1. Shoreline Master Program Update: Planning Commission Benton City, WA June 24, 2013 1

2. Introductions Review of SMP & Planning Process SMP Content and Environment Designations Shoreline Modifications and Use Regulations Critical Areas Restoration Plan Table Next steps 2 Agenda

3. 3 Shoreline Management Act (SMA) RCW 90.58 To prevent harm caused by uncoordinated and piecemeal development of the state’s major shorelines Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Guidelines WAC 173-26 SMP--Carries out provisions of SMA Must be approved by Dept. of Ecology, using policy of RCW 90.58.020 and Guidelines as approval standards/criteria What is a SMP?

4. Balance — Environmental protection — Public access — Water-oriented uses Preferred Uses No Net Loss of Ecological Function 4 Key Principles of the SMP Residential aerial photo courtesy of fortress.wa.gov

5. Inventory & Analysis SMP - Environment Designations - Goals - Policies - Regulations Cumulative Impacts Analysis Local Adoption Restoration Plan Determine Jurisdiction Ecology Review and Adoption Public Participation 5 Steps and Status

6. Lakes ≥ 20 acre Streams (a mean annual flow of 200 cft per second or more, or the portion downstream from the first 300 square miles of drainage area) Upland areas 200 feet from ordinary high water mark Floodways and adjacent floodplain area Associated wetlands 6 Shoreline Jurisdiction

7. 7 Benton City Shoreline Yakima River Shoreline -Land within 200 feet of the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) of the waterways -Floodways -Floodplains up to 200 feet from the floodway edge

8. 8 Shoreline Jurisdiction and Inventory Benton City Shoreline Area = Approximately 200 acres along both sides of the Yakima River Major Features Public Access – access exists in some areas Shoreline Use – Agricultural, recreation, residential, limited commercial Ecological Function – riparian species, aquatic functions Water quality – dissolved Oxygen, pH, DDE, DDT. Elevated temperature. Stressors Irrigation for agriculture, bridge, recreation and transportation development

9. 9 Benton City Land Use

10. 10 SMP Content Goals and Policies – Shoreline Elements Regulations – Environment Designations – General, use-specific and modification regulations – Critical area regulations – Applicability and Implementation (non- conforming use, enforcement, administration)

11. Economic Development Public Access and Recreation Circulation Shoreline Use and modifications Conservation Historic, Cultural, Scientific and Educational Resources Flood Hazard Management Private Property Right 11 Goals and Policies

12. 12 Environment Designations Current SMP – adopted in 1975 – Environment Designation – Natural, Conservancy, Rural and Residential 2013 SMP Update – Aquatic – Agriculture Conservancy – Urban Conservancy – Shoreline Residential – High Intensity

13. 13 Benton City Shoreline Environment

14. Waterward of the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) Purpose is to protect, restore, and manage the unique characteristics and resources Management policies guide the use and activities in this ED 14 Environment Designations: Aquatic

15. Applies on public and unimproved lands Purpose is to protect and restore ecological functions of open space, flood plain and other sensitive lands where they exist in urban and developed settings Management policies guide the use and activities in this ED; e.g. uses allowed that result in restoration 15 Environment Designations: Urban Conservancy

16. Applies on floodway areas with Ag-Suburban land use Purpose is to protect and restore existing ecological functions of floodway Low intensity uses are allowed Management policies guide the use and activities in this ED; e.g. new low intensity agricultural uses 16 Environment Designations: Agriculture Conservancy

17. Applies on residential land use areas Purpose is to accommodate primarily residential development; also allows other uses, public access and recreation Management policies guide the use and activities in this ED; e.g. no net loss policy by limiting lot coverage, providing setback 17 Environment Designations: Shoreline Residential

18. Applies mostly on commercial areas outside floodway Purpose is to provide for to provide for higher intensity land uses such as commercial and transportation together with appropriate accessory uses Protecting the existing ecological functions in areas that have been previously degraded Management policies 18 Environment Designations: High Intensity

19. General Standards 19 No Net loss of ecological functions Water-dependent uses shall be preferred as a first priority and water-related and water-enjoyment as a second priority Single-family residential is a preferred use Public access of shoreline

20. Agriculture Boating Facilities Commercial Development Fill and Excavation Groins and Weirs In-Stream Structures 20 Shoreline Modifications and Use Regulations Recreational Development Residential Development Shoreline Habitat and Natural Systems Enhancement Projects Shoreline Stabilization Transportation Utilities

21. Agriculture 21 Existing and future Ag uses per Comprehensive Plan shall be allowed SMP provision applies to: o New Ag uses or Ag expansion on non-Ag lands o Conversion of Ag lands to other uses o Other developments that are not Ag activities o Ag activities that are not exempted by this Program New uses shall assure no net loss of ecological functions Fertilizers and pesticides shall prevent direct runoff into waterbodies, wetlands or aquifer recharge areas State and Federal policies shall apply

