The purpose of this chapter is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by establishing provisions to classify, protect, and preserve West Richland's critical areas by providing standards to manage development in association with these areas, and by designating some of the areas as environmentally sensitive, all in accordance with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).
(Ord. 15-96 § 1, 1996)
The provisions of the sensitive areas management standards and criteria adopted by the city of West Richland shall apply to any activity that affects sensitive areas or their established buffers, unless otherwise exempted. This chapter and the Sensitive Management Standards and Criteria, adopted herewith, establish regulations for the protection of environmentally sensitive areas. No development permits may be issued, no subdivision of land may be approved, nor may any use be established on any lot which contains, adjoins or is in close proximity to an environmentally sensitive area until approval required by this chapter and the sensitive areas management standards and criteria have been granted by the city.
(Ord. 15-96 § 1, 1996)