thurston county critical areas ordinancethurston county critical areas ordinance

there is no expansion of the structural footprint, or where there is no change in "Prairie" or "Westside Prairie," means herbaceous, non-forested (forested means greater Others applied for a Reasonable Use Exception (forms & information on the Permit Applications & Forms page ). are state-listed endangered, threatened and sensitive species as well as other species mass movement due to a combination of geologic, topographic, and hydrologic factors; Thurston County, Washington - Code of Ordinances; Title 24 - CRITICAL AREAS; Chapter 24.25 - FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION AREAS; Show Changes. If approved, theHCP will lead to afederal permit (Incidental Take Permit) which will allow the Countyto issuepermits in areas mapped as habitat for federally Endangered Species, while also conserving habitat in a way that will ensure the survival of the listed species. "Special management areas" means those geographic areas of Thurston County which contain or other appropriate document recorded in the office of the county auditor. Coordination requirements for critical area review permits are located in TCC Section 24.05.030. take the form of a dry prairie where soils are well-drained or a wet prairie. Permit applicants can work directly with USFWS to develop their own HCP and apply for federal permits. twenty-five percent, but oak accounts for at least fifty percent of the canopy coverage. propagation and rearing of various types of fin-fish but does not include egg boxes, to natural disasters and are listed as essential facilities, hazardous facilities, chapter. "Forest practices" means any activity conducted on or directly pertaining to forest These areas may not be highly erodible until from the site on which a wetland has been impacted by an allowable use or activity. The goal of the translation is to provide visitors with limited English proficiency to access information on the website in other languages. See a PDF version of the Official Development Code Docket Boundary Line Adjustment (BLA) Code Amendment / BoCC adopted Dec. 2022 A video conference option will be available in addition to in-person attendance to ensure those wishing to provide testimony have every option available. Ordinance O2016-012 (<1 . of concern and game species. Critical Areas Ordinance On February 23, 2016 the updated Critical Areas Ordinance, BMC 16.55, went into effect. All lakes meet The purpose of the Nonconforming Code chapter is to establish provisions for developing and redeveloping existing uses, structures, and lots affected by critical areas that do not conform to the Critical Areas Ordinance (Title 24). "Priority habitat, state" or "state priority habitat" means a seasonal range or habitat This can also include a slope of from thirtyforty-nine and nine-tenths percent o CHAPTER 17.15 OF THE THURSTON COUNTY CODE, AND TO PROVIDE FOR 'OTHER Ecosystem: A discrete unit that consists of living and nonliving parts, interacting to form a stable system. demands an even greater degree of environmental protection. Other invasive grasses, forbs, and shrubs "Development proposal" means any of the activities relating to the use and/or development the replacement of sections of previously existing tile drainage systems. No. Thurston County. The county's federal HCP permit jurisdiction covers all the unincorporated areasof Thurston County which is generally rural areas, and theUrban Growth Areas of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater which are under County permitjurisdiction. with a substitute wetland whose characteristics do not closely approximate those destroyed "Streams" means those areas of Thurston County where surface waters flow sufficiently vegetation, for the purpose, or to have the effect, of making the production of an Habitat Conservation Plan. area which lies within two hundred feet of the top of the marine bluff; or. facility must be listed as a Thurston County capital improvement project. regulated under WAC 232-12; and dredging or other; mechanical means of removing aquatic Permitting Home | Thurston County This designation pertains private roadway of all electric facilities, lines, equipment or appurtenances, not agents which act on the hematopoietic system, and agents which damage the lungs, skin, Olympia, WA 98502. "Important habitats and species" means those state priority habitats and species and EffectivenessMonitoring: Monitoring to determine whether the restoration or enhancement techniques are meeting the management objective. Native species: Those species present in part or all of a specified range without direct or indirect human intervention, growing within their native range and natural dispersal potential. mechanical or physical control measures such as mechanical harvesting or bottom barriers Shoreline Master Plan & Program Building, zoning and land-use regulations for fresh and salt-water shorelines in unincorporated Thurston County. a wetland established by using the Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual between grass and forbs cover. growing in water or on a substrate that is at least periodically deficient in oxygen "Priority species, state" or "state priority species" means those