creative community solutions, inc. · 3/11/2009 · meeting facilitated by john kliem and debbie...

Creative Community Solutions, Inc. 1

Creative Community Solutions, Inc. Planning Facilitation Community Development

2203 Overhulse Road NW, Olympia, WA 98502 360-866-9325 www.ccsolympia.com

THURSTON COUNTY SHORELINES MASTER PROGRAM UPDATE

Tuesday, March 11, 2009 Griffin Fire Department

In Attendance

Linda Mortland, Dan Wrye, Jackie Wrye, Elizabeth Rodrick, Kate Cissna, Carol Serdar, Sue Shotwell, Joe Ramsauer, Wayne Lieb , Charlie Stephens, Krista Malpasso, Jennifer Hopper, Arthur Nez, Jerry Hull, Carol Sherman, Delores Wills, Kim Merriman, Scott Merriman, Steve Lundin, Stefanie Cady, Amy Kurtenbach, Connie Patnode, Coral Hilby, Brittany Taylor, Stephen Smith, Dan McNamara, John Segerson, Jeanne West, Doug DeForest, Cindy Pitcher, Annette Edwards, Irene Degler, Bob Aye, Bruce Smith, Jim Stein, Carol Wamberg, Sonja Cady, Sally Carter-Dubois, Steve Hubnegsen, Fred Wright, Chris Stearns, Marty Beagle, Darlene Pennoch, Peter Pennoch, Michelle DeBell, Willard I. Latlirup, Donna Kovash, Norman Johnson, Allen Giles, Betsy Giles, Jim Johnson, Nancy Johnson, Chris Enos, Joanne Schurett-Hames, Dave Schrett Harnes, Brian Allen, Bob Keller, Anne Appleby, Dori Mitchell, Jess Drake, Sandra Drake, Warren Arnold, John Sisco, Gail Sheikhizadeh, Bijan Sheikhizadeh, Steve Carras, Mark Japlet, Stephen Connor, Vive Tietze, Donna Nickerson, Paul Telfrod, Dave Peeler, Linda Gustafsan, Linda Schaffel, March Schaffel, Chris Leffler, Susan Leffler, Tom Wynne, Charlene Wynne, Darlene Ruddy, Lee Ruddy, Preston Troy, Mary L. Troy, Fritz Mondau, Barb Mondau, Gayle Broudbent, Sandy Sinclair, Craig Allen, Roy Evans, Russ Walker, Jim Marsh, Sandy Marsh Meeting facilitated by John Kliem and Debbie Holden, Creative Community Solutions.

1. AGENDA

6:00 – 8:00

• Shoreline Management Act Goals & Master Program Policies explained by John Kliem.

• Sharing Your Ideas for Shoreline Policies

• What’s Next


2. BRAINSTORMING SESSION

The group was asked to brainstorm policy ideas for the Shoreline Master Program. They were given the following instructions:

1. Work individually or in teams 2. Go to any Workstation 3. Use pen and index cards to write your ideas 4. Be general / Be specific 5. Write legibly! 6. Place the card on the table at the workstation so others can read it 7. Write as many cards as you like!

3. PUBLIC COMMENTS

TOPIC: Agriculture & Aquaculture

Shellfish growers need to be considered a use that requires a conditional use permit and

oversight.

Promote, encourage, support and give highest preference to shellfish (recreation, commercial,

private).

The Co. Commission should make use of the Marine Resource Committees (MRCs) (existing already in N. Puget Sound & the Straits) as a very effective tool for Public Education and

future funding from the Puget Sound Partnership (PSP) that would still be under the control of the Co. Gov’t. Reliance on the WRIA

groups in S. Puget Sound has done little for Public Education and has not increased public involvement as the MRCs have done through

the NW Straits Commission. New State law has allowed the remaining shoreline counties in WA to create MRCs. We should do this in Thurston

Co.! N. Counties have involved citizens in Public Education and direct Marine Ecosystem

Research, removal of creosote logs and removal of derelict fishing gear in Puget Sound.

These things should be worked on here too!

Shellfish growing & net pens should be encouraged. Just requires determining where &

how much. We have always been rural in Thurston Co. and with growth from in-migration,

become human population increasingly suburban. This has resulted in many use conflicts. What lands remain undeveloped

along important streams & shorelines should be purchased by the County. Cost of growth

studies have determined it’s cheaper to buy land outright than to allow it to be developed. Cost of

public services of homes are more than are received from property taxes on those homes.



Aquaculture should be a PREFERRED USE and growers should also respect community

resources.

Family residences on the upland should not have the ability to dictate the use or legal

development of neighboring private tidelands.

Look! Look! for the impartial science that shows negative impacts of commercial aquaculture.

In aquaculture the garbage associated with the activity should be managed and enforced.

Shellfish growers should not be allowed in residential neighborhoods where homeowners

are paying huge property taxes. They are changing residential neighborhoods into light industrial areas with homeowners bearing the

burden.

Provide a hotline # where beach dumping including shellfish grower debris can be

identified. Advise shellfish growers immediately and give them a chance to clean up any

unintended debris before fining them.

Implement & enforce regulations that include input from all public shareholdings, not just

public allowances and the aquaculture industry.

Policies that affect aquaculture should be based on science not public opinion.

