1. Shoreline Trees & Shrubs
Water quality
Fine sediment control
Large woody debris
Shade/microclimate
Litter fall/organic matter
Hydrology/slope stability
Fish and wildlife habitat
Attractive
Vegetated buffers provide many important functions for people and nature
SMP Public comment November 30, 2015
Tina Whitman, Science Director FSJ Orcas island resident and property owner

2. Exceptions shown in the examples
Proposed SMP Buffers and Exceptions (SJCC )
Exceptions shown in the examples
Additional exceptions not shown in the examples
House (2,000 sq. ft. footprint)
30 ft. clearing around house
Septic (5’X8’ tank, pipes and 23’X40’ drain field)
Stormwater Control Swale (160 sq. ft.)
Orchard/Garden (4,000 sq. ft.)
40% tree removal (every ten years)
Hazard tree removal (3 various sized trees)
Beach Access Stairs (5 ft. width)
Trails (5 ft. width)
Dock (8 ft. width)
Bulkhead (10’ X 100’)
Existing, new or expanding agriculture
Aquaculture
Forest Practices
Navigational aides or survey markers
Site investigative work
Stream crossings, roads
20% annual foliage removal for views
Temporary wildlife watching blinds
Wells
Fences
Reasonable use exceptions, nonconforming uses, structures and activities
Shoreline modifications besides dock and bulkhead in example (ramp, railway, groin, buoy/float,…)
Additional reductions due to locations of existing adjacent houses)
Proposed SMP allows extensive development within the tree protection and water quality buffers. Next slides provide an example of these exceptions for an average sized, shoreline parcel.

3. Buffer Exception – smaller parcel
House (1,800 sq. ft.)
House Clearing (30 ft.)
Septic (tank & drainfield)
Stormwater Swale
Garden/Orchard (4,000 sq. ft.)
Trails (5 ft. width)
Tree Removal (40%/10yrs.)
Hazard Tree Removal
Stairs
Bulkhead
Dock
Buffer Exception – smaller parcel
Outside Protective Buffers
Example =
0.78 acre parcel with 99 feet of waterfront
Tree protection zone (110 ft.)
Majority of shoreline parcels in SJC are residential so rules that apply to residential development will shape what our community looks like and how it funcitons into the future.
45% residential parcels less than 1 acre
67% less than 2 acres
45% less than 150ft waterfront length
Over 70% less than 300 ft waterfront
Example shows how even with a small list of the allowed exceptions, development quickly impacts the water quality and tree protection zones
Water quality buffer (100 ft.)
Note: SJC Residential shoreline parcel sizes
45% <1 acre
67% <2 acres
45% <150 waterfront ft.
70% < 300 waterfront ft.
Tree protection zone (35 ft.)
shoreline

4. Protective Buffer Example
House
House Clearing (30 ft.)
Septic (tank & drainfield)
Stormwater Swale
Garden/Orchard (4,000 sq. ft.)
Trails (2-3 ft. width)
Hazard Tree Removal
Stairs
Bulkhead
Dock
Protective Buffer Example
Example=
0.78 acre parcel with 99 feet of waterfront
Tree protection zone (110 ft.)
This slide shows the same parcel, and the same activities- easily located outside the buffers, even on this same parcel
Water quality buffer (100 ft.)
Note: SJC Residential shoreline parcel sizes
45% <1 acre
67% <2 acres
45% <150 waterfront ft.
70% < 300 waterfront ft.
Tree protection zone (35 ft.)
shoreline

5. Buffer Exception – larger parcel
House (1,800 sq. ft.)
House Clearing (30 ft.)
Septic (tank & drainfield)
Stormwater Swale
Garden/Orchard (4,000 sq. ft.)
Trails (5 ft. width)
Tree Removal (40%/10yrs.)
Hazard Tree Removal
Stairs
Bulkhead
Dock
Buffer Exception – larger parcel
Outside Protective Buffer
Example=
1.6 acre parcel with 300 feet of waterfront
This example shows the same development on a larger parcel size
Tree protection zone (110 ft.)
Note: SJC Residential shoreline parcel sizes
45% <1 acre
67% <2 acres
45% <150 waterfront ft.
70% < 300 waterfront ft.
Water quality buffer (75 ft.)
Tree protection zone (35 ft.)

6. Protect shoreline vegetation
Action: Limit the amount of development in tree protection zones and water quality buffers to ensure these already limited buffers (e.g. no habitat buffers) can function. The science does not support development in buffers. As provisions already exist for items that are tied to shorelines (beach access stairs for example) all those activities that don’t have to occur in the buffer shouldn’t be allowed via an extensive exemption list. Thank you for your consideration.
Encourage the county to protect shoreline vegetation and ensure the buffers can function as intended. Reduce number of activities allowed in buffers
Thank you for your consideration.