Shorelines - Mason County

Updating Mason County’sShoreline Master Program (SMP)Tim GatesShorelands and Environmental Assistance ProgramDepartment of EcologySouthwest Regional Officetim.gates@ecy.wa.gov

I. Introduction ti to Washington’sShoreline Management Act (SMA)– History, state policy– How it works: Policies, i Regulations, Permits,DesignationsII. Mason County’s Update Process

Shoreline Management Act of 1971“ prevent the inherent harm in anuncoordinated and piecemealdevelopment of the state’sshorelines”“plan for and foster all reasonableand appropriate uses”A resource‐management approach:not a single‐mission statuteGov. Dan EvansRCW 90.58.020

Policy goals of the SMA require balance• Plan for priority uses that require ashoreline location (e.g., aquaculture)• Protect environmental resources ofstate shorelines (“No Net Loss”)• Promote public access and enjoymentof publicly‐owned shorelines• While recognizing and protectingprivate property rightsRCW 90.58.020

How it works: State law directs policy/procedureState LawShoreline Management ActAdopted by State LegislatureRCW 90.58State RuleGuidelinesAdopted by EcologyWAC 173‐26Local OrdinanceLocal OrdinanceShoreline Master ProgramAdopted by CommissionersCounty Comp Plan and Code

Ecology rules flesh out detailsState LawShoreline Management ActAdopted by State LegislatureRCW 90.58State RuleGuidelinesAdopted by EcologyWAC 173‐26Local OrdinanceLocal OrdinanceShoreline Master ProgramAdopted by CommissionersCounty Comp Plan and Code

Counties and cities write and implement SMPsState LawShoreline Management ActAdopted by State LegislatureRCW 90.58State RuleGuidelinesAdopted by EcologyWAC 173‐26Local OrdinanceLocal OrdinanceShoreline Master ProgramAdopted by CommissionersCounty Comp Plan and Code

SMA is a unique local‐state partnershipCounties and cities:Ecology:• Develop local ShorelineMaster Programs (SMPs),based on Ecologyguidelines, tailored tolocal circumstances• Administer the program(permits, compliance)• Writes guidelines• Technical assistance• Formal approval of SMPs• Final action on certainpermits– Conditional Use Permit– Variance

Where does the Shoreline Act apply?• Marine waters• Lakes > 20 acres• Larger streams (>20 cfs mean annualflow)• “shorelands” 200’landward from wateredge, or “OrdinaryHigh Water Mark”(OHWM)

SMPs are comprehensive use regulationsMason County SMP has 3 sections + mapPoliciesMason CountyComprehensivePlanChapter 9:ShorelinesRegulationsCounty CodeTitle 17.50Permit/appealProceduresCounty CodeTitle 15EnvironmentDesignations

Policies: set overall intention and directionMason CountyComprehensivePlanChapter 9:Shorelines• Express a commitment to act in acertain manner• Interpret, give support to, andexplain the regulations• Usually expressed as “should”Example of existing SMP Mining policy:“All practical measures should be taken to protect water bodiesfrom all sources of pollution, including sedimentation and siltation,chemical and petrochemical use and spillage, and storage ordisposal of mining i wastes and spoils. Maximum protection ti shouldbe provided for anadromous fisheries' resources.”

RegulationsPoliciesMason CountyComprehensivePlanChapter 9:ShorelinesRegulationsCounty CodeTitle 17.50Permit/appealProceduresCounty CodeTitle 15EnvironmentDesignations

Regulations: specific, definitive requirementsCounty CodeTitle 17.50• Performance standards andspecific bulk, height ordimensional standards• Use the verb form “shall”Example of an SMP regulation that implement the policy:“Mining activities that will permanently impede, or retard the flowor the direction of flow of any stream or river shall not beallowed. Surface runoff from the site carrying excessivesedimentation ti and siltation ti shall not be allowed to enter anyshoreline waters.”

