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A. In addition to the general critical area report requirements of Section 16.18A.210, critical area reports for wetlands must meet the requirements of this section. Critical area reports for two or more types of critical areas must meet the report requirements for each relevant type of critical area.

B. If the mayor, or designee determines that the site of a proposed development includes, is likely to include, or is adjacent to a wetland, a wetland report, prepared by a qualified professional, shall be required. The expense of preparing the wetland report shall be borne by the applicant.

C. Minimum Standards for Wetland Reports.

1. The written report shall contain the following information, at a minimum:

a. The name and contact information of the applicant; the name, qualifications, and contact information for the primary author(s) of the wetland critical area report; a description of the proposal; identification of all the local, state, and/or federal wetland-related permit(s) required for the project; and a vicinity map for the project.

b. A statement specifying the accuracy of the report and all assumptions made and relied upon.

c. Documentation of any fieldwork performed on the site, including field data sheets for delineations, rating system forms, baseline hydrologic data, etc.

d. A description of the methodologies used to conduct the wetland delineations, rating system forms, or impact analyses including references.

e. Identification and characterization of all critical areas, wetlands, water bodies, shorelines, floodplains, and buffers on or adjacent to the proposed project area. For areas off site of the project site, estimate conditions within three hundred feet of the project boundaries using the best available information.

f. For each wetland identified on site and within three hundred feet of the project site provide: the wetland rating, including a description of and score for each function, per Wetland ratings (Section 16.18B.010); required buffers; hydrogeomorphic classification; wetland acreage based on a professional survey from the field delineation (acreages for on-site portion and entire wetland area including off-site portions); Cowardin classification of vegetation communities; habitat elements; soil conditions based on site assessment and/or soil survey information; and to the extent possible, hydrologic information such as location and condition of inlet/outlets (if they can be legally accessed), estimated water depths within the wetland, and estimated hydroperiod patterns based on visual cues (e.g., algal mats, drift lines, flood debris, etc.). Provide acreage estimates, classifications, and ratings based on entire wetland complexes, not only the portion present on the proposed project site.

g. A description of the proposed actions, including an estimation of acreages of impacts to wetlands and buffers based on the field delineation and survey and an analysis of site development alternatives, including a no-development alternative.

h. An assessment of the probable cumulative impacts to the wetlands and buffers resulting from the proposed development.

i. A description of reasonable efforts made to apply mitigation sequencing pursuant to Mitigation sequencing (Section 16.18.A.250) to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to critical areas.

j. A discussion of measures, including avoidance, minimization, and compensation, proposed to preserve existing wetlands and restore any wetlands that were degraded prior to the current proposed land-use activity.

k. A conservation strategy for habitat and native vegetation that addresses methods to protect and enhance on-site habitat and wetland functions.

l. An evaluation of the functions of the wetland and adjacent buffer. Include reference for the method used and data sheets.

2. A copy of the site plan sheet(s) for the project must be included with the written report and must include, at a minimum:

a. Maps (to scale) depicting delineated and surveyed wetland and required buffers on site, including buffers for off-site critical areas that extend onto the project site; the development proposal; other critical areas; grading and clearing limits; areas of proposed impacts to wetlands and/or buffers (include square footage estimates).

b. A depiction of the proposed stormwater management facilities and outlets (to scale) for the development, including estimated areas of intrusion into the buffers of any critical areas. The written report shall contain a discussion of the potential impacts to the wetland(s) associated with anticipated hydroperiod alterations from the project. (Ord. 1104-15 § 1 (Att. A)).