35.15.020 Policies.
(1) Agriculture is important to the long-term economic viability of Clallam County. Consistent with WAC 173-26-241(3)(a)(ii), this Program should not modify or limit ongoing agricultural activities occurring on agricultural lands.
(2) New agricultural uses and development proposed on land not currently in agricultural use, and conversion of agricultural lands to nonagricultural uses, should conform to this Program.
(3) New agricultural use and development should be managed to:
(a) Prevent livestock intrusion into the water;
(b) Control runoff;
(c) Prevent water quality contamination caused by nutrients and noxious chemicals;
(d) Minimize clearing of riparian areas;
(e) Prevent bank erosion; and
(f) Assure no net loss of ecological functions and avoid adverse impacts on other shoreline functions and values.
(4) New agricultural use and development should preserve and maintain native vegetation between tilled lands and adjacent water bodies.
(5) Conversion of agricultural uses to other uses should comply with all policies and regulations for nonagricultural uses.
(6) Existing and new agricultural uses are encouraged to use USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and/or Clallam Conservation District best management practices to prevent erosion, runoff, and associated water quality impacts.
(7) The County should review proposals for new agricultural developments to determine if any such development would thwart or substantially compromise planned restoration actions. The County should work with the proponents of each project to resolve likely conflicts between agricultural development and planned restoration.