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Shoreline Planners Toolbox

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.

Below is an interactive graphic showing the various elements of an SMP update. Click on a box for more information about that element.

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 and Ecology SMP submittal checklist: required to accompany all formal SMP submittals
• SMP Handbook
• SMP Planning Process chart (PDF)
• 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
• Futurewise v. Anacortes case - Updated October 19, 2009 - Local governments are considering what actions to take regarding application of their Critical Areas Ordinances (CAOs) within shoreline jurisdiction following the recent Washington State Supreme Court decision in the “Anacortes” case. More...
• Guidance on stand-alone "critical area segment" SMP amendments:
  • Guidance: Adoption of "Critical Areas Segment" Amendments to Shoreline Master Programs (PDF)
  • Shoreline Master Program Critical Area Segment Amendment Submittal Checklist (PDF)

   

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

(All files are Adobe PDF unless otherwise noted.  Some files are large and may take extra time to download.)

Fall 2009 (October 22, 2009, Tukwila)

• Agenda
• State Parks and SMPs (4.9 mb.)
• DNR Conservation Strategies for State-Owned Aquatic Lands (1.6 mb.): Opportunities for Coordination with Local Government
• Mitigation That Works: An Update on Mitigation Tools and Information
• Communication Strategies for SMPs
• No Net Loss Indicators and Guidance Update
  • Draft: No Net Loss Indicators
  • Potential No Net Loss Indicators
  • No Net Loss of Shoreline Ecological Functions
  • Graphic 1: SMP Updates: Achieving No Net Loss of Ecological Function
  • Graphic 2: Achieving No Net Loss of Ecological Function at the Permit Level
  • Seattle's Alternative Shoreline Mitigation Plan
• Status Updates: SMA/GMA Integration/Legislative Issues

Summer 2009 (July 23, 2009,Tukwila)

• Agenda
• The Final Steps in the SMP Approval Process
• Dealing with Misinformation in the Public Process (2 mb.)
• The Legal Implications of Sea Level Rise in WA (1.6 mb.)
• Lessons Learned - The Local Perspective
• Status Reports: 2009 SMA Legislation; Supreme Court Anacortes Decision; State response to Sea Level Rise

Spring 2009 (April 23, 2009, Tukwila)

• Futurewise Recommendations on SMP Updates
• NNL-CIA for SMP Updates - 2009 (2.3 mb.)
• Waterfront Lands Analysis and SMP (2.4 mb.)

Winter 2009 (January 22, 2009, Tukwila)

• Agenda
• DNR's Aquatic Lands HCP (5 mb.)
• Mitigation That Works
• Public Access and the WA Coastal Atlas (4.5 mb.)
• SMP Grants Update
• SMP Organization and Structure (2.1 mb.)

Fall 2008 (October 30, 2008, Tukwila)

• Agenda
• WDFW Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) Program, Katie Knight
• Armoring and SMPs
• Port of Seattle - Planners Mtg. notes
• Implementing Critical Areas
• National Flood Insurance Protection
• Anacortes Decision
• SMPs and Wa. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Role
• Whatcom Co. SMP Update (8.7 mb.)

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.)
• Gettin' Out Onto Water, Maren Van Nostrand (4 mb.)
• UW Lake Washington Shoreline Presentation, Seth Ballhorn, Lindsay Chang, Kelly Stumbaugh, and Martin Valeri (1 mb.)

Winter 2008 meeting (January 24, Seattle)

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

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

Spring 2007 meeting (April 26, Seattle)

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

Winter 2007 meeting (January 25, Seattle)

• Lessons Learned, Tom Young, AAG and Peter Skowlund, Ecology (PowerPoint)
• 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.)
• Jefferson County "Multi-Scale Analysis for Restoration Planning" (4.5 mb)
• The Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation,  Stephenie Kramer, DAHP (PowerPoint)

Spring 2006 meeting (April 20, Seattle)

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

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.