All jurisdictions in Washington state need to determine where natural resource industries, including forestry, agricultural, mining, and fisheries industries, can productively operate, and use land-use controls to designate and conserve the necessary lands and to avoid conflicts with these industries from other land uses.

The goal is to continue natural resource production activities on these designated lands by avoiding interference from other incompatible land uses, such as residential housing. The requirement to classify, designate and protect natural resource lands (and critical areas) applies to all jurisdictions in the state, in recognition of the essential role of these lands in supporting economic productivity and healthy ecological systems.

Resources

• Designation of Agricultural Lands in Chelan, King, Lewis, and Yakima Counties, 2004 (PDF)
• Designation of Mineral Resource Lands under the Growth Management Act (PDF)