This practical, hands-on virtual class is intended for local government personnel and consultants engaged in shoreline permitting activities.

The class will take an in-depth look at the permit process and consider both procedural and substantive shoreline management issues. The Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and Revised Code of Washington (RCW) will be reviewed. 

To prepare for the class, participants will complete a 30-minute pre-assignment by May 5th. Additionally, between day 1 and day 2, the participants will complete a 30-minute permitting exercise on their own and spend about 10 minutes identifying a specific shoreline permitting question for the instructors.

This class is appropriate for both beginners and more experienced planners. Participants will have the option to log on 15 minutes early on day 1 for a brief Zoom introduction and 30 minutes early on day 2 to ask additional shoreline permitting questions. Participants who are new to Zoom should email bros461@ecy.wa.gov to set up a one-on-one introduction to the platform by May 29th. (7 CM AICP Credits/ CEP Points)

Instructors:

Misty Blair is the statewide Shoreline Management Policy Lead with the Washington State Department of Ecology. The Shoreline Management Policy Lead deals with complex shoreline management issues; researching, developing and implementing new shoreline planning policies, procedures and initiatives; coordinating shoreline planning and permitting activities to ensure statewide consistency; and providing technical support and guidance to SEA program planning staff statewide. Misty has been with Ecology for 5 years and previously worked in environmental planning/permitting for the City of Tacoma. She has a BS in environmental policy and land management from the University of California, Berkeley (2002).

Rebecca Rothwell is the Regional Shorelands Technical and Regulatory Expert and represents the SEA Program in the development and review of statewide guidelines, policies, and regulations related to protecting and managing the state’s shorelands, wetlands, and related aquatic resources. This includes technical assistance to local governments as well as providing higher-level guidance to internal and external staff related to shoreline management. She reviews shoreline and wetland permits and provides technical assistance to applicants and consultants as well. Part of her work includes coordinating with property owners to resolve violations of the SMA or the state Water Pollution Control Act. Rebecca has a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Puget Sound and a master’s degree in environmental studies from The Evergreen State College. She has worked at Ecology for 12 years.

Jacob McCann is a Shorelands and Wetland Specialist for Ecology’s Eastern Regional Office in Spokane. He works directly with local governments, consultants, and other stakeholders throughout Eastern Washington to ensure compliance with the Shoreline Management Act and Water Pollution Control Act. Jacob started working with shoreline and floodplain issues for local government at Spokane County more than 15 years ago and has been with Department of Ecology for 5 years.

Tim Gates has three decades experience in shoreline and growth management planning. He is currently Policy and Operations Manager for the Washington Department of Ecology Shorelands & Environmental Assistance Program. Prior to his current position he worked for nine years as land use planner for the Washington Department of Commerce Growth Management Services program, where he provided technical and financial assistance to local governments. He worked for Ecology’s shoreline program from 1989 through 2005 developing state rules, preparing guidance and providing technical and financial assistance.