Skagit County will kick off its Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Update with three workshops to discuss the public’s vision for Skagit County shorelines. The SMP consists of rules and planning practices developed by local governments to guide the development of stream, lake, and marine shorelines in accordance with the State Shoreline Management Act. This includes lakes greater than 20 acres, streams with a mean annual flow greater than 20 cubic feet per second, lands within 200 feet of the ordinary high water mark, floodways, some floodplains, and associated wetlands.

When updated, the SMP will include policies and regulations that:

·         Provide environmental protection and restoration for shorelines
·         Preserve and enhance public access
·         Encourage  development that supports water-oriented uses such as docks, marinas, ports, aquaculture, and other uses that are dependent on, related to, or encourage enjoyment of the shoreline

The following SMP public workshops will take place in June 2011 (all workshops are designed to share the same information):

Tuesday, June 7, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Concrete Senior Center, 45821 Railroad Street, Concrete

Wednesday, June 8, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Old Lyman Town Hall, 8334 South Main, Lyman

Wednesday, June 15, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Skagit County Commissioners Hearing Room, 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon

Session added:

Wednesday, July 13, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Anacortes City Hall, Council Chambers, 6th and Q Avenue, Anacortes

“We look forward to getting some early input from interested citizens. Their thoughts and knowledge are important to the update process,” said Betsy Stevenson, the County’s senior planner and project manager for the update process. “The plan will ultimately decide what happens on the shorelines for years to come. Before we consider land use changes or propose specific development regulations, we want to hear from the community – what should Skagit County’s shorelines be like in the future?”

To learn more, visit www.skagitcounty.net/SMP or contact Betsy Stevenson, Skagit County Planning and Development Services, at (360) 336-9410 ext. 5879 or atbetsyds@co.skagit.wa.us.