Ordinance 3676-19 - Laserfiche WebLink

construction, application of gravel; modifying for surface water management purposes;or any other human activity that impacts the existing vegetation, hydrology,wildlife or wildlife habitat.Alteration does not include walking, passive recreation,fishing or other similar activities. "Best available science" means current scientific information used in the process to designate, protect, or restore critical areas,that is derived from a valid scientific process as defined by WAC 365-195-900 through 365-195-925. "Biological Assessment" is an evaluation of the potential effects of a proposed action on listed and proposed species and designated and proposed critical habitat and determine whether any such species or habitat are likely to be adversely affected by the action. "Biologist" means a person who has earned a degree in biological sciences from a college or university, with practical experience that includes at least two years expertise in matters involving wetlands biology or stream ecology in the Pacific Northwest. "Bog" means wetlands with extensive living sphagnum moss or sphagnum peat and a distinctive flora that results from the acidic substrate. "Buffer" means an area which provides the margin of safety through protection of slope stability, attenuation of surface water flows and erosion controls necessary to minimize risk to the public from loss of life or well-being or property damage resulting from natural disasters,or an area which is an integral part of the natural system and which provides shading, input of organic debris and coarse sediments, room for variation in stream or wetland boundaries, habitat for wildlife and protection from harmful intrusion necessary to protect the public from losses suffered when the functions and values of important aquatic resources are degraded. "Buffer management" means an activity proposed by a public agency, public utility,or private entity, and approved by the planning director,within a buffer required by this title,that is proposed to: 1. Reduce or eliminate a verified public safety hazard; 2. Maintain or enhance wildlife habitat diversity; or 3. Maintain or enhance the fishery or other functions of stream,wetland,or terrestrial ecosystems. "Buildable area" means the lot area minus undevelopable areas. "Channel gradient" refers to a measurement over a representative section of at least five hundred linear feet,where available,with at least ten evenly spaced measurement points along the normal stream channel, but excluding unusually wide areas of negligible gradient such as marshy or swampy areas, beaver ponds,and impoundments.Channel gradient may be determined utilizing stream profiles plotted from United States Geological Survey topographic maps(see Washington Forest Practices Board Manual,Section 23)or a more detailed survey specific to the project site and/or area. "Compensation" means the replacement,enhancement,or creation of an undevelopable critical area equivalent in functions,values and size to those being altered or lost to development. EMC Title 19.37 (Critical Areas) Page 72