Ord-2019-010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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For purposes of designating Forest Lands of Long-Term Commercial Significance, and in considering any request for de-designation of such lands, Kittitas County has identified the following criteria. Designation and De-designation of Forest Lands of Long-Term Commercial Significance The purpose of this section is to identify the goals and policies in Kittitas County necessary to implement Goal 8 of the GMA concerning Forest Lands of Long-Term Commercial Significance: (8) Natural resource industries. Maintain and enhance natural resource-based industries, including productive timber, agricultural, and fisheries industries. Encourage the conservation of productive forest lands and productive agricultural lands, and discourage incompatible uses. All decisions dealing with the designation or de-designation of forest resource lands shall be in support of that goal. 1. Definitions. The County adopts and shall utilize the following definitions and considerations: A. "Forest land" means land primarily devoted to growing trees for long-term commercial timber production on land that can be economically and practically managed for such production, including Christmas trees subject to the excise tax imposed under RCW 84.33.100 through 84.33.140, and that has long-term commercial significance.8 B. "Long-term commercial significance" inc;ludes the growing capacity, productivity, and soil composition of the land for long-term commercial production, in consideration with the land's proximity to population areas, and the possibility of more intense uses of the land. C. In determining whether forest land is "primarily devoted to growing trees for long-term commercial timber production on land that can be economically and practically managed for such production," the following factors shall be considered: (a) The proximity of the land to urban, suburban, and rural settlements; (b) surrounding parcel size and the compatibility and intensity of adjacent and nearby land uses; (c) long-term local economic conditions that affect the ability to manage for timber production; and (d) the availability of public facilities and services conducive to conversion of forest land to other uses. 2. De s i gna t ion Crit er ia. In order to be designated Forest Lands of Long-Term Commercial Significance in Kittitas County, the land must: (1) not be characterized by urban growth; (2) be primarily devoted to the growing of trees for long- term commercial timber production on land that can be economically and practically managed for such production, and (3) have long-term significance for the commercial production of timber. Land shall be designated Forest Lands of Long-Term Commercial Significance (referred to as Commercial Forest Lands in the Kittitas County Code) in accordance with the designation criteria and considerations set forth herein. 8 RCW 84.33 .100 through 84.33.118 were repealed or decodified by 2001 c 249 §§ 15 and 16. RCW 84.33 .120 was repealed by 2001 c 249 § 16 and by 2003 c 170 § 7. Page 109 KI TTITAS C O U NTY ~ ------,-tll_Jl _J)_I ~-, ft-, n s, VI' Pia ll [i]