by
<a href="mailto:carls@awcnet.org">Carl Schroeder</a> | Jul 20, 2018
Commerce is finalizing its update of the original 2007 Critical Areas Handbook.
Commerce is finalizing its update of the original 2007 Critical Areas Handbook. The handbook provides guidance for reviewing Growth Management Act (GMA) critical areas regulations.
The five critical areas identified in the GMA include:
- Wetlands
- Areas with a critical recharging effect on aquifers used for potable water
- Frequently flooded areas
- Geologically hazardous areas
- Fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas
The 2018 handbook addresses the following:
- Wetlands rating system
- Voluntary Stewardship Program
- Agricultural activities
- FEMA Biological Opinion
- Availability of LiDAR
- Monitoring and adaptive management
- A salmon recovery roadmap
- Other new issues
A new chapter on monitoring and adaptive management includes thirteen local government case studies.
The 2018 update does not yet include a revision to Chapter 5—Protecting Critical Areas in Natural Resource Lands. Commerce will seek review by local governments and the public on the draft Chapter 5 this summer.