Thurston County, Washington

The content on the Thurston County website is currently provided in English. We are providing the “Translation” for approximately 10 languages. The goal of the translation is to provide visitors with limited English proficiency to access information on the website in other languages. The translations do not translate all types of documents, and it may not give you an exact translation all the time. The translations are made through an automated process, which may not result in accurate or precise translations, particularly of technical and legal terminology.
County Contacts
Logo

Thurston County Washington

Comment Sought on Shoreline Master Program Update

October 6, 2021

OLYMPIA – Thurston County residents and shoreline stakeholders are invited to attend and provide comment at a Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Planning Commission Public Hearing on Wednesday, October 20th, 2021 at 7pm. 

The SMP regulates development and redevelopment along the marine shorelines of Puget Sound as well as large lakes and streams and has not been significantly updated since its adoption in 1990. Depending development plans, SMP updates may affect shoreline properties. To maintain compliance with the state Shoreline Management Act, the county is considering updates to shoreline jurisdiction, environment designations, and associated regulations. 

What: Public Hearing for Thurston County SMP update

When: Wednesday, October 20th, 2021 at 7pm

Where: Thurston County Courthouse, 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Olympia, WA 98502, Building 1, Room 280. Masking and distancing requirements will be in place. 

Virtual Option: The public may register to attend via Zoom on the Planning Commission’s website one week prior to the hearing.

Note: Due to the increased number of COVID cases in the county, the public are encouraged to exercise the option to attend virtually, via Zoom, or to submit testimony by e-mail to Andrew Deffobis, at andrew.deffobis@co.thurston.wa.us or via letter: Community Planning and Economic Development Department, 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Olympia, WA 98502. 

The public can learn about the SMP update via an online Open House at: https://tinyurl.com/y6n9738e. This includes fact sheets on how the code is proposed to change, interactive maps to view shoreline properties and any changes proposed to the property’s environment designation, and a full draft of the proposed SMP. The online Open House also provides opportunities to ask questions of staff and submit public comment for this hearing. The Open House is available online through October 20th.

Thurston County is conducting this comprehensive update of its SMP as required by state law. The update also includes items required by the WA State Department of Ecology (Ecology) in what is referred to as the periodic update. The Board of County Commissioners will also hold a public hearing on the SMP in the coming months. The updated SMP must be approved by Ecology before it can become final and take effect.

-30- 

Community Planning and Economic Development
Press Release