The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is seeking public comment on the City of Renton’s recently updated Shoreline Master Program.
Ecology will host a community open house and public hearing on the proposal on Thursday (Dec. 2) in the council chambers at Renton City Hall, 1055 S. Grady Way. Experts from Ecology and the City of Renton will be available to answer questions.
An open house will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the public hearing at 7 p.m.
The effort that will significantly increase the protection and restoration of Renton shorelines along Lake Washington, the Cedar, Green and Black rivers, May Creek, Springbrook Creek, Lake Desire and all associated wetlands in each of these planning areas, according to an ecology department press release.
The updated master program guides construction and development along Renton’s 18 miles of lake and stream shorelines. It combines local plans for future development and preservation with new development ordinances and related permitting requirements.
Under Washington’s voter-approved Shoreline Management Act, Ecology must review and approve Renton’s program before it takes effect.
Ecology seeks public comment on Renton’s shoreline program through Dec. 17. Comments and questions should be addressed to Barbara Nightingale, Department of Ecology, barbara.nightingale@ecy.wa.gov, 425-649-4309.
Renton’s proposed program and related documents are available for review at:
• Renton Department of Community & Economic Planning, 1055 South Grady
Way, Renton, WA. Contact: Erika Conkling, Senior Planner, 425-430-6578, EConkling@Rentonwa.gov
• Ecology’s regional office, 3190 160th Ave. S.E., Bellevue, by appointment, 425-649-7190
• Ecology department’s website
The Renton City Council adopted the updated shoreline program after an extensive local process. The update began in 2007 with an
inventory of existing land-use patterns and environmental conditions to preserve existing shoreline areas while protecting future economic development. Renton worked over three years with waterfront
property owners, environmental interests, local governments, tribes and state agencies.
Shoreline master programs are the cornerstone of the state shoreline act passed by voters in 1972. The programs help minimize environmental damage to shoreline areas, reserve appropriate areas for water-oriented uses and reduce interference with the public’s access to public waters and shorelines.
The law requires cities and counties with marine shorelines, lakes 20 acres in size or larger, and streams and rivers flowing at 20 cubic feet per second or greater to develop and periodically update theirlocally tailored shoreline programs.
