Whatcom County Council will move to accept the final version of its Shoreline Management Program (SMP) on Tuesday, September 9th.



Attend to speak out for Shorelines at the Public Hearing: 7pm, September 9, 2008

Whatcom County Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue , Bellingham



The SMP is a document that is designed to protect the ecological function of shorelines, while allowing for development on shorelines. This final draft of the SMP does a fairly good job of balancing development and environmental interests. On Tuesday night, citizens are invited to come to the public hearing to weigh in on the SMP. Some citizens will say that the SMP goes too far in regulating shorelines. In fact, Whatcom County realtors and shoreline sellers and buyers have been solicited to pack the Council chambers to speak in opposition to rules that they say may impact their ability to build.

In reality, variance and conditional use permits are always available to allow building, when the rules are unfair or too burdensome in any particular instance. The realtors are requesting rewrites of the SMP at the expense of our shorelines. It is important that the Whatcom County Council hear from you. Tell them that protection of the shorelines is important and that you oppose weakening any protections for our shorelines.



Please support the SMP because

* It ensures that clean water and salmon habitat are protected as new development occurs

* It protects the quality of life of shoreline neighborhoods, by reducing shoreline erosion, and ensuring land uses are compatible with each other

* It makes sure that land uses that generate new demand for public access provide it

* It encourages opportunities for restoration, through incentive programs and other volunteer opportunities



For a description of the SMP, go to: http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/pds/shorelines_critical_areas/smp_current.jsp

For the latest version of the SMP, go to: http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/pds/shorelines_critical_areas/workproducts.jsp