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Stream buffers in focus: Poulsbo staff flag WDFW guidance may change some setbacks
Summary
Planners warned some stream buffers may increase under new Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife guidance, though staff expect a roughly balanced net outcome; they flagged one staff proposal to reduce a 200-foot buffer to 100 feet on a specific property currently encumbered.
Nicole Coleman said the largest potential changes will likely involve fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas and stream buffers, referencing new guidance from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. "I think there will be some changes to our stream buffers, and that will have impact to people who own property," she said, adding that "some buffers will likely get increased. Some buffers may get decreased, but it feels like a net kind of ... no net loss."
A commissioner asked whether buffers generally increase; Coleman replied, "They generally increase every time. Yes," but described at least one staff-proposed exception: a property currently encumbered by a 200-foot buffer where staff are considering reducing the buffer to 100 feet to allow an accessory dwelling unit subject to review. That single example underscores that buffer changes will be parcel- and science-specific and will proceed through standard review steps and potential mitigation.
Provenance: topicintro SEG 702, topicfinish SEG 915
