Klickitat County is updating its Shoreline Master Program (SMP). The updated SMP will represent a major overhaul of the County’s existing SMP. This Online Open House will provide you with easy-to-digest information and ways to get involved and will continue to be updated until approval of the SMP. Visit Klickitat County’s official SMP website to learn more.

Klickitat County Shoreline Master Program
Online Open House

Public Comment Period and Public Hearing

Klickitat County will be accepting comments on proposed amendments to the County’s SMP between Wednesday April 26th, 2023 and Friday May 26th, 2023. Proposed amendments to the County’s SMP, SEPA determination and supporting documentation are available for review at: https://www.klickitatcounty.org/1237/Shorelines-Master-Program-Update

See the “Klickitat County SMP Periodic Update” for a summary of key proposed changes.

Comments may be submitted to Planning Director, Mo-Chi Lindblad at mo-chi@klickitatcounty.org or mailed to Klickitat County Planning Department, 115 W Court Street, Room 301, Goldendale, WA 98620.

The Klickitat County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the matter Tuesday June 20th, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held both in person at the Klickitat County Services Building, 115 West Court St, Room 200, Goldendale, WA and virtually. 

Additional information for joining the Public Hearing via Teleconference can be found at: https://www.klickitatcounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/14046/Klickitat-County-SMP-Update-2023-Notice-of-Public-Hearing-and-Comment-Period

 

Overview

Klickitat County is in the process of completing the Comprehensive Update and the Periodic Review of its SMP.

Both the Comprehensive Update and the Periodic Review are required for compliance with the state’s Shoreline Management Act.

A public process for the Comprehensive Update of the SMP previously occurred between 2016 and 2019. This included community visioning workshops, Technical and Citizen Advisory Committee meetings, and Planning Commission deliberations. However, final adoption of the SMP to complete the Comprehensive Update did not occur.

Despite not completing the Comprehensive Update, the County must now conduct the Periodic Review per the state-mandated timeline. The County will complete both the Comprehensive Update and Periodic Review with the updated SMP.

The updated SMP is anticipated to be adopted by the County by summer 2023, followed by formal review by the Washington Department of Ecology.

This website is intended to help you learn about the SMP Update and opportunities to participate in the process.

FAQs

  • An SMP is a set of policies and regulations required by state law that has three basic principles:

    1. Protect the environmental resources of state shorelines
    2. Promote public access and enjoyment opportunities
    3. Give priority to uses that require a shoreline location

    It must:

    • Protect critical areas

    • Ensure No Net Loss of ecological functions

    • Encourage preferred uses

    • Applies to “Shorelines of the State,” which are waterbodies that meet certain criteria

      • Lakes equal to or greater than 20 acres

      • Watercourses with a mean annual flow of 20 cubic feet per second or greater

    • Lands 200 feet landward of the ordinary high water mark

    • Also includes shoreline-associated wetlands and lands within the floodway or contiguous floodplain up to 200 feet from the floodway

  • In 2003, new guidance for SMPs was issued. The Washington State Legislature subsequently required all cities and counties to update their SMPs according to the new guidance. A Comprehensive Update is the process of updating an SMP according to the new guidance. The process for a Comprehensive Update includes requirements for documentation and public involvement.

  • The state requires all SMPs to be reviewed every eight years. Periodic Review is intended to keep SMPs current with:

    • Amendments to state laws

      • Including consistency with Ecology’s Periodic Review Checklist

    • Changes to address local circumstances

    • New or improved data and information

  • All dates are tentative and subject to change.

Next Steps

Where we are now?

  • The County is in the process of completing the SMP Comprehensive and Periodic Update.

  • The County prepared a revised SMP with proposed amendments for Planning Commission and public review in April 2023.

  • The public comment period is now open! If you would like to provide comments, please contact Mo-Chi Lindblad at mo-chil@klickitatcounty.org

What happens next?

  • A public hearing before the Planning Commission is scheduled for Tuesday June 20th, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. If you would prefer to communicate your comments regarding the proposed SMP amendments verbally, please make sure to attend. In-person and virtual attendance information can be found on the County’s website.

  • Following completion of the public comment period and public hearing, the Planning Commission will review and make any necessary changes prior to recommending the SMP draft to the Board of County Commissioners.

  • Public comments and Planning Commission recommendations will go to the Board of County Commissioners for final action (Summer 2023).

During the local adoption process

  • The Planning Commission will deliberate and make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners"

  • Public comments and recommendations will go to the Board of County Commissioners for final action

After local adoption by Klickitat County

  • The SMP amendments will be formally submitted to Ecology for final action

  • Ecology will conduct their own public hearing and public review process

  • Ecology will review amendments for consistency with state laws and rules

  • Ecology may either approve the program as adopted locally or may recommend or require changes

Get More Involved

Attend virtual public info meetings

The County will be hosting virtual meetings that will feature a presentation followed by a question-and-answer period. Each meeting will be progressive and include the latest updates, so feel free to attend more than one.

Send in questions and feedback

If you have any questions or feedback before the official on-record commenting period begins, please send them to:

Mo-chi Lindblad, Director
Klickitat County Planning Department
Email | mo-chil@klickitatcounty.org

Image Credits (from top to bottom):
Klickitat River Valley by Washington State Department of Agriculture

Trout Lake by Bala Sivakumar

Klickitat Canyon by P Fly

Klickitat River Bridge by Joe Mabel