All ranches & feed lots must be able to demonstrate /prove they are not contributing to

excess nutrient loading. Net pens should only be allowed in inlets

/regions that have sufficient tidal exchange to ensure that nutrient loading will not occur –

anoxic conditions should be avoided.

The aquaculture has acted as a watchdog for water quality. They are the eyes and ears on our

bedlands because their livelihood depends on sustainable resources.

More scientific study before any more shellfish operations allowed.

Set aside designated areas where aquaculture is the preferred use, as it was in earlier editions

of the shoreline plan.

Leave our waters and beaches open so the people of the State of WA can use them.

A baseline needs to be done although it is probably too late.

Encourage farms, ranches and individual households to make sure all of their wastes (septic & run-off) remains on the site or is

treated to an innocuous state before allowing it to leave the site.

Shellfish aquaculture should stay a preferred use in Thurston Co. These farms produce

quality seafood using sustainable methods while strengthening our local economy; should be

encouraged!

Management of shellfish growers and other commercial enterprises on or near the shoreline

should be fair not preferential to a certain few due to size or history in the area.

Please use Kitsap Co. as a source of best way to handle clean water.



Recreational shoreline enjoyment (boating, fishing, etc.) significantly reduced by intertidal

Geoduck & Gallo Mussel production. Water is public domain & aquaculture infringes

on this right.

Take Lead Agency status and allow only by permits supported by local site specific EIS conducted by qualified impartial scientists.

Management of farms, ranches, shellfish growers, etc., should use Best Available

Science and data generated both independently of industry as well as using the good

cooperation and data available from people who are on the shoreline all the time, and whose

future livelihoods depend on excellent ecological practices now.

DNR should prepare a management plan for Geoduck farming including:

Zoning & specifications of suitable areas; Cycle of harvesting practices, planting &

harvesting seasons; Minimization of negative environmental impacts

on and around Geoduck farms.

It saddens me to see aquaculture (that brings in millions of dollars) shut down because of single-

family homes, fertilizers, pesticides, & failing septics.

If any aquaculture operations exist within 1,000 ft of a shoreline property that is not engaged in

aquaculture that property owner’s tax rate should be reduced by 50%.

Farming should continue, visual impact should be ignored.

Enforced regulations based on impartial science.

Open up more County owned lands to discourage public from accessing private

tidelands that are used for aquaculture. These lands are vital to maintain shellfish beds that are

essential to a healthy Puget Sound!

More studies should be required to establish controls for aquaculture in Puget sound. Eld

Inlet has become an uncontrolled experiment re: Geoduck permitting. Recommend suspending

permits until better science is done.

Moratorium on all future aquaculture operations until impartial objective science is obtained that

shows no harm from aquaculture activity.

Shellfish Farms: Encourage responsible shellfish farms. Important water dependent use; sustainable. Science shows shellfish farms are

a “net” benefit for aquatic ecosystems.

Ranches / Feedlots: Control manure contamination, control erosion.

Farms: Control pesticide & fertilizer run-off.

Net pens have historically impacted water quality and bedlands. If they permanently

damage resources of the State they should not be allowed.

Enforcement regarding dissolved oxygen – all industries that have potential to be problematic;

net pens, feed lots (Nitr. too).



Shellfish farmers depend on the health of the Sound. We are stewards of the Sound.

Encourage through farming & aquaculture education, families & businesses to clean up

their own environment. Provide an avenue for complaints to be resolved among neighbors.

Continue farming shellfish. It is good for the economy and is a huge part of the history and character of the Puget Sound. Filter feeders

help clean the water – go Geoducks.

Geoduck farming: Required to have an environmental study to prove compliance with

the Shorelines Management Act. Noise Ordinance. Define a Use Period for areas to

recover.

Aquaculture is an exempt use in the SMP. It should be allowed. Do not create a NIMBY (not

in my back yard) situation. The water is not owned by waterfront homes.

Geoduck farming should be promoted as an environmental benefit. The filtering capacity of these shellfish are the only thing keeping Puget

Sound from becoming a dead-zone.

Aquaculture as a conditional use is a problem. It becomes a NIMBY community review.

Geoduck harvests generate millions for the State.

The shellfish industry is good for the environment & economy. There is no reason to

manage this industry; that would make everything more expensive & complicated.

Oyster beds, fish hatcherys, seaweed floats, Geoduck farms, seafood processing, family

farms should be preferred shorelines uses only.

Geoducks are a native species. Farming needs to continue to keep our economy stable. Go

Geoducks!

Pass a moratorium on future aquaculture activities until site specific EIS prepared &

completed. Have plan in place including SMP.

Limit /eliminate Gallo Mussel farming until damage to native mussel is scientifically

understood.

Forage fish (herring, smelt, etc.) Benthic layer, oxygen, nutrients, seabirds, starfish, sand

dollars, eel grass, Chinook & coho salmon all severely impacted by aggressive aquaculture.

Feedlot intensity mentality prevails.

A moratorium on all aquaculture is essential until thorough environmental & scientific review

has been accomplished to truly assess its impact.

Restrict aquaculture farms to allow health & prosperity for shoreline ecosystem – shorebirds,

nearshore birds & wildlife that can’t get under the nets or those that can’t get out.

