The city of Anacortes tallied a victory with a Washington State Supreme Court ruling Thursday. But environmental groups deemed the decision, which upheld Anacortes’ shoreline planning process, a loss with potentially far-reaching consequences.
The court, in a 5-4 decision, ruled that a law passed by the state Legislature in 2003 meant that shoreline critical areas shall be governed by shoreline master programs rather than the Growth Management Act and critical areas ordinances.
The city had updated its shorelines protection program in 2000, but the state Department of Ecology, Evergreen Islands and other environmental groups sued, arguing that a completely new program was called for.
Thursday’s Supreme Court decision validates Anacortes’ approach.
