Drafter
Clerk 07/08/2005
Title
A MOTION relating to the Vashon/Maury Island Rural Stewardship Plan pilot program; requesting a report from the executive outlining the program and possible expansion throughout the rural area, and stating council support for continuation and expansion of the pilot program.
Body
WHEREAS, Ordinance 15051 established "rural stewardship plans" as a mechanism for tailoring environmental protections to local conditions and landowner goals, and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 15051 directed the executive to provide low- or no-cost technical assistance and resources to landowners to assist in preparing rural stewardship plans, and
WHEREAS, Motion 12037 stated the council's intent to provide technical assistance and staffing in support of flexible alternatives to "one-size-fits all" environmental protections, and
WHEREAS, the department of development and environmental services ("DDES") and the water and land resource division of the department of natural resources and parks ("WLRD") recently implemented a six-week rural stewardship plan pilot program on Vashon/Maury Island, and
WHEREAS, DDES and WLRD created a team approach to provide information regarding permitting and rural stewardship planning to rural residents, and
WHEREAS, once a week, DDES and WLRD staff have met with landowners on Vashon/Maury Island, and
WHEREAS, the responses of the rural residents to such convenient and easy access to the pilot program staff has been very positive, and
WHEREAS, the Vashon/Maury Island pilot program has demonstrated that this approach provides a valuable service to rural residents by enabling them to obtain information regarding permit application requirements and information regarding rural stewardship plans in a convenient location, and
WHEREAS, the increased interaction between the rural residents and DDES and WLRD staff have served to increase the mutual understanding of the provisions of the rural stewardship plan program and the challenges faced by rural residents, and
WHEREAS, DDES and WLRD staff are working toward additional pilot programs in other areas in rural King County;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. The council is aware and appreciative of the efforts of the executive staff, especially those from DDES and WLRD, to work closely with rural residents through the Vashon/Maury Island Rural Stewardship Plan pilot program.
B. The council views the Vashon/Maury Island Rural Stewardship Plan pilot program as a model with great potential for providing invaluable service to rural residents.
C. The council wishes to obtain information regarding the results of the program as it is used in other areas of rural King County and, therefore, directs DDES and WLRD to implement a pilot program, based on the Vashon/Maury Island model, in the northeast area of rural King County and in the southeast area of rural King County.
D. The executive is requested to file with the clerk of the council, for distribution to the chair of the growth management and unincorporated areas committee, by October 1, 2005, a joint report regarding status of the program, describing the activities of both agencies and outlining recommendations as to whether the pilot program should be expanded or become a permanent part of the critical areas ordinance implementation and what resources are needed for this program.
E. If the recommendation is to expand the program or to maintain the program
the council supports and intends to work with the executive to seek funding in the 2006 budget to support and expand this effort.