22. Boating Facilities 22 Existing boat launches are to continue New boating facilities – only non-motorized boating facilities (such as paddle boats or electric boats) are allowed. Accessory uses shall be: o Limited to water-oriented uses that provide physical or visual shoreline access o Located as far landwards as possible Environmental protection

23. Commercial Development 23 Standards for water-oriented priority Criteria are provided for when non-water- oriented uses are allowed; these are mostly applicable for Benton City Application review criteria Compatibility with surroundings. City can modify project standards to achieve this Public Access

24. Fill and Excavation 24 Fill shall be of the minimum amount and extent necessary to accomplish the purpose of the fill Fill waterward of the OHWM Fill upland Need to demonstrate fill shall be minimum necessary Fills or excavation shall not be located where shore stabilization will be necessary to protect materials placed or removed

25. Recreational Development 25 General preference standards: Recreational uses shall include features for access, enjoyment and use of shoreline Allow passive and active recreational development Water-oriented recreational uses and activities are preferred; Performance Standards for mitigation, protection of fragile and unique shoreline, location, design Non-motorized access is preferred. Motorized access shall protect functions

26. Residential Development 26 Single-family residential development is a preferred use Accessory uses and structures shall be outside of the riparian buffer, unless the structure is or supports a water-dependent use New shoreline residences shall ensure that shoreline stabilization and flood control structures are not necessary to protect proposed residences Density according to the Comprehensive Plan

27. 27 Critical Areas Wetlands Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas Frequently Flooded Areas Geologic Hazards Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas

28. 2010 Legislature – Critical areas within shorelines regulated by SMA/SMPs Integrate City CAO into SMP with updates: – Delete “reasonable use exception” and use “no net loss” standard – Wetland buffers and mitigation ratios – Fish and wildlife habitat areas updated for vegetation mgt and riparian buffers 28 Critical Areas Overview

29. Use latest Ecology and USACE info for Eastern WA “most current, accurate and complete scientific and technical information available” (WAC) Buffers based on wetland functions and land use intensity Mitigation ratios revised per 2006 USACE document (slight adjustments) 29 Wetlands

30. Wetland CategoryCurrent CAO (Minimums)Recommended Update (Maximum to Minimum) I75’ to 190’250’ – 50’ II75’ to 150’200’ – 50’ III60’ to 120’150’ – 40’ IV40’50’ – 25’ 30 Wetland Buffers Varies based on: – Land use intensity – Wetland habitat and water quality functions

31. Reach based approach Consider existing conditions and riparian functions Aquatic and terrestrial habitat Shade and cover Erosion control Water quality treatment/protection Organic material/wood inputs Consider land ownership/future uses 31 Riparian Buffers/Vegetation Mgt.

32. 32 Semi-arid Draft Riparian Buffer Literature Review Findings FunctionRange (from OHWM landward) Notes Riparian vegetation/habitat 10’ - 100’Varies based on changes in elevation and land use Shade and coverSee riparian vegetation Organic material/wood inputs 1 SPTH (15’-100’)SPTH = specific tree/shrub height Erosion control40’ – 50’Varies based on slope, vegetation and 7 – 15”/year precipitation Water quality treatment/protection 50’ - 66’Higher potential pollutant loading with irrigation (fertilizers, pesticides/herbicides)

33. Yakima River Urban Conservancy – 75 feet Agriculture Conservancy – 75 feet Shoreline Residential – 75 feet High Intensity – 75 feet (measured from OWHM) (Stormwater measures applied consistent with E WA Stormwater manual) 33 Riparian Buffers – Preliminary Draft

34. Buffers extended to include: – Adjacent regulated wetland(s)/buffers – Landslide hazard areas and/or erosion hazard areas/buffers Buffers won’t extend across roads or other lawfully established structures or hardened surfaces that functionally disconnect ecological processes 34 Riparian Buffers/Vegetation Mgt.

35. Important for no net loss and improvement Protection of riparian buffer and habitat Protection and enhancement of riparian vegetation Implement storm-water control consistent with Eastern Washington manual Implement soil erosion BMPs Address Yakima River water quality conditions (through stormwater mgt) 35 Restoration Plan Restoration Actions/ Opportunities – see table

36. 36 Next Steps Update SMP and other drafts based on additional comments Council Workshop – July 8th Council review for submittal to Ecology – mid July Submit draft to Ecology end of July Adopt SMP – by Summer/Fall 2013

37. 37 Stephanie Haug, CMC City Clerk-Treasurer City of Benton City Ben FloydFerdouse Oneza, AICP Anchor QEA 509-392-4548 bfloyd@anchorqea.com Oneza & Associates 509 845 2453 foneza@onezaassociates.com Contact