Shoreline Permitting
Permitting is complex, time consuming, and expensive.
The Shore Friendly program can coordinate and lead the process for local, state, and federal permits for restoration and armor removal projects. New rules at all levels of permitting make it easier and less expensive to permit armor removal and shoreline restoration projects than bulkhead and hard armor installation and repairs.
This diagram shows the complexity of permitting for shoreline projects.
Shore Friendly can help navigate this process for your restoration project.
Permitting
Permitting is complex, time consuming, and expensive. The Shore Friendly program can coordinate and lead the process for local, state, and federal permits for restoration and armor removal projects. New rules at all levels of permitting make it easier and less expensive to permit armor removal and shoreline restoration projects than bulkhead and hard armor installation and repairs.
However, every shoreline situation is unique and permitting any work being done within the shoreline jurisdiction can be complex. The resources provided below are aimed to help shoreline landowners navigate what type of permits may be required and who to contact within your region for more information.
Increased protection of nearshore habitats and resources by regulatory agencies is also resulting in greater scrutiny of project proposals. Considering armor removal and restoration over bulkhead installations or repairs can make the permitting process more cost effective and streamlined.
Resources
Soft Shore Protection Permitting
Soft shore protection, like most shorefront modifications, requires a permit. Take a look at this flowchart from Island County’s Shore Friendly Program for more information on the process.
Shoreline Permits & Enforcement
Issuing shoreline permits, reviewing and approving exemptions, and enforcing shoreline regulations are the ways local governments implement their Shoreline Master Programs. Learn more about these programs and find the contact information for your regional shoreline planning and permitting staff from the Washington State Department of Ecology.
Online Permitting Assistance System (OPAS)
The OPAS tool can help you determine which local, state, and federal permits you might need for your shoreline project so you can start planning for your permits early. The tool can provide detailed information about individual permit requirements and can help identify agency contacts.
Shoreline projects, including armor removal, drainage, and potentially even vegetation management may require permits, approvals, and consultation from one or more of the following agencies each of which regulates across a variety of jurisdictions and tidal ranges: Federal agencies: US Army Corps of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service; Washington State agencies: Ecology, Fish and Wildlife, Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, and Department of Natural Resources. Local Tribes, and the county or city of your area also have input and may issue permits for your project.
Permitting Assistance for Shoreline Landowners
Visit pages 38 and 45 for more information on permitting and references to groups who can help you get the permits you need for your shoreline property.
