35.35.040 Regulations – Wetland designation, delineation, mapping, and classification.
(1) Designation. Regulated wetlands are those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Regulated wetlands generally include, but are not limited to, swamps, marshes, bogs, ponds, including their submerged aquatic beds and similar areas. Wetlands do not include those artificial wetlands intentionally created from nonwetland sites, including, but not limited to, irrigation and drainage ditches, grass-lined swales, canals, detention facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, farm ponds, and landscape amenities, or those wetlands created after July 1, 1990 (adoption date of Chapter 36.70A RCW, Growth Management Act) that were unintentionally created as a result of the construction of a road, street, or highway. Wetlands created as mitigation and wetlands modified for approved land use activities shall be considered as regulated wetlands.
(2) Mapping. The approximate location and extent of wetlands are shown on the County’s critical area maps. These maps are advisory. Definitive information about wetland size or presence requires a field inspection by a qualified professional. The County shall update the maps as new wetlands are identified and as new information from credible sources becomes available.
(3) Delineation. In accordance with RCW 90.58.380, wetlands shall be identified in accordance with the requirements of WAC 173-22-035. Unless otherwise provided for in this Program, all areas within the County meeting the criteria in the manual are hereby designated critical areas and are subject to the provisions of this section. The wetland boundary shall be identified and delineated by a biologist with wetlands ecology expertise within the North Olympic Peninsula Region, and who has professional experience in this occupation demonstrated by a minimum of two years’ practical experience or is certified as a Professional Wetland Scientist by the Society of Wetland Scientists. This person shall field stake the wetland boundary and this line shall be surveyed by a professional land surveyor if the delineation is required for a land division pursuant to CCC Title 29.
(4) Classification and Rating. Wetlands shall be rated based on categories that reflect the functions and values of each wetland. Wetland categories shall be based on the criteria provided in the Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington (Ecology Publication No. 14-06-029, and revised editions), as determined using the appropriate rating forms contained in that publication. These categories are generally defined as follows:
(a) Category I Wetlands. Category I wetlands are those wetlands of exceptional value in terms of protecting water quality, storing flood and stormwater, and/or providing habitat for wildlife as indicated by a rating system score of between 23 and 27 points on the Ecology rating forms. These are wetland communities of infrequent occurrence that often provide documented habitat for sensitive, threatened or endangered species, and/or have other attributes that are very difficult or impossible to replace if altered.
(b) Category II Wetlands. Category II wetlands have significant value based on their function as indicated by a rating system score of between 20 and 22 points on the Ecology rating forms. They do not meet the criteria for Category I rating but occur infrequently and have qualities that are difficult to replace if altered.
(c) Category III Wetlands. Category III wetlands have important resource value as indicated by a rating system score of between 16 and 19 points on the Ecology rating forms. These wetlands are relatively common.
(d) Category IV Wetlands. Category IV wetlands are wetlands of limited resource value as indicated by a rating system score of less than 16 points on the Ecology rating forms. They typically have vegetation of similar age and class, lack special habitat features, and/or are isolated or disconnected from other aquatic systems or high-quality upland habitats.