Shoreline Master Program Update
www.skagitcounty.net/smp
Skagit County is proposing a Comprehensive Update to the County’s Shoreline Master Program (“SMP”), which has not been comprehensively updated since its adoption in 1976. Skagit County, along with all other local governments containing shorelines of the state is required to update the SMP. The SMP is a combined planning and regulatory document that contains policies, goals, and specific land-use regulations for shorelines, shoreline environment designation maps, and it is intended to balance development, public access, and protection of natural resource and shoreline areas. Learn more here.
Supporting Documents
Board of Commissioners
- August 23, 2022, Board of County Commissioners Discussion & Possible Action on draft Shoreline Master Program, August 23, 2022 [docx]
- June 13, 2022 BOCC Worksession Transcript
- June 13, 2022 BOCC Worksession Slide Presentation
- June 13, 2022 BOCC Memo and Discussion
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June 13, 2022 BOCC Work Session SMP Update [Transcript]
- June 8th,2022 BOCC Public Comment Matrix
- May 23, 2022 SMP Discussion [Transcript]
- Response to Comments Matrix, Attachments A – D (6-9-2022)
- Public Comment Matrix Supplement (6-9-2022)
- BoCC SMP Public Comments Review (April 11, 2022 )
- BoCC Work Session 3 Public Comments Memo
- BoCC SMP Public Comments Summary
- BoCC SMP Public Comments Received February 23 – April 1, 2022
- BoCC Public Hearing Transcript (3/1/22)
- BoCC Hearing Resolution and Public Notice
- BoCC Work Session 2 Memo and Appendix 1 | Transcript (2/07/2022)
- Planning Commission Recorded Motion Transmittal Memo (12/14/2021 Amended Meeting date)
- Memo Attachments 1 – 5: Draft SMP, Shoreline Jurisdiction, Environment Designation Maps, Recorded Motion, Public Comment/Response Matrix (12/14/2021)
- Transcript: Worksession with the Board of County Commissioners (January 25, 2022)
- Presentation: Board of County Commissioners Worksession (1/25/2022)
Planning Commission 2020-2021
- Planning Commission Recorded Motion (Signed 11/30/2021)
- November 30, 2021 | Staff Recommendations based on public comments (11/30/2021)
- November 9, 2021 | Supplemental Staff Report (11/4/2021)
- October 26, 2021 | Supplemental Staff Report: Concerning the Comprehensive Update and the Periodic Review of the Shoreline Master Program (10/24/21)
- June – September 2021 | SMP public comment and department responses. Video and transcripts of meeting discussion
- May 11, 2021 | Presentation | SMP Staff Report (5/5/2021)
- April 27, 2021 | Presentation | Focus Sheet
- March 23, 2021 | Presentation | Focus Sheet
- March 9, 2021 | Presentation | Focus Sheet
- February 23, 2021 | Presentation | Focus Sheet
- February 9, 2021 | Presentation | Focus Sheet
- January 26, 2021 | Presentation | Focus Sheet
- December 8, 2020 | Presentation
Financial Documents
Video Archive
Project Summary
What is a Shoreline Master Program?
The Shoreline Master Program (SMP) is a set of policies and regulations required by state law that has three basic principles:
-
Protect the environmental resources of state shorelines
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Promote public access and enjoyment opportunities
- Give priority to uses that require a shoreline location
The SMP must also protect critical areas, ensure no net loss of ecological functions and encourage preferred uses.
The SMP includes goals, policies, and regulations consistent with the Shoreline Management Act of 1971.
Why are we completing a comprehensive update of the SMP?
In 2003, the state Legislature established funding, timelines, and guidelines requiring all cities and counties to update their local Shoreline Master Programs prepared under the Washington State Shoreline Management Act. The new shoreline guidelines passed in 2003 set a higher level of environmental protection for shorelines in the state and a goal of "no net loss" of shoreline function.
The comprehensive update of the SMP began in 2010 and was put on hold in September 2016. Skagit County is completing the comprehensive update of its SMP. We are behind schedule in completing this update.
The comprehensive update of the SMP includes many documents. Please see Supporting Documents section below.
The comprehensive update of the SMP contains a public process, including
- Visioning Workshops
- A technical advisory committee
- Open houses
- Planning Commission review
Please see Summary of Public Participation Process and Planning Commission sections below for additional information on the public process that has already occurred.
What is a periodic review of the SMP?
Subsequent periodic review of the SMP is required by the State every eight years. The first periodic review of Skagit County’s comprehensive SMP update is due June 30, 2021.
The purpose and scope of the 2020-2021 periodic review is to keep the SMP current with
- Amendments to state law (WAC, RCW)
- Consistency with Ecology’s periodic review checklist
- Changes in local plans and regulations
- Consistency with Comp Plan and development regulations
- New or improved data and information
- Consistency with latest Ecology guidance, science, and other improvements to the SMP’s overall use and function
Proposed Project Timeline
Historical Information (from 2016 and before)
Skagit County (along with every other city and county in the state) is working on updating our 1970s-era shoreline regulations. Our shoreline plans are required by the state Shoreline Management Act ("the SMA"), which was approved by Washington voters in a 1972 referendum. Read these frequently-asked questions (including myth-busters) about the Shoreline Master Program update.
Proposed SMP Update Drafts
SMP Public Comment Release Draft (February 2016)
The policies, development regulations, and environment designation map below constitute the proposed County regulations on which the Planning Commission will issue a recommendation and that the Board of County Commissioners will eventually adopt.
