Local News

More time to comment on Okanogan shoreline plan

Apr 04, 2016

Citizens in Okanogan County have an additional 30 days to comment on the plan for how to manage shorelines within the county.

Okanogan County approved its Shoreline Master Program in June 2015 and then submitted to the Washington Department of Ecology for review and approval. The plan has been in the works for many years and has generated interest in the community.

“This is a large document that has taken some time to update. We want to ensure that all interested parties have a meaningful opportunity to review and comment on how shorelines are managed in Okanogan County for many years to come,” said Lennard Jordan, with Ecology’s Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program.

The original comment period had closed March 18, but Ecology is reopening the comment period. The additional time to comment is now scheduled for April 11 through May 11, 2016.

Taking public comments into consideration, Ecology may approve Okanogan County’s proposed shoreline program as written, reject it, or identify specific modifications to meet the Shoreline Management Act and applicable state regulations.

Once approved by Ecology, the county’s shoreline program will become part of the overall state shoreline master program. The state’s Shoreline Management Act was adopted in 1972.

Comments and questions should be addressed to Lennard Jordan, Department of Ecology, Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program, 1250 W Alder St, Union Gap, WA 98903, or by email to lennard.jordan@ecy.wa.gov. For information, call 509-457-7125.

Review documents:

Ecology’s Central Regional Office, 1250 W Alder St, Union Gap, WA 98903;
Ecology's website;
Okanogan County Office of Planning and Development, 123 5^th Ave N Suite 130, Okanogan, WA 98840;
Okanogan County website.