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:
- Restoration of impaired ecological function through comprehensive planning and voluntary implementation
- No net loss of ecological function
- Management of critical saltwater habitats
- Archaological and historic resources
- Critical Areas
- Flood Hazard Reduction
- Public Access
- Shoreline Vegetation Conservation
- Water Quality, stormwater, and nonpoint pollution
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