17.150.021 Shorelines of statewide significance.
(1) Applicability. The Shoreline Management Act of 1971 designated certain shoreline areas as shorelines of statewide significance. Within this city’s jurisdiction are shorelines of statewide significance. Shorelines thus designated are important to the entire state. Because these shorelines are major resources from which all people in the state derive benefit, this jurisdiction gives preference to uses which favor long-range goals and support the overall public interest.
(2) Decision Criteria. Every project located on a shoreline of statewide significance, which includes the Stillaguamish River, shall address the following in all permit reviews, in addition to other criteria provided by this program:
(a) Recognize and protect the statewide interest.
(i) Solicit comments and opinions from groups and individuals representing statewide interests by circulating the master program, and any amendments thereof affecting shorelines of statewide significance, to state agencies, adjacent jurisdictions, citizen’s advisory committees and local officials and statewide interest groups.
(ii) Recognize and take into account state agencies’ policies, programs and recommendations in developing and administering use regulations and in approving shoreline permits.
(iii) Solicit comments, opinions and advice from individuals with expertise in ecology, geology, limnology, aquaculture and other scientific fields pertinent to shoreline management.
(b) Preserve the natural character of the shoreline.
(i) Designate and administer shoreline environments and use regulations to minimize damage to the ecology and environment of the shoreline as a result of manmade intrusions on shorelines.
(ii) Upgrade and redevelop those areas where intensive development already exists in order to reduce adverse impact on the environment and to accommodate future growth rather than allowing high intensity uses to extend into low intensity use or underdeveloped areas.
(iii) Protect and preserve existing diversity of vegetation and habitat values, wetlands and riparian corridors associated with shoreline areas.
(c) Result in long-term over short-term benefit.
(i) Evaluate the short-term economic gain or convenience of developments relative to the long-term and potentially costly impairments to the natural shoreline.
(ii) In general, preserve resources and values of shorelines of statewide significance for future generations and restrict or prohibit development that would irretrievably damage shoreline resources.
(iii) Actively promote aesthetic considerations when contemplating new development, redevelopment of existing facilities or general enhancement of shoreline areas.
(d) Protect the resources and ecology of the shoreline.
(i) Minimize development activity that will interfere with the natural functioning of the shoreline ecosystem, including, but not limited to: stability, drainage, aesthetic values and water quality.
(ii) All shoreline development should be located, designed, constructed and managed to avoid disturbance of and minimize adverse impacts to wildlife resources, including spawning, nesting, rearing and habitat areas and migratory routes.
(iii) Restrict or prohibit public access onto areas which cannot be maintained in a natural condition under human use.
(iv) Shoreline materials including, but not limited to, bank substrate, soils, beach sands and gravel bars should be left undisturbed by shoreline development. Gravel mining should be severely limited in shoreline areas.
(v) Preserve environmentally sensitive wetlands for use as open space or buffers and encourage restoration of presently degraded wetland areas.
(e) Increase public access to publicly owned areas of the shoreline.
(i) Give priority to developing paths and trails to shoreline areas, linear access along the shorelines and to developed upland parking.
(ii) Locate development landward of the ordinary high water mark so that access is enhanced.
(f) Increase recreational opportunities for the public on the shoreline.
(i) Plan for and encourage development of facilities for recreational use of the shoreline.
(ii) Reserve areas for lodging and related facilities on uplands well away from the shorelines with provisions for nonmotorized access to the shoreline. (Ord. 1373 § 46, 2014).