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Note: Click on these table of contents items to skip to the section.
Page last updated: 2-3-2011 NOTE: Even when this main page has not been updated, various sub-pages may have been (i.e. SMP Comprehensive Update 2005 - 2009 and related pages). State Approval On January 26, 2011, the Washington Department of Ecology has announced their conditional approval of the Locally Approved SMP pending some required changes. Learn more about the status of the state review process on the state website and the State Review & Approval page. FAQ Handout Jefferson County and WA Department of Ecology provide frequently asked question (FAQ) handouts and other resources to help educate and engage the public. Learn more on the State Review & Approval page.
Shoreline Management Background The Jefferson County Shoreline Master Program (SMP) is the local instrument by which Jefferson County and the State Department of Ecology jointly administer the 1971 Shoreline Management Act (SMA), Chapter 90.58 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). The overarching goal of the SMA is "to prevent the inherent harm in an uncoordinated and piecemeal development of the state’s shorelines." In Jefferson County, the SMA applies to land use and development proposals in and near all marine waters and certain streams, rivers, and lakes.
The version of the SMP currently in effect was adopted in 1989. By statute, Jefferson County has until the end of 2011 to update its SMP under new Ecology Shoreline Master Program Guidelines, as codified in Chapter 173-26 of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
According to recent amendments to the SMA and the Growth Management Act (GMA), protections for "critical areas"--such as wetlands, fish & wildlife habitat areas, and geologically hazardous areas--designated under the GMA must be integrated into updated SMPs for areas within shoreline jurisdiction.
The County is now anticipating completion of an SMP update by the end of June 2009. Jefferson County began the first phase of the SMP update by initiating a shoreline inventory and analysis in 2003 using Coastal Zone Management (CZM) funding.
Current Code: 1989 Shoreline Master Program - Title 18.25 of the Jefferson County Code (JCC) is the SMP currently in effect. Adopted March 7, 1989, with minor revisions made in 1993, 1996, and 1998, the SMP is implemented in conjunction with "critical areas" protections also found in JCC Title 18, the Unified Development Code (UDC) in Section 18.22. The UDC contains the standards and regulations for implementing the community vision of the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan. Prior Revision Effort: 2000 draft SMP - DRAFT dated July 12, 2000. Not in effect. Draft document developed by staff, consultants and Citizen Advisory Committee prior to new Ecology guidelines. Did not undergo formal public review. Will be used as a foundation for current State-mandated SMP update process. Current Revision Effort: The County is currently in the process of completing a comprehensive update to the Shoreline Master Program. Learn more on the Shoreline Update page.
All activities that occur in the shoreline area must comply with the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) whether or not the activity is preferred or exempt, or if any permit is required. Depending on the type of shoreline use or development, there are several types of shoreline permits that may be needed, including a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit (SDP), an SDP Exemption Approval, a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), or a Shoreline Variance.
If you are interested in asking about or applying for a shoreline permit for a development proposal, visit the Permit Information & Application Forms page and contact the Development Review Division.
If you are interested in asking about what is currently allowed on your shoreline property or applying for a shoreline permit for a development proposal:
For more information on the SMP Update project, visit the Shoreline Update page or contact:
Additionally, the following are links to other sources of information about shoreline management, shoreline master program development, and coastal and marine resource planning and protection in general: County
State
Federal
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