8.61.010 - Agricultural resource lands.

The purpose of this section is to maintain and enhance natural resource based industries, to encourage the conservation of commercial agricultural lands, and to discourage incompatible land use.

(1)

Classification. The following criteria shall be used in identifying lands appropriate for agricultural resource lands:

(A)

The property has an existing commercial agricultural use (as of the date of designation) or where the property was used for agricultural purposes as of January 1991, where identified by property tax classification in the open space - agriculture property tax classification program pursuant to Chapter 84.34 RCW or where agricultural use has been identified as the principal use of the property, are presumed to meet this criteria;

(B)

The property has a minimum parcel size of ten acres; and

(C)

The parcel has prime farmland soils;

(D)

The property is surrounded by lands qualifying under classification criteria 1 to 3 above; or

(E)

The property is an upland fin-fish hatchery.

Provided that, property owners may apply to have their land designated as agricultural resource lands upon a showing that the property is eligible for and participates in the open space - agricultural property tax classification program pursuant to Chapter 84.34 and upon a showing that either that the property has prime farmland soils or that, in some other fashion, the agricultural use has long-term commercial significance. Such applications shall be reviewed by the county as provided for in the annual amendment process for the county comprehensive plan and development regulations.

(2)

Designation. Lands of Mason County which have been identified as meeting the classification criteria for agricultural resource lands, and are so specified on the official Mason County map, available at the Mason County planning department, titled, "Mason County Agricultural Resource Lands" or as thereafter amended, are designated as agricultural resource lands.

(3)

Land Uses. Development and land uses and activities allowed in the agricultural resource lands or on adjacent lands are as specified in the Mason County development regulations and other applicable ordinances, codes and regulations.

Accessory uses that support, promote, or sustain agricultural operations and production, are allowed and shall comply with the following standards:

(A)

Accessory uses shall be located, designed, and operated so as not to interfere with natural resource land uses and shall be accessory to the growing of crops or raising of animals;

(B)

Accessory commercial or retail uses shall predominately produce, store, or sell regionally produced agricultural products from one or more producers, products derived from regional agricultural production, agriculturally related experiences, or products produced on-site. Accessory commercial and retail uses shall offer for sale predominantly products or services produced on-site; and

(C)

Accessory uses may operate out of existing or new buildings with parking and other supportive uses consistent with the size and scale of existing agricultural buildings on the site but shall not otherwise convert agricultural land to nonagricultural uses.

Accessory uses may include compatible commercial or retail uses including, but not limited to, the following:

(A)

Storage and refrigeration of regional agricultural products;

(B)

Production, sales, and marketing of value-added agricultural products derived from regional sources;

(C)

Supplemental sources of on-farm income that support and sustain on-farm agricultural operations and production;

(D)

Support services that facilitate the production, marketing, and distribution of agricultural products; and

(E)

Off-farm and on-farm sales and marketing of predominately regional agricultural products and experiences, locally made art and arts and crafts, and ancillary retail sales or service activities.

(4)

Development Standards.

(A)

Development Standards for Proposed Land Uses.

(i)

Front yard setback: twenty-five feet.

(ii)

Side and rear yard setbacks: side and rear yard setbacks for the residential dwelling is twenty feet, for accessory buildings shall be twenty feet, for accessory structures used for agricultural purposes or home occupations shall be fifty feet, and for buildings of nonresidential land uses shall be fifty feet.

(iii)

Floor Area Ratio: one is to twenty, except for fire stations.

(iv)

Size: five thousand sq. ft. maximum (or up to seven thousand five hundred sq. ft. with a special use permit) for nonagricultural and accessory buildings except for dwellings and agricultural buildings.

(v)

Height: thirty-five feet except for agricultural buildings, cell towers, antennas or water tanks.

(B)

Proposed land uses shall meet the review standards for land uses established in the Mason County development regulations, including Section 1.03.020 (Matrix of Permitted Uses) and Section 1.03.021 (Home Occupation and Cottage Industries).

