Shoreline Master Program Periodic Review Grants

The Shoreline Master Program Periodic Review Grants are administered by the Washington State Department of Ecology to support local governments in meeting statutory requirements under the Shoreline Management Act. This program is designed to assist counties, cities, and towns in conducting mandatory periodic reviews of their Shoreline Master Programs, which must be updated every ten years in accordance with state law. These reviews ensure that shoreline policies remain consistent with evolving environmental standards, regulatory requirements, and local development needs. The purpose of the grant program is to provide financial assistance to eligible jurisdictions for completing their required shoreline program reviews and updates. These reviews involve evaluating existing shoreline policies, incorporating new scientific data, aligning with updated regulations, and ensuring that shoreline management practices continue to protect ecological functions while accommodating appropriate development. The program also supports optional joint review processes that combine local and state public comment periods, streamlining compliance efforts. Funding is allocated on a formula basis rather than through a competitive application process. Counties receive a fixed grant amount, while cities and towns receive funding based on population size. This structure ensures equitable distribution of resources across jurisdictions with varying capacities and shoreline management responsibilities. In prior funding cycles, award amounts varied depending on population tiers, with larger jurisdictions receiving higher funding allocations to reflect the scale of review work required. Eligible applicants for this program are limited to Washington State counties, cities, and towns that are required to complete a periodic review of their Shoreline Master Program within the specified statutory timeline. Eligibility is determined based on review deadlines established under state law and administrative code. In previous cycles, eligibility included jurisdictions with review deadlines tied to specific dates, and future funding rounds are expected to follow a similar structure tied to upcoming statutory deadlines. The program supports a range of project types directly related to shoreline management and planning. Eligible activities include conducting periodic reviews, completing comprehensive updates in conjunction with periodic reviews, and implementing shoreline management initiatives such as public access planning, technical assistance documentation, and evaluation of permit effectiveness. Jurisdictions that complete their required reviews ahead of schedule may use grant funds for additional shoreline management activities that enhance program implementation. The most recent completed funding cycle occurred during the 2021-2023 biennium, and applications for that cycle have closed. The next anticipated funding round is scheduled for the 2027-2029 biennium, with grant agreements expected to begin on July 1, 2027 and conclude on June 30, 2029. During that cycle, funding will be available to jurisdictions with periodic review deadlines due by June 30, 2029. Application timelines for the upcoming cycle have not yet been announced, but they are expected to precede the start of the biennium. The program operates on a recurring biennial cycle aligned with state budget periods. Local governments are encouraged to prepare for upcoming funding opportunities by monitoring program updates and reviewing eligibility timelines established under state law. Applications are submitted through the Washington State Department of Ecology’s grant management system and are evaluated based on eligibility and compliance with program requirements rather than competitive scoring criteria.

Applicants should align proposed work with required periodic review timelines and demonstrate how activities support compliance with shoreline management regulations and program implementation goals.