By Matt Matayoshi, Executive Director
The Economic Development Council of Mason County is following the update of the Critical Areas Ordinance by Mason County and the City of Shelton’s. This is part of a requirement by the Growth Management Act to protect sensitive areas in the State of Washington. The Critical Areas Ordinance is focuses on: wetlands, aquifer recharge areas, geologically hazardous areas, and fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas.
The County has completed all but the wetlands portion of the critical areas ordinance. The concept that is synonymous with critical areas is ‘buffers’. There are often large and controversial buffers designated around critical areas. In the current draft of the ordinance, the County Planning Advisory Commission is reviewing proposed buffers that are up to 250 feet from a critical area.
A number of questions have been raised since this proposal was released to the public on September 11th and is only open for public comment until the October 16th. This is an aggressive timeline to research and comprehend such a complex ordinance that would have an influence from construction from driveways and residential development to commercial and industrial development. There are many resources that may be used to determine appropriate buffers. The Department of Ecology supports these large buffers while other scientific sources indicate that 95% of the benefit to projecting a wetland comes in the first 100 feet. These areas can also be enhanced with the planting of vegetation to increase the protection of the critical area ensuring that there no net loss of the value of the wetland.
There are other alternative plans that may be used to protect the existing function of the wetlands. Some jurisdictions have adopted S.M.A.R.T. buffers that balance local needs with innovative ways to enhance wetlands. Two of our neighboring counties have gone through extensive public participation processes to ensure that all the public has several opportunities to give input on this issue that affects anyone that owns critical area associated land. Lewis County and Thurston County appointed citizens groups to contribute to the construction of a draft plan. These groups reviewed and made contributions on “best available science” and the four-tier rating system of wetlands: the function and value of the wetland, degree and sensitivity to disturbance, rarity, and the ability to compensate for destruction or degradation of the wetland.
Our community has a limited period of time to review the draft material that is available on these areas and to make recommendations to the Mason Count Planning Advisory Commission. It is essential that we contribute to this process by commenting on the draft. Please contact the EDC office to learn how you can get involved with this process before the October 16th deadline. | 
