Shoreline Master Program Updates for Grays Harbor County

On July 28, 2020, the Washington Department of Ecology approved Grays Harbor’s Shoreline Master Program (SMP) comprehensive update. Grays Harbor’s updated SMP is effective Aug. 11, 2020, 14 days after Ecology provided written notice to the county that their SMP was approved. Involvement by the Surfrider Foundation Washington Chapters occured over the past 7 years and was led by former Washington Coast Program Manager Casey Dennehy. Surfrider worked with many partners on this effort including the Friends of Grays Harbor, Futurewise, and The Nature Conservancy. Learn more about SMP's and our engagement on this important shoreline planning effort here. 

The SMP addresses uses and development along over 1,200 miles of fresh and salt water shorelines, including the Pacific Ocean and Grays Harbor, numerous rivers and creeks including the Chehalis, Hoquiam, and Satsop rivers, and six lakes. The comprehensive update replaces the existing program and contains locally-tailored shoreline policies and regulations, prioritizes water-oriented uses and development; supports restoration actions consistent with the Shoreline Restoration Plan; and incorporates critical area regulations to ensure the protection of sensitive areas within shoreline jurisdiction. More about the final approved plan can be found here.