That the region might face a water shortage at some point may come as a shock to anyone weathering a rainy Northwest winter. We have plenty of water. The issue is how to capture it, allocate it to competing interests and transport it to users. The debate pits environmentalists, fishing interests, recreational users, water purveyors and a raft of other interests. While the need for new water sources and new water storage capacities have been anticipated for many years, an aqua gridlock seems to prevent any reasonable alternatives from moving forward.
Results vary by jurisdiction.
King County stepped up to the line early and revised its entire zoning code. Additionally, the County introduced the concept of density ranges which set not just a maximum density as in the past, but a minimum density as well. By maintaining some minimum densities on the urban side of the line, the county does, in fact, take its share of growth. One feature of the GMA has created some potential for intercity problems. Each city is to accept a full range of housing, from expensive to affordable.