Lowry Lifts Sanctions Against Chelan County

Thu., Jan. 9, 1997

From Staff And Wire Reports

Gov. Mike Lowry on Wednesday lifted the economic sanctions he imposed against Chelan County last summer for refusing to comply with the Growth Management Act.

Lowry’s decision came one day after two new members of Chelan County’s three-member commission voted to reverse the county’s position and comply with the land-use law. The governor’s action, made a week before he leaves office, means the county will receive about $866,000 in withheld tax revenues and interest.

Until recently, the Chelan County Commission had been the poster child for opponents of the Growth Management Act, which is designed to protect farms, wilderness and recreation lands in the face of rapid population growth.

The law requires local governments to develop comprehensive land-use protection plans based on statewide goals.

Before the fall elections, a majority of the three-member Chelan County Commission contended the law violates residents’ constitutional rights by taking control of private land.

As a result, the county has been out of compliance with the law since 1991. Since then, the commissioners have challenged the law in local, state and federal courts to no avail, racking up at least $100,000 in legal bills in the process.

Lowry’s patience ran out last June. Using authority granted by the Growth Management Act, the governor ordered the state treasurer to withhold monthly tax revenues earmarked for Chelan County road maintenance. The penalty amounted to about $140,000 a month.

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