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Lakeside Living
Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed
Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA)
8
Shoreline permitting
Planning to expand or replace your dock? Is your bulkhead failing? Do you want easier
beach access, a boat lift or covered moorage? For shoreline property owners,
knowing what is legally required, which alternative options are available, and
who to call can seem confusing. Several different agencies have a role
in regulating lakeshore activities, and most have Web sites and helpful staff
trained to lead lakeside property owners through the process
Which agencies issue aquatic
permits?
The main players are:
- Your local jurisdiction's planning and development department.
- Washington State Dept. of Fish and Wildlife.
- Washington State Dept. of Ecology (DOE).
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (who work with federal fisheries agencies).
- Washington State Dept. of Agriculture (herbicide permits for aquatic
weed control).
What do I need aquatic permits
for?
To determine what permits are needed, if any, first contact your local
city or county planning office or Web site.
Those living in unincorporated King County should contact the Department
of Development and Environmental Services, at 206-296-6600.
Those in unincorporated Snohomish County should contact the Snohomish
County Planning and Development Services or Customer
Support/Residential Building Permits at 425-388-3411.
You should also contact the Washington
State Dept. of Ecology, Permit Assistance Center, at 360-407-7037.
DOE has a user-friendly Web site that is a great place to start.
To streamline the process DOE has an online questionnaire that helps determine what agencies to contact and what types
of permits may be needed. Things you should know or
determine before taking this questionnaire or trying to develop your
shoreline:
- Where is the ordinary high water mark and will you be working below
it?
- Would your proposed plans result in discharge of dredged or fill
material into the water or wetlands?
- Which city or county boundaries are you in? When you contact one
of the regulatory agencies for assistance, in addition to the address,
it would be helpful to have at hand the parcel number and/or legal description
of the property.
- Does the project involve construction "within navigable waters?"
Contact the Washington Dept. Fish and
Wildlife at 425-775-1311 for any construction below ordinary high water mark, bulkheads,
piers, pile driving and dredging, culverts, gravel removal or nourishment,
debris removal, installation or maintenance of water diversions.
Contact the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Seattle District at 206-764-3495 for information about docks, floats, ramps, moorage pilings, and
any overwater structures. Look at the Frequently
Asked Questions section on ESA Section 7 consultation and programmatic
consultations.
How can I simplify and expedite
permitting for my project?
Regulatory agencies have responded to public requests
for a more streamlined and consistent review process for new
and expanded dock construction along Lake Washington. The Army Corp
of Engineers now offers express permitting for docks and overwater structures
with new Regional General Permit (RGP) #3. The RGPs include a completed
Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultation, essential fish habitat
consultation, and water quality certification (if applicable) from the
Washington State Dept. of Ecology, significantly reducing the Corps' application
review time.
The application process will be expedited if designs comply with at least the minimum specifications for nine
criteria concerning issues such as minimum piling size, spacing between
pilings, width of walkways, shoreline vegetation,
building materials, and proposed time of construction. Use the
Regional Permits link to access the full text, conditions, and application
form for each RGP. For more information contact Maryann
Baird at 206-764-5531, or Kristina
Tong at 206-764-6913.
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