Cleaner air, fewer fish revealed in King County's 2005 Environmental Benchmark Report

July 5, 2005

Cleaner air, fewer fish revealed in King County's 2005 Environmental Benchmark Report

The air in King County is cleaner, people are recycling more, and small lakes are in good condition. However, according to King County's annual Environment Benchmark Report, progress in some areas cannot overcome the environmental decline resulting from development and increased population.

King County Executive Ron Sims today released the County's 2005 Environment Benchmark Report, a comprehensive look at environmental trends in King County over the past decade. The report uses 11 indicators to discuss how well King County is maintaining and improving environmental quality as it continues to grow. Tracking its progress toward environmental goals is a major reason the county was recently named one of the nation's 19 most nature friendly communities.

"People are recycling more, using less energy and using less water, but our progress cannot counteract the stresses development and increased population are putting on our environment," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "This shows us we have to redouble our efforts as individuals, as members of this community and of the region to promote a healthy environment."

"King County is one of the few counties in the nation to track its progress on managing growth," said Chris Duerksen, author of the recent book Nature-Friendly Communities. "King County is a leader in an already progressive region. This is good news for the diverse species that call King County home - including the Chinook salmon and bull trout that were listed as threatened species in 1999. The county has been taking a lead role for years in addressing regional environmental needs."

New to this issue is trend data on greenhouse gas emissions, a 2002 map of land cover in King County and two maps showing land in King County prioritized for conservation. The report also contains a map of change in impervious surface and forest cover from 1994 - 2001 that appeared in last year's report.

The report contains updated data on air quality indicators, energy consumption, and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in King County. A new graph showing the relationship of per capita VMT to the real cost of gas is included. Data on streams, lakes, and groundwater quality have been updated, and there is expanded information on marine water quality. Improved data on both residential and commercial recycling is included.

Among the highlights of this year's report:

The county's air quality has improved slightly. As measured by the Air Quality Index, King County's air quality has improved slightly, moving from 241 good air quality days in 2000 to 257 good air days in 2004, and experiencing 6 or fewer days per year that were rated as "unhealthy for sensitive groups".
Greenhouse gas emissions have increased. New data on greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) shows an increase of 7 percent in GHGs from 1999 - 2003. Most of the increase, however, was caused by local energy generation and other stationary combustion.
Greenhouse gas emissions by cars and trucks have decreased. The GHG emissions by mobile sources (cars and trucks) decreased by 5 percent from 1999 - 2003.
People are using less energy, possibly due to energy efficient buildings, appliances and other measures. Per capita consumption of residential and commercial energy (electricity and natural gas) has declined by nearly 7 percent since 1996.
Gasoline use is declining, but diesel use continues to increase. Per capita gasoline consumption peaked in 2002, and has declined in the past two years. Diesel consumption continues to grow because of high levels of commercial traffic.
King County's major lakes are in moderately good condition, and the small lakes have shown improvement over the past decade. However, streams and habitat in the urban areas are generally in poor condition.
Citizens of King County continue to reduce their water consumption, and to improve the rate of residential recycling.
Chinook and Coho salmon are returning to Lake Washington and the Cedar River Watershed, but remain at a small fraction of historic levels.
The number of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in King County has continued to rise with population growth and increased commercial activity. However, the rate of increase has slowed dramatically since the 1980s. Per person we drive about the same amount as in 1995, but nearly 44% more miles than we drove in 1985.

The Benchmark Program began in 1994 to provide information King County and local jurisdictions can use for setting environmental goals and evaluating the effectiveness of environmental policies. King County uses the Benchmark Reports to gauge the effectiveness of growth management planning policies. The Benchmark System provides early warning if the policies are not having their desired effects so programs can be adjusted.

The Benchmark reports were responsible for King County being named one of the nation's 19 most environmentally friendly communities in the recently released book, Nature-Friendly Communities. The book, published by Island Press, highlights 19 communities that have done the most to safeguard natural landscapes and protect wildlife in the United States.

The Benchmark report is available, at www.metrokc.gov/budget/benchmrk/bench04. Additional print copies of the report or a CD copy are available by contacting Rose Curran of the King County Office of Budget, at 206-205-0715, or via e-mail, at rose.curran@metrokc.gov.