The following provisions shall apply to the location and construction of roads, railroads and parking within a designated hydrologically related critical area; except that logging roads, being a special category of roads, may be regulated as Forest Practices under this title (refer to those relevant sections):
(1) 
Roads and railroads shall not be located within a designated stream corridor except where it is necessary to cross the corridor, or where existing development, topography, and other conditions preclude locations outside the stream corridor;
(a) 
Construction of roadways across stream corridors shall be by the most direct route possible having the least impact to the stream corridor;
(b) 
Roadways that must run parallel to stream or wetland edges shall be along routes having the greatest possible distance from stream or wetland and the least impact to the corridor;
(c) 
Roadways within the stream corridor shall not hydrologically obstruct, cut-off or isolate stream corridor features;
(2) 
Material excavated from the roadway area to achieve the design grade shall be used as fill where necessary to maintain grade, or shall be transported outside the corridor;
(3) 
Necessary fill to elevate roadways shall not impede the normal flow of floodwaters or cause displacement that would increase the elevation of flood waters such that it would cause properties not in the floodplain to be flood-prone;
(4) 
Spoil, construction waste, and other debris shall not be used as road fill or buried within the stream corridor;
(5) 
Bridges and water-crossing structures shall not constrict the stream channel or impede the flow of the ordinary high water, sediment and woody debris;
(6) 
The preservation of natural stream channels and drainage ways shall be preferred over the use of culverts; where culverts are the preferred method, large, natural bottom culverts, multi-plate pipes and bottomless arches are preferred;
(7) 
The alignment and slope of culverts shall parallel and match the natural flow of streams or drainage ways, unless doing so conflicts with subsections (1) and (2), and shall be sized to accommodate ordinary high water, and shall terminate on stable, erosion-resistant materials;
(8) 
Where fish are present, culverts shall be designed and constructed to specifications provided through the Department of Fish and Wildlife;
(9) 
At least one end of a wood stringer bridge shall be anchored to prevent it from being washed away during high water;
(10) 
Roads must be designed and constructed using established flood resistant and design and construction methods when they may be subject to damage by flood waters;
(11) 
Roads and bridges within floodways must meet the requirements of Section 16C.05.36.010(2) and (7).
(Ord. 13-2007 § 1 (Exh. A)(16C.06.17), 2007; Ord. 5-2017 § 2(C) (Exh. 1) (part), 2017)
The following provisions shall apply to the location, construction, or installation of utility transmission lines and facilities (such as those for wastewater, water, communication, natural gas, etc.) within a designated hydrologically related critical area:
(1) 
Utility transmission lines and facilities shall be permitted within the stream corridor only where it is necessary to cross the corridor or where existing development, topography, and other conditions preclude locations outside the stream corridor;
(a) 
Utility transmission lines and facilities across stream corridors shall be by the most direct route possible having the least impact to the stream corridor;
(b) 
The construction of utility transmission lines and facilities within a stream corridor shall be designed and located to ensure minimum disruption to the functional properties specified under Section 16C.06.05 (Functional Properties) of this title;
(2) 
Utility lines under streams and wetlands shall be placed in a sleeve casing to allow easy replacement or repair with minimal disturbance to the stream corridor;
(3) 
Buried utility transmission lines crossing a stream corridor shall be buried a minimum of four feet below the maximum scour or 1/3 of the bankfull depth of the waterway, whichever is greater, and for a similar depth below any associated floodway and floodplain to the maximum extent of potential channel migration as determined by hydrologic analysis;
(4) 
Wherever possible, new aboveground installations shall use available, existing bridge and utility locations and stream corridor crossings as opposed to creating new locations and stream corridor crossings;
(5) 
Aboveground electrical support towers and other similar transmission structures shall be located as far upland as is practical;
(6) 
Transmission support structures shall be located clear of high flood velocities, located in areas of minimum flood depth which require the least floodproofing, and shall be adequately floodproofed;
(7) 
Underground utility transmission lines shall be constructed so they do not alter, intercept or dewater groundwater patterns that support streams, wetlands and hyporheic flow;
(8) 
All new and replacement water supply systems and wastewater systems within a special flood hazard area must meet the requirements of Section 16C.05.28.010(2) (re: infiltration or discharge into or out of the system);
(9) 
Utility transmission lines within the floodway fringe shall meet the standards of Section 16C.05.32.010(2);
(10) 
Utility transmission lines within the floodway shall meet the standards of Section 16C.05.36.010(2).
