Shoreline Master Program

Ilwaco Shoreline Master Program: 2022 Periodic Review

The State of Washington requires all SMPs to be reviewed every eight years.  The periodic review (minor update) is intended to keep SMPs current with amendments to state laws, changes in local plans and regulations, changes in local circumstances, and new or improved data and information.  Mark Daniel, AICP with The Watershed Company is performing the periodic review on behalf of the City of Ilwaco.

Ilwaco SMP Periodic Review - Draft Work Schedule 032723

Public Participation Plan

Proposed SMP Update

Ilwaco SMP PR - Draft Amendments 032923 (tracks)

Ilwaco SMP PR - Ecology Ocean Management Checklist (March 2023)

Ilwaco SMP PR - SMP Checklist 032123 (March 2023)

Pacific Co PC Meeting Memo 100322

Pacific Co PC Meeting Memo 102722

The City of Ilwaco is conducting a mandatory periodic review of their Shoreline Master Program (SMP) and have elected to use the optional joint review process with the Department of Ecology (Ecology) for review of their proposed amendments. As required by the Shoreline Management Act, we are initiating our formal review process with the opening of a joint public comment period and by notifying interested parties of the opportunity to provide comments. To better inform our review, we are specifically inviting you and other potentially interested tribal governments to provide comments and to consult government to government as needed.

The City of Ilwaco SMP regulates development along approximately 8.2 miles of shoreline along the Columbia River (Baker Bay), Wallacut River, Black Lake, and a small segment on the Pacific Ocean beach and waterward out to three nautical miles. The City’s amendment proposes changes to the existing SMP to ensure it is current with changes in state law, changes in other City plans and regulations, and other changed circumstances. The proposed amendments incorporate ocean use policies, regulations, and procedures consistent with the Ocean Resource Management Act and the state’s Marine Spatial Plan and clarify permitting requirements.

Ecology’s joint review of the Ilwaco SMP periodic review is allowed by the Shoreline Management Act (Chapter 90.58 RCW) and the SMP Guidelines (WAC 173-26-104). The joint public comment period is open from April 5, 2023 to May 5, 2023. Comments provided to the City will be reviewed by both the City and Ecology; there is no need to send duplicates. Comments may be submitted as follows:

By email:

Holly Beller, Treasurer

treasurer@ilwaco-wa.gov

 By mail:

Ilwaco City Hall

ATTN: Holly Beller

120 First Ave North

Ilwaco, WA 98624

You may also submit comments at the joint public hearing, to be held by the City Council at 6:00 p.m. on April 24, 2023. The hearing will be held in person at:

Ilwaco Community Building Meeting Room

158 First Ave North

Ilwaco, WA

Virtual attendance will also be available at the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3858641217?pwd=dU96bjczZGtLeHpPOE9XK3lzNEF0dz09

Meeting ID: 385 864 1217

Passcode: 0QaGmR

Or by phone: +1 253 215 8782

Meeting ID: 385 864 1217

Passcode: 581720

At the conclusion of the comment period, the City will prepare a response to comments and determine if changes are needed. Public comments and the City responses will be shared with Ecology. After local adoption, the SMP amendment will be formally submitted to Ecology for final decision per WAC 173-26-104 and WAC 173-26-110. At the conclusion of our formal review, Ecology’s Director must decide to approve the program as submitted, approve it with required changes and/or recommended changes, or deny approval.

We invite you and your staff to comment on the proposed program and would appreciate receiving your comments before May 5, 2023.

Ilwaco Shoreline Master Program: Comprehensive Update

On June 12, 2017 the Department of Ecology approved Ilwaco’s Shoreline Master Program (SMP) comprehensive update. Per RCW 90.58.090, the effective date of Ilwaco’s shoreline program is June 26, 2017, 14 days after Ecology provided notice to the city that their shoreline program was approved.

Ilwaco is located at the mouth of the Columbia River.  The proposed shoreline program will guide construction and development along the city’s 8.2 miles of shorelines including the Columbia and Wallucut rivers, Black Lake and the Pacific Ocean. The proposed program would replace the city’s existing 1975 shoreline master program in its entirety and prioritizes water-oriented uses and development within the City’s shoreline areas; identifies potential restoration projects for future shoreline restoration efforts in a Restoration Plan; and, incorporates critical area regulations to ensure the protection of sensitive areas within shoreline jurisdiction.

Ecology used mail and email to notify interested parties of the public comment period. Ecology also issued a blog post to encourage additional public participation and comment. We received a total of one comment from Washington Department of Natural Resources. The comment noted the existence of harbor areas along the city’s waterfront.  On May 25, 2017, Ecology sent a copy of the comment letter to the city for their response. The comment and the city’s response have been incorporated into Attachment A: Findings and Conclusions (below).

Documents related to approval

 

Note: All documents are PDF

Paper copier of the above documents are available by contacting Kim Van Zwalenburg, Washington Department of Ecology (see Staff contact, below).

 

Appeals

  • Per RCW 90.58.190(2) and RCW 36.70A.290, an interested party may file an appeal with the Growth Management Hearings Board within 60 days of the publication date of Ecology’s written notice of final action.
  • Ecology plans to publish the notice of final action in the Chinook Observer legal ads on July 12, 2017

 

Staff contact

Washington Department of Ecology
Southwest Regional Office
300 Desmond Drive
Lacey, Washington 98503
Staff contact: Kim Van Zwalenburg, Regional Planner
Phone: 360-407-6520
Email: kim.vanzwalenburg@ecy.wa.gov

 

For more information