(5)

Preferential Right to Manage Resources and Resource Use Notices.

(A)

For land owners who have land designated as agricultural resource lands, provisions of "Right to Farm" provided under Section 8.52.040(c)(5) shall fully apply.

(B)

All plats, short plats, large lot subdivision, development permits, and building permits issued for activities on, or within five hundred feet of lands designated as agricultural resource lands shall contain the following notification: "This property is within or near designated agricultural resource lands on which a variety of commercial activities may occur at times and that are not compatible with residential development. Residents of this property may be subject to inconvenience or discomfort associated with these activities including, but not limited to: dust, odor, noise and chemical applications."

(Ord. 108-05 Attach. B (part), 2005).

APPENDIX A

The following is from:

Hruby, T. 2004. Washington State wetland rating system for western Washington — Revised.

Washington State Department of Ecology Publication # 04-06-025. Pages 6 to 10.

3. RATIONALE FOR THE CATEGORIES

This rating system is designed to differentiate between wetlands based on their sensitivity to disturbance, rarity, the functions they provide, and whether we can replace them or not. The emphasis is on identifying those wetlands:

•  where our ability to replace them is low,

•  that are sensitive to adjacent disturbance,

•  that are rare in the landscape,

•  that perform many functions well,

•  that are important in maintaining biodiversity.

The following description summarizes the rationale for including different wetland types in each category. As a general principle, it is important to note that wetlands of all categories have valuable functions in the landscape, and all are worthy of inclusion in programs for wetland protection.

3.1 CATEGORY I

Category I wetlands are those that 1) represent a unique or rare wetland type; or 2) are more sensitive to disturbance than most wetlands; or 3) are relatively undisturbed and contain ecological attributes that are impossible to replace within a human lifetime; or 4) provide a high level of functions. We cannot afford the risk of any degradation to these wetlands because their functions and values are too difficult to replace. Generally, these wetlands are not common and make up a small percentage of the wetlands in the region. Of the 122 wetlands used to field test the current rating system only 24 (20%) were rated as a Category I. In western Washington the following types of wetlands are Category I.

Estuarine Wetlands - Relatively undisturbed estuarine wetlands larger than 1 acre are Category I wetlands because they are relatively rare and provide unique natural resources that are considered to be valuable to society. These wetlands need a high level of protection to maintain their functions and the values society derives from them. Furthermore, the questions used to characterize how well a freshwater wetland functions cannot be used for estuarine wetlands. No rapid methods have been developed to date to characterize how well estuarine wetlands function.

Estuaries, the areas where freshwater and salt water mix, are among the most highly productive and complex ecosystems where tremendous quantities of sediments, nutrients and organic matter are exchanged between terrestrial, freshwater and marine communities. This availability of resources benefits an enormous variety of plants and animals. Fish, shellfish and birds and plants are the most visible. However, there is also a huge variety of other life forms in an estuarine wetland: for example, many kinds of diatoms, algae and invertebrates are found there.

Estuarine systems have substantial economic value as well as environmental value. All Washington State estuaries have been modified to some degree, bearing the brunt of development pressures through filling, drainage, port development and disposal of urban and industrial wastes. The over-harvest of certain selected economic species has also modified the natural functioning of estuarine systems. Many Puget Sound estuaries such as the Duwamish, Puyallup, Snohomish and Skagit have been extensively modified. Up to 99% of some estuarine wetland areas in the state have been lost.

Estuaries, of which estuarine wetlands are a part, are a "priority habitat" as defined by the state department of Fish and Wildlife. Estuaries have a high fish and wildlife density and species richness, important breeding habitat, important fish and wildlife seasonal ranges and movement corridors, limited availability, and high vulnerability to alteration of their habitat (Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/hab/phslist.htm, accessed October 15, 2003).

