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Water & Shorelines > Shoreline & coasts > Shoreline management > State-approved SMP list > Pe Ell

Pe Ell Shoreline Master Program: comprehensive update and periodic review

Final approval

On Feb. 27, 2026, we approved Pe Ell’s shoreline master program (SMP) combined comprehensive update and periodic review amendment.

Pe Ell’s updated SMP is effective May 11, 2026, 14 days after we provided notice to the town that their SMP was approved.

The updated SMP entirely replaces the town’s existing SMP, adopted in 1974. It will guide development and activities along approximately two miles of freshwater shoreline along the Stowe Creek and the Chehalis River. The updated SMP includes goals, policies, regulations, shoreline environment designations, and administrative procedures and definitions. It prioritizes water-oriented uses and development within the town’s shoreline areas and incorporates critical areas regulations to ensure the protection of sensitive areas within shoreline jurisdiction.

Conditional approval and review

On Feb. 2, 2026, we provided required and recommended changes to the town on their SMP.

The required and recommended changes are based on our review of whether or not the proposed combined comprehensive update and periodic review amendment complies with state laws and rules, and a public comment period held Oct. 30 – Dec. 4, 2023. On April 22, 2026, the town responded to us indicating acceptance of all our required and recommended changes.

Email notices were used to notify interested parties during the public comment period. One comment letter from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) was received. Comments focused on vegetation conservation policies and regulations and riparian buffers. On Dec. 6, 2023, we sent a summary of comments to the town for their response. The town prepared written responses to the public’s comments and provided them to us on Jan.y 18, 2024. We found that the town considered comments consistent with WAC 173-26-100(3) and finds that no other amendments to the SMP are necessary in response to comments. The response to comments document is posted below.

The combined comprehensive update and periodic review amendment will bring the existing shoreline program into compliance with changes to state law, ensure consistency with the town’s Comprehensive Plan and development regulations, and reflect changes in circumstances, new information, and improved data. 

Documents for public review and comment

Note: all documents are PDF

Appeals

  • Per RCW 90.58.190(3), 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 Chronicle legal ads on May 11, 2026.

Contact information

Heather Bush
Regional Shoreline Planner
Heather.Bush@ecy.wa.gov
425-417-6982