Futurewise's position on Conservation Villages.
Futurewise believes that the Conservation Villages legislation has potential to be a successful conservation strategy in the long term, however, we oppose introduction of the bill at this time.
For the past decade, Futurewise and Cascade Land Conservancy have worked together to change the way we grow here in Washington. It’s because of our success that we find ourselves in a unique position when faced with deciding our position on the Conservation Villages strategy. More than anything, our conversations around this proposal have been set through an opportunistic lens for the 2009 legislative session.
The context for decisions about how and where we grow is changing.
There are several collaborative processes that will put forward bold legislative recommendations for the 2009 session that have the potential to dramatically change the context in which we are making decisions about growth.
• Opportunity to create vibrant TDR marketplace. It’s due in large part to CLC’s leadership that the TDR marketplace working group is on schedule to issue broad policy recommendations. We believe these recommendations have the potential to truly kick start a regional marketplace for TDR, focusing on transferring development rights into urban areas.
• Commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles travelled. Between the Governor’s Climate Action Team (CAT) and the Land Use Climate Committee, there will be several policy proposals moving forward in 2009 (on transportation, SEPA, and GMA).
These legislative proposals have the potential to reshape how future development happens in Washington, focusing growth in urban areas and permanently protecting resource lands from development.
We need to mobilize around these new opportunities for broad, sweeping reform.
Instead of rearranging the growth in rural and resource areas, it is our belief that - now more than ever - it is possible to truly redirect that growth into urban areas. Futurewise will focus our energy on shaping these processes and working for sweeping policy changes in the upcoming 2009 legislative session. In a time when far-reaching reform is possible, we’re worried that the Conservation Villages proposal will serve as a distraction to more comprehensive solutions for managing growth responsibly.
Futurewise appreciates the bold long-term vision of the Cascade Agenda and how it is helping to shape dialogue and action in our region. We look forward to working together with CLC on our shared goal of creating healthy, vibrant, and affordable communities while protecting farmland, forests, and shorelines for this and future generations.
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