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1995-01138-Resolution No. 94-113 Recorded 12/15/1994REVIEWED Row 95-011?8 LEGAL COUNSEL BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF DESCHUTES COUNTY, OREGON 013'7-1'43 A Resolution Adopting Amendments To the Final Periodic Review Order For Factor 1 Subfactor 1(B) Cumulative Effects For Riparian Areas. * M.`fi Cn RESOLUTION 94-113 C) CO WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners adopted wa Final Periodic Review Order by Resolution 92-062; and WHEREAS, the Land Conservation and Development Commission issued a remand order 93 -RA -883 requiring the county to complete a cumulative effects analysis of development actions in riparian areas; and WHEREAS, Deschutes County conducted a cumulative effects analysis pursuant to 93 -RA -883 and OAR 660-19-057(1)(b)(B) of development actions on properties inventoried under Goal 5 as containing riparian habitat; and WHEREAS, the findings of the county cumulative effects analysis are reported in a document titled "Deschutes County Riparian Area Cumulative Effects Analysis - July 1986 - December 1990" and show there to be no cumulative effects resulting in a significant loss of inventoried riparian habitat; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF DESCHUTES COUNTY, OREGON, as follows: Section 1. That the Factor One Subsection 1 (B), Cumulative Effects section (page 5 - 11) of the County Periodic Review Order adopted by Resolution 92-062 (County Periodic Review Order) is hereby amended to include as part of the findings adopted therein the findings attached hereto as Exhibit A and by this reference incorporated herein. Section 2. That except as amended herein, the County Periodic Review Order, as it may have otherwise been amended, is unaffected by this resolution. Section 3. That the amendment to the Periodic Review order concerning riparian areas is supported by the findings contained therein and the findings in the document titled "Deschutes County t'- .,- 1 - Resolution 94-113 (December 14, 1994) /VICROFILMED 19 95 -P-" FEB 08 1,9,9F) 0137-1744 Riparian Area Cumulative Effects - July 1986 - December 1992" attached hereto as Exhibit B and by this reference incorporated herein. DATED this 14th day of December, 1994. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF DESCHUTES COUNTY, OREGON NANCY E SC LANGEN, Chair ATTEST: TOM T ROOP, Co issioner Recording Secretary BARRY H. SLAUGHTER, Commissioner 2 - Resolution 94-113 (December 14, 1994) 0137-1745 EXHIBIT A Periodic Review Order Factor 1, Subfactor 1(B) Riparian Areas These findings on cumulative effects concerning riparian areas were developed and adopted in response to a requirement in the Land Conservation and Development Commission's Remand Order 93 -RA -833 that the County assess the cumulative effects of implementation actions on the protection of riparian habitat located in the areas identified below. This remand order requirement was imposed on the County to ensure compliance with OAR 660-19-057(1)(b)(B) and OAR 660-19-055(2)(a). The County was required to conduct an analysis of cumulative impacts of implementation actions affecting riparian areas to determine whether there had been a significant loss of riparian habitat resulting from county -permitted development actions such that there had been a change in the circumstances on which the plan and zoning ordinances were based. The county economic, environmental, social and energy consequences analysis and decision for riparian areas (ESEE) defines riparian habitat as: areas adjacent to rivers, streams, lakes or ponds where there is vegetation that requires free or unbound water or conditions that are more moist than normal. The ESEE identified three areas which may contain significant riparian habitat: 1. The area within 100 feet of the ordinary high water mark of an inventoried river or stream. 2. The area adjacent to an inventoried river or stream and located within the flood plain mapped by the Federal Emergency Management agency and zoned flood plain by the county. 3. The area adjacent to a river or stream and inventoried as a wetland on the National Wetlands inventory. The County conducted a cumulative effects assessment to examine the effects of development actions on properties with riparian habitat meeting the above definition in the three identified areas. The scope of this assessment was limited to the effect of land use actions approved by the county during the period between June 30, 1986 and December 31, 1992. These dates were selected to correspond to the period between the adoption of the Deschutes County/City of Bend River Study implementing ordinances and the submittal of the County's final periodic review order. A description of the methodology of the study and the findings of the analysis are presented in a report titled "Deschutes County Cumulative Effects Analysis - July 1986 - December 1994" (November 1 - Exhibit A (Resolution 94-113) (December 14, 1994) 0137-1746 14, 1994). The following findings are a summary of the findings in the report, which was adopted by Resolution 94-113. 1. There are approximately 286 miles of riparian habitat along 30 inventoried rivers and streams subject to the County Goal 5 program. During the study period, 107 properties adjacent to 8 of these streams had land use applications. Eighty-six percent of the land use actions were along either the Deschutes (76 applications) or Little Deschutes (16 applications) Rivers. 2. The regulations implementing Goal 5 for riparian habitat have prevented significant loss of riparian habitat on properties subject to land use actions during the study period. The cumulative effect of development actions on riparian areas are not significant enough to require amendment to the county Goal 5 program for riparian areas. Out of 153.9 acres of riparian habitat on the surveyed properties, less than one half acre of riparian habitat deteriorated from the pre -development condition. The riparian habitat on 79 percent of the parcels surveyed showed no change as a result of the land use action. The habitat improved on 6 percent of the parcels. Fifteen percent of the parcels showed riparian habitat deterioration. 3. Deterioration of riparian habitat is limited to the south county, mostly on the Deschutes and Little Deschutes Rivers in the area between Sunriver and La Pine. Habitat deterioration is occurring on 1/4 to 1/2 acre lots in areas already platted and substantially developed prior to the regulations to implement Goal 5 for riparian areas. 4. Deterioration of riparian habitat occurs where conditions of approval are not met or enforced. 5. Upland vegetation within the 100 foot setback area has been altered on approximately 50 percent of the properties with Landscape Management permits. This is a violation of conditions of approval. In comparison, 84 percent of the properties in the study group adhered to the conditions for the wetland riparian habitat. 6. Streamside properties north of the Bend urban area have not experienced a deterioration of riparian habitat as a result of land use actions. The canyon topography on many properties limits access to the riparian areas and development occurs on rimrocks above the river. 7. Parcels with extensive riparian wetland have not experienced deterioration. 8. The deletion of section 18.88 (E), from the Wildlife Area 2 - Exhibit A (Resolution 94-113) (December 14, 1994) 0137-1747 Combining Zone (Ordinance 92-042) has had no cumulative effect on riparian habitat. This provision required consultation with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to determine minimum lot size. Based upon the findings summarized above, the County concludes that the cumulative effects of implementation actions under the County's plan and land use regulations on protection of riparian habitat, as described herein, has not resulted in a significant loss of inventoried riparian habitat. Accordingly, pursuant to OAR 660-19- 057(1)(b)(B) and OAR 660-19-055, there has not been by reason of a significant loss of riparian habitat resulting from County -approved development actions a substantial change in the circumstances upon which the Deschutes County Comprehensive Plan, Deschutes County/City of Bend River Study and the implementing land use regulations for riparian habitat were based. Consequently, the current regulations affecting riparian habitat are working as they were designed to to protect riparian habitat, and there is no need for the County to take new steps to achieve compliance with the goals in this respect. 3 - Exhibit A (Resolution 94-113) (December 14, 1994) 0137--1748 EXHIBIT B Resolution 94-113 DESCHUTES COUNTY RIPARIAN AREA CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ANALYSIS FOR LAND USE ACTIONS JULY 1986 -- DECEMBER 1992 Deschutes County Planning Division November 14, 1994 TABLE OF CONTENTS 0137-1749 4J Summary............................................... 1 Background............................................ 3 Methodology........................................... 3 Findings.............................................. 6 Table 1 - Properties/Applications in Riparian Areas - July 1986 through December 1992 ................. 20 Table 2 - Riparian Areas and Land Use Applications.... 24 Table 3 - Riparian Habitat Change ..................... 25 Table 4 - Vegetation Altered in Riparian Areas........ 27 Table 5 - Development in Wetland & Flood Plain........ 29 Appendix A - Riparian Area ESEE Findings and Decision ......................................... 31 Appendix B - Data Report Form ......................... 46 i SUMMARY 01.37--1750 Deschutes County Riparian Area Cumulative Effects Analysis For Land Use Actions July 1986 - December 1992 The Deschutes County Riparian Area Cumulative Effects Analysis is limited in scope to the land use actions approved by the county during the period between June 30, 1986 and December 31, 1992. The analysis was required as part of periodic review and includes land use actions along the rivers and streams inventoried and subject to the County Statewide Planning Goal 5 riparian program. Unless otherwise specified, the riparian habitat evaluated in this assessment is the area immediately adjacent to a river or stream where there is vegetation that requires free or unbound water or conditions that are more moist that normal. 1. There are approximately 286 miles of riparian habitat along 30 inventoried rivers and streams subject to the County Goal 5 program. During the study period, 107 properties adjacent to 8 of these streams had land use applications. Eighty-six percent of the land use actions were along either the Deschutes (76 applications) or Little Deschutes (16 applications) Rivers. 2. The regulations implementing Goal 5 for riparian habitat have prevented significant loss of riparian habitat on properties subject to land use actions during the study period. Out of 153.9 acres of riparian habitat on the surveyed properties, less than one half acre of riparian habitat deteriorated from the pre -development condition. The riparian habitat on 79 percent of the parcels surveyed showed no change as a result of the land use action. The habitat improved on 6 percent of the parcels. Fifteen percent of the parcels showed riparian habitat deterioration. 3. Deterioration of riparian habitat is limited to the south county, mostly on the Deschutes and Little Deschutes Rivers in the area between Sunriver and La Pine. Habitat deterioration is occurring on 1/4 to 1/2 acre lots in areas already substantially developed prior to the regulations to implement Goal 5 for riparian areas. 