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KLICKITAT COUNTY SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM UPDATE Environment Designations How are Shoreline Environment Designations assigned Rural Purpose: to protect agricultural land from urban expansion, protect ecological functions, conserve natural resources, and achieve natural floodplain processes Criteria: characterized by intensive agriculture or recreational use, moderate land values, and lower public and private capital investment Natural Purpose: to preserve and restore natural resource systems that are relatively free of human influence Criteria: provides important wildlife habitat, high value ecosystems, and outstanding scenic or recreational value Aquatic Purpose: to protect, restore, and manage the unique characteristics and resources of the areas waterward of the ordinary high-water mark Criteria: all areas waterward of the ordinary high water mark of designated shorelines Conservancy Purpose: to protect, conserve and manage existing natural reources, ecological functions, and unique areas to sustaine resource utlization and provide recreational opportunities Criteria: areas with low intensity land uses primarily related to natural resource use and diffused recreational development Community Purpose: to accommodate residential development and accessory structures in addition to public access and recreational uses Criteria: areas of moderate to intense land use including residential, recreational, and commercial development Urban/Industrial Purpose: to ensure optimum utilization of shorelines occurring in industrial areas Criteria: areas with high intensity and diverse land uses such as commercial and industrial development as well as community facilities ---PAGE BREAK--- KLICKITAT COUNTY SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM UPDATE Agriculture Policies: Policy- Promote the continued economic viability of agriculture in Klickitat County and support its continued practice on existing agricultural lands. Policy- Preserve and maintain productive agricultural lands in shoreline jurisdiction. Policy- Control irrigation runoff to minimize the discharge of chemicals, fertilizer, sediment, and organic materials to surface waterbodies, in accordance with federal and state water quality standards. Policy- Allow diversion of water for agricultural activities consistent with water rights laws and rules. Agriculture Approach: • The SMP recognizes the importance of agriculture to Klickitat County. Not only is agriculture part of the local culture, but it is also a vital component of the local economy. • The SMP’s agricultural policies and regulations focus on the preservation of agricultural lands in shoreline jurisdiction and encouraging the continued use of these areas for the cultivation of crops or livestock. • Exisiting agricultural activities will not be modified or limited by the SMP. • SMP regulations apply to the following: • New agricultural activities (on previously unfarmed land); • Conversion of agricultural lands to non- agricultural uses; and • Development of non-agricultural activities on agricultural land. ---PAGE BREAK--- KLICKITAT COUNTY SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM UPDATE Conservation and Protection VEGETATION CONSERVATION AND BUFFERS Integrating the existing Critical Area Ordinance for shoreline waterbodies Policies: Policy- protect and restore the ecological functions and ecosystem-wide processes performed by vegetation along shorelines and should prevent direct, indirect, and/or cumulative adverse environmental impacts of shoreline development. Policy- shoreline developments and uses should be located, designed, constructed, and managed to avoid disturbance of and minimize adverse impacts to fish and wildlife resources, including spawning, nesting, rearing, and habitat areas and migratory routes. Policy- Buffers and setbacks for shorelines should be tailored to local conditions including existing shoreline functions and existing and planned land use and public access. Policy- Proposed development and uses should, to the extent feasible, protect existing ecological functions and avoid impacts to habitat and ecological functions before implementation of other measures designed to achieve no net loss of existing ecological functions. Conservation and Protection Approach: • Adjusts current 50-foot Natural Buffer Zone and 200-foot critical area buffer for shorelines to an Environment Desigation specific buffer • 150 feet for Natural and Conservancy areas • 100 feet for Rural areas • 50 feet for Community and Urban/Industrial areas • Water-dependent uses have a 0-foot buffer • Adverse impacts must be mitigated to maintain overall existing level of ecological function • Vegetation is conserved to the extent feasible based on permitted development • A Restoration Plan is included, guiding future voluntary actions to restore impaired conditions ---PAGE BREAK--- KLICKITAT COUNTY SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM UPDATE Public Access Policies: Policy- Publicly owned shorelines should be limited to water dependent or public recreational uses, otherwise such shorelines should remain protected open space. Policy- Development, uses and activities on or near a shoreline should not impair or detract from the public's visual or physical access to water. Policy- Public views from a shorelines and upland areas should be enhanced and preserved. Enhancement of views should not be construed to mean excessive removal of vegetation that partially impairs views. Policy- Access development should respect and protect ecological and aesthetic values in the shorelines of the state. Public Access Approach: • Public access is a preferred use per the SMA (RCW 90.58.020). Public access can be physical access (e.g. trail) and/or visual access (view corridors). Based on State rules, the County's approach to ensure there is sufficient public access to the shoreline includes requirements that new development meet certain criteria (thresholds in State rules, e.g. subdivisions) to provide public access. • New development proposed or funded by public entities, or located on public land; • Shoreline recreational development; • Non-water oriented development in shoreline jurisdiction; • Multi-unit residential development subdivisions of at least 4 residential lots; and • Shoreline development that would generate additional public demand for shoreline access.