Pierce County Shoreline Master Program Update and Public Meetings

“Environmental stewardship doesn't end at the shoreline.”

Tidelands need protection, just like farmlands and forests.

(Coalition to Protect Puget Sound Habitat)

Reminder: Pierce County will hold three more public meetings on its Shoreline Master Program update (March 20, April 3, and April 7) before the final Pierce County Council meeting on April 22. These meetings will be the final opportunity for those concerned with development of the nearshore habitat in Pierce County. Videos of public meetings held to date are available on Pierce County's web site here: March 6, March 17. The proposed SMP update (aka "Section G" and "Title 18S") which will be discussed at the upcoming meetings was passed at the March 3 meeting.

The updated Shoreline Master Program is located here (requires Microsoft Word).
 
NOTE: As Councilman Richardson states: the mouth is wind, the pen leaves tracks. Submit written comments here or send an email to your councilmember.

Thursday March 20, 5:30PM
Pacific Lutheran University Scandinavian Cultural Center
12180 Park Ave. S, Tacoma

Thursday April 3, 5:30PM 
Peninsula High School auditorium
14105 Purdy Dr. NW, Gig Harbor

Monday April 7, 1:30PM
County-City Building, Room 1045
930 Tacoma Ave. S, Tacoma

Final Pierce County Council Action
Tuesday, April 22, 3PM
Pierce County Council
County-City Building, Room 1045
930 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma

March 3: The beginning of the end
Pierce County has begun its final press towards updating its Shoreline Master Program which the state required in 2003. The March 3 meeting which began the final process may be viewed here, with the update discussion beginning at 58:30, a history running through 92:30, after which Ms. Hyde begins discussing the actual regulations, followed by public comments.

Goal of the public meetings - the mouth is wind, a pen leaves tracks
Councilman Talbert stressed that the upcoming public meetings will be the county's opportunity to present the proposed SMP update and the public's opportunity to comment on those regulations they are concerned with. Councilman Richardson stressed that the "mouth is wind" and a "pen leaves tracks". If changes are desired he suggested an email should be made part of the record.

A taste of the process
At 123 minutes a taste of future legal challenges may be heard when a member of the public challenges how Pierce County is restricting property use through this proposal.