Bill to limit shrub‑steppe protections inside urban growth areas draws split testimony
House Bill 2316 would prevent vegetation associated with shrub steppe inside urban growth areas from automatically triggering habitat or critical‑area restrictions, aiming to reduce housing delays; proponents cited housing costs and mitigation ratios, while tribes and conservation groups warned of broad ecological loss.
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Representative April Connors, sponsor of House Bill 2316, told the Local Government Committee that the measure aims to clear regulatory uncertainty that delays housing projects and raises costs in fast‑growing regions such as the Tri‑Cities. "We only have, like, 20% of native shrub steppe left in Washington state," Connors said while emphasizing the bill is intended to focus protections on truly valuable habitat and not to remove protections for parks and designated preserves.
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