Regional Shoreline Master Program Update Introduction
What is the Shoreline Management Act?
In response to a voter initiative concerned with the utilization, protection, restoration and preservation of Washington’s shorelines, the legislature enacted the Shoreline Management Act (SMA) in June of 1971 and adopted associated guidelines in 1972 for local governments to use when implementing the Act. These guidelines require local governments to develop an individual Shoreline Master Program (SMP) which contains policies, goals, and regulations to guide development of the shorelines within the local area. The SMP functions as an element of the local comprehensive plan for shoreline areas. Together, the SMA combined with the individual city and county Shoreline Master Programs comprise the "State Master Program".
What is regulated under the SMA?
In general, lakes over 20 acres in size, rivers whose mean annual flow is greater than 20 cubic feet per second, and uplands, along with associated wetlands and floodplains within 200 feet of any such waters are regulated under the SMA. Shoreline areas called “Shorelines of Statewide Significance” are given special protection under the SMA. These include lakes with a surface area of 1,000 acres or greater, and rivers (east of the Cascade Range) whose mean annual flow is 200 cubic feet per second or greater. The Columbia River is an example of a River of Statewide Significance. To learn more about the SMA, click the following link to the Department of Ecology website for an introduction to the SMA.
Introduction to the SMA
Why are Douglas County and the cities of East Wenatchee, Bridgeport and Rock Island updating their Shoreline Master Programs, and creating a Regional Shoreline Master Program?
The Shoreline Master Program Guidelines have been in effect largely unchanged since 1972. In December of 2003, after much public comment and negotiation, the Department of Ecology adopted revised guidelines to update the State Master Program. These new guidelines adopt a schedule in which local governments must update their own SMP’s using the new guidelines. Cities and counties are encouraged to take a regional approach to shoreline planning by establishing a regional Shoreline Master Program.
In an effort to more effectively utilize resources, and to take advantage of grant money awarded by the Department of Ecology for “early adopters”, Douglas County and the Cities of East Wenatchee, Rock Island, and Bridgeport have joined together to create a regional Shoreline Master Program. The regional SMP will provide policies, goals, and a regulatory framework for all of the shoreline areas regulated under the SMA, and will allow each local government to comply with the requirement to update its own SMP.
To view Douglas County’s current Shoreline Master Program, click here.
How can I get involved?
Douglas County and the cities of Bridgeport, Rock Island and East Wenatchee began a 60 day comment period on the draft Douglas County Regional Shoreline Master Program and an integrated environmental impact statement in accordance with WAC 197-11-235 & 510, WAC 173-26-100, and a 60-day notice in accordance with RCW 36.70A.106. The 60-day comment period commences on March 4, 2008 and concludes on May 5, 2008. The participating jurisdictions are interested in your comments and encourage your participation in the future events discussed below.
Components of the 60-day review include:
- A draft Regional Shoreline Master Program (RSMP) for Douglas County and the cities of Bridgeport, Rock Island and East Wenatchee;
- ritical areas standards (Appendix J - M of the RSMP) applicable within the shoreline jurisdiction including: general regulations, Wetlands, and Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas, Aquifer Recharge Areas, Geologically Hazards Areas, and Frequently Flooded Areas.
- An amendment to Douglas County Code Chapter 18.16.080 that would allow a reduction in the front yard setback in order to avoid or minimize impacts to a wetland, habitat conservation area and/or buffer area.
The public is strongly encouraged to attend any of the following open houses to learn more about the draft regional shoreline master program and to provide comment:
- April 8th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM in the City of East Wenatchee City Hall;
- April 10th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Rock Island Town Hall;
- April 26th from 10:AM to 3:00 PM at the Bridgeport High School during the Bridgeport Community Fair;
An educational meeting has been scheduled for the elected and appointed officials of the participating jurisdictions on March 31, 2008 beginning at 6:30 P.M. at the Eastmont Junior High Commons in East Wenatchee. The public is invited to attend to hear more about the draft regional shoreline master program. No public testimony will be taken at this event. In addition to the above noted 60 day review and comment period, opportunities for public testimony will be provided at upcoming public hearings. Public hearings are tentatively scheduled for May and June, 2008. You may request to be placed on the mailing list for these hearings via the “Join the Mailing List” icon on this web page. Please check the “Schedule of Events” icon on this web page for upcoming events and hearings, as they are scheduled.
Copies of the Draft Regional Shoreline Management Program and amendments to the Douglas County Code are available for review on this web page under the “Draft Documents” and “Draft Maps” icons. Written comments on the Draft Regional Shoreline Management Program and amendments to the Douglas County Code should be addressed to Douglas County Transportation and Land Services, 140 19th St. NW, East Wenatchee, WA 98802. Questions? Please contact Lisa Parks or Chuck Jones for questions about the cities of Rock Island or Bridgeport at (509) 886-3265; Please contact Lori Barnett for questions about the City of East Wenatchee at (509) 884-5396; Please contact Glen DeVries or Stephen Neuenschwander for questions about Douglas County at (509) 884-7173.