Shoreline Master Program Update Shoreline Master Program Update: Process Overview City of Benton City August 30, 2012 1

Shoreline Master Program Update

Shoreline Master Program Update: Process Overview

City of Benton CityAugust 30, 2012

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Agenda• What is an SMP?• How long will it take?• What are the steps?• What are your visions for the future of Benton

City’s shorelines?

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Shoreline Management Act (SMA)RCW 90.58

To prevent harm caused by uncoordinated and piecemeal development of the state’s major shorelines

Shoreline Master Program (SMP) GuidelinesWAC 127-26

SMP--Carries out provisions of SMAMust be approved by Dept. of Ecology, using policy of RCW

90.58.020 and Guidelines as approval standards/criteria


Key Principles of the SMP• Balance

—Environmental protection—Public access—Water-oriented uses

• Preferred Uses• No Net Loss of Ecological Function

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Updated Shoreline Jurisdiction

• Stream flows ≥ 20 cubic feet per second

• Upland areas 200 feet from ordinary high water mark

• Floodways and adjacent floodplain area

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Steps and Status

Inventory&

Analysis

SMP- Environment Designations- Goals- Policies- Regulations

Cumulative Impacts Analysis

Local Adoption

Restoration Plan

Determine Jurisdiction

Ecology Review and Adoption

Public Participation

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SMP Contents• Environment Designations• General Provisions

—e.g., critical areas, flood hazard reduction, public access, vegetation conservation

• Shoreline Modifications —e.g., shoreline stabilization, dredging

• Shoreline Uses —e.g., residential, recreational, transportation

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Inventory Topics• Jurisdiction

—Proposed Shoreline Management Area

• Natural Environment

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—Soils—Geology—Floodplain & Wetlands—Landslide and Seismic

Hazard Areas

—Priority Habitats/Species and Fish Distribution

—Vegetation—Shoreline Ecological Function—Restoration Opportunities


Inventory Topics• Built Environment

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—Comprehensive Land Use Designations

—Zoning—Current Land Use—Sanitary Sewer System—Surface Water System & Outfalls—Impervious Surfaces—Shoreline Modifications

—Public Access—303d Listed Waters &

Permitted Sites • Other

—Reach Map


Restoration Actions• Can be important for no net

loss• Can include watershed level

improvements• Can include program and

voluntary actions• Can serve as source of

required mitigation measures when there are shoreline impacts

Types of Opportunities

• Enhancement of riparian vegetation

• Address possible sources of fecal coliform contamination

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Targeted Workshop Dates• August 30, 2012 – SMP process overview • October 25, 2012 – Visioning workshop• November 20, 2012 – Goals, policies, and regulations

workshop• January 24, 2013 – Review draft SMP• March 28, 2013 – Revisit draft SMP, cumulative impacts,

and restoration• May 23, 2013 – Planning Commission recommends SMP

to City Council


Key Public Participation Milestones• Shoreline Visioning – October 25, 2012• Draft SMP Workshop – January 24, 2013• Hearings and Local Adoption – Late Spring 2013

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Keep Informed• Attend public meetings and workshops• Learn about Benton City’s shoreline• Ask questions and provide comments


Discussion Questions• Public access• Shoreline use• Restoration

• How do you currently use Benton City shorelines?

• What additional or improved public access could be provided?

• What future uses you would like to see along Benton City shorelines?

• What shoreline areas should be: Protected? Restored?

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Contact Information:Ben Floyd, Anchor QEA

[email protected]

Ferdouse Oneza, Oneza & Associates509-845-2453

[email protected]

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Documents

Shoreline Master Program Update Shoreline Master Program Update: Process Overview City of Benton City August 30, 2012 1