Wetlands, Streams and Steep Slopes Code Update

The Tukwila City Council held a public hearing on September 23, 2019 regarding the Planning Commission recommended draft of changes to the Critical Areas regulations. Since the public hearing the Council Committee has reviewed the public comments and the Department of Ecology’s initial determination and requested some changes. The final ordinances incorporating these changes will be reviewed by the Planning and Economic Development Committee on Feb 3rd, 2020. Here is the link to the  Committee packet.

Following are links to the staff reports prepared for the previous City Council meetings:

Dec 10, 2019 Community Development and Neighborhood Committee.

November 26, 2019 Community Development and Neighborhood Committee.

September 23, 2019, City Council Committee.

September 10, 2019, Community Development and Neighborhoods Committee.

Following are links to the staff reports prepared for the Planning Commission meetings on this topic:  

June 27, 2019 Planning Commission meeting.

May 23, 2019 Planning Commission  meeting.  

April 11, 2019 Planning Commission meeting.

February 28, 2019 Planning Commission meeting.

November 8, 2018 Planning Commission meeting.

The Community Affairs and Parks Committee was briefed about the update process on June 26,  2018.

To get on the interested party list:  

Contact  Tukwila  Planning Department, at CriticalAreas@TukwilaWA.gov, 206-431-3685.  

WETLANDS AND STREAMS CODE UPDATE  

The City adopted Environmentally Sensitive Area regulations in 2010: Chapter 18.45  Tukwila  Zoning Code as required under the  Growth Management Act (GMA) using the standards of Best Available  Science.    

Since then the Department of Ecology established new guidance on Best Available Science for  wetlands and the Department of Fish and Wildlife established new guidance on Best Available Science for  streams .    

The City’s consultant, The Watershed Company, prepared a  Gap Analysis Report  which will be  used  to  draft  the new rules.  This document provides  a review of the City’s  existing  regulations, noting gaps where existing regulations may not be consistent with Best Available Science.

BACKGROUND    

What is best available science?

Best available science or BAS is the most current science relative to the functions and values of the critical areas, including the role of buffers in protecting wetland and stream functions and fish and wildlife. Under the GMA (RCW 36.70a.175), best available science must be used to designate and protect critical areas and to take measures to preserve and enhance anadromous fisheries, such as salmon (fish born in fresh water and spends most of its life in the salt water and return to fresh water to spawn).

What are wetlands and what is their importance?

“Wetland” means those areas that are inundated or saturated by groundwater or surface water 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 bogs, swamps, marshes, ponds, lakes and similar areas.    

Wetlands do not include those artificial wetlands intentionally created from  nonwetland  sites, including but not limited to irrigation and drainage ditches, grass-lined swales, canals, detention facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, farm ponds, 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, those artificial wetlands intentionally created from non-wetland areas to mitigate conversion of wetlands as permitted by the City shall be considered wetlands.  

Wetlands and their associated buffers are important in that they help maintain water quality; store and convey storm and flood water; recharge ground water; provide fish and wildlife habitat; and serve as areas for recreation, education, scientific study and aesthetic appreciation.

What are streams and what is their importance?

“Watercourse” means a course or route formed by nature or modified by man, generally consisting of a channel with a bed and banks or sides substantially throughout its length along which surface water flows naturally, including the  Green/Duwamish River. The channel or bed need not contain water year-round. Watercourses do not include irrigation ditches,  stormwater  runoff channels or devices, or other entirely artificial watercourses unless they are used by salmonids or to convey or pass through stream flows naturally occurring prior to construction of such devices.    

Streams and their associated buffers are important in that they provide important fish and wildlife habitat and travel corridors; help maintain water quality; store and convey storm and flood water; recharge groundwater; and serve as areas for recreation, education, scientific study and aesthetic appreciation.

HELPFUL LINKS  

Current Tukwila Municipal Code Chapter 18.45 Environmentally Sensitive Areas Code

Find your property on the City’s Map.  

City of Tukwila contact: CriticalAreas@TukwilaWA.gov, 206-431-3685.