These areas are of critical importance to salmon and other wildlife as well as for recreational purposes. Protection of these resources is of great importance to the people of this state. The SMA is also a vital tool in the overall strategy to restore wild salmon runs now listed under the Endangered Species Act. Extinction Is not An Option. How it works 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 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. Unfortunately, local decision making has not always ensured protection of these state interests.