Become a Shore Friend today!
What is Shore Friendly?
Swinomish Shore Friendly is a non-regulatory program of the Swinomish Department of Environmental Protection that helps shoreline homeowners to better understand their connection with the coastal environment. Through voluntary partnerships with homeowners, Shore Friendly reduces shoreline armoring along the Salish Sea and avoids the need for future armoring. Our staff provide education and technical assistance through free site visits to help you make informed property management decisions. Swinomish Shore Friendly is funded through the Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program.
Why Shore Friendly?
Erosion is a natural process that moves sediment from one place to another. For instance, erosion supplies sediment to beaches from marine bluffs and the uplands. However, shoreline homeowners often experience feelings of unease when they see this process in action. As the bluffs adjacent to your waterfront home are affected, you may have the impression that your assets are being threatened. Shore Friendly arms you with the knowledge to understand natural erosion processes and the risks to your property. We also make recommendations for managing or reducing that risk. By participating in Shore Friendly, you gain understanding of the impact that shoreline living has on your property—and how your decisions impact the shoreline.
What We Offer
Swinomish Shore Friendly offers the following services to shoreline property owners on the Swinomish Reservation.
- FREE site visits with experts to see and discuss your unique issues and concerns in-person and on-site
- FREE consultant resources, such as reports and planting plans
- Cost-share options to implement Shore Friendly site plans and recommendations
Get in touch with Shore Friendly staff today and schedule your free, non-regulatory site visit!
Q: What do I do with the recommendations I get from Shore Friendly?
A: We hope you implement all of the expert advice you get from Shore Friendly, but the decisions always remain with you, the homeowner. As a voluntary and non-regulatory program, following up on Shore Friendly recommendations is not mandatory. You choose the actions that make sense to you. We have a variety of resources to help you get to implementation, including permit and design assistance.
Q: What can I expect after submitting a site visit request?
A: Within a week, Swinomish Shore Friendly staff will be in contact with you via your preferred mode of communication to schedule a site visit. During the site visit, Shore Friendly staff and a consultant will discuss your concerns and tour the outside of your property, examining items of interest to residential shoreline management, including drainage; coastal, residential, and accessory structures; and native and invasive vegetation. On the shoreline below your residence, we will describe coastal processes within the context of erosion management. Recommendations for managing those risks will be given verbally and included in a site visit report completed by the consultant. A copy of the site visit report will be provided to you for your records and Shore Friendly staff will follow up to help you to implement the steps you choose to take. This service is completely paid for by the Shore Friendly Program!
Q: Does it matter whether I own or lease the land my home sits on?
A: No. Shore Friendly is available to all people who own or lease residential property on the Swinomish shoreline.
We publish a monthly newsletter to keep you up to date on Shore Friendly activities, a timely seasonal tip, and featured plant of the month.
You can sign up to receive the newsletter here.
There is a lot to know about living on the shoreline in the Salish Sea! Maybe you’re not ready to request a site visit, or you are waiting to hear back from us. Below, you’ll find some resources to help you to deepen your understanding.
- Swinomish Shore Friendly Virtual Field Trip
- Shore Friendly website
- Your Marine Waterfront: A guide to protecting your property while promoting healthy shorelines (Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife)
- Shore Friendly Living video series (Northwest Straits Foundation)
- Protect Your Property, Protect Our Sound (Northwest Straits Foundation)
- Stormwater and Coastal Bluffs: A guide to improving stormwater management on your property (Northwest Straits Foundation)Funding Acknowledgement
Shore Friendly and the Swinomish Dept. of Environmental Protection gratefully acknowledge funding from the Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program (ESRP).