Are you the master of your shoreline?

The sun is shining, the work week is over, and you are relaxing on a small stretch of Spokane County’s 730 miles of shoreline. Enjoying the shoreline is more than a great start to the weekend, Washington shorelines are a valuable asset that voters chose to protect with the adoption of the Shoreline Planning Act in 1972. The cornerstone of that act is locally-tailored Shoreline Master Programs. Shoreline Master Programs are the vehicles by which shorelines are protected. They are written to help minimize environmental damage to shoreline areas, reserve appropriate areas for water-oriented uses and reduce interference with the public’s access to water. In many communities a comprehensive update has not been done in 30 years. In Spokane County now is the time for you to weigh in on the program’s update. Right now you can read and comment on how future development is handled and where habitat improvements will be made. It is important that your voice is heard. Whether it is a water-dependent use, public access, or habitat protection you value, be the master of your shoreline. The Spokane County draft plan can be found at http://www.spokanecounty.org/bp/content.aspx?c=2323 Written comments will be accepted through October 2, 2009 at dpin461@ecy.wa.gov or Ecology’s Spokane office: 4601 N. Monroe St., Spokane, WA 99205. Comments should be addressed to the attention of “Spokane County SMP.” Attend the public workshop and hearing at 7 p.m., Tues., Sept. 15 at Spokane Community College, Building 6, Sasquatch Room, 1810 N. Green St., Spokane.