Regulation chapter headings in current SMPCounty CodeTitle 17.50SMPsregulated awide range ofuses andactivities• Agriculture• Aquaculture• Commercial Development• Marinas• Mining• Residential Development• Utilities• Ports and Water‐Related Industry• Bulkheads, Breakwaters, Jetties And Groins• Fill• Dredging• Flood Protection And Shoreline Stabilization• Transportation Facilities• Piers and Docks

Not all activities are regulatedNot Regulated:• Ongoing timbermanagement/harvest• Ei Existing i & ongoing agriculture• Recreational shellfish harvest• Boating, fishing

Permit/appeal procedures: intro to key terms/processPoliciesMason CountyComprehensivePlanChapter 9:ShorelinesRegulationsCounty CodeTitle 17.50Permit/appealProceduresCounty CodeTitle 15EnvironmentDesignations

“Substantial development” triggers permitCounty CodeTitle 15“Development” = new structures, dredging,drilling, dumping, filling, removing sand/gravel;bulkheading; placing obstructions; bt ti etc.“SubstantialDevelopment” =developments that costmore than ~$6,400

Conditional Use & Variance permits: Ecology approvalCounty CodeTitle 15ConditionalUse: uses thatmay be allowedsubject toincreasedscrutinyVariance: permits thatallow variation from bulk,dimensional andperformance standards (likebuffers or height limits)Criteria for granting Conditional UseCriteria for granting Conditional Useand Variance permits in state rule

“Exemptions” = exempt from permit requirementsCounty CodeTitle 15Exemption: certainactivities exempt frompermit, though notstandards d (e.g., normalmaintenance and repair,Single Family house &bulkhead)Permit exemptions are in state laws/rules

Permitting is a public processCounty CodeTitle 15Advertise inpaper, post site,mailings within300 ft., 30‐daycomment periodHearings examinerreview: publichearing, followed byappeal period

Permit decisions appealed to State Hearings BoardCounty CodeTitle 15SMP permitdecisions areappealed tothe stateShorelinesHearings Board(SHB)The SHB is now part of the Environmental and Land UseHearings Office

Shoreline permit history (1971 – 2009)Note: even “permit‐exempt”activities follow SMP standardsLast 10 years, avg ~ 25permits/year

Environment designationsPoliciesMason CountyComprehensivePlanChapter 9:ShorelinesRegulationsCounty CodeTitle 17.50Permit/appealProceduresCounty CodeTitle 15EnvironmentDesignations

Environment designationsA map that “overlays” countyzoning map (NOTE: zoning isnot being changed as part ofthis update)Classifies similar shorelinesinto different categoriesExisting designations fromleast to most restrictive:• Urban• Rural• Conservancy• Natural

“Designation table” indicates how uses are regulatedExample from existing SMPP = “Permitted” (Allowed, if consistent with regulations. May or may not need a Permit.)C = “Conditional Use Permit” (May be allowed if meets criteria)X = Prohibited (Use not allowed in that environment designation. May be exceptions.)

I. Introduction to Washington’sShoreline Management Act (SMA)II. Mason County’s Update– County update process– Tips on how to review draft products1975: Mason Co.adopts first SMP1988: Mason Co.amends SMP2013: Mason Co.SMP update due

Why update Mason County SMP now?• Legislature set schedule for all SMPs to be updated• Legislature providing money – a fully funded deffort. Countyusing grant for staff and consultant help.• Current SMP is dated (last amended 1988).• Conditions have changed. County added 20,000 residents since1990.• Expect ~24,000 more residents by 2040 (2012 OFM forecast).• New state guidelines: Ensure regulations accommodategrowth and shoreline use without damaging lands and water.Basic environmental standard: “No net loss” of ecologicalfunctions. Update with current scientific information.

