Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas include riparian corridors (streams and the land within 100 feet of the top of bank or ordinary high water mark of the watercourse), shoreline habitat (major water bodies such as lakes, the Duwamish River, and Puget Sound), as well as areas designated under a Species Habitat Management Plan. These areas are specifically defined in the ECA regulations in section 25.09.020 D. These areas represent some of the most diverse ecosystems within the City of Seatte and provide food, shelter, and breeding areas for a wide variety of plant and animal life. Protecting these areas can provide multiple benefits by preserving valuable habitat areas, protecting water quality, and avoiding future building problems due to flooding and erosion.
Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas typically are protected by a buffer in which development, including clearing and other land disturbing activities, is prohibited or restricted. Parcels containing riparian corridors and shoreline habitat are also subject to the general development standards in 25.09.060 and specific development regulations in 25.09.200, as well as regulations regarding tree and vegetation alteration and pesticide use. Shoreline habitat, as well as lands within 200 feet of the ordinary high water mark of the shoreline habitat, is also regulated under the Shoreline Master Program (Seattle Municipal Code 23.60).
Applicants should also note that projects in these areas may also require permits from other state and federal agencies including the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Ecology, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Questions regarding these permits should be directed to the agencies themselves or The Governor’s Office of Regulatory Assistance (1-800-917-0043 www.ora.wa.gov) which provides free support regarding environmental permits and permitting processes with these agencies.
Related Codes
- Seattle Municipal Code 25.09 Regulations for Environmentally Critical Areas
- Seattle Municipal Code 23.60, Shoreline Master Program
Related CAMs
- CAM 103B, Environmentally Critical Area Site Plan Requirements
- CAM 326, Wetlands & Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas Overview
- CAM 327A, Environmentally Critical Areas Exemptions, Relief from Prohibition on Steep Slope Development, and Modifications to Submittal Requirements — Application Instructions and Submittal Requirements
- CAM 327B, Environmentally Critical Areas — Small Project Waivers Application Instructions and Submittal Requirements
- CAM 328, ECA Exceptions
- CAM 329, ECA Administrative Conditional Use Permit—Application Instructions and Submittal Requirements
- CAM 331, Environmentally Critical Areas: Trees and Vegetation
- CAM 331A, Environmentally Critical Areas: Vegetation Restoration
- CAM 331B, Hazard Trees
Related Director's Rules
- DR 5-2007, Great Blue Heron Management Plan
Related Documents
- Standard Bald Eagle Management Plan WDFW Bald Eagle Protection Information
- WDFW Priority Habitats and Species Program
Shoreline-specific documents
- CAM 209, Master Use Permit Application Requirements for Shoreline Permits
- CAM 209A, Shoreline Substantial Development Exemptions Application Instructions
- CAM 232, How to Appeal the Granting, Conditioning or Denial of Shoreline Permits (Rev. July 2005)
- DR 9-2003, Exemptions from Shoreline Program Permit Requirements
- DR 4-89, Determination of Residential Setbacks in the Shoreline District
- DR 22-89, Grading and Landfill in Shoreline Environments
- DR 17-99, Verification of Shoreline District Boundary Line
- DR 20-88, Property Located Partly Within and Partly Out of the Shoreline District
