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Shoreline Management Program
WHAT: Whatcom
County's shorelines are among the most valuable of this state's natural
resources. Shoreline ecosystems are diverse, dynamic, fragile and
sensitive environments. Protection and management of these areas
is important to the preservation of ecological functions and values of
our natural environment, as well as the protection of the public
health, safety and welfare of our community. Unregulated or
inappropriate development on or near shorelines can result in impacts
that threaten the public welfare and shoreline resources, including:
pollution, erosion and sedimentation, habitat loss, flooding, or loss
of property.
Lakes
are important because they provide critical fresh water environments for many
aquatic plants, animals, fish, and insects, as well as provide multiple
recreational, sport and enjoyment opportunities. Lake Samish
also provides significant sources of potable water for human consumption.
Lakes are bodies of water that are supplied with sufficient
water flow to keep their basins at least partially filled throughout the year. The
water balance of most lakes is maintained by inflow of surface water. Though
lakes can also be fed by underwater seeps or springs, most lakes are both fed
and drained by streams.
Management concerns: Lake
ecosystems are affected by a variety of influences outside of the water.
Development impacts along lake shorelines vary with the type of development and
the type of lake where it occurs. Common development impacts are result in
removal of native shoreline vegetation, bulkheads, increased stormwater runoff,
introduction of dissolved nutrients and pollutants.
Removal of shoreline vegetation, aquatic
and/or riparian, can result in a loss of fish habitat, shade, insects and other
aquatic organisms important to fish foraging. Lake
shore defense works, like marine shore defense works, may also result in
increased erosion of lake sediments which can disturb or destroy fish spawning
and rearing habitat, as well as erode neighboring beaches and uplands.
Increased stormwater runoff and toxics can decrease overall water quality,
increase sediment inputs and turbidity, and increase nutrient inputs which can
contribute to more frequent occurrences of aquatic weed growth and algae blooms
like those experienced at Lake
Samish in recent years.
WHEN: The State Legislature passed the Washington State Shoreline
Management Act (SMA) in June 1971. The SMA was overwhelmingly passed by public
initiative in 1972. Under the SMA, each county and city was required to prepare
a shoreline “master program” in accordance with the shoreline guidelines issued
by the State Department of Ecology in 1972. The
Whatcom County Shoreline Management Program (SMP), WCC Title 23, is the
document that implements the goals and policies of the SMA at the local level.
It was adopted in 1976 in accordance with RCW 90.58.
LSA ACTION:
STATUS:
Updated information - see below.
LSA CONTACT:
Update
The 2008 Shoreline Management Program ordinance is on the
agenda for the Oct. 21 County council meeting, including a resolution to
reconvene the SMP Citizens Advisory Committee in order to amend specific
provisions of the SMP.
The resolution to revisit certain SMP provisions may be limited
to certain Ecology changes and recent public comment, regarding:
- 2500 sqft of buildable area on non-conforming lots
- Clarifing language about homes destroyed by fire or otherwise
- Cherry Point industrial uses
- Public Access for public entities
- Definitions of Bedlands, Navigable Waters, and Development
Planning & Development Website
Proposed Shoreline
Regulation
Bellingham Herald News Article
(10-6-08)
Citizens for Rational
Shoreline Planning
