Ordinance No._____- 2012 AN ORDINANCE ... - San Juan County

West Side
Prairie
barrier beach. In plan view their shape is crescentric and they often
have well‐sorted sediment.
These are relatively undisturbed, uncultivated meadows and fallow
fields that are mostly treeless, and ideally have a significant
presence of native forbs (herbaceous flowering plants such as
Camas) and grasses (e.g. Danthonia californica and Festuca rubra).
West side prairies in San Juan County include parts of Mt.
Constitution and Turtleback Mountain on Orcas Island, the west
side of San Juan Island, Iceberg Point on Lopez Island, and Yellow
Island.
Page 54 of 56
Ord. ____-2012
In conjunction with new
development and vegetation
removal, minimize
disturbance of native
grasslands and Camas
prairies. If disturbance cannot
be avoided mitigate by
replanting suitable areas with
native grasses and
wildflowers.
G. Nomination of Species or Habitats of Local Importance.
San Juan County has the option of protecting species and habitats of local importance. If not included in the
adoption of this Critical Areas Ordinance, these species or habitats may be added by nominating the species
or habitat and amending the ordinance through the following process:
1. A petition to nominate a habitat or a species to this category shall contain the following:
a. Documentation demonstrating that local populations of native species are sensitive to habitat
manipulation, declining, or are in danger of extirpation based on existing trends;
b. An explanation of whether specific habitat features are being nominated for protection (for
example, nest sites, breeding areas, or nurseries), or whether a habitat or ecosystem is being
nominated in its entirety;
c. A map showing known locations of nominated species or habitats.
d. Proposed management and protection strategies for the species or habitats, supported by the Best
Available Science.
2. The Director shall determine whether the nomination proposal is complete, and if complete, shall
request that State and Federal agencies and local conservation organizations review the proposal and
provide comments and recommendations. These comments, the application, the recommendation of
the Director, and a draft code amendment incorporating the species and/ or habitat shall be forwarded
the Planning Commission for a public hearing.
3. After holding a public hearing, the Planning Commission shall make a recommendation to the
County Council.
4. Following the recommendation of the Planning Commission, the County Council shall hold a public
hearing and make a decision on the request and associated code amendment, and if approved shall
add the species and/or habitat to subsection (B)(9) of this section.
5. Removal of Species or Habitats of Local Importance. Species and habitats may be removed by
amending subsection (B)(9) of this section in accordance with applicable requirements, including a
public hearing before the Planning Commission and County Council.
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