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Kittitas County Shoreline Master Program 2. Mapping: The approximate location and extent of wetlands are shown on maps maintained by the County. These maps are useful as a guide for project applicants, and/or property owners but do not provide a conclusive or definitive indication of wetland presence or extent. Other wetlands may exist that do not appear on the maps, and some wetlands that appear on the maps may not meet all of the wetland designation criteria. 3. Delineation: Wetlands shall be identified and delineated by a qualified wetlands professional in accordance with the most current approved federalwetland delineation manual and applicable regional supplements. This professional shall field stake, flag or mark the on-site wetland boundary to aid the County in reviewing the development proposal. The County may require the on-site wetland boundary to be surveyed by a professional land surveyor. The County may require an applicant to identify the approximate location or presence of any wetlands within three hundred (300) feet of a proposed development site. Wetlands that occur or extend beyond the boundaries of the development site, onto adjoining properties, do not need to be flagged or formally delineated but their general location must be disclosed in order to assess wetland buffer impacts. 4. Categorization and rating: Wetlands shall be rated based on categories that reflect the functions and values of each wetland. Wetlands shall be identified, rated, categorized, and delineated by a 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 l: 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 Yo 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 seven (27)) in the Eastern Washington Wetland Rating System. Chapter 5 March 7, 2016 64