Tacoma is trying again to update its regulations protecting so-called “critical areas” following a challenge by environmental groups that charged the city was not doing enough to protect fish and wildlife habitat along its shoreline.
Proposed changes include standards and regulations for fish and wildlife habit conservation areas, including marine buffer requirements and management areas for certain species.
The Tacoma Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at 5 p.m. Wednesday on the proposed changes to the city’s critical areas preservation ordinance, and its land-use permit procedures.
The City Council updated its ordinances in November 2005. But the Tahoma Audubon Society, Citizens for a Healthy Bay, People for Puget Sound and Futurewise petitioned the Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearings Board, challenging parts of the ordinance. The groups claimed city officials categorically excluded saltwater areas from the law.
City officials disputed that they ignored protections for aquatic habitat along the shoreline, and said protections for shoreline areas would be incorporated if necessary in an update of the city’s shoreline master plan.
But the Growth Management Hearings Board sent the city’s ordinance back for more work, saying in November that it did not comply with state law.
The latest proposed changes include:
• Applicability of the ordinance to include all critical areas within the city.
• Changes to the general mitigation requirements to be applicable to all critical areas.
• The addition of standards for fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, including the addition of a riparian buffer adjacent to marine waters.
• A requirement to prepare a habitat management plan for projects affecting a fish and wildlife habitat conservation area.
The city’s Planning Commission will accept public comment through April 25. The commission is expected to make a recommendation to the City Council in May. The City Council has until July 1 to take action.
Jason Hagey: 253-597-8542
blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics
How to GET INVOLVED
What: Proposed 2008 update of Critical Areas Preservation Ordinance
When: 5 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Tacoma City Council Chambers, first floor of City Hall, 747 Market St.
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