Local Shoreline Management Backed

Thu., June 29, 2000

By Dan Hansen danh@spokesman.com

Olympia should step aside and let local governments manage the state’s shorelines, several speakers told officials Wednesday at a Spokane hearing.

But a few others said only the certainty of state guidance will protect lakes, streams and wetlands.

The Legislature in 1995 told the Department of Ecology to review the state’s Shoreline Management Act, which was approved in 1972 and hasn’t been updated since.

The changes, which the department expects to adopt by the end of summer, would require local governments to revise their regulations for activities allowed near shorelines.

Those regulations could affect development, logging, farming and other activities. But in some cases, existing restrictions - such as the 250-foot buffer Spokane County requires between new houses and the Spokane River - already would meet the requirements.

Still, representatives from Spokane and Whitman counties told Ecology department staff Wednesday that complying with the proposed new rules would require considerable time and money.

The Legislature better provide the money, they said, or the regulations are an unfunded state mandate, illegal under state law.

Other speakers from an audience of about 40 people said they simply don’t like the idea of requiring local officials to write rules that would be subject to state approval.

“Ferry County is a beautiful area. We love it and can take care of it through local government,” said Jack McClellan, a Ferry County planning commissioner.

“The economic impact to Pend Oreille County will be tremendous” if people can’t develop their land as they see fit, said Mike Hanson, owner of a trailer park on the shore of Diamond Lake.

Those who supported the regulations said the proposed guidelines are the best way for cities and counties to avoid running afoul of federal laws designed to protect endangered species, such as salmon.

“My experience has been that frequently local control becomes vocal control and becomes subject to the monied interests in that area,” said Bart Hagin of Spokane.

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