Incentives for cleanups of litter on beaches should be improved.

Private property rights including tidelands should be respected.

Aquaculture: It is a huge part of our economy and needs to continue. I am pro-shellfish.

Science based decision making should be required

Any decisions regarding activities on beaches should be based on peer-reviewed science.



All regulations must be measurable and enforced. All aquaculture activity should pay a fee to cover County monitoring & enforcement.

Aquaculture, single family homes: Kitsap County Health Dept. has an excellent compliance program. Please consider modeling their

program. They have done an excellent job identifying stormwater, failing septics, and poor

agricultural practices.

Encourage the creation of new shellfish farms by streamlining permitting processes and opening more public lands to cultivation.

Control fertilizer run-off from agriculture operations by constructing wetland areas

nearby.

Thurston Co. needs to enforce the laws regarding management of all aquaculture.

Promote shellfish farming within the State and County. It is vital for the environment and

economy of the Puget Sound.

All operations must first have a permit which is dependent on completion of a site specific EIS.

Require aquaculture operation to post a bond to cover damages.

I am repeating myself, but: • Conditional Use Permits need to be

required on all commercial agriculture and aquaculture. Quantifiable, enforceable measurements

• Regulate, through permitting, stormwater run-off and pull the business license when violations occur. Quantifiable means for measurement needs to be (and look to sustainability and reward cooperation)

• Be very wary of private /public logging on any land. We saw what happened in Beaufort Valley with the DNR landslides. Regulate and monitor heavily and enforce at all times.

Oversight and regulation of aquaculture is just as important as oversight & management of timberlands and farmland. We should learn

from history re: dangers of over-use and resulting degradation of State resources. Big

business has not done a good job of self monitoring in forestry, banking, or agriculture /

aquaculture.

Require aquaculture operators to pay a fee in order to hire people to clean all of their garbage off the beaches. Those operators who are found littering the beaches should have their permits

revoked.

The County should not react to NIMBY misinformation re: aquaculture; seek out the

current published science, there is an abundance.

EIS for every operation in every location.

The Tribes will always get to harvest.


TOPIC: Recreation, Cultural & Historic Assets

Thurston Co. Gov’t needs to get serious about providing adequate access to the waterfront.

If not, more people will ignore private property rights to enjoy our County’s shoreline, creating

serious conflicts with property owners in the future.

• More boat ramps • More beach access • Balance environment, economy &

recreation / We need all three!

Keep public access open rather than closing Fry Cove County Park on which lots of tax payers’

money has been spent!

Public access via parks / ramps are important to encourage the public to connect to THEIR

marine resource.

Update to plan should include BEST AVAILABLE SCIENCE! Use unstable slopes

map that DNR completed for Thurs. Co. shorelines.

Parks & recreation areas need to continue to grow. The water / Sound is a major part of our

community & we need to maintain & upkeep these things.

1. Require functioning septic systems or red flag the property. My priority was a solid system & drainfield when I moved.

2. Do not allow public access on private property or at the expense of private property owners. State/County sites, such as Frye Cove Park, are in place for such purposes although their use seems to be discouraged.

3. Use the parks you have. Closing Frye cove and Tolmie Park, when all services are in place, makes zero economic sense.

4. Establish a noise ordinance. The County has one, put it in place and enforce it on the water. Much recreation I have seen has been disturbed by the “boom box” on the beach.

As a fellow private property owner of shoreline/ tidelands, I would encourage other private

property owners to look at what happened in other parts of the country (i.e., East coast,

California) when public access had no early mandate as we did with the SMA in ’72.

Shorelines and water are a part of the cultural treasure and other intrinsic values and benefits

of all Washingtonians. We should find a balance between protecting property owners

and lands from irresponsible practices of public users but also public should be able to get to

shorelines, walk on shorelines, and see shorelines, without large / high private

developments on the waterline.

Public access should be on public property. Public access degrades shoreline function.

Keep Fry Cove open. Develop a boat launch if the private one on Gravelly Beach Rd closes?

As a member of the Cooper Pt. Assoc., landlocked property owners want to gain public

access to our local shorelines. The county should make clear all public access by public roads to our shorelines. Maps & signs

would be a good start!

• Work with various & plentiful organization to educate and activate groups to protect & preserve these sights.

• Use proceeds from approving “preferred use” permits from businesses if funding is necessary.



Thurs. Co. needs to have newly developed subdivisions to contribute to a county “pot” for

restoration of historical, cultural, educ. & scientific value. Penalties to “bad” developers

for mitigation

Promote public access “Fishable Swimable Fishable”

“This does not mean wharfs, restaurants, and enhanced parks.”

Historical sites should be maintained as parks and opened to the public.

Existing wetland areas should be preserved for their stormwater-filtering benefits.

Encouraging public access is totally contradictory to protection of the wildlife &

natural environment. Boaters & jet-skiers fill the air with toxic fumes which are absorbed by the water & cause the water to be toxic to sea life. Boaters are huge

polluters, throwing all kinds of garbage overboard & fouling the air with noise &

pollution.

Stop all fireworks being thrown into the water. Most of them now have plastic parts & they remain in the environment for thousands of

years. Fireworks terrify wildlife & domestic pets. There’s no good reason for this terrible practice

to continue. People can attend a public-provided fireworks display. Rockets end up on rooftops & in the woods & on Eld Inlet we hear fireworks 12 months a year. No enforcement

seems available to control this problem.

