Comment on Ocean Shores’ new shoreline master program

A city that began as a California-style development on Point Brown in Grays Harbor County, Ocean Shores has been a tourist beacon since its conversion from a cattle ranch in the early 1960s.

People continue to flock to Ocean Shores, especially during the warmer months and when shellfish beds are open. And the city’s more than 70 miles of shoreline will continue to attract permanent and temporary residents.

Those shorelines, including the Pacific Ocean, Grays Harbor, Duck Lake and canals, are managed under Ocean Shores’ Shoreline Master Program. The Department of Ecology is currently seeking public comments on a proposed update to this master program.

Local shoreline master programs become part of a statewide master program under Washington’s Shoreline Management Act.

Through 5 p.m. on Feb. 15, the public is invited to comment on the proposed program, which will guide shoreline development and activities. It will:

• Entirely replace the city’s existing program;
• Prioritize water-oriented uses and development within the city’s shoreline areas;
• Identify potential restoration projects for future shoreline restoration efforts in a Restoration Plan; and
• Incorporate critical area regulations to ensure the protection of sensitive areas within shoreline jurisdiction.

Once the comment period is over, we will approve it as is, recommend changes, or send it back to the city for required changes to meet statutory and rule requirements.

The documents for public review and comment are available electronically.

Paper copies are available to view, by appointment, at the following locations:

Washington Department of Ecology

Southwest Regional Office

300 Desmond Drive

Lacey, WA 98503

Staff Contact: Kim Van Zwalenburg

Email: kim.vanzwalenburg@ecy.wa.gov

Phone: 360-407-6520

City of Ocean Shores
Planning Department/Permit Office
801 Minard Avenue NW, Building B
Ocean Shores, WA 98569
Staff Contact: Alicia Bridges
Email: abridges@osgov.com
Phone: 360-940-7489

Submit written comments and questions to:

Kim Van Zwalenburg, Senior Shoreline Planner

Washington Department of Ecology

Southwest Regional Office

PO Box 47775

Olympia, WA 98504-7775

Email: kim.vanzwalenburg@ecy.wa.gov

Phone: 360-407-6520

Comments must be received no later than February 15, 2018, at 5 p.m.

By: Dave Bennett, Communications Manager, Southwest Regional Office, Washington Department of Ecology