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News Releases 2006
October 12, 2007 - 3:20pm
November 20, 2006
Washington farmers re-elect Steve Appel to lead Farm Bureau
YAKIMA – Voting delegates at the Washington Farm Bureau (WFB) annual meeting elected Steve Appel, a wheat and barley grower from Whitman County, to lead them into 2007. Appel has served as WFB president since November 1994.
A third-generation farmer, Appel also serves as vice president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, the nation’s largest general farm organization with more than 5 million members. Appel is a graduate of Washington State University.
In a closely contested race, first time candidate Britt Dudek, a Board member representing Chelan/ Douglas County, was elected to serve as vice president for legislation. Incumbent Robyn Meenach previously served six consecutive terms in this position.
Delegates unanimously elected Dean Farrens to an eight term as vice president for policy development. Farrens manages a 1,500-acre family-owned farm in Walla Walla County, growing wheat and dry peas. A graduate of Washington State University with a degree in history and education, he taught school in Prosser and Walla Walla before turning to farming fulltime in 1974.
Nearly 200 Delegates attended the 87th Annual Meeting of the Washington Farm Bureau, held at the Yakima Convention Center. Washington Farm Bureau is a 35,000-member advocacy organization representing family farmers and ranchers across the state.
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July 6, 2006
Farm Bureau submits signatures to put I-933 on ballot
OLYMPIA – Voters in Washington will have an opportunity this fall to protect their property rights against increasing government regulations.
The Washington Farm Bureau and the Property Fairness Coalition today submitted more than 315,000 signatures in support of Initiative 933, which would require state and local government to compensation property owners when regulations damage the use or value of private property.
About 225,000 valid signatures were needed to qualify the Property Fairness Initiative for the general election in November.
"We are submitting more than enough signatures to ensure a place on the ballot," said Washington Farm Bureau President Steve Appel, a wheat grower from Eastern Washington. "The voters in Washington will have an opportunity this fall to tell government to slow down."
As Appel noted, the official ballot title clearly explains the substance of the initiative:
Initiative Measure 933 concerns government regulation of private property. This measure would require compensation when government regulation damages the use or value of private property, would forbid regulations that prohibit existing legal uses of private property, and would provide exceptions or payments. Should this measure be enacted into law?
"The obvious answer, really the only reasonable answer," Appel said, "is yes."
Nevertheless, Appel told supporters who gathered at the Capitol this morning, "it may be hard to believe, but there are some people who are apparently against the protection of basic property rights. Apparently, they don’t believe that government owes you a dime when it damages use or value of your private property. In fact, they want to see more government regulation of your property, and at your expense!"
He promised an aggressive campaign to turn the 315,000 signatures collected in support of the initiative into more than a million votes by Election Day.
"I have confidence in our grassroots members. I have confidence in the voters. I have confidence that people understand the importance of protecting property rights," Appel said.
Appel said the Property Fairness Initiative is an effort to change how government behaves when it comes to regulations affecting private property.
The three key elements of the initiative are:
Government should understand the impact on property owners before adopting land-use regulations;
Government should explore voluntary measures before imposing new regulations;
Government should compensate property owners when regulations damage the use or value of private property.
"Earlier this week, we celebrated the nation’s 230th birthday, a revolution that was based largely on property rights and personal liberties." Appel said. "I think the only question our Founding Fathers would have about I-933 is why it has taken so long."
Click for more information about the Property Fairness Initiative and a list of the organizations supporting I-933.
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June 23, 2006
Friends of Farms & Forests endorses I-933
OLYMPIA – Washington Friends of Farms & Forests has joined a growing list of organizations to endorse I-933, the Property Fairness Initiative sponsored by the Washington Farm Bureau.
Board member Robin Parry, Othello, said the initiative is needed to make sure all property owners are treated fairly," while past President Bruce Alber, Vancouver added the initiative is "important to balance the rights of property owners while maintaining environmental protections."
I-933 would require government to consider the effects laws and regulations have on private property.