The “public” does not care about private property.

Plan needs to include enforcement $ from new development. Co. needs to increase number of

code enforcers.

Stop out of control aquaculture cumulative impacts and expansion.

Public access should be equal to access for aquaculture interests.

Shellfish farming has been a way of life here in Puget Sound since before statehood. It is extremely important in terms of economic

contributions, cultural significance & provides numerous environmental benefits to our local ecology. I want to see shellfish aquaculture remain a preferred use & be encouraged &

supported in Thurston County.

We don’t want any more rules, regulations or programs. Let private property owners manage

their own land. The State can’t manage the existing programs. Do not create more!

Where is the money coming from to create the program? More taxes?

Remember: If shellfish farms are gone, Tribes have full access to beaches!

Create & maintain more parks & create historic markers. Also add more boat launches for the

public on the Puget Sound.

In current economy, a key goal should be to preserve current accesses.

Thurston County should acquire properties to increase public access to shorelines.



Thurston Co. needs to continue to maintain existing PUBLIC access to shorelines and increase recreation by providing additional

“easements” to the beach.

Develop a public boat launch on Griffin Peninsula; perhaps using the former residential property near Carolyn Beach (landslide area).

Reserves, water parks, and building man-made reefs is a form of (should be) public access.

Shellfish farming has been a part of my family’s history for over 100 yrs. I want to see shellfish farming continue to be a part of this Sound for

the next 100 yrs.

Keep the public accesses we have open to the public and increase them if possible.

Encourage public use of beaches & water for enjoyment.

Develop more boat ramps . . . Encourage conservation of natural resources by making sure folks don’t grab all of the shellfish

at public parks – some people are greedily harvesting public shellfish for monetary gain.

Do not force shoreline uses or access on private property.

Provide a public boat launch for Totten Inlet from the Griffin Peninsula.


TOPIC: Protection & Restoration of Natural Resources

Shellfish farming is rapidly taking over the best of our shorelines. Regulations, emphasizing

science, is needed to limit the scope & impact of the industry.

Preserving existing resources – encourage interested parties to work together to develop policies (Tribes, Shellfish businesses, citizen

groups)

Achieve “no net loss” thru a balance of regulations, tax reductions, citizens

restorations.

All commercial aquaculture operations must have a permit to be allowed.

*There needs to be more boating access to Puget Sound. Boat launches are very critical to all people with boats. Fishing and water sports are big business for our economy. We NEED the access to make it work. Without it there is

nowhere to go.

• Require science based permitting for existing & future intertidal Geoduck aquaculture & Gallo Mussel production

• Require adequate bond requirements – all commercial aquaculture

Shorelines & resources should not be degraded by public access.

The current laws are not being enforced. How do you plan to enforce additional laws?

Plan should include partnerships with local neighborhood associations for maint. To parks.

Protect & Rest of N.R.

Shellfish promote clean water by filtering it so I would say plant more shellfish in order to get

cleaner water.

Protect fish spawning beaches.

Leave them pristine as they are. No more development.

Thurston County needs to increase contributions from developers which should be

spent on conserving & enhancing natural resources.

Increase tree retention per lot outside the 200’ shoreline buffer in sensitive areas: especially

where water issues are prevalent.

Why do you make it so expensive to remodel on the water? I would think you would be pleased

that people are beautifying. The costs of septic systems and many other

things, permits, etc., make it not feasible for the property owner to remodel. Who loses? The

owner and the County.

• Encourage bulkhead removal and modification to provide better fish habitat

• Encourage native plant use along shore • Discourage fertilizer & pesticide use along

shore • Improve on-site septic systems & sewage

treatment plants • Control run-off



Encourage environmental activism through school-age programs on educating our youth as

to the benefits of restoring, preserving & utilizing our natural resources for the benefit of all citizens including businesses who pay for

these programs through taxation.

Driving on all beaches should be firmly regulated – both by commercial aquaculture and companies and the public. This has not

been so in the past – when the State was called they said no such driving was allowed. The County said the shellfish growers had a permit to do so. I am talking about along the

beach, not from road to water.

Construct wetland areas to filter stormwater along shorelines!

Cumulative impacts are so important, and presently are not measured or regulated for in

land uses or permits.

Develop guidance and restrictive permit requirement for protecting marine bluffs in the

face of sea-level rise – what can homeowner do to decrease erosion without building

bulkheads?

Implement a more stringent clearing & grading policy near shorelines & unstable bluffs.

Help protect down-gradient areas from excess water run-off – surface & sub-surface!

Review cumulative impact of development on top of development when surface & sub-surface

water is an issue. Don’t jeopardize existing homes at the expense of new ones.

Protect our sea creatures, ducks, starfish, etc. Demand an explanation from Pacific Shellfish

Institute re: their 2015 goals & priorities of “integrated Pest Management” of all gulls,

duck, starfish, etc., by deterrent or destruction” & why they feel the need to seek protection

from prosecution under the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, Mammal

Protection act --

Fish, wildlife & water quality should be protected by shellfish farming & public access

destroy the shoreline quality.

