Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Washougal hears shoreline master program and critical‑areas update; state 'best available science' will raise buffers and mitigation
Summary
City consultants and staff outlined changes to the Shoreline Master Program and the Critical Areas Ordinance, including likely wider riparian buffers based on site‑potential tree height, more stringent mitigation for wetlands, and new mitigation ratios for Oregon white oaks.
City staff and consultants presented an update on the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) and related Critical Areas Ordinance at the Washougal City Council workshop on Feb. 24, explaining that new state guidance will require updates to local regulations and likely expand regulated areas and mitigation requirements.
Benjamin Knight, Community Development Director for the city, introduced the presentation and said the SMP update is tied to the city’s concurrent comprehensive-plan work and a Washington Department of Ecology grant that requires adoption by June 30. Ethan Spoo, a planner with DOWL, summarized the key changes the city expects to adopt to comply with state rules and “best available science.”
Spoo described three primary effects of the SMP update: protecting shorelines to a “no net loss” standard, promoting water‑oriented development where…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
