The Bainbridge Island Shoreline Management Plan Update
As required by the state, Bainbridge Island is beginning the process in 2010 of updating its Shoreline Master Program (SMP), the key document that guides development and restoration efforts along the island’s 53 miles of shoreline.
The Bainbridge Island Watershed Council is pleased to assist the Bainbridge Alliance For Puget Sound, a coalition of Island organizations and concerned residents who believe that better choices will be made if more people have a broader understanding of the issues, in providing more information about what SMPs are and what the process of creating and updating SMPs entails. Here are links to some of the websites and documents that explain the process and issues.
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/sma/ — This is the Washington Department of Ecology’s overview of the Shoreline Management Act and what’s required in local shoreline master plans. The department works with local governments and must approve their shoreline programs.
http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/commdevelopment/Shoreline_LocallyApprovedSMP.htm — This is a link to Jefferson County’s new Shoreline Master Program, which was adopted in December 2009. Reading through it gives you an idea of many of the components that can be included in an SMP. It includes alternative approaches to dealing with some situations, providing flexibility that some landowners and environmental activists have requested on various issues.
http://pugetsoundblogs.com/bainbridge-conversation/2010/01/14/scientists-slam-bi-mans-controversial-shoreline-report/— This is a Bainbridge Conversation blog piece written about a debate over whether there is scientific evidence that bulkheads are harmful. (Armoring of the shoreline is certain to be a much-discussed item in the the Bainbridge Island shoreline plan.)
The Bainbridge Island Watershed Council is pleased to assist the Bainbridge Alliance For Puget Sound, a coalition of Island organizations and concerned residents who believe that better choices will be made if more people have a broader understanding of the issues, in providing more information about what SMPs are and what the process of creating and updating SMPs entails. Here are links to some of the websites and documents that explain the process and issues.
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/sma/ — This is the Washington Department of Ecology’s overview of the Shoreline Management Act and what’s required in local shoreline master plans. The department works with local governments and must approve their shoreline programs.
- Includes a “Shoreline Planners Toolbox,” which shows the issues that need to be included in the plans.
- There is also a link where you can download current shoreline plans for many cities and counties in Washington State.
http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/commdevelopment/Shoreline_LocallyApprovedSMP.htm — This is a link to Jefferson County’s new Shoreline Master Program, which was adopted in December 2009. Reading through it gives you an idea of many of the components that can be included in an SMP. It includes alternative approaches to dealing with some situations, providing flexibility that some landowners and environmental activists have requested on various issues.
http://pugetsoundblogs.com/bainbridge-conversation/2010/01/14/scientists-slam-bi-mans-controversial-shoreline-report/— This is a Bainbridge Conversation blog piece written about a debate over whether there is scientific evidence that bulkheads are harmful. (Armoring of the shoreline is certain to be a much-discussed item in the the Bainbridge Island shoreline plan.)
- Read the paper that started the response here.
- Read the response signed by 14 scientists who provide responses to many of the topics discussed in the above paper.
