Notes from Friends

Friends of Skagit County                                                                                                          Summer 2005

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Will Skagit Remain a Rural County?

From the President’s Pen

June Kite, President

In 1995, Skagit County had 79,545 residents.  By 1997 when the County Comprehensive Plan was adopted we had 96,950 population.  To meet the goals required by the Growth Management Act, the Plan set a target for of 80% to go into urban areas and 20% into rural.

The County’s own figures, reported to the WA State Office of Financial Management, show that in eight of the last 10 years, the county has permitted more than 20% of increased population to live in rural Skagit - on lands zoned for agriculture, rural reserve, rural resource and rural intermediate.  At this rate, we can fill up our rural lands and compete with the Kent Valley as a bedroom community for Seattle - King County.  No one wants this outcome.

This year Mount Vernon no longer qualifies as rural under certain federal guidelines and will no longer receive funds designated for rural towns.  In the population allocation process, some cities declined to take more residents, some with good reason (inadequate sewer systems) and some because they didn’t want to.  Putting the 50,000 new residents inside cities and the UGAs is the only way to ensure Skagit stays rural and doesn’t look like the Kent Valley in 10 years.

The Growth Management Act requires that growth go into cities and urban growth areas first.  Skagit is growing at 1.5% annually, faster than the state average.  We will not protect agriculture and our rural character if we continue to develop the rural areas at this rate.

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Artists Make Spring Art Sale A Success

Some 35 guests and artists attended the Spring Art Show and Sale on Friday, April 8th at Friends office, 110 N. First St., #C, Mount Vernon. Thanks to all who purchased artwork and to the artists who contribute a percentage of the purchase price to Friends.  The art shows remain at the office until the next sale and opening, so give us a call and stop by if you didn’t get to the opening.

Inside This Issue

1

Will Skagit Remain Rural: Comp Plan Update

2

Another Way You Can Save Farmland

3

New GMA Laws

4

2005 Membership Renewal Form

New Growth Management Laws – from Summer, 2005, CTED About Growth, pg. 7.