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Real Property & Development Review

Tag Archives: Environmental

Oregon’s Integrated Water Resources Strategy Explores Relationships Between Water and Land Use Regulation

By Michael Gelardi on Posted in Land Use

The Oregon Water Resources Department (“WRD”) recently released what WRD hopes will be the final draft  of Oregon’s strategy to manage the state’s water resources. The 2009 Oregon Legislature required WRD to develop an “Integrated Water Resources Strategy” (“IWRS”) to protect water quality and ensure adequate water supplies. The IWRS seeks to promote better coordination… Continue Reading

Governor Orders State and Local Cooperation on Southern Oregon Land Use Planning

By Michael Gelardi on Posted in Land Use

Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber has issued an Executive Order directing state agencies to cooperate with local efforts to redefine farm and forest lands in three southern Oregon counties. The order implements an earmark passed by the Oregon Legislature earlier this year that provides funding for technical studies, mapping and a state rulemaking process. If successful, this… Continue Reading

Seattle Landlords’ Energy Efficiency Reports Due Oct. 3, 2011 or April 1, 2012

By Clayton Graham on Posted in Land Use

Authored by:  Clayton Graham and Jim Greenfield Many Seattle landlords and other building owners will soon need to begin reporting on the energy efficiency of their buildings. As reported in DWT’s Northwest Real Estate Blog last year, a Seattle ordinance passed in connection with the state’s Efficiency First! Act requires many Seattle building owners to… Continue Reading

Washington Supreme Court: Statute Limiting Developer Charges Does Not Apply to Local Shoreline Master Programs

By Clayton Graham on Posted in Land Use

The Washington Supreme Court recently removed one vehicle for developers to challenge requirements imposed under local governments’ shoreline regulations. In Citizens for Rational Shoreline Planning (CRSP) v. Whatcom County, the Court considered whether regulations in the County’s Shoreline Master Program (“SMP”) could be challenged under a provision of RCW 82.02.020 which generally prohibits any local government… Continue Reading

Local Development Standards to Be Modified to Comply with Endangered Species Act

By Clayton Graham on Posted in Land Use

Authored by Clayton P. Graham and James A. Greenfield In a development of great interest to owners of property in or near floodplains, many local jurisdictions in Washington state will soon begin updating their floodplain development regulations to comply with new federal requirements. As discussed in a post on Davis Wright Tremaine’s Real Estate Blog,… Continue Reading

FEMA’s Revised Flood Maps to Affect Development, Availability of Flood Insurance in Western Washington

By Davis Wright Tremaine on Posted in Land Use

Authored by:  Craig Gannett and Clayton P. Graham Landowners and developers across Western Washington will be affected by floodplain map revisions that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) plans to carry out in the coming months. These map updates are part of FEMA’s administration of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and changes in map… Continue Reading