Ord-2021-006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Kittitas County Shoreline Master Program measures Generally, the harder the construction measure, the greater the impact on shoreline processes, including sediment transport, geomorphology, and biological functions. Additionally, hard structures, especially vertical walls, often create conditions that lead to failure of the structure. Failed bulkheads and walls adversely impact beach aesthetics, may be a safety or navigational hazard, and may adversely impact shoreline ecological functions. A. Policies 1. Nonstructural alternatives of stabilization should be encouraged over structural methods, whenever possible. Such alternatives may include no action, increased building setbacks, building relocation, drainage controls, and bioengineering, including vegetative stabilization. 2. New structures should be located and designed to avoid the need for future shoreline stabilization where feasible. New lots created through short plat or subdivision should be designed to assure that future use or development on the created lots will not require structural shoreline stabilization for reasonable use or development to occur. 3. New or expanded structural shoreline stabilization should be permitted only where demonstrated to be necessary to protect an existing primary structure that is in imminent danger of loss or substantial damage, and where mitigation of impacts would not cause a net loss of shoreline ecological functions and processes. 4. New or expanded structural shoreline stabilization for ecological enhancement, restoration, or hazardous substance remediation projects should be allowed only when non-structural measures, vegetation planting, or on-site drainage improvements would be insufficient to achieve enhancement, restoration or remediation objectives. 5. Shoreline stabilization should not interfere with public access to shorelines. 6. New shoreline stabilization should not cause significant impacts to adjacent or down- current properties. 7. Shoreline stabilization should be developed in a coordinated manner among affected property owners and public agencies. Where erosion threatens existing uses or developments, a comprehensive program for shoreline management should be established. 8. Non-regulatory methods to protect, enhance, and restore shoreline ecological functions and other shoreline resources should be encouraged for shoreline stabilization. Non-regulatory methods may include public facility and resource planning, technical assistance, education, voluntary enhancement and restoration projects, or other incentive programs. Chapter 6 March 7, 2016 124