Planning and Development Services

Skagit Shoreline Master Program Advisory Committee

Introduction

Over the next 24 to 30 months, Skagit County will update its Shoreline Master Program (SMP). In doing so, the County will inform and engage interested and affected parties who represent diverse perspectives including timber, agriculture, business, fish, wildlife, recreation, etc. In addition to a variety of public involvement activities to engage the general public, shoreline landowners and affected agencies, the County will identify and select a group of 11-15 individuals to serve on a Shoreline Advisory Committee (SAC). The purpose of the advisory committee will be to review and provide input on technical documents created to support development of the SMP as well as on draft SMP policies and regulations. The SAC will provide input and recommendations to County planning staff and their consultants, the Planning Commission, and ultimately, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) through the decision-making process of the SMP that is described in the Skagit County Shoreline Master Program Public Participation Program. Generally, members will be expected to make a commitment to monthly meetings for a 12- to 15-month period, and review technical information both in advance of and following advisory committee meetings.

Advisory Committee

• Public and stakeholder involvement: encourages review and input throughout the process through shoreline advisory committee, public meetings, Web information and other outreach activities
  
• 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
  
• Environmental designations: based on the analysis, identifies appropriate shorelines where certain uses/activities are allowed, prohibited or conditioned
  
• Polices and regulations: creates development guidelines and standards for specific uses (e.g. marinas) and modification activities (e.g. bulkheads and piers)
  
• Cumulative impacts: the State requires the SMP be evaluated to ensure no net loss of ecological function under a reasonably foreseeable future
  
• Restoration planning: provides goals and priorities, benchmarks and implementation strategy to ensure gradual restoration of impaired shorelines
  
• Approval: required at both local (Board of County Commissioners, Town Councils) and State (Ecology) level

Agendas and Minutes
Draft project schedule [Pdf]

The SAC holds regular monthly meetings on the second Thursday of the month, from 5PM to 8PM in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room at 1800 Continental Place in Mount Vernon.

	Agenda	Meeting summary
September 8,2011
October 13, 2011
November 10, 2011
December 8, 2011
January 12, 2012
February 9, 2012
March 8, 2012
April 12, 2012
April 24, 2012
May 8, 2012
June 14, 2012		-

Shoreline Advisory Committee Roster

Questions about the SMP Update, advisory committee, or application process should be directed to Betsy Stevenson, Skagit County Planning and Development Services, at (360) 416-1320 ext 5879 or betsyds@co.skagit.wa.us.

Related: Invitation to Apply to the Advisory Committee (Pdf)