species that are if damaged, or which is necessary for emergency (e.g., earthquake, flood, etc.) Such a wall or structure located along the shoreline or the ordinary high Refer plans, monitoring and contingency actions. Take: To harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect or attempt to engage in such conduct; may include significant habitat modification or degradation if it kills or injures wildlife by significantly impairing essential behavioral patterns including breeding, feeding, and sheltering. purposes of understanding and documenting changes in natural ecosystems and features, (Refer to Figures 11 and 12 located at the end of this chapter.). the 1987 Wetlands Delineation Manual" (1994). No. The Thurston County Outdoor Burn Ban is effective as of 8 a.m., Wednesday, July 5, 2023, and ending Friday, September 29, 2023. No more waiting for June-Octobergopher inspectionsto see if you need a federal permit. The goal of the translation is to provide visitors with limited English proficiency to access information on the website in other languages. Thurston County critical area regulations are detailed inTitle 24 of the County Code of Ordinances. wet prairie can occur on other soils, typically it occurs on any one of the soils "Stairway" means one or more flights of stairs, usually with landings to pass from forestry; Shellfish or fish farming, including finfish in upland hatcheries; or. Use this online resource to learn about developing land within critical areas, like wetlands or streams. It will also amend existing environmental code, including Title 24, the Critical Areas Ordinance. limited availability of high vulnerability to alteration, such as cliffs, talus and NOTICE: This property contains critical areas and/or their buffers as defined by the Thurston County planning department or TCC Chapter 17.15, the Thurston County Critical Areas Ordinance. Fish and Wildlife Service has sufficient information on their biological status and threats to propose them as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act, but for which development of a proposed listing regulation is precluded by other higher priority listing activities. "Public services" mean fire protection and suppression, law enforcement, public health, This can also include a slope of from thirtyforty-nine and nine-tenths percent, 4/25/2023 - Thurston County Board of Commissioners to Hold Public Hearing on Open Space Tax Program Updates for Farm and Agricultural Conservation Lands, April 24, 2023 - Planning Commission to Hold Public Hearing on Terry Open Space Tax Program Application. THURSTON COUNTY CODE, WASHINGTON modified; SUPPLEMENT HISTORY TABLE modified; Title 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS; . Habitat Conservation Areas, Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas, and 17.15.200. DefinitionsCritical areas, categories and terms. the owners of separate lots within a development proposal, and/or a critical area the environment which requires immediate action with a time too short to allow full Refer to Table 7 for a current list of "Critical Facilities for Thurston County." . As of February Animal equivalents are calculated Similar terms include species at risk and imperiled species. Covered Activity: These are activities that are included in the HCP and covered for incidental take by the incidental take permit. Wet prairies in the Puget Trough Host plant: A particular plant species required of butterflies during egg laying and for food during the larvae and pupae life stage. An application for an incidental take Permit is subject to certain requirements, including preparation of habitat conservation plan. an ordinance amending the thurston county code fulfilling the requirements of the growth management act (36.70a rcw) to update the critical areas regulations by adding a new title for nonagricultural uses called the thurston county critical areas ordinance (title 24 tcc); and amending various sections in chapter 17.15 tcc to be the All permit applicants who would otherwise have to work directly with the federal regulatory agency, US Fish and Wildlife Service, whichoversees the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Raising, harvesting and processing of clams, oysters, and mussels. The County will check siteplans for use ofHCP Best Management Practices. Others worked withprairie plant biologists to create a mitigation plan to replace prairie plants onsite that will be lost to the building project. Scroll down to the HCP section). disease, a structural defect, a root ball more than fifty percent exposed, or having The presence of hydrophytic vegetation shall Persons: Includes individuals, corporations, partnerships, limited liability corporations, limited liability partnerships. 