas.TheCounty’sanalysisisaworkinprogress.WeaskthattheCountycontinuetoexploresocialequityinrelationshiptoopenspace,greenspaceandconservationandreportbacktousonhowthisinformationcanbeincorporatedintotheInitiative.WeencouragetheCountyandcitiestoengagetogetheronwaystoreduceandeliminatethosedisparitiesthroughthisInitiative,byensuringweareidentifyinggreenspacesandconservationprioritiestoprotectinthesecommunitiesandneighborhoods.
v. BuildableLandsandAffordabilityIssues
ThisInitiativedoesnotexistinavacuum.Localgovernmentsandthepeopletheyservefacemanycompetingchallenges.OnechallengeinparticularthatwecalloutforPhase2interimworkrelatestohousingaffordabilityandtherelatedissueofbuildablelands.Basedontheinformationprovidedtous,preservationoftheCountyprioritylandslocatedinruralareaswillhaveaminimalimpactontheinventoryofbuildablelandsinKingCounty.Butthecitylandshaveyettobeidentified,andwhetherthereisanysignificantimpactonoverallbuildablelandsoraffordabilitytobeexpectedfrompreservingsuchlandshasyettobequantified.WewillwanttoreviewtheresultsofafullexaminationofhousingaffordabilityandbuildablelandsimpactsinthefinalInitiativescope.
vi. Phase2WorktobeCompletedBeforeFall2017
Asoutlinedaboveandthroughoutthisreport,thereisimportantworktobedoneinthenextsixmonthsinorderforustodevelopasetoffinalrecommendationsonhowwethinktheCountyshouldproceed.Workwithcitiesisparticularlycritical.Forthisreason,weasktobereconvenedfora“Phase2effort”earlyinthethirdquarterof2017.WeexpandfurtheronthescopeofthePhase2workplanlaterinthisreport.TheworkplanforPhase2,outliningtheareasofinquiryandageneraltimeline,issetforthatExhibitD.
vii. Urgency
Thereisurgencytothiswork.Ourpopulationisgrowingandwewantourcitiesandneighborhoodstoremainvibrantandlivable.Everyday,weareatriskoflosingourremaining
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greenspacestodevelopment.So,whileweareaskingforaninterimphaseofwork,itisveryimportantthatwemaintainmomentum.
II. RECOMMENDEDREFINEMENTSTOTHEWORKPLAN
TheCountyhaspresentedathoughtfulandwellresearchedapproachtopreservinghighconservationvaluelandsinunincorporatedareas,andtheCountyispursuingworkwithcitiestocompletethepicture.Asstated,weendorsethevisionandtheInitiative,butsomeoftheAdvisoryGroupmemberswillneedtoseeadditionalinformationbeforesupportingimplementation.Inthissectionofthereport,weofferourrecommendedrefinementstotheInitiativescopeandworkplanpresentedbytheCounty.
A. TheCountyProposalforUnincorporatedAreas
TheCountyhasidentifiedfivecategoriesoflandsashavinghighconservationvalue.ExhibitBoutlinesthescopeoftheInitiativewithrespecttounincorporatedareaacquisitions—the“Countyprioritylands.”AhandfuloftheseCountyprioritylandsarelocatedinurbanareasandcities.(Notincludedinthe“Countyprioritylands”aresomelandswhich,althoughimportantforconservation,duetotheirlocationaremoreappropriatelyprotectedbythefederalorstategovernment,cityutilities,oralandtrust.)
ThecostofacquiringCountyprioritylandshingesuponthreemajorassumptions:
• Howmuchlandisacquiredinfeeversuseasement;• Howmuchland,ifany,isassumedtobepermanentlypreservedthroughtheCurrent
UseTaxationProgram;and• Whatlevelofmaintenancefundingisdeterminedtobeappropriateforparcels
acquired.Figures4,5and6outlinetherangeofassumptionspresentedtousonthesethreeissues.Asnotedabove,theestimatedtotalcostofacquiringtheseCountyPriorityLandsinfeeoreasementrangesfrom$1.5to$1.8billion,dependingontheseassumptions.Citylandswilladdtothetotalcostandcitylandsareasyetunidentified.CitiesalsohavesomededicatedresourcestobringtobearinsupportoftheInitiative.
i. ProposedScope
WesupporttheapproachofidentifyingCountyPrioritylandsbasedonthefivecategoriesidentifiedintheInitiative.WebelievetheCountyhasappropriatelydefinedthefivelandcategoriesandthecriteriaforselectinghighpriorityconservationlandswithineachcategory.Moreworkneedstobedoneinthenextseveralmonthstorefinethecostassumptions.
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Figure5.LandsRemaininginCurrentUseTaxation(CUT)
Ofthe66,000acresoftargetedKingCountypriorities,62%(40,500acres)isenrolledinCUT.Theremaining38%(25,500acres)isnotenrolledinCUT.IfaparcelstaysinCUTforever,itisassumedtobeadequatelyprotected.Sothequestionishowmuchlanddowethinkwillstayintheprogram?ThefollowingtablelistsvariouspercentagesofCUT-enrolledlandthatcouldbeleftinCUT(thusnotacquired)andindicatesthecorrespondingamountofacreagewewouldneedtoacquiretopreserveall66,000acres.
%ofCUT-enrolledparcelsretainedinCUT–insteadofacquired
…resultsintotalacrestobeacquired(inFeeorEasement)*
0%remainsinCUT 66,000acres33%remainsinCUT 52,700acres50%remainsinCUT 46,000acres66%remainsinCUT 39,400acres
*includingCUTandnon-CUTparcels.
Source:KingCounty.
Figure4.AcquisitioninFeeversusEasement
Coststoprotectlandwillvarybasedonhowmuchisacquiredinfee(titleheldbyCounty—highercost)versusparcelsbeingprotectedthroughrestrictiveeasementsbeingplacedonthelandbyagreementwiththeowner(lowercost).Costestimatespresentedrangedfromprotecting14-30%infee,resultinginarangeof$170millioninlandacquisitioncostsbetweenthosetwoendpoints.
Source:KingCounty.
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OnescopeadjustmentwerecommendwithrespecttoCountyprioritylandsrelatestohistoricbarns.TheInitiativeproposesthepreservationof174historicallysignificantbarns,with$11M-$22Mforthatpurpose.TheAdvisoryGroupsupportsthepreservationofhistoricallysignificantbarns.Theyareaniconicpartoftherichagriculturalheritageofourregion—andalsosupporttheday-to-dayworkoffarmersandranchers.Weaskedstafftoprovideusinformationonwhatsourcesoffundingcurrentlyareinplacetopreservehistoricbarns.Twoprogramswereidentified:(1)theCounty’sBarnAgainHistoricBarnPreservationProgram,relaunchedin2016,and(2)the4CultureLandmarksCapitalGrantProgram.Theseprogramsareimportant,butdonotprovidesufficientresourcestoensurepreservationofhistoricallysignificantbarns.Indeed,asaregionwehavedonewellinpreservingagriculturalland,butwehavenotdoneaswellinprotectingtheviabilityoffarmingasalivelihoodinKingCounty.Thatsaid,wedonotrecommendincludinghistoricbarnpreservationfundingintheInitiative.Wedonotseeastrongnexusbetweenbarnpreservationandlandconservation.WebelieveitisimportanttostayfocusedonlandacquisitionandpreservationfortheInitiativetosucceed.But,mindfuloftheimportanceofthesestructures,westronglyurgetheCountyandstatetoexpandresourcesavailableforhistoricbarnpreservation.
Figure6.RangeofOperations&Maintenance(O&M)CostsandLevelsTheCountypresentedfourpotentiallevelsofO&MfundingforcareofparcelsoflandthatareacquiredandheldbytheCountyforpreservation/conservation.Numbersshow30-yearO&Mcosts.
