This chapter is intended to meet the requirements in WAC 173-26-211(2)(a), which states:
Master programs shall contain a system to classify shoreline areas into specific environment designations. This classification system shall be based on the existing use pattern, the biological and physical character of the shoreline, and the goals and aspirations of the community as expressed through comprehensive plans as well as the criteria in this Section. Each master program's classification system shall be consistent with that described in WAC 173-26-211(5) and (4) unless the alternative proposed provides equal or better implementation of the act.
(Ord. 2016-006, 2016)
Environment designations were created by evaluating the existing use patterns, biological and physical characteristics, zoning designations, and comprehensive plan designations. The inventory and characterization data, depicted on maps and described in text, was used to determine the extent of shoreline alterations.
(Ord. 2016-006, 2016)
The shoreline environment designation system includes five (5) environments: natural, rural conservancy, urban conservancy, shoreline residential, and aquatic. Each environment designation contains a purpose statement, management policies and designation criteria.
For all areas not specifically designated, the environment designation will be rural conservancy in rural areas, and urban conservancy in urban growth areas.
(Ord. 2016-006, 2016)
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of the natural shoreline environment designation is to protect or restore shoreline areas that are relatively free of human influence or include intact or minimally degraded shoreline functions intolerant of human use. The natural shoreline environment designation maintains the ecological functions and ecosystem-wide processes of such areas by limiting future uses to low intensity uses that are compatible with the natural characteristics that make these areas unique and valuable.
B. 
Management policies. Pursuant to RCW 36.70A.480, the natural environment management policies of the 2021 Kittitas County Shoreline Master Program shall be considered as policies of the Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan.
C. 
Designation criteria.
1. 
A natural environment designation should be assigned to shoreline areas if any of the following characteristics apply:
a. 
The shoreline is ecologically intact and therefore, currently performing an important, irreplaceable function or ecosystem-wide process that would be damaged by human activity;
b. 
The shoreline is considered to represent ecosystems or geologic types that are of particular scientific and educational interest;
c. 
The shoreline is unable to support new uses or development without significant adverse impacts to ecological functions or risk to human safety; or
d. 
The shoreline includes largely undisturbed portions of shoreline areas such as wetlands, alkaline lakes, unstable bluffs, and ecologically intact shoreline habitats.
2. 
Areas with significant existing agriculture lands should not be included in the natural designation, except where the existing agricultural operations involve very low intensity uses where there is no significant impact on natural ecological functions, and where the intensity or impacts associated with such agriculture activities is unlikely to expand in a manner inconsistent with the natural designation.
(Ord. 2021-006, 2021; Ord. 2016-006, 2016)
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of the rural conservancy environment is to protect ecological functions, natural resources, and valuable historic and cultural areas in order to provide for sustained resource use, natural flood plain processes, and recreational opportunities.
B. 
Management policies. Pursuant to RCW 36.70A.480, the rural conservancy management policies of the 2021 Kittitas County Shoreline Master Program shall be considered as policies of the Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan.
C. 
Designation criteria. A rural conservancy environment designation should be assigned to shoreline areas outside incorporated municipalities and outside urban growth areas, as defined by RCW 36.70A.110, if any of the following characteristics apply:
1. 
A rural conservancy environment designation should be assigned to shoreline areas outside incorporated municipalities and outside urban growth areas, as defined by RCW 36.70A.110, if any of the following characteristics apply:
a. 
The shoreline is currently supporting lesser intensity resource-based uses, such as agriculture, or recreational uses, or is designated agricultural lands pursuant to RCW 36.70A.170;
b. 
The shoreline is currently accommodating residential uses outside urban growth areas and incorporated cities or towns;
c. 
The shoreline is supporting human uses but subject to environmental limitations, such as properties that include or are adjacent to steep banks, feeder bluffs, flood plains, or other flood prone areas;
d. 
The shoreline is of high recreational value or with unique historic or cultural resources; or
e. 
The shoreline has low intensity water-dependent uses.
(Ord. 2021-006, 2021; Ord. 2016-006, 2016)
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of the urban conservancy environment is to protect and restore ecological functions of open space, floodplain and other sensitive lands where they exist in urban and developed settings, while allowing a variety of compatible uses.
B. 
Management policies. Pursuant to RCW 36.70A.480, the urban conservancy environment management policies of the 2021 Kittitas County Shoreline Master Program shall be considered as policies of the Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan.
C. 
Designation criteria.
1. 
Assign an urban conservancy environment designation to shoreline areas appropriate and planned for development that is compatible with maintaining or restoring the ecological functions of the area, that are not generally suitable for water-dependent uses and that lie in incorporated municipalities, urban growth areas, or commercial or industrial "limited areas of more intense development" if any of the following characteristics apply:
a. 
They are suitable for water-related or water-enjoyment uses;
b. 
They are open space, floodplain or other sensitive areas that should not be more intensively developed;
c. 
They have potential for ecological restoration;
d. 
They retain important ecological functions, even though partially developed; or
e. 
They have the potential for development that is compatible with ecological restoration.
(Ord. 2021-006, 2021; Ord. 2016-006, 2016)
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of the shoreline residential environment is to accommodate residential development and accessory structures as well as appropriate public access and recreational uses.
B. 
Management policies. Pursuant to RCW 36.70A.480, the shoreline residential environment management policies of the 2021 Kittitas County Shoreline Master Program shall be considered as policies of the Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan.
C. 
Designation criteria. Assign a shoreline residential environment designation to shoreline areas inside urban growth areas, as defined in RCW 36.70A.110, incorporated municipalities, "limited areas of more intense rural development," "master planned resorts," as described in RCW 36.70A.360, and in limited rural areas that are developed with or planned and platted for predominantly single-family or multi-family residential development.
(Ord. 2021-006, 2021; Ord. 2016-006, 2016)
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of the aquatic environment is to protect, restore, and manage the unique characteristics and resources of the areas waterward of the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM).
B. 
Management policies. Pursuant to RCW 36.70A.480, the aquatic environment management policies of the 2021 Kittitas County Shoreline Master Program shall be considered as policies of the Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan.
C. 
Designation criteria. Assign an aquatic environment designation to lands waterward of the OHWM.
(Ord. 2021-006, 2021; Ord. 2016-006, 2016)
Shoreline use and modification shall be classified by the Administrator and regulated under one or more of the following applicable sections of this Program.
Legend
P: Permitted with a shoreline permit
C: Conditional use permit required
X: Prohibited
S: Refer to upland shoreline environment
NA: Use is not applicable in this environment
17B.04.090.1 Shoreline Use and Modification Table
Proposed Land Use
Shoreline Environment Designation
Urban Conservancy
Shoreline Residential
Rural Conservancy
Natural
Aquatic
Agriculture
 
