The Pierce County Council has postponed a series of July meetings around the county to hear from residents about the county's proposed shoreline management program. Council members requested the delay in order to allow more time to draft amendments to the proposal, which is the latest step in the county to regulate development along rivers, lakes and marine waters. An existing program and development regulations were adopted in the early 1970s. In 2003, the Legislature set a schedule for all counties and cities to update their programs. "We were all looking forward to listening to constituent concernsGÇ¥ at the meetings this month, "but we're committed to this process, and the voice of the people will be heard,GÇ¥ said Councilman Dan Roach. "This is one of the most important issues facing the county right now, and we want to make sure we get it right the first time.GÇ¥ Among the proposed amendments to the county plan is one that would reduce the shoreline buffer for residences around Spanaway Lake to 50 feet. The meetings were scheduled for July 10 in the Lake Tapps area, July 14 at Pacific Lutheran University, July 17 in Gig Harbor, and July 21 in Tacoma. Also suspended is the final plan adoption meeting that was scheduled for July 29. Citizens can keep track of the shoreline management work and be notified when meetings are rescheduled by subscribing to the county's Shorelines Mailing List, Roach said. The state Department of Ecology administers shoreline management statewide inconjunction with local government. More information is available at www.ecy.wa.govlprograms/sea/shorelines.
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