The purpose of this section is to implement the requirements of the State Growth Management Act and the goals and policies of the Bingen Comprehensive Plan regarding the protection of areas within the City that are identified in the plan as being critical areas and requiring protection from incompatible development.

(Ord. No. 440, Att. A (part), 1997)

Critical areas identified within the City are designated in the Bingen Comprehensive Plan and include flood plains, fish and wildlife habitat, slope hazard areas, and wetlands.

A.

Regulation of development in flood plain areas shall be pursuant to Chapter 15.28 of the Bingen Municipal Code.

B.

Regulation of development in critical slope hazard areas shall be pursuant to Chapter 17.66 of this title. Critical slopes shall be defined as those slopes identified in the Comprehensive Plan as being in excess of 25% average grade or those areas in excess of normal design standards as determined by city officials with expertise when less than 25% average grade.

C.

As the only critical fish and wildlife habitat areas identified in the Bingen Comprehensive Plan are those fish habitat areas associated with Jewett Creek and the Columbia River and their riparian areas, regulation of development in these areas shall be pursuant to Chapter 17.67 of this title pertaining to wetlands. Buffers for these fish habitat areas shall be 50 feet.

D.

Regulation of development in critical wetland areas and their buffers shall be pursuant to Chapter 17.67 of this title.

(Ord. No. 440, Att. A (part), 1997)

Critical areas identified by the City in the Bingen Comprehensive Plan and as it may be amended to reflect deletions or additions of critical areas shall be delineated on a composite map which shall be maintained by the City Clerk/treasurer and made available to the public at a price not to exceed the cost of reproduction. This map shall be referred to as the official critical areas map for the purpose of identifying those critical areas within the City which are required to be protected under this title and the State Growth Management Act. A certification of authenticity shall be placed on this map and all subsequent amendments with signatures of the Mayor and Clerk-Treasurer.

(Ord. No. 440, Att. A (part), 1997)