Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections
Nathan Torgelson, Director
Environmentally Critical Areas Update - Project Documents
Reviewing and updating our environmentally critical areas code to ensure we follow current best practices and state rules.
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What & Why
We must periodically review and update our comprehensive plan policies and regulations for environmentally critical areas (ECA) based on the requirements in Washington state’s 1990 Growth Management Act (GMA).
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Get Involved
We must periodically review and update our comprehensive plan policies and regulations for environmentally critical areas (ECA) based on the requirements in Washington state’s 1990 Growth Management Act (GMA).
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Project Documents
We must periodically review and update our comprehensive plan policies and regulations for environmentally critical areas (ECA) based on the requirements in Washington state’s 1990 Growth Management Act (GMA).
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Background
We must periodically review and update our comprehensive plan policies and regulations for environmentally critical areas (ECA) based on the requirements in Washington state’s 1990 Growth Management Act (GMA).
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Timeline
We must periodically review and update our comprehensive plan policies and regulations for environmentally critical areas (ECA) based on the requirements in Washington state’s 1990 Growth Management Act (GMA).
Regulations for Environmentally Critical Areas
Public Hearing Documents
- Environmentally Critical Areas and SEPA Regulations - Proposed
- Environmentally Critical Areas Director's Report
City Council Briefing Documents
- Environmentally Critical Areas Briefing Memo (November 29, 2016)
- Environmentally Critical Areas Briefing Presentation (November 29, 2016)
Updated Director's Rules
- Great Blue Heron Director's Rule
- State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Exemptions from Environmental Review Requirements When Establishing, Changing or Expanding a Use Proposed Director's Rule
Frequently Asked Questions and ECA Presentation
Best Available Science
- Best Available Science Review for Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas (2013)
- Best Available Science Review for Wetlands (2014)
- Best Available Science Review for Geologic Hazard Areas (2014)
- Best Available Science for the 2006 ECA Amendment
- Best Available Science for the 2008 ECA Amendment
- Best Available Science - Supplemental for the 2008 ECA Amendment
- Best Available Science for the City of Sammamish Critical Areas regulations (2012)
- Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development’s Critical Areas Assistance Handbook: Protecting Critical Areas within the Framework of the Washington Growth Management Act (2007)
- Department of Ecology's Wetland Best Available Science
ECA Maps
(These maps are large files that may take a few minutes to open.)
- Slide Area Map
- Wetland and Riparian Corridor
- Great Blue Heron and Bald Eagle Management Areas
- Liquefaction Prone Area, Seismic Hazard Area and Volcanic Hazard Areas
- Peat Settlement Prone Areas
- Flood Prone Areas