Greenway planning and growth management: partners in conservation?

Greenway s have been developed in the US A in conjunction with an array of private and public processes. Growth management laws are one method in the public planning process, which have included regulatory goals or objectives related to conservation measures often found in greenways. There were already greenway projects planned or in existence in the eight states which have enacted growth management legislation. The question is raised: has growth management affected greenway development in these eight states? Four growth management states are assessed as representative examples of the interaction of greenways and growth management planning processes. The paper focuses on Washington Stateʹs Growth Management Act (GMA) and greenway projects. An overview is given of Washington Stateʹs long and diverse history of greenway development. Several of the most prominent greenways are discussed to show the results of greenway planning prior to enactment of the Growth Management Act. Proposed greenways in two Washington counties are contrasted: one county required to do comprehensive planning under the Act and one not required to do so. The case studies demonstrate the importance of enacting environmentally supportive laws which apply at the state, regional and local levels for greenway grassroot efforts to be realized.