Ord-2021-006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Kittitas County Shoreline Master Program ii. The removal of vegetation shall not require any ground'disturbing equipment and shall not materially alter soils or topography; iii. A view clearance plan may be requested by the Administrator when determined that a substantial amount of vegetation is proposed for modification. The plan shall be prepared by a qualified ecologist, forester, arborist, or landscape architect prior to approving the view corridor and will include: (a) ldentification and description of the location and extent of the proposed tree removal, pruning, and limbing, and the view corridor; and (b) A critical areas report prepared by a qualified ecologist demonstrating the proposed removal of vegetation will not result in a net loss of shoreline ecological function. iv. Proposed view clearance within a designated landslide or erosion hazard area shall require review of the proposed clearance by an engineering geologist or geotechnical engineer to ensure that the proposed removal of vegetation will not cause or exacerbate hazards. b. Selective pruning. Selective pruning of trees for views is allowed. Selective pruning of trees does not include removal of understory vegetation, and must not compromise the health of the tree. A letter of exemption pursuant to Section 7.3.3 is not required for selective pruning, provided the development is exempt pursuant to WAC 173-27-040(2)(a), as amended. c. Private pathways: Private pathways which provide pedestrian access to the shoreline may be allowed within a shoreline buffer provided they are constructed of pervious material, are less than or equal to six (6) feet wide, and follow a route that minimizes erosion and gullying (e.9., a winding but direct path). Pathways shall be co-located within the view corridor if one is available in order to minimize buffer disturbance. A letter of exemption pursuant to Section 7.3.3 is not required for private pathways, provided the development is exempt pursuant to WAC 173- 27 -040(2)(a), as amended. d. Hazard tree removal: Removal of a hazard tree, including removal for compliance with KCC 20.10, Wildland Urban lnterface Code, may be allowed in the shoreline buffer when trimming is not sufficient to address the hazard. Where the hazard is not immediately apparent to the Administrator, the Administrator may require the applicant to submit ahazard tree determination report prepared by a qualified arborist or forester. e. lnvasive species management: Removing invasive, non-native shoreline vegetation listed on the Kittitas County Noxious Weed List or Washington State Noxious Weed Board Monitor List should be allowed in the shoreline buffer when otherwise consistent with this Program. The disturbed areas must be promptly re- vegetated using species native to Kittitas County and appropriate for the ecological sitting. lf the removal area is greater than ten thousand (10,000) square feet or requires soil disturbance using non-handheld mechanized equipment, the Administrator shall require a vegetation management plan Chapter 5 March 7, 2016 97