Option WhatisfundedinthisOption 30-yearcostA CurrentParksLevylevelof
maintenancefundingfornewpropertyacquisitions(2entrylevelfieldstaffaddedannually).
$140million
B“
+Directcosts(vehicles,materials)
$172million
C“ “
+Fullyfundedfieldstaff(rangeoftasks)
$225million
D“ “ “
+SupervisionandSupportfunding
$255million
Source:KingCountyParksDivisionanalysisandestimate.Assumes50%ofCUT-enrolledparcelsarenotacquiredandapproximately76%ofacquiredparcelsarepreservedthrougheasement.
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ii. Costs
Overall,theCounty’sapproachtodevelopingacostestimateforpreservationofCountyprioritylandsseemssoundtous.However,therangeofthecostestimateisfairlywide,andwehopeitcanbenarrowedoverthenextseveralmonths.Forthesubsetofparcelswherethereisstillaquestionofwhetherfeeoreasementisthebestapproach,weencouragetheCountytoundertakeadditionalparcel-by-parcelworktoassessthebestwayofpreservingtheselands.
Similarly,weagreeitisimportanttofurtheranalyzewhetherpropertiesnowenrolledintheCurrentUseTaxation(CUT)programwillremainsoenrolled.Landsinthisprogramaremorelikelytobeconserved–throughcontinuedprivatestewardship–withoutanyadditionalCountyexpenditure.Historically,over95%ofparcelsenrolledinCUThaveremainedinCUT.Butasdevelopmentpressuregrows,weagreeitisrealistictoexpectCUTretentionlevelstodrop.Wearenotinapositiontosecond-guesstheCounty’srangeofassumptionsonCUTretention.
WeencouragetheCountytolookintotheissueofCUTpreservationassumptionsfurtherinthecomingmonths—tocreatearefinedproposalaboutwhenandwhereparcelsshouldbeprioritizedforacquisitionoreasementprotectioninthefaceofthisuncertainty.ItmayalsobehelpfulfortheCountytofurtherexplorewhetheradjustmentstotheCUTprogram(bynewlegislationatthestatelevel)couldincreasethelikelihoodofpropertiesjoiningandremainingintheprogram.
IntermsoftherangeofmaintenancefundinglevelsidentifiedbytheCountyforlandsacquiredthroughthisInitiative,westronglyagreemaintenancefundingmustbeincludedintheInitiative.Acquiredlandswillnotretaintheirconservationvaluewithoutmaintenance.Thepublicwill—and,webelieve,should—demandassuranceofadequatemaintenancefundingaspartofthisInitiative.Wecannotsaywhatthecorrectleveloffundingisformaintenance.However,weagreethattheCountyshouldexaminewhetheradditionalfundingoptionsareavailableandreportbacktotheAdvisoryGrouponthisissuewhenwereconvenethisfall.
Aperhapsobviousbutimportantpointaroundcosts:weareexploringa30-yearlandacquisitionandpreservationprogram.Costestimatesmadenowwillnottranslatetorealitywithprecisionovertime.Someidentifiedparcelsmayneverbecomeavailable;otherscouldbeaddedtothelistovertime.Revenueassumptionsshouldincorporatethisvariability.
iii. ExistingRevenues
ThearrayofexistingfundingavailabletosupporttheInitiativeisimpressive,butinsufficient.(SeeFigure2).Theremaybesomecompetingdemandsforsomeofthesefunds,whichwehavenotexploredindepth.Andwearenotsanguineaboutthefutureforfederalenvironmentalgrantfunding.ThisInitiativemaybeevenmoreimportantiffederalfundingforconservationisreduced.Thelikelihoodofsuchadecreaseshouldbefiguredintothefuturefundingpicture.
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Overall,however,wearestartingfromaverypositivepositionintermsofavailablepublicfunding.
iv. AdditionalStepsNeeded
InadditiontothePhase2workidentifiedbelow,weemphasizethechallengeofcommunicatingthegoalsandbenefitsofthisInitiativeinthemosteffectivewaypossibletothepublic.Thelabelsappliedtothelandstobeprotectedareimportant,andtheCounty-proposedlabelsmaynotresonateaswellasotherpossibleterms.HolisticallydescribingthebenefitsoftheInitiativeisalsocriticaltobuildingsupportforit.Andthismeansreachingoutbeyondthetraditionalconstituenciesofoutdoorenthusiastsandenvironmentaladvocates.Itmeansalsoensuringwecommunicatebenefitstoallresidents,historicallyunderservedcommunities,aswellasthebusinesscommunity,inwaysthatresonatewiththem.Workshouldcontinueoverthenextseveralmonthstodevelopathoughtfulandeffectivepublicoutreachstrategy.
B. ConservationLandsInsideCities
Asstatedpreviously,protectinghighvalueconservationlandsandurbangreenspacewithincitiesisessentialtoachievingthevisionandbenefitsoftheInitiative,andthesupportandactiveengagementofcitiesissimilarlyessential.Onapracticallevel,theCountywillneedtodemonstratebenefitsinurbanareastosecurevotersupportforanyregionalfundingsourcetoimplementtheInitiative.
TheCountybeganoutreachtocitiesontheInitiativeseveralmonthsago,andworkhasbeguninearnest.JustastheCountyhasspentthelastmanymonthsdevelopingthedataonunincorporatedlandstoconserve,wesimilarlyexpectitwilltakeconsiderabletimeandeffortforcitiestodeveloptheirownlistofconservationprioritylands.
Intermsofenvironmentalbenefits,thefivecategoriesoflandidentifiedbytheCountyarerelevanttocityacquisitions,andwestronglyencouragecitiestoidentifysuchlandswithintheirrespectiveborders.
Weendorseaddingasixthcategoryof“urbangreenspace”tothescopeoftheInitiativetoaddressurbangreenspaceopportunitiesthatexistwithincitiesthataredifferentthanthefivecategoriestheCountydeveloped.Thedefinitionofthiscategoryshouldbedevelopedthroughworkwithcitiesandurbancommunitygroupsinthecomingmonths.Weanticipatethatthe“urbangreenspace”categorywillbebroaderandmoreflexiblethantheotherfivecategories,butgenerallyconsistentwiththem.Forexample,citiesmaybeseekingtoexpandareaswhere“P-Patches”orcommunitygardenscanbeestablished.Outreacharoundequityandsocialjustice(discussedinthenextsectionofthisreport)maysuggestotherideasforinclusioninthe“urbangreenspace”category.ItisimportantthattheCounty,communitystakeholdersandcitiesworktogetherinthisoutreacheffort.
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Inthecourseofourdeliberations,membersoftheAdvisoryGrouprepresentingcitiesalsomadeclearthatforsomecities,acquiringnewlandmaybealowerprioritythanredevelopingorrestoringlandalreadyinpublicownership.TheextenttowhichthesedifferentprioritiescanbeaccommodatedwithinthisInitiative—oracompanioneffort,perhapstheCountyParksLevyrenewal—needstobeexplored.
Insum,Citylandsmustbeidentified.Thelevelofdevelopmentthreatislikelyhighforin-citylands,sothereisrealurgencytothiswork.Afteridentifyingpriorityurbanparcels,cost-effectivepreservationstrategiesforeachparcelmustbeidentified,andtheextentofexistingCityresourcesthatcanbeappliedinsupportoftheeffortmustalsobeconsidered.AllthisworkthenneedstobeevaluatedagainstwhateverregionalfundingsourceorsourcesareselectedtosupporttheInitiative,andhowthoseregionalfundingsourcescanorcannotbeappliedinsupportofproposedCitylandpreservationpriorities.
