The irony of this statement is sharp because the GMA was designed to protect our environmental resources by discouraging rural development and channeling it and population growth into urban areas. Now the Public Lands Commissioner wants to not only keep people out of rural Washington but also urban Washington. I find this kind of reaction lamentable and very short-sighted. Unfortunately, such ill-conceived solutions also create many more problems than they solve. Let's admit it.
Growth is inevitable.
It is also necessary to maintain a healthy economy. With a healthy economy, we have a better adjusted and satisfied public that is willing and able to provide resources for environmental protection and natural resources conservation. People need a place to live, and businesses need a place to operate. The key isn't how to keep them out, but how to accommodate them in the most appropriate manner that balances their economic, social and individual rights with society's interests in preserving the Chinook salmon and all other natural resources. I hope the Public Lands Commissioner and NMFS come to realize that putting the needs of the salmon above all other Puget Sound interests will not solve the problem.