Ecology approves Spokane County’s shoreline master program

After nine years of debate and rancor, Ecology has approved Spokane County’s shoreline master program. It remains to be seen, however, if Washington State’s approval will be appealed.

Thus far, 60 cities and counties have updated their shoreline programs, which are based on the 1972 voter-approved Shoreline Management Act. The overarching goal of the Act is “to prevent the inherent harm in an uncoordinated and piecemeal development of the state’s shorelines.”

The City of Spokane completed their update in 2010, and the City of Spokane Valley hopes to complete theirs soon. A public hearing on the public access portion of their plan is scheduled for January 24th, 6:00 p.m at City Hall.

Spokane County’s shoreline area includes the Spokane River, Little Spokane, Latah (Hangman) Creek and more than forty lakes, including Liberty and Newman.

In a news release issued by Ecology the following are listed as highlights:

“• Protects private property rights.

• Creates more efficient development review by merging the county’s critical areas ordinances into the shoreline program.

• Safeguards fish and wildlife by protecting critical freshwater habitats.

• Increases public safety and reduces property damage from floods while keeping new development out of harm’s way.

• Protects the public’s existing access to public shorelines and provides more opportunities for swimming, fishing and enjoying public waters and shores.

• Ensures everyone’s right to use lakes and rivers by limiting the size of docks and other overwater structures.”

• Promotes more effective and natural options for stabilizing eroding shorelines.

•Plans for future, voluntary shoreline restoration that improves water quality, fish and wildlife habitat and other shoreline values.

Futurewise, a statewide organization promoting “healthy communities and cities while protecting farmland, forests and shorelines today and for future generations,” may appeal.

In a lengthy comment letter in November of 2012, Futurewise called for improvements in shoreline buffers, requirements for public access, resolving inconsistencies between the critical area ordinance and the master plan, and protection of fish and wildlife habitats. If Futurewise or another group appeals, they will need to file by the end of March for the case to be heard by the Growth Management Hearings Board.