Fortunately,mostcitieshavealreadyrespondedtotheCounty’srequestfordirect,one-on-oneengagementontheInitiative.However,thisworkwillnotbecompletedforseveralmonthsatbest—indeed,engagingall39citiesinthelevelofdetailedanalysisalreadycompletedbyKingCountyforunincorporatedlandscouldtakeyears,andwecannotwaitthatlong.Sothereisabalancetobestruckherebetweenperfectknowledgeandaction.
Amid-2017targetdateshouldbeestablishedbytheCountyforcompletingworkwithcitiessothattheInitiativecanbefinallyscopedandwecanproceedtowardsfundingandimplementation.Giventheamountofworkyettobedoneincities,itseemsappropriatetoustoplanforaninitialroundofspecificin-cityacquisitionsandalsoensureanongoingfundingstreamisavailableforin-cityacquisitionsovertimeasinformationisdeveloped.Workwillalsobeneededtoclarifytheprocessandprioritiesforallocatinganyfuturefundingstream.
C. EquityandSocialJusticeConsiderations
TheCounty’sworkplanfortheInitiativenotestheimportanceofincorporatingequityandsocialjusticeconsiderations.Weagree.ThereareseriousinequitiesinourCountybetweencommunities,includinginequitiesrelatedtoaccessandproximitytoopenspaceandgreenspace.
Severalyearsago,theCountylaunchedanequityandsocialjusticeinitiative,andtheCountyhasapolicygoalofincorporatingequityandsocialjusticeintoallitsprograms.TheCountydefines“equity”or“socialequity”asfullandequalaccesstoopportunities,powerandresourcessoallpeoplemayachievetheirfullpotential.“Socialjustice”isdefinedashavingaspectsincludinglegal,political,economicandenvironmentalconsiderations–requiringthe
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fairdistributionofandaccesstopublicgoods,institutionalresourcesandlifeopportunitiesforallpeople.6
TheCountypresentedtoussomeintriguingworkoverlayingGISdataonincome,healthandothermetricsofdisadvantagedandunderservedcommunitiescomparedtoopenspaceaccess.ThepreliminarydataidentifiesareasinKingCountywheretherearehigherlevelsofdiversity,environmentallyrelatedhealthconcerns,lowerincomes,andmorelimitedaccesstoopenspace.Staffstressedthatthisdataisaworkinprogressandplantorefinethemappingasworkproceeds.Evenatthisdraftstage,however,thedataillustratestousthattheInitiativeprovidesanimportantopportunitytoaddressequityandsocialjustice.
WeseeaclearnexusbetweenthebenefitsofthisInitiativeandimprovedequityandsocialjusticeoutcomesinourCounty.IncorporatingequityandsocialjusticeconsiderationsintotheInitiativewouldalsomakethiseffortmoreappealingtoourbroadercommunityandpotentially,privatefunders:allcommunitieswillbeaskedtosupportthisInitiativeintermsofcontributingtowardsthepublicfunding—andtheyshouldallseesomebenefitfromit.
ThisdoesnotmeanshiftingtheprimaryfocusoftheInitiativeawayfrompreservinghighvalueconservationlands.Rather,itmeansapplyinganadditionallenstotheprioritizationprocess,particularly,thoughnotexclusively,inurbanareas.Thenexusbetweenconservationandsocialequityvariesbythetypeandlocationofland.Asmallpocketofurbangreenspacemaynotpresentthesamelevelofhabitat-relatedconservationvalueasaruralparcel,butcouldstronglyadvancesocialequityandhumanhealthgoalsinadisadvantagedcommunity.Conversely,aruralparcelprovidingsignificanthabitatbenefitsmayrateextremelyhighintermsofconservationvaluebutprovidelittledirectopportunitytoadvancesocialequitygoals.Inourview,theInitiativeshouldincludepreservationofbothtypesofparcels.
SpecificgoalsshouldbeidentifiedwithintheInitiativeforaddressingknowninequitiesinaccessandproximitytoopenspaceandgreenspace.Thesegoalsshouldbeestablishedinclosecoordinationwithcitiesandwithorganizationsworkingtoadvanceequityandsocialjusticeinunderservedanddisadvantagedcommunities.Desiredoutcomesmaydifferacrossdifferentcommunities.
Inthenextseveralmonths,theCountyshouldengagedirectlywithunderservedanddisadvantagedcommunities,withcommunitygroupsworkingonsocialequityissues,andwithcities,toidentifyparametersofurbangreenspacethatcanadvanceequityandsocialjustice.Specifically,theworkshouldtrytoidentifythespecificactionsandprioritieswithinthescopeofalandconservationinitiativethatcanimproveequityandsocialjusticeoutcomes.ThisworkshouldalsoconsiderwaystoeffectivelycommunicatethevalueoftheInitiativetounderservedanddisadvantagedcommunities.
6DefinitionsinKingCountyEquityandSocialJusticeStrategicPlan.
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D. ImplicationsfortheCounty’sParksLevy
In2001,facingageneralfundcrisisthatthreatenedtoclosetheentireCountyParkssystem,theCountylaunchedanefforttorefocusthesystemonregionalparks,openspaceandtrails,shiftingawayfromactiveandlocalurbanparkpropertieswhileretaininglocalparksinruralareas.TheParksDivisionwasdirectedtoincorporateentrepreneurialactivitiesandbuildrevenuesfromtheseactivitiestohelpsustainparkoperations.In2002,forthefirsttime,theCountysoughtvoterapprovaltofundparksoperationswithashorttermlevy.Thevotersagreed.Thatlevyhasbeenrenewedtwiceintheyearssince,withgrowingmarginsofvotersupport.
Today,theCountyParkssystemretainsitsfocusonregionalparks,naturallands,openspaceandtrails,andisthesecondlargestparksysteminourstate—with200parksandnaturalareas,175milesofregionaltrails,over200milesofback-countrytrails,and28,000acresofopenspace.Itmorethanlivesuptoitsmottoofbeing“yourbigbackyard.”EntrepreneurialrevenuescontinuetocontributesubstantiallytotheParksbudget.TheParksLevyprovidesover80%oftheoperatingbudgetfortheCountyParkssystem,aswellasimportantfundingforallcityparkssystemsandtheWoodlandParkZoo.(SeeFigure7.)Thiscriticallevyexpiresin2019.Thus,thetimingandscopeofthelandconservationInitiativecouldhaveimportantrepercussionsfortherenewaloftheParksLevy.
ItisvitallyimportantthattheParksLevyberenewed.ThelandconservationInitiativemustbepursuedinamannerthatdoesnotundercuttheabilitytorenewtheParksLevy.TheconstituenciesfortheParksLevyandthisInitiativeoverlap,butarenotidentical:awell-designedandtransparentstrategyisneededtoensureapprovalofbothefforts.AdditionalworkbytheCounty,andothers,shouldexplorewhetherlinkingbothmeasuresontheballot–orseparatingthembyayearormore–ismorelikelytobesuccessful.
ParksLevyrevenuesareextremelyflexibleastohowtheycanbeused.WerecommendthattheCountyexplorehowtheParksLevyrenewalcanhelpaddressissuesraisedbycitiesinourprocessesthatcannotbeservedbyotherfundingsources.Forexample,ifprojectstorestoreurbanparklandstoamorenaturalandusablecondition,orsignificantlyexpandedmaintenanceandoperationsfunding,becomeprioritiesastheInitiativeisfurtherdeveloped–andthefundingsourcechosenfortheInitiativecouldnotfundthoseefforts–weshouldexplorewhetheritmakessensetoallowcities(ortheCounty)toswitchoutallocationsbetweenLevyandInitiativefundingsources.Similarly,itmaymakesensetoincreaseoperationandmaintenancefundingallocationswithintheParksLevy.
