§ 24.30.065. Wetland buffers—Tree protection.

Trees within wetland buffers with driplines that extend beyond the upland edge (furthest from the wetland) of buffers with a wildlife habitat rating of five points or more under the Wetland Rating System for Western Washington shall be protected as follows:

A.

A tree protection area extending a minimum of five feet beyond the dripline of trees twelve inches or greater in diameter (at four and one-half feet above the ground) and stands of trees shall be established and protected from disturbance during site development.

B.

Tree protection areas shall be identified on all applicable site development and construction drawings submitted to the county.

C.

Temporary fencing at least thirty inches tall shall be erected along the perimeter of the tree protection areas prior to the initiation of any clearing or grading. The fencing shall be posted with signage clearly identifying the tree protection area as a no entry area. If the tree protection area spans more than 0.25 miles, the perimeter of the protection area may be staked and flagged rather than fenced. The fencing or stakes shall remain in place throughout site development.

D.

Clearing, grading, filling or other development activities are prohibited within the tree protection area.

E.

Vehicle travel, parking and storage of construction materials and fuel are prohibited in tree protection areas.

F.

The county may authorize use of alternate tree protection techniques that provide an equal or greater level of protection.

(Ord. No. 14773, § 3(Att. B), 7-24-2012; Ord. No. 15291, § 1(Att. A), 5-10-2016)