The three key elements of I-933 are:
Government should understand the impact on property owners before adopting land-use regulations;
Government should explore voluntary measures before imposing new regulations;
Government should compensate property owners when regulations damage the use or value of private property.
The initiative is sponsored by the Washington Farm Bureau, the largest trade association in Washington with more than 34,000 member families. It represents the social and economic interests of family farmers and ranchers across the state.
Washington Friends of Farms & Forests is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the science and technology necessary to produce safe, abundant, economical food and fiber for our growing world.
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June 23, 2006
Farm Bureau to city officials: Consider costs, respect constitutional rights
SPOKANE – A Washington Farm Bureau official warned a gathering of city officials today that "the days of ignoring the cost of your actions are about to come to an end."
Speaking about the Property Fairness Initiative, Washington Farm Bureau’s Dan Wood told mayors and city council members at a meeting of the Association of Washington Cities in Spokane that Initiative 933 will require them to "tell the voters why new regulations are needed, consider the cost of your actions in advance, and consider working with property owners through voluntary alternatives."
"These are basic, commonsense actions that people expect from their public officials," said Wood, director of government relations for the state’s largest agricultural organization.
"You need to understand that you harm the economy, harm property values and violate civil rights in private property when you over-regulate," said Wood. "The people are no longer willing to let that continue."
Initiative 933 will require state and local agencies to state the reason new property regulations are necessary, identify how much the regulations would damage use and value of private property, and consider cooperative, voluntary alternatives.
Opponents, including the Association of Washington Cities, claim these requirements would be too costly to implement.
Not so, said Wood. "These are things you should be doing already. Are you prepared to look your voters in the eye and say ‘I don’t want to know the cost of my decisions; I don’t want to tell you why we’re passing new laws; I don’t want to consider working cooperatively through voluntary programs’?"
The initiative would also require state and local agencies to compensate property owners when regulations damage use or value of private property.
Wood cited several examples of regulations that cause damage to use or value of private property. Among them are:
Jefferson County is considering a proposal for a 450 foot buffer.
Thurston County proposes to "downzone" rural property owners, taking away property value that could affect retirement investments. In addition, county planners proposed a buffer of up to 250 feet, requiring development permits for farming or moving soil, and requiring property owners to post bonds for squirrel habitat fencing.
Lewis County has been ordered by a state board to designate as "Agricultural Lands of Long Term Commercial Significance" lands that have never been farmed. This threatens the value of farmland, making it more difficult to maintain viability of working family farms.
King County requires rural property owners to leave 65 percent of their parcels in "native vegetation."
Stevens County has been ordered by a state board to regulate property owners on behalf of two bird species that are neither threatened nor endangered.
Ferry County has been ordered by a state board to regulate to protect habitat for caribou, which have never been sighted in Ferry County. In a dissenting opinion, after the state Supreme Court upheld the state board action, Justice Jim Johnson sarcastically pointed out that Bigfoot has been seen more times in Ferry County than Caribou.
In Clark County, officials are discussing buffers and habitat for banana slugs.
In Bellevue, property owners can be fined up to $12,000 for cutting down a tree without advance city permission.
In Kirkland, a man was fined $8,000 for cutting down trees on his own property after they were damaged in a windstorm.
The state Department of Community, Trade & Economic Development recommends riparian buffers ranging from 200 feet to entire floodplains. This would put a lot of farms out of business.
"If we want viable family farms in this state," Wood said, "we have to stop telling farmers they can’t farm large portions of their land. We have to stop damaging use and value of farmland."
But city dwellers are also protected by I-933, Wood added. "Everyone has equal protection of their property rights under the Property Fairness Initiative," he said.
Besides protecting the use and value of farmland and farming infrastructure, the initiative also protects property owners from regulations that interfere with their ability to manage trees and vegetation or their ability to protect their property from flood, fire and erosion.
"The city of Bellevue can fine you up to $12,000 if you cut down a tree on your property without advance permission from the city. Kirkland fined a man $8000 for cutting down wind-damaged trees on his property. Things have gotten way out of hand with these regulations," declared Wood.
So what is a responsible city official to do after the passage of the initiative?