Natural Heritage Wetlands — Wetlands that are identified by scientists of the Washington Natural Heritage Program/DNR as high quality, relatively undisturbed wetlands, or wetlands that support State listed threatened or endangered plants are Category I wetlands.

High quality, relatively undisturbed examples of wetlands are uncommon in western Washington. By categorizing these wetlands as Category I, we are trying to provide a high level of protection to the undisturbed character of these remaining high quality wetlands. Examples of undisturbed wetlands help us to understand natural wetland processes.

Furthermore, the presence of rare plants in a wetland indicates unique habitats that might otherwise not be identified through the rating system. Rare plant populations are also sensitive to disturbance, particularly activities that result in the spread of invasive species.

The Washington Natural Heritage Program of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has identified important natural plant communities and species that are very sensitive to disturbance or threatened by human activities, and maintains a database of these sites.

"These natural systems and species will survive in Washington only if we give them special attention and protection. By focusing on species at risk and maintaining the diversity of natural ecosystems and native species, we can help assure our state's continued environmental and economic health." (DNR http://www.wa.gov/dnr/htdocs/fr/nhp/wanhp.html, accessed October 1, 2002)

Bogs - Bogs are Category I wetlands because they are sensitive to disturbance and impossible to re-create through compensatory mitigation.

Bogs are low nutrient, acidic wetlands that have organic soils. The chemistry of bogs is such that changes to the water regime or water quality of the wetland can easily alter its ecosystem. The plants and animals that grow in bogs are specifically adapted to such conditions and do not tolerate changes well. Immediate changes in the composition of the plant community often occur after the water regime changes. Minor changes in the water regime or nutrient levels in these systems can have major adverse impacts on the plant and animal communities (e.g. Grigal and Brooks, 1997).

In addition to being sensitive to disturbance, bogs are not easy to re-create through compensatory mitigation. Researchers in northern Europe and Canada have found that restoring bogs is difficult, specifically in regard to plant communities (Bolscher 1995, Grosvermier et al. 1995, Schouwenaars 1995, Schrautzer et al. 1996), water regime (Grootjans and van Diggelen 1995, Schouwenaars 1995) and/or water chemistry (Wind-Mulder and Vitt 2000). In fact, restoration may be impossible because of changes to the biotic and abiotic properties preclude the re-establishment of bogs (Shouwenaars 1995, Schrautzer et al. 1996). Furthermore, bogs form extremely slowly, with organic soils forming at a rate of about one inch per 40 years in western Washington (Rigg 1958).

Nutrient poor wetlands, such as bogs, have a higher species richness, many more rare species, and a greater range of plant communities than nutrient rich wetlands (review in Adamus and Brandt 1990). They are, therefore, more important than would be accounted for using a simple assessment of wetland functions (Moore et al. 1989).

Mature and Old-growth Forested Wetlands — Mature and old-growth forested wetlands over 1 acre in size are "rated" as Category I because these wetlands cannot be easily replaced through compensatory mitigation. A mature forest may require a century or more to develop, and the full range of functions performed by these wetlands may take even longer (see review in Sheldon et al. 2004, in press).

These forested wetlands are also important because they represent a second "priority habitat" as defined by the state department of Fish and Wildlife. "Priority habitats are those habitat types or elements with unique or significant value to a diverse assemblage of species." (Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/hab/phslist.htm, accessed October 15, 2002). NOTE: All wetlands are categorized as a priority habitat by the WDFW. Mature and forested wetlands, therefore, represent two priority habitats that coincide.

Wetlands in Coastal Lagoons — Coastal lagoons are shallow bodies of water, like a pond, partly or completely separated from the sea by a barrier beach. They may, or may not, be connected to the sea by an inlet, but they all receive periodic influxes of salt water. This can be either through storm surges overtopping the barrier beach, or by flow through the porous sediments of the beach.

