The purpose of the Natural Environment is to protect public shoreline areas that include ecologically intact or minimally altered shorelines. Only low-intensity uses are to be allowed in this environment to maintain existing ecological processes and functions.
(Ord. 12-0334 § 3 (Exh. 1); Ord. 20-0506 § 3 (Exh. 1).)
A Natural Environment designation is assigned to shoreline areas if any of the following characteristics apply:
A. 
A relatively large, contiguous area of the shoreline is in public ownership and ecologically intact or minimally altered;
B. 
The shoreline represents ecological processes or functions that provide educational or scientific opportunities; or
C. 
The shoreline is unable to support active uses or development without significant adverse impacts to ecological functions.
(Ord. 12-0334 § 3 (Exh. 1); Ord. 20-0506 § 3 (Exh. 1))