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practice activities over which local governments have authority. As with all master program <br />provisions, buffer and vegetation conservation provisions apply even to those shoreline uses and <br />developments that are exempt from the requirement to obtain a shoreline permit. Like other master <br />program provisions, buffer and vegetation conservation standards do not apply retroactively to <br />legally established existing uses and structures, such as existing agricultural activities. <br />A. Policies. Pursuant to RCW 36.70A.480, the shoreline buffers and vegetation conservation policies <br />of the 2016 2021 Kittitas County Shoreline Master Program shall be considered as policies of the <br />Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan. <br />B. Regulations-shoreline buffers. <br />1. New uses and developments shall be located landward of the shoreline buffers shown in <br />the Table at KCC 17B.05.050-1 in accordance with the shoreline environment designation, <br />unless this Program specifically allows the use/development within the shoreline buffer. <br />Shoreline buffers shall be measured in all directions from the OHWM. Uses/development <br />may also be subject to additional buffers prescribed in KCC 17B.05.020K of this Program <br />due to presence of critical areas. In such cases, the landward-most buffer shall apply. <br /> <br />17B.05.050-1. Standard Shoreline Buffers (Type S Waters) <br />Shoreline Environment Designation Type S Standard Shoreline Buffer Width (feet) <br />Urban Conservancy 100 <br />Shoreline Residential 100 <br />Rural Conservancy 100 <br />Natural 150 <br /> <br />2. Buffer condition: Shoreline buffers shall be maintained in a well-vegetated condition. For <br />purposes of this Program, a well vegetated buffer is one that supports a predominance of <br />native plant species at densities that would occur in similar relatively undisturbed settings. <br />Vegetation conservation standards do not apply retroactively to existing legally established <br />uses and developments. Vegetation associated with existing structures, uses and <br />developments may be maintained within shoreline jurisdiction. A letter of exemption <br />pursuant to KCC 17B.07.030 is not required for this normal maintenance. <br />3. Interrupted buffer: When a shoreline buffer contains an existing legally established public <br />or private road, the Administrator may allow development on the landward side of the road <br />provided that the development will not have a detrimental impact to the shoreline. The <br />applicant may be required to provide a critical areas report to describe the impacts. In <br />determining whether a critical areas report is necessary, the County shall consider the <br />hydrologic, geologic, and/or biological habitat connection potential and the extent and <br />permanence of the buffer interruption. <br />4. Allowed shoreline buffer alterations: Alteration or disturbance of the standard shoreline <br />buffers shown in the Table at 17B.05.050-1 shall not be allowed except in those limited