Ord-2019-010 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Every city and county in the state is required to have a local SMP to regulate development within 200 feet of all designated shorelines. The shorelines that are regulated under the SMP are those streams that have an annual mean flow greater than 20 cfs {cubic feet per second) and lakes larger than 20 acres. Streams and waterbodies that do not meet the threshold for regulation under the SMP usually are protected under the County's Critical Areas Ordinance. Critical Areas Ordinance All Counties planning under the state's Growth Management Act {GMA), Chapter RCW 36.70A, are required to have an adopted Critical Areas Ordinance {CAO). Kittitas County is currently updating its CAO to reflect Best Available Science as well as changes in policies and regulations that have occurred since the last update, and the County expects the CAO to be finalized in 2019. The CAO regulates the following critical areas: • Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas • Fish and Wildlife Conservation Areas • Frequently Flooded Areas • Geologically Hazardous Areas • Wetlands Voluntary Stewardship Program Established in 2011, the Washington State Voluntary Stewardship Program {VSP) provides an alternative approach for Counties to address the Growth Management Act's requirements for agricultural activities. Existing agricultural enterprises are regulated by the standards and policies established in the Kittitas County VSP, as developed and administered by the Kittitas County Conservation District. Those agricultural areas participating in the VSP are exempt from the County's Critical Areas Ordinance. The Natural Environment Goals and Policies enumerated in this Comprehensive Plan do not apply to those lands that participate in the VSP. Those lands participating in the VSP will be subject to the stewardship goals and policies enumerated in the VSP. 11.7.4 Natural Environment Goals and Policies NE-G1: Designate and protect the functions and values of critical areas consistent with Best Available Science. NE-G2: Support floodplain restoration to reduce flood hazards and promote water consideration on the landscape. NE-G3: Implement and update as needed a comprehensive management program for water resources. NE-G4: Promote efforts to connect habitat and open space on private lands and open space on public lands. NE-GS: Maintain a Shoreline Master Program that is consistent with the State Shoreline Management Act and which reflects Best Available Science. NE-G6: Maintain a Critical Areas Ordinance that is consistent with the Growth Management Act and which reflects Best Available Science. Page 740