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Figure7.StructureofCurrentKingCountyParksLevy
Source:KingCounty.
E. PrivateFundingSources
JustasentrepreneurialrevenueshavebeenimportanttofundingtheCountyParkssystem,theCountyisproposingemployingnon-traditionalsourcestosupportthelandconservationInitiative.SomeofthisinvolvesexpansionofexistingCountyprograms—transferofdevelopmentrightsand“in-lieufeemitigation.”7Inaddition,theCountyhasreachedouttofirms,foundationsandindividualsintheprivatesectortoexploreotherwaysinwhichprivatesectorfundingcouldhelpfundtheInitiative.Theprivatefundingapproachesbeingexploredincludephilanthropy,capitalinvestment(althoughlikelyatalowerthanmarketrateofreturninexchangeforanenvironmentallybeneficialoutcome)andprivatelendingtohelpacceleratethepaceofacquisition.IncludingprivatefundingwouldreducetheoverallneedforpublicfinancingoftheInitiative.Figure8summarizessomeofthetypesofprivatefundingbeingexamined.
7TheTransferofDevelopmentRights(TDR)programenablespurchaseofunuseddevelopmentrightsfromruralareasandsubsequentsaleofthedevelopmentrightstourbandeveloperswhocanbuildhigherdensityprojects.TheInLieuFee(ILF)mitigationprogramenablesdeveloperswhoseprojectscreateanenvironmentalimpacttopayafeetoKingCountyinlieuofcompletingtheirownoffsetproject;KingCountythenusesthemoneytorestorehabitat(andaportionoffeescanbeusedtoacquirenewrestorationsitesorprotectintacthabitat).
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Figure8:PossiblePrivateFinancingMechanisms
Source:KingCounty.
TheCountyfundingsource“wheel”(Figure2)showsthattheseprivatefundingsourcesareestimatedtocontribute$100milliontowardsthelandconservationInitiative–$50millionfromphilanthropyandanequalamountfrom“futureecosystemservicemarkets.”
Isthisrealistic?AfterhearingfromapanelofimpressiveindividualsleadingthewayonthesestrategiesintheNorthwest,wecannotsayforcertain.SomeofthoseonthepanelobservedthattheCounty’stargetforprivatefundingseemsrealistic.However,thisislargelyunchartedterritory.Ecosystemmarketsareintheirinfancy,thoughtherearesomespecificsuccessestopointtoinourregion–includingthe2015Microsoftpurchaseofcarboncreditstotaling37,800metrictonsCO2equivalentfromtheNisquallyLandTrustona520-acrepropertyintheMountRainierGatewayReserve.8Privatefundingmechanismscouldbeacatalystforinnovation,andcouldbeanimportantmeansofacceleratingtheavailabilityofmoniesforacquisition(eventuallyrepaidwithpublicdollars).Insomeinstances,privatesectoractorsmayhavea
8http://nisquallylandtrust.org/nisqually-land-trust-makes-news-and-history/andTJDiCaprio,pers.Comm.Jan2017.
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greaterabilitytorespondquicklyandeffectivelyinafast-changingrealestatemarket,ascomparedtogovernmentagencies.Itseemslesslikelytousthatprivatefundingsourceswillgeneratesubstantialdollarsto“fillthegap”–andifso,theamountofpublicfundingrequiredwillincreasecorrespondingly.Theapparentleadtimetodevelopnewsourcesofprivatefunding(i.e.years,notmonths)alsoconflictswiththeurgencywefeeltoacttopreservelandsthatmaybelostforevertodevelopment.
MembersoftheAdvisoryGrouphavenotedthatnationally,thescaleofprivatephilanthropiccontributionstoenvironmentalcausesisquitesmallcomparedtothecontributionsofpublicfunding.Insum,privatefundingisaplus,butpublicfundingisthekeytosuccessorfailureoftheInitiative.
Withallthisinmind,weneverthelesssupporttheCounty’sworktoincorporateprivatefundingmechanismsintotheInitiative.Itisimportanttobeabletotellthepublicwearepursuingthisopportunity.
Oneareawheresuccessismoreclearlywithinourgraspisthetransferofdevelopmentrights(TDR)program.WesupporttheCounty’seffortstoexpandthisprogramthroughadditionalcitypartnerships.ThereareonlyfourcitieswhichcurrentlyhaveTDRagreementswiththeCounty:theseagreementscannotonlyreducethecostoflandpreservation,theyalsodirectlymitigateconcernsaboutthelossofbuildablelandsasareasarepreserved—whilekeepingthelandinprivateownership.
WealsoencouragetheCountytoworkoverthenextseveralmonthswithexpertsfromprivatefundingmarketstodevelopaproposedplanforengagingprivatecapitalinsupportoftheInitiativeandtodevelopabettersenseofthelong-termcapacityhere.Itmaybeusefultoconveneanotherpanelofexpertsinthisinquiry.TheCountyshouldalsoexplorethepotentialforalandconservationpilotprojectusingprivatefunding.
F. PublicFunding
Inadditiontotheideaofprivatefundingcontributions,theCountyhaspresentedfouroptionsforpublicfundingto“fillthegap”betweenexistingCountyfundingsourcesandthecostoftheInitiative.Wereviewedthecapacitiesandimplicationsofthesevarioussourcesoverseveralmeetings.Allfouroptionswouldrequirecountywidevotersupport,andtheproceedsofallfourwouldberemittedtotheCountyforallocationregionally.Threeoftheoptionsarepropertytaxbased.Thefouroptionsare:
• RestoringtheexistingConservationFuturesTax(CFT)toitsmaximumlevyrateof6.25centsper$1,000ofassessedvalue
• EstablishinganadditionalRealEstateExciseTax—“REET3”• Seekingapropertytaxlidlift
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• Seekingapprovaltoissuegeneralobligationbonds
ThefouroptionsaresummarizedinTable1.
Asbetweenthefouroptions,theAdvisoryGroupmoststronglysupportstheideaofusingtheConservationFuturesTax(CFT)tofundthelandconservationInitiative.Thatsaid,atthistime,wewouldleaveallfourfundingsourcesonthetableforfurtherconsideration.
i. ConservationFuturesTax(CFT)
InKingCounty,CFTwasinitiallyenactedbytheKingCountyCouncilin1982atthestatutorymaximumrateof6.25centsper$1000ofassessedvalue.CFThasbeenaquietsuccessfordecades,andhasbeenextensively–andsuccessfully–usedbyboththeCountyandcities.Theallocationprocessinplaceiswellunderstoodandhasstoodthetestoftime.Becauseallocationisbuiltaroundagrantprocess,itcanaddressemergentneedsovertime.
Asaresultofstatelawslimitingthegrowthofpropertytaxrevenuesyear-to-year,overtimetheeffectiverateoftheCFTlevyhasfallento4.45centsper$1,000ofassessedvalue.ForthelandconservationInitiative,wewouldbeaskingvoterstosimplyrestorethelevytoitsinitiallyauthorizedrate.RestoringCFTtotheoriginal6.25centratewouldgeneratesubstantialfunding,particularlyifasecondliftwasvotedupontoagainrestorethetaxratemid-waythroughthe30-yearInitiative.Onedownsideofthissourceisthatitmaynotbeabletobeappliedinsupportofsomeofthebroaderinterestsofcities,andthatitisnotusedformaintenancefundingbyCountypolicy(thoughlimiteduseformaintenance—upto15%oftotalrevenuesgenerated–isallowedbystatestatute).ThispointsouttheimportanceofconsideringwaystocoordinatetheParksLevyrenewalwiththefundingoftheInitiative,andalsotheneedtoconsideradjustingtheCounty’spolicyonlimitingCFTuseformaintenanceandoperationsexpenditures.
ii. REET3
REET3hassomesupporterswithintheAdvisoryGroup,butalsoraisessomeconcerns.Ithastremendousfund-raisingcapacityandisarguablythemostprogressivetaxoptionpresented.However,itmaybeabiggerpoliticalhurdletosecureapprovalthantheotheroptions.LimitationsontheuseofREET3dollarsraisesimilarconcernsasforCFT:sometypesofcityprojectsmaynotbefundedwithREET3.
iii. PropertyTaxLidLift
PropertyTaxLidLiftsareroutinelysoughtbylocalgovernments,giventhelimitationsongrowthofpropertytaxrevenues.Onbalance,wearelessenthusiasticaboutthisfundingsourcethanothers.Itisfamiliartopeople,andthemoniesgeneratedcanbeusedmoreflexiblythananyothersource.However,wehavesomeconcernaboutvoterfatiguewiththissource.
