History
Recognizing that the shorelines of the state are among our most valuable and fragile natural resources, the State Legislature passed the Washington State Shoreline Management Act (SMA) in June 1971. The SMA was overwhelmingly passed by public initiative in 1972. Under the SMA, each county and city was required to prepare a shoreline “master program” in accordance with the shoreline guidelines issued by the State Department of Ecology in 1972.
The Whatcom County Shoreline Management Program (SMP), WCC Title 23, is the document that implements the goals and policies of the SMA at the local level. It was adopted in 1976 in accordance with RCW 90.58. The goals and policies of the Whatcom County Shoreline Management Program also constitute the shoreline component of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan.
Under the provisions of the SMA, all development within shorelines of the state is required to comply with the provisions of local shoreline master programs. The Whatcom County Shoreline Management Program works with other chapters of the Whatcom County Code to protect and preserve saltwater and freshwater shorelines throughout the county by managing natural resources and directing development and land use suitable for the shoreline environment.
The Whatcom County Shoreline Management Program jurisdiction includes:
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More than 130 miles of marine shoreline
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More than 60 miles of lake shoreline
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More than 220 miles of stream channels
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All wetlands and floodways associated with the above shorelines, together with all upland areas within 200-feet of the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM)
  Whatcom County PDS and the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) 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 master program is approved and adopted by the Washington State DOE, it has the authority of state law.
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