Chapter 17.12
WELLFIELD/GROUNDWATER PROTECTION REGULATIONS
Sections:
17.12.030 Review for groundwater impacts.
17.12.040 Documentation and mitigation plan.
17.12.050 Hydrogeologic site evaluation.
17.12.060 Imposition of conditions on projects.
17.12.010 Purpose.
It is the purpose of this chapter to protect wellheads and aquifer recharge areas in the Sultan planning area. Additionally, it is the intent of this chapter to adopt development regulations, required in RCW 36.70A.060, precluding land uses or development that is incompatible with critical areas designated under RCW 36.70A.170. (Ord. 1153-12 § 2)
17.12.020 Objectives.
The objectives of this chapter are to:
A. Protect human life and health;
B. Assure the long-term conservation of resource lands; and
C. Further the public interest in the conservation and wise use of our lands. (Ord. 1153-12 § 2)
17.12.030 Review for groundwater impacts.
A. Regulations adopted under this chapter shall not prohibit uses legally existing on any parcel prior to their adoption.
B. Only project actions under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) (Chapter 17.04 SMC) will be evaluated to determine their impacts upon the groundwater resource, except that single-family building permits are exempt.
C. The project actions listed below will be required to submit, in addition to an environmental checklist, a hydrogeologic site evaluation and/or best management practice program which adequately protects the groundwater resource.
The following groundwater protection administration guidance chart shall determine how projects comply with this chapter:
|
Project |
Hydrogeologic Site Evaluation |
Best Management Practice |
|---|---|---|
|
Underground storage tanks (USTs) |
|
XX Proof of compliance with DOE. License No. of installer. |
|
Commercial, industrial, institutional facilities which use hazardous substances |
|
XX |
|
Large on-site sewage systems |
Proof of compliance with DOE and/or DOH criteria. |
|
|
Petroleum pipelines |
XX |
XX |
|
Solid waste facilities |
XX |
XX |
|
Land application of sewage sludge |
XX |
XX |
|
Study determines application rate. |
||
1. Underground storage tanks as defined by Chapter 173-360 WAC;
2. Commercial, industrial, institutional, or other facilities which store, use, handle, or produce hazardous substances or waste products (as defined by WAC 173-303-101);
3. On-site sewage disposal systems serving large development, or any single use, generating sufficient effluent over 3,500 gallons per day, require approval of its plan by the Department of Health under Chapter 246-272 WAC or the Department of Ecology under Chapter 173-240 WAC;
4. Petroleum pipelines;
5. Solid waste facilities; and
6. Land application of sewage sludge from sewage treatment works which combine industrial waste and commercial waste with domestic waste or any sewage sludge application exceeding two acres in size. (Ord. 1153-12 § 2)
17.12.040 Documentation and mitigation plan.
A. If the evaluation under SEPA (Chapter 17.04 SMC) identifies significant impacts to critical aquifer storage recharge areas, the project applicant will be required to document potential impacts and provide a discussion of alternatives by which such impacts could be avoided or prevented.
B. The applicant shall provide a detailed mitigation plan for any unavoidable potential impacts. The city may require that the mitigation plan include preventative measures, monitoring, process control and remediation, as appropriate. The mitigation plan must be approved by the city and be implemented as a condition of project approval. (Ord. 1153-12 § 2)
17.12.050 Hydrogeologic site evaluation.
If a hydrogeologic site evaluation is required by SMC 17.12.030, the evaluation shall address the following:
A. Soil texture, permeability and contaminant attenuation properties;
B. Characteristics of (the unsaturated top layer of soil [the vadose zone] and geologic material) including permeability and attenuation properties;
C. Depth to groundwater and/or impermeable soil layer;
D. Aquifer properties such as hydraulic conductivity and gradients.
The scope of the study shall be in direct relationship to the scope of the project. (Ord. 1153-12 § 2)
17.12.060 Imposition of conditions on projects.
Based on available information including that provided by the applicant pursuant to the requirements of SMC 17.12.030(B) and (C), the community development director shall impose conditions designed to prevent degradation of groundwater quality or quantity. Such conditions may include determining background water quality and quantity prior to development, determining groundwater levels, monitoring of those levels, mitigation plans including prevention and development of groundwater quality or quantity management plans. All conditions to permits shall be based on known, available and reasonable methods of prevention, control and treatment. (Ord. 1347-21 § 44; Ord. 1153-12 § 2)