4. Deterioration of riparian habitat occurs where conditions of approval are not met or enforced. Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 1 0137-1751 5. Upland vegetation within the 100 foot setback area has been altered on approximately 50 percent of the properties with Landscape Management permits. This is a violation of conditions of approval. In comparison, 84 percent of the properties in the study group adhered to the conditions for the wetland riparian habitat. 6. Streamside properties north of the Bend urban area have not experienced a deterioration of riparian habitat as a result of land use actions. The canyon topography on many properties limits access to the riparian areas and development occurs on rimrocks above the river. 7. Parcels with extensive riparian wetland have not experienced deterioration. 8. The deletion of section 18.88 (E), from the Wildlife Area Combining Zone (Ordinance 92-042) has had no cumulative effect on riparian habitat. This provision required consultation with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to determine minimum lot size. Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 2 Background 0187-1752 The Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) periodic review remand order 93 -RA -883, required the county to: Assess the cumulative effects of implementation actions on the protection of riparian habitat located within: (1) Landscape management river and stream corridors; (2) 100 feet of the ordinary high watermark of perennial streams; (3) The flood plain zone or base flood area. If the county finds that the cumulative effects of implementation actions has resulted in a significant loss of inventoried riparian habitat, amendments to the plan and/or land use regulations will be necessary to comply with periodic review (OAR 660-19-055(1). As part of periodic review, the county amended the Comprehensive Plan inventory of significant riparian and wetland habitat and adopted an economic, social, environmental and energy consequences analysis (ESEE) to comply with OAR 660-16 (Ordinance 92-041). The ESEE findings and decision was subsequently amended (Ordinance 94-007) to respond to the periodic review remand order (93 -RA -883). The ESEE analysis and decision inventories the significant riparian area in the county, identifies conflicting uses and describes the county program to protect the riparian habitat and allow limited conflicting uses. To comply with the remand order, Deschutes County has conducted a cumulative effects analysis of development actions in riparian areas identified in the ESEE decision (Appendix A). This analysis is required by Periodic Review Factor One under ORS 197.640 and OAR 660-19-057(1)(b). Methodology OAR 660-19-057 requires the county to assess the cumulative effects of implementation actions on the protection of Goal 5 resources. Riparian areas are a Goal 5 resource. The county economic, environmental, social and energy consequences analysis and decision for riparian areas (ESEE, See Appendix A) defines riparian habitat as: areas adjacent to rivers, streams, lakes or ponds where there is vegetation that requires free or unbound water or conditions that are more moist than normal. The ESEE identified three areas which may contain significant riparian habitat: Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 3 0137-w1753 1. The area within 100 feet of the ordinary high water mark of an inventoried river or stream. 2. The area adjacent to an inventoried river or stream and located within the flood plain mapped by the Federal Emergency Management agency and zoned flood plain by the county. 3. The area adjacent to a river or stream and inventoried as a wetland on the National Wetlands inventory. The cumulative effects assessment examined riparian habitat meeting the above definition in the three identified areas. The scope of this assessment is limited to the effect of land use actions approved by the county during the period between June 30, 1986 and December 31, 1992. These dates were selected to correspond to the period between the adoption of the Deschutes County/City of Bend River Study implementing ordinances and the submittal of the County's final periodic review order. The River Study resulted in the adoption of the provisions in the zoning ordinance that implement the county program to meet Statewide Planning Goal 5 for riparian areas. The measures include conservation easements, 100 foot setback from ordinary high water mark, fill and removal conditional use requirements, landscape management zone adjacent to certain rivers and streams and other provisions described in the ESEE attached as Appendix A. The development activities reviewed include the following: conditional use permits for construction in the floodplain, conditional use permits for fill and removal, setback exceptions, landscape management permits and partitions. These land uses actions are subject to one or more of the county measures to.implement Goal 5 for riparian areas. Table 1, "Properties/Applications in Riparian Areas", lists the properties with streamside frontage that have had land use applications submitted within the time frame of the study. There are 107 properties with land use applications. Site visits were made to 70 properties. Approximately 65 percent of the properties in the total group were visited and are contained in the data. The data analysis discussed below pertains only to the properties where a site visit was made. An attempt was made to conduct site visits to all properties which had either setback exception, conditional use permit, or a combination of applications submitted for them. Because of prohibited access, four of these were not visited. Site visits were not made to properties where the application was denied (SE90-3, CU89-145, CU91-96, CU91-106, and V91-1). Fifty-six properties on the Deschutes River had only landscape management permit applications. Staff conducted site visits to a sample of half of the landscape management permits on the Deschutes River. Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 4 0137-1754 An inventory form (Appendix B) was developed to record data from the application file and site visits. The form was reviewed by the planning commission, LCDC staff and interested public. The form is set up to record information on the pre -development and post -development conditions of the riparian habitat and conditions implemented to protect the habitat. A computer data base was set up to record the data from the inventory forms. The following findings provide an assessment of the quality of the riparian areas in the study group. For the purpose of this analysis, the riparian area referred to in this report includes only portions of the property that were immediately adjacent to rivers or streams and contained vegetation that was dependent on the water regime of the stream. Portions of the property which exhibited characteristics typical of upland environments were not included in quantification of acres of habitat improved or deteriorated. However, observations were made concerning these upland portions because the area within the 100 foot setback from the ordinary highwater mark is considered by the county as pari of the overall riparian corridor. A determination has been made for each property as to whether the quality or quantity of the riparian habitat has improved, deteriorated or stayed the same since the time the land use action was approved. The quantity of the riparian area is linked directly to the increase or decrease in the amount of riparian vegetation (i.e. vegetation removal is considered deterioration). The assessment, therefore, was based primarily on the addition of new and/or clearing of existing vegetation in the riparian area. Additional factors considered were bank erosion, construction in the riparian area, and to a limited extent, the land uses and riparian habitat in the surrounding' -area. These factors were examined and quantified. The assessment does not include a discussion of the cumulative effects of activities outside of the county jurisdiction. Such activities include water level fluctuations due to irrigation water storage and release, permitted agricultural practices, federal land management activities, or private, commercial forest practices. However, finding number 14 examines whether there has been an unanticipated substantial change in circumstances for population, grazing, drought, timber harvest, enforcement of the goal 5 program or septic installations since the adoption of the comprehensive plan and land use regulations Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 5 0137-1755 Findings 1. There are approximately 286 miles of riparian habitat along 30 inventoried rivers and streams subject to the County Goal 5 program. One hundred and seven properties with inventoried riparian habitat had land use appli- cations. Eighteen properties had multiple land use applications. Approximately 160 stream miles are under federal jurisdiction (US Forest Service or BIM). The county does not regulate riparian areas on federal land. The remaining 126 miles of stream are bordered by private or state owned land. Table 2 shows the distribution of private and federal river miles on the streams in the county with private land and the number of properties with land use applications during the study period. 2. The regulations implementing Goal 5 for riparian areas have slowed the adverse cumulative effect of developemnt in riparian areas. A comparison of the observations made on properties developed prior to 1986 and the data gathered in this study illustrates that the regulations are protecting the riparian habitat when they are followed. The land use regulations that currently govern streamside development have been in place since 1986. Prior to 1986, the regulations were much more permissive as to the type of streamside development that could occur. Although not quantified in this analysis, development undertaken prior to 1986 was observed during the site visits. Development during this period typically included: removing the entire riparian and upland vegetation, ornamental landscaping including lawns to the edge of the stream, boat docks and slips, retaining walls, and dwellings constructed closer than 100 feet from the stream. This type of development is generally found on the smaller lots which were developed south of Sunriver prior to 1986. After the regulations changed in 1986, many of the development practices that were previously common were no longer permitted. Data collected for this analysis, reveals that development after 1986 has typically adhered to the requirements of these regulations. However, in six cases, unpermitted development such as boat docks, boat slips, and retaining walls were observed. The construction of these amenities is a violation of the regulations that have been established. Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 6 0137-1756 3. Both the Deschutes River and Little Deschutes River in the area between Sunriver and La Pine have experienced the most intensive development during the study period. Approximately 70 percent of the development occuring along rivers and streams in the county between 1986 and 1992 has occurred in this area. Other areas of development include: The Deschutes River in the Redmond/Terrebonne area, Fall River, Spring River, Tumalo Creek, Squaw Creek and Indian Ford Creek. Approximately 12 percent of the vacant riparian parcels in the south county were developed during the study period. South of Sunriver there are 1,242 parcels with frontage on either the Deschutes, Little Deschutes, Fall and Spring Rivers. The assessors data indicate that 647 stream front lots are currently developed; 595 are vacant. During the study period, 70 vacant parcels in the south county were developed; an additional 20 parcels had a land use action on property that was already developed. In the county north of Sunriver, there are 716 stream front parcels. 