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In addition to the general critical area report requirements of [Section 16.18A.220], s for fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas 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.

A. Preparation by a Qualified Professional. A critical areas report for a fish and wildlife habitat conservation area shall be prepared by a qualified professional who is a biologist with experience preparing reports for the relevant type of habitat.

B. Areas Addressed in Critical Area Report. The following areas shall be addressed in a critical area report for fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas:

1. The project area of the proposed activity;

2. All fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas and recommended buffers within three hundred feet of the project area; and

3. All floodplains, other critical areas, and related buffers within three hundred feet of the project area.

C. Habitat Assessment. A habitat assessment is an investigation of the project area and its immediate surroundings to evaluate the potential presence or absence of state or federally designated endangered, threatened, and sensitive species and their habitat. A habitat assessment report for a fish and wildlife habitat conservation area shall contain an assessment of habitats including the following site- and proposal-related information at a minimum:

1. Detailed description of vegetation on and adjacent to, and within three hundred feet of the project area, including vegetation species, vegetation structure (e.g., tree height and basal diameter), degree of habitat fragmentation, vegetative diversity including extent and nature of invasive species presence, and presence and nature of special habitat features such as snags, downed logs, cavities, beaver dams, lodges, or forage areas, and/or amphibian breeding habitat;

2. Identification of any species of local importance priority species, or endangered, threatened, sensitive, proposed, or candidate species that have a primary association with habitat on, adjacent to, and within three hundred feet of the project area, and assessment of potential project impacts to the use of the site by the species;

3. A discussion of any federal, state, or local special management recommendations, including Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife habitat management recommendations, that have been developed for species or habitats located on or adjacent to, and within three hundred feet of the project area;

4. A detailed discussion of the direct and indirect potential impacts on habitat by the project, including potential impacts to water quality or other critical areas that provide habitat functions (e.g., wetlands or forested slopes);

5. A discussion of measures, including avoidance, minimization, and mitigation, proposed to preserve existing habitats and restore any habitat that was degraded prior to the current proposed land use activity and to be conducted in accordance with Mitigation sequencing (Section 16.18A.250); and

6. A discussion of ongoing management practices that will protect habitat after the project site has been developed, including proposed monitoring and maintenance programs.

D. Additional Information May Be Required. When appropriate due to the type of habitat or species present or the project area conditions, the mayor or designee may also require the habitat assessment include:

1. An evaluation by an independent qualified professional regarding the applicant’s analysis and the effectiveness of any proposed mitigating measures or programs, to include any recommendations as appropriate;

2. A request for consultation with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and/or the local Native American Indian tribe or other appropriate entity or agency; and

3. Detailed surface and subsurface hydrologic features both on and adjacent to the site. (Ord. 1104-15 § 1 (Att. A)).