Shoreline Management Program

Washington’s Shoreline Management Act (SMA) was adopted by the public in a 1972 referendum “to prevent the inherent harm in an uncoordinated and piecemeal development of the state’s shorelines.” The SMA has three broad policies:

1. Encourage water-dependent uses: "uses shall be preferred which are consistent with control of pollution and prevention of damage to the natural environment, or are unique to or dependent upon use of the states' shorelines...”
2. Protect shoreline natural resources, including "...the land and its vegetation and wildlife, and the water of the state and their aquatic life..."
3. Promote public access: “the public’s opportunity to enjoy the physical and aesthetic qualities of natural shorelines of the state shall be preserved to the greatest extent feasible consistent with the overall best interest of the state and the people generally."

State-local partnership

The SMA is administered through a cooperative program between local governments and the Washington State Department of Ecology:

• Cities and counties develop shoreline master programs that regulate development along larger streams, lakes, and marine waters.

• Ecology provides technical assistance, and reviews and approves local master programs and permit decisions.

The Act places a strong emphasis on public participation in developing local shoreline programs and in the local permit process.

Resources

• Issaquah Shoreline Management Program Update

• King County Shoreline Master Program

• Lake Sammamish Lake Buffer, Set-up, and Restoration Incentives  (City of Sammamish)
• Shoreline Management Program (Department of Ecology)
• Shoreline Master Program (City of Bellevue)
• Blog
• Sustainable Waterfront Practices for Lake Washington (City of Seattle, Department of Planning and Development)