The Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) is a

Washington Washington commonly refers to: * Washington (state), United States * Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States ** A metonym for the federal government of the United States ** Washington metropolitan area, the metropolitan area centered o ...

state law that requires state and local governments to manage Washington's growth by identifying and protecting critical areas and natural resource lands, designating urban growth areas, preparing

comprehensive plans Comprehensive may refer to: *Comprehensive layout, the page layout of a proposed design as initially presented by the designer to a client. *Comprehensive school, a state school that does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement o ...

and implementing them through capital investments and development regulations. This approach to growth management is unique among states. The act (Chapter 36.70A RCW) was adopted by the Legislature in 1990. The GMA was adopted because the

Washington State Legislature The Washington State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Washington. It is a bicameral body, composed of the lower Washington House of Representatives, composed of 98 Representatives, and the upper Washington State Senat ...

found that uncoordinated and unplanned growth posed a threat to the environment, sustainable economic development and the quality of life in Washington. Rather than centralize

planning Planning is the process of thinking regarding the activities required to achieve a desired goal. Planning is based on foresight, the fundamental capacity for mental time travel. The evolution of forethought, the capacity to think ahead, is consi ...

and decision-making at the state level, the GMA focuses on local control. The GMA establishes state goals, sets deadlines for compliance, offers direction on how to prepare local comprehensive plans and regulations and sets forth requirements for early and continuous public participation. Within the framework provided by the mandates of the Act, local governments have many choices regarding the specific content of comprehensive plans and implementing development regulations. The Growth Management Hearings Board hears and determines allegations that a government agency has not complied with the GMA or the related Shoreline Management Act (SMA, Chapter 90.58 RCW). A 1991 law amended the GMA to create three regional boards, but a 2010 law consolidated them into one. SMA jurisdiction was added in 1996. The board's administrative rules of practice and procedure are found in the

Washington Administrative Code Washington commonly refers to: * Washington (state), United States * Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States ** A metonym for the federal government of the United States ** Washington metropolitan area, the metropolitan area centered o ...

(Title 242-02 WAC). Hearings Board members are appointed by the governor to staggered three year terms.

References

External links

MRSC: Growth Management and Comprehensive Planning in Washington

Growth Management Act Laws and Rules

Washington State Legislature PlanningRIDGE Records.
1923–2015. 9.31 cubic feet (9 boxes). At th
Labor Archives of Washington, University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.
*http://www.futurewise.org/growth-management-act#:~:text=%20Key%20Growth%20Management%20Act%20Provisions%20%201,and%20cities%20fully%20planning%20under%20the...%20More%20 Washington (state) law 1990 in law 1990 in Washington (state) {{Washington-stub