CITY OF DES MOINES SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM

Des Moines Shoreline Master Program
fish or wildlife habitat;
7. Waters of the state as defined in Title 222 WAC;
8. Lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers planted with game fish by a governmental or tribal
entity; and
9. State natural area preserves and natural resource conservation areas as defined,
established, and managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources.
Flood plain 1 . Synonymous with one hundred-year flood plain, meaning that land area
susceptible to inundation with a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given
year. The limit of this area shall be based upon flood ordinance regulation maps or a reasonable
method which meets the objectives of the act.
Forest management practices 2 . Those methods used for the protection, production and cutting
of timber or bush.
Geologically hazardous areas 4 . Erosion hazard areas, landslide hazard areas, or seismic hazard
areas as defined by the SMP.
Geologically unstable 4 . The relative instability of a shoreform or land form for development
purposes over the long term or the intended life of any proposed structure. Soil, slope, ground or
surface water, other geologic conditions, vegetation and effects of development are common
factors that contribute to instability. Areas characterized by banks or bluffs composed of
unconsolidated alluvial or glacial deposits (till and drift material), or bluffs composed of
unconsolidated alluvial or glacial deposits (till and drift material), severely fractured bedrock,
active and substantial erosion, substantially deformed trees and shrubs, or active or inactive earth
slides are likely to be considered geologically unstable.
Geotechnical report 1 . Also referred to as a “geotechnical analysis,” meaning a scientific study
or evaluation conducted by a qualified expert that includes a description of the ground and
surface hydrology and geology, the affected land form and its susceptibility to mass wasting,
erosion, and other geologic hazards or processes, conclusions and recommendations regarding
the effect of the proposed development on geologic conditions, the adequacy of the site to be
developed, the impacts of the proposed development, alternative approaches to the proposed
development, and measures to mitigate potential site-specific and cumulative geological and
hydrological impacts of the proposed development, including the potential adverse impacts to
adjacent and down-current properties. Geotechnical reports shall conform to accepted technical
standards and must be prepared by qualified professional engineers or geologists who have
professional expertise about the regional and local shoreline geology and processes.
Grade, average level 3 . The average of the finished ground level at the center of all exterior
walls of a building. In case walls are parallel to and within five feet of a sidewalk, the sidewalk
shall be considered the finished ground level.
Grading 1 . The movement or redistribution of the soil, sand, rock, gravel, sediment, or other
material on a site in a manner that alters the natural contour of the land.
KEY: 1. RCW or WAC 2. 1988 SMP Glossary 3. City Zoning Code 4. New Definition
Department of Ecology approval effective November 1, 2010
120 Adopted by City of Des Moines Ordinance No. 1502