All land-clearing activities shall be conditioned by the Town to ensure that the following standards have been met: Land grading and clearing associated with the regulated development of the property shall not occur until such time as the permit/authorization for development has been granted by the Town.

A.

All grading and clearing activities shall be conducted so as to follow mitigation sequencing for potential impacts to all critical areas, as outlined in WAC 197-11-768, and to overall minimize potential adverse effects of these activities on forested lands, surface water quality and quantity, groundwater recharge, fish and wildlife habitat, adjacent properties, and downstream drainage channels. The applicant shall attempt to prevent impacts and minimize the clearing of naturally occurring vegetation, retain existing soils, and maintain the existing natural hydrological functions of the site;

B.

Clearing or grading will not create or significantly contribute to flooding, erosion, siltation, or other forms of pollution in a watercourse;

C.

Clearing and grading operations shall be conducted so as to expose the smallest practical area of soil to erosion for the least possible time, consistent with the approved build-out schedule;

D.

No clearing or grading shall be permitted within a previously-established vegetated buffer area;

E.

Clearing and grading operations shall consistent with the latest version of the Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington. LID practices and principals are the preferred method of surface water management.

F.

Slash shall be removed from the cleared site within one month of the completion of the operation. Slash may be ground/chipped onsite and dispersed on site as compost within one month as an alternative;

G.

Clearing and grading operations shall be performed in accordance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to air and water pollution, noise control, and wildlife habitat protection;

H.

Clearing and grading shall not be detrimental to the health and appearance of vegetation outside but adjacent to the area designated for such operations in the approved plan;

I.

Clearing and grading will be undertaken in a manner which, in the opinion of the public works director, will preserve and enhance the aesthetic character of the Town.

J.

Prior to beginning land disturbing activities, including clearing and grading, all clearing limits, sensitive and critical areas and their buffers, and trees that are to be preserved within the construction area shall be clearly marked, both in the field and on the plans, to prevent damage and offsite impacts. (See section on tree protection for detailed requirements.)

K.

Construction vehicle access shall be, whenever feasible, limited to one route. A temporary access road shall be provided at all sites. Access surfaces shall be stabilized to minimize the tracking of sediment onto adjacent roads by utilizing quarry spalls, crushed rock or other equivalent BMPs. Other measures may be required at the discretion of the public works director in order to ensure that sediment is not tracked onto public streets by construction vehicles, or washed into storm drains. All approach roads shall be kept clean. Wheel wash or tire baths shall be located on site if the stabilized construction entrance is not effective in preventing sediment from being tracked onto public roads. Sediment shall be removed from roads by shoveling or pickup sweeping and shall be transported to a controlled sediment disposal area. Street washing will be allowed only after sediment is removed in this manner. If sediment is tracked off site, public roads shall be cleaned thoroughly at the end of each day, or more frequently during wet weather. Street wash wastewater shall be controlled by pumping back on-site or otherwise be prevented from discharging into systems tributary to state surface waters.

L.

All exposed soil shall be stabilized by application of suitable BMPs and soil stabilization measures, including, but not limited to, sod or other vegetation, plastic covering, mulching, or application of base course(s) on areas to be paved. Soil stabilization measures selected should be appropriate for the time of year, site conditions, estimated duration of use, and potential water quality impacts that stabilization agents may have on downstream waters or groundwater. Soils shall be stabilized at the end of the shift before a holiday or weekend if needed based on the weather forecast. All BMPs shall be selected, designed, and maintained according to the approved manual by the public works director. From October 1 through April 30, no unworked soils shall remain exposed for more than two days. From May 1 through September 30, no unworked soil shall remain exposed for more than seven days. Soil stockpiles must be stabilized from erosion, protected with sediment trapping measures, and where possible, be located away from storm drain inlets, waterways and drainage channels. Linear construction activities, including right-of-way and easement clearing, roadway development, pipelines, and trenching for utilities, shall be conducted to meet the soil stabilization requirement.

M.

Non-native vegetation that has become part of the rural landscape and character such as orchards, hedgerows and windbreaks should be retained. If removal is required, it shall be evaluated as part of a certificate of appropriateness.

N.

Pursuant to WAC 365-169-830, no net loss of ecological function or value will be lost as a result of any clearing and grading activities.

(Ord. No. 688, § 2(Exh. B), 1-11-2011; Ord. No. 792, § 1(Exh. A), 3-12-2024)