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It is important to remember that there is a lot of overlap between the various phases of the Critical Areas Ordinance and Shoreline Master Program update processes. The steps, or phases, for each update are interrelated and will inform the assessment and development of one another.
News
February 2009: County Council holds public hearing on amendments to the 2008 Shoreline Management Program.
Click here for more information.
January 2009: Amendments to the 2008 Shoreline Management Program are being discussed at the County Council.
Click here for more information.
The new Shoreline Management Program is in effect.
On 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.
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 
The amended Shoreline Management Program can be downloaded here.
A redlined strikeout version showing Ecology's changes can is on the Work Products page.
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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. Some common follow up questions have been:
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 will be posted to the work products page. Another notice will be posted when the Department of Ecology approves the program and the ordinance becomes effective. A new official copy of the SMP will be posted and made available at that time.
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The Natural Resource Committee-recommended Draft SMP was introduced to the full County Council on February 13, 2007 at a regularly scheduled Council meeting. A Whatcom County Council public hearing on the Draft SMP is scheduled 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.
A copy of the revised Draft SMP and additional materials that will be reviewed by the County Council can be obtained in several ways:
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Download PDF files from the work Products page
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Pick up a paper copy at the Permit Center, 5280 Northwest Drive, Bellingham (first copy free-additional copies $.15 per page)
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Pick up a CD with PDF files at ther Permit Center, 5280 Northwest Drive, Bellingham (free-one copy per customer)
To follow the Council agenda, you can also visit the County Council website: http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/council/meetings/agenda.jsp
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The Whatcom County Council-Natural Resource Committee has completed their review of the Draft Whatcom County Shoreline Management Program (SMP) and the Official SMP map. The January 30th Natural Resource Committee recommended draft SMP will be introduced to the full Council on the evening of Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. It is important to note that no Council action can be taken at the February 13th meeting.
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On November 21, 2006, the Whatcom County Planning Commission recommended Draft Shoreline Management Program (SMP) was introduced to County Council. The Draft SMP is currently scheduled before the Council Natural Resource Committee for further review and consideration. The next Council Natural Resource Committee meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. in the County Council chambers of the County Courthouse, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham. To follow the Council review process, you may want to visit the Events Calendar for periodic updates, as well as the County Council website (http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/council/meetings/meetings.jsp) for upcoming meetings and agendas.
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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. Council introduction is scheduled on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the County Council chambers of the County Courthouse, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham. Please note that Council action will not be taken on November 21st. County Council review and discussion of the draft SMP will be scheduled for future meetings (to be announced). To follow the Council review process, you want to visit the Events Calendar for periodic updates, as well as the County Council website (http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/council/meetings/meetings.jsp) for upcoming meetings and agendas.
Objectives of the CAO and SMP Updates:
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 calendar of events 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 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.
Whatcom County encourages you to get involved. If you would like to learn more about critical areas or shorelines, or if you would like to receive periodic progress reports on the update process, please see the get involved page or contact us.
General process for updating Whatcom County’s Critical Areas Ordinance:
- Update critical area inventories by maximizing available information and resources
- Incorporate use of the Department of Ecology-adopted wetland manual for delineation of wetlands regulated under the CAO
- Use Best Available Science in designating and protecting critical areas
- Evaluate and update existing policies and regulations
- Evaluate the classification and designation of critical areas
- Evaluate the development review process
- Review the CAO for consistency with other policy and regulatory documents
- Provide opportunities for public, tribe, and agency involvement throughout the update and adoption process.
General process for updating Whatcom County’s Shoreline Master Program, based on State Guidelines:
- 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
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