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Coordinated Shoreline Master Program Updates
Seven jurisdictions in Thurston County are in the process of updating their local Shoreline Master Program (SMP), this includes the town of Bucoda and the cities of Tenino and Yelm. All seven jurisdictions are seeking to move from a single regional SMP to one which could be more closely integrated into the comprehensive plan and development regulations. The new SMP will contain policies, goals, and specific land use regulations. The SMP updates will need to ensure a balance in the uses of shorelines between reasonable development and economic activity, and preserving the public’s access and enjoyment of shorelines and water-related activities. They must also include policies that lead to no net loss of ecological function for shorelines and also restore degraded aquatic and marine habitat.
Bucoda, Tenino and Yelm SMP Update
In 2009, the Town of Bucoda and the Cities of Tenino and Yelm began to update their SMPs. It is a joint planning effort which is being coordinated by Thurston Regional Planning Council. It is being funded by a grant from the WA Department of Ecology.
Potential Shoreline Jurisdiction
The shorelines that are within the jurisdiction of the Shoreline Management Act are identified in the existing regional Shoreline Master Program. The Department of Ecology will require review of the following shorelines:
Table 1: Potential Shorelines in Bucoda, Tenino, Yelm, and their UGA
|
Jurisdiction |
Stream Name |
Length in the
Town/City
(miles) |
Length in the Urban Growth Area (miles) |
|
Bucoda |
Skookumchuck River |
1.56 |
--- |
|
Tenino |
Scatter Creek |
1.20 |
0.22 |
|
Yelm |
Centralia Power Canal |
0.95 |
2.65 |
|
Yelm |
Thompson Creek |
0.83 |
1.09 |
|
Yelm |
Yelm Creek |
2.48 |
0.47 |
|
TOTAL |
11.45 miles |
Shorelines of the State
The Department of Ecology provides guidance on what areas fall under the jurisdiction of the Shoreline Management Act. Shorelines include:
- All marine waters, as well as tidelands
- Lakes that are 20 acres or greater in size
- Streams and rivers with a mean annual flow of greater than 20 cubic feet per second
- Wetlands associated with the waters above
- Upland area stretching 200 feet from the water’s edge
- Floodplains that extend more than 200 feet beyond the water’s edge
The cities have the option to regulate wetland buffers and other critical area buffers under the plan.
SMP Update Schedule
It is anticipated that the Shoreline Master Program update for Bucoda, Tenino and Yelm will take between two and three years. A proposed timeline for the SMP update is listed below.
Table 2: Timeline for the Shoreline Master Program Update for the Town of Bucoda and the Cities of Tenino and Yelm
|
PHASE |
UPDATE SCHEDULE |
TIMELINE |
|
1 |
· Meeting with Planning Commissions
· Determine what shorelines are regulated under the act
· Conduct an inventory of all existing and available data for shorelines |
Fall 2009 |
|
2 |
· Analysis and characterize shoreline conditions |
Winter 2010 |
|
3 |
· Characterize each shoreline segment into shoreline environment designations. Each with a different set of rules
· Develop draft rules and policies |
Spring 2010 |
|
4 |
· Analysis the cumulative impacts of expected shoreline development and redevelopment
· Develop a restoration (and preservation) plan, including public access |
Fall - Winter
2010 |
|
5 |
· Public hearings
· Planning Commission recommendations
· City Council Action
· SMP Update Packet to Ecology |
Spring - Summer
Fall 2011 |
|
6 |
· Ecology Review
· Ecology Action
· Final Adoption by Ecology and City Council |
Winter- Spring 2012 |
Why should you get involved?
Whether you own a home or business on the shoreline, or enjoy the creeks within these communities, how they are managed is important to you. You are encouraged to get on our mailing list, attend our workshops, and review and comment on each element of the plan as work progresses.
Meeting Notification Sign Up
Reports Available for Public Review
In November 2009, TRPC and the State Department of Ecology met with the Planning Commissions in all three communities. Materials for all three communities were the same and examples of these packets can be downloaded below.
For Additional Information Contact:
Steven W. Morrison, Senior Planner
Thurston Regional Planning Council
360-956-7575
info@trpc.org
Combined Reports - Available for Public Review
Department of Ecology Frequently Asked Questions
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