Amendments to the August 8, 2008 Shoreline Management Program were approved by Whatcom County Council on March 17, 2009.
Click Here for the Resolution.
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March 2009 - County adopted the August 8, 2008 Shoreline Management Program by ordinance and amendments to this Program by resolution.
February 2009 - County Council held public hearing on a resolution to pass SMP Amendments to the Department of Ecology for State review. No vote was taken awaiting closure of SEPA comment period.
January 2009 - New amendments will be discussed at Council Natural Resource Committee in January.
In general these amendments provide relief from some of the administrative and financial burdens for single family home owner projects of little to no shoreline impact, while still affording significant overall protections through 100 -150 foot buffers and a building area of 2500 square feet on non-conforming lots. View a Summary.
Dec. 2008 - County Council will discuss potential changes to the SMP on December 9th at the Natural Resource Committee meeting. After that review, the Council will determine whether or not to introduce an ordinance for public hearing. That public hearing would not occur until January 2009. Click here for a matrix of potential amendments to the SMP (Aug. 2008).
Oct. 2008 - The 2008 Shoreline Management Program ordinance is on the agenda for the Oct. 21 County council meeting, including a resolution to reconvene the SMP Citizens Advisory Committee in order to amend specific provisions of the SMP.The resolution to revisit certain SMP provisions may be limited to certain Ecology changes and recent public comment, regarding:
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2500 sqft of buildable area on non-conforming lots Clarifing language about homes destroyed by fire or otherwise Cherry Point industrial uses Public Access for public entities
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Definitions of Bedlands, Navigable Waters, and Development
September 9, 2008 - Whatcom County Council will hold a public hearing on two ordinances. One hearing to adopt the Shoreline Management Program with Ecology changes, and a second to adopt the local administrative procedures separate from the Shoreline Management Program.
What Changes did the Department of Ecology require?
These are the most significant changes:
New allowance for non-conforming structures with conforming uses within commercial or mixed-use developments to be expanded or enlarged within the existing building footprint as a conditional use. (23.50.07(E))
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Expansion of a non-conforming residential structure cannot extend waterward of the existing foundation walls without a variance. (23.50.07(I)(2))
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New non-conforming structures are limited to "not more than" 2500 sqft without a variance, rather than "at least" 2500 sqft.
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Shoreline development by public entities shall include public access measures as part of each development project. (23.90.08(B))
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Specified thresholds for floats without a variance, to not exceed 8’ in width and 40’ in length within marine areas and not to exceed 6’ in width and 20’ in length in freshwater.
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Change in permitting requirements for different uses:
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Essential public facilities are prohibited in the Natural Designation and are not allowed in a buffer without a variance.
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Non-water oriented commercial uses require a conditional use permit.
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Bulkheads require a conditional use permit.
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Residential development in a Natural Designation requires a conditional use permit.
- In the Cherry Point Management Area the preference for long term economics benefits are no longer able to be weighted over the potential adverse impacts. (23.100.17.A.2)
(click here for the full list of Ecology Required and Recommended changes)
Shoreline Update Process
General Process
- Coordinate with partner jurisdictions, agencies, and districts to integrate parallel projects and planning processes
- Provide opportunities for public involvement, such as: open houses, workshops, stakeholder meetings, Citizen Advisory Committee meetings, work sessions, public hearings, and so on.
- Inventory and characterize the shoreline landscape by maximizing use of available information and resources
- Integrate shoreline policies and regulations with parallel planning efforts and development regulations
- Identify and document ecological functions and values of shorelines
- Coordinate shoreline restoration planning with current restoration programs and efforts
- Evaluate and update existing shoreline designations
- Evaluate and update policies and development standards
- Conduct a cumulative impact analysis of potential affects to shoreline ecological functions based on future growth projections and predicted development demands
- Submit for adoption by County Council and approval by the Department of Ecology
Inventory of Shoreline Conditions
The shoreline inventory component of a SMP update requires the collection, mapping and summary of existing shoreline conditions including:
- Adjacent land use and infrastructure (including impervious surfaces)
- Shoreline vegetation and modifications (armoring, piers and docks, etc.)
