18.65.395 Fish and wildlife habitat corridors and networks.
On development proposal sites that contain Type F or Np streams and/or wetlands with a high habitat score greater than or equal to seven, that are also located within 200 feet of an on-site or off-site Type F or Np stream and/or wetland with a high habitat score greater than or equal to seven, a fish and wildlife habitat corridor shall be set aside and protected as follows:
(1) New development proposals, subdivisions, short subdivisions, commercial site plans, and binding site plans shall place the corridor in a contiguous permanent critical area tract with all developable lots sited on the remaining portion of the project site.
(2) The fish and wildlife habitat corridor shall be sited on the development in order to meet the following conditions, where feasible:
(a) Forms one contiguous tract that connects on-site high value habitat areas to other on-site or off-site high value habitat areas;
(b) New development proposals shall provide a minimum fish and wildlife habitat corridor width of 300 feet or a corridor width that is consistent with an approved habitat management plan. The corridor width should not be less than 150 feet wide at any point;
(c) New development proposals on sites constrained by a fish and wildlife habitat corridor and where development already exists shall maintain a minimum fish and wildlife habitat corridor width of 300 feet unless, through an approved habitat management plan, it can be shown that a lesser habitat corridor width supports and maintains the corridor’s function and value;
(d) Be contiguous with and include and/or connect critical areas, buffers, wildlife habitat corridors, native growth protection easements, and open space tracts or wooded areas on site or on adjacent properties, if present; and
(e) The Director may modify corridor widths based on supporting documentation from an approved habitat management plan.
(3) Fish and wildlife habitat corridors do not parallel Type Np streams, except as required to provide a connection between two features as described above.
(4) A management plan for the wildlife corridor contained within a tract or tracts shall be prepared that specifies the permissible extent of recreation, forestry or other uses compatible with preserving and enhancing the wildlife habitat value of the tract or tracts. The management plan shall be reviewed and approved by the Department. The approved management plan for a development proposal shall be contained within and recorded on title or with the covenants, conditions and restrictions (CCRs). If the wildlife corridor is contained in a conservation easement, a management plan is not required, but may be submitted to the Department for review and approval and recorded with the conservation easement.
(5) Clearing within the wildlife corridor contained in a tract or tracts shall be limited to that allowed by the management plan or as otherwise allowed by this chapter. No clearing, including the removal of woody debris, shall be allowed within a wildlife corridor contained within a conservation easement on individual lots, unless the property owner has an approved management plan.
(6) Where feasible, a homeowners’ association or other entity capable of long-term maintenance and operation shall be established to monitor and assure compliance with the management plan. The association shall provide homeowners with information on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s backyard wildlife sanctuary program.
(7) Low impact uses and activities which are consistent with the purpose and function of the habitat corridor and do not detract from its integrity may be permitted within the corridor depending on the sensitivity of the habitat area. Examples of uses and activities which may be permitted in appropriate cases include trails that are pervious, viewing platforms, stormwater management facilities such as grass-lined swales, utility easements and other similar uses, or activities otherwise described and approved by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; provided, that any impacts to the corridor resulting from such permitted facilities shall be fully mitigated.
(8) At the discretion of the Director, these standards may be waived or reduced for public facilities such as public schools, fire stations, public parks, and public road projects.
(9) The wildlife corridor tract or easement shall be permanently marked and fenced consistent with the methods contained in CMC 18.65.160 and the City’s design and construction standards in effect at the time of application. (Ord. 09-19 § 9 (Exh. D); Ord. 06-17 § 4 (Exh. B))