AGO Opinion Topics: SHORELANDS

The department of natural resources does not have the legal authority under existing law to permit an upland owner whose land abuts on second class shorelands owned by the state of Washington to construct a private pier on such shorelands without charge.

A county does not have authority, either under chapter 36.70 RCW or under article 11, section 11 of the state constitution, to impose greater restrictions on aquaculture developments located in areas designated as shorelines of statewide significance, than those standards adopted by the state and relevant local governments pursuant to chapter 90.58 RCW, the Shorelines Management Act of 1971.