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valuable site.Such consolidation encourages greater diversity of habitat and wetland functions. It <br /> also helps create more sustainable systems. Banks provide a greater likelihood of success over <br /> permittee-responsible mitigation projects, since the banks are up and running before unavoidable <br /> damage occurs to a wetland(s) at another site. <br /> 1. The city may allow wetland mitigation banking in lieu of other forms of wetland impact <br /> mitigation when the mitigation site being used for the credit allowed pursuant to this section is <br /> either a wetland created from a site which was previously nonwetland,a wetland of lesser size or <br /> functional value than the wetland being altered,or where the mitigation bank site substantially <br /> increases wetland functions in the watershed within which it is located. Under the wetland <br /> mitigation banking process,alteration of a wetland on the development site shall occur only <br /> when the created or enhanced wetland is successfully functioning in accordance with an <br /> approved wetland mitigation plan.The created or enhanced wetland shall have a higher wetland <br /> function rating than that being altered. In evaluating a wetland mitigation banking proposal,the <br /> planning director shall determine the amount of credit given for mitigation banking using the <br /> ratios described in subsection C.5 of this section as a guide.The amount of credit will be <br /> dependent upon the functions of the wetland being altered and the wetland being used for <br /> mitigation banking.The city, using the review process described in EMC Title 15, Local Project <br /> Review Procedures, may allow wetland mitigation banking under any of the following <br /> circumstances: <br /> a. When alteration is allowed pursuant to the"reasonable use" exception as provided in <br /> Section 37.050.6.6 of this chapter; <br /> b. When alteration is allowed for a water-dependent or water-related use; <br /> c. When on-site or off-site mitigation in the immediate vicinity of the project is not reasonable; <br /> d. When the wetland being altered is of a lower quality and has lesser functions than the <br /> wetland which is being used for the mitigation banking. <br /> 2. Wetland mitigation banks may be approved under the provisions of Chapter 173-700 WAC. For <br /> any wetland mitigation bank certified under Chapter 173-700 WAC, credits from a wetland bank <br /> may be approved for use as compensation for unavoidable impacts to wetlands when: <br /> a. The director determines that the wetland mitigation bank provides appropriate <br /> compensation for the authorized impacts. <br /> b. The proposed use of credits is consistent with the terms and conditions of the bank's <br /> certification. <br /> c. Replacement ratios for projects using bank credits shall be consistent with the terms and <br /> conditions of the bank's certification. <br /> d. Credits from a certified wetland mitigation bank may be used to compensate for impacts <br /> located within the service area specified in the bank's certification. In some cases, bank <br /> service areas may include portions of more than one adjacent drainage basin for specific <br /> wetland functions. <br /> Section 17. Section 14 of Ordinance 2909-06, as amended, (Zoning Code, Critical Areas, EMC 19.37.140 <br /> -Fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas designation and mapping), is hereby repealed. <br /> Section 18. Section 15 of Ordinance 2909-06, as amended, (Zoning Code,Critical Areas, EMC 19.37.150 <br /> -Lakes, ponds, and created ponds), is hereby repealed. <br /> EMC Title 19.37 (Critical Areas) Page 43 <br />