§ 17.25.600. Administration.

A.

Applicability. This chapter applies to any forest lands conversion proposed for any property located within Thurston County.

B.

Appeals. Any aggrieved person may appeal an administrative decision made under this chapter to the Thurston County hearing examiner. Such appeals are governed by Chapter 2.06 of the Thurston County Code. The decision of the hearing examiner on an appeal under this chapter is final. The hearing examiner shall not entertain motions for reconsideration. The decision of the hearing examiner may only be appealed to Superior Court pursuant to the Land Use Petition Act, Chapter 36.70C RCW, or other applicable statute.

C.

Authority and Duties of the County and Director.

1.

It shall be the duty of the Thurston County Resource Stewardship Department to administer the provisions of this chapter.

2.

The director shall have the authority to review applications, issue permits, impose conditions, and conduct inspections as necessary to assure compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

3.

The director shall coordinate with other state and local forestry representatives regarding the implementation of this chapter.

4.

The director shall perform those other duties, as necessary, to implement the purposes and requirements of this chapter.

5.

The director shall establish written administrative procedures to expedite the accurate and thorough review of any application made under authority of this chapter.

6.

The director may approve alternative measures or procedures to the standards of this chapter on a case by case basis, provided such alternatives provide equal or better results in accomplishing the purposes of this chapter.

7.

When forest land is being converted to agricultural use, the director may use alternative measures or procedures as allowed by subsection C6 above, and those provisions of the Thurston County Critical Areas Ordinance (Title 24 TCC) and the Thurston County Agricultural Activities Critical Areas Ordinance (Chapter 17.15 of the Thurston County Code) which provide for flexible standards for agricultural uses.

D.

Application Requirements. Any application for a forest lands conversion or COHP, subject to review under this chapter, will not be deemed complete unless it contains the following, where applicable:

1.

A completed "forest lands conversion application" form as provided by the resource stewardship department;

2.

A completed environmental checklist when required by the State Environmental Policy Act, the State Forest Practices Act, and Chapter 17.09 of the Thurston County Code;

3.

An application fee, as established by resolution from the Thurston County board of county commissioners;

4.

A site map delineating any critical areas and critical area buffers, identifying existing site vegetation proposed to be removed and retained, and locating areas targeted for future harvests or development, and a vicinity map showing contiguous ownerships; and

5.

For conversions located within the north county urban growth area, a development proposal or conversion option harvest plan (COHP), and a tree protection and/or replacement plan prepared by a qualified professional forester for review and approval by the approval authority. The plan shall depict any proposed replacement trees at their typical mature size in this environment.

E.

Application Procedure and General Conditions. The application for forest lands conversion shall be processed according to the same permitting procedures described in Chapter 20.60 of the Thurston County Code. For purposes of this chapter:

1.

A Type I process involves any proposed forest lands conversion that requires a county permit but does not require an environmental checklist. A COHP shall follow the Type I process.

2.

A Type II process involves any proposed forest lands conversion that requires a county permit and an environmental checklist. A release from moratorium for a single-family residence and related accessory buildings shall follow the Type II process.

3.

A Type III process involves any proposed forest lands conversion associated with any other Type III process provided for by the Thurston County Code. A release from a development moratorium, other than for a single-family residence and related accessory buildings, shall follow the Type III process.

4.

The resource stewardship department shall forward a copy of the conversion forest practices and the county's action to the Thurston County assessor for their use.

5.

A forest land conversion approval by the county is valid for a period of one year or the duration of the associated development permit or approval. The resource stewardship department may authorize an extension of one hundred eighty days.

6.

The director may approve an amendment to the county's approval if the amendment is consistent with the conversion standards. If granted, the resource stewardship department shall provide a written record of the amendment and will provide a copy of it to the landowner and/or forester.

(Ord. 13120 § 3, 2004; Ord. 11518 § 1 (part), 1997)

(Ord. No. 14773, § 10(Att. I), 7-24-2012; Ord. No. 14961, § 3(Att. C), 12-17-2013)