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(4) and the ground water contribution area in WAC 246-291-100(2)(e). Wellhead protection areas shall, for the purpose of this regulation, include the identified recharge areas associated with either Group A public water supply wells and those Group B wells with a wellhead protection plan filed with the city and/or the Benton-Franklin Health District; 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 article.
(Ord. 25-14 § 1.01; Ord. 12-18 § 1 (Exh. A))
The approximate location and extent of aquifer recharge areas within the city of Richland's shoreline planning area are shown on the sensitive areas maps adopted as part of this SMP, as provided in the city's SMP inventory, analysis and characterization report. 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. 25-14 § 1.01; Ord. 12-18 § 1 (Exh. A))
The following activities shall be exempt from the CARA provisions of this article, provided they are conducted using best management practices for protecting surface and ground water quality:
A. 
Single-family residential development;
B. 
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;
C. 
Group A public water system source development and associated infrastructure;
D. 
Public water supply aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) facilities;
E. 
Public water pipelines and supply storage structures; and
F. 
The following underground storage tank (UST) systems, including any piping connected thereto:
1. 
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;
2. 
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;
3. 
Equipment or machinery that contains regulated substances for operational purposes such as hydraulic lift tanks and electrical equipment tanks;
4. 
Any UST system whose capacity is 110 gallons or less;
5. 
Any UST system that contains a de minimis concentration of regulated substances;
6. 
Any emergency spill or overflow containment UST system that is expeditiously emptied after use;
7. 
Farm or residential UST systems of 1,100 gallons or less capacity used for storing motor fuel for noncommercial purposes (i.e., not for resale);
8. 
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;
9. 
On-site domestic septic systems releasing less than 500 gallons of effluent per day and that are limited to a maximum density of one system per one acre;
10. 
Any pipeline facility (including gathering lines) regulated under:
a. 
The Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 (49 USC App. 1671 et seq.), or
b. 
The Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979 (49 USC App. 2001 et seq.);
11. 
Surface impoundments, pits, ponds, or lagoons;
12. 
Stormwater or wastewater collection systems;
13. 
Flow-through process tanks;
14. 
Liquid traps or associated gathering lines directly related to oil or gas production and gathering operations; or
15. 
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. 25-14 § 1.01; Ord. 12-18 § 1 (Exh. A))
Reports for CARAs shall be submitted to the city by the applicant for a development proposal activity not otherwise exempted as provided in RMC § 26.60.059 that is proposed on a parcel within an aquifer recharge area. Requirements for a hydrogeologic assessment are found in RMC § 26.60.081, Permit process and application requirements.
(Ord. 25-14 § 1.01; Ord. 12-18 § 1 (Exh. A))
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 water source 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 2004) for those geographic areas covered under the Eastern Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit (Ecology 2007) or activities covered under the Ecology General Construction Permit (Ecology 2005), and/or the locally adopted program, as applicable.
(Ord. 25-14 § 1.01; Ord. 12-18 § 1 (Exh. A))
The following activities and uses are prohibited in CARAs:
A. 
Landfills. Landfills, including hazardous or dangerous waste, municipal solid waste, special waste, woodwaste, and inert and demolition waste landfills.
B. 
Underground Injection Wells. Class I, III, and IV wells and subclasses 5F01, 5D03, 5F04, 5W09, 5W10, 5W11, 5W31, 5X13, 5X14, 5X15, 5W20, 5X28, and 5N24 of Class V wells.
C. 
Mining in critical aquifer recharge areas determined to be highly susceptible or vulnerable in a public water system wellhead protection plan, to include:
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.
F. 
Other Prohibited Uses or Activities.
1. 
Activities that would significantly reduce the recharge to aquifers currently or potentially used as a potable water source; and
2. 
Activities that would significantly reduce the recharge to aquifers that are a source of significant baseflow to a regulated stream.
(Ord. 25-14 § 1.01; Ord. 12-18 § 1 (Exh. A))