Update of shoreline-management rules not expected to bring significant changes

King County schedules June public meetings on proposed shoreline regulations

Draft land-use regulations that protect King County’s shorelines and manage development along streams, lakes and marine areas are not expected to be significantly different from current rules. The public will have an opportunity to learn more about the King County Shoreline Master Program update at a series of meetings set for early June.

The update of King County’s shoreline regulations package is required by the state Shoreline Management Act. The rules, which have not been significantly changed since adoption nearly 30 years ago, must be approved by the Washington Department of Ecology. Cities and counties across western Washington are also updating their shoreline-management rules.

Meetings set for June 5 in Carnation, June 6 in Auburn and June 7 in Vashon, will give the public an opportunity to see a comparison between existing shoreline management rules and the new draft rules, learn more about the Shoreline Master Program and ask King County staff questions. All meetings will run from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A recent survey of King County residents showed overwhelming support for continued protection of shorelines, wetlands and similar areas.

The opinions were gathered in a recent telephone survey as part of the public involvement process for the King County Shoreline Master Program update.

Maintaining high levels of protection is considered more important than allowing new development in those areas, according to survey responses.

Of the 400 unincorporated King County residents surveyed, representing a statistical sample of such residents, 77 percent said King County should maintain existing protections, or do even more, to protect environmentally sensitive areas. And 78 percent of respondents agreed that it is more important to protect shoreline environments than to allow new development along the shorelines.

"The results of this survey show that the public recognizes the tremendous importance of protecting these fragile resources, and that we’re doing a good job protecting the environment," said County Executive Ron Sims. "King County has been a leader in taking the steps necessary to ensure that Puget Sound and our lakes and streams continue to provide people the beauty and features that contribute so much to our quality of life.”

The Shoreline Master Program’s goals are set by state law and include protecting natural resources, increasing public access to shorelines and encouraging water-dependent businesses such as marinas along waterfronts. King County’s program applies only to unincorporated areas.

“The environmental regulations that are already in place across King County provide excellent protection to sensitive areas, and we don’t anticipate significant changes will be necessary to meet the new state requirements,” said Stephanie Warden, director of the King County Department of Development and Environmental Services.

A new Web site has been created to provide current information on the Shoreline Master Program update, at http://www.metrokc.gov/shorelines/.

In addition to the latest news on the update process, the Web site also features an online comment form – one of several ways the public can comment on the proposed regulations. Interested citizens can also fill out a comment form at one of the upcoming meetings, provide oral testimony, call a special comment line, at 206-205-8090, or send an e-mail to shorelines@kingcounty.gov.

The telephone survey was conducted in February for King County by consultant Mary V. McGuire and Consumer Opinion Services. The phone survey consisted of interviewing 400 randomly selected unincorporated area county residents.

Slightly more than 25 percent of the respondents said they lived on a shoreline and about the same number said they owned property on a shoreline. The survey has a confidence level of plus or minus 5 percent.

When asked about the most effective ways to protect the environment, respondents did not have clear preferences.  Incentive programs, such as tax incentives and stewardship programs, as well regulations, such as fining violators, were viewed as equally effective. 

Of the respondents, 55 percent identified themselves as living in an area that is more rural than urban, while 30 percent said they lived in an area that is more urban. A summary of the survey results are available on the King County Shorelines Update Web page.

"These results clearly show strong public support for maintaining our environmental quality,” Sims said. “King County actively works with property owners who want to provide these public benefits and want to be good stewards of the land, and this survey shows that the public favors this approach."

Shoreline Master Program Update public meeting schedule

June 5 - Carnation
Carnation Elementary School
4950 Tolt Ave.

June 6 - Auburn
Green River Community College – Glacier Room, Lindbloom Student Center
12401 SE 320th St.

June 7 - Vashon
McMurray Middle School
9329 SW Cemetery Rd.

Shoreline Master Program Update timeline

June 22 – Public comment period ends on draft program proposals.

Fall 2007 – Revised draft regulations package will be submitted to the public for review and comment.

March 2008 – King County Executive will transmit a proposed Shoreline Master Program Update to the Metropolitan King County Council for review, public hearings and adoption.