Critical Areas Update

Fact Sheets, Displays, Common Misconceptions

These fact sheets and informational displays were created during the Critical Areas Ordinance update process.  Please note that the Critical Areas Ordinance update was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on July 24, 2012.  Click here to view the adopted ordinance.

1. Key Things to Know About the CAO
2. Frequently Asked Questions
3. Buffers
4. Nonconforming Uses

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On this page:

• Comments and Replies from Open House Events
• Common Misconceptions
• General Information (FAQs, highlights, buffers, nonconforming)
• Geologically Hazardous Areas (marine bluffs, landslide areas, earthquakes)
• Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas
• Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas - Background
• Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas - Prairie and White Oak Protections
• Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas - Riparian (streams, shorelines, ponds)
• Wetlands
• Frequently Flooded Areas

NOTE: To see details on the maps featured below, zoom in to the areas of interest. If you would like to print zoomed in areas of interest, please follow these instructions.  Thurston County makes every effort to ensure that these maps are a true and accurate representation of the work of county government; however, the maps are not 100 percent accurate for every parcel. They do, however, provide information for residents interested in learning about land and how it's designated.

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Comments and Replies from Open House Events

• Click here for comments and replies from Open House Events

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Myths & Misconceptions

• Myths, Misconceptions and Permitting Statistics - Prairies, Powerpoint, April 1, 2011. (Click here for a print version dated June 21, 2012.)
• Myths and Facts  June, 2012

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General Information

• A Description of Critical Areas (web page on this site)
• Highlights of Potential Amendments (PDF)
• Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) (also be sure to see staff reponses to issues raised at the open house events)
• Buffers (PDF)
• Nonconforming Uses (PDF) (i.e., if your home ends up in a buffer)
• Display - Why Are We Here? (9 MB PDF)
• Display - What Are Critical Areas? (8 MB display in PDF)
• Official Zoning Map of Thurston County (10 MB PDF)
• Zoning Map - North County Urban Growth Areas (9 MB PDF)
• View the Adopted Ordinance

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Geologically Hazardous Areas (marine bluffs, landslide areas, earthquakes)

• A Description of Geologically Hazardous Areas (web page on this site)
• Fact Sheet Describing Potential Amendments (PDF)
• Display - Seismic Hazard Areas (2 MB PDF)
• Display - Volcanic Lahars (4 MB PDF)
• Display - Marine Bluff and Landslide Hazard Areas (3 MB PDF)
• Map - Steep Slopes and Potential Landslide Areas (4.8 MB PDF)
• Map - Case 1 Lahar Inundation Zone and Pyroclastic Flow from Mt. Rainier - Countywide (1.4 MB PDF)
• Map - Case 1 Lahar Inundation Zone - East Thurston County (575 KB PDF)
• Map - Case 1 Lahar Inundation Zone - Northeast Thurston County (753 KB PDF)
• Map - Case 1 Lahar Inundation Zone - Southeast Thurston County (405 KB PDF)
• Map - Liquefaction Hazard Area - Countywide (1.5 MB PDF)
• Map - Coal Mines - Thurston and Lewis Counties (168 KB PDF)
• View the Adopted Ordinance

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Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas

• A Description of Aquifer Recharge Areas (web page on this site)
• Fact Sheet Describing Potential Amendments (PDF)
• Display (916 KB PDF)
• Map - Existing Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas and McAllister Geologically Sensitive Area (10 MB PDF)(10 MB PDF)
• Map - Private & Public Wellhead Protection Areas - Based on Time of Travel (2 MB PDF)
• Map - Private Wellhead Protection Areas (1.9 MB PDF)
• View the Adopted Ordinance
• Illustration of CARAs and Wellhead Protection Areas, Sept. 28, 2011

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Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas - Background

• Fact Sheet Providing Background on Wildlife Habitat and Species Listings (PDF)
• Display Providing Background on Wildlife Habitat and Species Listing (2 MB PDF)
• View the Adopted Ordinance

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Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas - Prairie and White Oak Protections

• Please see our Prairies web page.

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Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas - Riparian (streams, shorelines, ponds)

• Fact Sheet Describing Potential Amendments (PDF)
• Display (2.5 MB PDF)
• Map - Potential Marine Riparian Areas (1.5 MB PDF)
• Map - Mapped Wetlands, Streams and Waterbodies
• Link to DNR Stream Classifications (external link)
• Note: Type S streams, marine shorelines, lakes (lakes are defined as having 20 acres or more of open water) and portions of the 100-year floodplain are also regulated under a different ordinance: the Thurston County Shoreline Master Program, which is also currently under revision. In areas subject to regulation under both the Critical Areas Ordinance and the Shoreline Master Program, the most protective criteria will apply until Thurston County completes its Shoreline Master Program update, which will then take precedence.
• View the Adopted Ordinance

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Wetlands

• A Description of Wetlands (web page on this site)
• Fact Sheet Describing Potential Amendments (PDF)
• Display (7.6 MB PDF)
• Map - Mapped Wetlands, Streams and Waterbodies
• View the Adopted Ordinance

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Frequently Flooded Areas

• A Description of Frequently Flooded Areas (web page on this site)
• Fact Sheet Describing Potential Amendments (PDF)
• Display (4.3 MB PDF)
• Map - Frequently Flooded Areas (11 MB PDF)
• View the Adopted Ordinance

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Contact Us

Interested Parties: Check back with this website for updated information. If you would like to be added to our Web Mail list, please click here. Staff contact: Andrew Deffobis, Associate Planner. Phone: (360) 754-3355, x5467 E-mail: deffoba@co.thurston.wa.us.