Significant Natural Resources
Project Manager Michelle Miller, Senior Planner | 503-846-8101
The Significant Natural Resources (SNR) Program Review and Assessment (SNR Report) is a comprehensive examination of Washington County's Goal 5 program as it relates to natural resources in the urban area and provides a road map for modifications to County regulations to address identified issues.
The SNR Assessment includes Technical Appendices and a Public Input and Engagement Report, which documents public feedback received.
This project was part of the 2018-19 Long Range Planning Annual Work Program, resulting from community concerns about the County’s SNR protections in the development review process, particularly on lands with wildlife habitat.
Staff research included:
- Review of local, state and federal regulations and Land Use Board of Appeal (LUBA) decisions concerning significant natural resources.
- Historical review of the County’s natural resource inventory, program and regulations.
- Review of the County's land use review processes.
- Public engagement including Community Participation Organizations (CPOs), developers and others.
- A five-week open house that included background, key findings, a timeline and survey.
- Review of land use decisions involving significant natural resources.
- Review of the County's tree removal and permit requirements.
About Significant Natural Resources
The County’s significant natural resources, including riparian areas, water areas, wetlands and fish and wildlife habitat, are shown in community plans and the Rural/Natural Resource Plan.
Statewide Planning Goal 5 requires local governments to identify significant natural resources and to adopt programs to protect and classify these important natural areas. The County inventoried locally significant natural resources, including fish and wildlife habitats, and adopted policies and standards in the early 1980s.
The Community Development Code Section 422 includes significant natural resource requirements for proposed development in the County’s urban unincorporated area. The regulations allow for limited development in areas with significant natural resources while providing appropriate protection or mitigation of impacts. If a proposed development interferes with or impacts a protected area, the developer must provide recommendations to reduce the impact and/or offset any loss of habitat.
Significant Natural Resources Timeline
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March 2018 – 2018-19 Long Range Planning Annual Work Program
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November 2018 – Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) decision
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Fall 2018/Winter 2019 – Community input
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March 2019 – State Court of Appeals affirms Land Use Board of Appeals decision |
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October 2019-February 2020 – Public Comments: Draft SNR Program Review and Assessment (Assessment)
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Dec. 12, 2019: Request for enforcement order filed
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May 2020 – Final SNR Program Review and Assessment completed.
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June 1, 2020 – Enforcement order issued
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July 15, 2020 – Proposed Ordinance No. 869 filed
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July-August 2020 – Public outreach on proposed ordinance.
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August-October 2020 – Public hearings
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Oct. 27, 2020 – A Engrossed Ordinance No. 869 adopted
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Dec. 15, 2020 – A-Engrossed Ordinance No. 869 effective |
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Land Conservation and Development Commission lifts enforcement order |
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Habitat Assessment Guidelines Adopted
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