429 are developed and 287 are vacant. During the study period 14 vacant parcels were developed and 3 previously developed parcels had a land use action on the property. 4. On the properties in the study group where a site visit was made, less than one acre out of a total of 153. 908 acres of riparian habitat deteriorated. Table 4 shows on a site by site basis the total amount of riparian area on each parcel included in the study group. The total riparian area examined in -this analysis was 153.908 acres. For the purpose of this discussion the riparian area is defined as the area supporting plants that depend on periods of wet soil; upland vegetation is not included. One large parcel containing 96 acres of riparian habitat has been excluded because it is not typical of the rest of the study group. Also, on this large parcel no riparian area was lost due to the development. These 96 acres represent 62 percent of the area studied and tend to skew the data. Therefore, it is the remaining 69 parcels which include 57.9 acres of riparian area (38 percent of the area studied) that comprise the most revealing data. Table 4 also shows the amount of riparian area altered prior to the land use action and the amount of area altered after development. It is the difference between these two figures for each property that reveals if there has been a reduction in the total riparian area on the site. Prior to the land use permit applications subject to this study (excluding the large acreage parcel), the data show that 48.13 acres of Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 7 0137-175 i habitat were in a natural unaltered condition. After the land use permits the data show that 47.86 acres remain unaltered. Therefore, 0.267 acres of riparian habitat were altered as a result of the land use application. The total riparian habitat altered on all subject properties is less than one half acre. Only one quarter acre of the alteration occured during the study period. While the total area of alteration may not be a significant amount, most of the depletion is occurring on properties that have approximately 100 feet of stream frontage and 1000 square feet of riparian area in a very narrow band. In riparian areas of this size, even a small removal of the vegetation can be significant. The removal is significant when considered with adjacent properties where the habitat has also been altered. It is the effects of the minor alterations on small parcels near each other that cumulatively equate to a larger deterioration. Li. Alteration of upland vegetation outside of the riparian zone is occuring within the 100 foot setback. The area within the 100' setback has been altered despite the restrictive conditions imposed. When examining the riparian area, the data collected indicates that property owners have adhered to the conditions of their approval 84 percent of the time. Although not quantified, notes taken during site visits reveal that approximately 50 percent of the properties visited did not conform with the conditions of approval that pertained to retention of vegetation in the 100' setback area. While much of the 100' setback area is deemed upland (i.e. contains vegetation such as lodgepole pine and juniper that do not rely on the water in the stream), the quality of this area can be very important to the area that is considered riparian. The upland areas along the rivers and streams in which observations of deterioration have been made are in the Landscape Management Combining Zone. The Deschutes County Zoning Ordinance section 18.84.010 states: "The purpose of the LM Zone is to maintain scenic and natural resources of the designated areas and to maintain and enhance scenic vistas and natural landscapes as seen from designated roads, rivers and streams". In most cases, but not all, the conditions of approval stipulate that dead and dying vegetation can be removed to reduce fire hazard but all other vegetation must be retained. As observed, the removal of living vegetation from these areas is not meeting the intent of this zone. Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 8 0137-1758 The removal of native vegetation (trees, shrubs and grasses) and replacement with lawn and lava rock is the most common occurrence. Shade and soil stability provided by the upland vegetation are two factors important to the riparian habitat that are lost when vegetation in the 100 foot setback area is eliminated. The resulting direct sunlight and erosion that can occur may eventually lead to deterioration of the riparian area. 6. most of the habitat deterioration occurs along the Deschutes and Little Deschutes Rivers, south of Sunriver, where the land is divided into lots less than one acre and development already exists. Nine of the 11 properties identified as deteriorated in Table 3 are along the Deschutes River and Little Deschutes River in the south county area. In the south county area of the Deschutes and Little Deschutes Rivers, many lots have been created at sizes of 1/4 to 1/2 acre. Many of these lots were developed prior to 1986 which was the beginning year for this study. Many of these parcels were developed in a more urban than rural manner because regulations prior to the River Study were less restrictive than current regulations. Typical development prior to our study period consisted of clearing native vegetation and replacing it with ornamental landscaping, as well as constructing boat docks, decks and retaining walls. In most cases, this type of development resulted in the removal of some or all riparian vegetation. Table 4 shows that 13 properties in the study had altered vegetation prior to 1986. The conditions of approval for properties developed during the study period typically provide that vegetation must be retained, new vegetation must be native to the area, no structures in the conservation easement area, etc.. These conditions exist in order to maintain the natural character of the area. However, this analysis has determined that some property owners in south county neighborhoods, where urban style development is prevalent, have ignored the conditions of their approval and developed their property in a manner similar to their neighbors. In some cases the destruction of native vegetation that may have been retained by the original permitee has been altered by a subsequent owner who was unaware of the conditions of approval. For some properties, this has resulted in a deterioration to the riparian area. Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 9 913'7-1759 7. Compliance with the conditions of approval for the land use permit is the most important factor in the maintenance of the riparian area habitat. Table 3, "Riparian Habitat Change", shows that the current quality of the riparian habitat has a direct link with adherence to the conditions of approval. Out of 70 total properties visited, 11 sites (16 percent) failed to meet the conditions of their approval. The riparian area has deteriorated in all but one of these cases. In 59 out of 70 (84 percent), the conditions of approval were adhered to. In four of these cases the habitat quality was improved, in one case the quality deteriorated and in 54 cases the quality stayed the same. Table 4, "Vegetation Altered in Riparian Areas", illustrates the sum area of riparian habitat change that has occurred both prior to and after the permit approval for the property. A comparison of Table 4 and Table 3 shows that the properties which have experienced a net loss of riparian area closely correspond with the properties which have not met the conditions of their permit approval. However, The same comparison also reveals that there are some properties that have met all the conditions of their approval when developed, but still resulted in an overall loss or deterioration of riparian area. This result stems from conditions of approval that do not contain all the necessary provisions for habitat maintenance (i.e. vegetation retention and conservation easements). After examining the conditions of approval tied to the permit and conducting site visits, it was evident that the more specific the conditions were (i.e. conditions which required retention of vegetation including upland vegetation), the less impact there was to the riparian area. Land use permits which did not contain such conditions of approval resulted in greater adverse impact. The type of approval granted also has a significant bearing on the degree of impact. Of the three most common approvals granted (setback exception, conditional use and landscape management), setback exceptions have resulted in the greatest occurences of riparian habitat deterioration. There were it setback exception applications (development within 100 feet of ordinary high water mark). Of these, 3 (27 percent) did not meet the conditions of approval and deterioration of the riparian habitat and loss of upland vegetation resulted. This is compared to a 14 percent deterioration for both conditional use and landscape management permits. Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 10 0137-1760 Conditional use and landscape management permits have also resulted in habitat improvements in 7 percent and 5 percent of the cases, respectively. There was no improvement to habitat for setback exception permits. In cases where the conditions of approval for all permits are similar, the data indicates that it is the distance of the development from the riparian area that plays an important factor in habitat retention. Table 5, "Wetland and Floodplain Development" provides data concerning wetlands and flood plains for each property and whether or not development has occurred in these areas. A comparison of Table 5 and Table 4 reveals that development on portions of the property that are designated floodplain or wetland has no obvious correlation to the loss of riparian habitat other than the removal of vegetation for construction purposes. Thirteen properties had development permitted in a wetland or flood plain. Of the 13, 3 showed deterioration of riparian habitat. In all 3 cases, the conditions of approval were not met or enforced. 8. Noncompliance with conditions or lack of enforcement is the reason for deterioration of riparian habitat. In most cases, the appropriate conditions of approval have been applied but no follow up either during or after construction has occurred. Enforcement of conditions would further reduce deterioration of riparian habitat. Inclusion of all applicable conditions as well as the correct combination of conditions will give the county the security that all enforceable measures to retain the natural riparian area have been enacted. Of all the properties included in this analysis, there is only one instance where the conditions of approval have been met and the riparian area still experienced a degree of deterioration. The reason is that not all the appropriate or applicable conditions that could have been applied were applied. Through site visits, file review and discussions with property owners, various reasons for deterioration of riparian habitat are apparent. In some instances, individuals have purchased property that was developed by a previous owner. Initially these properties may have conformed with the conditions imposed. The new owners, unaware of the conditions of approval that still apply to the property because they are not recorded, may make changes to the natural features which had previously been preserved. Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 11 0137-1761 There are also cases of blatant disregard for the conditions of approval. The feeling of "it's my property and I will do with it what I please" was expressed by owners concerned about regulations which have further restricted how they can develop their property since the time they originally purchased. However, this sentiment was relatively uncommon. A lack of public knowledge about the importance of the riparian areas is also common. An example is the case of a property owner that has cleared all the vegetation from the river bank along his property. A few years later the same property owner notices that erosion is beginning to occur and wants to build a retaining wall. In the past, this scenario was permitted and did occur. This led to the loss of significant riparian habitat. Regulations are now in place to prevent this from happening, but enforcement is the key to making the regulations work. Public education aimed at preventing destruction of riparian habitat or erosion could also be used as an effective tool. 9. The most common infraction that has led to the deterioration of riparian areas has been the cutting or clearing of vegetation. During the site visits, various methods of vegetation removal were observed. The methods ranged from simple cutting or pruning to complete clearing down to bare earth. Various stages of vegetation removal were also observed. In some cases, the riparian area had been completely cleared of native vegetation and landscaping had been done. In other cases, vegetation had been cleared and preparation for landscaping was in progress. Five of the 11 properties that showed deterioration had an unpermitted dock or excavation for a boat slip. 10. Certain physical characteristics ensure that the riparian areas of some properties will not deteriorate despite the conditions that are or are not imposed upon development. The streams in the north county typically flow through steep canyons. The development on these canyon properties occurs on the canyon rims high above the river. The impaired access to the riparian areas on these properties makes any alteration to the riparian area difficult and unlikely. Properties that contain large area of wetland also have physical limitations for development. Along the Little Deschutes River and Deschutes River in the south county, large areas of wetland are typically left undisturbed. Also, parcels of approximately an acre or larger are more difficult to clear and landscape. Through site visitation, it has been determined that a lack of surrounding development, larger parcel size and impaired access to the stream (because of Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 12 0137-1762 wetlands or rim rock settings) results in a reduced potential for impact to the riparian habitat. 11. The data shows that deterioration or improvement of riparian habitat is not correlated to the existance of a conservation easement. Conservation easements do not always insure that riparian areas will be maintained. The Deschutes County Code Section 18.116.220 requires conservation easements to be conveyed to the county as a condition of approval for all land use actions along the rivers and streams listed as perennial streams. Conservation easements for landscape management applications were not required as a condition of approval until 1992. Therefore, half of the land use actions in the study did not require conservation easements as a condition of approval. The intent of the conservation easement is to maintain a 10 foot wide natural buffer adjacent to the stream and to limit future impacts which could occur in the riparian areas. Conservation easements rarely include public access. On most streamside properties, the 10 foot width of the conservation easement encompasses most of riparian area because, unless there is adjacent wetland, riparian vegetation is limited to a narrow band. Therefore, on these properties, the objective of protecting riparian vegetation is achieved. However, in cases where there is adjacent wetland, the riparian habitat often extends beyond the area covered by the conservation easement. In these instances, only a portion of the riparian area is protected by the conservation easement. However, the data shows that wetland areas are usually maintained in a natural condition. Of 70 properties included in the analysis, 34 required a conservation easement. Most of the land use actions requiring easements were setback exceptions and conditional use permits. Conservation easements have been requirements of these approvals since 1986. The majority of the properties included in the study group had a land use action approved from the period 1990 -1992 (61 out of 67 properties). The majority of these actions were landscape management permits. Many of the properties in the group also had additional land use actions which were approved prior to 1990. Of the 34 properties with conservation easements, eight (24 percent) have experienced a deterioration in riparian habitat. This is compared to the entire study group of 70 in which 11 (16 percent) experienced deterioration. Also, 3 (9 percent) properties with conservation easements experienced improvement in conditions, compared to 4 (6 percent) for the entire group. Twenty properties (59 percent) with conservation easements experienced no change in habitat conditions compared to 53 properties (76 percent) for the Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 13 0137-1763 entire group. This data reveals that while the intent of the conservation easement is to protect resources, the limited area which is included in the easement narrows the scope of protection provided. 12. The conditions and regulations which govern development along rivers and streams do not require that the riparian area be improved as development occurs. The conditions of approval only serve to maintain the existing riparian conditions as they were at the time of permit approval. Four properties in this study have riparian habitat that has improved since the land use action was granted. Two of these improved sites were a result of restoration/enhancement programs that were done with the help of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). The enhancement plans designed by ODFW have resulted in an increase in vegetation and a reduction in bank erosion in the riparian areas. The owners of two additional properties included in this analysis have indicated that ODFW has targeted their river frontages as areas in need of bank stabilization and restoration. Programs designed to use native vegetation and riprap to restore these eroded river banks are to begin this fall. The remaining two properties in this study which have improved riparian habitat are a result of the actions of the landowners. The property owners have taken it upon themselves to plant, transplant and thin vegetation as well as to maintain natural blowdowns in an effort to improve the overall riparian habitat on their land. This effort has resulted in an increase in young, healthy growth along the river. The improvement is very evident when compared to adjacent developed properties where owners have not actively engaged in habitat improvement. 13. The deletion of section 18.88 (E) from the Wildlife Area Combining Zone (Ordinance (92-042) has had no cumulative effect on riparian habitat. As part of periodic review the county amended Title 18.88, the Wildlife Area Combining Zone, (Ordinance 92-042) to delete the following text: E. In riparian areas, the minimum parcel size shall be that determined by the County Sanitarian and Planning Director or Hearings Body, with advice from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, necessary to protect the health and safety of the public as well and fish and wildlife resources. Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 14 0137-1704 This section was deleted because the standards were not clear and objective as required by OAR -16-010(3). Also, the scale of the map in the comprehensive plan showing riparian areas was too small to accurately indicate the location of riparian area. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the County sanitarian are provided with an opportunity to comment on all proposed partitions and subdivisions which contain land in riparian areas. Prior to the deletion of the provision neither ODFW nor the County sanitarian ever recommended a minimum lot size larger than that allowed by the underlying zone designation. The smallest minimum lot size permitted outside of rural service centers or urban growth boundaries is 10 acres. The health and safety of the public is protected by Department of Environmental Quality rules which are administered by the County Environmental Health Division. There have been 4 partition applications submitted during the study period. The riparian habitat associated with these partitions has stayed in the same condition or improved. Conditions have been implemented to leave the habitat as open space. TP -89-712, Rim at Aspen Lake, is a subdivision. The riparian area along Squaw Creek is included in a lot with an open space designation. TP -90-741, Spring River Road, a four lot cluster development on the Deschutes River has been approved. No residential development has occurred to date. One of the four lots containing the riparian wetland is dedicated open space. TP -92-779, vandevert Ranch, contains 96 acres of riparian and wetland habitat on the Deschutes- River.- The condition of the habitat has improved because an ongoing habitat restoration project conducted with the approval of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. MP -92-61, Indian Ford Creek, a 3 lot partition, has been approved by the Board of County Commissioners; however, the final decision has not been issued. A condition prohibiting livestock grazing in the riparian areas was included in the approval. Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 15 0137-1765 14. In accordance with the provisions of OAR 660-19-057, the county finds that, with regard to riparian habitat, there has not been a substantial change in circumstances in the conditions, findings or assumptions upon which the comprehensive plan or land use regulations related that would cause the comprehensive plan or land use regulations to not comply with the goals. The findings below address the changes in circumstances for population, grazing, timber harvest, drought, septic approvals and enforcement of the Goal 5 program. Population Growth Although the county population has substantially increased since the 1970's, the growth was anticipated in the comprehensive plan. The substantial change in population has not caused a significant increase in the number of stream front lots or a cumulative effect on riparian habitat. The Deschutes County Comprehensive Plan, adopted in 1979, included projections for population growth through the year 2000. The 1979 projected population in the Comprehensive Plan for the year 1995 was 103,000. Portland State University Center for Population Research and Census (CPRC) projections for 1980 - 1990 projected a 1995 county population of 88,800. The 1990 projection for 1995 is 92,245. In July 1993, CPRC estimated the county population at 86,800. Therefore, the population growth in the county has not exceeded the projections of the original comprehensive plan and is still in line with the most current projections from CPRC. Most of the population growth has occurred within the urban growth boundaries of Redmond and Bend. The riparian areas in the south county have experienced a significant increase in development. However, this development has occurred on pre- existing lots and was anticipated in the comprehensive plan. The minimum lot size was increased from one acre to 10 acres for all of the exception areas. Therefore, very few new river front lots have been created since adoption of the Comprehensive Plan and zoning ordinance. Grazing The county finds that there has not been a substantial change in circumstances related to grazing in riparian areas. The county does not have data on the amount of riparian area that was grazed in the past relative to how much is grazed today However, several large properties that were formerly cattle ranches are now resort or residential developments. So, there may be an overall decrease in the riparian area that is subject to grazing. Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 16 0137-1766 The quality of the riparian area on certain properties may have deteriorated over time as a result of grazing. However, agricultural use including grazing is a permitted use in the exclusive farm use, forest, rural residential and multiple use agriculture zones. The county zoning does not regulate agricultural practices in these zones. In 1993 the state legislature adopted "right to farm" provisions as state law that protect accepted farming practices from being considered trespass or a nuisance. Timber Harvest Since adoption of the Goal 5 there have been significant commercial forest activities lands. These changes have riparian habitat. program for riparian habitat changes in the regulation of on both private and federal increased the protection of Since 1972 the state legislature and the Oregon Department of Forestry have adopted laws and administrative rules to strengthen the protection of forest riparian habitat. There have been major amendments in 1991 and again in 1994. The cumulative effect of these changes is beneficial to riparian areas. Timber harvest in riparian areas on federal land is regulated by the federal government. Administration of timber harvest in riparian areas on federal lands is also more strictly regulated than in the past. In the past decade here has been a significant harvest of dead lodgepole pine in the south county in riparian areas. This harvest is in response to mountain pine beetle mortality. The harvests on private land have been conducted with approval of the Oregon Department of Forestry in compliance with their regulations for protecting riparian areas. Some projects have been done in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to use dead lodgepole to provide in stream large woody material for habitat enhancement and bank stabilization. Drought The continuing drought conditions over the last decade have caused a reduction in water quantity and in some cases a decrease in water quality. The drought may have caused some mortality of riparian vegetation. Drought is a natural cyclical occurance. However, when coupled with the seasonal fluctuating water levels caused by irrigation withdrawals, the effect may be more significant than drought would be in a stream without water appropriations for irrigation or domestic use. The water levels in streams is regulated by the Oregon Water Resources Department. Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 17 Enforcement of Goal 5 Program 0137-1707 Lack of enforcement of the county Goal 5 program for riparian areas is the most significant factor in the deterioration of riparian habitat on properties with land use actions approved by the county. A task force is currently meeting to review and make recommendations regarding code enforcement department staffing, procedures and priorities. Because of staffing limitations code enforcement is currently limited to responding to complaints. Violations which present a risk to public health or safety are given first priority. Since 1989, the county has received thirty-six complaints regarding violations to the county code on riverfront properties. The complaints include removal of vegetation, fill and removal in wetland, illegal dock construction. Twenty-five of the cases have been closed because of compliance. The remaining 11 cases are active; three citations have been issued. Septic System Approvals The County Environmental Health Division is responsible for enforcing the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality regulations for on-site sewage disposal systems. The cumulative effect on water quality as a result of the county administration of DEQ regulations has been positive. The county has denied 181 new site evaluation applications in the south county. Twenty-nine of the denials are on riverfront properties. The county sometimes re-evaluates previously approved site evaluations at the time a septic installation application is made. In the south county, since 1991, eighty lots previously approved have been denied because of implementation of DEQ regulations and more knowledge about the soil and hydrology of the area. Based on the existing rate of denial and research done on the soils and water table, a number of the un -evaluated lots will be denied for placement of septic systems. 15. The Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners directed staff to consider rezoning flood plain along Indian Ford Creek as part of cumulative effects analysis. On August 17, 1994, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff met with county staff to discuss the planned flood plain mapping project in the county. In the late 1980's, the county requested FEMA to map the flood plain along a five mile stretch of the Deschutes River south of Sunriver. FEMA has funding and is ready to begin that flood study and mapping project. County staff asked if it would be possible to add an additional three miles of Indian Ford Creek to the scheduled mapping project. FEMA responded that Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 18 0137-1708 there was not funding to complete additional unscheduled mapping at this time. Mapping options for Indian Ford Creek flood plain are: a. The Board of County Commissioners could make a formal request to FEMA to map the Indian Ford Creek flood plain. This could take from three to five years to fund and complete. b. The flood study and map could be completed by a contractor. A private contractor could be hired by the county or by a private party. FEMA would review a flood study and flood plain map completed by a qualified contractor if the mapping was done to meet FEMA specifications. There is no evidence that any proposed or existing structural development has occurred in the flood plain or wetland of Indian Ford Creek. Therefore, no negative cumulative effect has occurred in the riparian area due to lack of flood plain designation on Indian Ford Creek. Flood plain zoning requires a conditional use permit for most new development located within the flood plain. There is extensive wetland mapped by the US Fish and Wildlife Service on the National Wetland Inventory maps for Indian Ford Creek. This wetland area is subject to the county fill and removal regulations. Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 19 0137--1769 TABLE 1 PROPERTIES/APPLICATIONS IN RIPARIAN AREAS JULY 1986 THROUGH DECEMBER 1992 ADDRESS TOWNSHIP FILE NUMBER DESCHUTES RIVER: 70585 NW 89th Ct. 14-12-15A/300 LM -90-68 * 70595 NW 89th Pl. 14-12-15A/200 LM -92-5 * 6460 NW Atkinson Rd. 14-12-36B/3200 LM -92-12 6110 NW Yucca Ave. 14-12-36B/2100 LM -91-30 * 1731 NW 57th Way 15-12-01D/1500 LM -92-164 * 627 NW 67th St. 15-12-11D/300 LM -92-115 6145 NW Kingwood Ave 15-12-12/300 LM -92-68 60769 River Bend Dr. 18-11-23A/600 LM -90-47 60755 River Bend Dr. 18-11-23A/900 LM -90-8 18821 Baker Rd. 18-11-23C/700 LM -91-114 56332 Solar Dr. 20-10-13A/25600 LM -92-72 * 56316 Solar Dr. 20-10-13A/25400 LM -90-87 56296 Solar Dr. 20-10-13A/25100 LM -89-22 17066 Blue Heron Dr. 20-10-13D/22500 LM -90-76 * 17064 Blue Heron Dr. 20-10-13D/22600 LM -90-25 55943 Wood Duck Ct. 20-10-24A/4600 LM -88-4 * 55919 Wood Duck Dr. 20-10-24A/6200 LM -91-1 * 55915 Wood Duck Dr. 20-10-24A/6400 LM -90-46 of of of LM -91-20 55907 Wood Duck Dr. 20-10-24A/6800 LM -90-70 * 17187 Blue Heron Dr. 20-10-24A/300 LM -90-41 * 55695 Gatehouse Ln. 20-10-24A/303 LM -91-135 17165 Blue Heron Dr. 20-10-24A/700 LM -91-122 * 17105 Blue Heron Dr. 20-10-24A/1600 LM -92-26 17049 Blue Heron Dr. 20-10-24A/2300 LM -90-55 55945 Wood Duck Dr. 20-10-24A/5200 LM -92-162 16970 Spikerman Ct. 20-10-24C/103 LM -89-13 16879 Pony Express Way 20-10-24C/700 LM -91-111 16831 Pony Express Way 20-10-24C/1700 LM -92-153 * 55697 Big River Dr. 20-10-25B/900 LM -91-31 55693 Big River Dr. 20-10-25B/1000 LM -90-82 * 55080 Forest Ln. 20-10-25B/3800 LM -90-59 * 55367 Big River Rd. 20-10-26D/6300 LM -91-84 * 55128 Forest Ln. 20-10-35B/3300 LM -92-120 16489 Beaver Dr. 20-10-35B/3800 LM -90-93 16523 Beaver Dr. 20-10-35B/7100 LM -91-92 * 54978 Mallard Dr. 20-10-35C/4300 LM -90-83 56668 Lunar Dr. 20-11-07B/2300 LM -92-82 56648 Lunar Dr. 20-11-07B/2600 LM -89-20 * 56528 Eclipse Dr. 20-11-07C/3300 LM -90-34 it of to LM -90-71 * 56424 Eclipse Dr. 20-11-07C/5100 LM -90-98 * SITE VISIT COMPLETE Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 20 0137-1770 ADDRESS TOWNSHIP FILE NUMBER DESCHUTES RIVER - Continued 17288 Merganser Dr. 20-11-18B/6700 LM -91-21 * 17304 Merganser Dr. 20-11-18B/6400 LM -90-11 * 17252 Merganser 20-11-18B/7400 LM -90-40 * 17216 Merganser Dr. 20-11-18B/8200 LM -90-57 17217 Merganser Dr. 20-11-18B/8300 LM -91-136 17231 Merganser Dr. 20-11-18B/9100 LM -90-69 17265 Merganser Dr. 20-11-18B/9900 LM -90-103 56025 Snow Goose Rd. 20-11-18C/6700 LM -92-169 * 17208 Crane Dr. 20-11-18C/7300 LM -91-60 14323 Burgess Rd. 20-11-18C/600 LM -92-163 * 55959 Wood Duck Dr. 20-11-19B/24600 LM -92-43 * 54783 Red Fox Ln. 21-10-02B/1900 LM -92-90 * 54679 Silver Fox Dr. 21-10-03A/800 LM -91-94 * 54611 Silver Fox Dr. 21-10-03A/2900 LM -91-39 * 16319 Sheep Ln. 21-10-10A/1000 LM -90-63 * 19962 Juniper Ln. 16-12-31D/6400 LM -91-6 if it of of SP -91-3 17056 Blue Heron Dr. 20-10-13D/2280 5E-90-8 55841 Wood Duck Rd. 20-10-24A/8700 SE -90-3 * 55519 Big River Dr. 20-10-26A SE -91-2 * 55950 Wood Duck Dr. 20-10-24A/4400 5E-91-3 go of of it CU -91-101 it of it if LM -91-76 * 16485 Beaver Dr. 20-10-35B 5E-91-6 to of to of LM -91-137 * 56484 Eclipse Dr. 20-11-07C/3900 SE -91-4 if it If of CU -91-119 * 56051 Snow Goose Dr. 20-11-18C/6300 SE -88-3 * 70000 83rd St. (Rdmd) 14-12-22D/500 CU -87-58 3031 SW 58th St. 15-12-25/400 CU -89-145 67406 Cline Falls Rd. 15-12-36B/4200 CU -91-106 * 8097 SW 77th St. 16-12-1OD/100 CU -90-13 it of it n 124-90-3 * 56462 Eclipse Dr. 16-12-31D/300 CU -88-140 * 55949 Wood Duck Ct. 20-10-24A/4500 CU -91-24 17205 Milky Way 20-11-18C/1800 CU -92-149 * 7433 SW 77th 16-12-10/101 CU -90-212 of it If to LM -90-101 * 17153 Milky Way 20-10-13D/1970 CU -90-185 It of to if LM -90-79 * 17196 Crane Dr. 20-10-13D/22500 LM -90-30 * 55937 Wood Duck Ct. 20-10-24A/4700 CU -90-166 it of It of LM -90-62 * 55645 Gatehouse Ln 20-10-24C/306 