– Ecology, Seattle to co-host open house, presentation and question session
DPD and Washington Department of Ecology will co-host a community meeting next week to provide information and answer questions about proposed updates to the City’s Shoreline Master Program (SMP).
The state’s Shoreline Management Act requires local governments to develop SMPs, subject to review and approval by Ecology. An SMP guides local shoreline development and protection.
Seattle updated its SMP in 2013 after five years of work with people representing a broad spectrum of interests. Ecology recently responded to the city’s update. Ecology considered public comments and incorporated a state law passed this year on over-water residences.
In cooperation with DPD, Ecology has asked the City to consider several revisions needed for state approval. These include provisions, allowed in the new state law, which would authorize existing floating residences that the City’s existing SMP does not address.
The meeting will provide general information on the SMP approval process, Ecology’s review, and how people can get involved:
- Open house: 6 p.m. Monday, June 30, 2014
- Bertha Knight Landes Room, Seattle City Hall, 600 4th Ave. (enter on 5th Ave)
- Short presentations, question-and-answer session: 6:30 p.m.
Details on the meeting and Ecology’s conditional approval are available at Ecology and DPD websites.
Seattle has 86 miles of lake, stream, estuary and marine shorelines. The city is one of over 150 local governments updating their shoreline programs this year.