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Chapter 19.04 EMC, Definitions Page 37 of 55 <br />The Everett Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 4031-24, passed May 22, 2024. <br />19.04.110 Critical areas definitions. <br />This section defines specific terms to be applied where used in Chapter 19.37 EMC. <br />“Alteration” means any human-induced action which impacts the existing condition of a critical <br />area. Alterations include but are not limited to grading; filling; dredging; draining; channelizing; <br />cutting, pruning, limbing or topping, clearing, relocating or removing vegetation; applying <br />herbicides or pesticides or any hazardous or toxic substance; discharging pollutants; grazing <br />domestic animals; paving, construction, application of gravel; modifying for surface water <br />management purposes; or any other human activity that impacts the existing vegetation, <br />hydrology, wildlife or wildlife habitat. Alteration does not include walking, passive recreation, <br />fishing or other similar activities. <br />“Best available science” means current scientific information used in the process to designate, <br />protect, or restore critical areas, that is derived from a valid scientific process as defined by <br />WAC 365-195-900 through 365-195-925. <br />“Biological assessment” is an evaluation of the potential effects of a proposed action on listed <br />and proposed species and designated and proposed critical habitat and determination whether <br />any such species or habitat is likely to be adversely affected by the action. <br />“Biologist” means a person who has earned a degree in biological sciences from a college or <br />university, with practical experience that includes at least two years’ expertise in matters <br />involving wetlands biology or stream ecology in the Pacific Northwest. <br />“Bog” means wetlands with extensive living sphagnum moss or sphagnum peat and a <br />distinctive flora that results from the acidic substrate. <br />“Buffer” means an area which provides the margin of safety through protection of slope <br />stability, attenuation of surface water flows and erosion controls necessary to minimize risk to <br />the public from loss of life or well-being or property damage resulting from natural disasters, or <br />an area which is an integral part of the natural system and which provides shading, input of <br />organic debris and coarse sediments, room for variation in stream or wetland boundaries, <br />habitat for wildlife and protection from harmful intrusion necessary to protect the public from <br />losses suffered when the functions and values of important aquatic resources are degraded.