“Procedures for Considering Recreational Safety When Placing Large Wood in King County Rivers.”

Posted by: kbritz on 01/09/2010 11:59 PM
Updated by: kbritz on 01/10/2010 12:00 AM
Expires: 03/02/2010 12:00 AM

The purpose of these rules is to implement Ordinance 16581 adopted by the King County Council in 2009. This ordinance directs DNRP to prepare a public rule that will establish procedures DNRP will use to consider recreational safety issues in the design of projects involving the placement of large wood in King County rivers. The rules also identify the procedures for public input on projects that will utilize large wood elements in the design.



http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/dnrp.aspx

Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP)
January 4, 2010
Approved
Theresa Jennings, Director
1.0 SUBJECT TITLE: Procedures for Considering Recreational Safety When Placing Large Wood in King County Rivers
1.1 EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of this Public Rule is March 31, 2010 or thirty days after filing with the Clerk of the Council, whichever comes later.
1.2 TYPE OF ACTION: New
1.3 KEY WORDS: (1) large wood; (2) large wood placement; (3) mitigation; (4) recreational safety; (5) rivers commonly used for recreation.
2.0
PURPOSE:
2.1
To take into account recreational safety issues in the design of projects involving the placement of large wood in rivers commonly used for recreation in King County.
2.2
To evaluate strategies for design of wood placements that will maximize project benefits and minimize risks to public safety.
2.3
To make available to the public the opportunity to provide input on proposed projects utilizing large wood.
3.0 ORGANIZATIONS AFFECTED:
3.1 The Department of Natural Resources and Parks.
4.0 REFERENCES:
4.1
King County Code chapter 2.98.
4.2
King County Ordinance No. 16581 (2009).
Department of Natural Resources and Parks [Document Code No.]
Effective Date:________________ Page 2 of 3
4.3
King County Code Title 21A.
4.4
King County Comprehensive Plan Policies E-405, E-406, E-408, E-422, E-438, E-471 (2008) available at:
http://www.kingcounty.gov/property/permits/codes/growth/CompPlan/2008.aspx
4.5
King County Council adopted salmon recovery plans for Water Resource Inventory Areas 7, 8 and 9 (2005 and 2006) available at: http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAndPlants/salmon-and-trout.aspx
4.6
King County Flood Hazard Management Plan Policies G-3, G-9, G-10, PROJ-6, RCM-1, RCM-2 (2006) available at: http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/waterandland/flooding/documents/flood-hazard-management-plan.aspx
5.0
DEFINITIONS:
5.1
Large wood: The term ‘large wood’ refers to downed trees that may be living or dead, but does not include rooted, standing vegetation. (Large wood is also known as logs, large woody debris, coarse woody debris, snags, and large organic debris.)
5.2
Large wood placement: The deliberate placement of large wood in rivers commonly used for recreation by physically depositing pieces in or near the channel, or installing them in an engineered structure, for any purpose, including flood protection, bank stabilization, mitigation, and habitat improvement or restoration.
5.3
Rivers Commonly Used for Recreation: river reaches that have been identified as those that are readily accessible for recreational use, and are typically identified as areas of high use within King County.
6.0 POLICIES:
6.1 The Procedures for Considering Recreational Safety When Placing Large Wood in King County Rivers contained in Appendix A to this public rule, which is incorporated herein by this reference, presents the processes and procedures that the Department of Natural Resources and Parks shall follow in order to properly take into account public safety in the design and implementation of projects involving placement of large wood in rivers commonly used for recreation in King County.
Department of Natural Resources and Parks [Document Code No.]
Effective Date:________________ Page 3 of 3
6.2 This Public Rule is exempt from the rule of strict construction and shall be liberally construed to give full effect to the objects and purposes for which it was adopted.
7.0 PROCEDURES:
Action By: Department of Natural Resources and Parks
Action: Implements the requirements of Ordinance No. 16581 (2009) by developing Procedures for Considering Recreational Safety When Placing Large Wood in King County Rivers set forth in Appendix A of this rule.
8.0 RESPONSIBILITIES:
8.1
Department of Natural Resources and Parks
8.1.1
Develops a list of rivers commonly used for recreation in King County.
8.1.2
Identifies projects involving the placement of large wood that are located in rivers commonly used for recreation to which the Procedures for Considering Recreational Safety When Placing Large Wood in King County Rivers, Appendix A to this public rule, is applicable.
8.1.3
Implements the specific procedures provided for in the Procedures for Considering Recreational Safety When Placing Large Wood in King County Rivers, Appendix A to this public rule.
8.1.4
At least once every three years or sooner if significant new data becomes available, convenes a group of stakeholders, including but not limited to river residents, recreationalists, tribes, river boating interests, appropriate regulatory agencies, King County sheriff office representatives and Water Resource Inventory Area representatives to review and comment on the Procedures for Considering Recreational Safety When Placing Large Wood in King County Rivers, Appendix A to this public rule, and update them as needed.
8.1.5
Updates the list of rivers commonly used for recreation at least once every three years or sooner if significant new data is available.
9.0 APPENDICES:
9.1 The Procedures for Considering Recreational Safety When Placing Large Wood in King County Rivers, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Water and Land Resources Division, December 2009 constitutes Appendix A to this public rule.