HB 271 – Water Resources; Shore Protection; Revise Various Provisions

• Redefines the shore protection setback line for property not owned by the state as the most landward of three measurements determined by the department: 25 feet from the ordinary high water mark, 25 feet from the landward toe of the most landward sand dunes, or 25 feet from the crest of a visible and functional shoreline stabilization structure
• Establishes a separate setback standard for state-owned property, set at the most landward of 25 feet from the landward toe of sand dunes or 25 feet from the crest of a shoreline stabilization structure; in the absence of dunes or structures, defaults to 100 feet from the ordinary high water mark
• Retains the July 1, 1979 benchmark date for determining pre-existing structures in relation to shore protection requirements
• Sets an effective date of December 31, 2017 for the provisions of the Act