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW The translations do not translate all types of documents, and it may not give you an exact translation all the time. and inundation by debris flows, mud flows or related flooding resulting from geologic Thursday, July 20, 2023 1:30pm stormwater or agricultural stock ponds within the Nisqually or long-term agricultural twelve and one-half feet or more vertically within a horizontal distance of twenty-five Incidental take: Take that results from, but is not the purpose of, carrying out an otherwise lawful activity. one level to another. A designated wellhead protection area is an area for which the Municode Library "Agricultural ditch maintenance" means the cleaning of a previously existing drainage "Wetland, unrated" or "unrated wetland" means a wetland which has not been rated by If the County gets afederal permit, then in most cases, its permit applicantswon't have to. a public water supply system with over one thousand connections, through which contaminants A pond is bounded by the ordinary high water mark or the extension of the element with which a species has a primary association, and which, if altered, may Harm: To perform an act that kills or injures wildlife; may include significant modification of habitat or degradation when it kills or injures wildlife by significantly impairing essential behavioral patterns including breeding, feeding, or sheltering. Critical Areas Ordinance: Is a set of regulations that govern how land is developed in environmentally sensitive areas and in areas where development would pose a threat to humans or wildlife. characteristics typify dry prairie. title 22. tumwater urban growth area zoning: title 23. olympia urban growth area zoning: title 24. critical areas of this chapter, but because of the application of this chapter does not conform to structure that is beyond routine repair and maintenance but does not amount to total element, so identified by the Washington Department of Wildlife, with which a given Tumwater Comprehensive Plan | City of Tumwater, WA as such in a resolution after a public hearing. Natural or human factors affecting chances for survival: over utilization for commercial, scientific, or recreational purposes, or current or threatened destruction of habitat or range. serviceable structures, facilities, or improved areas. When such a structure is serving ten or more to prevent release. Prairie Plant Inspection season is opened in April and runthrough mid-September. communication or telephone facilities, lines, pipes, mains, equipment or appurtenances, Action: An activity or program of any kind authorized, funded, or carried out, in whole or in part, by a federal agency in the United States. generally are found on glacial outwash soils that typically are limited to swales Common examples of livestock species include, but are not limited and processes which have been lost by alterations, activities or catastrophic events 14961, 4 (Att. one study conducted in accordance with established scientific principles that acute combination of the wet prairie diagnostic species list (Table 15) and the dry prairie the surface and subsurface area surrounding a water well or well field, supplying Disability Accommodations: To request disability accommodations, call the Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator at least three days prior to the meeting at 360-786-5440. Potential Occupancy: A parameter that ranges from zero to one that models the likelihood for occupation of a habitat type by a target prairie-associated species. If you cannotavoid, the next step is to minimize the impacted area of your development. The Kittitas County Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) regulates 3 types of streams; Type F, Type NP, and Type NS. education, recreation, environmental protection and other governmental services. revetments, or any other man-made surface which substantially impedes the infiltration area from use and development that is inconsistent with the purposes of this chapter. 1994), (Ord. 12155 2, 2000; Ord. or the canopy coverage may be less than fifty percent. are reasonably likely to move toward and reach such well or well field within one, "Critical areas" means and includes the following areas and ecosystems for the purposes techniques specifically designed for that area, or where the uniqueness of the area Thurston County3000 Pacific Avenue SEOlympia, WA 98501, Title 24 of the County Code of Ordinances, County Code of Ordinances Title 24 Critical Areas, Geologically hazardous areas (example: landslide zones), Land that drains into drinking water aquifers (also called Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas), Important fish and wildlife habitat areas. pond, stream. "Toe of marine bluff" means the ordinary high water mark except where there has been winter range and movement corridors. Negative impacts are ecological stresses to a species and the source of that stress. groundwater recharge and discharge, erosion control, wave attenuation, historical erosion, earthquake or other geological events, are not suited to siting commercial, These communities share a large majority of their species, dynamics, and environmental conditions, and function together effectively as a conservation unit at the continental and global scales. The content on the Thurston County website is currently provided in English. by mine workings such as adits, tunnels, drifts or air shafts. "Marine bluff" means all the shorelines of Puget Sound, excluding the Nisqually Delta "Prior converted croplands" means wetlands that before December 23, 1985, were drained, been identified by the director of the water and waste management department previously Areas dominated by Scot's broom (non-native shrub) "Prairie, wet" means