Washington State’s citizens voted to approve the Shoreline Management Act of 1971 in November 1972. The SMA seeks to provide environmental protection for shorelines, preserve and enhance shoreline public access, and encourage appropriate development that supports water-oriented uses.

A shoreline master program (SMP) contains goals, policies, regulations, and a use map that guide the development of shorelines in accordance with the SMA (Chapter 90.58 RCW), Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) SMP Guidelines (Chapter 173-26 WAC) and shoreline management permit and enforcement procedures (Chapter 173-27 WAC). In accordance with state laws and rules, the jurisdiction of Bothell’s SMP encompasses the Sammamish River, North Creek, and Swamp Creek; land within 200 feet of the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) of these waterways; and their floodways, 100-year floodplains and associated wetlands. Within shoreline jurisdiction, there are critical areas such as the already-mentioned flood hazard areas and wetlands as well as tributary streams, geologic hazards, and, potentially, aquifer recharge areas.

Consistent with RCW 36.70A.480, the goals and policies of Bothell’s SMP, approved under Chapter 90.58 RCW, are an element of the city’s Imagine Bothell…Comprehensive Plan and are found in the shoreline master program element. All regulatory elements of this SMP, including, but not limited to, definitions and use regulations, are a part of the city’s development regulations and are contained in this title. The flow chart in Figure 13-1 illustrates how an applicant could navigate the regulations to determine how it applies to a particular project and property. (Ord. 2112 § 3 (Exh. C), 2013).