Wetlands in coastal lagoons are placed into Category I because they probably cannot be reproduced through compensatory mitigation, and because they are relatively rare in the landscape. No information was found on any attempts to create or restore coastal lagoons in Washington that would suggest this type of compensatory mitigation is possible. Any impacts to lagoons will, therefore, probably result in a net loss of their functions and values.

In addition, coastal lagoons and their associated wetlands are proving to be very important habitat for salmonids. Unpublished reports of ongoing research in the Puget Sound (Hirschi et al. 2003, Beamer et al. 2003) suggests coastal lagoons are heavily used by juvenile salmonids.

Wetlands That Perform Many Functions Very Well - Wetlands scoring 70 points or more (out of 100) on the questions related to functions are Category I wetlands.

Not all wetlands function equally well, especially across the suite of functions performed. The field questionnaire was developed to provide a method by which wetlands can be categorized based on their relative performance of different functions. Wetlands scoring 70 points or more were judged to have the highest levels of function. Wetlands that provide high levels of all three types of functions (improving water quality, hydrologic functions, and habitat) are also relatively rare. Of the 122 wetlands used to calibrate the rating system in western Washington, only 18 (15%) scored 70 points or higher based on their functions.

The questionnaire on wetland functions is based on the six-year effort to develop detailed methods for assessing wetland functions both in eastern and western Washington. These methods currently represent the "best available science" in rapid assessments of wetland functions.

3.2 CATEGORY II

Category II wetlands are difficult, though not impossible, to replace, and provide high levels of some functions. These wetlands occur more commonly than Category I wetlands, but still need a relatively high level of protection. Category II wetlands in western Washington include:

Estuarine Wetlands - Any estuarine wetland smaller than an acre, or those that are disturbed and larger than 1 acre are category II wetlands. Although disturbed, these wetlands still provide unique natural resources that are considered to be valuable to society. Furthermore, the questions used to characterize how well a wetland functions cannot be used for estuarine wetlands.

Interdunal Wetlands - Interdunal wetlands greater than 1 acre are Category II because they provide critical habitat in this ecosystem (Wiedemann 1984). This resource is important but constitutes only a small part of the total dune system (Wiedemann 1984). No methods have been developed to characterize how well interdunal wetlands function, so these wetlands cannot be rated by a score.

Interdunal wetlands form in the "deflation plains" and "swales" that are geomorphic features in areas of coastal dunes. These dune forms are the result of the interaction between sand, wind, water and plants. The dune system immediately behind the ocean beach (the primary dune system) is very dynamic and can change from storm to storm (Wiedemann 1984). For the purpose of rating, any wetlands that are located to the west of the 1889 line (western boundary of upland ownership) are considered to be interdunal.

Wetlands That Perform Functions Well - Wetlands scoring between 51-69 points (out of 100) on the questions related to the functions present are Category II wetlands. Wetlands scoring 51-69 points were judged to perform most functions relatively well, or performed one group of functions very well and the other two moderately well.

3.3 CATEGORY III

Category III wetlands are 1) wetlands with a moderate level of functions (scores between 30 - 50 points) and 2) interdunal wetlands between 0.1 and 1 acre in size. Wetlands scoring between 30 -50 points generally have been disturbed in some ways, and are often less diverse or more isolated from other natural resources in the landscape than Category II wetlands.

3.4 CATEGORY IV

Category IV wetlands have the lowest levels of functions (scores less than 30 points) and are often heavily disturbed. These are wetlands that we should be able to replace, and in some cases be able to improve. 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.

APPENDIX B -

Recommendations for Dock and Float Design and Construction

•  Encourage the use of shared dock facilities to reduce cumulative impacts.

•  Relocate or realign the structure to avoid eelgrass beds.

•  Extend the length of the walkway portion of the pier so that the terminal platform/boat mooring is located over water too deep to support eelgrass growth.

•  If a deepwater location is not accessible, locate the terminal platform or float in water at least 4 ft deep to avoid grounding and prevent prop scarring.

