Snohomish County delays decision on changes to habitat ordinance
EVERETT — The Snohomish County Council postponed a decision on its Critical Area Regulations ordinance Wednesday, the county code that protects wetlands, streams and other critical habitats.
The move comes after more than 20 people signed up to speak during a public hearing about the proposed ordinance. More than 100 watched the meeting online.
Most of the testimonies focused on the amendments, proposed by council members Jared Mead and Nate Nehring.
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The amendments would allow a 15% reduction in buffers around critical areas when a fence is built around a habitat. The language would also reduce the standard buffer requirement for streams, lakes, marine waters and wetlands over 4,000 square feet by 50% or 25 feet, meaning development would be allowed to encroach closer to fragile environments. The amendments also would allow wetlands under 4,000 square feet to be filled in some situations.
Many commenters brought up dwindling salmon and orca populations as a result to threats to their habitats.
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/snohomish-county-delays-decision-on-changes-to-habitat-ordinance/