McCleary’s first shoreline master plan proposal ready for public input

The first of anything only happens once. So, here’s your chance to get in on the ground floor and comment on the first Shoreline Master Plan proposal for the City of McCleary. Public comments are open now through Sept. 26, 2016. The proposal addresses uses and development on Wildcat Pond and a small segment of the shorelands associated with Mox Chehalis Creek. If approved, the proposal would meet the requirements of the Shoreline Management Act and the Shoreline Master Program Guidelines. 

What’s a Shoreline Master Program?

Shoreline Master Programs are local plans developed by cities and counties to manage shoreline use. These local programs protect natural resources for future generations, provide for public access to public waters and shores and plan for shoreline uses and development.

City of McCleary’s shoreline plan

McCleary’s new shoreline program establishes vegetative buffers to accommodate existing development, reflects the city’s underlying zoning, and references a restoration plan that identifies potential projects for future restoration efforts. To schedule a time to read paper copies of the proposal, contact the City of McCleary or Ecology Regional Planner Kim Van Zwalenburg at the address below.

All comments should be sent to Kim Van Zwalenburg. There are four ways to do it:

By email:             kim.vanzwalenburg@ecy.wa.gov

By mail:                Southwest Regional Office

                              PO Box 47775
                              Olympia, WA 98504-7600

In person:            300 Desmond Drive
                              Lacey, WA 98503

By phone:            360-407-6520

Ecology must receive comments no later than 5 p.m. on Sept. 26, 2016.

Comment summaries and the city’s response will be posted to the City of McCleary Shoreline Master Program page on Ecology’s website.

By: Dave Bennett, Southwest Region communications manager

Share your thoughts on Pierce County's shoreline plan

We want your comments on the Pierce County Shoreline Master Program. Join us Wednesday evening for an open house and public hearing to share your thoughts on the county shoreline plan.

Shoreline Master Programs help us plan to use our shorelines responsibly.

What's a Shoreline Master Program?

Shoreline Master Programs are local plans developed by cities and counties to manage shoreline use. These local programs protect natural resources for future generations, provide for public access to public waters and shores, and plan for shoreline uses and development.

Pierce County's shoreline plan

Pierce County's long-awaited shoreline plan is ready for your review and comment. The public comment period started March 15 and will run through April 29.

Public comment period: 

March 15 to April 29

Last year, Pierce County locally approved its shoreline plan for managing more than 700 miles of county shoreline, including all waters along Puget Sound, numerous lakes and rivers, and associated wetlands within the county. They then submitted their plan to Ecology for review and approval.

Join the open house

Learn more and comment in person at tomorrow's open house:

When	Wednesday, March 30, 2016 Open house starts at 5 p.m. Public hearing starts at 6:30 p.m.
Where	Pacific Lutheran University Chris Knutzen Hall 12598 Park Avenue South Tacoma, Washington 98447

Your input will help us as we decide to either approve the county's Shoreline Master Program as it is written, or request changes before it can be approved.

Learn more, review the draft plan and submit your comments online at http://bit.ly/PierceSMP.

Updating the county’s shoreline plan

This proposed Shoreline Master Program is the first comprehensive update to the county’s shoreline plan since 1975. If adopted, it will completely replace the existing program with updated goals, policies, regulations, shoreline environment designations, definitions and administrative procedures.

The new plan will advance shoreline habitat protection while guiding county planning for new development and public access.

Learn about shoreline planning on our Shoreline Master Program webpage.

By: Jessica Payne, Shorelands program communications manager