Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 26-012-CCBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Grant County, Washington ORDINANCE RELATING TO AN AMENDMENT TO THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE CHAPTER 25.24 ORDINANCE No. 26- tj/ 2-CC —MITIGATION BANK REQUIREMENTS WHEREAS, Adequate accommodations have been made for agencies, individuals and interest groups to be heard and the Planning Commission has thoroughly considered the testimony in the record, and; WHEREAS, the proposed amendments are consistent with adopted Comprehensive Plan goals, objectives and policies, and do not create adverse impacts to offsite properties, and promote flexibility of property use, and; WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners have found that the proposal is consistent with the general purpose and intent of the Grant County Comprehensive Plan; and, WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has found that, the UDC Amendment will serve the public use and interest, and; WHEREAS, Appropriate notice has been given to the Washington State Department of Commerce Growth Management Services in accordance with RCW 36.70A.106, and; WHEREAS, the proposed amendments are consistent with the applicable portions of RCW 36.70B, and; WHEREAS, Grant County Development Services Staff shall have the ability to modify the approved development code text to ensure proper formatting, spelling, etc. as well as correct any errors that may be discovered, and; WHEREAS, the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on January 7, 2026, and recommended to the Board of County Commissioners approval of the proposed code amendments, and; WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners held a pre -decision open record public hearing to consider the recommendation of the Planning Commission on February 3, 2026. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY ORDAINED THAT the Grant County Board of Commissioners ADOPT the attached amendments to Grant County Unified Development Code Chapter 25.24 — Mitigation Bank Requirements; and BE IT ALSO FURTHER ORDAINED that the effective time and date for these amendments shall be 5:00 p.m. on the date of BOCC signature. P25-0196 — UDC 25.24 - Mitigation Bank Requirements - Amendment Ordinance DATED this day of �` , 2026. ``ox%Qx�rrrrrrit��u,,,�j��� OU ��N • � Yea .� Qw:• i ,, j• SLA W : ; Cn sy�N�T00 ������` AT 'I i�r��rriru��0 v� ar rara J. Vasquez Clerk of the Board BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Nay Abstain GRANT COUNTY, WASHINGTON E] El /<-eoot g 0 Kevin Burgess, Chair El ❑Z,-�,o/>o74o77Z> Rob, Jones e C air s ❑ ❑ Cindy a _er, r P25-0196 — UDC 25.24 - Mitigation Bank Requirements - Amendment Ordinance Chapter 25.24 MITIGATION BANK REQUIREMENTS Sections Article I. General Provisions — Shrubsteppe Mitigation Banking....................................................1 25.24.010 Background and Purpose..................................................................................................... 1 25.24.020 Interagency Review Team................................................................................................... I ArticleII. Certification Process.............................................................................................................1 25.24.030 Decision -Making Procedure................................................................................................1 25.24.040 Purpose of the Prospectus....................................................................................................1 25.24.050 Content of the Prospectus.................................................................................................... 2 25.24.060 Mitigation Banking Instrument............................................................................................ 2 25.24.070 Public Notice....................................................................................................................... 3 25.24.080 Review and Approval of Bank Instrument.......................................................................... 3 ArticleIII. Bank Establishment...........................................................................................................4 25.24.090 Design Incentives................................................................................................................ 4 25.24.100 Site Selection....................................................................................................................... 4 25.24.110 Permanent Protection........................................................................................................... 4 25.24.120 Credit Description................................................................................................................ 5 25.24.130 Credit Generation................................................................................................................ 5 25.24.140 Release of Credits 25.24.150 Performance Standards........................................................................................................ 5 25.24.160 Service Area........................................................................................................................ 6 25.24.170 Financial Assurance for Long Term Management.............................................................. 