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The location and extent of critical areas shall be designated by Clallam County based upon best available information from qualified professional sources. Clallam County shall develop, and make available to the public, maps or other data bases, as appropriate, which show the location, extent, and classification of regulated critical areas as accurately as feasible. This information shall be advisory and used by the Administrator in determining the applicability of the standards of this chapter to a particular location or development proposal site. When additional information is required as to the location or extent of a critical area that may be affected by a proposed development activity, the Administrator may require additional information or may hire a qualified professional at the applicant’s expense. Any land, water, or vegetation that meets the criteria of critical area designation under this chapter which is not identified on maps or other publicly available documents shall be subject to the provision of this chapter.

Critical areas shall not include those lands where a qualified professional or qualified professional sources demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Administrator that maps or other information used to identify the location and extent of critical areas are in error. Qualified professional sources shall mean the following for each of the designated critical areas listed below:

(1) Wetlands. Written recommendations or published reports from State or federal agencies charged with wetland identification, or a biologist with wetlands ecology expertise and who is knowledgeable of wetland conditions within the North Olympic Peninsula Region, and who has professional experience in this occupation demonstrated by a minimum of two years practical experience of delineating wetlands and wetland plant identification; or those individuals or firms which have been certified by the Society of Wetlands Scientists.

(2) Aquatic and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas. Written recommendations or published reports from State or federal agencies charged with management of fish and wildlife resources, or a person with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences or related field from an accredited college or university and four years’ experience as a practicing biologist.

(3) Geologic Hazard Areas. Written recommendations or published reports from State or federal agencies charged with identification of geologic hazards, or by a geotechnical or civil engineer or geologist licensed in the State of Washington who is knowledgeable of regional geologic conditions and who has professional expertise in geologic hazard evaluation.

(4) Frequently Flooded Areas. Written recommendations or published reports from State or federal agencies charged with the identification of flood control, or a civil engineer licensed in the State of Washington. The Administrator may allow a land surveyor licensed by the State of Washington to recommend designation of frequently flooded areas where base flood elevation data is available.

(5) Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas. Written recommendations or published reports from State and federal agencies charged with designation of geologic or water resources features, or a person(s) with a four-year degree in hydrology, hydrogeology, or related field from an accredited college or university and also having demonstrated experience in hydrogeologic assessment.