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Regulations & Permits > Laws, rules, & rulemaking > Rulemaking > WAC 173-26-27-Shoreline Management Act

Chapters 173-26 and 173-27 WAC – Shoreline Management Act

We are proposing amendments to Chapters 173-18, -20, -22, -26, and -27 under the Shoreline Management Act.

  • Chapter 173-18 WAC: Shoreline Management Act — Streams and rivers constituting shorelines of the state
  • Chapter 173-20 WAC: Shoreline Management Act — Lakes constituting shorelines of the state
  • Chapter 173-22 WAC: Adoption of designations of shorelands and wetlands associated with shorelines of the state
  • Chapter 173-26 WAC: State master program approval/amendment procedures and master program guidelines
  • Chapter 173-27 WAC: Shoreline management permit and enforcement procedures

We are amending Chapters 173-26 and 173-27 WAC to: 

  • Add requirements for local governments to address the impact of sea level rise and increased storm severity on people, property, and shoreline natural resources and the environment.
  • Comply with the Shoreline Management Act (Chapter 90.58 RCW) and address issues that we have identified through the review, adoption, and implementation of shoreline master programs (SMPs). These revisions will provide clarity around SMP approval/amendment procedures, and permit and enforcement procedures, respectively. The topics and specific content of these revisions will be identified during the rule development phase through external engagement and internal coordination.

We are also amending sections of Chapters 173-18 and -20 WAC so that the lists of streams, rivers, and lakes reflect completed shoreline master program updates and revising Chapter 173-22 WAC to clarify designations of shorelands and wetlands associated with shorelines of the state.

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Rulemaking timeline

Timeline

Announcement phase (CR-101)

Filing date:
May 2, 2024


Announcement documents

Rule development phase

May 2, 2024 – September 1, 2026

Public input & involvement

This rulemaking will include an environmental justice assessment, as required by the Healthy Environment for All Act (the HEAL Act, RCW 70A.02.060). We want to engage with communities and Tribes to hear their input and related environmental justice concerns. To get updates about this rulemaking, join our mailing list.

Public comment period (informal)

June 16, 2025, 8 a.m. – Aug. 15, 2025, 11:59 p.m.
Read comments.

Rule proposal phase (CR-102)

Filing date:
Sept. 2, 2026

Rule proposal documents:

Additional documents:

Comment period

We are accepting comments Sept. 2, 2026, 12 a.m. – Nov. 17, 2026, 11:59 p.m.

You can submit comments in the following ways:

  • Comment online
  • Mail to:
    Department of Ecology Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program
    Rebecca Rothwell
    P.O. Box 47600
    Olympia, WA  98504-7600
  • Attend a public hearing

Public hearings

Agenda:
5 p.m. – open house question-and-answer session
6 p.m. – short presentation and public hearing to provide testimony

Date Location
Oct. 15, 2026, 5 p.m. Lacey Community Center directions
6729 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey, WA 98503
Oct. 19, 2026, 5 p.m. Anacortes Public Library Community Meeting Room directions
1220 10th Street, Anacortes, WA 98221
Oct. 22, 2026, 5 p.m. Online – Register for the webinar.
Oct. 28, 2026, 5 p.m. Yakima Valley College, Building 38, Kaminski Conference Center directions
1704 West Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima, WA 98902
(This is not hosted by or affiliated with Yakima Valley College.)
Oct. 29, 2026, 5 p.m. Spokane Shadle Park Library Events meeting room directions
2111 West Wellesley Avenue, Spokane, WA 99205
Nov. 3, 2026, 5 p.m. Highline College, Building 8, Mt. Constance/Olympus rooms directions
2400 South 240th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198
(This is not hosted by or affiliated with Highline College)

Ecology will accept comments at the public hearings in person and online. Any information (e.g., personal or contact) you provide may be publicly disclosed and posted on the internet.

To request ADA accommodation, contact Rebecca Rothwell at least three weeks before the hearing you plan to attend:

  • 360-810-0025 (voice)
  • 877-833-6341 TTY
  • 711 relay service

Additional languages

Español (Spanish) 中文 (Chinese) Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) 한국어 (Korean) Pусский (Russian) Yкраїнський (Ukrainian)

Related links

Contact information

Rebecca Rothwell
Rulemaking Lead
smarulemaking@ecy.wa.gov
360-810-0025

Accessibility

To request ADA accommodation for disabilities, or printed materials in a format for the visually impaired, contact Ecology's ADA Coordinator by email at ecyadacoordinator@ecy.wa.gov, or call 360-407-6831. People with impaired hearing may call Washington Relay Service at 711. People with speech disability may call TTY at 877-833-6341.