May 2025 Quarterly Update
This is our third quarterly update on our rulemaking efforts. Ecology has been working steadily on the state rulemaking process to amend Chapters 173-18, -20, -22, -26, and -27 under the Shoreline Management Act since we formally announced rulemaking on May 2, 2024.
What we've been doing
We have continued to hold monthly meetings with our local government sounding board. At each meeting, we solicit feedback from the sounding board about one or more rulemaking topics, such as frequently flooded areas, sea level rise, and shoreline permits. These monthly meetings are open to the public and include a time for public input. Our website has a meeting schedule as well as a link to join the meetings.
We held five sea level rise webinars in February and March. Turnout was high, and attendees had the opportunity to ask questions. If you missed any of the webinars, you can watch the recordings, which are posted on our website.
We have been putting a lot of time and effort into preparing the preliminary draft. The feedback we’ve received has been useful, and we’re incorporating it where appropriate.
What's coming up
We expect to have a preliminary draft of our revised rule language ready for public review on June 16. We will then hold a 60-day informal comment period, during which anyone may submit comments using the online form that will be linked on our web page. We will consider comments as we revise the draft in preparation for filing the CR-102.
During the informal comment period, we will be holding public information sessions, public listening sessions, Tribal listening sessions, and agency listening sessions. We’ll be sending out an email with the schedule and a link to register.
The local government sounding board meeting will not meet in May, August, or September. We will meet in June, July, October, November, and December. Meetings are held on the third Monday of the month from 1 to 3 pm. Please see our website for a registration link.
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