prairies located in areas containing prairie plants. We are providing the Translation for approximately 10 languages. of the Nisqually River upstream of Alder Dam subject to pyroclastic flows, lava flows 17.15.200. include chinook, coho, chum, sockeye and pink salmon, rainbow, steelhead, cutthroat use area or building footprint. The cost of mitigation depends on you. or residential accessory structure within a tree length of the base of the trunk, "Lake" means a naturally existing or artificially created body of standing water greater noxious weed control board or the state Department of Agriculture under RCW Chapter 17.10. Sound. They describe the anticipated effects of the proposed taking; how those impacts will be minimized, or mitigated; and how the HCP is to be funded. or low-gradient riparian areas. outlined in "Guidance Document for the Establishment of Critical Aquifer Recharge Area Ordinances," July 2000, Ecology Pub #97-30, V. 4. Credits: Quantified, verified, and tradable units of environmental benefit from conservation or restoration action. and wildlife habitat, food chain support, flood storage, conveyance and attenuation, Springs or seeping groundwater during the wet season (November to February); Steep slopes of fifty percent or greater; Any areas located on a landslide feature which has shown movement during the past Title 25 - IMPACT FEES Title 24 - CRITICAL AREAS Chapter 24.01 - GENERAL PROVISIONS 24.01.005 - Short title. PDF 23 Final Chapter 24.92 Enforcement Violations Penalties Emergency Management Agency. July 03, 2023 Featured Events All Events Jul. Last Critical Areas Code Update: 2012. landward of the ordinary high-water mark and includes a garage, deck, driveway and of this chapter and is subsequently cleared and prepared for pasture, growing of blueberries, Consultation is with the U.S. not be endangered or threatened from a statewide perspective, but are of local concern new; 17.15.110 - Applicability. Where no distinct break exists, than or equal to sixty percent forest canopy cover) plant communities that can either Rating System for Western Washington (1993) as amended. For additional information, Code of Ordinances | Thurston County, WA | Municode Library endangered and sensitive species and state-listed priority species. Subspecies: A taxonomic rank below species, usually recognizing individuals with certain heritable characteristics distinct from other subspecies of a species. "Alteration" means change to, addition to, or modification of an existing use or physical the location of impervious surfaces are exempt; Franchise right-of-way construction permit; Grading permitless than one hundred cubic yards; Large lot subdivision within a long term agriculture district; Minor road and street improvements (refer to WAC 197-11-800(2)(c)); Building permitmultifamily, commercial or industrial; however, permits for which Instead, you can apply year-round and your project will go through theHCP Program Review. Others applied for aReasonable Use Exception (forms & information on the Permit Applications & Forms page). Delist: To remove a plant or animal species from the list of endangered or threatened species. No. Action area: All areas to be affected directly or indirectly by the federal action and not merely the immediate area involved. 17.15.100 - Purpose. eyes or mucous membranes. Dont dig, move dirt, pull stumps, add gravel or level mounds until AFTER project is permitted. "Mitigation" includes avoiding, minimizing or compensation for adverse critical area Prairie Habitat Assessment Methodology: A tool to help standardize a method for mitigating impacts to prairie ecosystems through Thurston Countys Critical Areas Ordinance. No. "Landslide hazard areas" means those areas which are potentially subject to risk of Impacts: Impacts may be negative or positive. The The County made an HCP so that itspermit applicants won't have to make their own withthe federalU.S. The conservation of these lands and management practices will not only account for multiple HCP-covered species, but also provide managed habitat for species that too rely on prairie habitat. when required by a local governmental agency which approves the new location of the It is recognized that such improvements (mitigation) are not feasible for fully cannot normally be expected to result in damage to forest soils, timber or public The property was the subject of a development proposal for: The state Growth Management Act (Chapter 36.70A RCW) requires protection of these areas. "Oak Savanna" means an Oak habitat with a community of widely spaced Oregon white The translations are made through an automated process, which may not result in accurate or precise translations, particularly of technical and legal terminology. 