"Do justice and serve humbly," said Wood.
"Good government counts the cost of its actions in advance. Good government also respects the civil rights of its citizens," said the Farm Bureau representative. "Remember that the U.S. Supreme Court said that our civil right in our property is no less of a right than our civil right to assembly, speech, or religion."
Wood also told city officials that they can do more good through cooperation than through the misuse of the power of government.
"Use the carrot instead of the stick," he told them. "We’ll see more environmental benefits from cooperative voluntary programs than we will from government violating property rights and damaging property values. If you ask property owners to work with government for solutions, you will get more ideas and more actions than if you just go in and try to control everything through costly regulations.
"Most property owners will do good deeds and make generous efforts if they are politely asked," said Wood. "It may be a new concept for some of you, but if you will just talk to your constituents, show a little kindness and patience, and humbly ask, then you’ll get more done in the long run."
"We need to change the culture in government," he added. "Cooperation can work for everyone. Coercion and control mostly create bitter fights with poor results."
Washington Farm Bureau is working with a growing coalition of organizations to place Initiative 933 on the fall election ballot. Supporters must submit nearly 225,000 valid voter signatures by July 7.
Wood says the coalition is nearing its goal of 300,000 signatures.
Americans for Limited Government, National Federation of Independent Business, Citizens’ Alliance for Property Rights, and numerous other state and regional organizations have endorsed Initiative 933.
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June 20, 2006
College Republicans endorse Property Fairness Initiative
OLYMPIA – The Washington College Republican Federation, with more than 5,000 members on 22 campuses across the state, has joined a growing list of groups to endorsed I-933, the Washington Farm Bureau’s Property Fairness Initiative.
"Property owners deserve to be fairly compensated when the government takes away or damages their land," explained WRCF Chairman Brent Ludema, WCRF chairman. "The Property Fairness Initiative is a step in the right direction."
The three key elements of I-933 are:
The initiative is sponsored by the Washington Farm Bureau, the largest trade association in Washington with more than 34,000 member families. It represents the social and economic interests of family farmers and ranchers across the state.
For more information about the Property Fairness Initiative, and a list of other organizations supporting I-933, go to www.propertyfairness.com.
For more information about the Washington College Republican Federation, go to www.wcrf.us.
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June 19, 2006
Contract Loggers endorse Property Fairness Initiative
OLYMPIA – The Washington Contract Loggers Association has joined a growing list of groups that have endorsed I-933, the Washington Farm Bureau’s Property Fairness Initiative.
"We are strong believers of private land ownership and stewardship with minimal government regulation," said Bill Pickell, president and CEO of the Washington Contract Loggers Association.
"Where unreasonable regulation diminishes property rights or values, or the misuse of eminent domain is evident in the taking of one’s property, the offending party must fairly compensate the landowner for those losses," he added. "This is an American right, and the WCLA supports the Property Fairness Initiative, I-933 to ensure this is achieved."
The WCLA represents more than 1,200 independent logging companies. The association works to improve the regulatory and business climate in the state, while promoting the forest industry and its products.
Washington Farm Bureau is currently gathering signatures to place its Property Fairness Initiative on the ballot in November. Farm Bureau must submit 225,000 voter signatures to the Secretary of State’s office by July 7.
The three key elements of the initiative are:
For more information about the Property Fairness Initiative, and a list of the organizations supporting I-933, go to www.propertyfairness.com.
Washington Farm Bureau is the largest trade association in Washington, with more than 34,000 member families. It represents the social and economic interests of family farmers and ranchers. For more information about Farm Bureau, go to www.wsfb.com.
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June 5, 2006
Congressional candidate endorses Property Fairness Initiative
TOLEDO, WA – Congressional candidate Michael Messmore has joined a growing list of community leaders who have endorsed I-933, the Washington Farm Bureau’s Property Fairness Initiative.
