Title 17E Environmental Standards
Chapter 17E.060 Shoreline Regulations
Article V. General Requirements for Shoreline Use and Modifications: Part IV. General Requirements for Shoreline Modifications
Section 17E.060.420 Dredging and Dredge Material Disposal
- Definition.
The removal, displacement, and disposal of unconsolidated earth material such as silt, sand, gravel, or other submerged or bedrock material from the bottom of water bodies. Maintenance dredging and other support activities are included in this definition.
- Dredging and dredge material disposal shall achieve no net loss of shoreline ecological functions.
- Dredging and dredge material disposal shall be conducted consistent with mitigation sequencing requirements in SMC 17E.060.220.
- New use or development shall be sited and designed to avoid or, if that is not possible, to minimize the need for new and maintenance dredging.
- Dredging waterward of the ordinary high-water mark for the primary purpose of obtaining fill material shall not be allowed, except when the material is necessary for the restoration of ecological functions. When allowed, the site where the fill is to be placed shall be located waterward of the ordinary high-water mark. The project must be either associated with the Washington State Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) or Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) habitat restoration project or, if approved through a shoreline conditional use permit, any other significant habitat enhancement project.
- Periodic dredging shall be allowed for existing hydroelectric facilities where dredging is an essential activity for operation and maintenance of the facility or where dredging is used to help maintain or provide important ecological functions or to facilitate sediment transport.
- Disposal of dredge material within a channel migration zone shall not be allowed. This provision is not intended to address discharge of dredge material into the flowing current of the river or in deep water within the channel where it does not substantially affect the geohydrologic character of the channel migration zone.
Date Passed: Monday, June 21, 2010
Effective Date: Monday, July 26, 2010
ORD C34605 Section 7