Change in Review Authority Proposed for Westport’s Shoreline Program

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) seeks public comment on a proposed limited amendment to Westport’s Shoreline Master Program (SMP) to alter the city’s process for SMP permit review.

The proposed amendment would transfer review authority to a professional Land Use Hearing Examiner from the Westport City Council and Planning Commission.

Under Washington’s voter-approved Shoreline Management Act, Ecology must review and approve any proposed amendment to the program before it takes effect.

Ecology will accept public comment on the limited amendment to Westport’s shoreline program through April 19, 2013.

Comments and questions should be addressed to Rick Mraz, Department of Ecology, Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program, PO Box 47775, Olympia, WA 98504-7775. Email Mraz at rmra461@ecy.wa.gov, or call 360-407-6221.

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Westport’s proposed program amendment and related documents are available for review at:

• · City of Westport, PO Box 505, 740 N. Montesano St., Westport.
• · Dept of Ecology Southwest Regional Office, 300 Desmond Drive N.E., Lacey (by appointment).
• · Department of Ecology website: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/sh ... /mycomments/westport.html

Ecology may approve Westport’s shoreline program amendment as written, reject it or direct Westport to modify specific parts. Once approved by Ecology, Westport’s amended shoreline program will become part of the overall state shoreline master program.

This amendment is not part of the city’s comprehensive shoreline master program update, which all of Washington’s more than 260 cities, towns and counties with shorelines must complete. Westport is scheduled to receive grant funding to begin its comprehensive update in July 2013. Ecology adopted new guidelines in 2003 that call for comprehensive updates and establish basic requirements for updating local shoreline master programs.