- Staff Report to the Board of County Commissioners (September 1, 2016)
- Planning Commission Recorded Motion (August 17, 2016)
- Supplemental Staff Report #5 (August 9, 2016)
- Supplemental Staff Report #4 (July 14, 2016)
- Supplemental Staff Report #3 (June 5, 2016)
- Supplemental Staff Report #2 (April 21, 2016)
- Supplemental Staff Report #1 (April 15, 2016)
- Public Comments (April 7, 2016)
- Staff report and FAQ (February 5, 2016)
- Shoreline Master Program policies and development regulations (February 4, 2016)
- Supplemental Changes to SCC 14.04, 14.06, 14.24 (February 4, 2016)
- Notice of availability, written comment period, and public hearing (February 4, 2016)
- Environment Designation Maps (July 8, 2013)
Supporting Documents
The documents below are background and supplemental studies, reports, and data that the state requires Skagit County prepare for its SMP Update.
Planning Commission Update Memos
The County Planning Commission spent the last two years reviewing and offering detailed feedback on older drafts of the SMP.
- Planning Commission Update Memo (January 27, 2016)
- Planning Commission Update Memo (January 13, 2016)
- Planning Commission Update Memo (May 26, 2015)
- Planning Commission Update Memo (April 22, 2015)
-
Planning
Commission Update Memo
(February 24, 2015)
-
Planning
Commission Update Memo
(June 24, 2014)
-
Planning
Commission Update Memo
(May 29, 2014)
-
Planning
Commission Update Memo
(May 14, 2014)
-
Planning
Commission Update Memo
(April 23, 2014)
-
Planning
Commission Update Memo
(April 8, 2014)
-
Planning
Commission Update Memo
(March 25, 2014)
-
Planning
Commission Update Memo
(March 11, 2014)
-
Planning
Commission Update Memo
(February 25, 2014; corrected March 12,
2014)
Older SMP Update Drafts
How to Participate & Comment
Summary of Public Participation Process to Date
Skagit County is following this Public Participation Plan (PDF) to expand opportunities for public comment and involvement in development of the updated Shoreline Master Program. The draft SMP update will also go through the required public process for land use legislation found in Skagit County Code 14.08.
Process Timeline
|
Date |
Item |
|
May 2011. |
Notice mailed to all unincorporated county landowners |
|
June 7. 2011 |
Concrete Visioning workshop |
|
June 8, 2011 |
Lyman Visioning workshop |
|
June 15, 2011 |
Mount Vernon Visioning workshop |
|
July 13, 2011 |
Anacortes Visioning workshop |
|
May 22, 2012 |
First working draft released |
|
June 2012 |
Informal comment period on first working draft |
|
February 4. 2013 |
Working draft for Ecology's preliminarry review released |
|
Summer 2013 |
Open houses in Concrete. Lyman , Mount Vernon, and Anacortes |
|
Spring 2014 |
Revised draft elements for Planning Commission workshops |
|
2015 |
Revised draft elements for Planning Commission final review before public comment |
|
February 5, 2016 |
Revised draft released; written comment period starts |
|
February 26, 2016 |
Expected release of analysis documents |
|
March 15, 2016 |
Planning Commission public hearing at 6pm |
|
April 4, 2016 |
Written comment period ends |
|
April-August 2016 |
Planning Commission deliberations on comments and draft |
|
August 2016 |
Planning Commission issues recommendation on draft |
|
2018 |
Board of County Commissioners preliminary approval |
|
Expected w/n 12 mos |
Ecology preliminary approval |
|
Following |
Board of County Commissioners adoption |
|
Following |
Ecology final approval |
Grant Agreement
Skagit County received a state grant to fund development of the SMP Update for the County itself, as well as the towns of Lyman and Hamilton.
Open Houses
In May and June 2013, Skagit County held open houses in Mount Vernon, Anacortes, Lyman, and Concrete to discuss the draft shoreline plan and get feedback from the public. The format for the open houses was informal discussions with County staff and the consultant team to answer questions and provide information and to receive input on the SMP, which is reflected in this report.
Visioning Workshops
The Department held visioning workshops in Concrete, Lyman, Mount Vernon, and Anacortes June-July 2011 and presented this Visioning Workshops SMP Background Presentation. The result of those workshops is summarized in this Visioning Workshops Summary.
Shoreline Advisory Committee
The Board of County Commissioners has appointed a 17-member advisory committee to help review draft materials and advise the Planning & Development Services Department throughout the update process. Meetings are open to the public, and agendas, minutes and schedules are available on the committee website.
Public Comment on First Working Draft
The Department accepted comments on the first working draft from May 22 through June 29, 2012.
Planning Commission
The Skagit County Planning Commission has been reviewing and providing feedback on early drafts as they are prepared by the County's consultant, staff, and the advisory committee. The Planning Commission will also review the formal complete draft, and hold at least one public hearing on it.
Board of County Commissioners
The Board of County Commissioners will review the document after the Planning Commission issues its recommendation, and make a decision on it consistent with the process in Skagit County Code 14.08.
Ecology Approval
Shoreline Master Programs have to be approved by the Department of Ecology to be valid. After the Board approves the document, Ecology will approve it or make comments. The Board may need to make changes to the document before final Ecology approval.
Where We Are Now (updated 2/4/14)
The Department has produced a complete working draft of the updated Shoreline Master Program after addressing Planning Commission and Ecology comments and rewriting for clarity, consistency, and brevity. The Planning Commission will review and make suggestions on this draft approximately on the schedule described by this memo before a new draft is prepared for public comment and public hearing.
Received Comments
- Comments on early drafts received through June 29, 2012
Reference Information
Contact Us
Allen Rozema, Assistant Director
Skagit County Planning and Development Services
(360) 416-1336
arozema@co.skagit.wa.us
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