For a Safer Washington, Shoreline Management Must Address Climate Risks

On Aug. 15, 2025, The Pew Charitable Trusts submitted a letter to the Washington state Department of Ecology regarding the development of rules for implementation of the Shoreline Management Act. The letter applauds the department's efforts and recommends revisions to the draft rules to ensure that new shoreline management regulations, mandated by the Washington State Legislature, effectively safeguard the resilience of coastal areas and communities in the face of increasingly severe weather and rising sea levels. Strong shoreline regulations-such as scenario planning, developing goals and strategies to support adaptation to a changing climate, and collaborative planning with Tribes and other vulnerable communities-are critical to protecting people, property, aquatic species, and other natural resources.