The Port of Tacoma Commission is scheduled to meet next week to consider a resolution that would update its shoreline public access plan.

The City of Tacoma’s locally adopted Shoreline Master Program requires public agencies, including the Port of Tacoma, to provide public access when new development projects require a City of Tacoma shoreline permit. In the past, the City of Tacoma waived public access requirements for projects with safety and/or security concerns. However, under the new Shoreline Master Program, if safety and/or security issues prevent public access from being provided on-site, the City of Tacoma requires that public access must be provided at another location. Port of Tacoma staff developed a public access plan in accordance with the City of Tacoma’s Shoreline Master Program that aims to ensure a predictable and streamlined shoreline permitting process. Over the past two years, Port of Tacoma Commissioners and Tacoma City Councilmembers have met frequently to draft an interlocal agreement to address shoreline public access.

Commissioners are expected to consider a resolution to update the shoreline public access and call for public comment during its meeting on Thurs., July 25 at 12 p.m. in Room 104 of The Fabulich Center, 3600 Port of Tacoma Road. Commission meetings are streamed live on the Web and archived for later viewing. More information is available online at portoftacoma.com/webstreaming.