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Everett staff urge targeted approach to riparian buffers as state guidance prompts review
Summary
City staff presented background and early options for updating Everett's Critical Areas Ordinance, summarized best available science on stream buffers and site-potential tree height, and asked the Planning Commission whether to pursue alternatives to the Department of Fish & WildlifeSPTH method ahead of a 12/31/2025 updating deadline.
Teddy Holbrook, the City of Everettenvironmental planner, told the Planning Commission on Sept. 16 that the city must update its critical areas ordinance by 12/31/2025 and opened a multi-meeting briefing focused on wetlands, streams, landslide and flood hazard areas, and the regulatory background that will guide changes.
Holbrook said the city maps include about 72 miles of streams, 811 acres of mapped wetlands in 717 individual wetland polygons, 2,011 acres of potential landslide hazard and 6,710 acres in mapped special flood hazard areas. He said the update must follow the Growth Management Act and be grounded in best available science (BAS).
The presentation emphasized recent Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) guidance recommending a riparian management-zone width based on site potential tree height (SPTH) calculated at a 200-year tree height. Holbrook summarized WDFWmaterials and an internal best available science…
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