Laserfiche WebLink
Kittitas County December 2016 Comprehensive Plan <br />IV.4 Goal: Policies and regulations should be developed which recognize the special requirements <br />of critical areas, as defined by Kittitas and King Counties, in the mountain environment of the Pass. <br />Critical areas include: <br />a. Wetlands; <br />b. Areas with a critical recharging effect on aquifers used for potable water; <br />c. Fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas; <br />d. Streams, rivers and lakes; <br />e. Frequently flooded areas; and <br />f. Geologically hazardous areas. <br />IV.5 Goal: There should be no net loss of wetland habitat. <br />IV.6 Goal: Have appropriate agencies identify the functional characteristics of wetlands, which may <br />be impacted by development or human intrusion. <br />Objectives: <br />1. Identify the existing or potential use of the wetland as a surface-water or groundwater <br />supply and the extent to which the area serves as a recharge area or purifier of surface <br />water or groundwater. <br />2. Identify the wetlands function as part of the natural drainage system for the watershed and <br />its importance in preventing flooding, leaching, erosion or otherwise affecting water quality. <br />3. Assess the importance of the wetland habitat as a natural wildlife feeding or breeding area <br />and if there is a rare or unusual concentration of botanical species. <br />4. Assess the existing, potential or allowed use of the wetland areas for recreational purposes <br />and their importance as open space. <br />IV.7 Goal: Wetlands shall be managed in accordance with the latest Federal and Washington State <br />regulations and guidelines. <br />IV.8 Goal: Natural wetlands of irreplaceable high quality as habitat and open space should be <br />preserved and protected. <br />IV.9 Goal: Mitigation strategies should be developed and required of all development to assure no <br />net loss of wetlands and no loss of high quality natural wetlands. <br />Objective: <br />Wetland management, protection or mitigation should be implemented according to applicable <br />laws. <br />IV.10 Goal: Ensure the purity of Pass drinking water by identifying critical aquifer recharge areas <br />and instituting policies, which prevent surface and groundwater degradation.