The WRIA 9 Marine Shoreline Monitoring and Compliance Pilot Project
Presentation Abstract
Boat based surveys were undertaken of the 92 miles of marine shoreline of Watershed Resource Inventory Area 9 (WRIA 9) in 2012 and 2013. The intent of the surveys was to collect shoreline condition data in order to update and compare baseline monitoring data sets as well as evaluate if the changes in condition were permitted. The survey in 2012 found 85 distinct changes in shoreline condition throughout the WRIA had occurred between 2004 and 2012. Changes associated with shoreline armoring accounted for 60% of the changes noted, with most changes being repairs to existing shoreline armoring infrastructure. The survey in 2013 found 60 distinct changes in shoreline condition occurred between 2012 and 2013. Only 33% of the changes were associated with shoreline armoring. In 2012, only 18 (20%) of the changes observed were permitted prior to the work being done. The compliance rate within each jurisdiction varied from 0 to 100%, with an average rate across all jurisdictions of 34%. Based on 2013 data from 4 of the 6 jurisdictions, 19 (40%) of the changes observed were permitted prior to the work being done. The compliance rate within each jurisdiction varied from 0 to 73%, with an average rate across all jurisdictions of 40%. A coarse level evaluation of the ecological and physical effects of changes was completed for all of the changes noted. In 2012, 34 (40%) of the changes encountered did not seem to have any obvious physical or ecological effects. In 2013, 23 (38%) of the changes encountered did not seem to have any physical or ecological effect. When comparing baseline conditions to existing conditions, there has been relatively little change in the overall amount of shoreline armoring within WRIA 9. This is because most of the changes noted to shoreline armoring were repairs or rebuilds to existing structures versus new structures and because the increase in new shoreline armoring was offset by restoration projects that have occurred since 2004. When comparing baseline vegetation conditions to existing conditions there has been a steady loss of treed areas over time. The surveys found that roughly 3 acres in 2012 and 2.5 acres in 2013 were cleared of trees and shrubs. The majority of these instances were unpermitted and occurred on Vashon and Maury Islands. It is clear that many landowners have been doing work along the shoreline without permits. These instances represent missed opportunities to work with landowners as part of the permit process to lessen the effects from construction techniques as well as to improve the existing baseline conditions. It is suggested that a separate study be undertaken in the future to understand why the differences in compliance rates are occurring. Understanding the why, would help craft specific and culturally relevant responses in both the urban and rural environments that could help improve the rate of compliance seen in this study.
Session Title
Session S-01G: New Strategies for Shorelines
Conference Track
Shorelines
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2014 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
30-4-2014 10:30 AM
End Date
30-4-2014 12:00 PM
Location
Room 6E
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Bulkheads--Environmental aspects--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Seashore ecology--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Shorelines--Monitoring--Washington (State)--Puget Sound
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Puget Sound (Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
The WRIA 9 Marine Shoreline Monitoring and Compliance Pilot Project
Room 6E
Boat based surveys were undertaken of the 92 miles of marine shoreline of Watershed Resource Inventory Area 9 (WRIA 9) in 2012 and 2013. The intent of the surveys was to collect shoreline condition data in order to update and compare baseline monitoring data sets as well as evaluate if the changes in condition were permitted. The survey in 2012 found 85 distinct changes in shoreline condition throughout the WRIA had occurred between 2004 and 2012. Changes associated with shoreline armoring accounted for 60% of the changes noted, with most changes being repairs to existing shoreline armoring infrastructure. The survey in 2013 found 60 distinct changes in shoreline condition occurred between 2012 and 2013. Only 33% of the changes were associated with shoreline armoring. In 2012, only 18 (20%) of the changes observed were permitted prior to the work being done. The compliance rate within each jurisdiction varied from 0 to 100%, with an average rate across all jurisdictions of 34%. Based on 2013 data from 4 of the 6 jurisdictions, 19 (40%) of the changes observed were permitted prior to the work being done. The compliance rate within each jurisdiction varied from 0 to 73%, with an average rate across all jurisdictions of 40%. A coarse level evaluation of the ecological and physical effects of changes was completed for all of the changes noted. In 2012, 34 (40%) of the changes encountered did not seem to have any obvious physical or ecological effects. In 2013, 23 (38%) of the changes encountered did not seem to have any physical or ecological effect. When comparing baseline conditions to existing conditions, there has been relatively little change in the overall amount of shoreline armoring within WRIA 9. This is because most of the changes noted to shoreline armoring were repairs or rebuilds to existing structures versus new structures and because the increase in new shoreline armoring was offset by restoration projects that have occurred since 2004. When comparing baseline vegetation conditions to existing conditions there has been a steady loss of treed areas over time. The surveys found that roughly 3 acres in 2012 and 2.5 acres in 2013 were cleared of trees and shrubs. The majority of these instances were unpermitted and occurred on Vashon and Maury Islands. It is clear that many landowners have been doing work along the shoreline without permits. These instances represent missed opportunities to work with landowners as part of the permit process to lessen the effects from construction techniques as well as to improve the existing baseline conditions. It is suggested that a separate study be undertaken in the future to understand why the differences in compliance rates are occurring. Understanding the why, would help craft specific and culturally relevant responses in both the urban and rural environments that could help improve the rate of compliance seen in this study.
