Why is the City of Fife updating the Shoreline Master Program now?
Most local governments have not updated their local shoreline master programs comprehensively since the mid 1970s and Fife’s 2005 revision has not been officially recognized by the state. Fife’s old shoreline master program needs to be reviewed and updated to better address current conditions, consider new science regarding the shoreline environment, and to better align with other related laws. In 2003, the state Legislature set up a timetable for local governments to update their local shoreline master programs. The State Legislature appointed the Department of Ecology to be responsible for ensuring that statewide policies are upheld and implemented when local shoreline master programs are adopted. Under Washington’s Shoreline Management Act, a locally approved program must meet state guidelines.
