ENUMCLAW - A University of Washington research study says taxpayers could face a $7.8 billion bill if Initiative 933 is approved this November.
The initiative would require government to compensate property owners if government action occurring since 1996 stripped their land of some value.
The chief researcher, Glenn Pascall, says the initiative would allow government to pay or waive the restrictions. He said in many counties, required growth management acts and shoreline management provisions were adopted after 1996. He says the Legislature could eliminate those requirements but in an environment-minded state, that is unlikely.
The "nearly $8 billion impact" statement was described by Pascall as "conservative."
http://komotv.com/stories/45671.htm