Public involvement in SMP development

Updating an SMP requires both a local process and a state review and approval process. There is a strong emphasis on public participation at both levels.

Download a print version of the SMP update and approval process.
Procedural rules for SMP amendments are found in Chapter 173-26 WAC Parts I and II.
Chapter 6, Public Participation, of the SMP Handbook, is now available. Download Chapter 6 (pdf).

Public involvement

The Shoreline Management Act (Chapter 90.58.130) requires that local governments involve all interested parties in updating SMPs. At a minimum, local governments must be prepared to describe and document their methods to ensure that all interested parties have a meaningful opportunity to participate. Read Rule Citation

The rule specifically highlights coordination with applicable state agencies to identify state interests, relevant regional and statewide efforts, available information, and methods for coordination and input. Read Rule Citation

If local SMPs affect Indian tribes, local governments must contact local tribal governments to identify tribal interests, relevant tribal efforts, available information and methods for coordination and input. Read Rule Citation

Local governments should prepare a participation plan to ensure planning efforts meet these requirements. A plan should describe the participation process including specific contacts, opportunities and schedule. Many local governments are using web sites as key means to distribute information and keep the community informed of progress and to distribute draft documents, etc. Many local governments make use of existing Planning Commission or Shoreline Advisory Committee as core sounding boards for getting detailed feedback on proposals. Some local governments establish separate technical committees for inventory and assessment work. Download tips on Citizen Advisory Committees.

Some suggestions for organizations to involve on committees or in a review capacity:

Local representatives

County Conservation District, Extension Service
Appropriate local county or city departments, (e.g., public works, natural resources, stormwater, floodplain management)
Ports
Affected Tribes
Property owners, agricultural and business operators in the shoreline environment
Local college or university department representatives (Planning, Natural Resource schools)
Environmental or stewardship groups

State agencies

Ecology’s Regional Shoreline Planners
Department of Fish and Wildlife area habitat biologists may be available to help ensure inventories address habitat needs.
Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Resources Division - contact SMP review coordinator Hugo Flores, (360) 902-1126.
Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development local liasons can assist with GMA coordination
Jurisdictions in the Puget Sound area should contact the Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team
For information on archaeological and cultural resources, contact the State Office of Archaeology & Historic Preservation, and visit the office's Cultural Resources Inventory.

Federal agencies

Representatives from federal agencies that manage land or major facilities within the local jurisdiction (Bureau of Land Management, military reservations, etc.)
Representatives from agencies conducting research in your area (e.g., U.S. Geological Survey)
If your jurisdiction includes species listed under the ESA, representatives from NOAA Fisheries (migratory fish) and/or the US Fish and Wildlife Service (terrestrial species and non-migratory fish)

Prepare a shoreline strategy

Some jurisdictions find it useful to craft a shoreline management strategy to identify the general community vision for managing its shorelines. The strategy helps clarify management issues, describes how shoreline management and the community's comprehensive plan and other plans and development regulations will work together, and integrates SMP regulations with recommendations for other public actions (such as site acquisition).

Some strategies can be simple and straightforward, or can be very involved, describing overall visions for issues such as central waterfront revitalization, view blockage, vegetation protection, public access, trail development, etc. A shoreline management strategy can includes objectives for determining the suitability of shoreline areas for various uses, setting the stage for assigning environment designations to specific shoreline segments. It can guide the community in determining the policies and regulatory language for shoreline uses. An implementation scheme for accomplishing shoreline management goals may also be included.

Some local examples of shoreline strategies are available on the web sites below. These site include overviews of public process with timelines, links to strategy documents, opportunities for public involvement, and reference materials such as maps and existing regulatory documents.

Public hearings

State rules require that local governments hold at least one public hearing before approving an SMP . However, many jurisdictions hold several public meetings, workshops and hearings.

For more information

Law: RCW 90.58.130
Rule: WAC 173-26-201(3)(b)