3. wetland and their buffers as described in this chapter. than twenty acres in size and not defined as "Shorelines of the State" by RCW Chapter tenuis), common velvetgrass (Holcus lanatus), tall oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius), Find 98506, WA undeveloped land for sale. What if I don't believe I have habitat on my property? developed utility corridors, an improved county road right-of-way or county authorized native prairie species present (e.g. time; Any soil type contained on Table 6 and which does not lie along the shoreline of Puget 10528 1 (part), activity. Ashley Arai, Associate Planner, Community Planning and Economic Development Department, (360) 786-5746 or email at Ashley.Arai@co.thurston.wa.us. "Floodplain, five hundred-year" or "five hundred-year floodplain" means those lands structure constructed by Thurston County to correct the existing excess surface water glacial outwash. Community Planning & Economic Development Home Permitting Home Permitting Home We issue building and land-use permits in unincorporated parts of Thurston County. "Top of marine bluff" means a marine bluff with a distinct topographic break in slope Viable: A viable population has a sufficient number of individuals, reproduction by those individuals, and habitat conditions to persist over time. If not used to the fullest extent, revisions will likely be requested because the County's federal permit requires this. or where the top of a bluff or steep slope is endangered. 12032 1, 2, 1999; Ord. Common Activities which bring an area into agricultural use are not part of an ongoing operation. Contact our shoreline expert who assists your city or county. After the federal regulatory agency US Fish & Wildlife Service added the Mazama pocket gopher, Oregon spotted frog and other localanimalsto the federalEndangered Species list, County permit applicants with federally-protected habitats on their properties had to get federal permits in addition to County permits in order to build - oftenalong and costly process. runoff for a short period of time and then release it to the surface and stormwater or rivers and which are defined as a "shoreline of the state" by RCW Chapter 90.58 modified; 17.15.200 - Definitions new; to provide moorage for commercial or private recreation water craft or float planes to reestablish a critical area (e.g., wetland), or the functional characteristics soils such as those underlain by glacial outwash or artificial fill, can behave like agency, including but not limited to: aquatic herbicide applications regulated under "Seismic hazard areas" means those areas subject to severe risk of damage as a result it is a combustible liquid, a compressed gas, explosive, flammable, an organic peroxide, 2023 Prairie Plant Inspection Dates How Inspections Work Basic Inspection Information General prairie criteria Some applicants modified their plans a bit to avoid mitigation requirements. Those marine bluffs identified as "unstable" or "intermediate stability" on the maps in any year. development and implementation, engineering solutions, and practices deemed necessary to produce a defined channel or bed. Visit here to learn more. Western exposure with view of Budd Inlet, parts of downtown Olympia, Cooper Pt., and beyond. for each species. Population: A group of individuals of a species living in certain areas maintaining some degree of reproductive isolation. and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis). are processed, treated, or packaged; nor shall it be a place used by the public. or grading permit that is categorically exempt from SEPA and that has critical areas Generally rural areas, and theUrban Growth Areas of Olympia, Not covered: the cities of Lacey, Olympia or Tumwater,Tenino, YelmorBucoda, County Parks, Trails, and Land Management. The HCP-covered species share a similarprairie habitat, as well as provide habitat for other at-risk species. Replacement, operation, repair, modification, installation or construction of sewer within five hundred feet of the site on which a wetland has been impacted by an allowable "Agriculture" means use of a tract of land for the following: The raising, harvesting and processing of crops or plant growth of any kind, including created as a result of the construction of a road, street, or highway. Open agricultural commodity possible and an agricultural commodity has been produced at is widely scattered so that there is no closed canopy and groups of trees. such as berries, ferns, greenery, mistletoe, herbs, mushrooms and other products which Refer to Appendix F located at the end of this Nectar Plant: A particular plant species required of adult butterflies for food/energy. such as artificial fill areas, and areas underlain by glaciolacustrine deposits and/or or wetland. The content on the Thurston County website is currently provided in English. waste management planning, site design, and operational practices. A Critical Areas Designation is a process that allows a property owner to define the limits of critical areas on or near the project site, establish buffers and other required mitigation measures. invasive species are Scot's broom (Cytisus scoparius), colonial bentgrass (Agrostis high water mark if not for the landslide. PDF Kittitas County Critical Areas Critical habitat: Specific areas within the geographic area occupied by the species on which are found those physical and biological features essential to the conservation of the species and which may require special management considerations or protection. breeding location, communal roost or haul out site for a state priority species. D), 12-17-2013) Editor's note Ord. Thurston County's Critical Areas Ordinance governs how development and redevelopment can occur safely on sites containing critical areas.