CU -91-79 * 55006 Mallard Dr. 20-10-35B/1080 CU -91-163 of of of it LM -91-123 * 17258 Merganser Dr. 20-11-18B/7300 CU -92-179 of 11 If if LM -92-157 * 17410 Spring River Rd. 20-11-00/800 TP -90-741 * SITE VISIT COMPLETE Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 21 0137-1771 ADDRESS TOWNSHIP FILE NUMBER LITTLE DESCHUTES RIVER: 56175 School House Rd. 20-11-17C/100 LM -92-87 * 55563 Huntington Rd. 20-11-30A LM -91-12 * 55117 Huntington Rd. 20-11-31A LM -92-103 * 55098 Lazy River Dr. 20-11-31B/800 LM -91-139 * 55066 Lazy River Dr. 20-11-31B/1100 LM -92-92 * 53428 Bridge Dr. 21-10-23A/3100 LM -90-19 * 55031 Huntington Rd. 21-11-31A/800 LM -91-4 * 17600 Vandevert Rd. 20-11/1900 CU -90-198 " of of of TP -92-779 55550 Lazy River Dr. 20-11-30A/1500 VL -91-1 * 55031 Huntington Rd. 20-11-31A/800 LM -91-4 * 55015 Huntington Rd. 20-11-31C/200 LM -92-39 * 16768 Donner Pl. 21-10-23D/1700 LM -92-143 * 17340 Mike Ct. 20-11-31C CU -90-59 * 17336 Mink Ct. 20-11-31C/2200 CU -90-114 * 53567 Riverview Dr. 21-10-23A/800 CU -89-106 it if " of CU -91-99 53835 Bridge Ct. 22-10/208 CU -92-95 SPRING RIVER: * 56824 Besson Rd. 20-10-01CD/3100 SE -90-1 * 16550 Skyliner Rd. 18-10-02/302 LM -92-10 * 16318 Skyliner Dr. 18-10-10AA/1100 SE -91-1 It of it " CU -91-49 it to if " LM -92-33 * 16292 Skyliner Dr. 18-10-10AB/1400 SE -87-7 of it of it CU -87-96 SQUAW CREEK: * 17423 Mountain View Rd. 14-11-19D/900 LM -92-134 * 16220 Hwy. #126 (Sis) 15-10-10/100 LM -92-116 of of If it SP -92-119 * 69300 Hawks Flight Dr. 14-10-35C/1700 CU -90-141 to If of it TP -89-712 INDIAN FORD CREEK: * 69750 Camp Polk Rd. 14-10-27C/7000 CU -92-190 of of it of MP -92-61 * SITE VISIT COMPLETE Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 22 ADDRESS 1a:1NM1171&1N11�i * 15016 Fall River Dr. * 15080 Fall River Dr. * 15084 E. River Loop Rd. * 15124 E. River Loop Dr. If of DRY RIVER: 26600 Hwy #20 * SITE VISIT COMPLETE TOWNSHIP 20-10-31D/301 20-10-31D/700 20-10-31D/800 20-10-31D/301 it of 18-14/1400 0137-17"12 L40AABZ il� :rl: LM -90-5 SE -88-4 5E-90-5 SE -89-14 LM -92-7 CU• -91-96 Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 23 0137-1773 3 Table 2 RIPARIAN AREAS AND LAND USE APPLICATIONS Stream Private Miles Federal Miles Applications Deschutes River 46 29 78 Little Deschutes 21 0 16 Tumalo Creek 11 2 3 Squaw Creek 10 15 3 Indian Ford Creek 6 3 1 Crooked River 5 0 0 Three Creek 4 4 0 Trout Creek 4 4 0 Paulina 4 8 0 Bull Creek 4 6 0 Fall River 3 4 4 Dry River 3 24 1 Dry Creek 2 4 0 Cache Creek 2 5 0 Spring River 1 0 1 TOTALS: 126 108 107 The remaining 15 inventoried streams are entirely on federal land and include approximately 52 miles of stream. Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 24 TABLE 3 RIPARIAN HABITAT CHANGE CD. LUTS. R I P TAXMAP....... HAB I TAT. CHC CNT COND. MET? CUB6140 201107CO04300 D 1 N CU90166 201024AO04700 D 1 N * 2 CU90198 2011000001900 I 1 Y CU9199 211023P000800 I 1 Y * 2 CU8758 141222DO00500 S 1 Y CU90114 201131C002200 S 1 Y CU9013 161210D000100 S 1 Y CU90185 201013DO19700 S 1 Y CU90212 1612100000101 S 1 Y CU9059 201131CO02300 S 1 Y CU91163 201035BO10600 S 1 Y CU9124 201024A004500 S 1 Y CU9179 201024COOG306 S 1 Y CU92179 201118BOO7300 S 1 Y CU92190 141027CO07000 S 1 Y LM9025 201013DO22600 D 1 N LM9098 201107Ce0510e D 1 Y LM91139 2011318000800 D 1 N LM92103 201131A00140e D 1 N LM9239 201131B000200 D 1 N LM9243 2011198024600 D i N �** 6 LM9011 201118BOO6400 I 1 Y LM9292 2011318001100 I 1 Y LM9019 211023AOe310Q@ S 1 Y LM9030 201013D020500 S 1 Y LM9040 201118B007400 S 1 Y LM9041 201024R000300 S 1 Y LMS046 201024ROO6400 S 1 Y LM905 201031DO00301 S 1 Y . LM9057 201118BOe82ee S 1 Y LM9059 201035B003800 S 1 Y LM9063 21101OA001000 S 1 Y LM9071 201107CO03300 S 1 Y LM9063 201035CO04300 S 1 Y LM9087 201013A025400 S I Y LM911 201024A006200 S 1 Y LM91127 20113OA000200 S 1 Y LM91135 201024C000303 S 1 Y LM9131 201025B000900 S 1 Y LM9139 21100 3,AO02900 S 1 Y 0137-17"14 Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 25 TABLE. 3 CD. LUTS. RIP TAXMAP........ HABITAT. CHG CNT COND. MET? LM914 201131AO00800 S' 1 Y LM916 161231DO06400 S 1 Y LM9160 201118CO07300 S 1 Y LM9184 201026DO06300 S 1 Y LM9194 211003A000800 S 1 Y LM9210 1810000000302 S 1 Y LM92115 151211DO00300 S 1 Y LM92116 1510100000100 S 1 Y LM9212 1412368003200 S 1 Y LM92120 2010358003300 S 1 Y LM92134 141119DO00900 S 1 Y LM92143 211023DO01700 S 1 N LM92164 151201D001500 S 1 Y LM9226 201024A001600 S 1 Y LM925 141215AO00200 S 1 Y LM9290 211002BM900 S 1 Y • iFiFi(• 33 SES64 201031DO00700 D SE8914 201031DO07600 D SE914 2011070003900 D SE877 181010ABO1400 S SE883 2011180006300 S SE901 201001CD03100 S SE905 201031D008000 S SE911 181010AA01100 S SE912 2elO26AO09200 S SE913 201024AO04400 S SE916 201035B006400 S TP89712 141035C001700 S TP90741 201106DO08200 S TU9129 211026DO00900 S 1 N 1 N 1 N 3 1 Y 1 Y 1 Y 1 Y 1 Y 1 Y 1 Y 1 Y 1 Y 1 Y 1 Y II 70 013'7-17"15 Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 26 TABLE 4 0137-17"76 VEGETATION ALTERED IN RIPARIAN AREAS CD. LUTS. RIF TAXMAP------- FRE. AREA. ALT POST. AREA- ALT ACRES---- %PRE %POST CU92190 141027CO07000 0.000000 0.000000 1.6528 0 0 CU9758 141222D000500 0.00013130 0.0014}000 0.90013 0 CU90212 1612100000101 0.000000 0.000000 0.5509 0 0 CU9013 161210DO00100 0.00130130 0.0000121+4 0.559 0 n4 CU90185 201013 DO197Q10 0.000000 0. 000000 0.4017 0 0 CU9124 201024A004500 0.000000 0.005210 0.0521 0 10 CU90166 2 01024AO04700 0.000000 0.008190 0. 009 1 0 90 CU9179 201024CO00306 0.023-20 0.023220 0.0258 90 90 CU91163 201035B0i0800 0.0130000 0.000000 1.1478 0 0 CU90198 2011000001700 9.600000 9.600000 96.0000 10 10 CU88140 201107CO04300 0.000000 0.013760 0.0344 0 40 CU92179 2011188007300 0.000000 0.000000 0.0482 0 0 CU90114 201131CO02200 0.000000 0.000000 10.3305 0 0 CU9059 2011310002300 0.000000 0.000000 8.0348 0 0 CU9199 211023A000800 0.000000 0.000000 0.0413 0 0 LM92134 141119DO00900 0.000000 0.0400000 0.13321 0 0 LM925 141215A000200 13.0013000 0.000000 0. 203 0 0 LM9212 141236BOe3200 0.000000 0.000000 0:0688 +6 0 LM92116 1510100000100 0.000000 0.00001313 0.1721 0 0 LM92164 151201D00150f1c . 0.000000 0.000000 0.0482 0 0 LM92115 151211DO00300 0.000000 0.000000 0.055 0 0 LM916 161231DO06400 0.013770 0.013770 0.1377 10 10 L.M9210 lsiee00000302 el. 0000013 0.000000 0.3443 0 0 LM9087 201013AO25400 0.000000 0.000000 0.1[1413 0 0 LM9030 201013D020500 0.000000 0.000000 0.0091 0 0 LM9025 201013D022600 0.00095 0.008550 0.0095 10 90 I�M9041 201024A000300 0.000000 0.000000 0.0188 0 0 LM9226 201024A001600 0.005700 0.005700 0.0057 100 100 LM911 201024AO062etl 0.002980 0.002980 0.0298 10 10 LM9046 201024AO06400 0.0000x8 0.000000 16.0436 0 0 LM91135 201024C000?.03 0.000000 0.000000 0.0401 0 0 LMS131 2010258000900 0.008280 0.008280 0.Q*92 90 90 LM9184 20M26DO06300 0.051030 0.051030 0.0567 90 90 L4905 201031D000301 0.000000 0.0000013 0. e-229 0 0 LM92120 2010358003300 0.000000 0.0(b0000 0.0367 0 0 LM9059 201035EC103600 0.000000 0.0000x0 1}.2295 0 0 LM9083 20le35C0043eG 0.000000 0.000000 0.1005 0 0 U19071 201107C003300 0.022900 0.022900 0.0229 100 100 LM9096 201107C005100 0.000000 0.019410 0.0647 C 30 LM9011 2011188006400 0.000000 0.000000 Q.eZ74 0 0 LM9040 ZOIIIBBZ07400 0.020000 0.000000 0.2172 0 0 LM9057 201118801382013 0.006190 0.008190 13.0091 90 90 LM9160 2011180007300 0.000000 0.000000 0.0137 0 0 LMS24 3 2 01119 EL024600 0.0000210 0.00 5013 0. 0155 LIN 0 1 Q+ L1491127 20113OR000200 0.000000 0.0001300 2.0661 0 0 11914 201 131 A000800 e. +210000141 0. 000200 3.OZOO 0 0 LM92102 2011.31A001400 0.0013000 0.131951'112. 0.03913 13 5 LM9239 201131 B00020e 0.00:'121110 0. 13578713 e. 13643 0 913 LMS 1134 2131131 BOOOSOO 0. 000000 0. 0325130 0. 21325 13 100 LM9292 201131BOO1100 L}. 131321000141.130130014 1 -_9i 0 13 LM9290 2110025004900 0. 0'.00000 0. 01301314113 0. 121872 l 0; a_.h19194 21100.A000800 0.00+21000 0.000000 0.0535 121 fA !_:*191 39 21 1003POO2900 01. 020200 0. 0213200 0. af-MO 10 10 ._1 :`:0C, 31 ._ i 1 01 OAOO! OOO 0- k11Z11l000 0- �1111�1� -:,. G -)S9 1 0 0 Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 27 0137-1777 TABLE 4 VEGETATION ALTERED IN RIPARIAN AREAS CD.LUTS.RIP TAXMAP....... PRE. AREA. ALT POST. AREA. ALT ACRES.... %PRE %POST LM9019 211023 A003100 0.000000 0. 000000 0.1549 0 0 LM92143 211023D00I700 0.000000 0.000000 2.2773 0 0 SE911 181010AA01100 0.000000 0.000000 0.1418 0 0 SE677 181010AB01400 0.000000 0.000000 0.2548 0 0 SE901 201001CD03100 0.000000 0.000000 0.0569 0 0 SE913 201024A004400 0.020000 0.006350 0.0635 0 10 SE912 201026A009200 0.010780 0.010780 0.1078 10 10 SE884 201031D000700 0.000000 0.082640 0.1033 0 80 SE8914 201031D007600 0.000000 0.002180 0.0218 0 10 SE905 201031D008000 0.000000 0.000000 0.0206 0 0 SE916 2010358006400 0.000000 0.000000 0.0826 0 0 SE914 201107MG3900 0.000000 0.006880 0.0344 0 20 SE883 201118C006300 0.012840 0.012840 0.0642 20 20 TP89712 141035C001700 0.000000 0.000000 1.6528 0 0 TP90741 201106D008200 Q!. 000000 0.000000 17..3000 0 0 TU9129 211026D000900 0.000000 0.000000 0.1056 0 0 * *+e 9.780840 lei. 048430 153. 9078 Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 28 TABLE 5 0137-1778 DEVELOPMENT IN WETLAND & FLOOD PLAIN CD.LUTS_RIR TAXMAR....... LOT.WET? CNT LOT.FLOOD? CNT CNT IF DEV DEV.. DEV. BOTH WET FLOOD 1007 CU92190 141027CO07000 Y 1 Y 1 1 N N N CU8758 141222DO00500 N 0 Y 1 0 N N N CU90212 1612100000101 N 0 N 0 0 N N N CU9013 161210DO00100 N 0 Y 1 0 N N N CU90185 201013DO19700 Y 1 Y 1 I N N N CU9124 201024AO04500 N 0 Y 1 0 N Y Y CU90166 20-1024AO04700 Y 1 Y 1 1 N Y N CU9179 201024CO00306 N @ Y 1 0 N" Y Y CU91163 "- 201035B)ZIOS0e Y 1 Y 1 1 N Y N CU90198 2011000001900 Y 1 Y 1 1 Y Y Y CU88140 201107CO04300 N 0 Y 1 0 N Y N CU92179 201118B007300 N 0 Y 1 0 N Y N CU90114 201131CO02200 Y 1 Y 1 1 Y Y N CU9059 2011 31C@02300 Y 1 Y I 1 N Y N CU9199 211023A@00800 N 0 N 0 0 N N Y 7 13 7 LM92134 141119DO00900 N 0 N 0 0 N N N LM925 141215R000200 N 0 Y 1 0 N N N LM9212 1412368003200 N 0 Y 1 0 N N N LM92116 1510100000100 Y 1 Y 1 1 N N N LM92164 151201De015ee N 0 Y i 0 N N N LM92115 151211D@00300 N 0 Y 1 0 N N N LM916 161231D@06400 Y 1 Y 1 1 N N N LM9210 1810000000302 N 0 N 0 0 N N N LM9087 2010138025400 N 0 N 0 0 N N• N LM9e3e 201@13D@2050@ N 0 N 0 0 N N N LM9025 2 0101.?,DO22603 N e Y 1 0 N N N LM9041 201024A@@@300 N 0 Y 1 0 N N N LM9226 201024ROO1600 N 0 Y I 0 N N N LM911 201024A@@6200 N 0 N 0 @_ N,_ N N LM9046 201024A0064@@ Y 1 Y 1 1 .N Y N LM91135 20W24C000303 N 0 Y 1 0 N N N LM9131 20102580009@e N 0 N 0 0 N N N LM9184 201026M0630e N 0 Y 1 0 N N N LM905 201031DO00301 N 0 N 0 0 N N N LM92120 201035B003300 N 0 Y 1 0 N N N LM9059 2e1035B@03800 Y 1 N e @ N N N LM9083 201@35C004300 Y 1 Y 1 1 N N N LM9e71 201107CO03300 N 0 Y 1 0 'N Y N LM9098 201107C0051@@ N 0 Y 1 @ N N N LM9011 2011188006400 N 0 N 0 0 N N N LM9040 2011188007400 N 0 Y 1 0 N N N LM9057 2011188008200 N 0 N 0 e N N Y LM9160 201116CO07300 N 0 N 0 0 N N N LM9243 2011198024600 Y 1 Y 1 1 N Y N LM91127 201130AZOO200 Y i Y i 1 N N N LM914 201131AO00600 Y 1 Y 1 1 N N N LM92103 201131A001400 Y 1 Y 1 1 N N N LM9239 2011318000200 Y 1 Y 1 1 N N N LM91139 201131B000800 Y 1 Y i 1 N N N LM9292 2011318001100 Y 1 Y 1 1 N N N LM9290 2110028001900 Y 1 Y 1 1 N N N Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 29 0137-1779 TABLE 5 Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 30 DEVELOPMENT INWETLAND & FLOOD PLAIN CD.LUTS.RIP TAXMAR....... LOT.WET? CNT LOT.FLOOD? CNT CNT IF DEV DEV.. DEV_ BOTH WET FLOOD 1001 LM9194 211003A000800 N 0 N 0 0 N N N LM9139 211003ROO2900 Y 1 Y 1 1 N N N LM9063 211010A001000 Y 1 Y 1 1 N N N LM9019 211023A003100"Y 1 Y 1 1 N N N LM92143 211023DO01700 Y 1 Y 1 I N N N * 17 29 16 