6 ArticleIV. Bank Operation..................................................................................................................6 25.24.180 Monitoring and Reporting................................................................................................... 6 25.24.190 Maintenance Plan................................................................................................................ 7 25.24.200 Adaptive Management......................................................................................................... 7 25.24.210 Master Credit Ledger........................................................................................................... 7 ArticleV. Use of Bank Credits........................................................................................................... 7 25.24.220 Use of Bank Credits ........................................... Article VI. Compliance with Certification.........................................................................................8 25.24.230 Remedial Actions C^mN'��N�� «�ith To,.,�,� ^fra,.�, ^*�^�, 8 �r%rfi-cz�.............................................. 25.24.240 Compliance with Required Remedial Actions.................................................................... 8 Article VII. General Provisions - Water Mitigation Banking (RESERVED) ................................... 9 Chapter 25.24 1 December 2025 Amendments Article I. General Provisions — Shrubsteppe Mitigation Banking 25.24.010 Background and Purpose (a) Grant County (County) requires compensatoKy mitigation for unavoidable, unintentional, or intentional impacts to wildlife species and habitat conservation areas. Compensatory mitigation consists of replacing or providing substitute resources or environments. The County may accept the purchase of mitigation credits through its shrubsteppe mitigation bank program as fulfillment of the requirements for compensatory mitigation, once all available and prudent measures have been taken to avoid, minimize, rectify, and reduce or eliminate over time any impacts to critical areas. The County supports the use of mitigation banking as a regulatory tool to enhance mitigation outcomes for impacts to regulated upland and aquatic habitats, consistent with local, state, and federal regulations Mitigation banks shall be utilized in accordance with their approved Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI) and applicable county regulations to support county -approved development projects. (b) The purpose of this chapter is to adopt rules establishing a county wide process for certifying and regulating shrubsteppe mitigation banks and to aid in the Count 's goal of achieving- no net loss off' ecological unctions and values. Approved banks will generate shrubsteppe mitigation credits that provide compensatory mitigation in advance of unavoidable impacts to shrubsteppe, a priority habitat per the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Approved banks will consolidate compensatory mitigation into larger contiguous areas consistent with WDFW uidance for regionally significant ecological benefits. 25.24.020 Interagency Review Team (a) The interagency review team (IRT) consists of the County as the IRT chair, County designated staff or hired consultants and may include other relevant �' parties as deemed appropriate by the County Director (e.g., WDFW and Columbia Basin Conservation District) that have technical expertise or regulatory authority in the specific regulated habitat and that choose to participate in the bank program. The IRT assists in the development of the terms and conditions of the MBI by participating in negotiations with the Mitigation Bank Sponsor Sponsor) and providing feedback on bank proposals. The IRT members assist the Sponsor in identifying any permits or approvals that may be required by their respective agency. The IRT may offer guidance or feedback on the proposed shrubsteppe mitigation bank related to technical feasibility, operational sustainability, durability, and ecologically appropriateness. Article II. Certification Process 25.24.030 Decision Making Procedure (a) All decisions made by the County will take into consideration IRT and public comments submitted to the County as part of the certification process. The County will strive to incorporate IRT and public comments on the terms and conditions of the MBI where practical. Ultimately, the County shall be responsible for making the final decisions on the bank proposal and final approval of the MBI. 25.24.040 Purpose of the Prospectus (a) The purpose of the prospectus is to provide a conceptual plan for a bank project The County uses the prospectus to notify interested state agencies, tribes and the local og vernment of the proposed bank Chapter 25.24 1 December 2025 Amendments project. The prospectus initiates dialogue between the County, Sponsor, and IRT members on a proposed bank project. The County uses the prospectus to make an initial determination on whether there are critical issues that may affect the ability of the bank to be certified and promptly notify the Sponsor of specific concerns and if the County is willing to move forward with consideration of a Banking Instrument. 25.24.050 Content of the Prospectus (a) At a minimum, the prospectus must contain information on the following elements: 1. The goals and objectives of the project. 2. Location of the project, ct, proximity to existing roads and other landmarks, and a vicinity map showing location of the proposed site(s�. 