•  Oriental structures in a north-south direction to the maximum extent possible.

•  Use elevated fixed piers at least 4-5 ft. above MHHW for the walkway portion, then attach a small float portion at the terminal end.

•  Use alternative materials (e.g., grid surface for floats, reflective panels on fixed piers) to increase the amount of light penetration to seagrasses.

•  Limit the width of the walkway portion of the pier to 4 ft.

•  Limit the maximum size of the terminal platform or float.

•  Use the minimum number of pilings required for structural integrity.

•  Consider seasonal removal of the float.

APPENDIX C

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR HABITAT MANAGEMENT PLANS

_____

DURING CONSTRUCTION

•  Perform any excavation and grading work during dry weather

•  Install silt fencing around the work area to prevent erosion and siltation of marine and riverine waters.

•  Minimize amount of erodible soils at any given time to the maximum extent feasible.

•  Check all equipment daily for leaks. Refueling and lubrication of equipment should occur offsite. Don't store any fuel, lubricants, chemicals, or hazardous substances overnight within the project area.

•  Do not apply any chemicals when there is a possibility of rain.

•  Comply with all permits and requirements of the government authority or agency,

Stream Buffer Protection

Existing trees and other native vegetation within the stream buffer should again be left undisturbed in areas outside of the proposed construction zone. Any storage or stockpiling of construction materials associated with construction or ensuing occupancy of the residence should take place within a designated construction zone in order to limit impacts to the buffer. The banks and channel of the stream should not be used for foot traffic since this would damage vegetation and increase erosion along the stream channel. Logs that currently exist within the stream channel should not be removed or disturbed and future downed woody debris should be encouraged.

Nurse Log Placement

Overstory trees at least 4 inches diameter at breast height removed from the reduced buffer should be placed within the protected buffer to proved nurse log habitat. The logs could be segmented into 10-15 foot pieces to facilitate transport but would best be left as long as possible. It is recommended that these logs be placed randomly throughout the buffer to mimic natural distribution.

Construction Phase Best Management Practices

An increase in the amount of impervious surface is a concern whenever new buildings are constructed. Impermeable surfaces, such as roads, rooftops and drive ways, cause more rain to run off at accelerated rates and less water to infiltrate back into the soil (Leedy and Adams 1984). To prevent increased erosion and impacts to water quality, runoff from the building and other impervious surfaces may require a storm water management plan that diverts this runoff away from the ground surface and back into the ground. Other good examples of Low Impact Development techniques are provided in the "Low Impact Development Technical Guidance Manual for Puget Sound" prepared by Puget Sound Action Team and WSU Extension 2005.

Best Management Practices (BMPs) need to be adhered to throughout the construction phase.

•  Appropriate erosion control devices, such as silt fencing, mulch berms, and erosion control matting should again be used if needed during all aspects of the construction phase to mitigate potential erosion and runoff into the stream.

•  The most important goal during the construction phase is to consolidate the time period in which heavy earthmoving machinery is used. Earthwork activities should be implemented during the driest season of the year to minimize the risk of erosion-relate impacts to the stream. Any work requiring use of this type of equipment (such as site grading, road building, grubbing, cutting and filling) should also be implemented over short periods or events. This should avoid continued and prolonged disturbance of the environment with heavy equipment, as would be the case if the work occurred over multiple and/or unconsolidated events.

•  Construction activities should be confined to discrete areas of the site to minimize disturbance to native vegetation in the buffer.

•  No construction debris or supplies should be placed in existing forested areas or anywhere along the stream bank.

•  Coinciding with, or immediately subsequent to the completion of the construction work, the restoration and stabilization of bare ground should occur. Restoration and stabilization phases include the application of a native seed mix and landscape stabilization of any cut and filled areas. Native species of plants should be used in transition zones between the construction area and undisturbed native vegetation.

