[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 5, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 790-791]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-130]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Environmental Statements; Notice of Intent: Washington Coastal 
Zone Management Program; Meetings

AGENCY: Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM), 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of 
Commerce (DOC).

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. 
Notice to conduct public scoping meetings in Olympia, Seattle and Mount 
Vernon, WA on the proposed incorporation of the revised Shoreline 
Master Program (SMP) Guidelines Rule (Chapter 173-26) as an amendment 
to the federally approved Washington Coastal Zone Management Program 
(WCZMP).

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SUMMARY: In accordance with section 306 of the Coastal Zone Management 
Act of 1972, as amended (CZMA), OCRM is considering whether to approve 
Washington's proposed amendment to incorporate the revised WA SMP 
Guidelines Rule as an amendment to its federally approved WCZMP. In 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, OCRM will 
conduct scoping meetings as an opportunity for federal and state 
agencies, local governments and their citizenry, and representatives of 
non-governmental organizations, American Indian tribes, or any other 
interest persons to identify to OCRM what impacts or issues should be 
addressed in the Environment Impact Statement (EIS).


DATES: 
Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 7 p.m., Washington Department of Ecology 
in the Auditorium, 300 Desmond Drive, Lacey, WA 98503. (Visitor parking 
available.)
Wednesday, January 19, 2005, at 7 p.m., Pinnacle Room--3rd Floor in The 
Mountaineers Building, 300 Third Avenue West, Seattle, WA 98119, 
(Parking lots and some street parking available with time constraints.)
Thursday, January 20, 2005, at 7 p.m. Aqua Room in Skagit County PUD,

[[Page 791]]

1415 Freeway Drive, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, (Visitor parking 
available.)

    Interested persons are welcome to submit suggestions or comments on 
the scope or content of the proposed EIS by attending any of the above 
meetings or provide written comments to the designated official below. 
Written comments will be accepted until February 25, 2005.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The WCZMP was the first in the nation to 
receive federal approval under the CZMA in 1976. The basis for the 
WCZMP participation in the federal coastal zone management program was 
the implementation of the Washington Shoreline Management Act of 1971 
(SMA). The SMA set in motion the designation of shorelines of statewide 
significance, policy objectives and guidelines with respect to managing 
shoreline uses, a process for local governments to develop Shoreline 
Master Programs (SMPs) that would meet the objectives of the Act, and a 
management process to include the Shorelines Hearing Board that would 
serve as an administrative appeals body. From 1976 to the present, the 
WCZMP has received federal CZMA funds to supplement their state funds 
to implement the WCZMP.
    In 1995, the Washington State Legislature directed the Department 
of Ecology (Ecology) to periodically review and adopt guidelines 
consistent with SMA policies and to integrate shorelines with the 
provisions of the Growth Management Act critical areas ordinances. 
Ecology has spent the better part of 6 years developing revised 
guidance for updating SMPs. The new guidelines recognize advancements 
in science regarding shoreline ecological processes, changes in laws, 
changes in the character of shoreline development and innovations in 
shorelines and growth management practices. More information can be 
found on the Washington Department of Ecology Web Site at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/SMA/index.html.
    OCRM has been requested by the State of Washington to incorporate 
the revised SMP Guidelines Rule into the federally approved WCZMP. OCRM 
has determined that this is a major federal action and will therefore 
develop an environmental impact statement to identify what 
environmental consequences may be associated with this proposed action. 
The State of WA adopted the revised SMP Guidelines Rule in December 
2003. OCRM's consideration of Washington's proposed amendment to its 
already approved Federal coastal zone management program does not 
affect state law or regulations.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments and questions should be made 
to: Masi Okasaki, Assistant Regional Manager, Coastal Programs Division 
(N/ORM3), Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, NOS, NOAA, 
1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910, phone (301) 
713-3155 extension 185, e-mail wa.guidelines.noaa.gov.

    Dated: December 28, 2004.
Eldon Hout,
Director, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National 
Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

(Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog 11.419 Coastal Zone Management 
Program Administration)
[FR Doc. 05-130 Filed 1-4-05; 8:45 am]
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