(1) Outdoor recreation such as bird watching, boating, bicycling, canoeing, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, jogging, photography, swimming, and similar activities not requiring clearing or grading.

(2) Emergency work when done to protect life or property and authorized by the County Board of Commissioners. An “emergency” is an unanticipated and imminent threat to public health, safety, or the environment which requires immediate action within a time too short to allow full compliance with this chapter.

(3) Construction of wildlife nesting structures not involving clearing or grading.

(4) Education and scientific research projects which will have no damaging effect upon the environment.

(5) Site investigation work (e.g., soil surveys, soil logs) or other related activities necessary for designating critical areas.

(6) The placement of temporary or permanent field stakes or monuments for survey purposes, delineating critical areas and buffers, or marking of property lines or corners pursuant to CCC Title 29.

(7) Existing, ongoing agriculture as defined in CCC 27.12.900 including related development and activities which do not result in expansion into a critical area or its buffer and which also do not result in significant adverse impacts to a critical area or its buffer; provided, that such activities comply with the provisions of CCC 27.12.037. New agricultural activities, expansion of existing agricultural activities, or development not meeting the definition of existing, ongoing agriculture (CCC 27.12.900) shall comply with both the substantive and procedural provisions of this chapter.

(8) Normal repair and routine maintenance and operation of residences, landscaping, utilities, roads, trails, irrigation and drainage ditches, and fish ponds which were lawfully constructed, approved, or established prior to the effective date of this chapter; provided, that no expansion results.

(9) Operation and maintenance of all electric facilities, lines, equipment or appurtenances, water and sewer lines; natural gas, cable communications and telephone facilities, lines, pipes, mains, equipment or appurtenances, except for power, water, and sewer substations and pump sites or new utilities within designated frequently flooded areas; provided, that the standards specified in Part Five of this chapter are met. For the purposes of this chapter, operation and maintenance shall include those usual acts necessary for the continued use of existing services in their established locations. Replacement, expansion, relocation or placement of new utility service lines shall be subject to the standards of this chapter, as applicable.

(10) State forest practices conducted pursuant to Chapter 76.09 RCW. This exemption does not apply to Class IV – general (conversions), or forest practices occurring within designated urban growth areas, or forest practices designated as areas likely to convert through a memorandum of understanding between Clallam County and the Washington Department of Natural Resources, as applicable.

(11) Normal and nondestructive pruning and trimming of vegetation for maintenance purposes, or thinning of limbs of individual trees to provide for a view corridor or removal of non-native vegetation and replacement with native vegetation; provided, that increased erosion or landslide potential or negative impacts to the critical area do not result.