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<br /> <br />Chapter 2 LAND USE <br />KITTITAS COUNTY <br />Page 25 Comprehensive Plan <br />Kittitas County has utilized the standards set forth in RCW 36.70A.170 to designate resource lands, which may <br />not currently be characterized by urban growth and must have long term commercial significance. In using <br />these criteria, Kittitas County relied on the definitions found in RCW 36.70A.030 relative to resource lands, <br />and to designates these lands into three categories: commercial agriculture, commercial forest, and mineral <br />resource lands. <br />A large portion of Kittitas County contains forested lands. Of these lands, 800,275 acres have been <br />designated as forestlands of long-term commercial significance and are designated “Commercial Forest” <br />lands within the Plan. Furthermore, 289,516 acres of the valley floor’s agricultural land has been designated <br />as “Commercial Agriculture” since it is agricultural land of long-term commercial significance. “Mineral” <br />resource lands of long-term commercial significance have also been designated. <br />Goals, policies, and objectives for Rural and Resource Lands can be found in Chapter 8 of this Plan. <br /> Yakima Training Center <br />This designation contains those lands within the boundaries of the Yakima Training Center, an area acquired <br />by the Federal Government for military personnel training. <br />The Department of Defense has developed a comprehensive Integrated Cultural and Natural Resource <br />Management Plan which serves as the guidance document for the management of installation resources. <br />Kittitas County recognizes this plan and the goal and policy statements that result from it. In the event any <br />portion of the Yakima Training Center was to revert to another ownership, the County reserves the right to <br />establish land use planning goals, policies and designations prior to such transfer being effective. <br /> Other Public Lands <br />Approximately sixty-four percent (64%) of Kittitas <br />County is managed by State and Federal Agencies. In <br />addition to those lands owned by the U.S. Department <br />of Defense, there are also lands managed by the U.S. <br />Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, <br />Washington State Department of Natural Resources, <br />Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, etc. <br /> SHORELINES <br />The 2016 Kittitas County Shoreline Master Program <br />goals and policies are adopted by reference into this comprehensive plan. Please refer to the Parks, <br />Recreation, Open Space and Natural Environment Element for further discussion of the County’s Shoreline <br />Master Program. <br /> CRITICAL AREAS <br />As part of the growth management planning process, Kittitas County has adopted Critical Areas Policies. The <br />following contain those policies. Kittitas County Code Title 17A, Critical Areas, contains development <br />regulations which were adopted to implement these policies.