CAO Update Status Work continues on products: Draft ordinance BAS report CAO process summary (2002 to present) Comprehensive e Plan policy review Some

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1 Critical Areas Ordinance Update Wetlands Andrew Deffobis Jeremy Davis Cynthia Wilson Thurston County Planning April 6, 2011

2 CAO Update Status Work continues on products: Draft ordinance BAS report CAO process summary (2002 to present) Comprehensive e Plan policy review Some chapters distributed to PC Updated project timeline (handout)

3 Overview Wetland regulation in Thurston County Changes since February draft Major differences between current and draft wetlands CAO element Comparisons with other jurisdictions

4 Wetland Regulation in Thurston County (handout) 1980 Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Wetland Fill Stated purposes are similar to CAO Protects wetlands, geologic hazard areas and marine bluffs, critical wildlife habitat areas, anadromous fish rearing habitat 1994 current CAO adopted Post 1994 minor updates to CAO

5 Changes since 2/2/2011 draft Continued internal review New comments from Ecology ACOE documents are now default delineation guidance All bogs are now considered Cat. I wetlands New draft no longer allows buffer reduction for vegetation enhancement; reduction allowed for reducing impacts to buffer (see page 7 of draft) Limited buffer encroachments to outer 25% of buffer (previously outer 50%)

6 Overview of changes since 1994 Organizational difference (streams and FFAs pulled out) Expanded from three to four wetland categories Jurisdictional size proposed to decrease Buffer width calculation method proposed to change Strengthened criteria for reduction of buffers Replacement of certain Cat. III and IV wetlands proposed

7 Comparisons with surrounding jurisdictions (handout) Analyzed CAOs of adjacent jurisdictions Counties: Lewis, Mason, Grays Harbor, Pierce Cities: Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, Rainier, Tenino Looked at jurisdictional wetland size and buffer widths/methods In future, will provide analysis of buffer width alteration provisions and mitigation standards

8 Jurisdictional Size of Wetland Currently: 22,000 SF in rural areas; 11,000 SF in UGA; 2,500 SF if adjacent to stream or in 100-year floodplain Proposal: 1,000 SF* Used by Lewis, Mason, Grays Harbor Counties; Olympia, Tumwater, Tenino Different techniques used by Pierce County, Lacey and Yelm *Or smaller if associated with riparian corridor, wetland mosaic, essential habitat for priority species

9 Wetland Buffers Analyzed adjacent jurisdictions for: Range of standard buffer widths How buffers were determined Whether any alterations to buffer widths were allowed Further discussion of buffer width alteration at April 20 meeting

10 Wetland Buffers Thurston County (current) feet Thurston County (proposed) feet Lewis County Mason County Grays Harbor County Pierce County City of Olympia City of Lacey City of Tumwater City of Yelm City of Rainier City of Tenino feet feet feet feet feet feet feet feet feet feet *Standard buffer width ranges; adjustments are provided for in each jurisdiction s regulations

11 Wetland Buffer Determination Various approaches Habitat score/water quality from Wetland Rating System Land Use (LU) Intensity Thurston County proposal is based on: Habitat scores from Wetland Rating System, Distances required to protect specific wetland types/water quality County does not receive permits for many activities covered by Ecology LU intensity table (handout)

12 Replacement of Wetlands Several jurisdictions allow for Cat. III and IV wetlands Refer to handout

13 Scenarios for Future Meetings Planned Scenario (Category II wetland) Single family home application on 5 acres Assuming BMPs in order to decrease buffer Will analyze how final buffer widths compare based on: Current CAO Draft proposal Ecology guidance Surrounding jurisdictions And any other PC suggestions

14 Next Steps Release remaining draft chapters, including: Definitions Administrative Procedures Critical Area chapters (CARAs, Geo. Hazards, Frequently Flooded Areas, FWHCAs) Special Reports Critical Area Permit Reasonable Use Exception Continue work sessions with Planning Commission

15 Thurston County Planning Department To sign up for webmail updates from the Planning Department, please visit: