Bothell shoreline master program: locally initiated amendment

Email notices were used to notify interested parties of the public comment period. One comment letter, from the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, was received during the state comment period. The comment letter encouraged the City to base stream buffers on site potential tree height; to preserve or strengthen language around wetland enhancement, mitigation sequencing, mitigation monitoring and maintenance requirements; and to preserve compensation ratios for forested wetlands. The comment letter also asked several clarifying questions about the meaning or intent of particular code sections. In accordance with WAC 173-26-120(2)(e), we summarized the Tribe’s comments and sent them to the City for formal response on May 27, 2025. The City responded on June 16, 2025 with substantive responses to each of the comments. The City did not propose any new changes to the SMP in response to comments received, concluding that no further modifications were needed at this time.

The locally initiated amendment will ensure the shoreline master program’s consistency with updated critical areas regulations, FEMA floodplain amendments, and our wetland guidance.

Documents related to approval

Note: all documents are PDFs

• Ecology's May 12, 2026, final approval letter
• City's May 5, 2026, email accepting change
• Director of Ecology's March 25, 2026 letter
  • Attachment A: Findings and Conclusions
  • Attachment B: Required Changes
• Response to comments
• Locally adopted SMP
  • Ordinance No. 2402: Amending the shoreline master program
• Background documents
  • Summary of amendment
  • Consultant memo on buffer reduction
  • Consultant memo on Shoreline Hearings Board Meeting 1
  • Consultant memo on Shoreline Hearings Board Meeting 2
  • Consultant memo on Shoreline Hearings Board Meeting 3

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 Seattle Times legal ads on May 26, 2026.