(1) Shoreline restoration and enhancement activities designed to restore shoreline ecological functions and processes and/or shoreline features should be targeted toward meeting the needs of sensitive and/or regionally important plant, fish, and wildlife species, and shall be given priority.

(2) New shoreline stabilization for new development is prohibited unless it can be demonstrated that reasonable use of a lot or parcel legally created prior to the effective date of this SMP is precluded without shore protection or is necessary to restore ecological functions or hazardous substance remediation.

(3) Proposed designs for new or expanded shoreline stabilization shall be designed in accordance with applicable state guidelines, must use the most current scientific and technical information available, must document that alternative solutions are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection, must demonstrate that future stabilization measures would not be required on the project site or adjacent properties, and be certified by a qualified professional.

(4) Land subdivisions and lot line adjustments shall be designed to ensure that future development of the newly created lots will not require structural stabilization for subsequent development to occur.

(5) New or expanded structural shoreline stabilization is prohibited except when necessity is demonstrated consistent with the requirements of WAC 173-26-231(3). Necessity is demonstrated through conclusive evidence documented by a geotechnical analysis that there is a significant possibility that the structure will be damaged within three years as a result of shoreline erosion caused by wind/wave action or other hydraulic forces and only when significant adverse impacts are mitigated to ensure no net loss of shoreline ecological functions and/or processes.

(6) Replacement of an existing shoreline stabilization structure with a similar structure is permitted if there is a demonstrated need to protect existing primary uses, structures or public facilities, including roads, bridges, railways, irrigation and utility systems from erosion caused by stream undercutting or wave action. The existing shoreline stabilization structure will be removed from the shoreline as part of the replacement activity. Replacement walls or bulkheads shall not encroach waterward of the OHWM or existing structure unless the facility was occupied prior to January 1, 1992, and there are overriding safety or environmental concerns. Proposed designs for new or expanded shore stabilization shall be in accordance with applicable state guidelines and certified by a qualified professional.

(7) Where a geotechnical analysis confirms a need to prevent potential damage to a primary structure, but the need is not as immediate as three years, the analysis may still be used to justify more immediate authorization for shoreline stabilization using bioengineering approaches.

(8) Shoreline stabilization projects that are part of a fish habitat enhancement project meeting the criteria of RCW 77.55.181 will be authorized through a shoreline exemption. Stabilization projects that are not part of such a fish enhancement project will be regulated by this SMP.

(9) Small-scale shoreline stabilization projects (e.g., tree-planting projects or other minimally intrusive enhancements) shall be reviewed by a qualified professional to ensure that the project has been designed using the most current scientific and technical information available.

(10) Large-scale or more complex shoreline stabilization projects (e.g., projects requiring fill or excavation, placing objects in the water, or hardening the bank) shall be designed by a qualified professional using the most current scientific and technical information available. The applicant may be required to have a qualified professional oversee construction or construct the project.

(11) New stabilization structures, when found to be necessary, will implement the following standards: