Environment & Sustainability | Environmentally Critical Areas
improved (e.g., plant material replaced with alternate plant material, hardscape replaced with alternate hardscape, hardscape replaced with plant material, etc.; and c. Revisions authorized under this subsection shall not require a critical areas study. 5. Conservation, preservation, restoration and/or enhancement is allowed within critical areas or buffers subject to the following: a. Conservation and preservation of soil, water, vegetation, and other fish and wildlife habitat is allowed where it does not include alteration of the location, size, dimensions or functions of an existing critical area or buffer. b. Restoration and enhancement of critical areas or buffers is allowed; provided, that actions do not alter the location, dimensions or size of the critical area or buffer, that actions improve and do not reduce the existing quality or functions of the critical areas or buffers, and that actions are implemented according to a restoration or enhancement plan that has been approved by the City of Sammamish.
i. The plants are removed using hand labor and/or light equipment; ii. Soil disturbance is minimized and no filling or modification of soil contours occurs; iii. Water quality is protected and there is no modification of hydrology patterns within the critical area or buffer;
iv. Native plants are protected from removal or damage;
v. Appropriate erosion-control measures are used;
vi. The area is replanted with a like kind and density of native vegetation following nonnative plant removal. For example, if dense nonnative blackberry is removed, at a minimum, dense native shrubs must be replanted following blackberry removal, though native trees and groundcover could also be included and are encouraged if desired; and vii. Removal of nonnative or invasive plants authorized under this subsection shall not require a critical areas study. b. For removal of nonnative vegetation in an area greater than 2,500 square feet, a clearing and grading permit is required and must be accompanied by a native plant restoration plan in accordance with applicable provisions of this chapter. A critical areas study may be required by the director. 7. Reconstruction or replacement of the exterior footprint of an existing, legally established structure not meeting
6. Select Vegetation Removal Activities.
a. Removal of nonnative or invasive Washington State and/or King County listed noxious weeds in an area of up to 2,500 square feet within a critical area or buffer is allowed with no permit requirement if the following provisions are met:
66 | Title 21: Sammamish Development Code
Effective | January 1, 2022
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