- Critical areas
- Areas of special interest
- Existing and potential public access sites
- Channel migration zones
- Archaeological, historical, or cultural resources
- Degraded sites with potential for ecological restoration
Characterization of Shoreline Ecological Functions
- Identify ecosystem-wide processes and develop a coarse scale description of the primary driving “processes” that influence shoreline bio-physical conditions
- Determine the relationship of ecosystem-wide processes to ecological functions and develop a more detailed reach-scale or drift cell-specific analysis of ecological “functions” within shoreline jurisdiction
- Identify and describe in a map portfolio
Shoreline Environment Designations - Utilize findings of the shoreline inventory and characterization to evaluate existing shoreline designations. Determine areas with similar ecological conditions or uses and apply appropriate SEDs and regulations in accordance with designation criteria.
Integration Strategy
- Parallel Planning Efforts (WRIA WMP, Salmon Recovery, MRC, Parks and Open Space, etc.)
- Regulation (CAO, Zoning, Development Standards, Flood Management, etc.)
- Best Available Science
- Participants (WRIA Caucus)
Shoreline Regulations – Review, evaluate and recommend updates and amendments to the regulations based on:
- The provisions of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC)
- Inventory and characterization
- Integration strategy
- Scientific information
- Restoration plan
- Potential cumulative impacts
Cumulative Impact Analysis
- Growth projections
- Undeveloped land
- Predicted development
- Potential effects on shoreline ecological function
Timeline of Events
September 9, 2008
 Whatcom County Council will hold a public hearing on two ordinances. One to adopt the adopt the Shoreline Management Program with Ecology changes, and a second to adopt the local administrative procedures separate from the Shoreline Management Program.
August 5, 2008
Whatcom County Council passed a resolution that approved the State Department of Ecology's changes to the Feb. 27, 2007 adopted Whatcom County SMP amendment. This made the Whatcom County SMP amendment, with Ecology's changes, in effect as of August 8, 2008. Copies of the Amended SMP can be downloaded on the Code and Maps Download page.
A copy of the resolution and Ecology's changes can be found here:
County Council Resolution 2008-056 approving Department of Ecology's approval, with required and recommended changes, of the Whatcom County Shoreline Master Program
March 7, 2007
The Whatcom County Council adopted the updated Whatcom County Shoreline Management Program (SMP), Official Shoreline Map, and associated Whatcom County Code amendments on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 following a public hearing on the County Council Natural Resource Committee recommended Draft SMP.
What is the next step in the Whatcom County Shoreline Management Program update process?
Whatcom County Planning & Development Services (PDS) and the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) share joint authority and responsibility of the Whatcom County SMP. Whatcom County PDS is the primary agency responsible for implementation of the Whatcom County Shoreline Management Program. The Washington State Department of Ecology is responsible for supervising the administration of the code, ensuring proper implementation, and assuring consistency with the SMA. Because the Whatcom County and Ecology share joint responsibility, the County Council adopted SMP must be forwarded to Ecology for final approval. The updated SMP will become effective once Ecology issues approval.
When will the County begin administering the new Shoreline Management Program?
The current SMP (1998 version) will remain in effect until the updated SMP is approved by the Washington State Department of Ecology.
When will copies of the new SMP be available?
A copy of the February 27, 2007 County Council adopted SMP is posted to the Deliverables page.
February 27, 2007
The Whatcom County Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the Draft Whatcom County Shoreline Management Program (SMP) on Tuesday, February 27, 2007. The Council meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the County Council chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, WA.
February 13, 2007
The Whatcom County Council - Natural Resources Committee recommended Draft SMP, Official Shoreline Map, and associated documents were introduced to the full County Council on the evening of Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
A copy of the revised Draft SMP and additional materials that will be reviewed by the County Council can be obtained in several ways:
- Download PDF files from the Deliverables page
- Pick up a paper copy at the Permit Center, 5280 Northwest Drive, Bellingham (first copy free-additional copies $.15 per page)
- Pick up a CD with PDF files at the Permit Center, 5280 Northwest Drive, Bellingham (free-one copy per customer)
To follow the Council agenda, you can also visit the County Council website.
