12 



acres in size, and have only one wetland class and a 

 predominance of exotic species. 



b. Puget Sound Region Wetlands Rating System 



1) Category I Criteria 



A. Documented habitat for endangered or threatened plant, 

 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 fvinctions which may not 

 be adequately replicated through creation or 

 restoration. In the Puget Sound planning area, these 

 wetlands may be demonstrated by the following 

 characteristics : 



i. significant peat systems; or 



ii. forested swamps that have three canopy layers, 



excluding monotypic stands of red alder averaging 8 



inches diameter at breast height or less; or 



iii. significant spring fed systems; 



E. Wetlands with significant habitat value based on 

 diversity and size. 



i. 10 acres or greater in size; and 2 or more wetland 

 classes together with open water at any time during a 

 normal year; or 



ii. 10 acres or greater in size; and 3 or more wetland 

 classes; and 5 or more subclasses of vegetation in a 

 dispersed pattern; or 



