Mercer Island from the north (Luther Burbank Park in the foreground)

Shoreline Master Program Update

What is the Shoreline Master Program?

In 1972, Washington adopted its Shoreline Management Act (SMA) by public 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
2. Protect shoreline natural resources
3. Promote public access

The City of Mercer Island is required by the Washington Shoreline Management Act (SMA) to develop and adopt a Shoreline Master Program (SMP), which includes goals, policies, and regulations consistent with state guidelines to protect shorelines.  In Mercer Island, the SMP is applicable to upland areas (“shorelands? that extend 200 feet landward from the edge Lake Washington. The City’s SMP must meet the new State Guidelines and the Department of Ecology must approve the City’s updated SMP.

How does this affect me?

The City is currently in the process of drafting the update to the Shoreline Master Program. Therefore it is difficult at this point to provide examples of specific regulations. That being said, the new regulations may affect those property owners adjacent to Lake Washington who wish to modify their shorelands area. These alterations could include docks, bulkheads, setbacks from the shoreline, and the placement of structures near the Lake.

Why is Mercer Island updating its Shoreline Master Program?

In 2003, the State issued a comprehensive set of guidelines addressing requirements for local Shoreline Master Programs, which are contained in Chapter 173-26 of the Washington Administrative Codes. Legislation requires that the City of Mercer Island and other municipalities update their Shoreline Master Programs to be consistent with changes to the Shoreline Management Act (SMA).

Shoreline Master Program Update Timeline:

Public Open House (Click to view flyer)	May 19, 2009
Planning Commission Workshops for the Draft SMP	see schedule below
State Environmental Policy Act Review	Autumn 2009
Planning Commission Public Hearing with recommendation to City Council	Winter 2010
City Council Review and Adoption	Spring 2010
Department of Ecology Review*	Summer 2010
Notice of Adoption	Autumn 2010

*   If the DOE disapproves a Master Program it is empowered to “develop by rule and adopt an alternative to the local government’s proposal?  Similarly, DOE’s “Shoreline Master Program Guidelines?(Ch. 173-26 WAC) are both substantive and mandatory.

 
Planning Commission Workshop Schedule: Click here to access the Planning Commission site

• April 15, 2009 - TOPIC: Environment Designations & General Provisions (Click here for Commission Packet)
• May 6, 2009 - TOPIC: Shoreline Use Provisions (Click here for Commission Packet)
• June 17, 2009 - TOPIC: Shoreline Modification Provisions (Click here for Commission Packet)
• July 1, 2009 - TOPIC: Shoreline Use Modification Provisions Continued (Click here for Commission Packet)
• July 15, 2009 - TOPIC: Shoreline Use Modification Provisions Continued (Click here for Commission Packet) and the (SMP Memorandum)
• August 5, 2009 - TOPIC Shoreline Use Modification Provisions Continued (Click here for Commission Packet) and (SMP Memorandum)
• August 19, 2009 - TOPIC: Shoreline Vegetation Conservation, including setback standards (Click here for Commission Packet)
• September 2, 2009 - TOPIC: Shoreline Vegetation Conservation, including setback standards (Carried over from the August 19, 2009 meeting) (Click here for Commission Packet)
• September 16, 2009 - TOPIC: Shoreline Vegetation Conservation, including setback standards (Carried over from the Septebmer 2, 2009 meeting) (Click here for Commission Packet)

• October 7, 2009 - TOPIC: Environment Designations (Click here for Commission Packet)

• October 21, 2009 - TOPIC: Environment Designations and Shoreline Uses (Click here for Commission Packet)

• November 4, 2009 - TOPIC: Shoreline Uses (Click here for Commission Packet)

• December 16, 2009 - TOPIC: Shoreline Uses CANCELLED

• January 20, 2010 - TOPIC: Shoreline Uses (Click here for Commission Packet)

• February 17, 2010 - TOPIC: Review of Draft Shoreline Master Program (Click here for Commission Packet)

• March 3, 2010 - TOPIC: Review of Preliminary Draft Shoreline Master Program (Click here for Commission Paket)

*  Workshop meeting dates and topics are subject to change.  The above schedule will be updated to reflect any change.  Workshop meetings will be held at 7:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, located at 9611 SE 36th Street Mercer Island, WA, unless otherwise noted.

 
When will I have an opportunity to comment on the Shoreline Master Program?

There are many opportunities to share your opinion and/or comments on the Shoreline Master Program:

•       An open house occurred on May 19, 2009 from 6:00pm - 8:30pm at the Mercer Island Community Center at Mercer View, located at 8236 SE 24th Street.

•       During the Planning Commission Workshops (Please see schedule above), the Commission has included time in its agendas to allow for the public to speak about issues of concern.

•       There will be additional opportunities for the public to be involved throughout the update process, including a public hearing before the Planning Commission and one before the City Council.

If you have any questions, please contact Travis Saunders, Project Manager, at 206-275-7717 or email travis.saunders@mercergov.org
If you would like to receive notices throughout the SMP process, please email your name and mailing address to: smp@mercergov.org

County

• King County Shoreline Master Program

State

• 1971 Shoreline Management Act
• 2003 Shoreline Master Program Guidelines
• Puget Sound Nearshore Partnership
• Puget Sound Partnership
• State Department of Ecology Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program
• Washington Department of Ecology Shoreline Management

Federal

• National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 
• NOAA Coastal Zone Management

Other Related Links

• Green Shorelines - Bulkhead Alternatives for a Healthier Lake Washington
• "Greening Your Shorelines" Workshop Info (June 23)