3. Detailed site ma that includes parcel numbers, total area of the site, mapped habitat areas and fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas associated with the project, presence of rights of way, easements, or other encumbrances. 4. A description of existing conditions of the proposed site(s) including but not limited to: Land ownership; _(121 Local land use or zoning designation; (c) Current use; (d) Presence of liens, easements, or other encumbrances. 5. Identification of all buildings, structures, and other built features that would remain on the site after approval of the bank. b. Discussion and description of any. alterations or enhancements proposed for the site based on agency prescribed habitat restoration goals and objectives. 7. Proposed credit generation ratios for the site and total credits anticipated to be generated. 8. Identification and details of proposed permanent protection mechanism, such as a conservation easement. 9. The proposed ownership arrangements and long-term management strategy for the bank 10. The qualifications of the Sponsor to successfully complete the proposed bank pro'ect(s), including information describing an s� uch past activities by the Sponsor. 11. Credit descriptions should also demonstrate addition alib�_or otherwise explain how the impact achieved by the bank would not otherwise occur. 25.24.060 Mitigation Banking Instrument (b) Following acceptance of the Prospectus by the County, a Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI) will be required from the Sponsor that will function as the contract between the Sponsor and the County on the details of the permitting, establishment, construction, operation, and long-term management of the mitigation bank site. A Sponsor can be a private or public entity. The MBI will include detail on all the physical characteristics, legal obligations, operational procedures, credit - generation and credit transaction tracking and reporting, monitoring, and maintenance requirements for a bank Once the MBI is approved, the Sponsor will be responsible for the site during the Bank Establishment Period which starts when the Conservation Easement is placed on the property. The Bank Establishment period may involve site restoration, maintenance, and monitorinjiz of vegetation After the Bank Establishment period is completed, the Long -Term Steward will take over responsibility for the site. Requirements for instruments may vary based on the specific conditions of the bank site but at a Chapter 25.24 2 December 2025 Amendments minimum include the following: 1. The goals and objectives of the pro,i ect. 2. Site location and legal description of the bank project and included parcel boundaries, proximity to existing roads and other landmarks, and a vicinity map showing location of the proposed site(s); 3. A detailed description of existing conditions of the proposed site(s) including but not limited to: (a) Habitat assessment including a vegetation survey, existing vegetation conditions, soils mapping and specific WDFW mapped priority species present on the site; (b) Current uses; (c) Presence of liens, rights of way, easements, or other encumbrances. 4. Identification of all buildings, structures, and other built features that would remain on the site after construction. 5. A summary of how the bank meets County and resource agency habitat restoration and reservation. goals and how its design and location are ecolo ig_cally appropriate. 6. A detailed description of the proposed bank site including but not limited to: The bank size and a detailed analysis of existing habitat conditions across the site and actions that will be taken to improve specific wildlife and habitat values. 7. Bank establishment timimzr and schedules. 8. Documentation of the ownership of bank lands and a legal description of the bank site. 9. A detailed description of Sponsor responsibilities for bank establishment including information on permanent conservation easement placement, site monitoring, =protection and reporting, and identification of long-term maintenance and site stewardship responsibilities, inperetuity. 10. The potential number of credits to be generated by the bank and a credit description. 11. Credit tracking and accounting procedures, including County reporting requirements. 12. Performance standards for determining bank success and credit release process. 13. Monitoring and adaptive management plan and reporting protocols, including a clear statement of responsibility for conducting the monitoring and reporting 14. The ownership arrangements and long-tenn management plan for the bank with an entity that is qualified to undertake long-term stewardship in peEpetuity for the site. 15. Provisions for permanent protection of the bank site. 16. Force maieure clause (identification of Sponsor responsibilities in the event of catastrophic events such as wildfire that are beyond the Sponsor's control 17. A provision stating that legal responsibility for providing the compensatory mitigation lies with the Sponsor once a permittee secures credits from the Sponsor. 