A program to manage approximately 330 miles of shoreline along the Columbia and Yakima rivers within Benton County has been approved by the Washington Department of Ecology.
Approval of the locally tailored program puts the final stamp on a significant effort that increases protection and restoration of wildlife habitat and water quality, provides more certainty for development, and improves public access and recreational opportunities.
The comprehensive update revises an existing shoreline program, including the goals, policies, regulations, shoreline environment designations, and administrative procedures and definitions.
Benton County is one of more than 100 local governments that have completed updates that become part of the overall state shoreline program.