Jefferson County Shoreline Master Program Update

Jefferson County is conducting a periodic review of its 2014 Shoreline Master Program (SMP) as required by state law. The SMP applies to all marine waters, lakes over 20 acres, and larger streams (over 20 cubic feet per second) as well as associated wetlands and uplands at least 200 feet from the shoreline. This project will focus on revisions needed for fine-tuning and house-keeping, not a complete rewrite. Please help guide this project by providing your input to the following questions. Skip any that do not apply to you.

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* 1. What is your relationship to Jefferson County Shorelines? (Check all that apply)

I recreate along shorelines (e.g. walk beaches or trails, camp near shorelines, etc.).

I boat or fish on Jefferson County shorelines.

I have a business dependent on Jefferson County shorelines (e.g. marina, aquaculture, etc.).

I own, rent or have access to, property within 200 feet of a Jefferson County Shoreline waterbody? If yes, name all that apply:

Other (please specify)

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* 2. If you own, rent, or have access to property within 200 feet of Jefferson County Shoreline waterbody, please name all waterbodies that apply (for example: Fulton Creek, Discovery Bay, etc.):

Marine

Lake

River/Creek/Stream

Questions #3-8: For Recent Permit Applicants

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* 3. Have you inquired about, applied for, or been issued a Jefferson County shoreline permit since 2014? If yes, which type or permit (select one and describe the type of development):

Building Permit Exemption

Conditional Use Permit

Substantial Development Permit

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* 4. Were there any barriers you ran into when attempting to permit a project in a Shoreline area? Were the barriers financial, regulatory, or other? (describe)

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* 5. When presented with the SMP Regulations, were you able to easily comprehend the intent of the regulations, and did you clearly understand the permitting process?

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* 6. Did you fully understand what was expected from you (i.e. applications, reports, fees) and the reasons for certain requirements such as special reports?

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* 7. Could you easily get your questions answered in a meaningful and timely manner? (describe)

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* 8. If you answered questions #4-7, what could be done to improve the regulations, process, etc?

General Questions

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* 9. The state Shoreline Management Act requires local SMPs to balance three goals: Use & Development, Public Access, and Resource Protection along our local shorelines of the state. Which of the following SMP Governing Principles do you support (select all that apply):

Ensuring local regulations are consistent with state laws & rules

Achieving local planning policies through both regulatory & non-regulatory means

Avoiding unconstitutional infringement upon and taking of private property rights

Applying SMP regulations only to shoreline areas & applying SMP planning functions more broadly across watersheds

Protect shoreline ecological functions

Other (please specify)

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* 10. What types of use and development activities would you like to see maintained and/or increased in the Shoreline? (select all that apply):

Public access to the shoreline (visual and/or physical)

Private access to the shoreline (stairs to the beach)

Commercial development

Education opportunities

Underwater dive parks

Docks, boat ramps, mooring buoys, marinas, etc.

Residential development

Aquaculture (shellfish, finfish)

Fishing, crabbing, and shrimping

Marine Trades (boat building and repair, etc.)

Water quality

Other (please specify)

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* 11. Are there any sections of the SMP or specific provisions that you think the County needs to revise? (describe)

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* 12. Are there any changes to local circumstance, new information, or improved data the County needs to consider regarding the SMP? (describe)

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* 13. Is there anything else you would like to share about the SMP Periodic review?

Thank you for your time!

For more information about the SMP Periodic Review, please see the project website https://www.jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/1481/Shoreline-Master-Program-Periodic-Review.

For questions or to sign up to be notified of SMP Periodic Review events, please contact:

David Wayne Johnson, Associate Planner, Long Range Planning
dwjohnson@co.jefferson.wa.us
360-379-4465