This article describes the overall goals of the master program, which apply to all uses and developments within shoreline jurisdiction regardless of the designated shoreline environment in which they occur. These goals are informed by Chapter 173-26 WAC and the governing principles described in Article I of this chapter. The general policies and regulations in Article VI of this chapter and the specific use policies and regulations in Articles VII and VIII of this chapter are the means by which these goals are implemented. Achievement of these goals shall be consistent with the state's policies of avoiding cumulative impacts and ensuring no net loss of shoreline processes, functions, and values. These goals are not listed in order of priority.
(Ord. 7-13 Exh. A (Art. III))
(1) 
Purpose. As required by RCW 90.58.100(2)(f), the conservation goals address the protection of natural resources, scenic vistas, aesthetics, and vital shoreline areas for fisheries and wildlife for the benefit of present and future generations.
(2) 
Goals.
(a) 
Preserve, enhance and protect shoreline resources (i.e., wetlands, intertidal areas, and other fish and wildlife habitats) for their ecological functions and values, and aesthetic and scenic qualities.
(b) 
Maintain and sustain natural shoreline formation processes through effective shoreline management.
(c) 
Promote restoration and enhancement of areas that are biologically and/or aesthetically degraded while maintaining appropriate use of the shoreline.
(d) 
Protect and enhance native shoreline vegetation to maintain water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and other ecological functions, values and processes.
(Ord. 7-13 Exh. A (Art. III § 1))
(1) 
Purpose. As required by RCW 90.58.100(2)(a), the economic development goals address the location and design of industries, transportation facilities, port facilities, tourist facilities, commerce and other developments that are particularly dependent on their location on or use of the shorelines.
(2) 
Goals.
(a) 
Encourage viable, orderly economic growth through economic activities that benefit the local economy and are environmentally sensitive. Such activities should not disrupt or degrade the shoreline or surrounding environment.
(b) 
Accommodate and promote water-oriented industrial and commercial uses and developments, giving highest preference to water-dependent uses.
(c) 
Encourage water-oriented recreational use as an economic asset that will enhance public enjoyment of the shoreline.
(d) 
Encourage economic development in areas already partially developed with similar uses when consistent with this program and the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan.
(Ord. 7-13 Exh. A (Art. III § 2))
(1) 
Purpose. As required by RCW 90.58.100(2)(g), these goals address protection and restoration of buildings, sites and areas having historic, archaeological, cultural, scientific, or educational significance.
(2) 
Goals.
(a) 
Maintain finite and irreplaceable links to the past by identifying, preserving, protecting, and where appropriate, restoring historic, archaeological, cultural, scientific, and educational (HACSE) sites.
(b) 
Protect HACSE sites and buildings identified on national, state or local historic registers from destruction or alteration, and from encroachment by incompatible uses.
(c) 
Acquire, where feasible, HACSE sites to ensure their protection and preservation for present and future generations.
(d) 
Foster greater appreciation for shoreline management, maritime activities, environmental conservation, natural history and cultural heritage by educating and informing citizens of all ages through diverse means.
(e) 
Ensure that tribal organizations and the State Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation are involved in the review of projects that could potentially affect such resources.
(Ord. 7-13 Exh. A (Art. III § 3))
(1) 
Purpose. As required by RCW 90.58.100(2)(b), the public access goals address the ability of the public to reach, touch, and travel on the shorelines of the state and to view the water and the shoreline from adjacent locations.
(2) 
Goals.
(a) 
Develop, adopt, and implement a shoreline public access plan that incorporates public access into new shoreline development, unifies individual public access points into a comprehensive system, and seeks new waterfront access points that can be acquired for public use.
(b) 
Evaluate potential public access opportunities when reviewing all shoreline development projects except for individual single-family residential development projects.
(c) 
Acquire property (i.e., through purchase, donation or other agreement) to provide public access to the water's edge in appropriate and suitable locations.
(d) 
Regulate shoreline use and development to minimize interference with the public's use of the water and protect the public's opportunity to enjoy the physical and aesthetic qualities of shorelines, including views of the water.
(e) 
Expand opportunities for physical and visual public access to shorelines when such access can occur without human health, safety, and/or security risks, and without adverse effects on shoreline functions, processes, values, private property rights, and/or neighboring uses.
(f) 
Incorporate educational and interpretive signage and other tools into public access facilities to enhance the public's understanding and appreciation of shoreline ecology, cultural history and maritime heritage.
(Ord. 7-13 Exh. A (Art. III § 4))
(1) 
Purpose. As required by RCW 90.58.100(2)(c), the recreation goals address the creation and expansion of water-oriented public recreational opportunities including, but not limited to, parks, tidelands, beaches, and ecological study areas.