(Ord. 13-2007 § 1 (Exh. A)(16C.06.18), 2007; Ord. 5-2017 § 2(C) (Exh. 1) (part), 2017)
The following provisions shall apply to shore stabilization projects:
(1) 
Shore stabilization projects shall be allowed only where there is evidence of erosion which clearly represents a threat to existing property, structures, or facilities, and which stabilization will not jeopardize other upstream or downstream properties;
(2) 
Stabilization projects shall be developed under the supervision of, or in consultation with, agencies or professionals with appropriate expertise using the Washington State Aquatic Habitat Guidelines Program Integrated Streambank Protection Guidelines (ISPG), or other accepted guidelines;
(3) 
Stabilization projects shall be confined to the minimum protective measures necessary to protect the threatened property;
(4) 
The use of fill to restore lost land may accompany stabilization work, provided no fill is placed waterward of the new ordinary high water mark, finished grades are consistent with abutting properties, a restoration plan is approved for the area, and the fill material is in compliance with Section 16C.06.21 (Filling);
(5) 
Stabilization projects shall use design, material, and construction alternatives that do not require high or continuous maintenance and which prevent or minimize the need for subsequent stabilization to other segments of the shore. Junk car bodies and other unsuitable debris are not to be used in shore stabilization projects;
(6) 
Alternative Preferences. Vegetation, berms, bioengineering techniques, and other nonstructural alternatives which preserve the natural character of the shore shall be preferred over riprap, concrete revetments, bulkheads, breakwaters, and other structural stabilization. Riprap using rock or other natural materials shall be preferred over concrete revetments, bulkheads, breakwaters, and other structural stabilization;
(7) 
Applications to construct or enlarge dikes or levees shall meet the requirements of Section 16C.05.36.010(6);
(8) 
Revetments and bulkheads shall be no higher than necessary to protect and stabilize the shore;
(9) 
Breakwaters shall be constructed of floating or open-pile designs rather than fill, riprap, or other solid construction methods;
(10) 
All new flood control projects shall define maintenance responsibilities and a funding source for operations, maintenance, and repairs for the life of the project.
(Ord. 13-2007 § 1 (Exh. A)(16C.06.19), 2007; Ord. 5-2017 § 2(C) (Exh. 1) (part), 2017)
The following provisions shall apply to dredging and excavation within a designated hydrologically related critical area:
(1) 
Dredging in surface waters shall be allowed only where necessary because of existing navigation needs, habitat restoration or improvement, maintenance or construction of water-dependent uses;
(2) 
Dredging and excavation shall be confined to the minimum area necessary to accomplish the intended purpose or use;
(3) 
Hydraulic dredging or other techniques that minimize the dispersal and broadcast of bottom materials shall be preferred over agitation forms of dredging;
(4) 
Curtains and other appropriate mechanisms shall be used to minimize widespread dispersal of sediments and other dredge materials;
(5) 
Entries across shore and wetland edges to accomplish dredging or excavation shall be confined to the minimum area necessary to gain entry and shall be confined to locations with the least potential for site disturbance and damage;
(6) 
Dredging and excavation shall be scheduled at times having the least impact to fish spawning, nesting patterns, and other identified natural processes;
(7) 
Dredge spoils are also considered fill, and shall not be deposited within the stream except where such deposit is in accordance with approved procedures intended to preserve or enhance wildlife habitat, natural drainage, or other naturally occurring conditions.
