News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 22, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke Signs Legislation to Protect Military Installations

OLYMPIA – March 22, 2004 – Gov. Gary Locke today signed Senate Bill 6401 to protect military installations from development that interferes with the bases’ missions.

The legislation establishes as a state policy that counties and cities with a military installation within or next to their boundaries should not allow development that hinders the installation’s ability to carry out its mission.

The bill creates a method and timetable for jurisdictions to work with base commanders to identify areas of concern. These concerns can then be addressed in the update of local comprehensive plans and development regulations.

“This bill will strengthen our already great working relationship with the military,” Locke said. “It establishes a rigorous process for resolving and preventing any incompatible development next to military bases.”

This legislation is the result of an extensive effort by the Governor’s Office and the Joint Committee on Veterans’ and Military Affairs to identify and address the needs of the military installations in this state. Sen. Marilyn Rasmussen, D-Eatonville, took the lead in sponsoring this legislation, which had strong bipartisan support in the Legislature.

“Military bases are important to our state's economy, and each base in our state provides a unique function in maintaining our national and worldwide security,” Rasmussen said. “Our bases are good neighbors, and developing smart land-use requirements is one way state and
local governments can make bases more valuable to the military.”

Washington’s bases are essential to the state’s economic health. In 2001, the major military bases in Washington directly and indirectly supported a total of 197,000 jobs, or 4.7 percent of the state’s total employment. In addition, $6.9 billion in earnings was associated with the employment, representing 5.1 percent of the total labor earnings in the state.


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