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Posts for Environmental Policy and Management

Surface Mine Reclamation Program: Interaction with Local Governments

February 12, 2025  by  Rian Skov
Category:  Guest Author ,  Environmental Policy and Management ,  Rural Uses

Surface mines are regulated by a variety of agencies, including the local government in which a mine is located. But what happens when a mine has reached the end of its productiveness? Can the land be returned to its pre-mining state, and which agency oversees this process?

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A bee on a yellow daisy

Save the Bees: How Local Governments Can Protect Pollinator Habitat

August 27, 2024  by  Katie Buckley
Category:  Guest Author ,  Environmental Policy and Management ,  Land Use Administration ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Pollinators are a critical component of a healthy ecosystem, impacting food security, the abundance of local flora, and agricultural earnings. Local governments can play a role in protecting critical habitat for pollinators with innovative strategies and smart land use policies. 

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Utility trucked parked on sidewalk with a road sign noting that utility work is being done

A Compendium of 2023 Utilities Legislation

November 13, 2023  by  Steve Gross
Category:  Environmental Policy and Management ,  Utilities ,  New Legislation and Regulations

It was a mixed bag for utility legislation in 2023. There are some new obligations for utilities, but certain non-project and project actions are now categorically exempt from SEPA review.

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A thermometer showing a temperature of 100+ against a background of an urban street

New Report Outlines How to Save Lives from Extreme Heat

August 7, 2023  by  Zach Kearl
Category:  Climate Change ,  Environmental Policy and Management

Written by a guest author with the University of Washington's Climate Impacts Group, local governments now have a new resource to call on for ideas on how to protect communities during extended periods of extreme heat. 

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Several small images suggesting environmental and pollution prevention laws against the word 2023

New Legislation Related to Climate and the Natural Environment

July 27, 2023  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Climate Change ,  Environmental Policy and Management ,  New Legislation and Regulations

In 2023, state legislators passed several bills addressing environmental concerns, including new climate elements for comprehensive planning, making impact fee revenue available for new bike and pedestrian facilities, and an optional permit process for clean energy projects. 

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2022 Growth Management Act-Related Bills

June 30, 2022  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Environmental Policy and Management ,  Housing ,  Rural Uses ,  New Legislation and Regulations

New legislation related to the Growth Management Act (GMA) will expand tribal participation, limit appeals for actions to increase housing supply, change periodic update timelines, provide additional options for limited areas of more intense rural development (LAMIRDs), and more.

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Washington Enacts Statewide Plastic Bag Ban

August 27, 2020  by  Aly Jones
Category:  Environmental Policy and Management ,  New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post provides an overview of ESSB 5323, which bans Washington-based retail establishments from providing single-use, plastic carryout bags.

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Banning Plastic Straws and Utensils

August 16, 2018  by  Flannary Collins
Category:  Environmental Policy and Management

Is the era of plastic over in Seattle? Managing Attorney Flannary Collins looks at the city's, and other jurisdictions, attempts to ban various products made of plastic, from straws to bags to food-service ware.  

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