Make weed killers & toxic pesticides illegal in Thurston County. Prohibit soaps & cleaning

products with phosphates in them. Phosphates are ruining the water quality.

Review (beef up) tree ordinance to protect established property owner’s homes when

development adjacent to it will kill mature trees.

State should not be allowed to spray roadways near shorelines.



1. Conditional Use Permits on all commercial agriculture AND aquaculture / quantifiable & enforceable)

2. Restrict and regulate, enforce at all times, driving on any beach

3. Regulate stormwater run-off at all times (just like a business license) or, red flag a business in violation / pulling a license. We need means to quantify issues & ensure consequences

4. Require solid, functioning septic systems or red flag the property

5. Encourage the use of underground utilities

Zone for Geoduck farming – as it’s an important activity but is not appropriate for all

areas. Shellfish culture should be promoted as we have a long history of economic

dependence on the health of the Puget Sound. This should continue. We want a strong and thriving aquaculture sector, esp. for manila

clams & oysters.

Don’t allow duck hunting in in-shore areas of Eld Inlet for simple safety reasons and

protection of waterfowl. Same should apply to Totten and Budd Inlet.

State & County is one of the largest polluters of the Sound. Treatment Plants should

discharge upland to remove more nutrients.

Determine extent of dissolved oxygen problem, what contributes to the problem, and then build

a SMP around Best Management Practices.

Enforcement? Is there any? Fines do not seem to work, maybe a tax incentive for

people who comply with regulations.

Shellfish growers should not be allowed to gather up the starfish from the beaches, nor

should they harm the crabs by breaking off legs and throwing them out.

Conservation and enhancement of natural resources should be the county & state’s

highest priority. No one else can or will protect our resources for future generations.

Streams, seasonal streams, wetlands, and all hydrological flow into the Sound must be

mapped. I live on Totten and many water flows are unmapped, hence, unbuffered and their

treatment unregulated. This has to stop because unmapped, unbuffered wetlands and streams can be filled with drainfields, & septic

systems which drain right into the Sound.

Establish a benchmark for Thurston County saltwater by looking (if possible) at areas unaffected by aquaculture. Supervise &

regulate aquaculture to prevent them from abusing the unique and extensive access to the Puget Sound marine environment. Verify

the honesty /accuracy of pro-aquaculture science.

Establish a moratorium on bird hunting with-in 1½ miles of the Meander Line.

Don’t wait 20 years to update the Shoreline Management Act.



Disallow physical aquaculture structures, i.e., bags, nets, tubes, rafts, aqua purses, cregs,

zone-lines, etc.

To put preservation first & foremost. To protect these areas at all cost.

Waterfront homes cannot exceed certain limitations.

Protect “pocket estuaries” as areas of unique ecological significance for fish habitat in

southern Puget Sound.

Conserve & enhance natural resources by increasing set-backs to all shorelines.

Enforcement $ paid for by development.

Proper up-to-date inventory of current shoreline is key for proper regulation; this must be done

on-site and not by photo or satellite.

Establish scientific baseline requirements & capacity (nutrients, flushing, pollution) prior to

aquaculture expansion.

Protection & Restoration of natural Resources should be done as part of implementation of

Action Plan of Puget Sound Partnership and not as separate exercise.

Encourage elimination of nutrient sources to Totten & Eld Inlets through elimination of

septic systems in the shoreline areas. Encourage such elimination through regulatory

restrictions and through providing access to funding to build alternative.

Look into public water system and public sewer system for the Summit Lake Watershed.

The update should define for Thurston county what “No Net Loss” means.

Keep our native species alive and our water & beaches open for recreation.

Nature regenerates. Let it.

Shellfish farming should be a preferred use as an important natural resource industry that

helps our economy, environment & communities.

Enforce Shoreline Master Plan Too many waterfront owners are damaging the

near shoreline and shoreline and degrading water quality – often with impunity because

they know little enforcement is pursued.

If County – State – Cities want to issue edicts that private citizens are to follow, businesses

must also be held accountable for their practices. (i.e., home with a septic = how much waste does a restaurant on the water produce)

Instead of trying to make more public access – use what State, County, City has. If State,

County, City can’t afford to keep up (maintain) what they have now, what are they thinking and talking about gaining more for? Not too

sensible.

Integrate watershed analysis with the shorelines planning.

Use transfer of development rights to protect sensitive areas.



Pigeon Guillemots (a local seabird) nest in bluffs along Puget Sound. Many of these nesting areas are disturbed by stairways,

drainpipes, etc., installed below homes along the bluffs. Nesting areas should be identified and protected from disturbance to preserve

populations.

Variances to shoreline regs and set-backs are too easy to obtain in Thurston Co. What’s the

point of shoreline rules when so many variances are given? The use of variances

impedes the ability of the Shoreline Program to meet its goals and creates an uneven playing field that is unfair to those that follow the rules.

If State, County, City Govts want to allow businesses (“preferred” – who determines what is preferred) to locate along waterfront, public

needs to know same rules will apply to residential keeping in mind if business

generates “X” amount of impact that would be the equivalent of “Y” to a residential permit.

RE: Shellfish farms, AG farms, etc., status quo Too much regulation = loss to everyone.

Such few undeveloped areas as still exist on Thurston’s shoreline should be zealously

preserved. (Besides, if they haven’t been built on yet, it’s because they are heavily encumbered with

critical areas).

