The act was spawned during a decade when regional growth was being blamed for regional sprawl. The GMA promised to end sprawl as we know it and provide a framework for more orderly growth in the future.
Growth is again an issue in the region.
Among GMA's many features, two stand out. First, the act called for the establishment of Urban Growth Boundaries around urban areas. Essentially, a line would be drawn around areas designated for growth. The line would be placed in a manner that allowed sufficient room for growth so the line would not need to be moved anytime soon. Thus sprawl would be stemmed, according to the GMA proponents.