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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Page 140 <br />Every city and county in the state is required to have a local SMP to regulate development within 200 feet of <br />all designated shorelines. The shorelines that are regulated under the SMP are those streams that have an <br />annual mean flow greater than 20 cfs (cubic feet per second) and lakes larger than 20 acres. Streams and <br />waterbodies that do not meet the threshold for regulation under the SMP usually are protected under the <br />County’s Critical Areas Ordinance. <br />Critical Areas Ordinance <br />All Counties planning under the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA), Chapter RCW 36.70A, are required <br />to have an adopted Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO). Kittitas County is currently updating its CAO to reflect <br />Best Available Science as well as changes in policies and regulations that have occurred since the last update, <br />and the County expects the CAO to be finalized in 2019. The CAO regulates the following critical areas: <br /> Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas <br /> Fish and Wildlife Conservation Areas <br /> Frequently Flooded Areas <br /> Geologically Hazardous Areas <br /> Wetlands <br />Voluntary Stewardship Program <br />Established in 2011, the Washington State Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) provides an alternative <br />approach for Counties to address the Growth Management Act’s requirements for agricultural activities. <br />Existing agricultural enterprises are regulated by the standards and policies established in the Kittitas County <br />VSP, as developed and administered by the Kittitas County Conservation District. Those agricultural areas <br />participating in the VSP are exempt from the County’s Critical Areas Ordinance. The Natural Environment <br />Goals and Policies enumerated in this Comprehensive Plan do not apply to those lands that participate in the <br />VSP. Those lands participating in the VSP will be subject to the stewardship goals and policies enumerated in <br />the VSP. <br /> Natural Environment Goals and Policies <br />NE-G1: Designate and protect the functions and values of critical areas consistent with Best Available <br />Science. <br />NE-G2: Support floodplain restoration to reduce flood hazards and promote water consideration on the <br />landscape. <br />NE-G3: Implement and update as needed a comprehensive management program for water resources. <br />NE-G4: Promote efforts to connect habitat and open space on private lands and open space on public <br />lands. <br />NE-G5: Maintain a Shoreline Master Program that is consistent with the State Shoreline Management Act <br />and which reflects Best Available Science. <br />NE-G6: Maintain a Critical Areas Ordinance that is consistent with the Growth Management Act and which <br />reflects Best Available Science.