Messmore, a retired airlines pilot who is running for the 3rd congressional district seat now held by Rep. Brian Baird, recently signed a Property Fairness Pledge that supports the three key elements of the initiative:
The pledge also acknowledges that the state Legislature has failed to address the growing concerns of property owners for more than a decade and, "I believe a citizen’s initiative is necessary to restore balance and fairness, and to protect the rights of individual property owners."
The initiative is sponsored by the Washington Farm Bureau, a nonprofit advocacy organization representing family farmers and ranchers with more than 34,000 member families statewide.
For more information about the Property Fairness Initiative, and a list of those who have signed the Property Fairness Pledge, go to www.propertyfairness.com.
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June 5, 2006
Lewis County commission candidate endorses Property Fairness Initiative
CENTRALIA – Ron Averill, a candidate for the Lewis County Commission from District 1, has joined a growing list of community leaders who have endorsed I-933, the Washington Farm Bureau’s Property Fairness Initiative.
Averill recently signed a Property Fairness Pledge that supports the three key elements of the initiative:
The pledge also acknowledges that the state Legislature has failed to address the growing concerns of property owners for more than a decade and, "I believe a citizen’s initiative is necessary to restore balance and fairness, and to protect the rights of individual property owners."
The initiative is sponsored by the Washington Farm Bureau, a nonprofit advocacy organization representing family farmers and ranchers with more than 34,000 member families statewide.
For more information about the Property Fairness Initiative, and a list of those who have signed the Property Fairness Pledge, go to www.propertyfairness.com.
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June 5, 2006
North Olympic farmers, ranchers form new county Farm Bureau
GARDINER – Organizers of a new North Olympic Counties Farm Bureau, representing farm and ranch families in Jefferson and Clallam counties, are hosting an organizational meeting for Farm Bureau members and other interested residents on Wednesday, June 28, in Gardiner.
The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Gardiner Community Center, 980 Old Gardiner Road.
The formation of the North Olympic Counties Farm Bureau marks the 25th county Farm Bureau in Washington. Former dairyman Roger Short of Chimacum will serve as president of the new county Farm Bureau.
Each county Farm Bureau is affiliated with the Washington Farm Bureau, a grassroots advocacy organization representing the social and economic interests of Washington farmers and ranchers at the local, state, and national level.
Robyn Meenach, WFB vice president for legislation, will attend the organizational meeting on behalf of the Washington Farm Bureau.
With more than 34,000 member families, Washington Farm Bureau is the largest general farm organization in Washington.
For more information, go to www.wsfb.com.
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June 2, 2006
U.S. Rep. McMorris endorses Property Fairness Initiative, I-933
OLYMPIA – U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris has joined a growing list of community leaders who have endorsed I-933, the Washington Farm Bureau’s Property Fairness Initiative.
The 5th District congresswoman recently signed a Property Fairness Pledge that supports the three key elements of the initiative:
Government should understand the impact on property owners before adopting land-use regulations;
Government should explore voluntary measures before imposing new regulations;
Government should compensate property owners when regulations harm the use or value of private property.
The pledge also acknowledges that the state Legislature has not addressed the growing concerns of property owners for more than a decade and, "I believe a citizen’s initiative is necessary to restore balance and fairness, and to protect the rights of individual property owners."
The initiative is sponsored by the Washington Farm Bureau, a nonprofit advocacy organization representing family farmers and ranchers with more than 34,000 member families statewide.
For more information about the Property Fairness Initiative, and a list of those who have signed the Property Fairness Pledge, go to www.propertyfairness.com.
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June 2, 2006
Rep. Shabro endorses Property Fairness Initiative, I-933
LAKE TAPPS – State Rep. Jan Shabro has joined a growing list of community leaders who have endorsed I-933, the Washington Farm Bureau’s Property Fairness Initiative.
The second-term legislator, who represents south King and northeast Pierce counties, recently signed a Property Fairness Pledge that supports the three key elements of the initiative:
Government should understand the impact on property owners before adopting land-use regulations;
Government should explore voluntary measures before imposing new regulations;
Government should compensate property owners when regulations harm the use or value of private property.
