Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Open Space Amendment amend?
What does the Amendment do?
Is the Open Space Amendment (OSA) like the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO)?
Will there be a tax to purchase these properties?
If the County already owns the property why does it need more protection?
Who proposed the Open Space Amendment?
What are some examples of properties on the list I might recognize?
Who supports this?
What does the Open Space Amendment amend?
The King County Charter – our County constitution. This can only be done by a vote of the people.
What does the Amendment do?
It requires the County Council to maintain a list of the highest conservation value properties in which King County has an ownership interest. The County owns these properties outright or has a conservation easement. These properties are the most treasured conservation and recreation spaces. They are public lands along our rivers and streams, large wetland areas, huge blocks of forest, wildlife and salmon habitat and some of the truly special places we all like to visit.
Is the Open Space Amendment (OSA) like the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO)?
No. It is very different. The CAO is government regulation of private property. This amendment only affects specific high conservation value property, conservation easements and development rights already owned by King County.
Will there be a tax to purchase these properties?
No. These properties, conservation easements and development rights were acquired over many years with many different funding sources and grants with the intent that the properties remain open space, working forestland, recreation space and habitat for salmon and wildlife.
If the County already owns the property why does it need more protection?
Different than land for city parks and ball fields which can be purchased and developed if the financial resources are committed, these lineal river and stream fronts, large wetlands and huge blocks of forest are irreplaceable. The Open Space Amendment will ensure a public process and a supermajority of agreement from the County Council if a sale or expanded use of a property on the list is considered.
Who proposed the Open Space Amendment?
It was presented to the 2007 Charter Review Commission (CRC) for consideration. Every ten years the County must appoint a Commission to review the Charter. The 2007 Charter Review Commission recommended an amendment to give greater protection to County owned Open Space properties. The County Council modified the amendment and voted to put it on this November’s ballot. If approved by voters, it will be added to our Charter.
What are some examples of properties on the list I might recognize?
Cougar Mountain, Dockton Forest and Natural Area, Soos Creek 140th Open Space, Taylor Mountain Forest, Bear Creek Waterways properties, the development rights on the Evergreen Forest and Raging River, Carnation Marsh and Waterways properties all over the County. For the complete list of 95 properties and maps go to the
About page.
Who supports this?
The Amendment was co-sponsored by King County Councilmembers Bob
Ferguson and Reagan Dunn and passed the Council with a 9-0 vote. Our
endorsement list will include virtually every good government
organization and environmentally conscious group in the Puget Sound
region. Let us add you to the list of Open Space Amendment supporters. We don’t need your money, just your support and willingness to share your knowledge of the OSA and our website with others.
