Safeguarding Shorelines

We collaborate with state and local community groups to influence the updates of Critical Areas Ordinances (CAOs) and Shoreline Master Plans (SMPs), the key strategy to protect vulnerable wetlands, shorelines and waterways in jurisdictions around the Puget Sound region. We are tracking and/or participating in most of the regulatory update processes taking place throughout the Sound.

A healthy economy comes from healthy shorelines

Puget Sound's shoreline is made up of over 2,300 miles of sandy beaches, rocky shores, eelgrass beds, kelp forests, salt marshes, and mudflats. These shoreline habitats support an abundance of life in and around the Sound, such as sea and shorebirds, herring and smelt, shellfish, salmon, and seals and whales.

According to the Puget Sound Action Team, the Puget Sound region accounts for 80% of all Washington state tourism and travel revenues.

Puget Sound's shorelines are in peril

Although the Puget Sound nearshore appears tranquil, this critical habitat is quickly disappearing, putting Puget Sound in peril.

• More than one-third of Puget Sound shoreline habitat has been destroyed due to bulkheads, piers, docks, and other structures.
• Throughout Puget Sound, 75% of salt marsh habitat is gone.
• Polluted runoff sends millions of gallons of toxic chemicals, like mercury and petroleum compounds, into the Sound.
• Puget Sound's salmon and orca whale populations are listed as endangered by the state, and threatened by the federal government.

2004 Report Card Gave "D" to Shorelines

In December 2004, People For Puget Sound issued a report card evaluating the health of Puget Sound's shorelines. Overall, shorelines received a 'D', a failing grade. The grades were based on best available science, including several recent studies on the health of the marine environment. Major reasons for the decline in shoreline health is pollution and loss of wildlife habitat due to poorly planned development.

In response to the poor state of the shorelines People For Puget Sound launched a new effort aimed at Saving Puget Sound's Shorelines, 2,000 miles in 10 years This effort will combine education, advocacy and habitat protection and restoration to ensure all Puget Sound's shorelines are restored to health and are protected for future generations.

Read about Critical Area Ordinances.

Read about Shoreline Master Programs.