Shoreline Master Program Update schedule

The 2003 Legislature (SSB 6012) amended the SMA schedule for updating Shoreline Master Programs (SMPs) consistent with Ecology's guidelines.

The schedule specifies a number of "early adopters" with deadlines in 2005 and 2009, then links SMP updates with the Growth Management Act compliance cycle beginning in 2011. Local governments may develop or amend master programs prior to the dates established in the statute. Ecology has funds available to assist with SMP updates.

Early adopters

• December 1, 2005, for the city of Port Townsend, the city of Bellingham, the city of Everett, Snohomish county, and Whatcom county;
• December 1, 2009, for King county and the cities within King county greater in population than ten thousand;

Synchronized with GMA amendment schedule

Except for the early adopters (above), and volunteers (below), updated SMPs are due on or before December 1 of the following years:

• 2011, for Clallam, Clark, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, and Whatcom counties and the cities within those counties;
• 2012, for Cowlitz, Island, Lewis, Mason, San Juan, Skagit, and Skamania counties and the cities within those counties;
• 2013, for Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, Spokane, and Yakima counties and the cities within those counties; and
• 2014, for Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grays Harbor, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, and Whitman counties and the cities within those counties.

Voluntary updates

Local governments may develop or amend master programs prior to the dates established in the statute. Local jurisdictions may want to update SMPs before the required dates if:

• the SMP no longer applies to changed physical, economic or social circumstances;
• the SMP is not in tune with local or state wide environmental standards or procedures;
• new planning issues or civic objectives arise that can be addressed through shoreline management;
• the community desires to integrate shoreline master programs with GMA comprehensive plans and development regulations right away; or
• if the jurisdiction needs to encompass significant new annexed territory into SMA jurisdiction.