State and all County & City Govts should look at maintaining what is in effect and not start

making everything so restrictive that no one can live on their own property & businesses can’t

exist.

The current shoreline regs are not effective in protecting native vegetation and the functions native vegetation provides to fish, wildlife &

water quality. The regs should require natural vegetation buffers in rural areas.

Provide for habitat connectivity between shorelines & upland habitats for sensitive

species such as amphibians.

Please dovetail the CAOs within the SMA. It would be much smoother, provide clarity, speed regulatory and permit processes.

Who or where are the Puget Sound shoreline Enforcement Officers?

This is something that needs to be created.

Carefully plan for roads and traffic to protect shoreline associated wildlife species.

“Traffic softening for wildlife”

Make all commercial aquaculture activity a conditional use.

Provide opportunities for shoreline restoration & the opportunities to achieve tax breaks

Give generous tax breaks to properties with well protected riparian areas and very high levels of

natural vegetation on uplands.

Develop and fund a Grant and/or Loan program to help people who want to check

their septic systems and bring them into compliance if they are failing.



Uphold Eld Inlet as the Audubon Society has –as “an important bird area”

No shooting waterfowl.

Enforce all regulation violations and permit requirements / conditions.

County needs enforcement – Septics leak into the bay; you report a neighbor & you’re told no one can come check because it

will be trespassing. This is absurd, but happened to me.


TOPIC: Housing

Bulkhead removal must be considered on community or neighborhood basis versus

individual properties within a group of homes with bulkheads.

Carefully allow housing use & building in places that already exist, i.e., if a mobile home is in place allow TNB building of a “stick frame”

or TNB same footprint.

Don’t let Evergreen students who don’t pay taxes determine the outcome of what our land-use will be. People who live on the water pay a

premium to the city/county for the right to live there. If the changes are to give public access

to private homes’ beaches then drop the waterfront taxes.

Should be single family only. Houses and other buildings should be set back 150’ from

the shore. Trees and other vegetation on that 150’ should be in conservation easement so

that the buffer area will be permanently protected. When homes are set back at least 150’ there is no need to have a hard bulkhead.

Prohibit hard bulkheads on shorelines as alternatives exist. Our shorelines are already

overdeveloped; we should protect what remains with buying development rights.

Septic tanks should be inspected in shoreline homes in Eld, Budd & Totten Inlets and

upgrades of malfunctioning septic systems should be made compulsory.

As a waterfront homeowner, I should have the right to protect my property in the event that I might have to install a bulkhead if necessary.

Streamline permit process so home-owners can make beneficial improvements to their property.

Eliminate septic systems within 300 feet of the water’s edge along Totten & Eld Inlets.

If a private property owner wants to remodel do not make it so restrictive & expensive (permits, etc.) that a person can’t do it when business is allowed everything at reduced rate because the

business is paying higher taxes. The State, County & Cities should welcome a homeowner

wanting to update home, septic, as it will usually end up more green & environmentally friendly,

do not penalize homeowners by over-regulation of their property & over-price permits, and don’t

make the permit process LONG. Help the people by being fair.

• Get functioning septics on property, all property, or red flag the property

• Keep, at all times, a 5 acre “lot” in the County outside City limits. S1 Rural communities are @ 1 home every 5 acres unless grandfathered in. These have to be single family homes.

• All homes must be located a minimum of 100’ off unstable slopes or cliffs, no exception.

• Encourage and reward the use of underground utility lines. An amazing difference.

• SMP should include single family housing.


TOPIC: Housing

No more structures built on steep slopes or landslide areas. I’ve watched several houses

be built on Totten Shoreline in the last few years, in areas mapped by DNR as Landslide

Hazard Areas – then they clear-cut their shoreline. I think it’s a matter of time until we

have a repeat of the disastrous Carolyn Beach slides.

Learning to manage the delicate balance between development & environmental impact without infringing on private property owners’ rights. If that means utilizing State or County property along the shoreline to meet housing

goals or non-housing goals, so be it.

Enforce regs about cutting in buffers. Stop building homes on hazardous substrate.

There have been multiple homes that have slid into the bay.

Zoning on shorelines needs to protect beaches – buffers should be required as well as density

limits. High density housing only in urban shoreline areas with adequate sewer &

drainage control and areas for vegetation.

Make variances to shoreline regulate the strong exception not the standard.

1. Minimize development 2. Minimize impacts: less paving; native

plants, small footprint, no bulkheads, good septic system with checks

3. Appropriate buffers 4. Use non-toxic materials where there’s run-

off, i.e., metal roofs vs. tar roofs 5. Landscaping – no chemicals, toxins, etc. 6. Ideally low number of people / acre 7. Maintain integrity of creeks & streams

• • Protect property owners’ rights & property values

• Allow cutting of damaged, fallen trees, or that are on the steep slopes

• Allow property owners to always rebuild, redevelop, etc., regardless, except really dangerous property

• Rules based on best science & allow for future

• Don’t be overzealous with too much regulation

BALANCE

Single family homes are exempt from the SMA, yet they are basically the only development in the rural County, and provide pretty much all the (non-point) pollution. Make single family

homes regulated under the SMA, or there’s no point.

