Shoreline Master Program (SMP)

Shorelines are among the most fragile of ecosystems in the state and are to be preserved for our children, great-grandchildren, and their great-grandchildren. The Revised Code of Washington, RCW 90.50.020, finds that shorelines of the state are among the most valuable and fragile of the state's natural resources.
 
It finds that throughout the state, great concern is shown for shoreline use, protection, restoration, and preservation. It also finds that shorelines have increased pressure put on them, which creates a need for coordinated shoreline management.

It finds that lands upland of shorelines are mostly privately owned and that unrestricted construction on that land is not in the public’s best interest. It then requires coordinated planning to protect the public interest as well as the property rights of the upland owners. In this city the upland area is owned by public or semi-public entities, specifically the City of Buckley, a Consortium of Washington Cities (CWA), and Puget Power.

The RCW states a need for “a clear and urgent demand for a planned, rational, and concerted effort” performed by federal, state, and local governments to prevent harm and uncoordinated piecemeal development of the state’s shorelines.

The method used to ensure these goals and policies are met is to review all proposals within shoreline jurisdiction through applications for one of four types of permissions: a Letter of Exemption (SSDE), a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit (SSDP), a Shoreline Variance (SVAR), and a Shoreline Conditional Use Permit (SCUP).