Kitsap County

Department of Community Development

Updating Kitsap County’s Shoreline Master Program (SMP)

– process overview, public outreach, involvement

Patty Charnas, Environmental Programs Manager

Kitsap County Department of Community Development

Background1971 – State Shoreline Management Act

Mid 1970s – Kitsap County adopts its first Shoreline Management Program (SMP)

1999 – Most recent update of County SMP (currently in effect)

2003 – State Adopts New Shoreline Guidelines

2009 – County initiates a comprehensive SMP update as required by the State

Where does SMP Apply?

Marine Shorelines

Land 200’ from ordinary high water mark

Floodways and floodplains

Associated wetlands and river deltas

Where does SMP Apply?

Associated wetlands and river deltas

Lakes greater than 20 acres

Stream segments with mean annual flow of

20 c.f.s. or greater

Lands 200’ from ordinary high water mark

Floodways and floodplains

Applied to shore segments based on:

•Ecological condition•Existing land use•Geographic character

Provides system for determining allowed uses

BackgroundWhat is subject to this update?

Development of a planning document that defines goals and policies for shoreline use and development serves as a Comprehensive Plan for the

management of shoreline areas

A set of regulations that governs shoreline use consistent with state law

A framework for future shoreline use, protection and restoration over time

Plan + use regulations + restoration framework = PROGRAM

Kitsap County Shoreline186 miles of saltwater shorelineLake shoreline = 33.75 miles; stream miles = 9.48 miles

WAC 173-26 requires a substantial update effortTo include demonstration of no net lossTo include cumulative impact assessment To include restoration plan

Background

All Cities in Kitsap County are doing SMP updates

SMP updates to consider Puget Sound Action Agenda and new Stormwater Policies

Integrate and support County plans, policies, and regulations

Ensure predictability, accountability, and efficiency

Have a strong scientific basis

Vision StatementComply with legislative mandates including requirements for no net loss of shoreline ecological functions Protect private individual property rights consistent with the public interest

Create a shoreline stewardship program that fosters reasonable and appropriate shoreline uses while protecting valuable and fragile natural resourcesEngage a wide variety of stakeholders, citizens and interests in developing goals and policies

Why are we doing this….

Want local citizens to be part of SMP updateMandated by RCW 90.58Funded by State legislature through Ecology grantDepartment of Ecology rules must be met or State will

write local planWant local citizens to implement state program

Who is involved….Governments; e.g., County, Tribes, Cities, Ports, State

Agencies, othersBusiness and IndustryEducational institutionsCitizen Groups; e.g., shoreline neighborhood residents,

private property owners, County Citizen Advisory Councils

Environmental GroupsDepartment of Ecology – Approving Authority

Shoreline Master Plan Update

How will it get done….Create Task Force

Policy adviceBest management practices adviceAssist regulation framing

Conduct Gap AnalysisOrganize Task ForcePrioritize effortsConduct continuous public outreachFocus on topics rather than whole code at

once

East Kitsap Nearshore Salmon Habitat Assessment – restoration prioritization framework

SITE NUMBER

SITE DOMINANT PROCESS SCORE

SITE CONTROLLING FACTOR SCORE

DRIFT CELL NUMBER COLORED BY SCORE

When is this being done….September – December 2009

Task Force creation/trainingCitizen participation plan approved/implemented

January 2010 – January 2012Goals and Policies Shoreline uses

January 2012 – June 2012Final decision makingAdoptions and approvals

Briefed throughout processCitizens and the publicPlanning Commission Board of CommissionersState for approval

Innovative Approaches Alternative Techniques

City of Kirkland: Shoreline dimension and lot characteristics determine development standards

Whatcom County: Performance-based watershed assessment and mitigation planning supplant prescriptive CAO buffers

City of Issaquah: Synthesizing existing watershed information (stormwater plans; salmon recovery plans) for SMP characterization

Who did we miss?

Other stakeholdersShoreline usersOther entities

Shoreline Update will request stakeholders’TimeThought and discussionWork products

Read up on this: www.kitsapshoreline.org