Shoreline Master Program competitive grant pilot program

In the 2021-2023 biennium, we offered grant funds to support locally driven shoreline planning efforts and Shoreline Master Program (SMP) implementation. Eligible projects included:

  • Planning and planning-related efforts that advance local shoreline planning
  • Improving implementation of SMPs
  • Sea level rise planning

Projects that were funded through the pilot program have resulted in new knowledge and experience that is transferable to local governments. 

Funding cycle

  • Amount of funding available: Approximately $827,000
  • Grant award limit: Grants are awarded on a competitive basis, and funding requests will vary based on project type and scope. We will fund approximately 12-20 proposals and anticipate the maximum amount that may be requested is $100,000.
  • Amount of matching funds required: No match required

Applications are not being accepted at this time.

The SMP competitive grant project application period has closed for the 2021-2023 biennium.

Funding is available for the following entities:

All Washington towns, cities, and counties with a Shoreline Master Program are eligible to apply for funding. Eligible local governments may submit up to two applications.

  • Local planning priorities: Eligible projects will enhance the implementation of SMP policies and regulations or address a topic related to climate change adaptation within shoreline jurisdiction.
  • Enhanced SMP implementation: Efforts to improve SMP implementation through permit monitoring and adaptive management.
  • Sea level rise: All phases of sea level rise planning, including scoping efforts.

More information about this funding program

2021-2023 Shoreline Master Program funded competitive projects

We have awarded the following projects through our 2021-2023 SMP competitive grant pilot program.

Recipient

Project

Grant Amount

Funding Source

Anacortes, City of

Anacortes Shoreline Permit Monitoring Project

Develop and implement a shoreline permit monitoring project to monitor shoreline authorizations for SMP compliance and identify possible solutions for improving implementation if gaps in the permitting system are identified.

 $31,900

Federal: NOAA Coastal Zone Management (CZM) 

Anacortes, City of

Anacortes Shoreline SMP User Guide Project

Develop an SMP User Guide and interactive website to increase the public’s understanding of shoreline development regulations and make it easier to engage with the public when completing future SMP updates.

 $20,000

State: Model Toxic Control Operating Account (MTCOA)

Bainbridge Island, City of

Bainbridge Island Sea Level Rise Flooding Vulnerability and Risk Assessment

Conduct a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Risk Assessment that will identify potential losses or damages from flooding; characterize the risk of loss; and highlight areas of the community, resources, sectors, or assets considered most vulnerable. Develop an online GIS-based map showing existing and future flood vulnerability and a final assessment report to summarize vulnerability and identify where to focus adaptation efforts.

 $100,000

Federal: NOAA CZM 

Chehalis, City of Community Development Department

City of Chehalis SMP Public Outreach

Conduct SMP community outreach to identify gaps in public understanding of environmental and permitting aspects of shorelines. Explain commonly used and complex SMP provisions to make it easier for the general public to understand, through pamphlets, flyers, and a multi-lingual interpretive sign. (Recipient did not have staff capacity to utilize funds; funds were reallocated to other jurisdictions).

 $9,865

State: MTCOA

Chelan County Natural Resource Department 

Chelan County Riparian Mapping and Prioritization for SMP Restoration

Map and prioritize riparian areas on non-federal lands across Chelan County to support better shoreline permitting. Use mapping data to update the SMP Restoration Plan, support permitting decisions, and develop outreach materials.

 $50,000

State: MTCOA

Coupeville, Town of

Coupeville Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment

Conduct a vulnerability assessment that will identify potential losses or damages from sea level rise; characterize the risk of loss; and highlight those areas of the community, resources, sectors, or assets considered most at risk from impacts of sea level rise.

 $47,735

State: MTCOA

Jefferson County Community Development Department

Shoreline Master Program User Guide

Prepare an SMP User Guide that will provide the public with a better understanding of shoreline development regulations, minimize confusion over SMP implementation, clarify permit processes, and lead to complete application submittals and compliance with SMP requirements.

 $25,150

State: MTCOA

Jefferson County Community Development Department

Sea Level Rise Study/Report

Conduct a Sea Level Rise Study that includes an analysis of existing sea level rise information, site visits to vulnerable shoreline areas, and stakeholder engagement. Develop a Sea Level Rise Planning Report to describe and identify potential effects and damages from sea level rise upon existing development and habitats, and include future strategies to protect the most vulnerable shorelines.

