2023 Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Update

In October 2023, Walla Walla County completed a periodic review and update of its Shoreline Master Program to ensure consistency with State legislative changes. The Shoreline Master Program is a comprehensive plan that guides the development, conservation, and restoration of Walla Walla County's shoreline.  Click here to navigate to the 2023 Shoreline Master Program and Shoreline Maps.

The purpose and scope of this Periodic Review is to:

  • Align the Shoreline Master Program with applicable state laws and guidelines in effect at the time of the review;
  • Assure consistency of the Shoreline Master Program with the Walla Walla County Comprehensive Plan and development regulations; and
  • Provide clarifications to improve usability and predictability for applicants and reviewers.

THE LATESTS NEWS:                       
The Walla Walla County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted unanimously to adopt the draft Shoreline Master Program Periodic Update document. Ordinance 499, adopting the SMP, was effective upon signing by the BOCC on October 23, 2023, and was recorded in the records of Walla Walla County as Assessor's File Number 2023-06223 on October 24, 2023.  

DRAFT PLAN & RELATED DOCUMENTS!
Dept of Ecology Recommended DRAFT Shoreline Master Program Document reviewed at the BOCC Public Hearing on June 26, 2023


Public Participation Plan
Periodic Checklist (Changes required by WA State as well as County Staff requested revisions)
February 22, 2023 1st Virtual Open House recording
SEPA Environmental Checklist
SEPA Determination of Non-significance (Submit comments by April 6, 2023)
Notice of Planning Commission & Dept of Ecology Joint Public Hearing (held April 19, 2023 at 7PM)
April 19, 2023 Planning Commission & Dept of Ecology Joint Public Hearing Staff Report & Attachments 
Power Point Presented at April 19, 2023 Joint Public Hearing
DRAFT Shoreline Master Program Document (Public Comment Period: March 23 to April 24, 2023). Note, this version of the document was reviewed during WA Department of Commerce 60 day review period.
Public/Agency Comments Received by April 24, 2023
County Response to Public/Agency Comments Received
May 3, 2023 Planning Commission Meeting Staff Report & Attachments (held 7PM at Commissioners Bldg, W. 314 Main St, Walla Walla)
Planning Commission Resolution 23-01 recommending approval of the Draft SMP to the Board of County Commissioners
Planning Commission Recommended DRAFT Shoreline Master Program Document (Note, this version of the document was reviewed by WA Department of Ecology during their review period from May 5 to June 2, 2023)
May 15, 2023 Board of County Commissioners SMP Workshop (held 11:20AM at Commissioners Bldg, W. 314 Main St, Walla Walla)
June 13, 2023: 2nd Virtual Open House/Update Meeting, 12noon to 1PM. Couldn't make it to the June 13th virtual open house/process update meeting?  Catch up on what you missed by watching the recording.
BOCC Resolution 23 119 setting date for Public Hearing to review draft SMP on June 26, 2023
Notice of Board of County Commissioners Public Hearing (held at 1:15PM on June 26, 2023)

CONTACT INFORMATION! We encourage you to reach out to our team throughout the process, for questions please contact:
Jennifer Ballard, Senior Planner with Walla Walla County Community Development
Email  |   planning@co.walla-walla.wa.us
Phone |   509-524-2610

For the 2018 adopted SMP that was part of the regional update lead by the Walla Walla County Community Development Department click  Here