17.125.050 Classification of wetlands.
All determinations of wetlands ratings and a wetlands delineation must be made based on the entire extent of the wetlands, unrelated to property lines or ownership patterns. Wetlands are classified based on the Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington 2014 (effective date of the 2014 rating system is January 1, 2015), or as hereafter amended:
(1) Category I wetlands are wetlands that (a) represent a unique or rare wetland type; or (b) are more sensitive to disturbance than most wetlands; or (c) are relatively undisturbed and contain ecological attributes that are impossible to replace within a human lifetime; or (d) provide a high level of functions. Category I wetlands include the following:
(a) Estuarine wetlands greater than one acre;
(b) Natural heritage wetlands that are identified by the Natural Heritage Program as supporting state-listed threatened or endangered plants;
(c) Bogs;
(d) Mature and old-growth forested wetlands;
(e) Wetlands in coastal lagoons; and
(f) Wetlands scoring 23 to 27 based on functions in the Wetland Rating System.
(2) Category II wetlands are those that are difficult, though not impossible, to replace and provide high levels of some functions, including:
(a) Estuarine wetlands smaller than an acre or disturbed estuarine wetlands larger than an acre;
(b) Interdunal wetlands larger than one acre; and
(c) Wetlands scoring 20 to 22 based on functions in the Wetland Rating System.
(3) Category III wetlands include:
(a) Interdunal wetlands between one-tenth acre and one acre in size; and
(b) Wetlands scoring 16 to 19 based on functions in the Wetland Rating System.
(4) Category IV wetlands are those that have the lowest level of functions in the Wetland Rating System, scoring nine to 15 based on functions in the Wetland Rating System. (Ord. 1398 § 28, 2015; Ord. 1164 § 4, 2004; Ord. 929 Ch. 10(G)(3), 1995. Formerly 17.125.030).