We're offering grant funds to support local government shoreline planning efforts. Examples of eligible projects include:
The Shoreline Planning Competitive Grant Program application period has closed for the 2023-25 biennium.
Funding Cycle Timeline
June 12, 2023
1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.
All Washington towns, cities, and counties with a Shoreline Master Program are eligible to apply for funding.
Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
Shoreline Planning Competitive (SPC) Grant Program tips and resources:
We have awarded the following projects through our 2023-2025 Shoreline Planning Competitive Grant program.
Recipient
Project
Grant Amount
Shoreline master program user guide, tracking, monitoring & adaptive management framework
Develop a shoreline master program user guide and framework and implementation strategy to monitor and adaptively manage the ecological functions of shorelines. This will include review of permitted development, restoration projects, and measurable indicators of shoreline functions.
Lower Wenatchee and Lower Nason Creek channel migration zone mapping and restoration plan update
Lower Wenatchee and Prepare channel migration zone maps and use findings to update the shoreline master program restoration plan. Maps and geospatial datasets produced will be incorporated into the 2023 Riparian Prioritization online web portal and integrated with the shoreline public access planning effort. This will support shoreline master program implementation priorities by reducing hazard and improving shoreline ecology and wildlife habitat.
Lower Elwha River channel migration zone study
Produce a channel migration zone map for the Lower Elwha River from Olympic National Park boundary to the mouth, including Little River and Indian Creek, two major tributaries of the Elwha.
Coastal adaptation strategy
Develop a coastal adaptation strategy that will provide a blueprint and foundation to adapt to future risks associated with sea level rise and climate change. The project is intended to prevent future damage from climate change by providing strategies and actions for adaptive planning and development efforts.
Climate change vulnerability assessment and adaptation guide
Conduct a climate change vulnerability assessment to guide the city’s update of the comprehensive plan and shoreline regulations. The project will also provide adaptation strategies, educational materials, and graphics for including in the city’s comprehensive plan.
Shoreline master program user guide and tracking, monitoring, and adaptive management framework
Develop a shoreline master program user guide and framework and implementation strategy for the Southeast Washington Regional Coalition, which includes Garfield, Asotin, and Columbia Counties, to monitor and adaptively manage the ecological functions of shorelines regulated by the Counties’ shoreline master program. This will include review of permitted development, restoration projects, and measurable indicators of shoreline functions.
No net loss tracking, monitoring, and adaptive management framework
Develop a plan and implementation strategy for Grant County to monitor and adaptively manage the ecological functions of shorelines regulated by the shoreline master program. This will include review of permitted development, restoration projects, and measurable indicators of shoreline functions.
Grays Harbor County
Sea level rise risk assessment and community engagement
Conduct a sea level rise vulnerability and risk assessment to identify potential impacts from sea level rise; characterize the risk of impact; and identify areas of the community, resources, sectors, or assets considered most vulnerable. The assessment will be paired with robust community outreach and involvement intended to educate the public and identify information gaps in existing flooding and groundwater conditions or unmapped infrastructure.
Grays Harbor County
Channel migration zone mapping
Prepare a planning-level map of Channel Migration Zones throughout the County.
Sea level rise risk assessment
Based on Pacific County’s recently completed sea level rise risk assessment, evaluate how surface stormwater and groundwater conditions will interact with future sea level rise and extreme flood events. These additional analyses will be used to develop resiliency planning strategies, including draft policies and regulations, that can be incorporated into the shoreline master program, critical areas ordinance, and emergency planning documents.
Sea level rise vulnerability and risk assessment
Conduct a sea level rise vulnerability and risk assessment that will identify potential losses or damages from flooding due to sea level rise; characterize the risk of loss; and highlight areas of the community, resources, infrastructure, and assets considered most vulnerable. The assessment will be paired with outreach to educate the County and the public, inform planning, and identify potential actions for adaptability and resilience.
