|
City of Covington Shoreline Master Program Process
 Since the early 1970s, the Washington State Shoreline Management Act (SMA) has required that jurisdictions develop shoreline management programs for areas with significant shorelines.
What Is Important To You About Covington's Shoreline?
The City of Covington is currently working on a new set of policies and regulations that will affect future development along its shoreline. If you are a shoreline property owner or enjoy using or viewing the shoreline, now is the time to get involved and participate in this planning process.
Project Overview:
King County's Shoreline Management Program applied to several areas in Covington before the City's incorporation in 1997. The program is now due to be updated for the City of Covington and must be completed and adopted by December 31, 2010 in accordance with Washington State's.
In July 2007, the City of Covington obtained a grant from the Washington Department of Ecology (DOE) to conduct a comprehensive Shoreline Master Program (SMP) update. The first step of the update process was to inventory the Citys shorelines. The second step was to develop goals, policies and regulations for any new development along the City's shorelines.
The City of Covington is on track with the update of its Shoreline Master Program (SMP), in compliance with the Washington State Shoreline Management Act and the State Shoreline Management Guidelines adopted in 2003. This program will help the City balance shoreline development with preservation of shoreline ecology.
As a first step, an Ad Hoc Advisory Committee was formed to advise the City’s consultants and staff. The Ad Hoc Advisory Committee included a diverse background of representatives from the three designated shoreline areas, including members of the Covington Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission, Soos Creek Water & Sewer District residents, an area Homeowner Association member, a member of the business community, and from areas of property along Jenkins Creek, Soos Creek, and Pipe Lake.
What Areas In Covington Are Affected?
The term "shorelines of the state" are those areas which meet the following criteria:
- All streams with an average annual flow greater than 20 cubic feet per second and their associated wetlands; or
- Lakes greater than 20 acres and their associated wetlands. Marine shorelines are also included.
In Covington, three areas meet the criteria:
- Pipe Lake.
- The lower reaches of Jenkins Creek, and
- The lower reaches of Big Soos Creek.
The preliminary shoreline analysis, which describes existing biological and physical conditions in the shoreline areas, has been undertaken by AHBL Consultants with the help of The Watershed Company. AHBL Consultants and The Watershed Company will continue to assist the City of Covington in the development of the Shoreline Master Program and its eventual adoption..
Why Update The Shoreline Master Program?
The current shoreline regulations were adopted 30 years ago. They need to be updated to fit current conditions and the community's vision for the future, as well as be consistent with the new State guidelines for Shoreline Master Programs.
 What Are Some Of The Key Issues?
The SMP update addresses a broad range of topics, including:
- Development Near Lakes and Streams
- Shoreline Vegetation Conservation
- Shoreline Stabilization
- Docks and Moorage Along Lakes
- Public Access and Recreation
- View Corridors
- Environmental Designations for Lakes and Streams
- Shoreline Restoration
 How Can I Get Involved?
An important requirement of the SMP update is public participation throughout the entire process. For information on the different ways that citizens may participate in the process, please see the Public Participation Plan.
Several public hearings and public comment periods have already been held and additional hearings and comment periods will be scheduled over the next twelve months.
You may direct your questions and/or comments to Planning Manager Richard Hart at: rhart@ci.covington.wa.us.
What Is The Process And Schedule For Review, Public Input/Comment, And Eventual Adoption?
The City initially established a 10 member Ad Hoc Advisory Committee to serve as a review body to provide feedback on the development of the proposed regulations to the city staff, its consultant, and eventually the Planning Commission and City Council. The Advisory Committee met for a 13 month period during 2008 and 2009 and provided valuable guidance and input to the city staff and consultant on the proposed Draft Shoreline Master Program (SMP) and resulting goals, policies and regulations, restoration plan and cumulative impacts analysis. The Advisory Committee then recommended the final Draft SMP goals, policies and regulations with associated maps and documents to the Planning Commission in March 2009.
The planning commission held several public meetings and one formal public hearing in April, May and June 2009. They made several minor modifications and the recommended the Final Draft SMP to the City Council. In July 2009, the City Council endorsed the Final Draft SMP, goals, policies and regulations along with associated documents and maps by Council Resolution on July 14, 2009. Council directed city staff to forward the Draft SMP and regulations to the State Department of Environmental Quality (DOE) for their required early review and comment. The State DOE will provide the City of Covington with comments, specific direction and recommendations that must be included in our SMP and regulations by the end of 2009. At that time the City will hold one last round of public meetings and hearings to provide opportunities for public review and comment. Eventually the City Council must adopt the proposed SMP with its goals, policies and regulations by Council Ordinance before December 21, 2009.
More Information:
For more information on the Shoreline Master Plan Update for the City of Covington, including maps showing the extent of the shoreline jurisdictions and other interesting features of these areas, please click on the links below:
| 
