BOCC Exhibits A-E ECY Approved SMP-Code Amendments

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Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners Shoreline Master Program Adopting Ordinance Kittitas County Shoreline Master Program Exhibit D | March 2016 | Page 250 of 339 17B.04.040 Natural environment. A. Purpose. The purpose of the natural shoreline environment designation is to protect or restore shoreline areas that are relatively free of human influence or include intact or minimally degraded shoreline functions intolerant of human use. The natural shoreline environment designation maintains the ecological functions and ecosystem-wide processes of such areas by limiting future uses to low intensity uses that are compatible with the natural characteristics that make these areas unique and valuable. B. Management policies. Pursuant to RCW 36.70A.480, the natural environment management policies of the 2016 Kittitas County Shoreline Master Program shall be considered as policies of the Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan. C. Designation criteria. 1. A natural environment designation should be assigned to shoreline areas if any of the following characteristics apply: a. The shoreline is ecologically intact and therefore, currently performing an important, irreplaceable function or ecosystem-wide process that would be damaged by human activity; b. The shoreline is considered to represent ecosystems or geologic types that are of particular scientific and educational interest; c. The shoreline is unable to support new uses or development without significant adverse impacts to ecological functions or risk to human safety; or d. The shoreline includes largely undisturbed portions of shoreline areas such as wetlands, alkaline lakes, unstable bluffs, and ecologically intact shoreline habitats. 2. Areas with significant existing agriculture lands should not be included in the natural designation, except where the existing agricultural operations involve very low intensity uses where there is no significant impact on natural ecological functions, and where the intensity or impacts associated with such agriculture activities is unlikely to expand in a manner inconsistent with the natural designation. 17B.04.050 Rural conservancy environment. A. Purpose. The purpose of the rural conservancy environment is to protect ecological functions, natural resources, and valuable historic and cultural areas in order to provide for sustained resource use, natural flood plain processes, and recreational opportunities. B. Management policies. Pursuant to RCW 36.70A.480, the rural conservancy management policies of the 2016 Kittitas County Shoreline Master Program shall be considered as policies of the Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan. C. Designation criteria. 1. A rural conservancy environment designation should be assigned to shoreline areas outside incorporated municipalities and outside urban growth areas, as defined by RCW 36.70A.110, if any of the following characteristics apply: a. The shoreline is currently supporting lesser intensity resource-based uses, such as agriculture, or recreational uses, or is designated agricultural lands pursuant to RCW 36.70A.170; b. The shoreline is currently accommodating residential uses outside urban growth areas and incorporated cities or towns; c. The shoreline is supporting human uses but subject to environmental limitations, such as properties that include or are adjacent to steep banks, feeder bluffs, flood plains, or other flood prone areas; d. The shoreline is of high recreational value or with unique historic or cultural resources; or e. The shoreline has low intensity water-dependent uses.