Snoqualmie's Shoreline Management Program

In 2003, the Washington State Department of Ecology adopted new Shoreline Master Program (SMP) guidelines to emphasize ecologically appropriate development. As a result, Snoqualmie’s Shoreline Master Program, adopted in 1974 with subsequent revisions in 1986 and 1992, also must be updated. The City submitted a Draft SMP update in 2003, which was reviewed by the Department of Ecology against the new guidelines.  The City is continuing the previous update process to complete the SMP revisions and ensure consistency with the State master program guidelines. 

What is the Shoreline Management Act?

In 1971, the Washington State Legislature passed the Shoreline Management Act (SMA) and subsequently adopted by the public in a 1972 referendum.. The SMA establishes State policy regarding the use and development of shorelines in Washington State. The SMA applies to all marine waters, lakes 20 acres or larger, streams with greater than 20 cfs mean annual flow, and “shorelands” that extend 200 feet landward from the edge of these waters including any associated wetlands. The SMA also applies to the 100-year floodplain including all wetlands associated with the floodplain.  The SMA focuses on reasonable and appropriate shoreline uses, protection of shoreline environmental resources and protection of the public’s right to access and use the shorelines. 

What is a Shoreline Master Program?

Shoreline Master Programs (SMPs) carry out the policies of the SMA at the local level, regulating new development and use of shorelines. Master programs are defined in the Shoreline Management Act as “the comprehensive use plan for a described area, and the use regulations together with maps, diagrams, charts, or other descriptive material and text, a statement of desired goals, and standards developed in accordance with the policies enunciated in RCW 90.358.020.” A shoreline master program is essentially a comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance with a distinct environmental focus applicable to shoreline areas tailored to local circumstances.

The SMP Planning Process

• Shoreline Inventory: Compiles and maps relevant physical, biological and cultural features.

• Analysis and Characterization: Assesses shoreline ecological functions and provides recommendations for SMP development and restoration planning.

• Environment Designations: Based on analysis, specific shorelines are identified where certain uses/activities are allowed, prohibited, or conditioned.

• Develop Policies and Regulations: Creates development guidelines and standards for specific uses and modification activities.

• Analyze Cumulative Impacts: The State requires that the SMP be evaluated to ensure no net loss of ecological function under a reasonably forseeable future.

• Restoration Planning: Provides the goals and priorities, benchmarks and implementation strategy to ensure gradual restoration of impaired shorelines.

• Approval: Shoreline Hearings Board and City Council approval, then final approval from Department of Ecology.

Reference Documents

Shoreline Inventory and Characterization Report - Draft
Shoreline Master Program Table of Contents - Draft
Chapter 1: Shorelines of the City of Snoqualmie - Draft
Chapter 2: Shoreline Environments - Draft
Chapter 3: Shoreline Management Policies - Draft
Section 5 Table - Draft

Maps

Access Points - Draft
Channel Migration - Draft
Characterization - Draft
Designations - Draft
Jurisdiction - Draft
Land Use - Draft
Seismic Erosion - Draft
Sewer - Draft
Shoreline - Draft
Stormwater - Draft
Well Protection - Draft
Wetland Streams - Draft
Zoning - Draft

Shoreline Hearings Board Minutes

Meeting Minutes - 03/29/2010
Meeting Minutes - 04/27/2010
Meeting Minutes - 05/12/2010

Questions

Lauren Hollenbeck
Planning Department, City of Snoqualmie
lhollenbeck@ci.snoqualmie.wa.us
425-888-5337