Article 1. Reader’s Guide
15.14.010 Reader’s Guide.
A. Washington’s Shoreline Management Act was passed by the legislature in 1971 and affirmed by voters in 1972. Prior to May 2012, the town of South Prairie (town) had been utilizing the Pierce County Shoreline Master Program since its adoption in 1975.
B. This document represents a periodic update to the town’s shoreline master program (SMP), which was most recently revised in May 2015. Changes have occurred along the town’s shorelines since the original SMP was developed. In addition, knowledge of best practices in the fields of development and conservation has evolved. There have also been changes in state laws and rules.
C. This SMP has been prepared to meet the requirements of the Shoreline Management Act of 1971 (Chapter 90.58 RCW), the implementing state rules codified as Chapter 173-26 WAC (State Master Program Approval/Amendment Procedures and Master Program Guidelines) that were revised in 2003, and other applicable local, state, and federal laws. While developed locally, this SMP must meet the Shoreline Management Act and implementing state rules and is subject to approval by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) before it can be implemented.
D. To guide the reader, most sections or provisions show the source of the goal, policy, or regulation either in the body of the text or in parentheses, which may include citations to: the Shoreline Management Act (Chapter 90.58 RCW), Washington State Shoreline Master Program Guidelines (Chapter 173-26 WAC), Shoreline Management Permit and Enforcement Procedures (Chapter 173-27 WAC), current town comprehensive plan elements, or other example SMPs recently adopted and approved by the state.
E. Definitions.
1. When reading the SMP, it is useful to consider the definitions of the following terms that are based on definitions in the State Shoreline Master Program Guidelines (WAC 173-26-020):
“May” means the action is acceptable, provided it conforms to the provisions of this SMP.
“Shall” or “must” means a mandate; the action must be done.
“Should” means that the particular action is required unless there is a demonstrated, compelling reason, based on policy of the Shoreline Management Act and shoreline master program, against taking the action.
2. In general, this SMP uses the word “should” in goals, objectives, and policies, and “shall” in the regulations. Additional definitions are located in SPMC 15.14.670.
F. The SMP is intended to be detailed for the following reasons:
1. To allow for more shoreline applications to be approved administratively for an efficient and cost-effective process.
2. To cross-reference applicable state and federal laws to help consolidate requirements and be a resource for property owners and local government staff.
3. To provide some certainty of interpretation and application that benefits property owners and local government staff over time. [Ord. 580 Att. A § 1, 2019.]