Shoreline Master Program Update: Process Overview

1. Shoreline Master Program Update: Process Overview City of Benton CityAugust 30, 2012

2. Agenda • What is an SMP? • How long will it take? • What are the steps? • What are your visions for the future of Benton City’s shorelines?

3. Shoreline Management Act (SMA) RCW 90.58 To prevent harm caused by uncoordinated and piecemeal development of the state’s major shorelines Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Guidelines WAC 127-26 SMP--Carries out provisions of SMA Must be approved by Dept. of Ecology, using policy of RCW 90.58.020 and Guidelines as approval standards/criteria

4. Key Principles of the SMP • Balance • Environmental protection • Public access • Water-oriented uses • Preferred Uses • No Net Loss of Ecological Function

5. Updated Shoreline Jurisdiction • Stream flows ≥ 20 cubic feet per second • Upland areas 200 feet from ordinary high water mark • Floodways and adjacent floodplain area

6. Steps and Status SMP - Environment Designations - Goals - Policies - Regulations Local Adoption Cumulative Impacts Analysis Inventory & Analysis Determine Jurisdiction Restoration Plan Public Participation Ecology Review and Adoption

7. SMP Contents • Environment Designations • General Provisions • e.g., critical areas, flood hazard reduction, public access, vegetation conservation • Shoreline Modifications • e.g., shoreline stabilization, dredging • Shoreline Uses • e.g., residential, recreational, transportation

8. Inventory Topics • Jurisdiction • Proposed Shoreline Management Area • Natural Environment • Soils • Geology • Floodplain & Wetlands • Landslide and Seismic Hazard Areas • Priority Habitats/Species and Fish Distribution • Vegetation • Shoreline Ecological Function • Restoration Opportunities

9. Inventory Topics • Built Environment • Public Access • 303d Listed Waters & Permitted Sites • Other • Reach Map • Comprehensive Land Use Designations • Zoning • Current Land Use • Sanitary Sewer System • Surface Water System & Outfalls • Impervious Surfaces • Shoreline Modifications

10. Restoration Actions • Can be important for no net loss • Can include watershed level improvements • Can include program and voluntary actions • Can serve as source of required mitigation measures when there are shoreline impacts Types of Opportunities • Enhancement of riparian vegetation • Address possible sources of fecal coliform contamination

11. Targeted Workshop Dates • August 30, 2012 – SMP process overview  • October 25, 2012 – Visioning workshop • November 20, 2012 – Goals, policies, and regulations workshop • January 24, 2013 – Review draft SMP • March 28, 2013 – Revisit draft SMP, cumulative impacts, and restoration • May 23, 2013 – Planning Commission recommends SMP to City Council

12. Key Public Participation Milestones • Shoreline Visioning – October 25, 2012 • Draft SMP Workshop – January 24, 2013 • Hearings and Local Adoption – Late Spring 2013 Keep Informed • Attend public meetings and workshops • Learn about Benton City’s shoreline • Ask questions and provide comments

13. Discussion Questions • Public access • Shoreline use • Restoration • How do you currently use Benton City shorelines? • What additional or improved public access could be provided? • What future uses you would like to see along Benton City shorelines? • What shoreline areas should be: Protected? Restored?

14. Contact Information: • Ben Floyd, Anchor QEA • 509-392-4548 • bfloyd@anchorqea.com • FerdouseOneza, Oneza & Associates • 509-845-2453 • foneza@onezaassociates.com