Suggested BMP focus on reducing increases in impervious surfaces, preserving hydrologic functions, and controlling potential adverse impacts to water quality.

•  Clearly mark clearing limits with orange construction fencing;

•  Install silt fencing at the clearing limits to prevent surface runoff, erosion, and water quality degradation;

•  Cover or mulch bare areas to prevent surface erosion

•  Hydroseed disturbed areas with a slurry of native grass seed, mulch, and tackifier as soon as possible following completion of construction and at a minimum before the onset of fall rains;

RE-VEGETATION AND PLANTING

Earthwork

•  No machinery earthwork will be necessary to implement this restoration plan; planting holes for specified vegetation installation will be hand dug. No additional clearing or grading should be required for site restoration.

Native Plantings

It is recommended that native plantings be installed within 10 foot wide restoration zones in linear strips extending across the site parallel to the edge of the buffer to achieve the following densities:

Trees - 10′ on center

Shrubs - 5′ on center

Ferns - 4′ on center

The general plan calls for installing single trees, or clusters of three shrubs, on approximate 10-foot centers. Each row will alternate between 5 trees + 3 shrub clusters or 4 trees + 4 shrub clusters starting from the edge closest to the identified critical area proceeding to the edge of the buffer. Specifically for stream ravine replanting, cedar will be the first type of tree installed within the first row at the top of the ravine, and then incrementally changing one cedar tree to a fir through the first six rows, with all fir trees thereafter or to the edge of the buffer whichever comes first. Exact placement of installed materials will be up to the landscape installer, following the basic 10-foot spacing pattern prescribed. Finally, a native ground cover planting or sword fern will be randomly installed throughout the planting row on average four-foot centers. These densities have been selected to provide a moderately dense, structurally diverse plant community within the restoration area. Volunteer native vegetation can be counted towards the target densities of restoration plants.

Typical native plant species that may be used with the restoration zone include:

All planting should occur during winter dormancy. The optimum time for planting is during February and March.

Installation

Installation of the prescribed vegetation will be performed by qualified landscapers familiar with planting of native vegetation in natural settings. Installation will be performed only after home construction on the property is completed to avoid damage to the plantings from construction activities. All installed vegetation shall be marked with colored flagging to facilitate monitoring inspections. A separate "as-built" plan will be provided by the landscaper if the planting pattern or schedule deviates from that listed within this document.

Fertilizing

Artificial fertilizer may be applied to each planting hole in the form of "slow-release" tablets or some other similar material. However, general broadcast fertilization MAY Not be used within the landscape planting area.

Maintenance

Maintenance of the installations will be the responsibility of the landscape installer. Maintenance is to include and weeding or watering necessary to ensure plant survival for up to one year after the date of installation.

Habitat Conservation Measures

In general, proposed measures to protect habitat focus on promoting natural succession of native plant communities and increasing structural diversity and complexity.

•  Minimize clearing and conversion of forest habitats to other uses, particularly within the stream and lake buffers;

•  Retain larger conifers wherever possible; if trees are removed, use/retain large woody debris (LWD) in native plant communities to be retained. Retained LWD can be installed vertically or horizontally to provide habitat for woodpeckers, including pileated woodpecker.

•  Retain and/or salvage downed large woody debris and western red cedar stumps;

•  Thin dense, immature (sapling) red alder and underplant with native conifers to promote more rapid natural succession to later serial phase forest types;

•  Enhance native plant communities by removing invasive and non-native species, such as Himalayan blackberry, and planting native trees and shrubs;

•  Plant native shrubs and trees in the stream buffer, such as willows (Salix sp.), re-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea); and black twinberry (Lonicera involucrata). These will increase structural diversity and buffer functions, such as retention of organic matter and increasing shade and thermal protection;

MONITORING THE SUCCESS OF THE PLANTING

•  Monitoring of the installed vegetation will be performed annually for three years following installation. Monitoring will entail inspection of each planted specimen for survival and vigor, and will be performed in August or September of each monitoring year. In addition, two photo points will be established that portray the planting area from each side of the property. A brief letter report summarizing monitoring findings will be submitted to Mason County Planning by 1 October of each monitoring year.