 
 
 
 
Grazing
P
P
P
P
NA
Cultivation/orchards
P
P
P
C
NA
Buildings
P
P
P
C
NA
Feedlot
X
X
X
X
NA
Manure Lagoon
X
X
X
X
NA
Aquaculture
 
 
 
 
 
Floating net pens
NA
NA
NA
NA
C
On shore, confined types of facilities and accessory structures
C
C
C
X
NA
Boating facilities and marinas
 
 
 
 
 
Covered over-water structures
NA
NA
NA
NA
X
Launch ramps, public or community
P
P
C
C
S
Launch ramps, primitive
P
P
P
P
S
Launch ramps, private
X
X
X
X
X
Marinas
P
P
C
X
S
Private and joint use docks, piers, and floats
P
P
P
C
S
Commercial
 
 
 
 
 
Water-dependent
P
X
P
X
S
Water-enjoyment
P
C
P
X
S
Water-related
C
X
C
X
S
Non-water-oriented
X
X
X
X
X
Dredging
 
 
 
 
 
Dredging and dredge material disposal associated with maintenance of public facilities and approved by WDFW.
P
P
P
X
S
All other dredging and dredge material disposal
C
C
C
X
S
Filling, grading, and excavation
 
 
 
 
 
Activities defined in Sections 2.38 and 2.44. Requirements for fill landward of the ordinary high water mark shall be based on corresponding primary land use in Table 4.9-1. Fill waterward of the ordinary high water mark for any use except ecological restoration requires a conditional use permit.
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
Forest Practices
 
 
 
 
 
Non-federal and non-exempt practices
P
P
P
C
S
Industrial
 
 
 
 
 
Water-oriented industrial development
C
C
C
X
S
Non-water-oriented industrial development
X
X
X
X
X
In-stream structures
 
 
 
 
 
In-stream structures except those specifically listed below.
P
P
C
C
S
Dams, diversions, and tailrace structures
C
C
C
C
C
Channelization or dams for flood control
C
P
C
X
S
Mining
 
 
 
 
 
Mineral prospecting
P
P
P
P
P
Mining
C
X
C
X
C
Surface oil and gas drilling
X
X
X
X
X
Recreational
 
 
 
 
 
Water-dependent
P
P
P
P
P
Water-enjoyment
P
P
P
P
P
Water-related
P
P
P
C
S
Non-water-oriented
C
C
C
X
S
Residential
 
 
 
 
 
Single-family dwelling, including accessory dwelling unit
P
P
P
C
X
Two-family dwelling
P
P
P
X
X
Multi-family dwelling
P
P
X
X
X
Overwater residence
X
X
X
X
X
Shoreline restoration and habitat enhancement
 
 
 
 
 
Shoreline restoration and habitat enhancement activities
P
P
P
P
S
Shoreline stabilization
 
 
 
 
 
Dikes/levees
C
C
C
X
C
Breakwaters, groins and jetties
C
C
C
C
C
Bulkheads and revetments
C
C
C
X
C
Bioengineering approaches
P
P
P
C
C
Signs
 
 
 
 
 
Signage
P
P
P
P
X
Transportation
 
 
 
 
 
Roads, bridges, and railroads
P
P
P
X
S
Parking accessory to a permitted use
P
P
P
C
X
Parking not accessory to a permitted use
X
X
X
X
X
Unclassified Uses
 
 
 
 
 
Uses not otherwise identified in this Table
C
C
C
C
C
Utilities
 
 
 
 
 
Utility facilities accessory to existing uses and/or developments or undergoing shoreline review
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Water System
P
P
P
C
S
Utility production and processing facilities (see 5.19.B.4)
C
C
C
X
C
Solid waste disposal facilities
X
X
X
X
X
Power generating facilities
C
C
C
C
C
Transmission facilities (see 5.19.B.9-10)
C
C
C
C
C
Telecommunication towers
X
X
X
X
X
(Ord. 2016-006, 2016)