CITY OF DES MOINES SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM

Des Moines Shoreline Master Program
5. All cut fill and side cast slopes shall be planted or seeded with appropriate ground cover or
otherwise treated to prevent erosion of the slope.
6. All ruts and erodible soil conditions caused by brush cutting or any land clearing and grading
operations should prevent the invasion of water or planted with appropriate ground cover.
7. Whenever seeding, planting or other soil stabilizing measures are specified as part of a
shoreline development proposal, it shall be performed as soon as practical.
6.2.8 Instream Structures
Instream structures are those placed by humans within a stream or river channel waterward of the
ordinary high water mark (OHWM) that either causes or has the potential to cause water
impoundment or the diversion, obstruction, or modification of flow. This may include those for
hydroelectric generation, irrigation, water supply, flood control, transportation, utility service
transmission, fish habitat enhancement, or other purpose. Only those instream structures that are
with the City’s shoreline jurisdiction are regulated by the provisions of this Program.
1. Instream structures may be permitted in all shoreline environments as a conditional use.
2. In-stream structures shall provide for the protection and preservation, of ecosystem-wide
processes, ecological functions, and cultural resources, including, but not limited to, fish and
fish passage, wildlife and water resources, hydrogeological processes, and shoreline critical
areas.
3. The location and planning of instream structures shall give due consideration to the full range
of public interests, watershed functions and processes, and environmental concerns, with
special emphasis on protecting and restoring priority habitats and species.
4. Instream structures shall be designed, located, and constructed in such a manner as to avoid
extensive topographical alteration and preserve natural scenic vistas.
5. Instream structures that divert water shall return flow to the stream in as short a distance as
possible.
6. All instream structures shall be designed to allow the natural transport of bedload materials.
7. Instream structures and their support facilities shall be designed to minimize removal of
vegetation.
6.3 Shoreline Uses
Shoreline uses refers to specific common uses and types of development to the extent they occur
within shoreline jurisdiction. While shoreline modifications refer to specific structures, actions,
or alterations that generally support a specific use (e.g., dredging to accommodate a marina),
shoreline uses are the primary use of land that is within shoreline jurisdiction (e.g., residential,
recreation, commercial, etc.). All uses and development must be consistent with the provisions
of the environment designation in which they are located (see Table 6-1) and the general
regulations of this master program.
Department of Ecology approval effective November 1, 2010
76 Adopted by City of Des Moines Ordinance No. 1502