Notice of adoption of amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations

Notice, provided pursuant to RCW 36.70A.290(2)(b), is hereby given that on December 18, 2007 the Board of Yakima County Commissioners, Yakima, Washington adopted Ordinance No. 13-2007 , approving amendments to the Yakima County Comprehensive Plan (Plan 2015) and adopting a new Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO). The new CAO is effective 11:59 PM, December 31, 2007.

 

SMP/CAO Change Analysis User Guide (PDF)

CAO

SMP

Copies of the proposed updates

User Guide
CAO	SMP
PC Hearing Draft	PC Hearing Draft
Final Draft	Final Draft
Staff Report	Staff Report
Environmental Checklist	Environmental Checklist
Supplemental Sheet	Supplemental Sheet
Determination of Non-Significance	Determination of Non-Significance
Retention of Determination of Non-Significance	Retention of Determination of Non-Significance
BOCC Deliberations Draft CAO	BOCC Deliberations Draft SMP

For more information please contact Senior Project Planner John Marvin at (509)574-2300 or
1-800-572-7354.

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Yakima County’s Review of Best Available Science For Inclusion in Critical Areas Ordinance Update, October 2006
This is the second draft of the Best Available Science (BAS) Synthesis Report; the first draft was released in March of 2004. Staff has reviewed all of the science citations submitted to the Planning Commission and the Public Services Department since the first release. The additional science assessment can be reviewed in Appendix D. Only a few minor edits were made to the body of the report, and a disclaimer has been added to the beginning. All edits are in strike-through and underline format. The purpose of this report is to meet state requirements to include BAS in the development of policies and regulations to protect critical areas. This document is divided into six chapters, each of which reviews the BAS regarding a specific critical area. These chapters identify and describe the functions and values of critical areas as they are documented in science.

• Appendix D only

Project Overview:

The Growth Management Act (GMA) requires Yakima County, and the Cities within it, to update their Comprehensive Plans by December, 2006. This includes a requirement to update Critical Areas Ordinances. The Shoreline Management Act (SMA) also requires local jurisdictions to update their Shoreline Master Programs (SMP). The Department of Ecology adopted new Shoreline Master Program guidelines in December 2003 for this purpose. Yakima County is in the process of Updating its Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) and Shoreline Master Program (SMP) and integrating them together.

Click here for more details on What We Are Updating, Why We Are Updating, & How We Are Updating Click here for more information on WHAT ARE SHORELINES?
Click here for more information on WHAT ARE CRITICAL AREAS?

During the update process, the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) requires the use of the “Best Available Science” (BAS) in developing policies and regulations that protect critical areas. GMA also requires local governments to give "special consideration" to conservation and protection of anadromous fisheries (salmon and steelhead, both of which are listed as threatened species in our area under the Endangered Species Act).

Click here for More Details on Growth Management Act (GMA) requirements
Click here for More Details on Best Available Science (BAS)

Major portions of the Critical Areas update process include:

• Reviewing the Best Available Science (BAS)
• Conducting inventories of critical areas and preparing an atlas
• Developing a regulatory strategy of how to update the existing ordinance based upon BAS
• Drafting updated policies and regulations
• Adopting the regulatory changes through Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners Hearings.

In updating the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) and Shoreline Master Program (SMP), a specific set of goals and approaches have been established. To learn more about the Mission, Approach, and Philosophy.

Click here to see the ROLES of this update and integration process

While the critical areas update effort must be based in science, it must also be fair to private property owners. An important element in this effort will be developing regulations that are well balanced and understood by the general public. Your involvement in this process is very important.

Click here to see HOW TO BECOME INVOLVED throughout the Update and Integration Process

Questions? Concerns? Suggestions?
If you have any information regarding the CAO/SMP Update & Integration Process contact: CAO/SMP Update Staff
(509)574-2230 Phone
(509)574-2231 Fax
planning.cao@co.yakima.wa.us