 $74,414

State: MTCOA

Klickitat County

Klickitat County Channel Migration Zone Mapping

Prepare a map of Channel Migration Zones throughout Klickitat County to help planning efforts to avoid growth and development in hazardous areas of the county with potential for channel migration.

 $44,000

State: MTCOA

King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks

Improving King County Bulkhead Permitting Guidance

Develop updated permitting guidance for the public and code change recommendations related to shoreline development, bulkheads, and sea level rise for future Comprehensive Plan updates. Clarify the marine shoreline stabilization permit process and engage with stakeholders to minimize sea level rise risk and manage King County properties in a more ecologically friendly manner.

 $43,748

Federal: NOAA CZM 
Lake Stevens, City of

Lake Stevens Photographic Inventory and SMP User Guide

Complete a comprehensive inventory of properties on Lake Stevens to assess nonconformities, and create an SMP User Guide for projects with nonconforming uses and common development situations.

$30,000 State: MTCOA

Mason County Community Services Department

Mason County Shoreline Master Program User Guide

Develop a digital SMP User Guide, create a dedicated Mason County Shoreline Development website, and update existing SMP development application forms.

 $50,000

State: MTCOA

Medina, City of

Medina Shoreline Permit Monitoring Project

Develop and implement a shoreline permit monitoring project to monitor shoreline authorizations for SMP compliance and identify possible solutions for improving implementation if gaps in the permitting system are identified.

 $32,900

Federal: NOAA CZM

Medina, City of

Medina SMP User Guide Project

Develop an SMP User Guide to increase public understanding of shoreline development regulations and make it easier to engage with the general public when completing future SMP updates.

 $12,030

State: MTCOA

North Bend, City of

SMP User Guide and Program Enhancements

Update the city’s SMP website, develop an SMP User Guide, and revise permit application forms. Notify shoreline property owners of the new tools available and consider how to update the internal permit tracking system to collect SMP metrics.

 $30,000

Federal: NOAA CZM

Pacific County Community Development Department

Pacific County Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Risk Assessment

Conduct a Sea Level Rise (SLR) Vulnerability and Risk Assessment to identify potential losses or damages from SLR; characterize the risk of loss; and identify areas of the Pacific County community, resources, sectors, or assets considered most vulnerable. Administer public education and outreach, provide information for future planning efforts, and identify future potential resilience projects.

 $88,000

State: MTCOA

San Juan County Community Development and Planning Department

Shoreline Permitting Cumulative Effects Evaluation

Conduct a Shoreline Cumulative Effects Evaluation to improve SMP implementation by identifying possible strategies for improving permitting processes, development regulations, and programs. Assess permit records, environmental data, literature review, and case studies to better understand the cumulative effects of shoreline development on the shoreline environment in San Juan County.

 $94,550

State: MTCOA

Seattle, City of

Habitat Evaluation Procedures Program

Use the Habitat Evaluation Procedures (HEP) model to develop a HEP program for the Lake Washington geography of Seattle. This permitting tool quantifies changes in both habitat quantity and quality from in-water, over-water, and riparian shoreline projects and estimates mitigation needs, helping to meet the no net loss requirement.

$50,730 State: MTCOA

Stevenson, City of, Public Works Department

Stevenson Shoreline Public Access & Trail Plan

Develop a Shoreline Public Access & Trail Plan to help implement the SMP and identify local needs and opportunities for an integrated shoreline public access system that reflects the Comprehensive Plan and community vision, helps streamline shoreline permitting, and reduces conflicts between adjacent uses.

$72,000 State: MTCOA

Tacoma, City of

Tacoma Tideflats Level Rise Adaptation Guide

Develop a framework to apply sea level rise adaptation measures in Tacoma's Tideflats Subarea, with consideration for Tribal Treaty Rights, priority shoreline uses, essential public facilities, and habitat enhancement.

$60,000 Federal: NOAA CZM

Westport, City of

Strategy and Engagement in Sea Level Rise Planning

Increase staff knowledge and capacity to conduct sea level rise hazards planning, educate stakeholders to assist in future planning recommendations, and create planning guidance documents for the city of Westport.

$42,000 State: MTCOA

Whatcom County Public Works Department

Compound Flood Vulnerability and Risk Assessment

Convene a multi-jurisdictional team to develop a Vulnerability & Risk Assessment (VRA) for marine and lower Nooksack riverine shorelines using Compound Flood Models. The VRA will be used to craft policies, regulations, land use plans, infrastructure plans, maintenance plans, and mitigation plans to address projected climate impacts and build community resilience.

$100,000 State: MTCOA