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TheexistingCountyParksLevyisapropertytaxlevylidlift.WethinktheCountyshouldexplorewhetheradjustmentstothenextParksLevywouldbeappropriatetohelpaddresscityprioritiesrelativetothisInitiative,aswellasotherInitiativeitemsthatcouldnotbeafundedbyCFTorREET.
iv. GeneralObligationBonds
GeneralObligationBondsrequire60%voterapprovalandvalidation,andtheproceedscannotbeusedformaintenance.Thoseareimportantlimitationswhichmakeusnotstronglyfavorthisoption.Again,however,wewouldleaveitonthetablefornow.
v. NextSteps
Inthenextyear,pollingtofurthertestthelevelofvotersupportforthesevariousoptionsshouldbepursued.WeunderstandtherearelimitationsonwhatpollingtheCountycanfund,soitmaybeadvisabletoreachouttonongovernmentalgroupsforassistancehere.RefininghowcitieswouldliketoengageinthisInitiativemayalsoimpactthechoiceoffunding,givenstatutorylimitationsonhowthesevariousrevenuesmaybeapplied.
III. BUILDINGTHEOVERALLPACKAGE
WesummarizebelowthekeycomponentsoftheoverallpackagewebelieveareneededfortheInitiative,ifitproceeds,tobesuccessful.
A. TheProposedScopeandUrbanGreenSpace
WesupportconservingthefivecategoriesoflandidentifiedbytheCounty.TheCountyprioritylandsinventoryhasbeenthoughtfullyandcomprehensivelydeveloped.However,itisimportantthatthepreservationofhighconservationvaluelandsinbothunincorporatedandincorporatedareasbeaccomplishedthroughthisInitiative.Urbanareahighconservationvaluelandsmustbeidentified.And,asdiscussedabove,weareconvincedthatitisappropriatetoaddamoreflexiblecategoryof“urbangreenspace”totheInitiativetoaddressthevarietyofcityopenspacepriorities.ThescopeofthisurbangreenspacecategoryshouldbeconsistentwiththeopenandgreenspacepreservationgoalsoftheoverallInitiative,butshouldultimatelyberefinedanddeterminedthroughworkingwithcitiesoverthenextseveralmonths.
B. OverallFundingRequirementsandCityPriorities
Asnoted,theInitiativemustincludeidentificationandpreservationofhighvalueconservationlandswithincities.However,theselandshaveyettobeidentified,andworkisalsoonlybeginningtowardsdefining“urbangreenspace”priorities.Urbanlandstendtobemoreexpensivethanrurallands.SothepricetagfortheInitiativecannotbereasonablydevelopedwithoutmoreworkwithcities.
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Table1:PublicFundingOptionsSummary
Source ImplementationMechanics
RevenueGenerated PotentialCostfor$416,000AVhome
ConservationFuturesTax(CFT)
50%voterapproval;Nominimumvoterturnout.Originallyauthorizedat6.25¢,haserodedtoabout4.45¢today.
Liftto6.25¢creates$340Mnewfundingover30yrs.With2ndlidlifttorestoreto6.25¢15yearsout,add$290Mmoretototal$630M.
Increaseof$7.50peryear(from$18.50peryearto$26peryear)ona$416Khome.
REET3 50%voterapproval;nominimumvoterturnout.Canbeauthorizedatrateofupto1%.Itisataxonthepropertybuyer.BothREET1and2areineffectinKingCounty;thesearetaxesonthepropertyseller.
A0.10%tax(1/10thofmaximum)wouldgenerate$1.8Bover30years.A0.021%taxgenerates$386Mover30years.
At0.10%,buyerpays$416ona$416Ktransaction;$10,000on$10Mtransaction.At0.021%,buyerpays$87on$416Ktransaction;$2,100on$10Mtransaction.
PropertyTaxLidLift
50%voterapproval;nominimumvoterturnout.ThisistheCountyParksLevymechanism(levyexpires2019;authorizedin2014atrateof18.77¢per$1,000ofassessedvalue.)Structurecanvaryastoyearsimposed,rateimposed.AKingCountypropertytaxlevylidliftcouldreducethetaxingcapacityofjuniortaxingdistrictssuchasparksdistricts.
Optionsherecouldinclude:• Ashorterterm,higher
taxratelevy.o Moremoneyavailable
foracceleration.o Higherratecosts
propertyownersmoreperyear,forashorterduration
o Leviesofupto6yearscanincludeinflationadjustor(exemptingreceiptsfrom1%/yeargrowthlimit)
• Alonger-term,lowertaxratelevy.o Cannotbondagainsta
levylongerthan9years–limitsmoneyavailabletoacceleratepurchases
o Lowerratecostspropertyownerslessinanysingleyear.
In2016,aCountywide1¢propertytaxlevygenerates$4.3M,andcosts$4.16peryearforamedianhomeowner(homevalueof$416,000).Thefollowingscenariosraise$385millionin6or9years:A12.5¢,6-yearlevycosting$52ayearona$416Khome.An8¢,9-yearlevycosting$33ayearona$416Khome.
GeneralObligationBonds
60%voterapprovalValidationrequirement
Assuming20-yearbonds,$385Mcouldberaisedatannualavg.homeownercostofabout$22(2016)
A15-yearbondat2.8%costs$27ayearona$416Khome.A20-yearbondat3.0%costs$22ayearona$416Khome.
Source:KingCounty.
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Thatsaid,giventheurgencyofactingtopreservelands,itisimportanttopushforwardonplanningsoonerratherthanlater.Wehaveaskedtobereconvenedearlyinthefallof2017inorderthatwemayissuefinalrecommendationsbeforetheendoftheyear.Thus,thechallengeinthenextsixmonthswillbeforthecitiestodevelopalistofknownhighprioritylandstoprotect,andtoworkwiththeCountytoidentifyaprincipledbasisbywhichtosizearevenuestreamtosecureboththeselandsandadditionalas-yetunidentifiedin-citypurchasesand“urbangreenspace”priorities.
C. AccelerationStrategies
Anotherimplicationoftheurgencyhereisthattheremustbeanaccelerationstrategyforfunding.Itiscriticallyimportanttofront-loadsomefundingtoprotectasmanylandsaspossiblebeforetheyaredevelopedandlostforever.Themostlikelytacticsherewouldbebondingofcertainpublicfundingsourcesorpossiblytheuseofprivatemarketstrategies(advancefundingforpurchase,toberepaidovertimebypublicfunds).
Atthesametime,however,allidentifiedparcelswillnotnecessarilybeavailableinthenextfewyears—andnotallparcelswillbeidentified,particularlywithincities.Therefore,theremustalsobearevenuestreamtoacquireorotherwisepreservelandasitisidentifiedorbecomesavailableovertime.
