The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is seeking public comment on the city of DuPont’s recently updated shoreline master program.
The proposed updated shoreline master program will guide construction and development in DuPont’s 3.54 miles of marine shorelines. It combines local plans for future development and preservation with new development ordinances and related permitting requirements.
DuPont’s locally-tailored shoreline master program is designed to help minimize environmental damage to shoreline areas, reserve appropriate areas for water-oriented uses, and protect the public’s right to access public lands and water.
Under Washington’s 1972 voter-approved Shoreline Management Act, Ecology must review and approve DuPont’s proposed shoreline program before it takes effect. More than 200 cities and counties statewide are in the process or soon will be updating or crafting their master programs.
Some, but not all, programs being updated were originally written between 1974 and 1978. Since that time, significant advances have been made in the understanding of ecological processes, Washington’s population has nearly tripled, and the use and development of shorelines has increased.
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Dredging Today Staff, August 8, 2012