19.70.215 Designation and rating.
A. Designation. All areas meeting the definition of a wetland and the wetland identification criteria pursuant to this chapter, regardless of any formal identification, are hereby designated critical areas and are subject to the provisions of this chapter.
B. Rating. Wetlands must be rated by a qualified professional according to the Washington State Department of Ecology Wetland Rating System for Western Washington – 2014 Update (Ecology Publication No. 14-06-029, October 2014), or as revised. Wetland rating categories will be applied as the wetland exists on the date of adoption of the rating system by the city, as the wetland naturally changes in accordance with permitted activities.
1. Category I. Category I wetlands are those that represent unique or rare wetland types, are more sensitive to disturbance than most wetlands, are relatively undisturbed and contain ecological attributes that are impossible to replace within a human lifetime, or provide a high level of functions. The following types of wetlands are Category I:
a. Relatively undisturbed estuarine wetlands larger than one acre;
b. Wetlands of high conservation value identified by scientists of the Washington Natural Heritage Program/Department of Natural Resources (DNR);
c. Bogs;
d. Mature forested wetlands larger than one acre;
e. Wetlands in coastal lagoons; and
f. Wetlands that perform many functions well and have a total score of 23 points or more in the wetland rating.
2. Category II. Category II wetlands are those wetlands that are difficult, though not impossible, to replace, and provide high levels of some functions. The following types of wetlands are Category II:
a. Estuarine wetlands smaller than one acre or disturbed estuarine wetlands larger than one acre;
b. Wetlands with a moderately high level of functions and a total score of 20 to 22 points in the wetland rating;
c. Wetlands in coastal lagoons that are relatively undisturbed and equal to or smaller than one-tenth acre (4,350 square feet).
3. Category III. Category III wetlands are those with a moderate level of functions, generally have been disturbed in some ways, can often be adequately replaced with a well-planned mitigation project, and are often less diverse or more isolated from other natural resources in the landscape than Category II wetlands. The following types of wetlands are Category III:
a. Wetlands with a moderate level of functions with a total score of 16 to 19 points in the wetland rating.
4. Category IV. Category IV wetlands have the lowest levels of functions and are often heavily disturbed, with a total score of 15 points or less in the wetland rating. The functions provided by Category IV wetlands are generally easier to replace, and in some cases can be improved. However, experience has shown that replacement of functions cannot be guaranteed in any specific case. These wetlands may provide some important functions that need to be protected.
C. Illegal Modifications. When a violation occurs wetland rating categories do not change due to illegal modifications or alterations. A wetland’s category must be based on the pre-violation condition of the wetland. (Ord. 4025 § 2 (Att. A), 2022; Ord. 3064 § 2 (Att. A), 2021)