D. PublicandPrivateFunding
AvarietyofregionalpublicfundingsourcesarealreadyinplacetosupportasignificantportionoftheInitiative.Justhowlargethatportionisdependsuponthesizeofthecities’prioritylandscomponent–andwhatcityfundsareappliedtosupportthoseacquisitions.Inanyevent,however,thereisasizeablefundinggaptoachievethevision.
Webelievethattheregionmustapprovebothnewpublicfundingofsomesort,aswellassupporteffortstosecureprivatefundingtofillthegap.Givennationaldataonenvironmentalphilanthropy,andtherelativelynascentstateofprivatelyfundedenvironmentalmarkets,weagreethatnewpublicfundingismuchmoreimportantfor“fillingthegap”thanprivatefunding.Privatefundingshouldbefurtherexplored,butseemsmorelikelytousatthispointtoassistwithaccelerationstrategies.
OfthepublicfundingoptionsidentifiedbytheCounty,wemoststronglysupportConservationFuturesTaxasafundingsource.However,afinaldecisionshouldbemadeonlyafteradditionalworkisdonetoidentifycitylandsincoordinationwithcitiesandcommunities,includingthescopeoftheurbangreenspacecategory,andalsoafterastrategytoaddresstheCountyParksLevyisdeveloped.
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E. InterplaywithParksLevy
ContinuedoperationoftheCountyParkssystemisdependentonperiodicrenewalofaregionalpropertytaxlevy.TheParksLevy,whichalsoallocatesmillionsofdollarseachyeartocityparksystems,expiresin2019.Wemustbemindfulnottofocusonwinningthebattleatriskoflosingthewar:implementingtheInitiativecannotundercuttheabilitytopreserveCountyParkssystemfunding.Thetimingofthetwomeasures–theInitiativefundingsourcepotentiallyontheballotin2018,withtheParksLevyfollowingthenextyear—needstobecarefullyconsideredandcoordinated.Wethinkitispossiblethatacomplementarystrategycanbedevelopedbetweenthetwoefforts.TheCountyshouldexplorewhethercityfundingissuesrelatedtotheInitiativecanbeintegratedtoadvantagewiththeParksLevyrenewal.CityrepresentativesontheAdvisoryGroupnotetheimportanceofadequatemaintenanceandoperationsfundingforlocalsystems,aswellasurbangreenspaces–thesemightnotbefullyfundedbysomeofthepublicfundingoptionsweconsideredfortheInitiative.ThiscreatesanopportunityfortheParksLevytobescopedinsupportoftheInitiative.
F. EquityandSocialJusticeConsiderations
ItisimportanttoincorporateequityandsocialjusticeconsiderationsintotheInitiative.Moreworkwithhistoricallyunderservedanddisadvantagedcommunitiesneedstobedoneinthenextseveralmonthstodeterminehowtofullyincorporateasocialequityperspectivetotheselectionoflandstobepreserved,andalsohowthe“urbangreenspace”categoryshouldbedefined.
G. Metrics
MetricsforthesuccessofthisInitiativeshouldbedeveloped.TheCountyandcitiesneedtobeabletotellthepublicwhattheywillachievewithanynewfunding.AreviewofproposedmetricscouldbeapartofthePhase2workoftheAdvisoryGroup.WeencourageKingCountytoworkwithotheragenciesandresearchersindevelopingthesemetrics.
IV. CONCLUSION:PHASE2WORK,TIMELINEANDNEXTSTEPS
TheExecutivehaslaidoutaboldvisionintheInitiative,andweendorsethatvision.By“finishingthejob”ofpreservingthelastbestplacesinKingCounty,wewillfurtherinvestinourgrowthmanagementvisionofensuringvibrantcommunitiesandasustainableeconomywhileourpopulationcontinuestogrow—andensureahealthyecosystemandaccesstobeautifulgreenspacesforallresidentsforgenerationstocome.
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ThisreportofferstheCountyExecutiveandCountyCouncilourrecommendationsandrefinementswithrespecttotheInitiativeandsupportingworkplan.WebelievethatitisnecessarytotaketimetopursueseveralpathsofinquirybeforefinalizingtheactionplanfortheInitiative.Wethereforerespectfullyasktobereconvenedinearlyfallof2017.Asoutlinedinthisreport,issuesthatwebelievemusttobeaddressedina“Phase2”effortinclude:
• Cityengagementtoidentifycitylandconservationpriorities,expanduponthedefinitionoftheurbangreenspacecategorywepropose,explorefundingoptions.
• Communityengagement,particularlyaroundequityandsocialjusticeissues,toensurethatbenefitsoftheinitiativecanbebroadlyrealizedandwecanfurthertaketheopportunitytoaddressopenspacedeficienciesinunderservedcommunities.
• Equitymappinganalysistosupportequityandsocialjusticegoals—identifyhowandwherewecanaddresslimitedgreenspaceinunderservedcommunitiesthroughtheInitiative.
• ExploreprivatefundingopportunitiesandtestexpectationsforhowprivatefundingcansupporttheInitiative.
• PlanningfornextParksLevycycletodevelopapreferredstrategythatcanensuretheCountyparkssystemstaysopenandexplorewaysinwhichthelevyrenewalmaybeintegratedwiththeInitiative.
• Updatecostmodelingincorporatingcityprioritiessothatwecanmostaccuratelysizethefundinggap,includingconsiderationofrevisedscopeandtheneedforsomedegreeoffundingacceleration.
• BuildableLandsImpactAnalysisincorporatingdataoncity-identifiedlands.• Modelpotentialfundingpackagesconsideringthefullprojectedcostovertime.• Developtargetsandmetricsofsuccesstoensureaccountabilitytothevotersand
confirmthegoalstobeaccomplished.
ThesetasksandothersareallincludedinExhibitD,thePhase2WorkPlan.Thereisasubstantialamountofworktobeaccomplishedinarelativelyshortperiodoftime.Giventheurgencyofthemission,westronglyurgethesupportoftheCountyandcitiestopursuethesetaskscollaborativelyoverthenextseveralmonths,inorderthatwemaybereconvenedearlyinthethirdquarterof2017toreviewtheresultsofthiswork.Our,goalistoprovidetheExecutiveourfinalrecommendationsbeforetheendof2017.
Inclosing,wethanktheExecutiveforconveningus,andfortheoutstandingworkoftheCountystaffinsupportofourefforts.WeareinspiredbythevisionthatExecutiveConstantinehassetforthandbytheCouncil’spolicysupportforthiseffort.WelookforwardtohearingtheirfeedbackonthisReport,andtolaterreconveningin2017tofinishourpartinthiseffortto“finishthejob.”Bypreservingtheremainingwildareasandgreenspacesinourruralandurbanareas,ensuringurbangreenspacesineverycommunity,andexpandinguponourregion’scommitmenttopreservingworkingfarmsandforests,wecanensureKingCountyremainsoneofthebestplacesintoliveandworkforgenerationstocome.
