 |
Local Incentive Programs in Washington State
> Local Government Local GovernmentConserving biodiversity provides local communities with ecosystem services such as water quality filtration, flood dissipation, water recharge and discharge, soil stability and productivity, as well as cultural and aesthetic enrichment. The role of local government is to provide for the welfare of a community. Meeting the public’s needs for health, safety, and economic livelihood are key components of community vitality. Active local stewardship efforts can complement regulatory programs and better meet a community’s resource protection needs—and can save a community money. Local governments have the most flexibility to provide stewardship programs and opportunities for landowners of any government body in Washington. Decision makers on local planning commissions and councils are highly responsive to their constituents. Therefore, influencing the development or modification of stewardship programs is most effective in one’s own community at the level of city and county government. In Washington, a number of enhanced stewardship opportunities are exclusive options of local governments. Along with applying land-use designations to direct community growth, local governments can provide several voluntary stewardship opportunities. > Funding Mechanisms Current Use Taxation (CUT) programs offer a reduction in property taxes on private lands when the current open space amenities on these lands are thought to be a benefit to the community (Authorized by RCW 84.34.200). Thus a community may decide it is worth the tax incentive to retain the lands in their natural state. more> A Public Benefit Rating System (PBRS) can be applied to help a local government determine which applications are appropriate for classification and what level of tax relief they should receive. more> Although some counties have not established a PBRS and/or received any enrollment applications, the opportunity is available in all Washington counties. The local land-use planning or assessor’s office will have more information. Funding Mechanisms> Conservation Futures Conservation FuturesThe state Current Use Taxation law (RCW 84.34.200) provides authority for local governments to raise funds for open space preservation through purchase of easements, development rights, or outright acquisition. Counties are authorized to levy a property tax of up to $0.0625 per $1000 assessed valuation. This levy is enacted by a vote of the legislative body. These funds may be credited to a special Conservation Futures fund and accumulated funds may then be used to acquire interest in conservation lands. Counties applying this authority usually refer to their acquisition programs as Conservation Futures Programs. These are usually administered by county parks and recreation departments. Most have a set of criteria developed for selecting properties or participate in a community nomination process. If a landowner with land of high biodiversity value were interested in approaching the county for sale, donation, or the holding of an easement, they could contact the local parks department. Counties in Washington with conservation futures levies supporting active preservation programs are: Clark, Ferry, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Pierce, Skagit, San Juan, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, and Whatcom. Real Estate Excise Tax (REET)Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) is a provision under RCW 82.46.070 (1990) which allows counties to impose a real estate excise tax on transfers of property, and the proceeds from the tax are used exclusively for fee-simple or less-than-fee acquisition and maintenance of conservation areas. Conservation areas are defined as “land and water that has environmental, agricultural, aesthetic, cultural, scientific, scenic, or low-intensity recreational values and includes open space, wetlands, marshes, aquifer recharge areas, shoreline areas, natural areas, and other lands and waters that are important to preserve flora and fauna” (RCW 36.32.5700). The excise tax may be initiated either by resolution of the county legislative body or by public petition. In both cases, a majority of voters in the county must approve the enactment of the tax, including a specified time period and a maximum rate. A plan for the expenditure of the funds must be prepared and adopted by the county. San Juan County is the only county in Washington that has successfully adopted the REET. Administration of the program is conducted exclusively by the San Juan County Land Bank. Capital Improvement ProgramsCounties can levy a property tax to pay for flood hazard reduction to water resource protection projects ranging from acquisition and restoration of wetlands and riparian systems to storm sewer systems. Pierce County’s Rivers Improvement Program focuses Capital Improvement Program funds on acquiring and restoring 100-year floodplains to reduce maintenance costs and flood hazard. The program can help pay for larger restoration projects identified within individual basin management plans. In King County, water resource protection efforts also include some funds for small, grass-roots projects sponsored by environmental groups or neighborhood associations. The local public works department’s storm water or surface water management division will have information about availability, program focus, and potential for landowner stewardship. GrantsSome counties and cities offer direct financial incentives to protect, restore, and enhance fish and wildlife habitat, to improve water quality, or to improve land management. For example, King County has two such programs: King County Grant ExchangeThe King County Grant Exchange is a clearinghouse of grant and technical assistance programs offered by the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks. Its goals are to protect and enhance the environment, increase community stewardship, and provide expertise and consultation to projects. King County has found that grants and technical support are an important way to increase opportunities for community stewardship of natural resources. The funds develop and strengthen partnerships with community organizations and local governments. On average, every dollar invested through grants is matched by three dollars in cash and in-kind contributions. This leverage makes projects possible what couldn't be done alone. Programs include Rural Community Partnership, WaterWorks, Wild Places in City Spaces, the Natural Resource Stewardship Network, and the Community Salmon Fund. King County Small Habitat Restoration ProgramThe Small Habitat Restoration Program (SHRP) is administered by the King County Water and Land Resources Division. The goal of SHRP projects is to restore habitat-forming processes for fish and wildlife. Projects include stabilizing eroding stream banks, installing livestock fencing, controlling invasive weeds, planting native vegetation, and providing technical assistance to landowners. Projects are constructed on private or public property located in unincorporated King County, as long as they provide benefits to the public at large. RecognitionLocal governments provide recognition to people, organizations, and partnerships in their communities. They honor good land stewards, conservation leaders, and others who are making a difference for Washington’s biodiversity heritage. One such program is: King County Earth HeroesKing County's Earth Legacy Initiative recognizes environmental programs, people, and companies working to improve and enhance air, land and water quality in the region. Technical AssistanceBesides the technical assistance programs offered by the Conservation Districts, WSU Cooperative Extension and others, some local governments engage in non-compensatory restoration and enhancement projects and community stewardship programs. Restoration