Smart Growth Resource Library

2008 Evergreen Cities Act -- Washington State

The 2008 Evergreen Cities Act (Washington State, HB 2844) was signed into law by Governor Christine Gregoire on April 1, 2008. This landmark legislation represents a commitment by the State of Washington to improving its urban forests.

As our population grows, trees are replaced with impervious blacktop and concrete. Meanwhile climate change is increasing runoff pollution and flooding. Trees in our cities are one of the most cost-effective ways to improve our water quality, air quality and our quality of life. This proposal ensures the Evergreen State is full of Evergreen cities, towns and counties.

Benefits of the Evergreen Cities Act include:

• Reducted runoff, a top Puget Sound pollutant, with a potential savings of $2.4 billion in stormwater management
• Reduced energy gosts and associated greenhouse gas emissions by 30% for Eastern Washington home and business owners
• Reduced air pollution as more trees absorb airborne pollutants that cause asthma and global warming

The 2008 Evergreen Cities Act restores, retains and establishes more trees and forests in Washington's cities, towns and counties by creating:

• Evergreen Communities Recognition
• Model Forest Plans & Ordinances
• Stakeholder Process
• Funding for Local Governments
• Inventory and Assessment

Read more at the resource link below.

Resource: http://environmentalpriorities.org/evergreen-cities

E-mail to a Friend

View Printer-friendly page

Conservation: An Investment That Pays from Trust for Public Land is intended to help agency personnel and community conservationists make the case for conservation as a long-term economic investment. Find out more   Based on the National Building Museum's exhibit, Green Community is a collection of thought-provoking essays that illuminate the connections among personal health, community health, and our planet's health. Find out more

This web site is developed and maintained by the
National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT),
and supported with funding from the US EPA.
Disclaimer
Copyright © 1996-2010. All Rights Reserved.