The Department of Ecology (Ecology) manages and maintains the Washington Coastal Atlas that contains shoreline images of the Washington coast and Puget Sound.  The data presented in the Washington Coastal Atlas is available through the cooperation and partnership of Federal and state agencies including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coastal Services Center, the Washington Department of Natural Resources, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The purpose of the Washington Coastal Atlas is to make relevant information easily available for use in coastal and shoreline resource planning and management.

By June 30, 2024, Ecology must conduct and maintain a baseline survey of Puget Sound marine shorelines that uses new technology to capture geo-referenced oblique aerial and 360 degree on-the-water imagery.   By June 30, 2025, the survey to document and map existing shoreline conditions, structures, and structure conditions must be completed.  The information from the surveys must be available to the public and incorporated into state geographic information system mapping, and updated on a regular two-year cycle thereafter.  The survey must include Puget Sound shorelines and related inland marine waters including the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Hood Canal and the San Juan Islands.

PRO:  Washington needs an accurate and up-to-date shoreline survey to help with how to prioritize protection and restoration, local planning and strategic action. There are information gaps on the Puget Sound shoreline.  Accurate and current information on shoreline development will assist with identifying protective actions, and help prioritize restoration and mitigation actions. The on-the-water view would be similar to Google street view, with private information blurred.  This data will be used to address limitations, may be able to substitute for site visits, help identify restoration sites, identify derelict structures, assist with orca recovery,  and assess shoreline changes over time. Conducting this survey will require collection of new types of data, and there are some costs not reflected in the Governor’s Budget. The deadlines for conducting the surveys in the bill are ambitious, and could be extended by a year.

PRO:  Information gaps limit the effectiveness of public and private actions to recover the marine food web. An accurate and up to date baseline survey of marine shorelines is needed to understand where critical habitat exists, where development exists, and where restoration sites can be prioritized. This bill will accomplish that. It will use new technology to help local and state planners identify restoration sites and manage shorelines.