King County Council extends deadline for testimony of Shoreline Master Program updates

September 20, 2010

Summary

Public weighs in proposal to protect shorelines

Story

The Metropolitan King County Council today extended the deadline for written testimony on proposed updates to the King County Shoreline Master Program, the set of policies and development regulations by which King County protects its shorelines. The extension was granted after public testimony stating that even after seven months of meetings, discussion and public input, more time was needed to study the potential impact of the proposal.

“Public input has been key to shaping the Shoreline Master Program in a way that will protect our lakes, rivers, and Puget Sound for generations to come,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips, Chair of the Environment and Transportation Committee. “This proposal reflects the public comments the Council has heard through ten hearings, many hours of testimony, and hundreds of letters and emails.”

The Shoreline Master Program is comprised of both policies and regulations. It guides development within the county's shoreline jurisdiction and sets policy that protects the ecological functions within the shoreline while allowing reasonable and necessary use of the shorelines to support the region's economy and provide recreational opportunities.

The Shoreline Master Program was developed pursuant to requirements of the State Shoreline Management Act (“SMA”). Approved by voters in 1972, the SMA requires each county and city to adopt a Shoreline Master Program (“SMP”) and regulations to “prevent the inherent harm in an uncoordinated and piecemeal development of the state's shorelines.”

Adopted in 1978, the County's current SMP has not seen any substantial revisions in three decades. In 2003, the Washington Department of Ecology adopted revised guidelines that govern the content of local SMPs. Under state law, King County is required to complete its updated SMP that implements the new state guidelines by December 1, 2010.

The Council has extended the deadline to submit written testimony on the SMP legislation as well as the updates to the Comprehensive Plan until October 1. Therefore, the scheduled vote on these matters has been continued to a later date. There will be no council action on the SMP or the Comprehensive Plan on September 27, 2010.