SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM UPDATE

The City of Lake Stevens Shoreline Master Program (SMP) is a planning document that outlines goals and policies for the shorelines of the City. The SMP also establishes regulations for development occurring within shoreline jurisdiction. 

The Washington Department of Ecology oversees the SMP Update and has provided the City with funding to complete the project. Ecology identified three areas within the City as shoreline: Lake Stevens, and portions of Little Pilchuck Creek and Catherine Creek. Other areas include wetlands associated with the three shorelines. 

Throughout the two year project, the City has held periodic public meetings to inform the public of the development of new regulations, accept comments, and assist the City in adopting final regulations. In addition, a Citizen Advisory Committee met periodically to guide the project. The next step is the Local Adoption Process with public hearings and adoption of final draft documents to be submitted to the Washington Department of Ecology for final review and adoption. Ecology will also hold public hearings later in the year. 

Adoption Process

On November 28, 2011, the Lake Stevens City Council approved a Final Draft Shoreline Master Program and associated documents. The final packet has been submitted to the Washington Department of Ecology for their review.  Ecology will hold their own public comment period and are expected to hold a public hearing.  The following documents were submitted:

• Ecology Submittal Letter
• Ordinance No. 856
• Shoreline Master Program
• Shoreline Analysis Report
• Shoreline Cumulative Impacts Analysis
• Shoreline Restoration Plan
• No Net Loss Report
• SMP Comprehensive Plan Amendments

Previous Public Materials from Open Houses and Hearings

Final Workshops and Public Hearings

• SMP Materials and Staff Report - November 14, 2011
• SMP Materials and Staff Report – November 21, 2011
• SMP Materials and Staff Report – November 28, 2011

Early Documents

• Final Draft Inventory Analysis Report (2/26/10)
• Draft Shoreline Master Program Report (6/15/10)
• Draft Cumulative Impacts Analysis (8/26/10)
• Draft Restoration Plan (9/15/10)
• Proposed Shoreline Designation Map

December 15, 2010 Documents

• Draft Shoreline Master Program (12/15/2010)
• Draft Cumulative Impact Analysis (12/15/2010)
• Draft Shoreline Restoration Plan (12/15/2010)
• Draft No Net Loss Report (12/15/2010)

April 19, 2011 Documents

• SEPA Determination of Non-Significance and Checklist
• Ordinance adoption Code Amendments for consistency with Shoreline Management Act
• Resolution adopting Final Draft Shoreline Master Program documents and direction for staff to submit to Ecology (includes code amendments for consistency with SMP)
• Draft Shoreline Master Program (4/19/11)
• Lake Stevens 2011 Cumulative Impact Analysis (4/19/11)
• Lake Stevens 2011 No Net Loss Report (4/19/11)
• Lake Stevens 2011 Shoreline Restoration Plan (4/19/11)
• GMA Comprehensive Plan Amendments for consistency with SMP

The Local Adoption Process should be completed by the end of 2011. The final step will be adoption of the Ecology approved documents by City Council.

City Staff will continue to update Interested Parties on Ecology’s review process.  If you are not currently on the email list, please send your email address to Karen Watkins, Principal Planner at kwatkins@lakestevenswa.gov.  For questions, please call 425-377-3221.