No net affect?

How can you allow any home to be built on shoreline?

Single family homes are exempt from the SMP but they have the greatest impact on our

shorelines. How is the amendment going to address this?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our shoreline looked like San Juan County’s? Buffers, low impact

landscaping, limited bulkheads.


TOPIC: Housing

Private landowners should be allowed to use “natural” bulkheads i.e., wood or soft armor; this

prevents erosion, no ecological impact. It is ridiculous not to. (Land erodes, tax base is lost,

no more money into coffers). Too much gout interference to private owners while looking

other way for big biz.

Increase the set-back requirement to 150’ for all housing developments on marine waters.

Do not allow multi-family housing on marine

waters or unincorporated areas.

No policing. Too much ratting on neighbors. Homeowners on shoreline should be required

to get a permit to put in a lawn and/or landscape.

Education for new landowners or recent buyers. Let them know what they have and how to take

care of it.

All houses, etc., (regardless of number of units) should be located a safe distance from

unstable slopes.

Look into public water system and public sewage.

Housing should be located without regard to its visual impact from the water.

Thurston County’s master program allows greater densities urban GMA zoning. Amend

master program to conform with GMA densities.

Areas adjacent to shoreline area should have regulations consistent with shoreline master

program.

SMA has housing as the highest priority. Restrict all commercial & industrial shoreline

area land uses. Only allow limited water related non-residential land uses.

Interagency permit processes should be better coordinated. DOE sometimes doesn’t know what’s going on, DNR ditto, F&W, ditto. And

all should use Best Available Science to guide regulations.

Grandfather all private property owners so they only have to adhere to the regulations in place as of the date they developed their property. If the county wants the property owner to give up

their grandfathered rights they can offer compensation adequate to entice the property

owner to give up their rights.

Only public property should be used to provide public access to the shorelines. Since the public wants to have an ability to impose

restrictions on private owners of waterfront property, then implement a tax on the general public to pay shoreline property owners for the

restrictions (taking).

OSS inspection programs like the one in Henderson Inlet have lasting positive effects on nutrient pollution. These must have permanent

assessments to continually fund inspection, training & outreach.

Make sure that private property rights are maintained. This should be on of the State’s

primary goals. Any restrictions on private property rights should be considered a “taking”

and the property owner should be compensated.


TOPIC: Housing

Set-backs for non-dependent water uses are critical for maintaining the terrestrial-marine interface. This could reduce or eliminate the

need for shoreline armoring.

New housing developments should be limited to areas that can provide adequate wastewater management. Sprawl should be discouraged

in areas currently without residential developments.

Septic concerns; check all systems every 4 yrs. Grey water systems should be required with all septic systems.

The County was ill prepared to deal with the vast seeding and in years to come harvesting of Geoduck along the shorelines in Thurston Co. No permits were required for this activity and the County has no experience with potential devastation of the eco-system subsequent to the aggressive harvest technique used in this industry. I suggest the County study effects of

this activity on a minor scale before it is tolerated at current levels.

We have developed a significant amount of areas for preferred uses already developed so

no new areas should be developed. What should be done instead is to revitalize existing developed areas that are vacant & dilapidated!

The Port of Olympia is our example of a wasted area that is a source of pollution from

past & current practices.

Provide a hearing process to look at each situation and provide on-sight inspections to

determine outcomes. People that have owned undeveloped land should not be punished due

to new land rulings.

New buildings /homes should have a proper buffer between the waterfront and should have properly functioning septics /waste treatment

to keep our waters clean.

Worry less about housing. Worry more about septic; worry a lot more about aquaculture.

Provide incentives when development voluntarily increases housing set-backs.

See what the impact for wastewater will have on neighbors as well as the shoreline and

erosion.

Gutter run-off from roof into bay is eroding many high bank waterfronts. Is this enforced?

More public boat launches. No access across private property.

Remember, some of us own our tidelands, public can walk across but not stop, can dig

clams, etc.

I do not hear anything about private property rights. What about the homeowners who pay

enormous property taxes & who have the burden of cleaning up after the public &

aquaculture companies?


TOPIC: Housing

Incentives to encourage low impact development or re-development, i.e., tax break to remove bulkhead or improve sewer system.

The program as it is written would be much more efficient if compliance was enforced.

Few single family homes are built in compliance with SMP (buffers, impervious

surface, stormwater mgmt., set-backs).

Incentives: Instead of increasing property values when people “improve” their property

(lawns, bulkheads, removing trees to improve views, etc.), property taxes should be reduced if

there are no bulkheads or bulkheads are removed, natural buffers, etc. King Co. has a

program to shadow.

Initiate septic system operation & maintenance programs for residents at Summit Lake like the

program now in use at the Henderson Inlet Watershed.

Mandatory septic monitoring. Develop more strict siting regulations for septic. No waterfront apartments.

Enforce the setbacks for structures /housing. Fertilizers & pesticides that homeowners use are killing the Puget Sound.

Eliminate septic systems near drainage or seasonal streams that drain to the inlets. Use Best Available Science to guide regulations on

all septic systems near the Puget Sound and no variances.

Grandfather all existing housing as long as it has a valid operating septic system.


