6600 MERRILL CREEK PKY BLDG A SHELL 2016-01-01 MF Import

. I 4.3.2 Mitigating Impacts of Development on Vegetation and Wildlife 1. Wildlife Comdors� because the area is generally built out, few opportunities exist to establish east- ��est wildlife corridors bet�veen basins in the residential areas to the north oCthe Subarea. Thus the remaining corridors are important Cor wildlife movement. Several wildlife corridors were required on the Boeing property. In addition, the City owns a parcel between Narbeck Creek and Memll and Ring Creek that will function as a wildlife corridor. The City shall designate the buff'ers between industrial developments and the residential areas and buffers separating residential areas (sce Figure 3.4-40 in the EIS) as wildlife comdors as well as buffers. Additional plantings shall be required in these corridors/buffers in conjunction with issuance oCpermits on these sites when the Planning Director determines that the comdor can be enhanced. An enhancement plan must be rcviewed and approved by the Planning Department prior to the issuance of any permits. The Ciry encourages ent�ancement in all corridors. Enhancement should provide additional cover and food sources for�vildlife, as well as conifer�us vegetation. (SEPA Plant and Animal and Land and Sh��reline Use Policies) 2. IQo removal of vegetation is permitted in environmentally sensitive areas and their buffers, includin� wildlife corridors, except as approved by the Planning Director to eliminate hazardous trees, allow construction and maintenance of utilities, and/or provide access to properties. Any cleared areas shall be replanted with native vegetation. In wildlife corridors, the intent of plantings shall be to establish coniferous forest where feasible, except that utility comdors shall be established with nitive shrubs and groundcover. (SEPA Plant and Animal and Land and Shoreline Use Policies) 3. Where development occurs adjacent to environmentally sensitive areas, an analysis of hazardous trees in the environmentally sensitive area must be completed by a professional arborist. Any trees that are hazardous (i.e., are diseased, damaged or leaning and arc likely to fall on development) must be removed prior to issuance of occupancy permits, and preferably, prior to construction of swcwres on the site. Where they would not create a hazard, the tranks of these trees must be Icft tor snags. For each tree cut, three coniferous trecs must be planted unless the Planning Director dci�rmines that sufficient natural coniferous revegctation is occurring in the area. However, Cor each trce left as a snag, one coniferous tree must be planted. The arborist must submit a tree removal and replaccment plan to the Planning Department and mark in the field all trees to be removed. The Planning Depariment must approve the tree removal and replacement plan prior to any activity in the environmentally sensitive area. Large woody debris should be retaincd where it would not create a hazard, such as causing (looding due to alteration of the natural hydrology of a strcam system. (SEPA Plant and Animal Policies) 4. A variety of native species can be planted to increase local diversity and provide attractive wildliCe habitat while countering erosion. The use of native plants can also improve water qualiry by minimizing thc use of fertilizcrs, herbicides, and pesticides. Water use efficiency is another advantage of landscaping with native plants. Reduced imgation means reduced likelihood of erosion, siltation, and landsliding resulting from the development, reduced impacts to local hydrology, reduccd maintenance costs, and enhanced water availability for other consumptive uses. ' De(ined as"continuous vegelalive corridors linking watersheds" in the City's Environmentally Sensitive Areas Ordinance. 10