18. Default enforcement and closure provisions. Chapter 25.24 3 December 2025 Amendments 25.24.70 Public Notice a) It is the County's goal to ensure that accurate information on the proposed bank MBI is made available to the public, and to avoid duplicative processes for public comment. The County shall provide public notice, using an existing; public notice process, or in conjunction with the SEPA process as appropriate, to solicit comment on the MBI. 25.24.080 Review and Approval of Bank Instrument a) Upon final review and approval by the County of the MBI, the Sponsor will sign the agreement, followed by the County. At a minimum, the County shall notify the following entities: The local jurisdiction(s) where the bank site is located, WDFW, local Tribes, and the public. A signed copy of the MBI will be made available on the County Is website. Article III. Bank Establishment 25.24.090 Design Incentives a) The goal of this guidance document is to encourage the development of banks which utilize best available science as documented by resource agencies working to protect regulated habitat and species in Washington State to provide significant and sustainable compensatory mitigation. To achieve this, incentives have been built into the certification, bank establishment, and credit generation process to encourage the siting and design of banks that provide significant ecological benefits to regulated habitat and species in areas identified as high priority y WDFW. The County shall make decisions regarding the application of specific incentives on a case -by -case basis. The County may utilize their In Lieu Fee Program and funds collected therein to support the development of a Mitigation Bank from the onset. Specifically, In Lieu of Fee funds can be applied to the procurement of land approved as a Bank Site or restoration efforts at the approved Bank Site consistent with an adopted MBI. When In Lieu Fee funds are used for acquisition or restoration at a n2itigation bank site, the credit — debit accounting system shall explicitly accountfor those. Credits generated by actions Landed wholly or partially with In Lieu Fee payments must be debited in applicable credit ledgers) (e.g., the ILF program Is a�zd, as applicable, the miti ation bank spon,sor's) and reconciled in the applicable reo istry to revdotible-counting- and to ensure compensatory mitigation obligations are met. 25.24.100 Site Selection a) Banks_ must be sited, 'planned, and designed to be self-sustaining over time. The County shall carefully consider ecological suitability, ecological sustainability, and land use compatibility when determining if a site is an appropriate location for a bank. The County shall consider whether the bank location conflicts with local or statewide goals for land preservation. Strom preference will be given to sites that meet the goals of the Washin ton Department of Fish and Wildlife's long-tenn strategy for priority habitat restoration. Chapter 25.24 4 December 2025 Amendments Site selection preference of a Bank Site will be given to Grant County parcels containing shrubsteppe habitat designated as "Core Habitat" on the WDFW Washington Shrubsteppe Restoration & Resiliency Initiative (WSRRI) Mapping Platform. 25.24.110 Permanent Protection a) A permanent protection mechanism, such as a conservation easement, placed on the title to the bank Property, held by a Land Trust accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission or suitable public agency, must be in place before any credits can be released by the County to the Sponsor for sale. Terms of the conservation easement must be approved by the County to ensure that the conservation values of the bank site are monitored, protected and enforced in Perpetuity by a responsible, financially viable third party. (b) In addition to the Conservation Easement, the MBI must include a lon4-term stewardship plan that will be implemented by the long-term steward in perpetuity after the establishment period is ended. The long-term Stewardship plan will be implemented by the Long Term Steward, supported by a team of stakeholders that are experienced in managing habitat. The plan must include a description of long-term management needs, annual cost estimates for these needs, and identify the funding mechanism that will be used to meet those needs in perpetuity. The MBI may contain provisions allowing the Sponsor to transfer the long-term stewardship responsibilities for the bank site to a land stewardship entity, such as a public agency.) nongovernmental organization, land trust or private land manager, after review and approval by the County. This land stewardship entity need not be identified in the MBI, as long as the future transfer of long-term stewardship responsibility is approved by the County and implemented before the final 25% of credits from the bank are awarded to the Sponsor. The owner of a bank property may not complete any conveyance of title, easement, lease, or other interest directly related to the bank without adequate and complete provision for the continued management of the bank property -as specified in the MBI. 25.24.120 Credit Description a) The Sponsor must provide a description of what the credit values represent in the MBI. Credit generation may be based on area ratios of different restoration actions undertaken at the bank to area of impact at the impact site. Credit values may also be based on functional assessment methods determining the functions and values at the bank site and the functions and values at the impact site Credit values are expected to vary based on land use categoly i.e., residential, commercial or industrial) at the impact site and the quality of the1 habitat/mapped habitat present at the impact site. Credit values may be modified or converted to another currency based on the shrubsteppe habitat functions restored at the bank site