The Washington State Legislature passed the Shoreline Management Act (SMA) in 1971 with the overarching goal of preventing shoreline degradation by uncoordinated development. Island County's Shoreline Master Program (SMP) regulates shorelines, including all marine waters surrounding Whidbey, Camano, and smaller islands, and lakes 20 acres or larger. There are no SMA regulated streams within the County.
Shoreline
jurisdiction extends to associated upland areas. These areas, called shorelands,
include lands extending 200 feet from the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) as well as associated wetlands and floodplains.
Island County generally requires review and approval for most regulated activity, including:
- Land disturbing activities
- New construction, and exterior alteration of existing structures
- Shoreline stabilization (bulkheads and soft shore)
- Vegetation removal and/or management
- Construction of piers and docks
- Placement of mooring buoys
- Dividing land
- Altering regulated critical areas
- Creating or replacing impervious surfaces
- Changing levels, temperatures, or chemical characteristics of wetlands or waterbodies.