![Sample our Environment & Agriculture journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5934/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Environment-Agriculture.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
In 1976, Washington became the first state to implement the federal Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) primarily through the 1971 WA Shoreline Management Act (SMA). However, there has been little effort in Washington to evaluate outcomes of shoreline protection programs post SMA. In 2006–2008, we characterized shoreline conditions in San Juan County over three time periods spanning pre and post SMA and engaged community members to improve effectiveness of shoreline protection. We found modest improvements in forest retention on marine shorelines between pre and post 1977, but few other improvements through time. While we could not measure shoreline construction rates, construction practices for shore armor and overwater structures (docks) have changed very little, despite the increased regulatory standards. The vast majority of shore armor constructed post SMA occurred without mandatory county or state permits likely due to: widespread perception that permits were unnecessary and that permit standards were arbitrary and inconsistently applied; poor understanding of shoreline ecology by community members; lack of county or state enforcement authority and shoreline monitoring programs; and poor permit tracking systems.
Acknowledgments
We thank Jim Kramer and Initiative co-chairs Kevin Ranker, Jonathan White, and Lovel Pratt, the San Juan Initiative Policy Group and the Science Team. W also thank Susan Key, Brian MacDonald, Brian Benson, Zachary Gaston, Ralph Downes, and Jason Langbehn for conducting Phase II fieldwork.
Funding
Support for the San Juan Initiative and subsequent analysis was provided by: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Bullitt Foundation, Surfrider Foundation, Puget Sound Partnership, Environmental Protection Agency, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.