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 a. Washington state Four-tier Wetlands Rating System. 



1) Category I Criteria 



A. Documented habitat for endangered or threatened fish or 

 animal species or for potentially extirpated plant 

 species recognized by state or federal agencies; or 



B. High quality native wetland communities, including 

 documented category I or II quality Natural Heritage 

 wetland sites and sites which qualify as a category I or 

 II quality Natural Heritage wetland; or 



C. High quality, regionally rare wetland communities with 

 irreplaceable ecological functions, including sphagnum 

 bogs and fens, estuarine, wetlands, or mature forested 

 swamps ; or 



D. Wetlands of exceptional local significance. The criteria 

 for such a designation shall be developed and adopted by 

 the local jurisdiction under appropriate public review 

 and administrative appeal procedures. The criteria may 

 include, but not be limited to, rarity, groundwater 

 recharge areas, significant habitats, unique educational 

 sites or other specific functional values within a 

 watershed or other regional boundary. 



2) Category II Criteria 



A. Regulated wetlands that do not contain features outlined 

 in category I ; and 



B. Documented habitats for sensitive plant, fish or animal 

 species recognized by federal or state agencies; or 



C. Rare wetland communities listed in subsection 1)C which 

 are not high quality; or 



D. Wetland types with significant functions which may not 

 be adequately replicated through creation or 

 restoration. 



E. Regulated wetlands with significant habitat value 

 based on diversity and size. 



F. Regulated wetlands contiguous with salmonid fish-bearing 

 waters, including streams where flow is intermittent; or 



G. Regulated wetlands with significant use by fish and 

 wildlife. 



3) Category III Criteria 



A. Regulated wetlands that do not contain features outlined 

 in category I, II or IV. 



4) Category IV Criteria 



A. Regulated wetlands which do not meet the criteria of a 

 category I or II wetland; and 



B. Isolated wetlands that are less than or equal to one 

 acre in size; and have only one wetland class; and have 

 only one dominant plant species (monotypic vegetation) ; 

 or 



C. Isolated wetlands that are less than or equal to two 



