205 W 5th Ave Ellensburg, WA 98926-2887
Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM
Kittitas (pronounced 'KITT-i-tass') County is located in central Washington State. It spans from the lush forested Cascade Mountains to the upper Yakima River Valley plains and the Columbia River.
Critical Areas are identified in the Growth Management Act (GMA) as:
The GMA requires counties to have regulations in place to protect these areas.
Protecting critical areas helps preserve the natural resources that make Kittitas County a healthy place to live. Critical areas include aquifers that supply drinking water, streams that support fish populations, wildlife habitat that fosters a diversity of living organisms, and an ecosystem that supports our community. Critical areas also support resource industries that contribute to our local economy. Protection of Critical area also safeguards people from physical and financial harm caused by natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, and mudslides.
Updating our Critical Areas Ordinance is a requirement of the Growth Management Act (GMA). The goal is to protect the most sensitive areas of the environment from impacts of future development, while balancing that protection with other county regulations and property rights. Functions and values provided by Critical Areas include water quality protection and enhancement; food chain support; fish and wildlife habitat; flood storage, conveyance, and attenuation; ground water recharge and discharge; erosion control; protection from natural hazards; and recreation.
Best Available Science (BAS) means current scientific information derived from research, monitoring, inventory, survey, modeling, assessment, synthesis, and expert opinion that is logical and reasonable. BAS is based on quantitative analysis and is reviewed by experts to be used in establishing Critical Areas Ordinances.
No. The U.S. Constitution allows state and local governments to limit private property activities provided it's for a legitimate public benefit and they do not deprive the landowner of all reasonable use of the property. In most cases, buffers do not deprive landowners of all reasonable use of their property. In those limited instances where the buffer precludes or significantly interferes with a reasonable use, the property owner may obtain a variance.
No. The updated Critical Areas Ordinance will only apply to development occurring after adoption. There are no retroactive Critical Area requirements.
Kittitas County welcomes early and continuous public participation in the Critical Areas Ordinance update process. Throughout the process there will be opportunities to engage in review and discussion of the CAO update. Consider attending a meeting or submitting written comments.
Kittitas County hopes to update the Critical Areas Ordinance by October of 2021.
