2020 Periodic Review
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Project background
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Oct. 25, 2019 CVTV Close Up Segment |
Clark County is undertaking a periodic review of its Shoreline Master Program (SMP), as required by the Washington State Shoreline Management Act (SMA), RCW 90.58.080(4). The SMA requires each SMP be reviewed and revised, if needed, on an eight-year schedule established by the Legislature. The review ensures the SMP stays current with changes in laws and rules, remains consistent with other Clark County plans and regulations, and is responsive to changed circumstances, new information and improved data.
There will be public outreach and engagement throughout the process, including opportunities to comment on the proposed amendments, as detailed in the Public Participation Plan. The county collected informal feedback in fall 2019 through community outreach activities and developed a revised draft proposal for public review in early 2020. A public comment period on the revised draft was held January 28 – February 27, 2020 and the Council adopted an ordinance amending the county’s Shoreline Master Program. A video/telephonic joint hearing with the Clark County Planning Commission and Department of Ecology was held on August 20, 2020. A hearing with the Clark County Council was held on December 1, 2020 and the Council adopted an ordinance amending the county’s Shoreline Master Program.
The Department of Ecology is now reviewing amendment materials to make a final determination. If approved, the amendments will go into effect 14-days after the Department of Ecology provides notice of its approval.
Project announcements
- The Department of Ecology is reviewing the county’s final submittal. Ecology will prepare a determination on whether the county’s Shoreline Master Program amendment is consistent with RCW 90.58 (Shoreline Management Act) and WAC 173-26, Part III (the SMP Guidelines). County staff expect to receive Ecology’s decision in early 2021.
Project timeline
The project was originally scheduled to run from fall 2019 until mid-summer 2020. Click here for a detailed copy of the original project timeline. In keeping with the social distancing protocols in place to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Clark County has suspended in-person meetings until further notice. This has caused the timeline of this project to extend further into the future than originally planned. Below please find a revised project schedule.
Project updates
To receive updates and notifications, please register for project updates and click on "Shoreline Master Program."