The Cascade Agenda: A New Model for Land Conservation Narragansett Bay Estuary Program Conference May 1, 2009 John Howell Board Member Cascade Land Conservancy

Farming, forestry and fishing have defined this region for over 100 years. Our Region’s Roots

About Cascade Land Conservancy Established in 1989 Operates in five counties sq miles in Central Cascades (4-county) region 50 staff Net Worth: ~$30M – including protected lands Mission To protect our region's wild and open space lands to sustain the natural beauty and health of the environment, now and for generations to come.

Conserved over 150,000 acres relying on market based strategies. Conservation Transactions

Our Scope… Organization Conservation Transactions

DIALOGUES

Looking back –Celebrating the legacy of the 100 year old Olmstead Plan Looking long –100 years forward… Thinking broad – Sustain a strong regional economy – Promote livable communities – Ensure healthy ecosystems The Cascade Dialogues Approach

Creating a Big Tent A broad coalition of: Business leaders Tribal leaders Government representatives Environmental advocates Community stakeholders Civic leaders

The Cascade Dialogues Approach Public Involvement – –Conversations with 3,500 stakeholders – –Involvement of 460 classrooms Scientific Community – –Technical working groups with more than 150 scientists, economists and practitioners Elected Leadership – –Engagement of over 100 municipalities and governmental entities Steering Committee – –50 civic, business, and environmental leaders Strong Staff Support The Cascade Dialogues

Region’s population could double in a century: Increasing by as much as 3.5 million or 6 Seattles The growth will occur in a changing world Our Challenge

We are at a critical moment – growth puts pressures on our limited land base Our Greatest Challenge Do we want to be LA?

Current Land Use Seattle Tacoma Everett King County Kittitas CountyPierce County Snohomish County

Seattle Tacoma Everett King County Kittitas CountyPierce County Snohomish County 2100 FUTURE if Built-out at Current Densities

New Map1 Tacoma Puyallup River Prime Farmland Puget Sound Pierce County Farmland Today

New Map2 Tacoma Puyallup River Prime Farmland? Puget Sound Pierce County Built Out to Current Zoning

New Map3 Tacoma Puyallup River Puget Sound Risk if Farming Goes Away

The Cascade Agenda Enhancing our communities and natural surroundings that make the Pacific Northwest the best place to live.

Cascades that inspire us: –High mountains –Foothills Waters that sustain us: –Nearshore and estuary –Riparian and watershed Communities that define us: –Farms –Recreation Built Environment The Cascade Agenda Approach A 100 year vision that will inspire A 100 year plan with strategies to achieve that vision

Cascades: Goals Conserve 93% of private working forests: 777,000 acres –Preserve additional 5%: 48,000 acres Maintain Public Forest: 2.3 million acres –Retain all Preserve lands –Retain most Timber lands –Shift 2% to Preserve status Provide sufficient timber to support several mills –Land area could produce ~ mmbf annually

Farms: Goals Conserve 85% of current agricultural land –Westside: 106,000 acres –Kittitas: 200,000 acres Support Farm Economy –Increase consumption of local produce to 5% Provide adequate, consistent supply of water

Recreation: Goals Urban Parks –Park within ½ mile walk of all residents –Keep pace with population – add 30,000 acres over next century Regional Destination Parks –Maintain today’s quality of experience – add 82,500 acres over next century Cascades –Maintain public recreation lands –Increase recreation on current lands Parks in Walking Distance, King County

Waters: Goals Watershed-wide Guidelines: Limit impervious surfaces to 15% -30% with design/technology enhancement Rivers and Streams To be determined by WRIAs, estimate: –Cascades: 5,000 acres –Rural: 14,000 acres –Urban: 406 acres Shorelines and Estuaries Based on 30% of original habitat: –Saltwater: 8,800 acres –Estuaries: 4,800 acres 74%