and enhancement projectsSome counties engage in non-compensatory restoration and enhancement projects. Often used for wetlands, the lands chosen are usually important areas for flood attenuation, water quality enhancement, or salmon recovery and are identified in existing management plans or watershed inventories. Often the local public works departments or parks departments spearhead these large-scale projects to return wetland and biodiversity benefits to the watershed and correct costly engineering problems facing the community. If a landowner has a larger-sized, degraded site that can address watershed problems, the local government may be interested in becoming involved. Check local floodplain and land use management plans for identification of problem areas, and contact the local public works or planning department to determine their interest in working on the project. Community stewardship programsMany counties and cities have active community stewardship programs, such as Stream Teams, Adopt-A-Park groups, and others. These programs enlist volunteers to help address wildlife habitat and water quality issues. Volunteers may work on monitoring, eradicating noxious weeds, revegetating areas, improving salmon habitat, etc. Local parks departments and public works departments will have more details. Transfer or Purchase of Development RightsTransfer of development rights programs are becoming more common in Washington State. On-site and off-site density transfers may be possible. more> Urban AreasUrban areas require innovative solutions. As land is annexed, re-evaluated for future zoning, or considered for project development, numerous opportunities exist to reduce development conflicts with biodiversity conservation. The following strategies can help conserve or enhance the native biodiversity richness of a parcel or project:
WatershedsWatersheds provide useful geographic units for resource management aimed at protecting the health of aquatic ecosystems and the health and economic vitality of human communities within these landscapes. Watershed efforts are well underway around the state. With urbanization and heavy resource use has come an overall decline in watershed function due to the loss of ecological processes. Concern for sustainable watershed health has led to the establishment of watershed-based planning committees or councils composed of government entities and a broad cross-section of the community. The watershed lead's, lead entity's, or council’s role is similar across watersheds. Whether defined by one title or another, these groups are taking responsibility for one or more of a number of watershed protection and recovery tasks. Watershed-focused programs and organizations range from local grassroots groups, to regional nonprofits, to federal and state agencies. They may provide grants, technical assistance, or other services. Examples are:
> Chehalis River Council Chehalis River CouncilThe Chehalis River Council is a local non-profit citizen group dedicated to the conservation and restoration of natural resources in the Chehalis River Basin. They support activities that implement existing watershed management plans, ranging from education to technical assistance and financial help. Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups (RFEGs)Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups are another example of non-profit organizations working to protect and restore fish runs in watersheds around the state. They work to recover salmon in their own communities. The 14 RFEGs create partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies; Native American tribes; local businesses; community members; and landowners. RFEGs help with restoration, education and monitoring projects. more> Salmon NationSalmon Nation is an example of a regional, non-profit support organization working on watershed protection and restoration efforts. It has established itself as an information center to provide technical support and to encourage the formation of local watershed groups dedicated to recovering salmon. They maintain a comprehensive list of watershed groups in Washington and a salmon information database. Salmon Recovery Funding BoardThe Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) administers state and federal funds for salmon recovery efforts. The Board provides funds in the form of competitive grants for habitat protection and restoration projects and related programs and activities that contribute to salmon habitat recovery. Grant funding may be used for protection (i.e., acquisition of property or conservation easements), restoration (in-stream passage, in-stream diversions, plantings, dike removal, road abandonment, slope stabilization, etc.), and enhancement of upland, riparian, estuarine, marine nearshore, and in-stream habitats. Funds may also be used for associated activities such as assessments, studies, engineering design, and monitoring. Tribal, state, and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and private landowners are eligible for grants. To receive funding, projects must be evaluated by a lead entity and submitted to the Board as part of the lead entity’s prioritized list of projects. A lead entity represents the community (within watersheds) on salmon recovery efforts at the local government level. Project sponsors must contact the lead entity for application procedures. The Salmon Recovery Funding Board provided $26.6 million in its most recent funding cycle. Funding comes from state general obligation bonds and the federal Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Fund. Washington Watershed Grant ProgramThe Washington Watershed Grant Program, administered by the Department of Ecology, offers a coordinated structure for watershed-wide planning and project implementation. It provides grants to local governments to join together with tribes, state agencies, and community members. They form an organized planning unit for development and implementation of watershed-wide management plans focused on water supply. Planning units are required to conduct a detailed assessment of the watershed’s current water supply and uses, and to recommend long term strategies for providing adequate water for fish and future growth. The planning units may also choose to develop strategies for improving water quality, and for protecting or restoring fish habitat. They may also recommend minimum in-stream flow standards. Watershed planning must include an entire Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) or multiple complete WRIAs. All counties within the WRIA(s), the largest city or town within each WRIA, and the water utility obtaining the largest quantity of water within each WRIA must agree to start the watershed planning process. Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention ProgramThe Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program is provided by the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The program assists state, local, and qualified nonprofit organizations in planning and implementing watershed projects for flood prevention, water quality improvement, agricultural water management, water-based recreation, municipal and industrial water supplies, and fish and wildlife habitat development. Technical assistance, the cost of construction for flood prevention, and cost-sharing for other purposes is available. Local watershed teams are established to identify problems, the extent of damages, and develop an implementation plan. There are two different types of assistance: one for planning (for newly included watersheds) and the other for implementation. Sponsors of the program must be one of the following: soil and water conservation districts; local governments; recreation and park districts; watershed, flood control, conservancy, drainage or irrigation districts; or tribes. Limited other organizations may also qualify.
|
