Island County: Shoreline Development

Envisioning and executing any new construction or significant alteration within Island County's shoreline jurisdiction demands a robust framework of strategic future planning, meticulously aligned with the foundational principles of the Washington State Shoreline Management Act (SMA) of 1971. This critical legislation serves as the bedrock for ensuring that all forthcoming development along the county's invaluable shorelines is not only coordinated and environmentally sound but also proactively designed to prevent long-term degradation. Island County's Shoreline Master Program (SMP) stands as the definitive blueprint for this future, comprehensively governing all marine waters surrounding Whidbey, Camano, and smaller islands, in addition to freshwater lakes 20 acres or larger, specifically Deer, Goss, Lone, and Cranberry Lakes. This regulatory reach extends strategically inland to "shorelands," encompassing upland areas up to 200 feet from the ordinary high water mark (OHWM), along with interconnected wetlands and floodplains—all designated as crucial zones for any prospective long-term projects.