SMP Update Overview

In 2003, the state legislature established funding, timelines, and guidelines requiring all cities and counties to update their local Shoreline Master Programs (SMP) prepared under Washington State Shoreline Management Act (SMA). The new shoreline guidelines passed in 2003 set a higher level of environmental protection for shorelines in the state and a goal of “no net loss” of shoreline function. The City of Kenmore is conducting a comprehensive update of its SMP with grant assistance and guidance from the State Department of Ecology. 
The City’s SMP provides goals, policies, development regulations, and permitting procedures for “shorelines of the state” in City jurisdiction, as defined by the SMA. In Kenmore, these areas include Lake Washington, the Sammamish River (Slough), the main stem of Swamp Creek, and all lands 200 feet landward of or associated with these waters. The update is being prepared consistent with the SMA and its implementing guidelines.

What is the Shoreline Management Act?

The Washington Shoreline Management Act (SMA) was adopted in a 1972 referendum “to prevent the inherent harm in an uncoordinated and piecemeal development of the state’s shorelines.” The SMA has three broad policies:

1. Encourage water-dependent and water-oriented uses: "uses shall be preferred which are consistent with control of pollution and prevention of damage to the natural environment, or are unique to or dependent upon use of the states' shorelines....”
2. Promote public access: “the public’s opportunity to enjoy the physical and aesthetic qualities of natural shorelines of the state shall be preserved to the greatest extent feasible consistent with the overall best interest of the state and the people generally."
3. Protect shoreline natural resources, including "...the land and its vegetation and wildlife, and the water of the state and their aquatic life...."

Where in Kenmore does the Shoreline Management Act apply?

Statewide, the SMA applies to marine coastal areas, all rivers and streams downstream from a point where the mean annual flow is 20 cubic feet per second or greater, and lakes over 20 acres in size. In Kenmore, this includes Lake Washington, the Sammamish River, and the main stem of Swamp Creek.

The SMA also applies to adjacent shorelands located 200 feet from the ordinary high water mark (measured horizontally) and associated wetlands. The SMA jurisdiction can be expanded to include the entire contiguous floodplain associated with “shorelines of the state.”  In Kenmore, wetlands associated with Lake Washington, the Sammamish River, and Swamp Creek total over 172 acres.  The Draft Documents and Maps section [link to this section on page] includes preliminary maps that have been prepared for the SMP Update effort.  Map 1 shows the Shoreline Planning area in Kenmore.

What does the SMP regulate?

Within the SMA jurisdictional area, all land use activities must meet the goals, policies, and regulations in the SMP.  Current goals, policies and regulations of Kenmore’s current SMP can be found in the City of Kenmore Comprehensive Plan and Municipal Code.  During the SMP Update, the City’s current SMP goals, policies, and regulations will be assessed and revised to meet the Department Ecology’s 2003 shoreline guidelines and current conditions within the City.

Kenmore’s Current SMP

• Goals, Policies, Objectives (Comp Plan Sub-element E)
• Kenmore Municipal Code: Chapter 16, Shoreline Management

In the 30 years since the County’s SMP was first adopted, and in the 10 years since Kenmore incorporated as a City, significant changes have occurred throughout the City. Kenmore’s population has grown by more than 1000 people (more than 5%) since 1998 (2000 and 2005 U.S. Census Data) and significant development has brought numerous new businesses, housing developments, infrastructure, and development patterns to the shoreline areas.

Steps of the SMP Update Process

The SMP update includes developing a shoreline inventory and characterization, shoreline environment designations, updated policies and regulations, and a restoration plan.  It also includes involving the community to ensure the plan reflects the broad public interest in the shorelines of Kenmore.

• What is the Shoreline Inventory and Characterization report and how will it be used?
The inventory and characterization documents current shoreline conditions and provides a basis for updating the City’s SMP goals, policies, and regulations. The inventory and characterization identifies existing conditions, evaluates existing functions and values of shoreline resources, and describes opportunities for conservation and restoration of ecological functions. This helps in making sound decisions on policies and regulations and also provides a baseline for comparing the success of the SMP at meeting its objectives.  The first Draft Inventory is currently in review by the Technical Advisory Group, including City staff, Tribes, Ecology, and other state agencies. 

• What are shoreline environment designations?
Shoreline environment designations function like an additional zoning layer. Each designation permits certain uses and developments, if allowed by the underlying zoning requirements. The purpose of shoreline environment designations is to provide a uniform basis for applying policies and regulations within distinctly different shoreline areas.  New environment designations will be developed by October 2008.

• What polices and regulations will be changed through the SMP update?
The SMP is a local, long range plan implementing the SMA. The SMP includes goals, policies, development standards, use regulations and a permitting process for activities located within the shoreline jurisdiction. The City’s current SMP was developed by King County and adopted when Kenmore was incorporated, so this will be Kenmore’s first opportunity to develop shoreline polices unique to Kenmore.  The City’s SMP update must be consistent with State guidelines, and will be integrated with other City plans and regulations such as the Comprehensive Plan, zoning code, and critical areas regulations. All local SMPs must be reviewed and approved by the Department of Ecology. Draft regulations will be submitted to Ecology by the end of March 2009.

• What is a Shoreline Restoration Plan?
The SMP guidelines require that local governments develop SMP policies that promote restoration of damaged shoreline ecological functions and develop a “real and meaningful” strategy to implement restoration objectives.  Planning for shoreline restoration includes identifying opportunities (both programmatic and site-specific), establishing goals and policies, working cooperatively with other regional entities, and supporting restoration through other regulatory and non-regulatory programs. The City will develop a Restoration Plan by June of 2009.

Staying Involved

Public Meetings and Open Houses
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SMP Documents and Maps

Questions & Comments

Citizens can become involved in the Shoreline Master Program Update by contacting: Jill Ding, Senior Planner, (425) 398-8900 (or email, jding@ci.kenmore.wa.us), to be placed on our mailing list and to share interest, concern or information about Kenmore shorelines.

You may also complete the Public Comment Form [link to comment form] or write down your own ideas about the Shoreline Master Program development and send them to:

Kenmore Department of Community Development
Jill Ding
PO Box 82607
Kenmore, WA 98028

More Links

City of Kenmore

• Kenmore Planning Commission
• LakePointe Development information

County and Neighboring Cities

• King County Shoreline Master Program
• Lake Forest Park Shoreline Master Program information
• Kirkland Shoreline Master Program information
• Bothell Shoreline Master Program information
• Redmond Shoreline Master Program information

State

• 1971 Shoreline Management Act
• 2003 Shoreline Master Program Guidelines
• State Parks Saint Edwards Park planning efforts
• Puget Sound Nearshore Partnership
• Puget Sound Partnership
• State Department of Ecology Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program
• Washington Sea Grant

Federal

• National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Northwest Region
• NOAA Coastal Zone Management