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qualified wetland professional in accordance with the current version of the Washington State Wetland Rating System for Eastern Washington, the procedure outlined in WAC 173-22-035, and the appropriate rating forms approved by the Washington State Department of Ecology. These categories are generally defined as follows: a. Category I wetlands: Category I wetlands are those that represent a unique or rare wetland type, are more sensitive to disturbance than most wetlands, are relatively undisturbed and contain ecological attributes that are impossible or too difficult to replace within a human lifetime, and provide a high level of functions. The following types of wetlands are Category I: i. Alkali wetlands; ii. Wetlands that are identified by scientists of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Natural Heritage Program as high quality, relatively undisturbed wetlands, or wetlands that support state threatened or endangered plant species; iii. Bogs and calcareous fens; iv. Mature and old-growth forested wetlands over a ¼ acre in size with slow growing trees; v. Forest wetlands with stands of Aspen; vi. Wetland scoring between twenty-two and twenty-seven (22-27) points or more (out of twenty seventwenty-seven (27)) in the Eastern Washington Wetland Rating System. b. Category II wetlands: Category II wetlands are difficult, though not impossible, to replace, and provide high levels of some functions. These wetlands occur more commonly than Category I wetlands, but still need a relatively high level of protection. Category II wetlands include: i. Forested wetlands in the floodplains of rivers; ii. Mature and old-growth forested wetlands with native fast growing trees; iii. Vernal pools; iv. Wetlands scoring between nineteen and twenty onetwenty-one (19-21) points (out of twenty seven (27)) in the Eastern Washington Wetland Rating System. c. Category III wetlands score between sixteen and eighteen (16-18) points (out of twenty- seven (27)) in the Eastern Washington Wetland Rating System and can often be adequately replaced with a well-planned mitigation project. Wetlands scoring between 16-18 points generally have been disturbed in some ways, and are often smaller, less diverse and/or more isolated from other natural resources in the landscape than Category II wetlands. d. Category IV wetlands have the lowest levels of functions, scoring less than sixteen (16) points in the Eastern Washington Wetland Rating System, and are often heavily disturbed. These are wetlands that should be able to be replaced, and in some cases improved. These wetlands may provide some important functions, and also need to be protected. (Ord. 2016-006, 2016) 17B.05.020G Wetlands – buffers. 1. Buffer widths: Buffers shall be established and maintained to protect all regulated wetlands. Standard minimum buffer for wetlands are listed in the Table at KCC 17B.50.020G-1. The buffer shall not be altered except as authorized by this Program; provided, that such alterations meet all other standards for the protection of regulated wetlands. Buffers are measured horizontally in all directions from the regulated wetland edge as marked in the field.