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1. What is a Shoreline Master Program?

Shoreline Master Programs are both planning and regulatory documents. SMPs carry out the policies of the Shoreline Management Act on local shorelines. An SMP consists of:

• Comprehensive use plan
• Diagrams or other descriptive material
• Maps
• Standards for shorelines of the state [RCW 90.58.030(3)(b)]
• Statement of desired goals
• Use regulations

SMPs are based on state laws and rules and tailored to local geographic and environmental conditions and existing development patterns.

2. What is the Shoreline Management Act?

The Shoreline Management Act (SMA), RCW 90.58, provides a statewide framework for managing, accessing and protecting shorelines. Now more than 40 years old, the SMA reflects the strong interest of the public in our shorelines and waterways for recreation, protection of natural areas, aesthetics, and commerce.

3. Where does the Shoreline Management Act and the City’s SMP apply?

The Shoreline Management Act (SMA) applies to major water bodies and their adjacent shorelands throughout Washington State. The approximate 28,204 miles of shorelines in the State include:

• Marine waters.
• Streams over 20 cubic feet per second mean annual flow
• Water areas and reservoirs 20 acres and greater
• Upland areas called shorelands that are 200 feet landward of the Ordinary High Water Mark
• All associated wetlands

Within the City of Milton, the SMP applies to Surprise Lake and the Hylebos Creek, along with land within 200 feet of these shorelines.

4. What is the periodic review of the City’s Shoreline Master Program?

The Shoreline Management Act (SMA) requires a periodic review of comprehensively updated SMPs. Local governments must review amendments to the SMA and Ecology rules that have occurred since the master program was last amended, and determine if local amendments are needed to maintain compliance. Local governments must also review changes to the comprehensive plan and development regulations to determine if the SMP policies and regulations remain consistent with them.

Local governments should consider during their periodic review whether to incorporate any amendments needed to reflect changed circumstances, new information, or improved data. The Legislature has established a schedule for every community to complete these reviews. The first round of periodic reviews is due on or before June 30, 2019 for Snohomish, King, and Pierce counties and their cities and towns.

5. What laws or rules have been changed since the City’s SMP was last amended?

Ecology has prepared a checklist (PDF) of all laws and rules adopted, organized by year. The checklist is accompanied by a guidance document that explains each item. The City will review its SMP and determine if gaps exist between its regulations and newly adopted laws or guidance. Amendments will be prepared that bring the SMP into conformance with these rules and laws.

6. When was the last time the City’s SMP was adopted?

The City’s SMP was originally adopted in 1985 and was subsequently updated and adopted in 1995. The current SMP was formally adopted as a comprehensive update to its 1995 SMP on November 13, 2012. The City is now required to conduct a Periodic Review and adopt any necessary amendments to the SMP by June 30, 2019.

7. Is the public permitted to provide feedback on the proposed amendments to the City’s SMP?

Yes, in fact the Shoreline Management Act (SMA) requires public participation for all amendments. Ecology rules call for a public participation plan that should include broad dissemination of informative materials, proposals and alternatives, opportunities for written comments, public meetings after effective notice, provisions for open discussion, and consideration of and responses to public comments. The plan will ensure the public knows when to comment on the scope of the review and proposed changes, and when the City Council is expected to take formal action.

Comments will be accepted throughout the project, until the SMP is formally adopted. A community open is scheduled to provide the public with opportunities to speak with City staff in person and have their voices heard as decisions are made regarding amendments to the SMP. The public will also have an opportunity to comment at the public hearing where the City Council will consider proposed amendments to the SMP.