4.2.8
Wetlands are extremely important natural resources that provide multiple stormwater benefits, including ground water recharge, flood control, and stream channel erosion protection. They are easily impacted by development unless careful planning and management are conducted. Wetlands can be severely degraded by stormwater discharges from urban development due to pollutants in the runoff and also due to disruption of natural hydrologic functioning of the wetland system. Changes in water levels and the frequency and duration of inundations are of particular concern.
4.2.8.1 Applicability
The requirements below apply only to projects whose stormwater discharges into a wetland, either directly or indirectly through a conveyance system.
4.2.8.2 Thresholds
The thresholds identified in Minimum Requirement #6: Runoff Treatment and Minimum Requirement 7 shall also be applied to determine the applicability of this requirement to discharges to wetlands.
The use of TDAs detailed in the Ecology Manual is not applicable to the implementation of Minimum Requirement #8 in Kitsap County except for rural (outside the UA and UGA) residential project sites that are 5 acres or greater. Refer to Volume I, Section I-3.4.8 of the Ecology Manual for details.
4.2.8.3 Standard Requirement
Projects shall comply with Volume I, Appendix I‑C of the Ecology Manual. The hydrologic analysis shall use the existing land cover condition to determine the existing hydrologic conditions unless directed otherwise in the Critical Areas Ordinance codified as Title 19 KCC.
4.2.8.4 Additional Requirements
Runoff treatment and flow control BMPs shall not be built within a natural vegetated buffer, except for:
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Necessary conveyance systems as approved by the County; or
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As allowed for compensatory mitigation in Volume I, Appendix I C, Section C.6 of the Ecology Manual.
4.2.8.5 Supplemental Guidelines
Volume I, Appendix I‑C of the Ecology Manual shall be used for discharges to natural wetlands and mitigated wetlands. Refer to KCC 19.200.220 for fencing and planting requirements for wetland buffers.