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ExhibitA:KingCountyLandConservationAdvisoryGroupMembers&SupportStaff
AdvisoryGroupMembersLarryPhillips–Co-Chair,formerKingCountyCouncilmemberandStateLegislatorDe’SeanQuinn–Co-Chair,TukwilaCouncilmemberandForterraBoardMemberChristopherWilliams,SeattleParksandRecreationDepartmentLyliannaAllala,SeattleParksDistrictOversightCommitteeMarcBerejka,REITomDean,Vashon-MauryIslandLandTrustTamara"TJ"DiCaprio,MicrosoftPattiDillGeneDuvernoy/LedaChahim,ForterraJonHoekstra,MountainstoSoundGreenwayTrustGregJohnson,WrightRunstad&CompanyMarthaKongsgaard,formerlyofPugetSoundPartnershipLeadershipCouncilLeannKrainick,KingCountyAgricultureCommissionPaulKundtz,TrustforPublicLandTerryLavender,ConservationFuturesCitizensOversightCommitteeHankMargeson,RedmondCityCouncilrepresentingSoundCitiesAssociationJamesMcNeal,BothellCityCouncilLouiseMiller,formerStateRepresentativeandKingCountyCouncilmemberMichaelOrbino,JohnL.ScottRealEstateAlannaPeterson,WashingtonTrailsAssociation,PacificaLawGroupLLPSteveShestag,TheBoeingCompanyVandanaSlatter,formermember,BellevueCityCouncilMikeStevens/MoMcBroom,TheNatureConservancyNateVeranth,KingCountyRuralForestCommissionSteveWhitney,BullittFoundation
SupportStaffAdvisoryGroupFacilitator:
KarenReed,KarenReedConsultingLLCKingCountyDepartmentofNaturalResources&Parks(DNRP)staff:
ChristieTrue,DirectorBobBurns,DeputyDirectorMichaelMurphy,TransferofDevelopmentRights&In-LieuFeeMitigationProgramMgr.IngridLundin,NaturalLandsPlannerCharlieGovernali,LandConservationProjectManager
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ExhibitB
KingCountyExecutive’sLandConservationWorkPlan:SummaryNovember2016
(Note:ThisdocumentwassharedwithallCitiesinNovember2016)KingCountyExecutiveDowConstantineisconsideringanewlandconservationefforttoprotecttheremaininghighconservationvaluelandsinKingCountywithinageneration.ExecutiveConstantinesubmittedaLandConservation&PreservationWorkPlantoKingCountyCouncilinMarch2016.Anadvisorygrouphasbeenconvenedtoreviewtheworkplan.KingCountyismeetingwithcitiestointegratecitypriorities,inordertocompletethevisionforconservationacrosstheentirecounty.FinishingtheJobofConservationinKingCounty
KingCounty’slandscapeisspectacular–fromPugetSound,throughathrivingmetropolisandquietruralcommunities,abundantfarmsandworkingforests,totheCascadeMountains.OurlandscapegivesKingCountyacompetitiveeconomicadvantageintheglobalmarketplace.Peoplewanttolivehereandbusinesseswanttobehere,inpartbecauseofthenaturalbeautyandaccessibleopenspace.AsoneofthefastestgrowinglargecountiesintheU.S.,KingCounty’spopulationof2millionpeopleisexpectedtoincreaseby25percentby2040.
Residentsinourregionhavemadesignificantinvestmentsinopenspaceandtrails,butthereismoreworktodotofinishthejobofconservationandkeepourenvironment,communities,andeconomyhealthy.ForKingCountytothriveweneedtokeepournaturallandsandrivercorridorsintact,maintainviableworkingresourcelands,andpreservegreatplacesforpeopletoexplore,relaxandstayconnectedtothenaturalworld.Wemustactquicklytoprotectourmost-importantremainingconservationlandsbeforepricesescalateandweloseopportunitiestodevelopment.
LandConservation&PreservationWorkPlan
TheLandConservation&PreservationWorkPlanincludesaninitialanalysisofconservationopportunities,availablerevenues,andnewfundingpossibilities.Theworkplanfocusedonfivemainconservationcategories:
• NaturalAreas(landacquiredinfeeoreasementthatpreservesnaturalecosystemsforfish&wildlifehabitat,providesnature-based/passiverecreation,completescorridorsofpubliclandownership,buffersnaturalanddevelopedlandscapes)
• Forests(landoftenacquiredineasementthatsupportsworkingforests,holdsthelineagainstsprawl,supportswildlifehabitat,protectswaterquality,helpsrespondtoachangingclimate)
• Farmland(landacquiredineasementwhichpreserveslocalfoodproduction,farmeconomiesandaffordability,inAgriculturalProductionDistrictorruralareas)
• RiverCorridors(landacquiredalongriversinruralandurbanareastohelpprotectcommunitiesfromfloodsandrepetitivelosses,whichalsosupportnaturalwatershedfunctions)
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• RegionalTrails(completingexistingandplannedcorridorsforshared-use,non-motorizedtrails,providingmobilityandrecreationopportunities,spanningurbanandruralKingCounty)
NextSteps
Movingforward,near-termactionsidentifiedintheplaninclude:
• RefinetheanalysisoflandstheCountyseekstoprotect.
• Identifyexistingandnewrevenuestreamstosupportconservationacquisitions.
• Lookforopportunitiestoforgepublicandprivatepartnerships.
• CollaboratewithcitiesinKingCountytoidentifytheirprioritiesforconservingland.
• Provideopportunitiesforpublicengagementandinput.
• ConveneanAdvisoryGrouptoprovideinputontheCounty’soveralllandconservationgoal;inputandrecommendationsonfinancialstrategies;andapproachesandtimingconsiderationsforachievingthegoal.TheAdvisoryGroupwillissueareporttotheExecutiveinearly2017.
InitialanalysisfocusedonconservationprioritiesthatKingCountywouldlead,andrevenuesavailabletoKingCounty.Approximately66,000acresoflandhasbeenidentifiedbyKingCountyforconservation,primarilyintheruralareaofKingCounty.
Theworkplanrecognizesthatitisvitalforthecountyandcitiestoworktogethertoidentifycitypriorities,inordertoidentifyregionallyimportantconservationlandsacrossKingCounty.ThecountyisactivelymeetingwithcitiestodeterminehowtointegratecityconservationprioritiesintothepictureofconservationacrossKingCounty.Urbanlandisimportanttohelpmeetnotonlyregionalconservationgoals,butalsotohelpsupporthealthandsocialequityamongallresidentsofthecounty.
FillingtheFundingGap
Thetotalcosttoconservethecurrentscopeoflands(66,000acres)isontheorderof$1.5-$1.8billion.Approximately$1.27billioninexistingrevenuesisestimatedtobeavailabletoKingCountytofundtheseacquisitionsoverthenext30years.Theestimatedfundinggapidentifiedatthispointintimeisontheorderof$300-500million.Ascitylandsareadded,coststoprotecttheselandswillrise,butavailablerevenueswillalsoriseasrevenuesavailabletocitiesaretakenintoaccount.
Potentialfundingsourceswereidentifiedintheworkplanthatcouldgenerateadditionalfundsforlandconservation.Mostofthesewouldrequireacountywidevotetoauthorize:
• acountybond
• propertytaxlevylidlift
• increaseintheconservationfuturestaxtothefullyauthorizedamount
• REET(RealEstateExciseTax)3
OtheroptionstheExecutivehasproposedareexpandingphilanthropyandnewecosystemmarketstosecureprivatefundingforlandconservation.
