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17A.04.015 No net loss of wetland areas. <br />Kittitas County shall require, to the extent practical, and except for Category IV wetlands, a zero net <br />loss of natural wetlands functions and values together with, if reasonably possible through voluntary <br />agreements or government incentives, a gain of wetlands in the long term. (Ord. 94-22 (part), 1994). <br />17A.04.020 Buffer width requirements. <br />Wetland buffer requirements apply to all nonexempt activities on regulated wetlands. All wetland <br />buffers shall be measured from the wetland boundary. <br />Category Size of Wetland Required Buffer <br />I any size 50 - 200 feet <br />II over 2,000 sq. ft. 25 - 100 feet <br />III over 10,000 sq. <br />ft. <br />20 - 80 feet <br />IV* 43,560 sq. ft. (1 <br />acre) <br />Building setbacks will be determined by the zoning lot line <br />setbacks, but shall not exceed 25 feet. <br />*Includes only nonirrigation induced or enhanced Category IV wetlands. Irrigation water does influence ground water <br />table elevations in Kittitas County. <br />(Ord. 96-14 (part), 1996; Ord. 95-15 (part), 1995; Ord. 94-22 (part), 1994). <br />17A.04.025 Wetland buffer ranges. <br />The wetland buffer ranges have been established to reflect the impact of certain intense land uses on <br />wetland function and values. The director shall base the buffer size on the following criteria and shall <br />establish the least restrictive width of buffer necessary to account for all of the following <br />considerations: <br />1. The overall intensity of the proposed use; <br />2. The presence of threatened, endangered, or sensitive species; <br />3. The site's susceptibility to severe erosion; <br />4. The use of a buffer enhancement plan by the applicant which uses native vegetation or <br />other measures which will enhance the functions and values of the wetland or buffer. <br />(Ord. 94-22 (part), 1994). <br />17A.04.030 Wetland buffer averaging. <br />Wetland buffers may be modified by averaging buffer widths. Wetland buffer width averaging shall <br />be allowed only where the applicant demonstrates that the following exists: <br />1. That averaging is necessary to avoid an extraordinary hardship to the applicant caused <br />by circumstances peculiar to the property; <br />2. That the wetland contains variations in sensitivity due to existing physical characteristics; <br />3. That the proposed use would be located adjacent to areas where buffer width is <br />reduced, and that such land uses are low in impact; <br />4. That width averaging will not adversely impact wetland function and values. (Ord. 9422 <br />(part), 1994). <br />17A.04.035 Natural condition of wetland buffer. <br />Natural condition of wetland buffer. Wetland buffer areas shall be retained in their natural condition <br />or may be improved to enhance buffer functions and values. Where buffer disturbance has occurred