Washington Incentive Program Strengths

Washington has a variety of incentive programs that address habitat conservation across the state. The state has taken several initiatives to enhance and coordinate these programs:

Washington Biodiversity Council

The Washington Biodiversity Council was created by Governor Locke in 2004 through Executive Order 04-02. The purpose of the 23 member council is to develop and promote more effective ways of conserving Washington's biodiversity. The council is composed of representatives from public and private groups across the state. The council is expected to accomplish the following goals by December 31, 2007:

• Develop a 30-year comprehensive strategy and implementation plan for the state to sustainably protect its biodiversity heritage;

• Complete an assessment of existing and potential landowner stewardship incentive programs and develop recommendations for improving their effectiveness;

• Develop a public education and outreach component;

• Develop a website to present information on Washington's biodiversity heritage.

This council is a very unique collaborative effort that focuses on the protection of entire ecosystems rather than individual species. Its focus is to find ways to promote biodiversity in the state through voluntary actions, such as incentives, and provide an opportunity to implement carefully planned conservation in Washington state.

State partnerships

Washington state agencies have formed a number of different partnerships in the state as a way to pool resources and strategize conservation efforts. In 1990 the state legislature created Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups as a way to involve local communities, citizens, and landowners in the state's salmon recovery efforts. The 14 groups have a common goal of restoring salmonid populations and habitat to their regions, relying on support in local communities. They help lead their communities in successful restoration, education and monitoring projects. In 1999, the Salmon Recovery Funding Board was formed as a way to administer state and federal funds to protect and restore salmon habitat. This board funds projects that focus on salmon habitat protection and restoration and watershed assessments, as well as a number of other activities. Also in 1999, federal, tribal, and state agencies entered a long-term agreement with timber landowners called the Forest and Fish Agreement. This agreement was formed as a way to increase the protection of salmon habitat and other aquatic species on timberlands. It provides a number of grant opportunities for private landowners interested in habitat restoration projects. The Puget Sound Action Team Partnership is a group of representatives from state agencies, tribes, and local and federal governments. It was formed to protect shorelines and other critical ecological areas in Puget Sound by coordinating efforts such as monitoring, outreach, education, and conservation projects in that area.

Innovative conservation resources

Washington state has a variety of innovative resources for landowners interested in habitat conservation. Under the habitat incentives program, the Department of Fish and Wildlife offers exemption from new regulations if a long-term habitat management plan is adopted on a landowner's property. Through this program, landowners agree to enhance habitat for fish and wildlife species in exchange for regulatory certainty for future in-water or forest practice permits. This program exists in Washington statute, however has never been developed on the ground. No landowners have used this program. Washington planning and zoning laws allow for the purchase and transfer of development rights in the state. These programs allow communities to identify areas they would like protected from development and direct the development elsewhere. For more information about these types of programs click here. Washington has also worked to help assist landowners who modify their practices to comply with federal regulations through the creation of the Small Forest Landowner Office. The office provides programs and resources for small forest landowners dealing with policy change. In addition to the programs it provides that are described below, it also provides landowners with the unique opportunity to develop Alternate Plans to those required by the state Forest Practices Act rules. Under the Forest Practices Act, forest landowners are required to develop a plan for managing their timber resources using specific state guidelines. The Alternate Plans give landowners the flexibility to develop a management plan consistent with state regulations that address conservation needs unique to their property.

Tax Benefits

The state of Washington offers property tax benefits for fish and wildlife habitat enhancement and other conservation activities. Washington exempts improvements to fish and wildlife habitat from taxation to encourage private property owners to make voluntary improvement to their property without the penalty of paying higher property taxes. All improvements to real and personal property that benefit fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, or water quantity are exempt from taxation if the improvements are included in a written conservation plan approved by a conservation district. Landowners may also receive an exemption from additional taxes if the property is used for specific conservation activities that raise the property's value. The state also offers property tax reductions to owners of open space land, which is described in more detail below.