Chapter 18.70 ESTUARY CONSERVATION 2 ZONE (EC-2)

Chapter 18.70
ESTUARY CONSERVATION 2 ZONE (EC-2)

Sections:

18.70.020 Uses permitted with standards.

18.70.010 Purpose and areas included.

A. The purpose of the EC-2 zone is to:

1. Provide for long-term use of renewable resources that do not require major alteration of the estuary except for purposes of restoration.

2. Other than minor navigational improvements, aquaculture facilities and water-dependent recreational facilities, provide for new water-dependent industrial and commercial uses only where dredging and filling are not necessary and where consistent with the resource capabilities of the area and purposes of the management unit.

B. The EC-2 zone includes the following areas:

1. Tracts of significant habitat not included in EN or EC-1 zones;

2. Areas containing existing water-dependent development that require periodic dredging to maintain water access;

3. Partially altered estuarine areas or estuarine areas adjacent to existing water-dependent development and which do not otherwise qualify for EN, EC-1 or ED designations; and

4. Subtidal channel areas that require minor navigational improvements, navigable areas which are adjacent to urbanized areas, which do not qualify for EN or EC-1 designation and which are not federally authorized and maintained navigation channels. [Ord. 290 § 3(3.108(1)), 2006.]

18.70.020 Uses permitted with standards.

The following uses are permitted with standards within the EC-2 zone; provided, that the procedures in Chapter 18.165 GMC and the development standards in Chapter 18.160 GMC have been met.

A. Aquaculture and water-dependent portions of aquaculture facilities not requiring dredging or fill other than incidental dredging for harvest of benthic species or removable in-water structures such as stakes or racks.

B. Navigational aids.

C. Vegetative shoreline stabilization.

D. Structural shoreline stabilization, limited to riprap.

E. Boat dock in conjunction with one or more private residences. Single-purpose private docks shall be limited to a maximum of 150 square feet in size.

F. Tidegate installation in existing dikes adjacent to EC-2 zones.

G. Water, sewer, gas or phone lines.

H. Electrical distribution lines and line support structures.

I. Temporary dikes for emergency flood protection.

J. Active restoration and estuarine enhancement.

K. Water intake facilities for outbay aquaculture requiring dredge or fill.

L. Temporary low water bridges.

M. Boat ramps for public use where no dredging or fill for navigation access is needed.

N. Maintenance and repair of existing structures or facilities involving a regulated activity.

O. Bridge crossing and bridge crossing support structures. [Ord. 290 § 3(3.108(2)), 2006.]

18.70.030 Uses permitted conditionally.

The following uses are conditional within the EC-2 zone, and may be permitted by the planning commission, subject to the provisions of Chapter 18.185 GMC, the procedures in Chapter 18.165 GMC and the development standards in Chapter 18.160 GMC.

A. Water-dependent recreational facilities, including:

1. Boat ramps that require dredging or fill for recreational access.

2. Community boat docks in conjunction with a subdivision or planned development.

3. Public or commercial docks, moorages and marinas for recreational marine craft (including seaplanes) and accessory uses not requiring the use of fill or the occupation of additional estuarine surface area.

B. Water-dependent commercial facilities not requiring the use of dredging or fill, including moorages, docks and marinas for commercial marine craft (including seaplanes), and accessory uses not requiring the use of fill or the occupation of additional estuarine surface area.

C. Water-dependent industrial facilities not requiring the use of dredging or fill, including:

1. Piers, wharves and other terminal and transfer facilities for passengers or waterborne commerce, such as fish, shellfish, metal, timber or timber products.

2. Water intake and discharge structures.

3. Water access structures or facilities that require access to a water body as part of the manufacturing, assembly, fabrication or repair of marine craft or marine equipment, due to the size of the craft or equipment.

D. Other water-dependent uses not requiring the use of dredging or fill. A use is determined to be water-dependent when it can be carried out only on, in or adjacent to water, and the location or access is needed for:

1. Waterborne transportation.

2. Recreation.

3. A source of water (such as energy production, cooling of industrial equipment or wastewater, or other industrial processes).

E. Navigational structures, limited to floating breakwaters.

F. Mining and mineral extraction.

G. Storm water and sewer outfalls.

H. Bulkheads for structural shoreline stabilization.

I. Water-dependent portions of aquaculture facilities requiring dredging or fill.

J. Temporary alteration.

K. Minor navigational improvements.

L. Transportation facilities as defined in GMC 18.05.030, specifically:

1. Normal operation and maintenance of transportation facilities;

2. Installation of transportation improvements within the existing right-of-way;

3. Projects identified in the adopted transportation system plan not requiring future land use review and approval;

4. Landscaping as part of a transportation facility;

5. Emergency transportation facility measures;

6. Street or road construction as part of an approved subdivision or partition;

7. Transportation projects that are not designated improvements in the transportation system plan; and

8. Transportation projects that are not designed and constructed as part of an approved subdivision or partition. [Ord. 290 § 3(3.108(3)), 2006.]

18.70.040 Regulated activities.

The following regulated activities are permitted within the EC-2 zone; provided, that the requirements of Chapter 18.160 GMC have been met. Regulated activities shall be reviewed by the procedure provided in Chapter 18.165 GMC.

A. Regulated activities in association with on-site maintenance and repair of existing structures or facilities, limited to:

1. Dredging for on-site maintenance of:

a. Drainage tiles.

b. Drainage ditches.

c. Tidegates.

d. Bridge crossing support structures.

e. Water, sewer, gas or phone lines.

f. Electrical distribution lines.

g. Outfalls.

2. Fill or riprap for on-site maintenance of:

a. Dikes.

b. Bridge crossing support structures or other land transportation facilities.

c. Shoreline stabilization structures.

3. Replacement of pilings.

B. Piling installation for:

1. Water-dependent industrial, commercial or recreational facilities.

2. Water-dependent portions of aquaculture facilities or aquaculture operations.

3. Navigational aids.

4. Bulkheads.

5. Bridge crossing support structures.

C. Dredging for:

1. Maintenance of existing facilities.

2. Minor navigational improvements.

3. Water-dependent recreational facilities.

4. Water-dependent portions of aquaculture facilities.

5. Mining or mineral extraction.

6. Bridge crossing support structure installation.

7. Outfall installation.

8. Water, sewer or gas line installation.

9. Electrical distribution line installation.

10. Tidegate installation in existing dikes adjacent to EC-2 zones.

11. Boat ramps.

D. Riprap for structural shoreline stabilization and protection of uses allowed by this zone.

E. Fill for:

1. Bridge crossing support structures.

2. Structural shoreline stabilization.

3. Water-dependent recreational activities.

4. Water-dependent portions of aquaculture facilities.

5. Boat ramps.

F. Regulated activities in conjunction with an approved active restoration or estuarine enhancement project.

G. Incidental dredging for harvest of benthic species or removal of in-water structures such as stakes or racks.

H. Regulated activities in conjunction with temporary alterations. [Ord. 290 § 3(3.108(4)), 2006.]