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A. Unless waived by the Planning Director on the grounds that the specific information required in this section does not apply to the development in question, critical area reports shall be prepared for nonexempt proposed developments located within critical areas or their buffers.

B. All critical area reports shall:

1. Be prepared by qualified professionals as defined in WAC 365-195-905(4). The following list shows the type of critical area report and the related professional discipline. The list is illustrative and not intended to be inclusive.

a. Wetlands: qualified wetland professional.

b. Critical aquifer recharge areas: hydrogeologist, geologist, or engineer.

c. Floodplains: hydrologist or engineer.

d. Geologically hazardous areas: geotechnical engineer or geologist.

e. Fish and wildlife habitats: biologist.

2. Incorporate best available science.

3. Cover a study area large enough to understand relationships with important off-site factors and identify any off-site critical area so near that its required buffer covers part of the project site.

4. Include the following:

a. General Information.

i. Name and contact information of the applicant;

ii. Name, qualifications, and contact information for the primary author(s) of the critical area report;

iii. Description of the proposed project;

iv. Identification of all the local, state and/or federal permits required for the project; and

v. A vicinity map for the project;

b. Site plan drawn to scale showing critical areas, buffers, existing structures, and proposed structures, clearing, grading, and stormwater management;

c. Characterization of critical areas and buffers;

d. Assessment of the probable impact to critical areas;

e. Analysis of site development alternatives. If proposal requires a reduction of a buffer width, the analysis must explain why the need for the reduction was unavoidable;

f. Descriptions of efforts to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to critical areas pursuant to SMC 14.255.100(E) (“sequencing”);

g. Mitigation plans as needed, in accordance with SMC 14.255.080;

h. Evaluation of compliance with this Critical Areas Code’s substantive requirements applicable to the proposed development;

i. A description of the financial guarantees, if any, that will be required to ensure compliance, pursuant to SMC 14.255.080(G)(1) and (G)(2);

j. Additional information as required in the chapter corresponding to the type of critical area;

k. Documentation of who performed the fieldwork and prepared data sheets and when the work was done;

l. Statement specifying the accuracy of the report and assumptions relied upon; and

m. Additional information as required by the Planning Director. (Ord. 2368, 2019. Formerly 14.255.080)