The pledge also acknowledges that the state Legislature has failed to address the growing concerns of property owners for more than a decade and, "I believe a citizen’s initiative is necessary to restore balance and fairness, and to protect the rights of individual property owners."
The initiative is sponsored by the Washington Farm Bureau, a nonprofit advocacy organization representing family farmers and ranchers with more than 34,000 member families statewide.
For more information about the Property Fairness Initiative, and a list of those who have signed the Property Fairness Pledge, go to www.propertyfairness.com.
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June 1, 2006
Rep. Sump endorses Property Fairness Initiative, I-933
REPUBLIC – State Rep. Bob Sump has joined a growing list of community leaders who have endorsed I-933, the Washington Farm Bureau’s Property Fairness Initiative.
The five-term legislator, who represents Ferry, Stevens, Lincoln, and Pend Oreille counties, recently signed a Property Fairness Pledge that supports the three key elements of the initiative:
Government should understand the impact on property owners before adopting land-use regulations;
Government should explore voluntary measures before imposing new regulations;
Government should compensate property owners when regulations harm the use or value of private property.
The pledge also acknowledges that the state Legislature has failed to address the growing concerns of property owners for more than a decade and, "I believe a citizen’s initiative is necessary to restore balance and fairness, and to protect the rights of individual property owners."
The initiative is sponsored by the Washington Farm Bureau, a nonprofit advocacy organization representing family farmers and ranchers with more than 34,000 member families statewide.
For more information about the Property Fairness Initiative, and a list of those who have signed the Property Fairness Pledge, go to www.propertyfairness.com.
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June 2, 2006
Island County farmers, ranchers form new county Farm Bureau
OAK HARBOR – Farmers and ranchers in Island County have formed a county Farm Bureau and signed a membership agreement with the Washington Farm Bureau Federation, the largest statewide general farm organization with more than 34,000 member families.
Don Dubois, of Oak Harbor, will serve as president of the new Island County Farm Bureau until formal elections are held in November. Seven other growers who attended an organizational meeting earlier this year will serve as board members.
"By forming their own county Farm Bureau, a grassroots organization to represent their local interests, Island County farmers and ranchers are taking more control of their lives and the future of agriculture in Island," said Washington Farm Bureau President Steve Appel.
Dubois said Island County growers decided they needed a local organization because of new regulations affecting agriculture, including the county’s critical areas ordinance.
"With a local organization, coupled with the resources of the Washington Farm Bureau, we can be far more effective in protecting our rights and keeping agriculture viable," said Dubois, who went into farming after a career in the Navy.
There are already nearly 150 Farm Bureau families living in Island County. Their memberships had been through the Skagit County Farm Bureau.
Washington Farm Bureau, now with 24 county Farm Bureaus across the state, has been representing the interests of family farmers and ranchers since 1920.
Island County Farm Bureau plans to meet the fourth Wednesday of every month. For more information, or to join the Washington Farm Bureau, contact Gary Joiner, director of member relations, at (800) 331-3276.
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June 1, 2006
Farm Bureau PAC endorses challengers for state Supreme Court
OLYMPIA –The Washington State Farm Bureau Political Action Committee has endorsed two challengers in this year’s elections for the Washington Supreme Court.
The PAC endorsed Seattle attorney John Groen in his bid to unseat Chief Justice Gerry Alexander, and state Sen. Stephen Johnson, R-Kent, who is running against Justice Susan Owens.
Supreme Court races are nonpartisan.
In an early round of endorsements, the PAC also voted to endorse five candidates in local races, including Ken Sletten for Okanogan Public Utility District commissioner, Kevin O’Sullivan for the Thurston County Commission, Jim Powers for Thurston County Superior Court judge, Frank Rogers for Okanogan County sheriff, and Mary Lou Peterson for the Okanogan County Commission.
PAC endorsements are based on the recommendations of county Farm Bureau candidate evaluation committees. The PAC will release additional primary endorsements later this month.
Groen, who graduated magna cum laude from the McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific in Sacramento, is a principle in the Seattle law firm of Groen Stephens & Klinge.
