On Oct. 16, 2017, we approved San Juan County’s Shoreline Master Program (SMP) comprehensive update. Under the state Shoreline Management Act, San Juan County's shoreline program takes effect Oct. 30, 2017.
The comprehensive update revises the existing shoreline program that includes protecting critical areas within shoreline jurisdiction, adding new non-conforming use and development language, and re-designating and adding new shoreline area designations. The update also revises San Juan County's existing SMP including the goals, policies, regulations, definitions and administrative procedures. This approval puts the final stamp on a significant effort that increases protection and restoration of habitat and water quality, provides more certainty for development, and improves public access and recreational opportunities.
On April 5, 2017, we provided San Juan County with recommended changes to the county’s proposed comprehensive update of their Shoreline Master Program (SMP). The recommend changes were based on our review of whether or not the proposed update complies with the state laws and rules. A public comment period was held from July 22 through Sept. 2, 2016.
Mail and e-mail were used to notify interested parties about the public comment period and we received over 50 comments focused on a wide variety of topics. On Sept. 28, 2016, we sent a summary of comments to the county for their response. The public comments and county responses have been incorporated into a Responsiveness Summary.
Documents related to approval
Note: All documents are PDF
Locally adopted SMP
Background documents
If you have trouble accessing documents, please contact Chad Yunge.
Appeals
- Per RCW 90.58.190(2) and RCW 36.70A.290, an interested party may file an appeal with the Growth Management Hearings Board within 60 days of the publication date of our written notice of final action.
- We plan to publish the notice of final action in the Journal of the San Juan Islands and the Islands’ Sounder legal ads on October 25, 2017.