§ 24.25.050. Marine riparian habitat.

A.

Standard Marine Riparian Habitat Area Width. Marine riparian habitat areas of two hundred fifty feet in width shall be established along all marine shorelines subject to this chapter, except for "rural" shorelines (as designated by the Shoreline Master Program for the Thurston Region (1990). These "rural" shorelines shall be regulated by the master program. The riparian habitat areas shall be measured, on a horizontal plane, landward from the OHWM or, if the OHWM cannot be identified, the top of the bank. The marine riparian habitat areas shall be retained in their existing condition, except as explicitly authorized by this chapter.

B.

Habitat Area Reduction. The approval authority may reduce the standard marine riparian habitat area to the minimum extent necessary to accommodate water-dependent uses allowed under the Shoreline Master Program for the Thurston Region, consistent with TCC 24.25.110.

In addition to any required shoreline permit, the applicant shall submit a critical area report (see Chapter 24.35 TCC) demonstrating that impacts to all marine riparian habitat area functions and marine riparian habitats protected by this chapter will be avoided or, where that is not possible, minimized and mitigated. The approval authority will review this report in consultation with the WDFW and, as warranted, others with expertise prior to approving or denying the proposed habitat area reduction.

Isolated sections of riparian habitat areas may be excluded, consistent with TCC 24.25.025(B).

C.

Increased Marine Buffer. The width of the marine buffer shall be increased where there are steep slopes, the presence of important species or habitats, landslide hazard areas, or inadequate vegetation to protect water quality as provided for in TCC 24.25.030.

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