16.20.230 Environmental protection.
(1) All project proposals, including those for which a shoreline substantial development permit is not required, shall comply with Chapter 43.21C RCW, the Washington State Environmental Policy Act.
(2) Applicants shall apply the following sequence of steps in order of priority to avoid or minimize significant adverse effects and significant ecological impacts, with (a) being top priority:
(a) Avoiding the adverse impact altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an action;
(b) Minimizing adverse impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and its implementation by using appropriate technology or by taking affirmative steps to avoid or reduce impacts;
(c) Rectifying the adverse impact by repairing, rehabilitating, or restoring the affected environment to the conditions existing at the time of the initiation of the project;
(d) Reducing or eliminating the adverse impact over time by preservation and maintenance operations;
(e) Compensating for the adverse impact by replacing, enhancing, or providing substitute resources or environments; and
(f) Monitoring the adverse impact and the compensation projects and taking appropriate corrective measures.
(3) Projects that cause significant adverse environmental impacts, as defined in WAC 197-11-794 and ECMC 16.20.860, Definitions, are not allowed unless mitigated according to subsection (2) of this section, to avoid reduction or damage to ecosystem-wide processes and ecological functions. As part of this analysis, the applicant shall evaluate whether the project may adversely affect existing hydrologic connections between wetlands, and either modify the project or mitigate any impacts as needed.
(4) When compensatory measures are appropriate pursuant to the mitigation priority sequence above, preferential consideration shall be given to measures that replace the adversely impacted functions directly and in the immediate vicinity of the adverse impact. However, alternative compensatory mitigation may be authorized within the affected drainage area or watershed that addresses limiting factors or identified critical needs for shoreline resource conservation based on watershed or comprehensive resource management plans, including the shoreline restoration plan, applicable to the area of adverse impact may be authorized. Authorization of compensatory mitigation measures may require appropriate safeguards, terms or conditions as necessary to ensure no net loss of ecological functions. (Ord. 484 § 2, 2014)