Publication Summary

In December 2003 Ecology adopted a new shoreline master program guidelines rule,WAC 173-26, Sections 171 to 251, which regulates how local governments developshoreline master programs pursuant to the Washington State Shoreline Management Act(SMA). The SMA is a component of Washington′s federally-approved Coastal Zone Management Program. State coastal zone management programs are a voluntary featureof the federal Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA). The CZMA is administered bythe Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) of the National Oceanicand Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Washington′s adoption of the amended shoreline master program guidelines rule isdeemed by NOAA to be a major improvement to the state′s coastal zone managementprogram, thus requiring a formal program amendment procedure.

The public hearings, the testimony delivered at those hearings, and the responses in thisdocument are a part of that formal process.