After many workshops, meetings and public hearings, San Juan County’s Shoreline Master Program changes are now open for public comment with the Washington State Department of Ecology through Sept. 2.

“Ecology can suggest anything that we think would be an improvement, but we can only require changes that are in conflict with the Shoreline Management Act and its implementing rules,” said Bob Fritzen, regional planner at Washington State Department of Ecology. “It’s important for people to remember when they make their comments at this stage.”

The SMP is a required document under the state Shoreline Management Act, adopted in Washington in 1972. San Juan County created their first SMP in 1978, and has done major updates since 1998. For the islands, the SMP is particularly important to the San Juan’s 400 miles of coastline, as it dictates what sort of development is allowed, protects sensitive areas and promotes public access to the shore.

(For more on San Juan County’s SMP updates, read the Journal’s Jan. 13 issue, Special Shoreline Master Program Meetings on each island, http://www.sanjuanjournal.com/news/365217781.html)

Fritzen explained that once the comment period is closed, Ecology sends a summary of the issues, questions or comments to the county for a response. After Ecology receives a response from the county, they make a decision, usually including required and recommended changes. According to Fritzen, the county is then required to respond to those changes. Once the county’s response is received, Ecology either approves, where it becomes part of the statewide program, or rejects. Rejection simply mean the county needs to continue to work on the proposed changes.

For San Juan County, Fritzen said, a final decision could come either in October or November, “if things move along.”