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Kittitas County and the Cities of Ellensburg, Cle Elum, and the Town of South Cle Elum (Cities/Town) have initiated participation in a multi-year process to develop a regional Shoreline Master Program (SMP), resulting in adoption of an independent SMP for each jurisdiction. In conjunction with the regional SMP update process, Kittitas County has also chosen to initiate an update to its Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO).

Regional Shoreline Master Program Update

The Washington State Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58 ) and its associated rules (WAC 173-26 ) require local governments to develop and administer shoreline master programs that include policies and regulations that govern designated shorelines within their respective jurisdictions. The Kittitas County SMP was adopted in 1975 and has been relied on by Kittitas County and the Cities/Town for shoreline regulations. Kittitas County and the Cities/Town are required to update and adopt shoreline master programs by December 1, 2013 [RCW 90.58 (2)(a)(v) ].

The Washington State Legislature has provided grant funding through the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) for local governments to update their shoreline master programs. Kittitas County and the Cities/Town have agreed, through an Interlocal Agreement 2.77 MB, to coordinate the SMP update using grant funding from Ecology 2.16 MB. Kittitas County and the Cities/Town have also agreed on a Public Participation Program (PPP), including a related update process timeline. Kittitas County will have the lead role in conducting the PPP, which is designed to engage the public within the unincorporated County and within the Cities/Town. The Interlocal Agreement and the Public Participation Program are provided below.

Interlocal Agreement 2.77 MB - entered into under the authority of the Interlocal Cooperation Act, Chapter 39.34 RCW , between Kittitas County and the Cities/Town

For more information regarding the Regional Shoreline Master Program Update process and how to get involved, see the Shoreline Master Program project web pages.

Critical Areas Ordinance Update

The Kittitas County Critical Areas Ordinance was last updated in 1994. In conjunction with the regional SMP update process, Kittitas County has also chosen to initiate an update to its Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO). This CAO update is solely a Kittitas County effort as required by RCW 36.70A.060 , and is independent from the Department of Ecology’s SMP Guidance found in WAC 173-26 for critical area protections.

For more information regarding the County's Critical Areas Ordinance Update process and how to get involved, see the Critical Areas Ordinance project webpages.

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