The Washington State legislature amended the Growth Management Act (GMA) in 2017 to add Whatcom County to the list of counties required to undertake a “review and evaluation program” under RCW 36.70A.215 (also known as the buildable lands program).  The review and evaluation program has two main purposes:

• Determine whether a county and its cities are achieving urban densities within urban growth areas by comparing growth and development assumptions contained in the county and city comprehensive plans with actual growth and development that has occurred; and
• Identify reasonable measures, if necessary, to reduce the differences between growth and development assumptions contained in the county and city comprehensive plans with actual development patterns.

Whatcom County and the cities are working together on the review and evaluation program and will issue a final report by June 30, 2022.  This report will provide data and analysis that will inform the next updates of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan and city comprehensive plans, which must be completed by June 30, 2025. 
 
Information relating to this project, including the Public Participation Plan, is available on the County website for public review.