Ecology guidelines: “No net loss” of ecological functionsBaseline is current conditions. Assumes development will occur.Individual projects should avoid impacts where possible, mitigatefor unavoidable impacts

Local update processTwo advisory groups appointed byCounty/City yCommissioners:• Technical Advisory Committee(reviews technical products)• County Citizen AdvisoryCommittees (CAC) helps draft SMPPlanning Advisory di Committeemakes final recommendation toBoard of County Commissioners(BOCC)BOCC hearings final action (targetBOCC hearings, final action (targetis mid‐2013)

Local SMP update processIdentify shoreline jurisdictionShoreline Inventory/Characterizationt ti3‐yearpublicprocessEnvironment Designations, RegulationsRestoration planLocal and state adoption

Shorelines in Mason County Type # waterbodiesMilesRivers 63 337Lakes 44 149Marine PS/Hood 217Total shoreline miles: 703County used 100‐year floodplain forshoreline planning area

Local SMP update processIdentify shoreline jurisdictionShoreline Inventory/Characterizationt ti3‐yearpublicprocessEnvironment Designations, RegulationsRestoration planLocal and state adoption

Inventory and Characterization report• Relies on existingstudies and GIS data• Map folio• Characterize existing iticonditions• Used to inform“environmentdesignations”

Map Folio: countywide maps• 23 maps• Available at MasonCounty website bit

Characterization: Organized by watershed and “reach”More details forindividual reachesChapters start withgeneral descriptionof broad areas:• Physical character• Water qualityissues• Critical areas• Land Use

Reach sheets“Baseball card” format,with summary stats:• Physical and EcologicalFeatures• Built environment andland useAlso identifies“Opportunity Areas” forprotection andrestoration

How shorelines were “chunked” into reaches• Land use, zoning• City/UGA/RAC boundaries• Environmental conditions:Marine: drift direction, waveand current exposure, shoretypeRivers: gradient, confinement,confluence of streams,tributary input pointsLakes: typically one reach

Local SMP update processIdentify shoreline jurisdictionShoreline Inventory/Characterizationt ti3‐yearpublicprocessEnvironment Designations, RegulationsRestoration planLocal and state adoption

Proposed new environment designationsRetained:• Natural• Conservancy• Rural• Urban (now only for UGAs/RACs)New:• “Residential” (for more denselydeveloped urban‐ish areas outsideUGAs)New:• “Aquatic” for areas belowOrdinary High Water Mark

Designations based on Ecology criteriaUsed Ecology guidelinesas basis.For each type ofenvironmentdesignation, set primaryand secondary criteriabf before applying li to map.Used information incharacterization report

Example of data source used in criteria• As one indicator of existingconditions, used Puget SoundNearshore Ecosystem RestorationProject (PSNERP) marineshorelines “process degradation”ranking• The overall degradation d scorewas one of secondary criteriaused to determine designations(e.g., “Least Degraded” usedtogether with other data toinform “Natural” designation)

Committees helped refine criteriaJoint meetings ofTechnical and CitizenCommittees usedsample reaches to helprefine designationcriteriaCriteria are a blend ofexisting conditions andfuture community vision(e.g., comp plandesignation and zoning).Can be challenging!

NOTE: Connection to Characterization ReportIf you wantmore infoabout areach

Updating regulations: Some overall CAC principles• Keep Comprehensive Plan vision in mind• Don’t start tfrom scratch, thchange only where needed ddto:• Meet Ecology guidelines• Correct problems in current SMP• Integrate with other more recent regulations• Tailor regulations to local circumstances• Improve efficiency and predictability in regulations• NOTE: CAC interested in• NOTE: CAC interested in“incentive” approaches (would liketo identify more options in SMP)

Context: Mason County Comp Plan visionMason County will remain a primarilyrural county where residents will enjoypeace and quiet, privacy, naturalviews, and rural enterprise. Althoughrural character means different thingsto different people, aspects of itinclude: natural vistas, wildlife, andnatural ecosystems; ; fewer restrictionsand more privacy than in an urbanarea; the easy operation of resourcebased industries such as timber,mining and agriculture; and the closeties of family and community to theland.‐ Mason Co Comprehensive Plan , 2005

Vision for Urban AreasThe City of Shelton and thecommunities of Belfair andAllyn will serve as the County'sprincipal economic, civic, andsocial ilcenters. Each will have acore business area anchored byretail, service industries,government, and educationfacilities. The three urban areaswill provide a strongemployment and tax base.‐ Mason Co Comprehensive Plan , 2005

