Thurston County Shoreline Master Program: Comprehensive Update & Periodic Review
Public comment: Aug. 15, 2024, 8 a.m. to Sept. 30, 2024, at 5 p.m.
We are seeking public comment on Thurston County’s (County) proposed update to its Shoreline Master Program (SMP), including amendments to satisfy the periodic review requirement.
Thurston County has been working since 2009 to comprehensively update its SMP. The county locally adopted the SMP via Resolution No. 16333 on Dec. 12, 2023, and has submitted it to us for our review as required by state law.
The proposed Thurston County SMP will regulate use and development along approximately 468 miles of shorelines of the state, including approximately 116 miles of Puget Sound marine shoreline, five major rivers – the Nisqually, Deschutes, Skookumchuck, Black, and Chehalis – 19 smaller rivers and streams, and 38 lakes. The SMP includes goals, policies, regulations, shoreline environment designations, and administrative procedures and definitions. The update also brings the SMP into consistency with changes to state law, local regulations, and other local circumstances, as needed to comply with the mandated periodic review.
Once approved, the proposed SMP will replace the existing SMP, adopted in 1990.
During our review, We will compare the proposed SMP to the requirements of the Shoreline Management Act and the Shoreline Master Program Guidelines. Based on the comparison we will decide whether to:
- Approve the program as is.
- Approve with recommended changes.
- Send the proposed program back to the county with required changes to meet statutory and rule requirements. Recommended changes may also be included with the required changes.
Public comment period
Opens: Aug. 15, 2024, 8 a.m.
Closes: Sept. 30, 2024, 5 p.m.
All interested parties are invited to provide comments during this public comment period. There are several ways to provide comments. You only need to submit your comments once.
Open house and public hearing
Attend our open house and public hearing to learn more about the county's SMP and to provide written comments. you may also provide verbal testimony during the public hearing, which will be held in person and virtually via Zoom.
To attend virtually:
Call +1 (253) 215-8782 (US Tacoma) or +1 (253) 205-0468 (US)
Meeting ID: 898 6115 7921
Passcode: 488721
Participant ID: #
To attend in person:
Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024
Open house starts at 5 p.m.
Public Hearing starts at 7 p.m.
Ecology Headquarters Auditorium
300 Desmond Drive SE
Lacey, WA 98503
Location Map
Please park in visitor parking, which is past the flags at the main entrance, to the left of the large parking garage. Consider carpooling as parking is limited. Our headquarters is also accessible via Intercity Transit Bus: 62A/62B. Bicycle parking is available near the northeast employee entrance facing the parking.
The hearing location complies with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact the regional planner listed below if you need additional accommodation.
Submit written comments and questions:
Online: Via SmartComment form; or
By Mail:
Tess Brandon
Washington Department of Ecology
Southwest Regional Office
PO Box 47775
Olympia, WA 98504-7775
Comments must be received no later than Sept. 30, 2024, at 5 p.m.
