§ 24.01.010. Purpose—Statement of policy for critical areas.

These regulations are intended to:

A.

Minimize loss of life, injury, and property damage due to natural hazards such as flooding, landslides, seismic events, and volcanic eruptions, minimize the need for emergency rescue, and avoid the cost of replacing public facilities;

B.

Identify and protect the functions and values of unique, fragile, and vulnerable elements of the environment such as fish and wildlife habitats, wetlands, and other ecosystems;

C.

Maintain water quality and quantity to meet human and wildlife needs;

D.

Recognize and address cumulative adverse impacts that could degrade or deplete water resources, wetlands or fish and wildlife habitat, or exacerbate flooding and landslide hazards;

E.

Alert the public to the development limitations and hazards associated with critical areas;

F.

Protect critical areas, associated buffers designed to protect the functions of critical areas, and their functions and values while allowing reasonable use of property by: directing activities not essential in such areas to other locations; providing for review of proposed uses and activities on properties containing critical areas or their buffers to achieve compliance with standards designed to minimize impacts to critical areas and associated buffers; and providing for mitigation of unavoidable impacts;

G.

Establish enforcement tools and processes designed to deter activities in violation of this chapter and provide for remedial action for unauthorized impacts to critical areas and their buffers;

H.

Implement the Washington State Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A), including consideration of best available science in the designation, protection, and management of critical areas, with special consideration for the protection of anadromous fish; and

I.

Carry out the goals and policies of the Thurston County Comprehensive Plan.

(Ord. No. 14773, § 3(Att. B), 7-24-2012)