and the functions impacted at the impact site, if future guidance or policies support other forms of functional assessment methods. Chapter 25.24 5 December 2025 Amendments 25.24.130 Credit Generation (a) The County will be responsible for determining the appropriate credit values associated with the restoration actions and long-term stewardship of a bank. These factors will determine the credit use ratios. In all cases the County will determine and approve specific credit ratios based on the overall ecological function and condition of the mitigation area, potential of enhancement, restoration and connectivity to other core shrubsteppe habitat, effectiveness of protection and preservation and other relevant factors that would contribute to the overall improvement and long-term success of the bank 25.24.140 Release of Credits (a) The MBI shall include the process and schedule for the release of credits to the Sponsor by the County, which shall be tied to performance standards approbate for the mitigation activities undertaken.. • - • • • • • t • Releases ofmore than 75-% of the er-etdlit ge-nee-Fated may only oPoilf When the long tefffi Ste-warALSbip t t-c.nrf�ns-�i- -, in v�lnne and�i��l�� �iia^►ria�d ti 25.24.150 Performance Standards (a) The development of Performance Standards shall be incorporated into the MBI. Performance Standards are goals, objectives, and commitments of the formed Mitization Bank. The success of the Mitigation Bank will be derived from the conformance of the established Performance Standards. Examples of Performance Standards include but are not limited to the following: percent reemitment of native vegetative assemblages; survival percentage of installed_ native plantings; reduction percentage of invasive or weedy species; percent increase of overall aerial vegetative species cover; and documented presence of specific wildlife species. Performance Standards are tracked over the established monitoring period / bank establishment period stipulated in the MBI i ,and will continue until a minimum often nears or the desired ecological uplift is achieved. 25.24.160 Service Area (a) The County will determine the appropriate service area for proposed banks. Out of service area credit transfers are allowed as long as the regulatory entities involved are aware of and approve the transfer. The Sponsor must provide a detailed text description and a map of the bank's proposed service area in the MBI. Generally, the service area for a mitigation bank would be the political boundary of Grant County and include the local jurisdictions contained within. 25.24.170 Financial Assurance for Long Term Manallement (a) The County will require financial assurances for the long-term stewardship of a bank site The Sponsor must provide the department with a written stewardship plan with an estimate of the costs, including an allowance for inflation Qmnjz forward in time. The Sponsor must document how sufficient funds for the anticipated long-term stewardship costs will be provided. Chapter 25.24 6 December 2025 Amendments Appropriate long-term financing mechanisms include, but are not limited to, nonwasting endowments, trusts, contractual arrangements with future responsible parties, and other appropriate financial instruments. In cases where the long-term stewardship entity is a public authority or ,government agency., that entity must provide a plan for the long-term financing of the bank site. If the ownership of the site is transferred in the future, the financial mechanism for lonz-term stewardship must remain with the entity responsible for the long-term stewardship of the bank site. Article IV. Bank Operation 25.24.180 Monitoring and Deporting (a) The goal of monitoring_ a bank site is to: 1. Document changes to the baseline conditions at the site. 2. Document the condition of the site as it develops over time. 3. Provide early identification of problems in the site's develonment that would tri�4�4er potential adaptive management activities. (b) The Sponsor must develop a monitoring_ plan and include it in the MBI. The monitoring plan must include, but is not limited to: 1. A description of the variables that will be monitored, a description of the methods or protocols used to monitor those variables, and how they will be evaluated. 2. A schedule of monitoring including the time of year, frequency, and duration. 3. A description and map of photo points or other methods such as drone photography, documenting the site conditions. 25.24.190 Maintenance Plan (a) Ongoing maintenance activities that may be required during the life of the bank should be documented in the MBI. These activities may include, but are not limited to, control of invasive species, seeding of native species, fence and signa e repair, trail or road maintenance. 25.24.200 Adaptive Mannernent (a) Each MBI must include an adaptive manage ent plan. The adaptive mane ement plan for a bank site must include the following elements, but is not limited to: 1. Identification of potential causes for site failure or changes that would trigger adaptive management. 2. A management strategy to address unforeseen changes in site conditions. 3. The Sponsor's responsibilities and process for reporting and implementing adaptive management activitieSs_ Chapter 25.24 7 December 2025 Amendments The Sponsor shall notify the County within thirty days if adaptive management activities are implemented to address unforeseen problems with site conditions. 