Websites: WorkPlan:http://kingcounty.gov/land-conservationAdvisoryGroup:http://www.kingcounty.gov/conservation-advisory-group
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ExhibitD:Phase2WorkTasksTASK January Feb. March April May June July August Sept. October Nov. Dec. 1. Phase 1 Wrap-up Report submittal, briefings, etc. 2. City Engagement
Meet w/ cities–land priorities & feedback Report back to cities re discussions
3. Equity Mapping Finalize model
Work with cities in priority areas 4. Community Engagement ID key questions & refine messaging Conduct outreach, with cities where applicable Assemble and aggregate input 5. Explore Private $ Opportunities Property-specific product sheets Outreach; advance partnerships 6. Buildable Lands Impact Assessment Update assessment model Meet with development community 7. Planning for Parks Levy Plan ahead for levy renewal 8. Update Cost Model Refine county priorities; CUT; etc. Integrate city priorities into model 9. Model Funding Packages Update funding model Re-evaluate funding gap & options 10. Develop Targets/Metrics Develop metrics 11. Track Regional/Nat’l Issues Track trends in conservation funding 12. Plan for Phase 2 Advisory Group Status emails every 1-2 months Phase 2 Advisory Group meetings
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ExhibitE
Glossary
CurrentUseTaxationProgram:TherearefourcurrentusetaxationprogramsinKingCountythatofferanincentive(apropertytaxreduction)tolandownerstovoluntarilypreserveopenspace,farmlandorforestlandontheirproperty.Onceenrolled,aparticipatingpropertyisassessedata“currentuse”value,whichislowerthanthe“highestandbestuse”assessmentvaluethatwouldotherwiseapplytotheproperty.TheseprogramsencouragetheconservationofnaturalresourcesinKingCountybyconservingitslandandwaterresources,whichincludeimportantwildlifehabitat,wetlandandstreams,workingforestsandproductivefarmlands.Theprogramsencouragelong-termenrollmentbyapplyingapenaltytopropertiesthatwithdraw(guidedbystatestatute,oftenincludingrepaymentofsevenyearsofbacktaxes).9Equity,orSocialEquity:Fullandequalaccesstoopportunities,powerandresourcessothatallpeoplemayachievetheirfullpotentialandthrive.10Farmland:Agriculturallandsthathavelong-termsignificanceforthecommercialproductionoffoodorotheragriculturalproducts.11Agriculturalproductsinclude,butarenotlimitedto:horticultural,viticultural,floricultural,vegetable,fruit,berry,grain,hops,hay,straw,turf,sod,seed,andapiaryproducts;feedorforageforlivestock;Christmastrees;hybridcottonwoodandsimilarhardwoodtreesgrownascropsandharvestedwithintwentyyearsofplanting;andlivestock,includingboththeanimalsthemselvesandanimalproductsincluding,butnotlimitedto,meat,uplandfinfish,poultryandpoultryproducts,anddairyproducts.12GreenSpace:Atermrelatedto‘openspace’asdefinedbelow.ConsideredbytheAdvisoryGroupinthecontextof“urbangreenspace”whichwouldgenerallyrefertopassive-useopenspacelandsofvariouspurposeslocatedinurbansettings.TermistobefurtherdefinedthroughPhase2work.HighConservationValueLandsmayinclude:
• Landswithimportantnaturalorscenicresources,suchasforests,streams,rivers,wetlands,soils,nearshoreresources,beaches,andothertypesoffishandwildlifehabitat;
• Landsthatareimportantforspeciesandbiologicaldiversityandimportanttosupportandrecoverthreatenedandendangeredspecies;
• Landsthatareimportantforhabitatrestorationorfloodhazardreductionprojects;• Landsprovidingpassiverecreationorregionaltrailopportunities;• Timberlandoragriculturallandssupportingcommercialproduction.
NaturalAreas:Naturalareasarethosepropertiesinthecounty’snaturallandsinventorywhoseprimarypurposeistoconserveandrestoreecologicalvalue.Theymaynotbecompletelynaturalandundisturbedbutmaybeimportantinpreservingrareorvanishingflora,fauna,geologicalsitesorfeaturesofscientific,traditional,cultural,oreducationalvalue.Thesesitesmayallowpublicusethat
9http://www.kingcounty.gov/services/environment/stewardship/sustainable-building/resource-protection-incentives.aspx10DefinitionsinKingCountyEquityandSocialJusticeStrategicPlan.11KingCounty2016ComprehensivePlan,fromtheGlossarydefinitionofResourceLands,Designated12KingCounty2016ComprehensivePlan,Glossary–AgriculturalProducts
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doesnotharmtheecologicalresourcesofthesite.AlsoreferredtoasEcologicalLandsorEcologicalsites.13OpenSpace:"Openspaceland"means"openspaceland"asnowdefinedinRCW84.34.020(1)and"openspaceuse"meansanyoftheusesprovidedinsuchdefinition.14RCW84.34.020(1):(1)"Openspaceland"means(a)anylandareasodesignatedbyanofficialcomprehensivelanduseplanadoptedbyanycityorcountyandzonedaccordingly,or(b)anylandarea,thepreservationofwhichinitspresentusewould(i)conserveandenhancenaturalorscenicresources,or(ii)protectstreamsorwatersupply,or(iii)promoteconservationofsoils,wetlands,beachesortidalmarshes,or(iv)enhancethevaluetothepublicofabuttingorneighboringparks,forests,wildlifepreserves,naturereservationsorsanctuariesorotheropenspace,or(v)enhancerecreationopportunities,or(vi)preservehistoricsites,or(vii)preservevisualqualityalonghighway,road,andstreetcorridorsorscenicvistas,or(viii)retaininitsnaturalstatetractsoflandnotlessthanoneacresituatedinanurbanareaandopentopublicuseonsuchconditionsasmaybereasonablyrequiredbythelegislativebodygrantingtheopenspaceclassification,or(c)anylandmeetingthedefinitionoffarmandagriculturalconservationlandundersubsection(8)ofthissection.
ParksLevy:TheKingCountyParks,Trails,andOpenSpaceReplacementLevy,approvedbyKingCountyvotersonAugust6,2013.Themeasurewillgenerateanestimated$66millionperyearfrom2014through2019throughaCPI-indexedpropertytaxlevylidliftofupto18.77centsper$1,000ofassessedvalue.TheParksLevyreplacedtwoearliercountywideparkslevies,theKingCountyParksLevyandtheOpenSpaceandTrailsLevy,whichexpiredattheendof2013.15SocialEquity:See“Equity”SocialJustice:Allaspectsofjustice–includinglegal,political,economicandenvironmental–andrequiresthefairdistributionofandaccesstopublicgoods,institutionalresourcesandlifeopportunitiesforallpeople.16RegionalTrails:Regionaltrailsarenonmotorizedfacilitiesandmaybepavedorsoft-surface(gravel)oracombinationofboth.Regionaltrailsprovidebothrecreationalopportunitiesandmobilityoptions,connectinguserswithdedicatednonmotorizedroutestoparks,work,schoolandotherdestinations.Trailscanbeusedforwalking,jogging,cycling,skating,and,whereappropriate,horsebackriding.17WorkingForests:Workingforestsarelandswithimportantecologicalvaluefortheretentionandinfiltrationofstormwaterfortheeliminationofrunoffandreplenishmentofgroundwater,asasourceofwaterforriversandstreamsthatsupportfishpopulations,forprovidingfishandwildlifehabitat,improvingairquality,reducingwildfirerisk,sequesteringandstoringcarbondioxideandhelpingmitigatetheimpactsofclimatechange.Workingforestscanalsoprovideeconomicvalue,bothasasourceofrevenuegeneratedfromharvestingtimberandotherforestproductsandasarecreation
13KingCounty2016ComprehensivePlan,Glossary14KingCountyCode26.04.020(L)15http://kingcounty.gov/services/parks-recreation/parks/about/levy.aspx16DefinitionsinKingCountyEquityandSocialJusticeStrategicPlan.17KingCountyOpenSpacePlan2016Update,page25
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destination.18Also,Workingforestsincludeforestlandsthathavelong-termsignificanceforthecommercialproductionoftimber.19
18KingCountyOpenSpacePlan2016Update,page27-2819KingCounty2016ComprehensivePlan,fromtheGlossarydefinitionofResourceLands,Designated.
Graphics Production: Wendy Gable Collins, King County Information Technology
Photo Credits: Front cover: Three Forks Natural Area, Two Rivers School volunteer event, November 2016 (photo credit: King County Parks)
Inside front cover: top - Interpretive walk & restoration work at Skyway Park, bottom - Three Forks Natural Area, Two Rivers School volunteer event, November 2016 (photo credit: King County Parks)
Inside back cover: photo credit: Karen Reed
Back cover: Maury Island Marine Park (photo credit: King County Parks)