PAC Chairman Bob Stuhlmiller said Groen has demonstrated the qualities to be an excellent justice of the Washington State Supreme Court. "He will be fair and open-minded," Stuhlmiller said. "His years of experience as a litigator have shown that Mr. Groen is a strong defender of constitutional rights."
Johnson, a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law, was elected to the state Senate in 1994.
"As a seasoned legislator and leader of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Mr. Johnson has demonstrated an understanding of many of the important issues of concern to farmers and ranchers, and we believe he will be committed to justice and judicial restraint as a jurist," Stuhlmiller said.
Justices serve six-year terms, and three of the nine Supreme Court seats are up for election this year. The PAC has not yet taken a position on the third race, where Justice Tom Chambers is currently unopposed.
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May 3, 2006
Farm Bureau asks Gregoire to investigate raid on crab processor
Olympia -- Washington Farm Bureau today asked Gov. Christine Gregoire to investigate the circumstances surrounding a multi-agency raid on a small crab-processing plant in Chinook, Wash., in which several employees were detained by federal immigration officials.
According to information provided to Farm Bureau, more than a dozen state and federal agents stormed the Bell Buoy Crab Co. on April 26, forcing about 50 employees to leave the offices and processing facility. The employees were then brought back in one at a time over several hours for questioning.
Sixteen workers were reportedly detained for not having valid work visas. They were released the following day and their cases will be handled in administrative hearings.
Farm Bureau, however, questioned whether the overwhelming show of force was necessary and whether the raid was handled appropriately. Although the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement office confirmed its involvement in the raid, agents told Farm Bureau they were not the lead agency. ICE declined to identify which agency was in charge of the operation.
Two state agencies, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and the state Department of Labor and Industries, were also involved in the raid, as was NOAA Fisheries, another federal agency. The U.S. Coast Guard may also have played a role.
Farm Bureau said it wanted to meet with the governor to determine if state agencies are using the immigration issue to involve federal agencies in state enforcement activities, or whether state agencies are being used in federal raids that have little or nothing to do with their core missions.
In a letter to Gregoire, Farm Bureau noted the raid on Bell Buoy Crab, a Farm Bureau member, has had a devastating effect on the small community.
Bell Buoy is the community’s largest employer, providing about 60 jobs, and buys seafood from about 40 local fishermen. Production is down about 50 percent since the raid.
Farm Bureau said other seafood operations in the area have also expressed concern about state and federal raids or possible retaliation if they get involved.
Washington Farm Bureau represents family farmers and ranchers, including aquaculture, and is the largest general agriculture organization in the state with more than 35,000 member families.
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March 14, 2006
Farm Bureau, L&I settle inspections lawsuit
Olympia -- Washington Farm Bureau and the Department of Labor and Industries today announced the settlement of a 3-year-old federal civil rights lawsuit involving the manner in which inspections of privately owned farms and other businesses are conducted under the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act.
Farm Bureau filed suit in 2003, alleging that the existing law, which authorized entry without permission or a warrant, was unconstitutional. Farm Bureau also claimed that without changes to the law inspectors for L&I lacked the legal right to obtain search warrants if permission to enter private property was denied.
While L&I did not agree with Farm Bureau's legal arguments, both parties agreed to work cooperatively to develop and support legislation that could settle the lawsuit.
Under terms of the settlement, Farm Bureau agreed to dismiss its case after the Legislature approved legislation that requires inspectors to ask permission from the property owner, manager, operator or the onsite person in charge prior to conducting an inspection. The new law, signed today by Gov. Christine Gregoire, also allows inspectors to obtain a warrant if permission is denied.
The department will also pay $215,000 to Farm Bureau as a partial reimbursement of its legal expenses.
"This is the first right of entry law which explicitly states that an agency will seek permission prior to entering private property," said Farm Bureau President Steve Appel. "It should become the model for the procedures of all other agencies."
"By removing any doubts as to the constitutionality of the department’s right to enter and inspect workplaces and providing clear authority to obtain a warrant, we have assured the continuation of a robust workplace safety program, said L&I Director Gary Weeks.
