Shoreline Master Programs (SMPs) are local land-use policies and regulations that guide use of Washington shorelines. SMPs apply to both public and private uses for Washington’s more than 28,000 miles of lake, stream, wetland, and marine shorelines. They protect natural resources for future generations, provide for public access to public waters and shores, and plan for water-dependent uses.

Jefferson County is undertaking a periodic review of its Shoreline Master Program (Chapter 18.25 Jefferson County Code), as required by the Washington State Shoreline Management Act (SMA), RCW 90.58.080(4). The SMA requires each SMP be reviewed and revised, if needed, on an eight-year schedule established by the Legislature. The review ensures the SMP stays current with changes in laws and rules, remains consistent with other Jefferson County plans and regulations, and is responsive to changed circumstances, new information and improved data.

The SMP periodic review includes a “public participation plan” that requires early and continuous public participation throughout the process of reviewing the SMP. Visit this page often to keep track of notices, briefings and public hearings at the Planning Commission and by the Board of County Commissioners, as well as links to relevant documents and additional information.

Supporting Links

Shoreline Management Act - SMA
Shoreline Master Program – JCC 18.25

SMP Planning Process 2022-2023

See below for description of the initial planning process conducted in 2020 and 2021. 

The Washington Department of Ecology is required under WAC 173-26-104(3)(b) to make an initial determination of consistency with applicable laws and rules. Jefferson County submitted a proposed SMP to Ecology in 2021. Ecology responded in September 2022. Ecology initial recommendations and requirements linked here Version OptionsShoreline Master Program Periodic ReviewHeadline.

The June 7, 2023 Planning Commission was dedicated to a review of what's happened to date and what to expect next. An open house and special meeting was held on June 29, 2023.

Planning Commission Open House and Special Meeting

• Location: Tri-Area Community Center, 10 W Valley Rd Chimacum, WA 98325
• Date: June 29, 2023
• Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Periodic Update Open House: 4:30-5:30
• Planning Commission Special Meeting, SMP Study Session: 5:30-7:30

Meeting Description: The Open House was an informal session for the public to view a draft of the Shoreline User Guide and ask questions about the SMP Periodic Update. Shared: current Shoreline Environment Designation map and excerpts of the Draft Shoreline User Guide. Highlighted: public input to date 2020-2023 including the prior survey and the current effort to understand how to improve the SMP permit process. Study Session: Planning Commission reviewed draft revisions to the SMP in response to the Washington Department of Ecology Initial Determination of Consistency. BERK Consulting provided a slide presentation during the Planning Commission meeting. [ Additional Information.]

SMP Update Submittal to Department of Ecology 6/30/23 to close out grant agreement

Note: Changes pending to SMP update proposal prior to releasing for public comment as part of Planning Commission review.

• SMP Progress Draft – Progress draft set of revisions to the SMP in response to Ecology recommended and required comments.
• SMP Periodic Review Checklist – Tool for cities and counties subject to the SMA to ensure their SMP complies with current state laws, rules, and guidance and is consistent with the local comprehensive plan and development regulations.
• SMP Ocean Management Checklist – Tool for cities and counties in Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, and Pacific Counties to use to ensure their SMP implements the Ocean Resource Management Act (ORMA) and is consistent with the Washington State Marine Spatial Plan.
• Initial Determination Matrix – Set of required and recommended changes from Department of Ecology.
• Project Permit Application Framework – Proposed amendments to JCC 18.40.040 that change shoreline substantial development permits under the Jefferson County SMP from a Type III permit decision to a Type II permit decision.
• Draft Shoreline User Guide – Progress draft of Shoreline User Guide, a document intended to help residents, applicants, and those who prepare documents on behalf of their clients understand some of the shoreline policies, regulations, and permitting processes.

Planning Commission meeting 8/2/2023

• Agenda Packet, including:
  • meeting agenda with Zoom link
  • memoranda from BERK Consulting concerning the SMP Update project
  • BERK slide presentation (Laserfiche folder for August 2 meeting) 
  • See the PC Meeting Agendas, Minutes & Audio Recordings page for information.

Planning Commission meeting with public hearing 10/4/2023

• Notice of Public Hearing Notice and SEPA Threshold Determination for SMP update – Published in The Leader on 9/20/2023.
  • The Planning Commission public hearing on the proposed SMP update is scheduled for Wednesday, October 4, 2023, 5:30 PM, at the Tri-Area Community Center in Chimacum. 
  • This meeting will be hybrid in-person and virtual (via Zoom).
  • See the PC Meeting Agendas, Minutes & Audio Recordings page for Planning Commission information.

