26.02.070 Critical wildlife habitat.
(1) The applicant for development proposed in the critical areas overlay zone that may impact habitat conservation areas shall provide a habitat management plan, prepared by a qualified expert in the species in question, in conformance with Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife requirements, for evaluation by local, state and federal agencies (as identified by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Natural Resources).
(2) The habitat management plan shall be based on best available science and best management practices and shall be designed to achieve specific habitat objectives and shall include, at a minimum:
(a) A detailed description of vegetation on and adjacent to the project area;
(b) Identification of any species of local importance, priority species, or endangered, threatened, sensitive or candidate species that have a primary association with habitat on or adjacent to the project area, and assessment of potential project impacts to the use of the site by the species;
(c) A discussion of any federal, state or local special management recommendations, including Department of Fish and Wildlife habitat management recommendations, that have been developed for species or habitats located on or adjacent to the project area;
(d) A detailed discussion of the potential impact on habitat by the project, including potential impact of water quality;
(e) A discussion of measures. including avoidance, minimization and mitigation, proposed to preserve existing habitats and restore any habitat that was degraded prior to the current proposed land use activity;
(f) A discussion of continuing management practices that will protect habitat after the project site has been developed, including proposed monitoring and maintenance programs.
(3) A habitat conservation area may be altered only if the proposed alteration of the habitat or the mitigation proposed does not degrade the functions and values of the habitat.
(4) Nonindigenous plant, wildlife or fish species to the region shall not be introduced into a habitat conservation area unless authorized by a state or federal permit or approval.
(5) The habitat management plan shall address the project area of the proposed activity, all habitat conservation areas and recommended buffers within 300 feet of the project areas and all other critical areas within 300 feet of the project area.
(6) Anadromous Fish. All activities, uses, and alterations proposed to be located in water bodies used by anadromous fish or in areas that affect such water bodies shall, at a minimum, adhere to the following standards:
(a) Activities shall be timed to occur only during the allowable work window as designated by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife for the applicable species.
(b) Alternative alignments or location for the activity is determined to be not feasible.
(c) The activity is designed so that it does not degrade the functions and values of the fish habitat or other critical areas. Any impacts to the functions and values of the habitat conservation area shall be mitigated in accordance with an approved critical areas report mitigation plan. (Ord. 474-N, §2, 2020; Ord. 338-N, §2, 2007)