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Shoreline Master Program (SMP) development

Local shoreline master programs (SMPs) regulate new development and use of shorelines along larger rivers, lakes over 20 acres and marine waterfronts. Guidance on this page is intended to help cities and counties updating their SMPs comply with Ecology's Shoreline Master Program Guidelines.

Guidance on this page is advisory only. Read full disclaimer.

Download Shoreline Master Program (SMP) information

SMP Fundamentals:

• SMP Guidelines
• Introduction to the SMA
• Contents of a local SMP
Ecology SMP submittal checklist: required to accompany all formal SMP submittals
• Appeals of Shoreline Master Programs
• Deadlines for updating SMPs: 10-year schedule for updating local programs
• Avoiding unconstitutional takings of private property: Guidance from the Washington State Attorney General's Office

Policy papers on SMP Guidelines

• What does No Net Loss Mean?
• Questions and Answers on ESHB 1933: Critical area protection under the GMA and SMA
• Application of the SMP Guidelines to Limited Master Program Amendments (revised 9/2006)
• Early adopter FAQ (June 2005)

Regular SMP Coordination and Assistance Meetings

Ecology sponsors regular coordination meetings for local cities and counties conducting comprehensive SMP updates. These meetings occur quarterly in Seattle for Western Washington jurisdictions and semi-annually in Moses Lake for Central and Eastern Washington jurisdictions. The meetings provide a forum for representatives from local jurisdictions to share information and experiences with fellow jurisdictions and to hear the latest news and guidance from Ecology about various aspects of the SMP update process.

Download informational presentations from past meetings

(these files are large and may take some time to download)

Summer 2008 meeting (July 24, 2008, Tukwila)

• Boater's Guide to Public Access
• Anacortes SMP –Summary of Inventory/Characterization Analysis
• Using Mitigation Sequencing Within a Landscape Context
• Behavior of Chinook Salmon
• Habitat use of juvenile Chinook salmon in Lake Washington
• GREEN SHORELINES: Sustainable waterfront practices for Lake Washington
• Okanogan Shoreline Inventories

Spring 2008 meeting (April 24, 2008)

• Art and Science of Environment Designation (Jeffree Stewart, 2 mb. pdf)
• Gettin' Out Onto Water (Maren Van Nostrand, 4 mb. pdf)
• UW Lake Washington Shoreline Presentation (Seth Ballhorn, Lindsay Chang, Kelly Stumbaugh, and Martin Valeri, 1 mb. pdf)

Winter 2008 meeting (January 24, Seattle)

• Coastal Vegetation Mapping (15 mb. pdf)
• Lake Sammamish Restoration Incentives (3.3 mb. pdf)
• Shoreline Grant Billings Presentation (740 mb. pdf)

Fall 2007 meeting (October 25, Seattle)

• SMP Non-Conforming Use/Structure Provisions  (Betty Renkor, Ecology)
• SMP Development: Building Public Awareness and Participation  (Jeffree Stewart, Ecology)

Summer 2007 meeting (July 19, Seattle)

• Cumulative Impacts Analysis (Carrie Byron, Ecology)
• Working with CAOs During SMP Updates (Matt Niles, Ecology)
• Shoreline Environments (Harry Reinert, King County Department of Development and Environmental Services)
• Agenda for Improving Lake Washington’s Shoreline Habitat (Ruth Howell, Kelli Roberts, Bryan Russo, Angela Wallis, Gregg Casad, and Dave Fries, UW)

Spring 2007 meeting (April 26, Seattle)

• Lessons Learned (Tom Young, AAG and Peter Skowlund, Ecology)
• Sea Level Rise: Causes, Effects, and Policy Considerations in Washington (Doug Canning, Climate Impacts Group, UW)

Winter 2007 meeting (January 25, Seattle)

• Lessons Learned (Tom Young, AAG and Peter Skowlund, Ecology)
• Sea Level Rise: Causes, Effects, and Policy Considerations in Washington (Doug Canning, Climate Impacts Group, UW)

Fall 2006 meeting (Oct. 25, Seattle)

• King County Shoreline Characterization Model (2.7 mb. pdf)
• Jefferson County "Multi-Scale Analysis for Restoration Planning" (4.5 mb pdf)
• The Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (Stephenie Kramer, DAHP)

Spring 2006 meeting (April 20, Seattle)

• Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project (Curtis Tanner, USFWS)
• Policy, Rule-making, and Funding Update (Tom Clingman, Ecology)
• Channel Migration Zones: What, Why, Where? (Patricia Olson, Ecology)

For more information

• For information about an existing city or county SMP, visit the Local Planning Page and click on the map.
• To contact Ecology's regional planners responsible for reviewing local SMPs visit the Contacts page.