Title
Shoreline Master Program Periodic Review - Briefing
Recommended Action
Information only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Discussion on the draft Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Periodic Review.
Staff Contact:
Joyce Phillips, Senior Planner, Community Planning & Development, 360.570.3722
Presenter(s):
Joyce Phillips, Senior Planner, Community Planning & Development
Background and Analysis:
Shoreline Master Programs (SMPs) are local land use policies and regulations that guide development and the use of most shorelines. SMPs apply to both public and private uses for lakes, streams, associated wetlands, and marine shorelines. They protect natural resources for future generations, provide for public access to public waters and shores, and plan for water-dependent uses. SMPs must be consistent with the Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58) and must be approved by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology).
SMPs must be reviewed and, if necessary, updated to ensure they remain compliant with state laws and local comprehensive plans. This review must be completed every eight (8) years and is known as the “Periodic Review”. Olympia’s SMP Periodic Review must be completed no later than June 30, 2021.
Ecology provides technical assistance, guidance documents, and grant funding for this work. Ecology’s grant contract requires completion of five tasks, designed to ensure local governments complete the required Periodic Review. The primary task is to review the SMP and draft revisions, if needed.
The City used Ecology’s checklist and determined that some changes are needed. This analysis was reviewed by Ecology for their input. The outcome of that review, known as the Gap Analysis, then became the minimum scope of work for the update.
The draft amendments will be available for public review in October. The public participation plan has been updated to focus more on online participation opportunities given the Covid-19 outbreak. We will continue using online methods to provide for meaningful input opportunities while limiting the need for people to gather in-person.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Shoreline issues are of interest to our community. Active engagement and comments are anticipated now that there is a public draft available.
In mid-August the City issued an E-Newsletter to the Planning and Development listserv and sent an email to parties of record to inform people about the Periodic Review process, that the Gap Analysis is available for review and comment, and to let people know how to get involved in the process. The City will continue to provide updates throughout the process, including use of E-Newsletters, emails to Parties of Record, the SMP webpage, Planning Communications, and other communications.
Options:
Information only, no action required.
Financial Impact:
The City entered into a contract with the Washington State Department of Ecology for $28,000 in grant funding to complete the Periodic Review. The Community Planning and Development Department hired The Watershed Company for professional services to conduct the review, draft required updates, and to assist in the process.
Attachments:
Project Webpage
Fact Sheet