Grays Harbor-area shoreline plans open for public comment

Cosmopolis, Aberdeen and Hoquiam propose changes to management of 85 miles of shoreline

Cosmopolis, Aberdeen and Hoquiam coordinated their new Shoreline Management Programs so they work together to achieve goals the whole area can be proud of.

The three cities located at the mouth of the Chehalis River in Grays Harbor County have co-authored new, coordinated management plans for their shorelines.

Cosmopolis, Aberdeen and Hoquiam are updating their master programs for the 7,467 acres and 85 miles of stream, lake and marine shorelines within their boundaries. Ecology is asking the public to review and comment on these updates, which will help the agency decide whether to approve the proposals as submitted or to request changes.

Ecology will compare each cities' proposed program to the requirements of the Shoreline Management Act and the Shoreline Master Program Guidelines. Based on the comparison and the comments it receives, Ecology will decide whether to approve the program or ask for changes.

Balancing the uses of local shorelines is one goal of the
updated Shoreline Management Programs.

The waterbodies covered under the plans include the Chehalis River; Grays Harbor, Chehalis River, Lake Aberdeen, Wishkah River, Wedekind Creek, Wynoochee River, Charley Creek and Newskah Creek; and Grays Harbor, East Fork Hoquiam River, Hoquiam River, the Little Hoquiam River, and the lower segment of Fry Creek.

The new programs protect the natural character of Washington shorelines, encourage reasonable and orderly shoreline development of shorelines, and promote public access and provide opportunities to enjoy views and recreational activities in shoreline areas. The new plans also establish new shoreline buffers.

Comments will be accepted through 5 p.m. Feb. 13, and should be addressed to Ecology’s Kim Van Zwalenburg. Here’s how to submit comments:

Mail:       Southwest Regional Office

               PO Box 47775

               Olympia, WA 98504-7775

Email:     kim.vanzwalenburg@ecy.wa.gov

Phone:    360-407-6520

The cities’ new Shoreline Master Programs can be found online. Paper copies are available for review at Ecology’s Southwest Regional Office in Lacey, or at any of the three city hall locations: 

Cosmopolis

1300 First St., Cosmopolis

Aberdeen

200 E. Market St., Aberdeen

Hoquiam

609 Eighth St., Hoquiam

By Dave Bennett, Southwest Region communications