Shoreline Master Programs/Marine Spatial Planning

DRAFT Basic Comparison

Local shoreline master programs (SMPs) govern use and development of shorelines. Permitting or other approval (exemptions) is required for many types of development and uses. According to the Shoreline Management Act, "Development" means a use consisting of the construction or exterior alteration of structures; dredging; drilling; dumping; filling; removal of any sand, gravel, or minerals; bulkheading; driving of piling; placing of obstructions; or any project of a permanent or temporary nature which interferes with the normal public use of the surface of the waters overlying lands subject to the act at any stage of water level.

According to the Washington’s law, marine spatial planning(MSP) means a public process of analyzing and allocating the spatial and temporal distribution of human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic, and social objectives. The law sets forth some general planning guidelines and objectives. However, what a Marine Spatial Plan actually “looks” like and the issues it addresses are fairly flexible – consideration of marine renewable energy is required as are a series of maps.

Common elements for SMPs/MSP / Differences between SMPs/MSP
Follow similar planning process / SMP adoption or update process more prescribedand sequential, with adetailed planning process and requirements to meet.
Establish goals, objectives and policies
Common goals: e.g. maintaining ecosystem functions and fostering water-dependent uses
Similar data requirements - Spatial data & analysis
Generally outline suitable/unsuitable uses for particular areas /
  • SMPs develop enforceable policies and regulations for development and use of shorelines (see definition above) with some exceptions.
  • MSP can cover broader suite of activities than SMPs (e.g. non-development) and enforceability mechanisms varies – most often viewed as non-regulatory).

Some level of spatial detail /
  • SMPs establish environment designations that inform and prescribe a broad suite of uses, but can vary in how spatially explicit they are about approved/prohibited developments or uses.
  • MSP often focuses on only a handful of major activities and the spatial specificity of a plan often varies as well.

Geographic scope – Both have jurisdiction over marine waters /
  • SMPs often focus on shoreline (land-water interface) rather than aquatic-offshore areas.
  • MSP often focuses more on marine areas.

SMPs require “no-net loss” and restoration plans.