Shoreline Master Plan
When it comes to environmental news, it seems like Spokane County can’t escape controversy. (See wastewater and racetrack more recently.) On February 24th, the County will hold a public hearing on the Shoreline Master Plan that has been justly criticized for reducing waterway protection. 
The Lands Council and Futurewise are urging citizens to take reasonable action, and voice your opinion. On their respective sites, the non-profit organizations set up clear methods to thoughtfully comment on the plan. A few quick points from the Lands Council on the “top things to tell the commissioners”:
*The Planning Commission are volunteers who have the community's interest in mind. Tell the county that the Planning Commission recommendations should be given greater consideration, especially the High Quality Area designations that will improve protections for water quality and rivers, streams, and lakes.
* The proposed shoreline master program will reduce buffers on rivers from 250 feet to 50 feet. Tell the county to adequately protect wetlands, rivers, and streams by either using the buffers and other provisions from the county's critical areas regulations within shoreline jurisdiction or adopting buffers that are as protective as the critical areas regulations in the shoreline master program. This is necessary to protect the water quality of rivers, streams, wetlands, and lakes.
* The current draft does not adequately protect wildlife. Tell the county to protect all wildlife habitats within shoreline jurisdiction.This is necessary to protect the fish and wildlife resources that we all value.
* Public Access is a priority! Tell the county to Improve public access provisions to protect the public's existing access to rivers, streams and lakes and to provide public access for our growing recreation sector.
* Lake Spokane is already experiencing phosphate problems that threaten fish don't weaken shoreline protections! Oppose the re-designation of four miles of Lake Spokane from Natural to Rural-Conservancy. Natural shorelines provide the best protection for existing high quality shorelines, keep these important protections in place.
* It's not safe to build in channel migration zones. Tell the county to adopt stronger measures to protect people and property by directing development away from channel migration zones. These are areas where rivers and streams will move periodically. This movement can damage any buildings built within this area and put the residents lives at risk.
Full Lands Council alert here.
The Futurewise list of impacted rivers and lakes by the Shoreline Master Plan here.
View of the plan via Spokane County here.
For further questions regarding the hearing, email Kitty Klitzke
