Summit #1

San Juan County

Shoreline Master Program Update

March 1st, 2nd, and 3rd 2011

1

Agenda

–SMP Process–Key Principles–SMP Development and Key Issues–Public Participation– Inventory Results–Next Steps

2

SMP Process

3

What is an SMP?

A comprehensive shoreline land-use plan that includes policies and regulations for the use and development of the shoreline intended to:

• Protect shoreline processes• Promote public access• Accommodate all appropriate shoreline uses • Balance public and private interests

4

What an SMP is not

The SMP will apply to future development. It will not retroactively apply to past actions.

It will not require modifications to existing land uses or developments.

5

Why Update the SMP Now?

– Shoreline Management Act passed in 1971, adopted in 1972

– County’s last major update1998– Cooperative program – state and local

governments– New State SMP rules adopted in 2003– All local governments must update

• Due in San Juan County by 2013– State grant is funding the process

6

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 Guidelines WAC 127-26

Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Carries out provisions of SMA

Must be approved by Dept. of Ecology, using policy of RCW 90.58.020 and

Guidelines as approval standards/criteria

7

Where Does This Apply?

– Shoreline Jurisdiction• Marine shorelines• Lakes ≥20 acres• Upland areas 200 feet from OHWM• Associated wetlands• Aquatic areas waterward of OHWM

– New Uses• Existing shoreline uses and activities may continue

8

9

Preliminary Shoreline Jurisdiction Maps

10

Inventory&

Analysis

SMP- Environment Designations- Goals- Policies- Regulations

Cumulative Impacts Analysis

Local Adoption

Restoration Plan

Ecology Review and Adoption

Required Steps

Determine Jurisdiction

Public Participation

11

WE ARE HERE

Inventory&

Analysis

SMP- Environment Designations- Goals- Policies- Regulations

Cumulative Impacts Analysis

Local Adoption

Restoration Plan

Ecology Review and Adoption

New or Revised Elements

Determine Jurisdiction

Public Participation

12

WE ARE HERE

No Net Loss

Standard

Key SMP Principles

13

Key Principles of the SMP– Balance

• environmental protection

• public access

• water-oriented uses

– Still required to protect Critical Areas

– No Net Loss of Ecological Function

– Preferred Uses

14

Eco

logi

cal F

unct

ion

SMP Updates: Achieving No Net Loss of Ecological Function

SMP Restoration Plan

Voluntary restoration opportunities

No Net Loss – Current Baseline

On-going degradation from existing development

Unavoidable impacts from new

development

Key: Degraded Improved SMP elements

Higher

Lower

SMP UpdateFramework to achieve NNL

• Inventory & Characterization

• Environment Designation

• Development Policies & Standards

• Recommended Actions outside SMA authority

• Compliance Strategy

• Cumulative Impacts Analysis

• Restoration PlanShoreline violations

• Off-site mitigation opportunities

• Offsetting mitigation

Avoid and Mitigate Impacts

15

Shorelines of State

• Preferred Uses:–Uses that control pollution & prevent environmental damage–Uses unique to or dependent upon use of the state's shoreline–Single family residences–Ports–Shoreline recreational uses–Water-dependent uses, e.g. parks, marinas, piers, industrial and commercial developments –Other uses providing an opportunity for substantial numbers of people to enjoy the shorelines

Shorelines of Statewide Significance

• Preferred Uses: Uses that– Protect the statewide interest

over local interest– Preserve the natural character

of the shoreline– Result in long-term over short-

term benefit– Protect the resources and

ecology of the shoreline– Increase public access to

publicly owned areas of the shorelines

– Increase public recreational opportunities

– Other element consistent with SMA deemed appropriate or necessary

16

SMP Development

17

Shoreline Master Program Includes

Goals Policies Environment designations Regulations

18

Regulatory Content• Public Access• Shoreline Uses and Modifications• Vegetation Conservation• In-water Activities• Upland Activities

19

Environment Designations Based On:

• Criteria in the Guidelines• Ecological condition per Inventory/Analysis• Existing and planned land use

20

Development of the SMP• Builds upon:

• SMP Guidelines & Consistency Analysis• Inventory/Analysis Report

• Technical Advisory Committee to provide input and product review

• Policies and Regulations developed by County staff in collaboration with Planning Commission with guidance and review by County Council

• Eventual recommendation to County Council21

• Non-conforming Uses/Structures• Overwater Structures (piers/docks)• Shoreline Armoring• Residential Development• Buffers and Setbacks• Vegetation Conservation

Note: many topics are being addressed during the CAO update – proposed regulations likely in Spring 2011.

22

Key SMP Issues

Public Involvement

23

What have we heard so far:

Stakeholder Interview Summary

Conducted 20 interviews with 69 people representing 43 groups, organizations, and businesses

All viewed shorelines as most valuable resource and greatest asset

A majority say it is possible to find a balance – protecting property rights, protecting habitat, and providing public access

24

What have we heard so far:

Stakeholder Interview SummaryOther results:

Most were concerned about regulation: too much and not effective

Some said any new regulations are not needed unless there are proven problems

Others said a precautionary or preventative approach is needed

Many said the update has to be flexible: not a “one size fits all” approach

25

Public Involvement– Stakeholder Interviews

– Summit Meetings

• #2 = Visioning in summer 2011

• #3 = Review of Draft SMP mid 2012

– Technical Advisory Committee

– Community Outreach – fliers, fairs, etc.

– Information Sessions for Planning Commission

– County meetings with planning commissions and elected officials

26

27

Draft

Shoreline Inventory Maps

28

Current Land Use

Land Ownership

Marine Public Access

Septic Systems

Surface Water System

Impervious Surfaces

Geologic Units

Marine Shoreforms

Soils

29

CARA

Geologic Hazards

Floodplains and Wetlands

Land Cover

Habitats and Species

Drift Cells

Shoreline Modifications

Water Quality

Environmental Cleanup Sites

30

Current Land Use

31

Marine Public Access

32

Drift Cells

Shoreline Analysis– Develops current baseline condition from

which future impacts will be measured– Analyzes existing shoreline ecological

functions– Analyzes current land use and identifies

likely future changes– Identifies potential restoration opportunities

33

Next Steps

• Shoreline Analysis - May 2011• Community Visioning (Summit #2) - Summer

2011• Begin Drafting of SMP - Fall 2011• Public roll-out - mid-2012

34