Wetlands and CAO Updates: Guidance for Small Cities. Eastern Washington Version. Revision 1

摘要

This document is intended to provide guidance and tools useful in developing a wetland protection program for small cities and towns that are in the process of updating their critical areas ordinances (CAOs) to meet the Growth Management Act (GMA) requirements. Wetlands are one of the five types of critical areas identified in the GMA. We recognize that many local governments lack the planning staff and resources necessary to develop and implement wetland standards that are both locally appropriate and based on best available science (BAS). Nonetheless, they must comply with the GMA requirement to designate and protect wetlands. The first part of this document describes the important topics that should be addressed in the wetlands section of your CAO. It includes recommendations for wetland protection based on BAS. Appendix A is a sample CAO chapter for wetlands that incorporates these recommendations into a format similar to that found in many local CAOs. (Please note that the sample CAO will need to be tailored to your jurisdictions naming and numbering system. There are several generic XX references throughout the text.) Appendix B contains definitions that are commonly used in wetlands regulations. This document does not include the more general provisions typically found in regulations related to all critical areas. This document revises the wetland-specific provisions in the Critical Areas Assistance Handbook. The recommendations in this document and the sample ordinance may not be appropriate for use by rural county governments. Factors to consider are the countys rate of growth, the nature and intensity of land uses in the county, the wetland resources at risk, and the ability of the county to implement its CAO. We suggest that you contact us to determine whether this guidance is applicable to your county.