Pe Ell Shoreline Master Program: comprehensive update and periodic review
Public comment requested Oct. 30 - Dec. 4, 2023
We are seeking public comment on the town of Pe Ell's proposed comprehensive update to its Shoreline Master Program (SMP), including amendments to satisfy the periodic review requirement.
Provide your comments on Pe Ell's proposed amendment to its SMP by Dec. 4, 2023. The town's updated SMP will entirely replace the Lewis County SMP, which the town utilized when it was adopted in 1974. Pe Ell adopted the Lewis County Critical Areas Ordinance in 2005.
The updated goals, policies, regulations, environment designations, and administrative provisions are locally tailored to reflect current conditions and community vision for future shoreline use and development. The updated SMP prioritizes water-oriented activities, public access, habitat protection, ecological restoration, and allows for legal existing uses and structures to continue. The periodic review amendments are based on recent changes to statute and rule, and addresses minor issues regarding the substantial development cost threshold, ADA retrofit permit exemption, definitions, and local review and permit filing procedures, Both the comprehensive update and the periodic review are mandated by RCW 90.58.080.
The SMP applies to approximately two miles of shoreline jurisdiction along portions of Stowe Creek and the Chehalis River, a shoreline of statewide significance.
We will compare the town's 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 Town with required changes to meet statutory and rule requirements. Recommended changes may also be included with the required changes.
Public comment period
Opens: Oct. 30, 2023
Closes: Dec. 4, 2023
all interested parties are invited to provide comment during this public comment period. There are two ways to provide comments. You only need to submit your comments once.
Submit written comments:
By Email (preferred)
heather.bush@ecy.wa.gov
Or by mail
Heather Bush
Washington State Department of Ecology
Southwest Regional Office
PO Box 47775
Olympia, WA 98504-7775
Questions: 425-417-6982
Comments must be received no later than Dec. 4, 2023.
Documents for public review and comment
Note: all documents are PDF
- Locally adopted SMP
- Background documents
Paper copies are available for review by appointment at the following locations:
Washington Department of Ecology
Southwest Regional Office
300 Desmond Drive SE
Lacey, WA 98503
Contact: Heather Bush
Email: Heather.Bush@ecy.wa.gov
Phone: 425-417-6982
Town of Pe Ell
111 South Main Street
Pe Ell, WA 98572
Contact: Terra Oster
Email: peellclerk@centurytel.net
Phone: 360-291-3543
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 town of Pe Ell's response to comments and a notice of our decision when they become available. Please check back.