BOCC Ordinance - Amend and Adopt CAO

Home Browse Search

58 a. 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 to replace within a human lifetime or provide a high level of functions. Category I wetlands include: i. Alkali wetlands; ii. Wetlands with high conservation value that are identified by scientists of the Washington Department of Natural Resources Natural Heritage Program; iii. Bogs and calcareous fens; iv. Mature and old-growth forested wetlands over ¼ acre with slow-growing trees; v. Forests with stands of aspen; and vi. Wetlands scoring between twenty-two and twenty-seven (22-27) points in the Eastern Washington Rating System. b. Category II wetlands are difficult, though not impossible, to replace, and provide high levels of some functions. These wetlands occur more commonly than Category I wetlands, but still need a relatively high level of protection. Category II wetlands include: i. Forested wetlands in the floodplains of rivers; ii. Mature and old-growth forested wetlands over ¼ acre with fast-growing trees; iii. Vernal pools; and iv. Wetlands scoring between nineteen and twenty-one (19-21) points in the Eastern Washington Rating System. . c. Category III wetlands have a moderate level of functions and score between sixteen and eighteen (16-18) points in the Eastern Washington Rating System. These wetlands can be often adequately replaced with a well-planned mitigation project. Category III wetlands generally have been disturbed in some ways, and are often less diverse or more isolated from other natural resources in the landscape than Category II wetlands. d. Category IV wetlands have the lowest level of functions and are often heavily disturbed. They score fewer than sixteen (16) points in the Eastern Washington Rating System. These are wetlands that can usually be replaced, and in some cases improved. However, experience has shown that replacement cannot be guaranteed in any specific case. These wetlands may provide some important functions and also need to be protected. 17A.07.030 Buffers 1. Purpose. Buffers shall be established and maintained to protect the functions and values of regulated wetlands. 2. Measurement. Wetland buffers shall be measured horizontally in all directions from the outer edge of wetland boundary as established in the field. Building setbacks (KCC 17A.01.090.4) are in addition to wetland buffers and are measured outward from the edge of the wetland buffer boundary. 3. Buffer Condition. Wetland buffers shall be maintained in a predominantly well-vegetated and undisturbed condition to ensure that they perform their intended function of protecting the wetland. Tree removal is prohibited in wetlands and wetland buffers other than in accordance with KCC 17A.01.050.3.h. 4. Standard Buffer Widths. The width of the standard buffer does not include the building setback (KCC 17A.01.090.4) and shall be based on the wetland category and the intensity of the proposed land use adjacent to the buffer as indicated in Table KCC 17A.07.030.