January 9, 2006
The County Council - Natural Resources Committee has begun reviewing the October 26th Planning Commission Recommended Draft SMP. The next Natural Resources Committee work session is scheduled on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. in the County Council Chambers.
November 21, 2006
On October 26, 2006, the Whatcom County Planning Commission recommended approval of a revised Draft Shoreline Management Program. The Planning Commission Recommended Draft SMP was forwarded to the County Council for further review and consideration, and introduced on November 21, 2006.
On October 26, 2006
The Whatcom County Planning Commission completed their review and final recommended amendments to the Draft Whatcom County Shoreline Management Program (SMP). The next step in the SMP update process involves reviewing the revised draft SMP with the Whatcom County Council.
October 13, 2006
The public comment period regarding the 2006 DRAFT Shoreline Management Program for the Whatcom County Planning Commission is officially closed as of 5:00 p.m. October 12, 2006.
September 29, 2006
The Whatcom County Planning Commission will keep the public record open for written comments regarding the 2006 DRAFT Shoreline Management Program until the end of the work day Thursday, October 12th. Comments can be submitted in the following ways:
- Send written comments to Whatcom County Planning and Development Services, c/o Cathy Craver, 5280 Northwest Drive, Bellingham, WA 98226-9097
- Email Cathy Craver at CCraver@co.whatcom.wa.us
September 25, 2006
The Whatcom County Planning Commission will begin reviewing the revised Draft Whatcom County Shoreline Management Program (SMP) on Thursday, September 28, 2006. An informational work session is scheduled at 3:00 p.m. in room 513 of the County Courthouse. At 6:30 that evening, the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the Draft Ordinance in the County Council Chambers. The address for the Courthouse is 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham. The Planning Commission has received copies of the following for their review and consideration of the SMP update:
- Whatcom County PDS Staff Report
- Exhibit 1 - Draft Whatcom County Shoreline Management Program (September 2006)
- Exhibit 2 - Draft Critical Areas and Zoning Ordinance text amendments
- Exhibit 3 - Draft Shoreline Management Program Map
- Appendix B - Public Comment Matrix
- Appendix C - Shoreline Management Program Update Background Information
These documents can be found on the Downloads page. Copies of the revised Draft SMP (September 2006) and additional materials that will be reviewed by the Planning Commission can be obtained in several ways:
- Download PDF files from the Work Products page of the website
- Pick up a paper copy at the Permit Center, 5280 Northwest Drive, Bellingham (first copy free - additional copies 15¢ per page)
- Pick up a CD with PDF files at the Permit Center, 5280 Northwest Drive, Bellingham (free - one copy per customer)
Open Houses
smp-bellingham open house (august 16, 2006)
smp-birch bay open house (august 15, 2006)
smp-lynden public workshop photos (july 13, 2006)
smp-bellingham public workshop photos (july 12, 2006)
June 30th, 2006
Whatcom County will release a draft of the updated Shoreline Management Program (SMP) on Friday, June 30 th, 2006 after 12:30 p.m. Copies of the draft can be obtained in several ways:
- Download PDF files from the project website http://www.whatcomcounty.us/ pds/shorelines_critical_areas/workproducts.jsp
- Pick up a paper copy at the Permit Center, 5280 Northwest Drive, Bellingham (first copy free – additional copies 15 ¢ per page)
- Pick up a CD with PDF files at the Permit Center, 5280 Northwest Drive, Bellingham (free – one copy per customer)
The public comment period for this draft will begin on June 30th, and end at 4:30 p.m. on August 30th. Comments can be submitted in the following ways:
- Send written comments to Whatcom County Planning & Development Services, c/o Cathy Craver, 5280 Northwest Drive, Bellingham, WA 98226-9097
- E-mail Cathy Craver at CCraver@co.whatcom.wa.us
- Submit written comments at one of the public workshops we have scheduled
Written comments should include:
- Your name and contact information,
- The topic and section number that you are commenting on,
- Details of the issue you are raising, and
- Suggested changes.
April 27th, 2005
The County has begun work on the Shoreline Management Program update. Technical and Citizens advisory committees are meeting regularly with county staff and consultants to review and comment on preliminary work products and information. See the events page for meeting times.
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