TOPIC: Business, Industry & Public Facilities

Aquaculture should be a preferred use. The type of aquaculture practiced here is the most benign form of aquaculture practiced today in

the world. The only better examples might include those that polycep – land & water crops (Japan, etc.). Aquaculture growers do not harm

public access or impacts are very low key especially on balance with the tremendous

economic and ecological health that they bring.

Let’s promote new industries and businesses to our area. Let’s not set laws to prevent growth.

We can work together to come up with appropriate land uses for each situation. Let’s look at each opportunity and find ways to make it work. Set laws to prevent growth and chase away those who will bring industry, jobs, etc. to

our area.

The highest priority use as per SMA is citizen access and preservation of the natural ecology – keep these as top priorities as they provide

the most benefit to the most people (and other creatures too!)

Just honor SS Code #3 “The Public’s opportunity to enjoy the physical &

aesthetic qualities of natural shorelines!!” Aquaculture takes the public opportunity away

& destroys the natural character of the shoreline with industry.

Encourage a diversity of shoreline uses & businesses so that beaches are not over used

by one “preferred use” over others.

Encourage sustainable uses and such industries as promote and enhance water

quality, and public participation: aquaculture, kayak & boating facilities.

Take Lead Agency status, allow by Permit only. Water dependent uses should compliment and enhance the shorelines.

Sustainable businesses that preserve the natural resources of the Sound should be

preferred.

Require all new use permits to meet or exceed all pollution and waste management

regulations.

Water related industry should be preserved. Where else can it take place?

Water-dependent industry is a priority & should be encouraged where appropriate.

Aquaculture is the foundation of resource economy in this county. It produces high

quality seafood and should be a preferred and protected water-dependent use.

No industries (any commercial developments) should be located within 1000’ of shoreline.

• More boat ramps • Allow preferred uses that minimize impacts • Encourage aquaculture • Improve shoreline fueling facilities’

procedures to minimize contamination • Restaurants should not be a preferred use

Instead of allowing minority naysayers regarding the environmental harms to stall

progress – utilize the stated goal of allowing “preferred use” businesses to do business. Discourage illegitimate lawsuits by making

plaintiffs pay legal costs if case is lost.



Keep Geoduck operation. I find it is a wonderful use of the beach, great business,

and find the water is cleaner in the area of the Geoducks.

Seafood processing plants and docks for use of seafood industry should be given highest

priority.

More public shoreline should make public access easy to avoid the public using private

beaches.

Stormwater run-off from State and County Roads frequently drains untreated into the

Sound. (2 examples within a mile of my home). If we are going to be serious about saving

Puget Sound, this situation must be addressed and corrected.

No development within 1000’ and this includes parking lots

Increase Marine Services (gas docks, boat ramps).

Thurston County should give preference to the development of the shellfish industry in its

shoreline plans due to the number of businesses here and the amount of shorelines we have. We must do a better job of allowing these shellfish growers to bio-remediate their

impacts on Puget Sound.

Any waterfront endeavor must not degrade water quality. Business should develop, with County assistance, plans to ensure this goal. Periodic inspection would be prudent. Public waterfront facilities must be maintained so as

not to degrade water quality.

Promote shellfish harvesting & seed plants – a good opportunity for employment & is good for

the economy.

My family is part of the shellfish industry & I promote shellfish in the South Puget Sound.

For allowed commercial and industrial uses, if allowed, require to be rural in nature, non-

urban, and only serve the immediate community.

Enforce the regs you have now.

Either eliminate or regulate shellfish farming. We have thousands of pieces of debris from

shellfish farming on our beach (we brought over 4,000 pieces of it to this meeting tonight).

There is noise, lights & diesel fumes, and food & drink containers from the employees of the aquaculture companies in addition to rubber-bands, huge nets, plastic ties, pieces of rope,

plastic bags & nets, plastic labels & PVC tubes everywhere. We’ve talked with these

companies & they do not regulate themselves.

• More recreation access to Totten Inlet, i.e., boat launches & public parks. The next generation will not value the Sound if they are not able to experience the shoreline and the water.

• Develop natural history and historical sites – similar to ones at Nisqually Reach.

• Encourage tourist & recreational business on Totten Inlet, i.e., kayak rentals, waterfront restaurants, etc. that are “green” businesses.



The shellfish business was my first job & provided great experiences as well as pay and

an appreciation for our Puget Sound.

“If they are water dependent uses and do not contribute to water quality & sediment

degradation of our shorelines.”

Let’s just say: 1. An individual buys a piece of property on

Mudbay 2. The property is zoned commercial 3. There is a rental home upon this property 4. During the 40 +/- years that this property

owner owns this property, the property owner improves the property by installing an entirely new septic system, drainfield, bulkheads, water well, etc.

5. When it is time to develop said property into a commercial use along with retirement homes on the mud-front, the community demands via County Ordinances that they have access

6. On this particular parcel, the mud front will support no shellfish and is dangerous to walk upon. It is said that a horse was once rescued via helicopter from it

Shellfish industry should be supported & provided with fair opportunities with regard to

waterfront rights. They need clean water!

For information on the Thurston County Shoreline Master Program Update, see: www.co.thurston.wa.us/permitting/shoreline-master-program/index.html

creative community solutions, inc. · 3/11/2009 · meeting facilitated by john kliem and debbie...

Documents