A4.1 Natural area preservation
Identify and establish a range of diverse, stable, long-term funding sources for the acquisition, restoration and preservation of prime natural areas.
Conservation Areas REET
According to the MRSC –
Any county may impose an additional real estate excise tax of up to 1.0% for conservation areas (RCW 82.46.070). Cities do not have this authority. Unlike REET 1 and REET 2, which are only imposed within the unincorporated areas, the conservation area REET is imposed upon all properties countywide, including within the incorporated cities. However, this tax does not apply to properties that the county acquires as conservation areas. Unlike other real estate excise taxes, which are typically the responsibility of the seller, the conservation area REET is the responsibility of the buyer.
This REET option requires voter approval with a simple majority and must be periodically reauthorized by voters. The ballot measure must specify the length of time and the maximum rate at which the REET will be imposed.
The revenues must be used exclusively for the acquisition and maintenance of “conservation areas.” For the definition of “conservation areas,” the statute references RCW 36.32.570, which states:
“[C]onservation area” means land and water that has environmental, agricultural, aesthetic, cultural, scientific, historic, scenic, or low-intensity recreational value for existing and future generations, and includes, but is not limited to, open spaces, wetlands, marshes, aquifer recharge areas, shoreline areas, natural areas, and other lands and waters that are important to preserve flora and fauna.
The county must prepare a plan for the expenditure of the proceeds, and the proceeds must be spent in conformance with this plan. Prior to the adoption of the plan, the county must consult with the elected officials of cities located within the county and hold a public hearing to obtain public input.
As of 2019, only San Juan County has successfully imposed this conservation area REET.