A. 
Prepared by Qualified Professional. The applicant shall submit a critical areas report prepared by a qualified professional as defined herein.
B. 
Incorporating Best Available Science. The critical areas report shall use scientifically valid methods and studies in the analysis of critical area data and field reconnaissance and reference the source of science used. The critical areas report shall evaluate the proposal and all probable impacts to critical areas in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
C. 
Critical Areas Report Contents. Requirements for critical areas reports are available from the city manager. In addition, the applicant shall provide any additional known information pertaining to the critical area(s) on the subject property and adjacent properties.
(Ord. 11-0329 § 3 (Exh. 1); Ord. 19-0488 § 2 (Exh. 1))
A. 
The applicant shall avoid all impacts that degrade the functions and values of critical areas unless there is no practicable alternative. Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, if alteration to the critical area is unavoidable, all adverse impacts to or from critical areas and buffers resulting from a development proposal or alteration shall be mitigated in accordance with an approved critical areas report and SEPA documents.
B. 
Mitigation shall be in kind and on site, when possible, and sufficient to maintain the functions and values of the critical area, or to prevent risk from a hazard posed by a critical area.
(Ord. 11-0329 § 3 (Exh. 1); Ord. 19-0488 § 2 (Exh. 1))
Applicants shall demonstrate that all reasonable efforts have been made to identify and evaluate practicable alternatives with the intent to avoid and minimize impacts to critical areas while still achieving the overall project purposes. When an alteration to a critical area is proposed, such alteration shall be avoided, minimized, or compensated for as outlined by WAC 197-11-768, in the following order of preference:
A. 
Avoiding the impact altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of actions;
B. 
Minimizing impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and its implementation by using appropriate technology or by taking affirmative steps to avoid or reduce impacts;
C. 
Rectifying the impact by repairing, rehabilitating, or restoring the affected environment;
D. 
Reducing or eliminating the impact over time by preservation and maintenance operations during the life of the action;
E. 
Compensating for the impact by replacing or providing substitute resources or environments; and/or
F. 
Monitoring the impact and the compensation projects and taking appropriate corrective measures.
Mitigation for individual actions may include a combination of the above measures.
(Ord. 11-0329 § 3 (Exh. 1); Ord. 12-0334 § 13; Ord. 19-0488 § 2 (Exh. 1))
When mitigation is required, the applicant shall submit for approval by the City a mitigation plan as part of the critical areas report. Mitigation plan requirements are available from the city manager.
Within 30 days of installation of the approved mitigation, the applicant shall submit an affidavit or as-built drawing signed by the qualified professional described in KMC § 18.55.190 certifying that the mitigation has been installed consistent with the approved plan, unless the installed mitigation has been inspected and accepted by the department.
(Ord. 11-0329 § 3 (Exh. 1); Ord. 19-0488 § 2 (Exh. 1))