(1) New public or private utilities shall be located inland from water bodies, preferably outside of the shoreline jurisdiction, unless:

(2) Utility facilities and corridors should be planned, designed and located so as not to obstruct or degrade scenic views. This may include locating utility infrastructure below ground, providing vegetative screening, or taking other measures to reduce visual impacts.

(3) Utilities should be located and designed to avoid public recreation and public access areas and significant historic, archaeological, cultural, scientific or educational resources.

(4) Utilities should be designed and sited to avoid crossing aquatic areas. If a water crossing is unavoidable, it should be located in an area that will cause the least adverse ecological impact, be installed using methods that minimize adverse impacts, and be the shortest length feasible. Perpendicular crossings are preferred.

(5) Utility lines should be located and constructed within existing utility corridors and other rights-of-way presently dedicated to public use.

(6) New utility installations should be planned, designed and located to eliminate the need for structural shoreline armoring or flood protection measures.

(7) All utility development should be consistent with and coordinated with all local government and State planning, including comprehensive plans and single-purpose plans, to meet the needs of future populations in areas planned to accommodate growth. Site planning and rights-of-way for utility development should provide for compatible multiple uses such as shore access, trails, and recreation or other appropriate use whenever possible; utility right-of-way acquisition should also be coordinated with transportation and recreation planning.

(8) To the extent commensurate with public safety, public utility-owned or controlled property should be accessible to the public and enable access to, and along, shorelines.

(9) Solid or hazardous waste disposal, discharge, storage, or recycling facilities, including but not limited to moderate risk facilities, underground injection wells, solid waste and recycling transfer sites, landfills, junk yards, salvage yards, auto wrecking yards, shall demonstrate that such facilities will not adversely impact groundwater resources.

(10) The County should review proposals for new utility 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 the utility development and planned restoration.

(11) Proponents of hydroelectric generation projects should protect and preserve natural and cultural resources. Dams and hydroelectric facilities, including small-scale hydroelectric facilities, should be located so as not to adversely impact sites having historic, cultural, scientific or educational value as identified by the appropriate authorities.

(12) Proposals for new hydroelectric utilities should be carefully considered to ensure that the benefits outweigh the potential impacts on shoreline functions and processes. Projects that impact fish, wildlife, water quality, critical areas, erosion and accretion areas or processes and/or natural scenic vistas should be discouraged.

(13) The expansion of existing hydroelectric facilities or the integration of hydroelectric facilities within existing flood control, irrigation, or water supply facilities should be encouraged over the development of new facilities. When new sites are considered, sufficient evidence should be presented by the project proponent to demonstrate that existing facilities are fully utilized or are not practicably available. All non-water-dependent facilities such as staging and storage areas, switching yards, utility transmission lines and in many cases powerhouses, should be located outside of the shoreline wherever feasible.

(14) In determining the appropriateness of a stream or river for hydroelectric development, the recommendations and conclusions of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council or equivalent State-adopted site ranking study should be considered.

(15) Hydroelectric facilities should provide public access in accordance with constitutional or other legal limitations unless such improvements are demonstrated to be infeasible or present hazards to life and property.

(16) Powerhouses and related structures should be designed, located and constructed so as to avoid extensive alteration of topography and to preserve the natural features of the shoreline.

(17) Dams and hydroelectric facilities should be constructed in such a manner that minimizes erosion and sedimentation during construction.