City of Newport and the towns of Cusick, Ione, Metaline and Metaline Falls – Shoreline Master Program: Comprehensive Update and Periodic Review

On October 2, 2025, we approved the Pend Oreille Partnership shoreline master program (SMP) comprehensive update and periodic review. The updated SMP takes effect on Oct. 16, 2025, 14 days after we notified the participating jurisdictions.

The Pend Oreille Regional Partnership includes six jurisdictions: Pend Oreille County, the city of Newport, and the towns of Cusick, Ione, Metaline, and Metaline Falls. The Partnership first formed in 1974 to develop a joint SMP. While all jurisdictions participated in a comprehensive update in 2013, only Pend Oreille County completed adoption and received state approval at that time. The city and towns continued implementing their 1974 SMPs until this update.

The Partnership reestablished in 2022 to complete the SMP periodic review and for all members to adopt the updated program. Pend Oreille county led the process through local adoption and submittal. The Partnership SMP governs shoreline use and development along five rivers, 27 streams, and 44 lakes, including the Pend Oreille River, Sullivan Creek, Sullivan Lake, and Calispell Lake—shorelines of statewide significance.

A joint state/local public comment period ran from April 2 to May 2, 2023, with a public hearing held on April 18, 2023. Notice was published in The Miner on March 29 and April 5, 2023. Tribes, agencies, and interested parties were invited to comment, including the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Kalispel Tribe of Indians.

Ecology later held a separate state comment period from Oct. 30 to Nov. 29, 2024, on the city and towns’ adoptions. The city and towns locally adopted the Coalition's SMP, with periodic review amendments as follows:

• The city of Newport – Ordinance No. 2113, adopted Oct. 2, 2023
• The town of Cusick – Ordinance No. 2023-01, adopted Oct. 3. 2023
• The town of Ione – Ordinance No. 645, adopted March 6, 2024
• The town of Metaline – Ordinance No. 250, adopted Sept. 13, 2023
• The town of Metaline Falls – Ordinance No. 355, adopted Feb. 13, 2024

Notices of the comment period were distributed by email to interested parties, Tribes, and posted on our website, consistent with RCW 90.58.080 and WAC 173-26 requirements.