17.10.052 Standard wetland buffers | Lynnwood Municipal Code

17.10.052 Standard wetland buffers.

Any wetland relocated or replaced because of wetland alterations shall have at least the standard buffer width identified in the table below. Standard buffer widths have been established in accordance with best available science based on wetland category and habitat scores; they shall be as follows:

Wetland Category	Minimum Buffer Width (Wetland scores 3-4 habitat points)	Buffer Width (Wetland scores 5 habitat points)	Buffer Width (Wetland scores 6-7 habitat points)	Buffer Width (Wetland scores 8-9 habitat points)
Category I:	75 ft.	105 ft.	165 ft.	225 ft.
Based on total score
Category I:	190 ft.	190 ft.	190 ft.	225 ft.
Bogs and Wetlands of High Conservation Value
Category I:	75 ft.	105 ft.	165 ft.	225 ft.
Forested
Category II (all)	75 ft.	105 ft.	165 ft.	225 ft.
Category III (all)	60 ft.	105 ft.	165 ft.	225 ft.
Category IV (all)	40 ft.	40 ft.	40 ft.	40 ft.

Measures to minimize the impacts of the land use adjacent to the wetlands shall be applied:

Disturbance	Required Measures to Minimize Impacts
Lights	• Direct lights away from wetland
Noise	• Locate activity that generates noise away from wetland
	• For activities that generate relatively continuous, potentially disruptive noise, such as certain heavy industry or mining, establish an additional 10-foot heavily vegetated buffer strip immediately adjacent to the outer wetland buffer
Toxic runoff	• Route all new, untreated runoff away from wetland while ensuring wetland is not dewatered
	• Establish covenants limiting use of pesticides within 150 feet of wetlands
	• Apply integrated pest management
Stormwater runoff	• Retrofit stormwater detention and treatment for roads and existing adjacent development
	• Prevent channelized flow from lawns that directly enters the buffer
	• Use Low Impact Development techniques (per PSAT publication on LID techniques)
Change in water regime	• Infiltrate or treat, detain, and disperse into buffer new runoff from impervious surfaces and new lawns
Pets and human disturbance	• Use privacy fencing OR plant dense vegetation to delineate buffer edge and to discourage disturbance using vegetation appropriate for the ecoregion
	• Place wetland and its buffer in a separate tract or protect with a conservation easement
Dust	• Use best management practices to control dust
Disruption of corridors or connections	• Maintain connections to offsite areas that are undisturbed
Disruption of corridors or connections	• Restore corridors or connections to offsite habitats by replanting

(Ord. 3193 § 2, 2016)