28.08.240 W definitions.
“Wellhead protection area” means the portion of a well’s, wellfield’s, or spring’s zone of contribution within the 10-year time of travel boundary, or boundaries established using alternate criteria approved by the State Department of Health in those settings where groundwater time of travel is not a reasonable delineation criteria.
“Wetland” means areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, shallow open waters, and similar areas. Wetlands do not include those artificial wetlands purposefully and intentionally created from nonwetland sites by human actions, including but not limited to irrigation and drainage ditches, grass-lined swales, canals, detention facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, farm ponds, and landscape amenities, or those wetlands created after July 1, 1990, that were unintentionally created as a result of the construction of a road, street or highway. However, wetlands include those artificial wetlands intentionally created to mitigate conversion of wetlands.
Wetland Categories.
(a) Category I. These wetlands are: (i) alkali wetlands; (ii) wetlands that are identified by scientists of the Washington Natural Heritage Program/DNR as high quality wetlands; (iii) bogs; (iv) mature and old-growth forested wetlands over one-fourth acre with slow-growing trees; (v) forests with stands of aspen; and (vi) wetlands that perform many functions very well.
(b) Category II. These wetlands are those that: (i) forested wetlands in the floodplains of rivers; (ii) mature and old-growth forested wetlands over one-fourth acre with fast-growing trees; (iii) vernal pools; and (iv) wetlands that perform functions well. These wetlands are difficult, though not impossible, to replace, and provide high levels of some functions.
(c) Category III. These wetlands are those that: (i) forested wetlands in the floodplains of rivers; (ii) mature and old-growth forested wetlands over one-fourth acre with fast-growing trees; (iii) vernal pools; and (iv) wetlands that perform functions well. These wetlands are difficult, though not impossible, to replace, and provide high levels of some functions.
(d) Category IV. These wetlands have the lowest level of functions and are often heavily disturbed. These are wetlands that could be replaced, and in some cases improved. However, experience has shown that replacement cannot be guaranteed in any specific case. These wetlands may provide some important functions and also need to be protected.
“Wetland community description” means a thorough description of the wetland and any resident plant and animal species.
“Wetland creation” means the manipulation of the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics present to develop a wetland on an upland or deepwater site where a wetland did not previously exist. Establishment results in a gain in wetland acres.
Activities typically involve excavation of upland soils to elevations that will produce a wetland hydroperiod, create hydric soils, and support the growth of hydrophytic plant species.
“Wetland delineation” means the mapping of a wetland and establishment of its boundary or edge.
“Wetland enhancement” means the manipulation of the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of a wetland site to heighten, intensify, or improve specific function(s) or to change the growth stage or composition of the vegetation present. Enhancement is undertaken for specified purposes such as water quality improvement, flood water retention, or wildlife habitat. Enhancement results in a change in some wetland functions and can lead to a decline in other wetland functions, but does not result in a gain in wetland acres. Activities typically consist of planting vegetation, controlling nonnative or invasive species, modifying site elevations or the proportion of open water to influence hydroperiods, or some combination of these activities.
“Wetland functions” means those natural processes performed by wetlands, such as facilitating food chain production; providing habitat for nesting, rearing, and resting sites for aquatic, terrestrial, or avian species; maintaining the availability and quality of water acting as recharge and discharge for groundwater aquifers; moderating surface water and storm water flows; and other functions including, but not limited to, those identified in 33 CFR § 320.4(b)(2).
“Wetland protection/maintenance (preservation)” means removing a threat to, or preventing the decline of, wetland conditions by an action in or near a wetland. This includes the purchase of land or easements, repairing water control structures or fences, or structural protection, such as repairing a barrier island. This term also includes activities commonly associated with the term preservation. Preservation does not result in a gain of wetland acres, may result in a gain in functions, and will be used only in exceptional circumstances.
“Wetland restoration” means the manipulation of the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of a site with the goal of returning natural or historic functions to a former or degraded wetland. For the purpose of tracking net gains in wetland acres, restoration is divided into:
(a) Reestablishment. The manipulation of the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of a site with the goal of returning natural or historic functions to a former wetland. Reestablishment results in a gain in wetland acres (and functions). Activities could include removing fill material, plugging ditches, or breaking drain tiles.
(b) Rehabilitation. The manipulation of the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of a site with the goal of repairing natural or historic functions of a degraded wetland. Rehabilitation results in a gain in wetland function but does not result in a gain in wetland acres. Activities could involve breaching a dike to reconnect wetlands to a floodplain or return tidal influence to a wetland.
“Wetland values” means wetland values are estimates, usually subjective, of the benefits of wetlands to society, and include aesthetics, education, scientific research, and recreation. [Ord. 4525 § 1, 2021; Ord. 3911 § 2, 2009; Code 1970 §§ 28.08.330 – 28.08.375.]