Questions:
Tess.Brandon@ecy.wa.gov
360-407-6520
Documents for public review and comment
Note: All documents are PDF unless otherwise indicated
- Thurston County locally adopted SMP
- Appendix A: Shoreline Environment Designation Map
- Appendix B: Mitigation Options to Achieve No Net Loss for New and Re-Development Activities
- Appendix C: Shoreline Restoration Plan
- Appendix D: Channel Migration Zone Maps
- Appendix E: Critical Area Regulations Incorporated by Reference
- Board of County Commissioneers Resolution 16333
- Background documents
- Shoreline Inventory and Characterization Report (2013)
- Appendices
- Map Folio
- Map 1: Shorelines of the State and Shorelines of Statewide Significance
- Map 2: Shoreline Jurisdiction Changes
- Map 3: Proposed Shoreline Jurisdiction and Reach Breaks
- Map 4: Proposed Jurisdiction and Reach Breaks: Northeast Thurston County
- Map 5: Proposed Jurisdiction and Reach Breaks: Northwest Thurston County
- Map 6: Proposed Jurisdiction and Reach Breaks: South-central Thurston County
- Map 7: Proposed Jurisdiction and Reach Breaks: Southwest Thurston County
- Map 7a: Proposed Jurisdiction and Reach Breaks: Southeast Thruston County
- Map 8: Water Resource Inventory Areas (WRIAs)
- Map 9: Watershed Basins
- Map 10: Topography and Hydrology
- Map 10a: Shoreline Type
- Map 11: Geology - Bedrock Age
- Map 12: Geology - Lithology
- Map 13: Precipitation
- Map 14: Coastal Processes Important Areas
- Map 15: Coastal Processes Alterations
- Map 16: Hydrology Important Areas
- Map 17: Hydrologic Processes Alterations
- Map 18: Sediment Processes Important Areas
- Map 19: Sediment Processes Alterations
- Map 20: Water Quality Processes Important Areas
- Map 21: Water Quality Processes Alterations
- Map 22: Large Woody Debris Processes Important Areas
- Map 23: Large Woody Debris Processes Alterations
- Map 23b: Local Habitat Assessment - 2008
- Map 24: 2012 Aerial Photos and Reaches
- Map 25: 2006 Land Cover
- Map 26: Impervious Land Cover
- Map 27: Built Environment by Basin 2006
- Map 28: Forest Cover by Basin 2006
- Map 29: Critical Areas Biological
- Map 30: Cirtical Areas Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas
- Map 31: Critical Areas Hydrologic
- Map 32: Cirtical Areas Geologic
- Map 33: Slope
- Map 34: Biological Features
- Map 34b: Kelp Eelgrass
- Map 34c: Saltmarsh
- Map 35: Marine Fisheries
- Map 36: Commercial Shellfish Growing Areas
- Map 37: Aquatic Land Ownership
- Map 38: Nationwide Permit 48 Parcels
- Map 39: Current land Use - Thurston County Office of the Assessor
- Map 40: Current Land Use - Buildable Lands 2011
- Map 41a: Future Land Use - Buildable Lands 2011
- Map 41b: Rural County Zoning
- Map 41c: Future Development Potential
- Map 42: Registered Historic Districts and Properties
- Map 43: Public Access and Public Lands
- Map 44: Existing Shoreline Environment Designations
- Map 45: PSNERP Beach Management Recommendations
- Map 46: PSNERP Coastal Inlet Management Recommendations
- Map 47: PSNERP Barrier Embayment Management Recommendations
- Map 48: PSNERP River Delta Management Recomendations
- Map 49: WRIA 11 Puget Sound Water Flow Management Recommendations
- Map 50: WRIA 13 Puget Sound Water Flow Management Recommendations
- Map 51: WRIA 14 Puget Sound Water Flow Management Recommendations
- Map 52: WRIA 23 Puget Sound Water Flow Management Recommendations
- Map 53: Preliminary Shoreline Environment Designations
- Map 54: Preliminary Shoreline Environment Designations: Northeast
- Map 55: Preliminary Shoreline Environment Designations: Northwest
- Map 56: Preliminary Shoreline Environment Designations: South-central
- Map 57: Preliminary Shoreline Environment Designations: Southeast
- Map 58: Preliminary Shoreline Environment Designations: Southwest
- Shoreline Inventory and Characterizations Report Supplement (2024)
- Shoreline Environment Designations Report (2013)
- Shoreline Environment Designation Report Supplement (2024)
- Cumulative Impacts Analysis (2024)
- Shoreline Inventory and Characterization Report (2013)
Paper copies are available for review by appointment at the following location:
Tess Brandon
Washington Department of Ecology
Southwest Regional Office
300 Desmond Drive
Lacey, WA 98503
Tess.Brandon@ecy.wa.gov
Next steps: response to public comment and decision
A summary of comments will be posted here a few weeks after the comment period closes. We will also post the county responses to comments and a notice of our decision when they become available. Please check back.