Shoreline master program periodic review
Conduct a periodic review and update of the shoreline master program.
Shoreline public access and trail plan
Develop a shoreline public access & trail plan to help implement the shoreline master program consistent with state guidelines. A programmatic approach will identify local needs & opportunities for an integrated shoreline public access system that reflects the City of North Bend's Comprehensive Plan, community vision, helps streamline shoreline permitting, & reduces conflicts between adjacent uses.
Sea level rise risk assessment phase 2 modeling and regulation development
Continue the recently completed sea level rise risk assessment to evaluate how surface stormwater and groundwater conditions will interact with future sea level rise and extreme flood events. These additional analyses will be used to develop resiliency planning strategies, including draft policies and regulations, that can be incorporated into county shoreline master program, critical areas ordinance, and emergency planning documents.
Shoreline permit tracker
Develop and implement a shoreline permit monitoring system to enable the county to monitor shoreline authorizations for the shoreline master program compliance. The project will also identify possible solutions for improving implementation if gaps in the permitting system are identified.
Shoreline master program user guide and tracking, monitoring, and adaptive management framework
Develop a shoreline master program user guide and framework and implementation strategy in order to monitor and adaptively manage the ecological functions of shorelines regulated by the city’s shoreline master program. This will include review of permitted development, restoration projects, and measurable indicators of shoreline functions.
Shoreline master program permit streamlining and sea level rise mitigation
Review the city’s shoreline master program to streamline the permit process; merge Waterwalk with sea level rise and king tide mitigation; and complete the city’s shoreline master program periodic review and update with climate change, Waterwalk design, and regulatory reform amendments.
Equity in access to ponds and lakes
Evaluate and identify safe public access points for water-related recreation in order to increase equitable recreational opportunities and public access to publicly owned areas of the shoreline.
San Juan County
Shoreline planning, education, and compliance implementation project
Improve the implementation of the shoreline master program by refining planning and permit processes, empowering the public, and bolstering compliance efforts. The project will result in improvements to permitting software and processes, a shoreline master program user guide and other public educational materials, and a functional shoreline permitting compliance program.
Web map and how-to manual for habitat evaluation procedures
Seattle’s Habitat Evaluation Procedures tool quantifies changes in habitat quantity and quality to measure impacts to shoreline habitat to meet the no net loss requirement. Seattle is proposing to develop a website, web map, and user guide to make the program easier to use and to create a how-to guide so that other jurisdictions can replicate the program.
Shoreline master program implementation toolkit
Create tools to assist in shoreline master program implementation, including how-to interactive videos, online trainings, story maps, FAQ sheets, and infographics. The guide will also include a comprehensive list of resources for landowners who are seeking information about how to protect, restore, and enhance their shorelines.
Shoreline master program update and education campaign
Comprehensively update the shoreline master program, including community engagement regarding enhanced public access and creating a shoreline property owner’s handbook and mailer.
Climate vulnerability assessment and shoreline management solutions
Complete phase 2 of a multi-jurisdictional vulnerability & risk assessment for assets and ecosystems along Whatcom County’s marine shoreline and expand the assessment along the Nooksack River shoreline upstream to Deming under projected climate change scenarios. This assessment will inform and support development of needed improvements to shoreline and land use codes and initiate adaptation planning efforts in the most vulnerable communities.
Rebecca Rothwell
Shoreline Planning Grant Program Coordinator
rebecca.rothwell@ecy.wa.gov
360-810-0025
Amy Krause
Fund Coordinator/Financial Manager
amy.krause@ecy.wa.gov
360-742-7789
Layne Slone
Fund Coordinator/Financial Manager
layne.slone@ecy.wa.gov
360-867-8171
Cindy James
Fund Coordinator/Financial Manager
cindy.james@ecy.wa.gov
360-280-8645
Michele Boderck
Fund Coordinator/Financial Manager
michele.boderck@ecy.wa.gov
360-764-6807