What are differences between critical areas ordinances and shoreline master programs?
Local governments and Ecology implement the Shoreline Management Act using locally-tailored Shoreline Master Programs. Local governments implement critical areas ordinances under the authority of the state Growth Management Act. The two laws have many similar requirements for environmental protection but they are administered with different kinds of regulatory procedures. The two laws also have many similar and some different objectives for dealing with future land use and development. Integrating Growth Management and Shoreline Management Act goals, policies, and regulations is required but often difficult to accomplish.
