Planning commission reviews draft Critical Areas Ordinance: larger buffers, reasonable‑use exception draw questions

The Skagit County Planning Commission on April 22 reviewed a draft update to the county's Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO), focusing on how best available science (BAS) and state guidance would affect wetland, stream, aquifer and habitat protections. The commission heard the presentation from a consultant team and engaged in detailed questioning about buffer dimensions, the legal role of the director, and how reasonable‑use exceptions and variances would operate.

Dan (consultant with FASET) told the commission the draft ties county regulations to the state’s BAS review and incorporates a "no net loss" objective for critical area functions and values. "It requires the review of best available science during, an update just like this," the consultant said, noting the county's last comprehensive update was in 2006. The draft CAO includes updated wetland delineation references, clarified Critical Aquifer Recharge Area (CARA) categories, reorganized geologically hazardous provisions, and a reworked fish and wildlife habitat section that responds to recent Department of Fish and Wildlife materials.

Key p…