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Posts for Natural Resources

Planning for Drought: Lessons from Washington Communities

June 10, 2026 by Alicia Bones
Category: Climate and Sustainability , Environmental Laws and Regulations , Emergency Management , Natural Resources

As Washington prepares to enter its fourth year of drought, what approaches have local communities taken to prepare for it, and what factors make some communities more susceptible to the impacts of drought?

Recapping the August 2025 Local Ballot Measures

September 10, 2025 by Steve Hawley
Category: Emergency Medical Services , Fire Protection , Parks and Recreation Districts , Transportation Finance , Law Enforcement , Ballot Measures , Property Taxes , Natural Resources

Library levies, fire district measures, and sales taxes for law enforcement or 911 programs fared well; other local ballot measure results were mixed.

Local Water Systems Grapple with 'Forever Chemicals'

March 14, 2024 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Water Utilities , Natural Resources

Forever chemicals, or PFAS, have been detected in water systems across the state thanks to mandatory testing requirements that began in 2023. What are local agencies doing on both a short-term and long-term basis to address the problem?

Historic Bill Focuses on Wildfire Prevention, Forest Reclamation

June 17, 2021 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Emergency Management , Fire Protection , New Legislation and Regulations , Natural Resources

This blog looks at 2SHB 1168, which will increase spending on wildland fire prevention and response activities by $125 million over the next two years and up to $328 million by 2027.

Legislature Addresses Whatcom County v. Hirst

January 24, 2018 by Jill Dvorkin
Category: Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management , Court Decisions and AGO Opinions , New Legislation and Regulations , Natural Resources

A new law addressing Whatcom County v. Hirst was recently enacted, providing some clarity and a way in which some development can be permitted in rural areas. Legal Consultant Jill Dvorkin reviews the major points of the legislation in this post.

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