Updates
The Shoreline Management Act (SMA, RCW 90.58) charges the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) with the task of writing and periodically reviewing and updating guidelines for implementation of the SMA. The Shoreline Master Program Guidelines are standards and guidance that have been adopted by DOE which local governments must follow in drafting their local Shoreline Master Programs (SMPs). These guidelines translate the broad and varied policies of the SMA into standards for locally regulating shoreline use. In 1995, the State Legislature directed the DOE to update the state’s guidelines to ensure consistency with the SMA and the state Growth Management Act (GMA, RCW 36.70A). The guidelines had not been updated since their original adoption in 1972. In December 2003, DOE adopted new, revised Shoreline Master Program Guidelines.
Consistent with the new DOE guidelines and compliance schedule, local county and city governments are required to review and update their existing Shoreline Master Programs. Deadlines for statewide completion of local updates will begin in 2005 and end in 2018.
Other key goals and objectives of the Shoreline Guidelines that must be considered include:
- Restoration of impaired ecological function through comprehensive planning and voluntary implementation
- No net loss of ecological function
- Management of critical saltwater habitats
- Archaeological and historic resources
- Critical Areas
- Flood Hazard Reduction
- Public Access
- Shoreline Vegetation Conservation
- Water Quality, stormwater, and non-point pollution
Whatcom County Objectives of the SMP Update:
Fair and Inclusive Process – Throughout the update process, Whatcom County Planning and Development Services will be working with citizen advisory groups; hosting stakeholder meetings, workshops, public meetings and hearings; posting website and e-mail newsletters; and so on. Check the Update Process page to see what will be happening next.
Policy Integration – An objective of the process is to update and streamline these regulations to address unnecessary overlaps, inconsistencies and gaps; integrate information from other natural resource planning processes, such as WRIA 1 Planning and Salmon Recovery efforts; as well as integrate these regulations with other regulatory and policy documents.
Compliance with State Guidelines – It is important to keep in mind there are State mandated updates necessary to comply with changes to the Washington State Shoreline Master Program Guidelines and the Washington State Growth Management Act. |