(2) 
Goals.
(a) 
Encourage diverse recreational opportunities in shoreline areas that can support such use and development without human health, safety, and/or security risks, and without adverse effects on shoreline functions, processes, values, private property rights, and/or neighboring uses.
(b) 
Plan for future shoreline recreation needs and acquire (i.e., through purchase, donation or other agreement) shoreline areas that have a high potential to provide recreation areas.
(c) 
Provide for both active and passive recreational needs when developing recreational areas.
(d) 
Support other governmental and nongovernmental efforts to acquire and develop additional shoreline properties for public recreational uses.
(Ord. 7-13 Exh. A (Art. III § 5))
(1) 
Purpose. As required by WAC 173-26-186, the restoration and enhancement goals address reestablishment, rehabilitation and improvement of impaired shoreline ecological functions, values and/or processes.
(2) 
Goals.
(a) 
Improve shoreline functions, processes, and values over time through regulatory, voluntary and incentive-based public and private programs and actions that are consistent with the shoreline master program restoration plan and other agency adopted restoration plans.
(b) 
Encourage cooperative restoration programs between local, state, and federal public agencies, tribes, nonprofit organizations, and landowners.
(c) 
Provide fundamental support to restoration work by various organizations by identifying shoreline restoration priorities, and by organizing information on available funding sources for restoration implementation.
(d) 
Implement actions that restore shoreline ecological functions, values and processes as well as shoreline features, improve habitat for sensitive and/or locally important species, and are consistent with biological recovery goals for threatened salmon populations and other species and/or populations for which a recovery plan is available.
(e) 
Integrate restoration efforts with other parallel natural resource management efforts including, but not limited to, shellfish closure response plans and water quality cleanup plans.
(f) 
Increase the availability, viability and sustainability of shoreline habitats for salmon, shellfish, forage fish, shorebirds and marine seabirds, and other species.
(Ord. 7-13 Exh. A (Art. III § 6))
(1) 
Purpose. As required by RCW 90.58.100(2)(e), the shoreline use goals address the general distribution, location, and extent of housing, business, industry, transportation, agriculture, natural resources, aquaculture, recreation, education, navigation, and other categories of public and private land use.
(2) 
Goals.
(a) 
Ensure that shoreline use patterns are compatible with the ecological functions and values of the shoreline and avoid disruption of natural shoreline processes.
(b) 
Increase protection of shoreline ecological resources by properly siting and regulating water-dependent and residential uses that have preferred status for use of waterfront lands.
(c) 
Encourage appropriate sustainable, low impact, and cluster development practices whenever feasible.
(d) 
Encourage uses that allow for or include restoration so that areas affected by past activities or catastrophic events can be improved.
(e) 
Ensure that all new development is consistent with the Land Use and Rural Element and other pertinent sections of the Comprehensive Plan and the Growth Management Act (Chapter 36.70A RCW).
(f) 
Limit development intensity in ecologically sensitive and fragile areas.
(g) 
Reduce health and safety risks by limiting development in areas subject to flooding, erosion, landslides, channel migration, and other hazards.
(h) 
Reserve aquatic lands including tidelands for water-dependent uses.
(i) 
Protect tidelands and bedlands that were acquired and retained under the Bush and Callow Acts by not permitting unrelated uses on these tidelands.
(j) 
Encourage all use and development to address potential adverse effects of global climate change and sea level rise.
(Ord. 7-13 Exh. A (Art. III § 7))
(1) 
Purpose. As required by RCW 90.58.100(2)(d), the transportation and essential public facilities goals address circulation and the general location and extent of thoroughfares, transportation routes, terminals, and other public utilities and facilities.
(2) 
Goals.
(a) 
Develop efficient and economical transportation systems and other essential public facilities in a manner that assures the safe movement of people and goods and that effectively provides other essential services without adverse effects on shoreline use and development or shoreline ecological functions, processes, or values.
(b) 
Provide and/or enhance physical and visual public shoreline access along public roads (i.e., turnouts, viewpoints and rest areas) in accordance with the public access provisions of this program.
(c) 
Provide for alternative modes of travel when developing circulation systems and ensure consistency with the Jefferson County nonmotorized transportation and recreational trails plan.
(d) 
Locate, construct and maintain new transportation and other essential public facilities in areas that do not require shoreline stabilization, dredging, extensive cut/fill and other forms of shoreline alteration.
(e) 
Identify road and public infrastructure developments that interfere with natural processes, require shoreline armoring, or have exorbitant maintenance needs. Prioritize relocation of such facilities to more environmentally sustainable and economically sensible locations.
(Ord. 7-13 Exh. A (Art. III § 8))