King County announces $100 million for conservation projects
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay has announced a $100 million investment into 57 conservation projects across the county. The initiative aims to restore salmon habitats, protect forestlands, increase urban greenspace access, and preserve farmland.
As part of this plan, approximately $1.5 million is recommended to purchase the development rights of eight farms in the Enumclaw area. This move is intended to preserve open space and encourage continued agricultural use. Under the county’s Farmland Preservation Program, landowners who sell these rights enter into restrictive covenants that limit land use to agricultural or open space purposes and restrict residential construction.
The revenue generated from selling these development rights to urban developers can be used as matching funds to support further conservation efforts. This program is also linked to the county’s Local Food Initiative, which seeks to enhance food affordability, build a local farming economy, and promote environmental sustainability.