Environmental Planning

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Revised November 5, 2010 

Shorelines (SMP)

Shoreline Management Program Update

The State Shoreline Management Act requires counties and cities to update their Shoreline Management Programs (SMPs). SMPs govern activities on and near lakes, streams, and rivers. Most local SMPs date from the 1970s, and must be modernized to reflect today's conditions and address new state requirements.

Battle Ground, Camas, Clark County, La Center, Ridgefield, Vancouver, Washougal, and Yacolt are collaborating in a 2-3 year effort to update their respective SMPs.

SMP updates are funded by a Department of Ecology grant administered through the City of Vancouver on behalf of the eight jurisdictions. The jurisdictions will share data and develop policies and regulations that are as consistent as possible across the landscape.

Please visit the project website for current project information, upcoming meeting dates, and contact information. 

Current SMP effective April 9, 2007 - By Section

Clicking the "SMP Effective April 9, 2007" link above will take you to the Table of Contents. Each chapter title is a hidden link. Hold your cursor over the title of the chapter you are interested in until the pointing finger appears. Then click on the link and it will take you to that chapter. Adobe Reader required.

Current SMP effective April 9, 2007 - Entire Document

Shoreline Environment Designations Map - Effective April 9, 2007

Sustainable, Affordable, Residential Development (SARD)

VANCOUVER & CLARK COUNTY'S JOINT STUDY

As more people strive to develop and construct projects that meet stringent sustainability goals – such as increased water efficiency, use of renewable energy, and less toxic alternatives to conventional building materials – the more challenging it can become to maintain affordability and navigate through the current regulatory process. With a grant from the Washington Department of Commerce (formerly Community, Trade, and Economic Development) and assistance from Cascadia Region Green Building Council, Vancouver and Clark County have undertaken a study to identify barriers to sustainable, affordable, residential development and develop strategies for removing them. In the first phase of the study, we used the Living Building Challenge criteria and six case studies from our region to identify the barriers (Report 1 and Appendices A-D below). In the second phase, we worked with architects, developers, engineers, home builders, affordable housing developers, green building advocates, the trades, and local and state regulatory agencies to develop strategies for overcoming the barriers (Report 2 and Resource Package Parts 1-3 below). Finally, in Report 3 we summarized the benefits of implementing green building goals in the context of sustainable, affordable, residential development; the costs to Vancouver and Clark County of implementing the recommendations of Report 2; and the costs to developers and buyers of sustainable, affordable, residential projects.

Report 1

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

Appendix D

 Adobe Reader Required

Report 2

Resource Package - Part 1

Resource Package - Part 2

Resource Package - Part 3

Adobe Reader Required

Report 3

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NEW FLOOD MAPS TO BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2012!

*** YOUR PROPERTY MAY BE AFFECTED! ***

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) notes flood-prone areas on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). These maps show properties at risk of flooding and can help you make informed decisions about protecting you personal safety and your property. The FIRMs are also used to rate insurance policies and help determine where and how new structures and developments can be built.

In 2007, FEMA issued updated, preliminary maps (Preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps or DFIRMs), held informational open houses, and received some protests and appeals of the maps. FEMA considered the protests and appeals, and issued an updated set of Revised Preliminary DFIRMS on August 4, 2010 along with an updated Flood Insurance Study in two volumes. The Flood Insurance Study contains the documentation supporting the Revised Preliminary DFIRMs.

In November 2010, FEMA held an informational open house. Between February and May 2011, FEMA accepted protests and appeals of the August 2010 maps, reviewed and revised the maps once again, and on March 5, 2012 issued a Letter of Final Determination (LFD), final DFIRMs, and the final Flood Insurance Study (FIS, Volumes I and II).

Adobe Reader Required. LFD, DFIRMs and FIS will each open in a new browser window. DFIRMs and FIS are on a site not controlled by the City of Vancouver.

To view the DFIRM containing your property, scroll to the bottom of the new window, click on "CLARKCOUNTY-INDEX.pdf" and find the map that includes your property. Each map has a name starting with 53011C0 and ending with another 3 numerals and a "D." Look for the final 3 numerals on the index map panel containing your property. Browse back to the list of DFIRMs and click on the one with the same final 3 numerals to open the map containing your property.

To view the Flood Insurance Study, scroll to the bottom of the new window and click on "CC_FIS_Vol_1" or "CC_FIS_Vol_2."

The final DFIRMs indicate properties where mortgage lenders may require flood insurance and where floodplain development regulations may apply. Per FEMA, homes and businesses with mortgages from federally regulated or insured lenders in high-risk flood areas are required to have flood insurance. “These rates depend on several factors including the date and type of construction of your home, along with your area's level of risk,” according to FEMA. More information about flood insurance rates, frequently asked questions, policies and programs, including those involving newly mapped properties, are available for property owners on FEMA’s website.

Site willopen in a new browser window. Site not controlled by the City of Vancouver.

2007 Process

FEMA held public open houses on January 23 and 24, 2007. Use the link below to view FEMA’s open house PowerPoint presentation.

FEMA’s Open House Presentation

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