# RCW 43.21C.020: RCW 43.21C.020: Legislative recognitions—Declaration—Responsibility > Washington · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C21C_S020 ## Section - **Citation:** RCW 43.21C.020 - **Heading:** RCW 43.21C.020: Legislative recognitions—Declaration—Responsibility - **Jurisdiction:** Washington - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Washington Code / Title 43 / Chapter 21C / Section 020 ## Text (1) The legislature, recognizing that a human being depends on biological and physical surroundings for food, shelter, and other needs, and for cultural enrichment as well; and recognizing further the profound impact of a human being's activity on the interrelations of all components of the natural environment, particularly the profound influences of population growth, high-density urbanization, industrial expansion, resource utilization and exploitation, and new and expanding technological advances and recognizing further the critical importance of restoring and maintaining environmental quality to the overall welfare and development of human beings, declares that it is the continuing policy of the state of Washington, in cooperation with federal and local governments, and other concerned public and private organizations, to use all practicable means and measures, including financial and technical assistance, in a manner calculated to: (a) Foster and promote the general welfare; (b) create and maintain conditions under which human beings and nature can exist in productive harmony; and (c) fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations of Washington citizens. (2) In order to carry out the policy set forth in this chapter, it is the continuing responsibility of the state of Washington and all agencies of the state to use all practicable means, consistent with other essential considerations of state policy, to improve and coordinate plans, functions, programs, and resources to the end that the state and its citizens may: (a) Fulfill the responsibilities of each generation as trustee of the environment for succeeding generations; (b) Assure for all people of Washington safe, healthful, productive, and aesthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings; (c) Attain the widest range of beneficial uses of the environment without degradation, risk to health or safety, or other undesirable and unintended consequences; (d) Preserve important historic, cultural, and natural aspects of our national heritage; (e) Maintain, wherever possible, an environment which supports diversity and variety of individual choice; (f) Achieve a balance between population and resource use which will permit high standards of living and a wide sharing of life's amenities; and (g) Enhance the quality of renewable resources and approach the maximum attainable recycling of depletable resources. (3) The legislature recognizes that each person has a fundamental and inalienable right to a healthful environment and that each person has a responsibility to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the environment. ## Nearby sections - [RCW 43.21C.010 RCW 43.21C.010: Purposes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C21C_S010.md) - [RCW 43.21C.020 RCW 43.21C.020: Legislative recognitions—Declaration—Responsibility.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C21C_S020.md) - [RCW 43.21C.030 RCW 43.21C.030: Guidelines for state agencies, local governments—Statements—Reports—Advice—Information.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C21C_S030.md) - [RCW 43.21C.031 RCW 43.21C.031: Significant impacts.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C21C_S031.md) - [RCW 43.21C.033 RCW 43.21C.033: Threshold determination to be made within ninety days after application is complete.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C21C_S033.md) - [RCW 43.21C.034 RCW 43.21C.034: Use of existing documents.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C21C_S034.md) - [RCW 43.21C.035 RCW 43.21C.035: Certain irrigation projects decisions exempt from RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c).](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C21C_S035.md) - [RCW 43.21C.036 RCW 43.21C.036: Hazardous substance remedial actions—Procedural requirements and documents to be integrated.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C21C_S036.md) - [RCW 43.21C.037 RCW 43.21C.037: Application of RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c) to forest practices.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C21C_S037.md) - [RCW 43.21C.038 RCW 43.21C.038: Application of RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c) to school closures.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C21C_S038.md) - [RCW 43.21C.039 RCW 43.21C.039: Metals mining and milling operations—Environmental impact statements required.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C21C_S039.md) - [RCW 43.21C.040 RCW 43.21C.040: Examination of laws, regulations, policies by state agencies and local authorities—Report of deficiencies and corrective measures.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C21C_S040.md) - [RCW 43.21C.050 RCW 43.21C.050: Specific statutory obligations not affected.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C21C_S050.md) - [RCW 43.21C.060 RCW 43.21C.060: Chapter supplementary—Conditioning or denial of governmental action.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C21C_S060.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C21C_S020. 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