A majority of people feels that there is currently too much development on shorelines. The SMA is also a vital tool in the overall strategy to restore wild salmon runs now listed under the Endangered Species Act. Outside of forested areas, the SMA, in conjunction with the Growth Management Act, is the principle planning instrument available to the state to protect upland and riparian habitat. Extinction Is not An Option . In essence, the SMA creates a partnership between state and local government.
Ecology also reviews all plans and permits to ensure consistency with the law.
The state regulations are referred to as Shoreline Guidelines. The Guidelines flesh out the policies established under the SMA and help ensure that the SMA policies are fully implemented at the local level. The SMA provides this state authority to insure that local decisions do not interfere with the interests of the general public throughout the state. Protection of salmon, for example, has implications for all the residents of the state. Likewise, beaches along the outer coast are important as a recreational resource for all citizens of the state, not just the local residents.