Farm Bureau agreed. "We’re pleased that we were able to work out an agreement with L&I that protects our members’ rights under the Constitution and allows the agency to carry out safety inspections," Appel said. "It’s a good outcome for all sides."
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February 8, 2006
Washington Farm Bureau files Property Fairness Initiative
OLYMPIA--Washington Farm Bureau filed final language with the Secretary of State’s Office today for a Property Fairness Initiative that would require state and local government to compensate landowners when regulations "damage the use or value" of private property.
Washington Farm Bureau President Steve Appel, a Whitman County wheat grower, presented a copy of the initiative to Secretary of State Sam Reed, who spoke this morning during the organization’s annual Legislative Days in Olympia.
Washington Farm Bureau is a 35,000-member general farm organization representing family farmers and ranchers.
Appel said requiring government to compensate landowners when rules and regulations unduly restrict use of private property should encourage lawmakers and regulatory agencies to act with restraint.
"We understand there are times when government must regulate land use," Appel said. "But government should exercise that power prudently."
Appel pointed out that the Washington Constitution already states, "No private property shall be taken or damaged for public or private use without just compensation having been first made."
"Our state constitution requires that property owners be treated fairly," Appel said. "Our Property Fairness Initiative would require that state and local governments follow the constitution."
The initiative would also require that state and local government identify any "actual harm or public nuisance" that proposed regulations are designed to stop or prevent, identify how those regulations would affect property owners, and to first explore "voluntary programs with willing property owners" to address the problems.
"Our Property Fairness initiative would require government to identify a problem before it proposes a solution, and to understand the impact that its actions would have on property owners," Appel said. "Who can argue with that?"
Washington Farm Bureau filed the framework for its initiative on Jan. 24. The board of directors, representing 23 county and multi-county Farm Bureaus across the state, approved the final language this week.
"We are a grassroots organization and our members have been very involved in helping us craft an initiative that addresses real problems with the way government damages property values through unfair and excessive regulations," Appel said. "We believe we have an initiative that even non-property owners will see is reasonable and fair."
Farm Bureau will need to gather about 235,000 signatures by July 7 to place the Property Fairness Initiative on the ballot in November.
Read the Property Fairness Initiative
Contribute to the initiative campaign.
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January 24, 2006
Washington Farm Bureau files property-rights initiative
OLYMPIA--Washington Farm Bureau today filed an initiative with the Secretary of State’s Office that would require state and local agencies to clearly identify how new regulations would affect property owners and their impact on land use and property values.
Dan Wood, director of Government Relations, said today’s filing provides the framework for a more detailed initiative that will be filed after the Washington Farm Bureau board of directors meets early next month.
"This gets the initiative process started and will allow us to begin collecting signatures sooner," Wood said.
Farm Bureau will need to gather about 235,000 signatures by July 7 to place the Property Fairness Initiative on the ballot in November.
The filing today states the intent of the initiative: "to protect use and value of property from excessive regulations by state and local government," and sets forth the requirement that state and local agencies consider the impact of proposed regulations on land use and property values before taking action.
Washington Farm Bureau, a nonprofit advocacy organization for family farmers and ranchers, will amend today’s filing after the board meeting.
"We are a grassroots organization and our members have been very involved in helping draft our initiative," Wood said. "Our board of directors, with representatives from 23 county and multi-county Farm Bureaus across the state, will approve the final initiative."
Wood said broad government regulations have made it increasingly difficult for farmers and ranchers, and other property owners in Washington, to use and enjoy their land in reasonable ways.
Under the framework filed today, agencies would be required to state the purpose of any land-use regulations and identify any "actual harm or public nuisance" that the regulations are designed to stop or prevent.
The agencies would also be required to determine "damage to the use and value of the affected parcels," and encouraged to accomplish the goals of proposed regulations through "voluntary programs with willing property owners."
"The bottom line is that government agencies need to respect individual property rights," Wood said. "Our initiative will go a long way toward ensuring that property owners can continue to use their land in reasonable and productive ways, without excessive, burdensome and unnecessary government regulations."
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