Critical aquifer recharge areas (CARAs) are defined as those areas having a critical recharging effect on aquifer use for potable water in community systems. CARAs are classified and designated as follows:
A. 
Those areas designated as "wellhead protection areas" pursuant to WAC 246-290-135(3) and the ground water contribution area in WAC 246-291-125. Wellhead protection areas shall, for the purpose of this regulation, include the identified recharge areas associated with either Group A or Group B public water supplies; and
B. 
Any land identified in the soil survey of Benton County as having high potential for aquifer recharge, as determined by the administrator.
In order to protect the public health and safety, prevent degradation of ground water and for potentially usable potable water, and to provide for regulations that prevent and control risks to the degradation of ground water quality and quantity, development in CARAs shall be subject to the standards described in this section.
(Ord. 40-17 § 1; Ord. 40-17A § 1; Ord. 16-21 § 1)
The approximate location and extent of aquifer recharge areas are shown on the critical areas maps. Wellhead protection areas are shown in the state Department of Health's Source Water Assessment Program mapping. These maps should be used as a general guide only for the assistance of property owners and the city of Richland to identify and designate critical aquifer recharge areas.
(Ord. 40-17 § 1; Ord. 40-17A § 1; Ord. 16-21 § 1)
A. 
See RMC § 22.10.360 for general exemptions to all critical areas.
B. 
The following activities shall be exempt from the CARA provisions of this section, provided they are conducted using best management practices for protecting surface and ground water quality:
1. 
Single-family residential development.
2. 
Development and improvement of parks, recreation facilities, open space, or conservation areas resulting in less than five percent total site impervious surface area that do not increase the use of a hazardous substance.
3. 
Group A and Group B public water system source development and associated infrastructure.
4. 
Public water supply aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) facilities.
5. 
Public water pipelines and supply storage structures.
6. 
The following underground storage tank (UST) systems, including any piping connected thereto:
a. 
Any UST system holding hazardous wastes subject to Subtitle C of the Federal Solid Waste Disposal Act, or a mixture of such hazardous waste and other regulated substances;
b. 
Any wastewater treatment tank system that is part of a wastewater treatment facility regulated under Section 402 or 307(b) of the Clean Water Act;
c. 
Equipment or machinery that contains regulated substances for operational purposes such as hydraulic lift tanks and electrical equipment tanks;
d. 
Any UST system whose capacity is 110 gallons or less;
e. 
Any UST system that contains a de minimis concentration of regulated substances;
f. 
Any emergency spill or overflow containment UST system that is expeditiously emptied after use;
g. 
UST systems used for storing heating oil for consumptive use on the premises where stored; except that such systems which store in excess of 1,100 gallons are subject to the release reporting requirements of WAC 173-360-372;
h. 
Any pipeline facility (including gathering lines) regulated under:
i. 
The Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 (49 U.S.C. App. 1671, et seq.), or
ii. 
The Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979 (49 U.S.C. App. 2001, et seq.), or
iii. 
Which is an intrastate pipeline facility regulated under state laws comparable to the provisions of the law referred to in subsection (B)(6)(h)(i) or (ii) of this section;
i. 
Surface impoundments, pits, ponds, or lagoons;
j. 
Stormwater or wastewater collection systems;
k. 
Flow-through process tanks;
l. 
Storage tanks situated in an underground area (such as a basement, cellar, vault, mineworking drift, shaft, or tunnel), if the storage tank is situated upon or above the surface of the floor.
(Ord. 40-17 § 1; Ord. 40-17A § 1; Ord. 16-21 § 1)
Reports for CARAs shall be submitted to the administrator by the applicant when a development proposal activity not otherwise exempted as provided in RMC § 22.10.320 is proposed on a parcel within an aquifer recharge area. Requirements for a critical aquifer recharge area report are found in RMC § 22.10.370.
(Ord. 40-17 § 1; Ord. 40-17A § 1; Ord. 16-21 § 1)
A. 
Activities may only be permitted in a critical aquifer recharge area if the applicant can show that the proposed activity will not cause contaminants to enter the aquifer and that the proposed activity will not adversely affect the recharging of the aquifer.
B. 
The proposed activity must comply with the source water protection requirements and recommendations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington State Department of Health, Washington State Department of Ecology, and the Benton-Franklin Health District.
C. 
The proposed activity must be designed and constructed in accordance with existing local, state and federal laws and regulations, and the Stormwater Management Manual for Eastern Washington, as amended (Ecology 2019), and/or the locally adopted program, as applicable.
(Ord. 40-17 § 1; Ord. 40-17A § 1; Ord. 16-21 § 1)
The following activities and uses are prohibited in CARAs:
A. 
Landfills. Landfills, including hazardous or dangerous waste, municipal solid waste, special waste, wood waste, and inert and demolition waste landfills;
B. 
Underground Injection Wells. Class I, III, and IV wells, and underground injection wells that do not comply with Chapter 173-200 or 173-218 WAC;
C. 
Mining in critical aquifer recharge areas determined to be highly susceptible.
1. 
Metals and hard rock mining;
2. 
Sand and gravel mining;
D. 
Wood Treatment Facilities. Wood treatment facilities that allow any portion of the treatment process to occur over permeable surfaces (both natural and manmade);
E. 
Storage, Processing, or Disposal of Radioactive Substances. Facilities that store, process, or dispose of radioactive substances.
(Ord. 40-17 § 1; Ord. 40-17A § 1; Ord. 16-21 § 1)