Mooring Structures (Piers and Docks)

Kitsap County Shoreline Master Program Update

Task Force Work Group Meeting August 16, 2011

Kitsap County SMP Task Force

OVERVIEW• Shoreline Stabilization and Armoring: Update•Mooring Structures

- WAC Guidelines, Management Policies- Critical Salt and Fresh Water Habitats- WDFW perspective- Piers, Docks, and Floats- Launching Ramps and Railways- Boat Houses- Lake standards- Alternative moorage and Incentives (buoys, joint-use)

August 16, 2011

Kitsap County SMP Task Force

Mooring Structures

•New overwater structures only for water-dependent uses, public access or ecological restoration (no new overwater residences- WAC 173-26-241(j))

• Structure size limited to minimum necessary to support intended use

• Multiple-use over-water facilities encouraged

• Locate, design, and manage to prevent and minimize:o interference with surface navigation, public views, and unobstructed

passage of fish and wildlife

o degradation of water quality and alteration of natural hydrographic conditions

o adverse impacts to the ecological functions of critical saltwater and freshwater habitats (when allowed, must follow mitigation sequencing)

August 16, 2011

WAC GUIDELINES

Kitsap County SMP Task Force

Mooring Strucutures

Critical Saltwater and Freshwater Habitats [WAC 173-26-221(2)(c)(iii)]

Critical Saltwater Habitats include:• Kelp and eelgrass beds• Forage fish spawning and holding areas• Shellfish beds (commercial, subsistence and recreational)• Mudflats• Intertidal habitats with vascular plants• Areas with which priority species have a primary association

Critical Freshwater Habitats: Includes planning for protection, restoration and regulation where appropriate along the entire length, including migration zones, floodplains and hyporheic zones. This includes managing stormwater quantity and quality, vegetative cover / impervious surfaces, and other functions.

August 16, 2011

WAC GUIDELINES (cont.)

Kitsap County SMP Task Force

Standards for Critical Saltwater and Freshwater Habitats [WAC 173-26-221(2)(c)(iii)]

•Docks, bulkheads, fill, floats, jetties, utility crossings and other human-made structures shall not intrude into or over critical salt [and fresh]water habitats except when certain conditions are met.

• Private, non-commercial docks for individual or community use may be authorized with certain conditions.

• All over-water and near-shore developments must do an inventory of the site and adjacent beach sections to assess the presence of critical salt or freshwater habitats and functions.

•Other standards may include restricting certain uses or modifications, requiring Conditional Use Permits (Cumulative Impacts), or higher standards

August 16, 2011

Kitsap County SMP Task ForceJune 2, 2011

Agencies Involved• Kitsap County Department of Community Development

•Army Corps of Engineers

• Washington Department of Natural Resources

• Tribes

• Washington Department of Fish And Wildlife

Kitsap County SMP Task Force

Mooring Structures

Issues:• RGP 6 consistency• Length, Depth and Location• Upland Designation Consistency•Public vs. private standards (incentives/allowances for community docks)

• Cumulative Impacts and Critical Saltwater Habitats• Incentives (Mooring Buoys and Joint Use)

• Lakes (RGP 3)

Grounded Recreation Float

Pier, Ramp and Dock

August 16, 2011

Kitsap County SMP Task Force

NEXT STEPS

• August 30 – Shoreline “Buffers”• Additional Meeting- Sept. 13 or 27?• Re-convene Task Force Mid-October (13th?)

August 16, 2011