Affirms and clarifies the legislature's intent in chapter 321, Laws of 2003, to modify the relationship between the shoreline management act and the growth management act.

Affirms that development regulations adopted under the growth management act to protect critical areas remain in effect within shorelines of the state otherwise governed under the shoreline management act until the department of ecology approves a comprehensive update to a shoreline master program, or segment of a master program relating to critical areas.

Affirms that the adoption or update of critical area regulations under the growth management act is not automatically an update to the shoreline master program.

Provides that the act is retroactive to July 27, 2003.