Vision for Rural AreasNatural resources will continue to provide thefoundation of the County's economy.Forestry, agriculture, aquaculture includingshellfish and other fisheries industries, Christmastree farming and mining will provide employmentfor County residents. The County's abundance ofnatural amenities including mountains, lakes,rivers, and wildlife will continue to support theCounty's thriving tourist industries....The County's land use regulations will protectnatural resource lands and industries againstencroachment from incompatible, competinguses.‐ Mason Co Comprehensive Plan , 2005

“Issue papers” for each section of the SMP• Introduction to topic andEcology guidelines• Summary of existing SMP• How the issue is addressedin existing comprehensiveplan and other regulations• Proposed regulations(h (shown in strike tikthrough/underscore)

Some key issuesAdvisory Committee still workingon final details, final draft Jan 2013Beach‐friendly shore armoringCritical areas, buffers, setbacksNew state geoduck rulesPiers and docks

Critical areas, including buffers and setbacksCommittee recommends relyingon existing Resource Ordinance.Vary application in shorelines onlywhere necessary.The Resource Ordinance:• designates all shoreline areas ascritical areas (saltwater, rivers,lakes)• includes regulations to protectfunctions, including buffers,setbacks, requirements forHabitat Management Plans, etc.

Lots of overlap between shorelines and critical areasCounty CAOSMPSMP covers marinewaters, larger streams,lakes over 20 acres

Bulkheads: Ecology guidelines very specific• Overall goal: avoidunnecessary armoring• Geotechnical report:applicants must provideevidence of need, ensureother options such as drainagehave been addressed,determine appropriateapproach for site• New development should belocated to avoid the need forstabilizationUse “soft shore”approach whereverlocal conditions allow

Piers and docks• Regulations still being revised• Incorporate relevantrequirements of federal andstate tt agencies with regulatory ltauthority• Challenges: balancingpredictability and flexibility,addressing other regulationsthat are in the midst of change

New state commercial geoduck rulesConditional Use Permit toestablish a new commercialgeoduck farm (except whereconverting)Farm applications to includeextensive info, including:• Baseline ecological survey• Management practices toaddress impacts from mooring,parking, noise, lights, etc.• Monitoring andreporting requirements• Allowance for workduring low tides

“Grandfathered” structures• County consideringincorporating new optionprovided in law to classifyexisting “grandfathered”residences inside id buffers as“legal, conformingdevelopment”• This option addressesconcerns raised by somehomeowners about theirhouses being labeled “non‐conforming” structures

Restoration planIdentify shoreline jurisdictionShoreline Inventory/Characterizationt ti3‐yearpublicprocessEnvironment Designations, RegulationsRestoration planLocal and state adoption

Restoration plan: currently under reviewIdentifies voluntaryrestoration opportunitiesIncludes general“programmatic”recommendations for allshorelinesSite‐specific projectp p jrecommendations forpublic shorelines only

Restoration project database• Existing projects (e.g., Mason CD, HCCC, SPSSEG, tribal govt’s)• Additional areas (e g in saltwater areas good places to nourish• Additional areas (e.g, in saltwater areas, good places to nourishbeaches, enhance stream mouths, or remove tide channelconstrictions)

Local and state adoptionIdentify shoreline jurisdictionShoreline Inventory/Characterizationt ti3‐yearpublicprocessEnvironment Designations, RegulationsRestoration planLocal and state adoption

Next steps in local process• Finish CitizenAdvisory Committeereview (through hDecember)• Planning AdvisoryCommission reviewand public hearing(starting January)B d f C t• Board of CountyCommissioners reviewand adopt (target:June 2013)

Ecology approves SMP after County adoptionEcology approval required by theShoreline Act. Ecology must helpimplement the SMP. Ecology defendsSMP if challenged in court.Ecology goals:• Engage throughout• Clearly communicate expectations• Avoid surprises• Work through issues earlyCountyAdoptionEcology Comment PeriodEcology Decision•Approve•Require Changes•DenyFinal Local Approval60 Day Appeal period

More informationMason County: Google“Mason County SMP”LaJane Schopfer(360) 427‐9670 x408LaJaneS@co.mason.wa.usEcology: Google “EcologyShoreline Citizens Guide”Tim Gates(360) 407‐6349tim.gates@ecy.wa.gov