Contingency

•  If mortality of the installed vegetation exceeds 10% for trees, 20% for shrubs and ferns, all dead materials will be replaced a 1:1 ratio. If mortality is related to an inappropriate species for the site conditions, adjustments to the Plant Schedule may be made to replant with a species more like to survive.

Monitoring of the site will begin the first fall following tree planting and maintained on a seasonal basis. The information gathered will provide the following: 1) condition of reintroduced plant species; 2) the use of the site by wildlife species; 3) any disturbance caused by the development and its effect on protected zones and associated aquatic habitat; 4) any occurrence of exotic species within the restoration zones; 5) any corrective measures that may be deemed necessary to provide desired conditions. This monitoring will be in effect for the duration of three years. The information gathered will be provided in an annual report and submitted to the Director of Mason County Department of Community Development.

ON-GOING HOMEOWNER RESPONSIBILITIES

Suggested BMP focus on reducing increases in impervious surfaces, preserving hydrologic functions, and controlling potential adverse impacts to water quality.

•  Infiltrate clean runoff from impervious surfaces such as roofs using infiltration trenches to maximize groundwater recharge. Avoid using roofing materials, such as zinc-coated products, that could contribute metals to surface waters;

•  Properly maintain septic system to avoid septic system failure;

•  Landscape with native plants and use mulch and drip irrigation to reduce water consumption, conserve water, and reduce cumulative help maintain instream flows in downstream surface waters;

•  Use low flow toilets and shower heads to conserve water and reduce water consumption;

•  Avoid use of herbicides and pesticides, which may adversely affect native flora and fauna, as well as pest species;

•  Use porous pavement or gravel instead of asphalt or concrete for the driveway to reduce stormwater runoff; use biofiltration swales or infiltration trenches to promote removal of pollutants and promote groundwater recharge.

Home Owners Best Management Practices

Residents living by the unique stream environments have a continuing responsibility for maintaining the conditions that provide the function of the stream.

•  Soil or yard waste must not be dumped anywhere within the buffer so that it may enter the stream.

•  Runoff from the building and other impervious surfaces should be directed to sub-surface trenching that diverts runoff away from the ground surface and back into the ground, or according to the stormwater management plan that has been approved for the site. The erosion of soil or the forming of channels should be prevented. These efforts will prevent increased erosion and impacts to water quality.

•  The occupants of the residence should also promote landscaping with native species.

•  Landscaping around the construction zone should be compatible and blend with the native buffer.

•  Bird boxes should be built or purchased and placed on the property to promote avian wildlife. Bird boxes can be built and placed on snags or live trees according to the bird species requirements that may be most likely to utilize habitat at the site. Guidance on bird boxes is available from the Mason Conservation District.

Stream Buffer Protection

•  Existing trees and other native vegetation within the stream buffer should again be left undisturbed.

•  Any storage or stockpiling of materials should take place outside of the buffer in order to limit impacts to the buffer.

•  The banks and channel of the stream should not be used for foot traffic since this would damage vegetation and increase erosion along the stream channel.

•  Logs that currently exist within the stream channel should not be removed or disturbed and future downed woody debris should be encouraged.

Functions and values of the forested area between the proposed residence and the marine shoreline should be maintained through the following measure.

•  Do not remove overstory trees (view corridors can be established or maintained by limbing the trees to the minimum extent necessary)

•  Shoreline access should be limited to a 3-foot wide path, with stairs when necessary, to concentrate all foot traffic through a single corridor.

•  Species such as English Ivy and Himalayan blackberry should be removed and prevented from further invading the site. This can be accomplished through persistent cuttings during the growing season.

•  Sites where invasive species are removed should be replanted using native species.