Washington Dept. of Ecology seeks public comments on Pasco shoreline management plan

The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is currently accepting public comments on a shoreline management plan for the city of Pasco, which if approved would become part of the state shoreline master program.

The plan was adopted in Pasco on Nov. 16, 2015 and is tailored to the local environmental conditions, allowing the city to control development and construction with minimal damage to the area. The plan covers 17 miles of shoreline of the Columbia and Snake rivers, incorporating state ordinances on permitting requirements with the city’s shoreline development and preservation priorities.

After the public commenting period ends on March 14, Ecology will decide to approve the plan, reject it, or suggest modifications. Allowing for local development of shoreline plans permits municipalities and counties to reserve some areas for water-oriented use and protect access to public land and water while still maintaining environmental integrity.

Public comments can be submitted via mail or email, and the shoreline management plan is available for review on the city of Pasco’s website and Ecology’s website, as well as at the Pasco Community Development Department and Ecology’s Central Regional office in Union Gap.