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Exhibit B <br />ORDINANCE Exhibit A - Page 44 of 66 <br />iv. The proposed wetland would not be established at the cost of another high- <br />functioning habitat (i.e., ecologically important uplands). <br />3. Preservation (Protection/Maintenance). The removal of a threat to, or preventing the decline <br />of, wetlands by an action in or near those wetlands. This term includes activities commonly <br />associated with the protection and maintenance of wetlands through the implementation of <br />appropriate legal and physical mechanisms such as recording conservation easements and <br />providing structural protection like fences and signs. Preservation does not result in a gain of <br />aquatic resource area or functions but may result in a gain in functions over the long term. <br />Preservation of a wetland and associated buffer can be used only if: <br />a. The planning director determines that the proposed preservation is the best <br />mitigation option; <br />b. The proposed preservation site is under threat of undesirable ecological change due <br />to permitted, planned, or likely actions that will not be adequately mitigated under <br />existing regulations; <br />c. The area proposed for preservation is of high quality or critical for the health and <br />ecological sustainability of the watershed or sub-basin. Some of the following features <br />may be indicative of high-quality sites: <br />i. Category I or II wetland rating <br />ii. Rare or irreplaceable wetland type [e.g, peatlands, mature forested wetland, <br />estuaries, vernal pools, alkali wetlands] or aquatic habitat that is rare or a <br />limited resource in the area. <br />Iii. The presence of habitat for threatened or endangered species (state,federal, <br />or both). <br />iv. Provides biological and/or hydrological connectivity to other habitats. <br />v. Priority sites identified in an adopted watershed plan. <br />d. Permanent preservation of the wetland and buffer shall be provided through a legal <br />mechanism such as a conservation easement or tract held by an appropriate natural <br />land resource manager/land trust. <br />e. The planning director may approve another legal and administrative mechanism in <br />lieu of a conservation easement if it is determined to be adequate to protect the site. <br />4. Enhancement. The manipulation of the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of a <br />wetland to heighten, intensify, or improve specific wetland function(s). Enhancement is <br />undertaken for specified purposes such as water quality improvement, flood water retention, or <br />wildlife habitat. Enhancement results in the gain of selected wetland function(s) but may also <br />lead to a decline in other wetland function(s). Enhancement does not result in a gain in wetland <br />area. Enhancement activities could include planting vegetation, controlling non-native or <br />invasive species, and modifying site elevations to alter hydroperiods in existing wetlands.