eLaws | eCases | Washington Courts | Counties & Cities of Washington | Code of Federal Regulations | United States Code |
 Thurston County
 Code of Ordinances
 Title 24. CRITICAL AREAS
 Chapter 24.30. WETLANDS

  § 24.30.150. Wetlands—Clearing and grading.  

Latest version.

  • Clearing and grading within wetlands and buffers is only allowed to the minimum extent necessary to accommodate a use permitted pursuant to this chapter, as determined by the approval authority. Also see Chapter 14.37 TCC regarding grading requirements and Chapter 15.05 TCC regarding stormwater and erosion control.

    A.

    Erosion Control. Erosion control shall be done consistent with Chapter 15.05 TCC. In no case shall sediment from clearing and grading or other development activities be allowed to reach wetlands or portions of the buffer not approved for development.

    B.

    Fencing the Clearing Limits. The clearing limits within the wetland or buffer shall be marked with temporary fencing. Signage shall be placed on the fence indicating that the area beyond is a no entry area. If the perimeter of the area to be cleared spans more than 0.25 miles, the clearing limits may be staked and flagged rather than fenced. The fencing and stakes are subject to inspection by the approval authority prior to the commencement of permitted activities. The temporary fencing or stakes shall be maintained throughout construction and shall not be removed until permanent signs, if required pursuant to Chapter 24.60 TCC, are in place.

    C.

    Timing. Clearing and grading in wetlands and buffers shall only occur between May 1 and October 1. The county may temporarily suspend grading during this period if excessive rainfall might cause erosion and sedimentation that could affect a wetland or dependent fish or wildlife. The county may allow clearing and grading outside of this period if all drainage will flow away from the wetland. The approval authority may waive this requirement if the wetland will be eliminated consistent with the provisions of this chapter. If the wetland and buffer has a habitat score above twenty points or, absent a rating, the approval authority determines that the site supports breeding, nesting, or rearing of wetland dependent species, the clearing and grading shall be scheduled in compliance with TCC 24.30.090(D).

    D.

    Preservation of the Infiltration Capacity of the Site. The soil duff layer in the buffer shall remain undisturbed to the maximum extent practicable. The moisture-holding and infiltration capacity of the topsoil disturbed by permitted development shall be maintained in areas not approved for impervious surfaces by minimizing soil compaction or by stripping, stockpiling, and reapplying topsoil at predevelopment levels.

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