Growth management is working to put an end to sprawl in King County. State and County growth management policies and regulations are demonstrating success in containing much of the newest development within cities and the designated Urban Growth Area (UGA). From 1994 through 2001, more than 93 percent of our new housing has been built in the urban area (96 percent in 2000 and 2001, based on building permits issued by the cities and King County). Rural area construction declined from 15 percent in the late 1980s to 11 percent in the mid-1990s to under five percent since 1999. While growth management is working well overall in King County, unexpectedly strong growth rates in recent years have created demanding challenges. I introduced my SmartGrowth Initiative - Shaping Tomorrow - in June of 1998 to address these challenges and to encourage creative approaches to implementing our comprehensive plan to better manage the faster-paced growth. By continuing to address growth comprehensively, King County's SmartGrowth Initiative balances an improved transportation system, adequate affordable housing, and the promotion of livable communities with protection of King County's rich environmental resources and rural areas. The progress report of our SmartGrowth Initiative is one of tremendous successes and great strides in addressing the impacts of growth and controlling urban sprawl. I invite you to review and comment on our programs in this initiative. Citizen involvement remains a key ingredient in making it all work. Input from business owners, environmentalists, commuters, developers, and even our children will determine how King County grows into the next century. Ron Sims King County Executive