Exhibit A KCC 17A Revisions - Laserfiche WebLink

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Kittitas County, WA § 17A.01.010 CRITICAL AREAS § 17A.01.030 Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/KI6857 on 2025-05-15 CHAPTER 17A.01 GENERAL PROVISIONS § 17A.01.010. Purpose and intent. The purpose of this Title is to establish regulations pertaining to development which protect designated critical areas, as defined by the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) (RCW 36.70A). The GMA requires the use of "best available science," also as defined in that law, to establish local regulations which protect critical areas in developing policies and development regulations to protect the functions and values of critical areas, in addition to, giving special consideration to conservation or protection measures necessary to preserve or enhance anadromous fisheries. GMA-designated critical areas, all of which are present in Kittitas County, include: Critical aquifer recharge areas, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, frequently flooded areas, geologically hazardous areas, and wetlands. The regulations of this Title are intended to: 1. Prevent degradation Provide for no net loss of the function and values of critical areas; 2. Conserve, protect, and; where feasible, restore critical areas and their functions and values; 3. Protect unique, fragile and/or valuable elements of the environment, including ground and surface waters, anadromous fish species, and other fish and wildlife and their habitats; 4. Protect the public health, safety, and general welfare from hazards associated with critical areas; 5. Further the goals and objectives of the Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan and all of its elements; 6. Implement the goals and requirements of the Washington Growth Management Act (RCW Chapter 36.70A); 7. Allow for reasonable use of all properties in Kittitas County. (Ord. 2021-016, 2021) § 17A.01.020. Authority. 1. As provided herein, the Director or his/her designee is given the authority to interpret and apply, and the responsibility to enforce this Title to accomplish the stated purpose. 2. The County may withhold, condition, or deny permits and/or approvals for development and alterations to ensure that the proposed development is consistent with this Title. (Ord. 2021-016, 2021) § 17A.01.030. Applicability. 1. Except as provided in subsection 3 and 4 below, the provisions of this Title shall apply to any alteration or development within the unincorporated portion of Kittitas County, and outside of Shoreline jurisdiction, as determined by the Shoreline Master Program (KCC Title 17B). No development shall be constructed, located, extended, modified, converted, or altered, or land subdivided without full compliance with this Title. 2. Compliance with these regulations does not remove an applicant's obligation to comply with applicable provisions of any other Federal, State, or local law or regulation. 3. Private lands where existing agricultural activities are conducted, as defined in RCW 90.58.065, within the Upper Yakima and Alkali-Squilchuck WRIAs are managed by the Kittitas County Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP), and not regulated by this Title.