18S.20.020 Shorelines of Statewide Significance.
The Act affords special consideration to Shorelines of Statewide Significance that have greater than regional importance. Preferred uses for Shorelines of Statewide Significance, in order of priority, are to "recognize and protect the statewide interest over local interest; preserve the natural character of the shoreline; result in long-term over short-term benefit; protect the resources and ecology of the shoreline; increase public access to publicly owned shoreline areas; and increase recreational opportunities for the public in the shoreline area." All Shorelines of Statewide Significance in unincorporated Pierce County are also classified as one of five Shoreline Environment Designations (SEDs). Shorelines of Statewide Significance are as follows:
A. Those areas of Puget Sound and adjacent salt waters between the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) and the line of extreme low tide as follows: Nisqually Delta – from the Thurston County/Pierce County border to Tatsolo Point.
B. Those areas of Puget Sound, and adjacent salt waters, lying seaward from the line of extreme low tide.
C. Those lakes, whether natural, artificial, or a combination thereof, with a surface acreage of 1,000 acres or more measured at the OHWM as follows:
1. Alder Lake.
2. American Lake.
3. Lake Tapps.
D. Those natural rivers, or segments thereof, downstream of a point where the mean annual flow is measured at 1,000 cubic feet per second or more as follows:
1. Nisqually River: upstream from its mouth on Nisqually Reach to the mouth of Mineral Creek.
2. Puyallup River: upstream from its mouth at Commencement Bay to the mouth of Carbon River.
3. White River: upstream from its mouth at Puyallup River to the mouth of Greenwater River.
E. Those shorelands associated with PCC 18S.20.020 A., C., and D. above.