Ord 2625 - TMC Title 18 Chapters - Critical Areas Regulations

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Access features shall be the minimum dimensions necessary to avoid adverse impacts to the critical area. Trails shall be no wider than 5 feet and are only allowed in the outer 25 percent of the buffer, except for allowed wetland or stream crossings. Crossings and trails must be designed to avoid adverse impacts to critical area functions. The Director may require mechanisms to limit or control public access when environmental conditions warrant (such as temporary trail closures during wildlife breeding season or migration season). b. Public access must be specifically developed for interpretive, educational or research purposes by, or in cooperation with, the City or as part of the adopted Tukwila Parks and Open Space Plan. Private footbridges are allowed only for access across a critical area that bisects the property. c. No motorized vehicle is allowed within a critical area or its buffer except as required for necessary maintenance, agricultural management or security. d. Any public access or interpretive displays developed along a critical area and its buffer must, to the extent possible, be connected with a park, recreation or open - space area. e. Vegetative edges, structural barriers, signs or other measures must be provided wherever necessary to protect critical areas and their buffers by limiting access to designated public use or interpretive areas. f. Access trails and footbridges must incorporate design features and materials that protect water quality and allow adequate surface water and groundwater movement. Trails must be built of permeable materials. g. Access trails and footbridges must be located where they do not disturb nesting, breeding and rearing areas and must be designed so that sensitive plant and critical wildlife species are protected. Trails and footbridges must be placed so as to not cause erosion or sedimentation, destabilization of watercourse banks, interference with fish passage or significant removal of native vegetation. Footbridges must be anchored to prevent their movement due to water level or flow fluctuations. Any work in the wetland or stream below the OHWM will require additional federal and state permits. 8. Dredging, digging or filling may occur within a critical area or its buffer only with the permission of the Director provided it meets mitigation sequencing requirements and is permitted under TMC, Section 18.45.090 (alteration of wetland), TMC Section 18.45.110 (alteration of watercourse), or TMC Sections 18.45.120 and 18.45.130 (areas of geologic instability). Dredging, digging or filling shall only be permitted for flood control, improving water quality and habitat enhancement unless otherwise permitted by this chapter. Section 26. Regulations Established. TMC Section 18.45.075, "Mitigation Sequencing," is hereby established to read as follows: W:\Legislative Development\Critical Areas update 2-25-20 MD:bjs Review and analysis by Barbara Saxton Page 16 of 87