HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial 2013-07-30 Index 7A - Natural Environment - SummaryNATURAL ENVIRONMENT____________________
REQUIREMENTS:
The Growth Management Act requires consideration of the natural
Plans. Specifically, the Act requires policies to protect and enhance sensitive areas
watercourses, fish and wildlife habitat; flood prone areas, and areas of geologic instability. In addition,
King County county-wide and Puget Sound Regional Council planning policies require that air quality,
water quality, and climate change be addressed.
A new section on trees and urban forestry has been added to the update of the Element, because of
their importance to the natural environment, stormwater runoff management, air quality, water quality,
habitat and social benefits. This new section anticipates future compliance with the Evergreen
Communities Act, approved by the Washington State Legislature in008 (currently an unfunded
mandate), which requires local jurisdictions to develop urban forestry management plans in order to be
eligible for various forms of state funding.
SUMMARY:
The Element has been reorganized and expanded. The proposed goals and policrecent
updates of the Sensitive Areas regulations, adopted since the last Comprehensive Plan update. In
addition, the proposed goals and policies reflect new state and federal regulations related to sensitive
areas, surface water management, fish and wildlife, and flood managemen. Other policies have been
proposed to be consistent with Countywide Planning Policies and regional and state requirements.
Because of the significant environmental, social and economic beprovide urban areas, a new
set of urban forest goals and policies has been proposed for this Element. A study to assess the urban
forest canopy, completed by the City in 2012, forms a baseline ftree canopy goals, which,
in turn drive proposed policies to retain and improve canopy covproposed policies also
address urban forestry management issues, and the health of the
expand on one that was in the Community Image Element of the Com
Surface water management and flood management goals and policies from the Utilities Element have
been moved into this Element, as they relate more to the topic areas of theent.
Archaeological and Paleontological Resources goals and policies, with some modifications, will be placed
into the Community Vision Chapter.
KEY ISSUES:
There are several key issues that are addressed in the Natural Environment Chapter that reflect new
community priorities and respond to new regulations and policies
federal levels.
Environmental Quality, Community Education and Environmental Ste
. In order to
foster best practices for protecting Tukwilas environmental quality, improve the protectio
restoration of the Citys sensitive areas and fish and wildlife
water quality, the City needs to provide information and educativarious
2015 Comprehensive Plan Update
TukwilaThe city of opportunity, the community of choice
Page 1 of 3
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT____________________
forms. In addition the City should expand efforts, in collabora
businesses, to engage the community through hands on environment
restoration activities and better protect fish and wildlife.
Sensitive Areas. Although Tukwila enacted significant revisions to its Sensitive
in 2004 and again in 2010, new policies are needed to reflect th
science information and new federal and state regulations and guidelines. Tukwila also needs to
improve the protection of watercourses and find mechanisms to better ensure that compensatory
mitigation of all sensitive areas is successful for the long term.
Fish and Wildlife Habitat. New policies, continued efforts, and new sources of funding are
needed to carry out restoration of habitat on the Green/Duwamish and to
remove fish barriers. The City must continue to be actively involved in shaping pol
programs and helping to implement the Water Resource Inventory Area 9 Salmon Habitat
Enhancement Plan Fit for a King , in collaboration with other l
agencies.
Water Quality. More efforts are needed to improve and protect water quality in
wetlands, watercourses and the Green/Duwamish River. Programs for
(under future NPDES permit requirements), retrofitting surface water management systems
where there are water quality problems and, improving riparian brtant actions.
Surface Water Management. With new State requirements for the management of surface water
effective in Tukwila in 2016, the City must modify its surface water regulations and begin
implementing and requiring low impact development techniques for surface water system
retrofits and for new development.
Flood Management. Due to the levee system along a portion of the Green/Duwamish Ri the
City must coordinate with County and federal officials, and neighboring lo
maintenance and rebuilding of the levees, and ensuring that federal cer
where applicable. Also, due to the listing of Chinook salmon un
the City needs to be involved in efforts to achieve good ripariations, while not
compromising the integrity of levees or losing federal certifica
Earth Resources. The definition of steep slopes should be clarified and new polic
require setbacks and better protect trees on steep slopes.
Trees and the Urban Forest. Because trees provide important environmental, economic and
aesthetic benefits to urban areas, the City needs to recognize t
establish policies and programs to protect and enhance it. Becace water
management requirements and the implications of climate change,
crucial in providing a sustainable urban environment. Tukwila n
forest, including establishing improved policies for protecting trees, increasing tree canopy, and
ensuring sufficient resources to properly maintain trees to impr
potential hazards to the public.
2015 Comprehensive Plan Update
TukwilaThe city of opportunity, the community of choice
Page 2 of 3
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT____________________
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED CHANGES:
Key proposed new policies include:
a.Environmental Quality and Stewardship:
ing climate change in planning
Protecting wildlife and educating Tukwila citizens about wildlife and importance of habitat
Promoting environmental stewardship
b.Water Resources:
Restoring sensitive areas and fish and wildlife habitat
ding sensitive areas management technical assistance to businesses and residents
ing public education about protecting water quality
water quality monitoring
ing use of low impact development techniques
c. Earth Resources:
Protecting against erosion
Considering the role of trees in slope stability; require areas where vegeta
remain undisturbed
ing setbacks from top and/or toe of slope
d. Urban Forestry:
ing an urban forester/municipal arborist position or consultant contould
serve all City Departments and could assist the public
ing a comprehensive urban forestry plan
g new standards and production of guidance manuals on tree selecti
protection and developing urban forest stewardship programs
ing tree canopy goals for different land use categories
without
an approved permit
and providing incentives for tree
retention or additional plantings, while at the same time, improving tree canopy
PLANNING COMMISSION-INITIATED CHANGES:
The Planning Commission made three minor changes to the policies rec
Environment Advisory Committee. Two additions are proposed to Policy 4.13
removal of trees that interfere with underground or above groundilities and the second to clarify that
site density will not be sacrificed in order to preserve trees. The third revision made by the Planning
Commission to Policy 4.13.9, was to add schools to the organizations that the City will collaborate with
to promote urban forest management and restoration.
New policies, changes and edits that the Planning Commission pro
highlighted in yellow in the strikeout/underline document.
2015 Comprehensive Plan Update
TukwilaThe city of opportunity, the community of choice
Page 3 of 3