25.24.210 Master Credit L,eder (a) The County shall maintain a master ledger for each bank and must cross-check the Sponsor's annual ledger against the master ledger. The Sponsor is required to submit a copy of the ledger to the County with each credit transaction and then annually if any transactions have occurred. The County will apply administrative fees to the Sponsor for bank use fees and recording keeping. The County's administrative fees will not exceed 10% of the mitigation credit fee. The County must notify the Sponsor within sixty days of receipt of the Sponsor's annual ledger if the ledger conflicts with the master ledger. At a minimum the ledger must document the number and date when credits are received and then for each transaction, the date, the name, address and phone number of the purchaser, the permit numbers and regulatory agencies that the credits are being transferred to, a description of the impact and the number of credits transferred. The Sponsor is responsible for reconciling any discrepancies between the Sponsor's ledger and the County's master ledger. If the Sponsor fails to resolve any discrepancies, the County may suspend the further use of available credits - Article V. Use of Bank Credits 25.24.220 Use of Bank Credits (a) Banks are a preferable option for compensating_ for authorized impacts to regulated habitat areas. Use of a bank can help reduce risk and uncertaint1 as well as temporal loss of resource functions and services when used to compensate for authorized impacts. Banks can also site mitigation in areas that have more value to ecosystem functions. Projects located within the bank's service area are eligible to apply to use credits from a bank to compensate for authorized unavoidable impacts. The permitting agencies determine whether the use of credits from a bank provides appropriate compensation for a debit project's unavoidable impacts in the project permitting process. Purchase of bank credits may be a condition of permit approval and be required as a condition before construction may begin. Additionally, the County has the option to utilize previously collected funds associated with its In Lieu Fee program to purchase available bank credit in cases where such funds are unable to be expended on other mitigation related projects within a reasonable period of time. Article VI. Compliance with Certification 25.24.230 Remedial Actions (a) It is the County's goal during the bank establishment period to ensure that the creation and operation of a bank is consistent with the terms and conditions of the certification as specified in the MBI. If a bank does not attain the required conditions or document attainment of performance standards or meet other requirements specified in the MBI, the Sponsor shall implement additional adaptive management activities. If such activities do not achieve compliance within a reasonable time, the County may require remedial actions, which may include additional adaptive management activities or other activities necessary to achieve compliance. Chapter 25.24 8 December 2025 Amendments If the Sponsor determines that the bank will not attain performance standards, the Sponsor shall notify the County. The notification must include: a A clear statement of the issue; (b) Supporting documentation of the problem, such as photographic evidence, documentation from field reviews, the submitted monitoring report, or the credit release petition; and (c) Recommendations for remedial actions or other alternatives to address the problem. If the County determines that remedial actions are necessM:(a) The County shall consult with the signatories and long term steward to determine appropriate remedial actions; (b) During consultation, the signatories and long term steward may recommend remedial actions to the County and may comment on remedial actions proposed by the County; and (c) The County shall consider the_ recommendations and comments of the signatories, and long term steward if any, and shall make the final decision regarding appropriate remedial actions. The County shall issue, in writing, its determination for required remedial actions to the Sponsor, the signatories, and long-term steward. 25.24.240 Compliance with Required Remedial Actions a) If the Sponsor does not complete the required remedial actions within the schedule specified by the County, the County must send a notice of noncompliance to the Sponsor, signatories, and long-term steward. The Sponsor must respond in writing to the County within thirty days of receipt of the notice. The response shall include an explanation of why the Sponsor has not implemented the required remedial. actions and a proposed schedule for completion. The Count, in consultation with the long-term steward, shall determine whether the reasons provided by the Sponsor constitute extenuating circumstances and shall determine whether to extend the schedule for implementing remedial actions. If the County determines that the schedule should be extended, the County must notify the Sponsor in writing. If the County determines that the schedule should not be extended, the County must notify the Sponsor by certified mail with a return receipt requested that it intends to proceed with one of the following actions: Adjust the total number of potential credits at the bank; or suspend the use and sale of available credits at the bank. Article VII. General Provisions — water Mitigation Banking (RESERVED} Chapter 25.24 9 December 2025 Amendments