A. The purpose of this chapter is to enact regulations consistent with the environmental element of the city’s comprehensive plan to protect water and earth resources, fish and wildlife habitat, and public health and safety from the potential adverse impacts associated with clearing and grading private and public land in the city. It is also the purpose of this chapter to protect the functions and values of critical areas as required under the state’s Growth Management Act, Shoreline Management Act, and Part 20.25H LUC.

B. The regulations contained in this chapter implement required provisions of the city’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and State Waste Discharge General Permit for Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewers in Western Washington. These provisions are intended to protect receiving waters or waters of the state from pollution, mechanical damage, excessive flows and other conditions which may increase erosion, turbidity, or other forms of pollution, reduce flow or which degrade the environment.

C. The regulations contained in this chapter focus on prevention of potential adverse impacts associated with clearing and grading activities through a proactive approach rather than remediation of (or a reactive approach to) adverse impacts.

D. It is expressly the purpose of this chapter to provide for and promote the health, safety, and welfare of the general public.

E. This chapter is not intended to create or otherwise establish or designate any particular class or group of persons who will or should be especially protected or benefited by its terms. (Ord. 5906 § 1, 2009; Ord. 4754 § 2, 1995.)