Determination of wetland ratings will be based on the entire extent of wetlands, unrelated to property lines or ownership patterns. For the purpose of categorization, wetlands shall be designated according to the Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington (Washington State Department of Ecology, 2014 Update, Publication No. 14-06-029, or as revised by Ecology): Wetlands shall be designated as follows:
A. Category I - those wetlands that meet one or more of the following criteria:
1. Wetlands that score 23 or more points (out of 27) in the most current edition of the Washington State Wetland Ratings System for Western Washington;
2. Relatively undisturbed estuarine wetlands larger than 1 acre;
3. Wetlands identified by scientists of the Washington Natural Heritage Program/DNR as wetlands of high conservation value;
4. Natural bogs;
5. Mature and old growth forested wetlands larger than 1 acre;
6. Interdunal wetlands that score 8 or 9 habitat points and are larger than 1 acre in size; or
7. Wetlands in coastal lagoons.
B. Category II - those wetlands that meet any one or more of the following criteria:
1. Wetlands that score between 20 and 22 points in the most current edition of the Washington State Wetland Ratings System for Western Washington;
2. Estuarine wetlands smaller than 1 acre, or disturbed estuarine wetlands larger than 1 acre in size;
3. An interdunal wetland larger than 1 acre, or in a mosaic of wetlands.
C. Category III -those wetlands that meet any one or more of the following criteria:
1. Wetlands that score between 16 and 19 points in the most current edition of the Washington State Wetland Ratings System for Western Washington; or
2. Interdunal wetlands between 0.1 and 1 acre in size, or in a mosaic of wetlands that is between 0.1 and 1 ac in size.
D. Category IV -those wetlands that score less than 16 points in the most current edition of the Washington State Wetland Ratings System for Western Washington. (Ord. 985, 10-5-2020)