Public comment sought on Granite Falls shoreline program update

BELLEVUE – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) seeks public comment on Granite Fall’s recently updated shoreline master program.

The proposed updated shoreline program will guide construction and development in the city’s 5,210 feet of river shorelines. It combines local plans for future development and preservation with new development ordinances and related permitting requirements.

Granite Fall’s locally tailored shoreline program is designed to help minimize environmental damage to shoreline areas, reserve appropriate areas for water-oriented uses, and protect the public’s right to public land and waters.

Under Washington’s 1972 voter-approved Shoreline Management Act, Ecology must review and approve Granite Fall’s proposed shoreline program before it takes effect. Cities and counties statewide are in the process or soon will be updating or crafting their master programs.

Ecology will accept public comment on Granite Fall’s proposed shoreline program through April 12, 2013. Comments and questions should be addressed to Anthony Boscolo, Department of Ecology, Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program, 3190 160th Ave. SE, Bellevue, WA 98008, by email to Anthony.Boscolo@ecy.wa.gov, or call 425-649-7049.

Granite Fall’s proposed shoreline program and related documents can be reviewed at:

www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/shorelines/smp/mycomments/GraniteFalls.html
Dept. of Ecology, 3190 160th Ave SE, Bellevue; by appointment: (425) 649-7000
http://ci.granite-falls.wa.us/
City of Granite Falls, 206 South Granite Avenue

After the public comment period, Ecology may approve the proposed shoreline master program as written, reject it or direct Granite Falls to modify specific parts. Once approved by Ecology, Granite Fall’s shoreline program will become part of the overall state shoreline master program.

Granite Fall’s proposed updated master program:

Integrates the city’s shoreline regulations with its growth management, planning and zoning, floodplain management and critical areas ordinances as part of a unified development code.
Establishes protective buffers of 150 feet with the flexibility to reduce buffers based on individual property circumstances.
Prohibits new residential docks and piers.
Encourages soft-bank erosion control methods and limits construction of new shoreline armoring.
Includes a restoration plan showing where and how voluntary improvements in water and upland areas can enhance the local shoreline environment.
Helps support the broader initiative to protect and restore Puget Sound.

All of Washington’s cities and counties with regulated shorelines must update their programs by December 2014. They are following regulations adopted by Ecology in 2003. The regulations resulted from a negotiated settlement among 58 different parties including business interests, ports, environmental groups, shoreline user groups, cities and counties, Ecology and the courts.

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Media Contacts:

Larry Altose, Ecology media relations, 425-649-7009, larry.altose@ecy.wa.gov

Anthony Boscolo, Ecology shoreline planner, 425-649-7049, anthony.boscolo@ecy.wa.gov

Ray Sturtz, Granite Falls City Planner, 360-691-6441 planning@ci.granite-falls.wa.us

For more information:

Granite Falls’ proposed shoreline master program:

Ecology (www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/shorelines/smp/mycomments/GraniteFalls.html)
Granite Falls (http://ci.granite-falls.wa.us/)

More about shoreline master programs (www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/shorelines/smp)

Our Living Shorelines web portal (www.ecy.wa.gov/livingshorelines)

Ecology’s social media (www.ecy.wa.gov/about/newmedia.html)