• SMP Periodic Review Staff Report – Description of SMP update proposal and recent changes/responses.
  • A - Public Hearing Draft of SMP Update – Tool for cities and counties subject to the SMA to ensure their SMP complies with current state laws, rules, and guidance and is consistent with the local comprehensive plan and development regulations.
  • B - JCC 18.40 Amendment - Permit Type – Proposed amendments to JCC 18.40.040 that change shoreline substantial development permits (SDPs) under the SMP from a Type III permit decision to a Type II permit decision.
  • C - Initial Determination of Consistency Matrix – Set of required and recommended changes from Department of Ecology's review of previous SMP update draft.
  • D - SEPA Checklist for Non-project Action – Topic-based review under State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).
  • E - Draft Cumulative Impacts Analysis (CIA) – Addendum to 2009 CIA based on 2023 proposal.

Next Steps:

• The Planning Commission public hearing on the proposed SMP update is scheduled for Wednesday, October 4, 2023, 5:30 PM, at the Tri-Area Community Center in Chimacum. See documents above. 
• Comments submitted during the formal comment period are part of the public record for recommendations and decisions by the Planning Commission, staff, and the Board of County Commissioners
• Planning Commission deliberates and makes recommendation to Board of County Commissioners
• DCD staff provides Planning Commission recommendation to Board, along with staff recommendation
• Board may elect to hold a public hearing or, if it concurs with the Planning Commission recommendation, may forgo that hearing (though public comment would be accepted at the Board’s meeting before that decision were made)
• Board adopts an SMP update, which DCD staff then transmits to Ecology
• Although the Joint Process for ECY and county review was used in 2020-2021, we have shifted back to the Standard Process (WAC 173-26-100), which means that after the county process with Board adoption, the Ecology review process will start with a state comment period
• Following the Ecology comment period, Ecology determines whether to accept the county proposal or require changes (as outlined in the Shoreline Management Act and corresponding Washington Administrative Code)

SMP Planning Process 2020-2021

Task Force

The SMP Update Task Force was formed in 2020 and first met on-line on September 21, 2020 – See Agendas. You can watch past meetings by going on-line to the County website HERE Version OptionsShoreline Master Program Periodic ReviewHeadline. See past minutes HERE Version OptionsShoreline Master Program Periodic ReviewHeadline. Meeting Materials HERE Version OptionsShoreline Master Program Periodic ReviewHeadline.

Planning Commission

The Public Participation portion of the project began with the Planning Commission meeting on September 16, 2020. Please see the Power Point Presentation HERE Version OptionsShoreline Master Program Periodic ReviewHeadline and the Story Map HERE Version OptionsShoreline Master Program Periodic ReviewHeadline.

Joint Review with Planning Commission and Department of Ecology

30-day Joint Review with Jefferson County Planning Commission & WA Department of Ecology – Public comment period for Final Draft Code Revision and Checklist Public Comment Period was May 17-June 16, 2021. Planning Commission Public Hearing was Wednesday June 16, 2021. Review the Notice, Staff Report, Final Draft Code and Checklist: HERE Version OptionsShoreline Master Program Periodic ReviewHeadline.  

Draft SMP

Hearing Draft SMP and Checklist HERE Version OptionsShoreline Master Program Periodic ReviewHeadline. This draft will be revised based upon Department of Ecology review and additional comments received. Planning Commission public hearing on the final draft to be held June 16, 2021. 

October 2021 initial submittal of periodic review amendments to the Jefferson County Shoreline Master Program (SMP)

Per Planning Commission recommendations- linked here.

Story Map

Please try out our interactive story map to see the Shoreline Designations, the Department of Ecology approved shoreline permits issued over the last five years, and our Shoreline Development Survey HERE Version OptionsShoreline Master Program Periodic ReviewHeadline.

Public Participation Plan

Click HERE Version OptionsShoreline Master Program Periodic ReviewHeadline to view the Public Participation Plan. Below is a list of Public Participation opportunities:

Additional Project Information:

• Join the SMP Email List by sending your first & last name to the Project Manager.

Survey

Please take our survey on Shoreline Development: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MKYMW3N

Contacts 

Josh D. Peters, AICP (he/him/his) 

Director, Jefferson County Department of Community Development ( DCD ) 

360-379-4488