The Washington Department of Ecology is seeking public comment on the city of Buckley’s proposed updated shoreline master program.

The draft shoreline program update will guide construction and development along the city’s three miles of White River shoreline. It combines local plans for future development and preservation with new development ordinances and related permitting requirements.

Buckley’s locally-tailored shoreline program is designed to help minimize environmental damage to shoreline areas, reserve appropriate areas for water-oriented uses and protect the public’s right to public lands and waters.

Under Washington’s 1972 voter-approved Shoreline Management Act, Ecology must review and approve Buckley’s proposed shoreline program before it takes effect. About 200 cities and counties statewide are in the process or soon will be updating or crafting their master programs.

Ecology will accept public comment on Buckley’s proposal through Dec. 3. Comments and questions may be addressed to Sarah Lukas, Department of Ecology, Southwest Regional Office, Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program, P.O. Box 47775, Olympia, 98504-7775. Email can be sent to sarah.lukas@ecy.wa.gov, or she can be called at 360-407-7459.

Buckley’s proposed shoreline program and related documents can be reviewed at:

• Ecology’s website: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/shorelines/smp/mycomments/buckley.html

• City of Buckley’s website: http://www.cityofbuckley.com/documents/Building%20and%20Planning.html

• City of Buckley planning office, 811 Main St., Buckley

After the public comment period is done, Ecology may approve the proposed shoreline master program as written, reject it or direct Buckley to modify specific parts. Once approved by Ecology, Buckley’s shoreline program will become part of the overall state shoreline master program.

Among other things, Buckley’s proposed updated master program: establishes new environmental designations along city shorelines; restricts development in certain areas; encourages existing recreation opportunities along the river; and incorporates plans for the Foothills Trail to be extended in areas along the river.

All of Washington’s cities and counties with regulated shorelines must update their programs by December 2014.

Additionally, the Department of Ecology is seeking public comment on Black Diamond’s recently updated shoreline master program.

The proposed update will guide construction and development along 6.6 miles of shoreline on Lake Sawyer and Covington Creek. It combines local plans for future development and preservation with new development ordinances and related permitting requirements.

Black Diamond’s shoreline program is locally tailored to minimize environmental damage to shoreline areas, reserve appropriate areas for water-oriented uses, and protect the public’s right to public lands and waters.

Under Washington’s 1972 voter-approved Shoreline Management Act, Ecology must review and approve Black Diamond’s proposed shoreline program before it takes effect. More than 200 cities and counties statewide are updating or crafting their master programs.

Comments on Black Diamond’s proposed shoreline program will be accepted through Dec. 21 and should be addressed to Anthony Boscolo, Department of Ecology, Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program, 3190 160th Ave S.E., Bellevue. He can be reached by email at anthony.boscolo@ecy.wa.gov. For questions, call 425-649-7049.

Black Diamond’s proposed shoreline program and related documents can be reviewed online at: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/shorelines/smp/mycomments/blackdiamond.html or www.ci.blackdiamond.wa.us.

Hard copies may be reviewed at the city of Black Diamond Natural Resources Department, 24301 Roberts Dr.

Black Diamond’s proposed updated master program: integrates the city’s shoreline regulations with its growth management, planning and zoning; establishes protective buffers of 40 to 100 feet; limits the length of new residential docks and piers to the minimum necessary, up to 60 feet.