(Ord. 13-2007 § 1 (Exh. A)(16C.06.20), 2007; Ord. 5-2017 § 2(C) (Exh. 1) (part), 2017)
The following provisions shall apply to filling activities within a designated hydrologically related critical area:
(1) 
Fill within surface waters or wetlands shall be allowed only where necessary in conjunction with water-dependent uses, or an approved reclamation plan under Section 16C.06.23 (Reclamation) or approved compensatory mitigation plan under Section 16C.03.17(13);
(2) 
Fill for the purpose of increasing elevation may be permitted if such can be accomplished in a manner consistent with the policies of this chapter;
(3) 
Fill shall be the minimum necessary to accomplish the use or purpose and shall be confined to areas having the least impact to the stream corridor. Other alternatives should be preferred over fill to elevate new homes in the floodplain, such as increasing foundation height or zero-rise methods such as piers, posts, columns, or other methods;
(4) 
Fill in floodplains shall meet the requirements of Chapters 16C.05.20 through 16C.05.72 (Flood Hazard Areas);
(5) 
Pile or pier supports shall be preferred over fill for water-dependent uses and facilities;
(6) 
Unless site characteristics dictate otherwise, fill material within surface waters or wetlands shall be sand, gravel, rock, or other clean material, with a minimum potential to degrade water quality;
(7) 
Fill placement shall be scheduled at times having the least impact to fish spawning, nesting patterns, and other identified natural processes;
(8) 
Fill and finished surface material shall require low maintenance, provide high resistance to erosion, and prevent or control the migration of sediments and other material from the fill area to surrounding water, shore, and wetlands, unless the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife indicates other options are preferred;
(9) 
Projects that propose fill must acquire the fill onsite (also known as compensatory storage), unless documentation is provided demonstrating that onsite fill is not available or substandard for the project;
(10) 
Fill should not obstruct, cut off, or isolate stream corridor features.
(Ord. 13-2007 § 1 (Exh. A)(16C.06.21), 2007; Ord. 5-2017 § 2(C) (Exh. 1) (part), 2017)
The following provisions shall apply to the commercial mining of gravels within a designated hydrologically related critical area, except that mining may be regulated as Forest Practices under this title (refer to those relevant sections):
(1) 
Prior to the authorization of a commercial gravel mining operation, the project proponent shall provide maps to scale which illustrate the following:
(a) 
The extent to which gravel excavation and processing will affect or modify existing stream corridor features, including existing riparian vegetation;
(b) 
The location, extent and size in acreage of any pond, lake, or feature that will be created as a result of mining excavation;
(c) 
The description, location, and extent of any proposed subsequent use that would be different than existing uses;
(2) 
Wherever feasible, the operations and any subsequent use or uses shall not cause permanent impairment or loss of floodwater storage, wetland, or other stream corridor features. Mitigation shall provide for the feature's replacement at equal value;
(3) 
Any surface mining allowed within the floodway shall meet the standards of Section 16C.05.36.010(1);
(4) 
Except where authorized by Yakima County in consultation with the State Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Ecology, the following shall apply:
(a) 
The excavation zone for the removal of gravels shall be located a minimum of one hundred feet upland from the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) of the stream channel;
(b) 
Equipment shall not be operated, stored, refueled, or provided maintenance within one hundred feet of the OHWM;
(c) 
Gravel washing, rock-crushing, screening, or stockpiling of gravels shall not occur within one hundred feet of the OHWM;
(5) 
Mining proposals shall be consistent with the Washington Department of Natural Resources Surface Mine Reclamation Standards (WAC 332-18, RCW 78.44).
(Ord. 13-2007 § 1 (Exh. A)(16C.06.22), 2007; Ord. 5-2017 § 2(C) (Exh. 1) (part), 2017)
The following guidelines shall apply to the reclamation of disturbed sites resulting from development activities within a designated hydrologically related critical area:
(1) 
Development, construction, or uses shall include the timely restoration of disturbed features to a natural condition or to a stabilized condition that prevents degradation within the stream corridor;
(2) 
Large-scale projects or projects extending over several months shall be phased to allow reclamation of areas where work or operations have been completed;
(3) 
Reclamation shall be scheduled to address precipitation, meltwater runoff, growing season, and other seasonal variables that influence restoration and recovery;
(4) 
Topography shall be finished to grades, elevations, and contours consistent with natural conditions in adjacent and surrounding areas;
(5) 
Where existing development and construction prevent the return of a site to its natural condition, sites may be finished to conditions comparable to surrounding properties provided suitable protective measures are used to prevent stream corridor degradation;
(6) 
Cut-and-fill slopes shall be stabilized at or at less than the normal angle of repose for the materials involved;
(7) 
The replacement or enhancement of vegetation within critical areas or their vegetative buffers shall use naturally occurring, native plant species.
(Ord. 13-2007 § 1 (Exh. A)(16C.06.23), 2007; Ord. 5-2017 § 2(C) (Exh. 1) (part), 2017)