Multiple Changes in CAO Review & Environmental Statement Subject to Public Hearing Sept. 16

Written comments due Sept. 14

From the San Juan County Department of Development and Planning

The San Juan County Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on an
ordinance amending the Wetlands Critical Area provisions of the San Juan County Code.  A State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Review Determination Notice has also been issued regarding this matter.

The ordinance, if passed by the County Council, would amend Sections 18.20, 18.10.040, and 18.30.150 of the San Juan County Code. These amendments are proposed to fulfill the periodic update requirements of [state law]RCW 36.70A.130

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For Wetland Critical Areas, the proposed ordinance:

• adds, changes, and removes definitions of terms;
• adds to the list of official maps;
• includes options for the minimum size of regulated wetlands;
• clarifies the activities allowed within wetlands and their buffers;
• classifies wetlands based on their type and assigns importance ratings;
• removes the list of regulated activities;
• removes the standard buffer width protocol and establishes a site-specific procedure
  for determining any required buffer widths;
• removes sections on buffer averaging; decreasing, and increasing;
  consolidates and revises the process, requirements, and criteria for noncompensatory enhancement projects;
• adds reference to the official manual to be used for wetland delineations (for greater consistency with the WAC);
• clarifies the required contents for wetland critical area reports; revises the regulation of ponds;
• removes the sections regarding compensatory mitigation.

The hearing will begin at or after 8:45 a.m., Friday, September 16 at the San Juan Island Grange, 152 First  Street, Friday Harbor. Interested parties are encouraged to attend and submit oral comments or to provide written comments at or prior to the hearing.

To allow for distribution to Planning Commissioners, it is recommended that
written comments be submitted by 1 p.m. Wednesday, September 14, 2011 to Janice Biletnikoff, AICP, San Juan County CD&P, PO Box 947,Friday Harbor, WA, 98250, (360) 370-7572, or email  janiceb@sanjuanco.com.

As part of the SEPA review and determination, an Environmental Checklist for the proposed amendments was reviewed, and it was determined that adoption of the proposed regulations will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment, and an environmental impact statement is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c).

Under WAC 197-11-340(2) a Determination of Non-Significance was issued on August 30, 2011. Comments on this determination must be submitted by September 14, 2011 to Janice Biletnikoff, AICP, San Juan County CD&P, PO Box 947,Friday Harbor, WA, 98250, (360) 370-7572, or janiceb@sanjuanco.com.

Following a final decision this determination may be appealed with the underlying action to Superior Court or State Boards as provided in RCW 36.70A, RCW 90.58, and RCW 36.70C. For appeals to Superior Court, the appeal period is 21 days and for appeals to the Growth Management Hearings Board, the appeal period is 60 days.

Copies of the ordinance, SEPA checklist, SEPA Determination and associated documents are available from the San Juan County Community Development & Planning Department or will be mailed on request.

For copies, more information or to submit comments contact Janice Biletnikoff, AICP, San Juan County CD&P, PO Box 947,Friday Harbor, WA, 98250, (360) 370-7572, or janiceb@sanjuanco.com.