Shoreline Master Program Grants

In December, 2003, the Department of Ecology adopted new Shoreline Master Program Guidelines. Over the next decade, cities and counties across the state (about 250 in all) must update their shoreline master programs to be consistent with the new guidelines. Local master programs regulate new development and use of shorelines along rivers and larger streams, lakes over 20 acres and marine waterfronts within their jurisdictions. Through June of 2007, 48 jurisdictions have received state and/or federal funding for comprehensive shoreline master program updates.

The 2007-2009 grants program selection process was completed in June of 2007. In this funding round, Ecology will provide grants to an additional 27 jurisdictions working to complete their comprehensive SMP updates.

The total available funding is yet to be determined and will be dependent on the outcome of the state budgeting process for the 2007-2009 biennium. We anticipate that $4.5 million will be available for grants in this funding round.

Ecology has prepared a overview document (pdf) that provides more information about the factors that are driving our grant funding allocation and timing decisions. As the document indicates, Ecology anticipates that each local Shoreline Master Program update will require three years to complete. Grants currently available in the 2007-2009 grants program will therefore fund the first two years of work, with the final year to be funded in the subsequent biennium.

We have also prepared a Sample Scope of Work that provides more specific information on anticipated project sequencing. Finally, we have also developed a graphic that illustrates the overall Shoreline Master Program update process established by the Shoreline Master Program Guidelines. Download Sample Scope of Work: Word file l PDF file

If you have any questions or would like assistance, please contact the Ecology shoreline planner in your region or contact Bev Huether.