Ord-2021-016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6. Riparian Manaqement Zone or Buffer averaqina. The Director mav allow averaoino of the standard RMZ or buffer widths of fish and wildlife habitat sites in accordance with an approved habitat management plan on a case-bv-case basis. With RMZ or buffer averaging. the RMZ or buffer width is reduced in one location and increased in another location to maintain the same overall standard area. Proposals for RMZ or buffer averaging shall meet all the followino: a. The Fish and wildlife habitat conservation area RMZ or buffer has not been averaoed or reduced bv anv prior actions administered by Kittitas Countv:b. No feasible site desiqn could be accomplished without buffer averaqinq:c. The RMZ or buffer averaqinq will not reduce habitat functions or adverselv affect anadromous fish habitat: d. The minimum width of the RMZ or buffer at any qiven point is at least seventy- five percent (75%) of the standard width. or thirty (30) feet. whichever is oreater: and e. The area that is added to the RMZ or buffer to offset the reduction is well- veqetated or will be denselv planted with native veqetation alonq with monitoring and manaqement to ensure that it becomes so. The Director may require such native veqetation enhancement if needed to ensure this criterion is met. 8. Buffers for non-aquatic habitats. Aopropriate site- and species-specific buffers for nonaquatic fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas shall be based uoon best available science. and recommendations bv the Washinqton Deoartment of Fish and Wildlife or a qualified professional bioloqist. Buffers will be measured in all directions from the habitat boundary. as mapped by the Washinqton State Department of Fish and Wildlife or qualified professional pursuant to 17A.04.020 and verified bv the Director.a. lnterrupted Buffers: When a fish and wildlife habitat conseruation area buffer contains an existinq leqallv established public or private road and/or a leqallv established development which creates a siqnificant interruption of buffer function. the Director mav allow an alteration or development on the opposite side of the road from the habitat area provided that the actions will not have a detrimental impact to the habitat area. The Director may require a habitat manaqement plan if - after considering the hvdroloqic. qeoloqic. and/or bioloqical habitat connection potential and the extent and permanence of the buffer interruotion - such a plan is deemed necessary to confirm the lack of detrimental impact on the habitat area. b. Multiple buffers: ln the event that buffers for any fish and wildlife habitat conservation area or other critical area (includinq RMZs) are contiouous or overlapping. the most protective of the collective buffers shall apply. 17A.04.040 GeneralProtectionStandards. 1. Alterations. All alterations and development shall be prohibited from fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas and their buffers, except in accordance with this Title. A fish and wildlife habitat conservation area. RMZ. or buffer mav be altered onlv if the proposed alteration of the habitat and/or any required compensatorv mitiqation does not deorade the functions and values of the habitat. 2. Mitisation requirement. Mitiqation of alterations to fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas and their buffers shall meet the requirements of KCC 174.04.030. 3. Anadromous fish. All alterations and development proposed to be located in aquatic fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas used by anadromous fish or in areas that affect such aquatic habitat areas shallqive special consideration to the preservation and enhancement of anadromous fish habitat. includino. but not limited to. adherino to the following standards: a. An alternative aliqnment or location for the alteration or development is not feasible: 40