“Emergent wetland” means a wetland with at least 30 percent of the surface area covered by erect, rooted, herbaceous vegetation as the uppermost vegetative stratum.

“Endangered species” means a species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

“Enhancement” means, for the purposes of critical areas regulations, an action that improves the functions or values of a sensitive area or buffer. Enhancement may or may not be mitigation.

“Environmentally sensitive area” means any area whose functions and values are subject to disruption by any regulated activity.

“Exemption” means release from the liability or requirement of a regulation as a result of meeting the specific identified criteria.

“Existing and ongoing agriculture” means those activities conducted on lands defined in RCW 84.34.080(2), and those existing activities involved in the production of crops or livestock. Activities may include the operation and maintenance of farm and stock ponds or drainage ditches; operation and maintenance of existing ditches or irrigation systems; changes from one type of agricultural activity to another agricultural activity; normal maintenance, repair, and operation of existing serviceable structures, facilities or improved areas. Activities that bring a nonagricultural area into agricultural use are not part of an ongoing operation. An operation ceases to be ongoing when the area on which it is conducted is converted to a nonagricultural use or has lain idle for more than five years.

“Exotic” means any species of plant(s) or animal(s) that is foreign to the planning area. [Ord. 4525 § 1, 2021; Ord. 3911 § 2, 2009; Code 1970 §§ 28.08.095 – 28.08.120.]