Agricultural changes and farmland protection in western Washington

Abstract

Western Washington's temperate climate, scenic beauty, proximity to recreation areas, and economic opportunities make it a highly desirable place to live and, therefore, the most rapidly urbanizing and densely populated area of the state. The temperate climatic conditions together with the rich, alluvial soils of the region's river valleys, also create a unique environment conducive for a number agricultural enterprises that contribute a relatively large share to the state's total agricultural sector earnings. Because of projected population growth rates and accelerated urban expansion, many believe that the stability of the regions agricultural industry is being threatened. Western Washington residents have supported some form of farmland protection legislation since the early 1970s, evidence of their belief that the land market is not adequately protecting farmland. However, despite continued efforts for protection, several research reports (Northwest Economic Associates 1979; Christensen 1986; Reganold 1986; Thompson, Jr. 1993) have concluded that agricultural resources in western Washington have been and will continue to be under extreme pressure for conversion to nonagricultural uses. Results from two consecutive surveys Brand 1981; Christensen 1986) of western Washington county planning departments indicated that the effectiveness of Washington's county farmland protection strategies …