27.12.420 Erosion hazard protection standards.
All development within the jurisdiction of designated erosion hazard areas shall adhere to the following:
(1) Forest Practice, Class IV General (Conversion and Urban Growth Area). All timber harvesting and associated development activity, such as construction of roads, shall comply with the provisions of this chapter, including the maintenance of buffers around regulated wetlands. All forest practices, regardless of class, within designated urban growth areas pursuant to the Growth Management Act, shall comply with the provisions of this section. Those lands harvested and not reforested under a Class I, II, or III permit and which do not meet the standards of this chapter and are later converted to nonforest uses shall have all local permits withheld for a period of six (6) years, as authorized by the Washington State Forest Practices Act (Chapter 76.09 RCW). This moratorium shall run with the land and be duly noted in the public record. For the purpose of implementing this policy, the conversion of land to nonforest uses shall mean the division of land or the preparation of land for land division or construction. Should a landowner wish to remove the moratorium or convert the land to nonforest uses, the owner shall:
(a) Reforest the land as prescribed by the Department of Natural Resources and/or provide stabilization and protection of the critical area in a manner approved by Clallam County in accordance with this chapter. Said reforestation shall be by planting and not by natural regeneration, unless the Department verifies that natural regeneration has already occurred to such an extent that planting is not necessary. Provide stabilization and protection of the affected critical area through drainage and erosion control measures; and
(b) Submit and have approved by the Administrator a conversion harvest plan. The approval of said plan may include conditions and improvement requirements to control erosion, protect or enhance the critical area or buffer, or other conditions which are intended to reduce impacts to the critical area.
(2) Land Disturbing Activities – All Critical Areas. Land disturbing activities located within the jurisdiction of critical areas shall obtain a certificate of compliance and provide for storm water quality and quantity control, including preparation of a temporary erosion and sediment control plan and permanent drainage plan, consistent with the Stormwater Management Manual for the Puget Sound Basin, prepared by the State Department of Ecology, February, 1992, as amended. This requirement may be waived by the Administrator upon determination that the proposal will not affect the critical area.
(3) Zoning or Comprehensive Plan Amendment. Prior to taking action on a zoning or comprehensive plan map amendment, the applicant shall complete an environmental assessment that shall be approved by Clallam County, to confirm the nature, extent and rating of critical areas on the property; determine if the subsequent development proposal would be consistent with this chapter; and determine whether mitigation or other measures would be necessary if the proposal were approved. Such review shall occur prior to any SEPA threshold determination pursuant to Chapter 27.01 CCC, Clallam County Environmental Policy. Findings of such review may be used to condition or mitigate the impact through the SEPA threshold determination or to deny the proposed zoning or comprehensive plan map amendment if the impacts are significant and cannot be mitigated.