SE911 181010AA01100 N 0 N 0 0 N N Y SE877 181010AB01400 N 0 N 0 0 N N Y SE901 201001CDO3100 Y 1 Y 1 1 N N Y SE913 201024ROO4400 N 0 Y 1 0 N Y Y SE912 2010268009200 N 0 N 0 0 N N Y SES84 201031DO00700 Y 1 N 0 0 N N Y SES914 201031DO07600 N 0 N 0 0 N N Y SE905 201031DOO8000 N 0 N 0 0 N N Y SE916 201035BOO6400 Y 1 Y 1 1 N N Y SE914 201107CO03900 Y 1 Y 1 1 N N Y SE883 201118C006300 Y 1 Y 1 1 N N Y 5 5 4 TP89712 141035CO01700 Y 1 Y 1 1 N N N TP90741 201106DO08200 Y 1 Y 1 1 N N N 2 2 2 TU9129 211026DO00900 N 0 Y 1 0 N N N 0 1 0 ** 31 50 29 Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 30 APPENDIX A 0137-1780 RIPARIAN AREA - ESEE FINDINGS AND DECISION Inventory Riparian areas are areas adjacent to rivers, streams, lakes or ponds where there is vegetation that requires free or unbound water or conditions that are more moist than normal. Riparian areas form an interconnected system within a watershed. At the water's edge they define the transition zone between aquatic systems and terrestrial systems. Riparian areas often contain a diversity of vegetation not found in upland areas. Riparian areas are limited in Deschutes County and are important habitats for both fish and wildlife. In Deschutes County significant riparian habitat is located in one or more of the following three areas: 1. The area within 100 feet of the ordinary high water mark of an inventoried river or stream. The 100 foot wide area may contain both riparian vegetation and upland vegetation. Wetlands and flood plain are also frequently within 100 feet of a stream or river. In some cases the riparian vegetation may extend beyond 100 feet from the ordinary high water mark if it is a designated wetland or flood plain. In forested areas, the Oregon Department of Forestry identifies the riparian management area along Class 1 streams as an area on each side of a stream averaging three times the stream width but not averaging less than 25 feet or more than one hundred feet. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Land Use Planning Guide contains a section identifying protection policies and standards for various habitats and species. The recommended model ordinance for riparian areas in the handbook identifies a 100 foot area as measured from the ordinary high water line of all Class I and Class II streams. 2. The area adjacent to an inventoried river or stream and located within a flood plain mapped by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and zoned Flood Plain by the county. The flood plain may extend beyond 100 feet from the ordinary high water mark of the stream and may contain wetland. Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 31 0137-1781 3. The area adjacent to a river or stream and inventoried as a wetland on the National Wetlands Inventory Map. A riparian wetland may extend beyond 100 feet from the ordinary high water mark and may be included in a flood plain. The county has not conducted an inventory of riparian areas adjacent to lakes and ponds on private land. However, many of these areas are included in the National Wetland Inventory Maps and are subject to County, State and/or Federal wetland fill and removal regulations. Riparian areas adjacent to the many lakes on federal lands are managed and protected under the federal land and resource management plans and are not included in the county inventory and are not considered in the ESEE analysis of conflicting uses. The three areas described above are further identified in the Deschutes County/City of Bend River Study, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Plain maps, the U.S. Department of the Interior National Wetlands Inventory maps, the Deschutes County Year 2000 Comprehensive Plan and Title 18 of the Deschutes County Code. Deschutes County/City of Bend River Study The Deschutes County/City of Bend River Study (1986) inventoried the following significant riparian habitat and completed an ESEE analysis of this habitat. The River Study inventory and ESEE analysis for riparian habitat are incorporated herein by reference. The River Study resulted in adoption of a 100 foot setback for structures and septic systems, fill and removal regulations, provisions for conservation easements and prohibition of hydro -electric facilities on certain reaches of the Deschutes River and its tributaries. Riparian Area Inventoried In River Study (Table 6-2) STREAMS ACRES Deschutes River 1,440 Little Deschutes River 2,920 Paulina Creek 846 Fall River 43 Crooked River 38 Squaw Creek 47 Tumalo Creek 50 Indian Ford Creek 573 5,966 Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 32 FEMA Maps The Federal Emergency Management plain adjacent to the following flood plain along these rivers Plain (FP) by Deschutes County. 0137-1782 Agency (FEMA) maps flood rivers and streams. The and streams is zoned Flood Deschutes River Long Prairie Little Deschutes River Dry River Squaw Creek Spring River Crooked River Indian Ford Creek Paulina Creek Portions of Indian Ford Creek and the Deschutes River near Sunriver have not been surveyed and mapped by FEMA. These areas are not zoned flood plain. However, the Flood Plain Zone, Title 18.96.020, states: "When base flood elevation data has not been provided in the flood insurance study, the Planning Division will obtain, review and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation or flood way data available from federal, state or other sources in determining the location of a flood plain or flood way." National Wetlands Inventory Maps The U.S. Department of Interior National Wetlands Inventory Maps are the county inventory of wetland habitat. These mapped wetlands are subject to county, state and federal fill and removal regulations. Deschutes County Year 2000 Comprehensive Plan The Deschutes County Year 2000 Comprehensive Plan, adopted in 1979, mapped riparian areas along the following rivers and streams. '-` River or Stream Ownership Deschutes River Private/Federal Little Deschutes River Private/Federal Fall River Private/Federal Tumalo Creek Private/Federal Three Creek Private/Federal Squaw Creek Private/Federal Trout Creek Private/Federal Dry Creek Private/Federal Cache Creek Private/Federal Indian Ford Creek Private/Federal Cultus River Federal Charlton Creek Federal Deer Creek Federal Cultus Creek Federal Quinn Creek Federal Fall Creek Federal Moore Creek Federal Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 33 Title 18.88, the Wildlife Area provision which required advic of Fish and Wildlife to determ these mapped riparian areas. from Title 18.88 by Ordinance clear and objective standard. was repealed and replaced with Zone Map that does not include 0137-1783 Combining Zone, contained a e from the Oregon Department ine the minimum lot sizes in This provision was deleted 92-042 because it was not a The Comprehensive Plan map a Wildlife Habitat Combining mapped riparian areas. Title 18 - Deschutes County Zoning Ordinance Title 18.04.030 of the Deschutes County Code includes the following streams in the definition of "perennial stream." These streams, in addition to all those listed above, are subject to the 100 foot setback for structures and septic systems. Perennial Streams Listed in Title 18.04.030 Alder Creek Bottle Creek Bridge Creek Brush Draw Bull Creek Cache Creek Charlton Creek Cultus Creek Cultus River Deer Creek Dry Creek Fall Creek First Creek Full Creek Goose Creek Indian Ford Creek Jack Creek Kaleetan Creek Lake Creek - Middle Fork Metolius Creek Park Creek - East Fork Park Creek - West Fork Pole Creek Rock Creek Snow Creek Soap Creek Spring Creek Soda Crater Creek Squaw Creek - North Fork Three Creek Todd Lake Creek Trout Creek Tumalo Creek - North Fork Tumalo Creek - Middle Fork Tumalo Creek - South Fork All of these streams, except portions of Indian Ford Creek, Cache Creek and Dry Creek, are located on federal land and are subject to either the Deschutes National Forest or the Bureau of Land Management Resource Management Plans. Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 34 Location. Ouality and Ouantity 0137-1784 The extent of riparian area varies depending on the soil, terrain, aspect, vegetation and hydrology. In the south county, there are extensive areas of flood plain and wetland adjacent to the Deschutes and Little Deschutes Rivers. In the north county, where the Deschutes, Crooked River and Squaw Creek are located in canyons, the riparian area is typically a narrow band confined by the canyon. Native wildlife depend on the limited riparian habitat. According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 37 percent of reptiles, 46 percent of birds and 69 percent of mammals use riparian habitat. Riparian areas are essential habitat for waterfowl and significant habitat for upland game birds including grouse, quail, mourning doves and pheasants. Many non -game species also depend on the riparian habitat. The riparian vegetation is also an important component of fish habitat to stabilize stream banks and provide shade to maintain desireable water temperatures. The riparian areas are used as migration corridors by deer and are travel corridors for many other species of wildlife. The quality of the riparian areas is poor in some areas of the south county where extensive development on small lots has occurred along the Deschutes and Little Deschutes Rivers. Some land owners have removed native vegetation to the river's edge and constructed retaining walls and docks, planted lawns or have removed vegetation to enhance their view of the river. Some grazing damage has occurred on isolated private tracts in the canyons of the Deschutes River and Squaw Creek and along Indian Ford Creek and the Little Deschutes River. However, where residential development or grazing has not occurred adjacent to the streams, the riparian vegetation is•generally in fair to good condition. The water level in the Deschutes River fluctuates because of storage and release of water for irrigation from Wickiup and Crane Prairie Reservoirs. The fluctuating water flows cause erosion and increased turbidity. Low flows during the fall and winter greatly diminish the size of wetted area and can render cover near the banks unsuitable for fish habitat. The low flows also create unstable streambank conditions leading to erosion. The timing and velocity of high flows during the spring and summer reduce the potential for revegetation of stream banks. In forested riparian areas the width of the significant habitat area depends on the size (class) of the stream. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) defines riparian habitat in three classifications: riparian area, riparian area of influence and riparian management area. The ODF riparian area is the wet soil area next to streams lakes, and wetlands. These areas have high water tables and soils which Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 35 0137-1785 exhibit characteristics of wetness. Water loving plants are often associated with these areas. The ODF riparian area of influence is the transition area between the riparian area and upland vegetation. It contains trees which may provide shade or contribute fine or large woody material or terrestrial insects to a stream. It also may contain trees that provide habitat for wildlife associated with the riparian management area. The ODF riparian management area is the area subject to the regulations in the Forest Practices Act administered by the the Oregon Department of Forestry along class I streams. The width of the riparian management area on each side of the stream is 3 times the width of the streams but not less than 25 feet or greater than 100 feet. This area usually includes a riparian area and riparian area of influence. Commercial forest harvest operations are subject to the State Forest Practices Act and are not regulated by the county. Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 36 0137-1780 Conflicting Uses Determination Conflicting uses identified include: 1. Fill and removal of material, including vegetation, which could cause reduction in the size, quality or function of riparian habitat or cause destruction or degradation of the riparian vegetation. 2. Locating structural development in riparian areas can reduce the habitat and the use of structures could cause conflicts such as harassment or disturbance of wildlife dependent on the habitat. 3. Cutting of riparian vegetation can remove important shade from streams needed to maintain water temperature for fish, eliminate habitat for various' waterfowl, furbearers, and nongame bird species and can also increase the potential for erosion or bank instability in riparian areas. The county does not regulate commercial forest practices; they are regulated by the Oregon Department of Forestry. 4. Hydroelectric development can alter or destroy riparian habitat. 5. Locating septic systems in riparian area could cause pollution of ground and surface water systems. The potential for this conflict depends on the characteristics of the soil and hydrology. The Department of Environmental Quality regulates the placement and construction of septicsystems. The purpose of Department of Environmental Quality regulations (OAR 340-71) is to restore and maintain the quality of public waters and to protect the public health and general welfare of the people of the State of Oregon. 6. Recreational use of the riparian area including boat landing areas, formal and informal trails and camping areas can cause soil compaction and destruction of vegetation. 7. Overgrazing can cause bank erosion and destruction of riparian vegetation leading to increased siltation and higher water temperatures. Farm use, including grazing is a permitted use in most zones outside of the rural service centers. ORS 30.930 to 30.947 contains "right to farm" provisions which prohibit right of action or claim for relief based on nuisance or trespass arising from a farm or forest practice. Therefore the county may not be able to regulate grazing activities in EFU or Forest zoned land. Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 37 0137-1787 8. Irrigation water storage, release and diversion alters the natural hydrologic cycles in riparian areas causing erosion and alteration of natural riparian vegetation. The county does not have have control over -storage, release, use or diversion of water. Water flows and water appropriation are regulated and administered by the Oregon Department of Water Resources. 9. Depending on the hydrology and geology of an area, wells in or adjacent to riparian areas could affect hydrology and alter the amount or quality of water in riparian areas. The State Water Resources Department enforces state statute (ORS 537) and administrative rules (OAR 690) regarding construction and maintenance of wells. ORS 537.769 prohibits adoption of any ordinance, order or regulation by a local government to regulate the inspection or construction of wells. 10. Increase in density of residential lots in or adjacent to riparian areas could result in a decrease of habitat effectiveness because of disturbance to wildlife. The minimum lot size for land adjacent to riparian areas outside of urban growth boundaries and rural service centers is determined by zone as follows: ZONE MINI4UN LOT SIZE Exclusive Farm Use Farm Parcel Nonfarm Parcel Forest Zone Multiple Use Agriculture Rural Residential Flood Plain Exception area Non -exception area 23 acres irrigated land or more 20 acres 80 acres 10 acres 10 acres 10 acres 80 acres The Board finds that new parcels meeting the minimum lot size in the resource zones (Exclusive Farm Use, Forest, Non -exception Flood Plain) will not cause an increase in residential density that would conflict with riparian habitat values. Fifty-one new 10 acre parcels could potentially be created in the Rural Residential, Multiple Use Agriculture and Flood Plain zone found adjacent to inventoried riparian areas. This number does not include a 376 acre property along Tumalo Creek with over a mile of creek frontage. The potential land divisions are distributed as follows: Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 38 .m LOCATION Squaw Creek Indian Ford Creek Little Deschutes River Deschutes North of Bend Deschutes South of Bend Tumalo Creek 0137-1788 14 16 4 5 12 Undeveloped 376 acre parcel, One mile of creek frontage Creation of new 10 acre parcels would not significantly increase the overall density of residential use adjacent to riparian areas because the areas where new parcels could be created, with the exception of Tumalo Creek, are already divided into lots considerably smaller than 10 acres. Economic. Social, Environmental and Energy Consequences of Conflicting Uses Although there may be economic, social, environmental and energy consequences of 1) permitting or limiting water flow; 2) grazing in the Exclusive Farm Use zones; 3) the number and location of wells; or 4) commercial forest practices in riparian areas, regulation of these conflicting uses is not within the jurisdiction of the county. Therefore, the following ESEE analysis does not consider the consequences of permitting or limiting these conflicting uses. Economic Consequences: A positive economic the protection of fish and wildlife consequence habitat which populations, natural quality of the areas. areas are a main reason tourists of limiting conflicting uses is will maintain or increase the vegetation diversity and the Abundant wildlife and natural visit the county. The maintenance of riparian habitat may increase the value of private property because of the aesthetic values often associated with natural areas and wildlife. However, requiring retention of riparian vegetation on residential land adjacent to rivers and streams may reduce the value of the property depending on the preferences of potential buyers. An economic consequence of limiting removal of riparian vegetation including timber could be a reduction in material available for the timber industry. Prohibiting forest management in riparian areas could also increase the incidence of tree mortality and fire hazard due to insect infestation which could result in increase cost for controlling wildfire. Maintaining riparian vegetation can stabilize stream banks and thereby prevent loss of land due to erosion. Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 39 0137-1783 Restricting or regulating recreational development in riparian areas could have an economic consequence because fewer sites would be available for tourists. Owners of property zoned for 10 acre minimum lot sizes would face a reduction in the potential value of their property if they were prohibited from dividing their property adjacent to riparian areas. Social Consequences: The positive social consequence of limiting conflicting uses is the protection of habitat which has aesthetic qualities appreciated by both county residents and tourists. Limiting conflicting uses also helps maintain wildlife populations which are valued by county residents and visitors. Limiting conflicting uses such as docks, decks, and other structures could prevent someone from developing their property in a manner they desire. Restricting removal of native vegetation may prevent property owners from increasing their view of a river or stream or prevent them from developing introduced landscaping including lawns. Limiting public improvements such as trails, campgrounds, public boat launching facilities could result in more crowding in existing facilities and an inability to expand existing or develop new facilities for recreation. Limiting land division in exception areas to create new parcels in, or adjacent to, riparian areas would have a social consequence of reducing the number of potential homesites in areas that are zoned for residential development. The positive social consequence would be retention of larger areas of open space free from development. The current minimum lot size in exception areas is 10 acres. In the Rural Residential and Multiple Use Agriculture Zone (exception areas) there is the potential to create a approximately 51 new parcels adjacent to riparian areas. However, it is unlikely that this many new parcels will be created because of limitations of topography, access and flood plain and the desire of owners for parcels larger than 10 acres. Environmental Consequences: The environmental consequences of limiting conflicts with riparian habitat are positive. The habitat would be retained or enhanced which results in stable and diverse fish and wildlife populations and high water quality for fish. Limiting fill and removal activities associated with construction projects and stream bank stabilization will maintain water quality for people and wildlife. Strictly prohibiting management of forest vegetation in riparian areas could lead to increased fire hazard due to increased fuel Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 40 0137-1700 build up and tree mortality from insect infestations. Wildfire could be an environmental consequence leading to destruction of vegetation and damage to soil causing increased erosion. Energy Consequences: Limiting hydroelectric development as a conflicting use could reduce the opportunity for hydroelectric energy production and require that power be produced from other sources. Additional information and ESEE analysis is provided in the Deschutes County/City of Bend River Study, Chapter 6 and the River Study Staff Report which are incorporated herein by reference. Conclusion• Based on the above ESEE analysis and the ESEE analysis found in the Deschutes County/City of Bend River Study, consequences should be balanced to allow the conflicting uses but in a limited way in order to protect the resource to the desired extent (OAR 660-16-010(3)). Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 41 Program To Achieve Goal 5 For Riparian Habitat 0137-17SA Policies and Goals The Deschutes County/City of Bend River Study resulted in the amendment of the Comprehensive Plan to include a chapter entitled Deschutes River Corridor (Ordinance 86-019). Goals and policies in the Water Resource, Open Space, Recreation, Fish, and Wildlife sections of this chapter address riparian habitat protection and enhancement. The Fish and Wildlife chapter of the Comprehensive Plan has a policy (Policy #15) to retain and encourage public ownership of significant fish and wildlife habitat and riparian areas. The Water Resources chapter contains policies to protect water quality and reduce erosion (Policy #9). Zoning Ordinance Deschutes County has numerous zoning regulations which serve to protect the riparian resource. Not every regulation applies to every inventoried stream. Some of these regulations were adopted primarily to protect other Goal 5 resources; however, they also provide some protection of riparian resources as well. For example, the Landscape Management Zone (LM) was adopted to protect scenic and open space values as seen from the designated rivers and streams, but it also has provisions to retain riparian vegetation with a conservation easement within 10 feet of the ordinary high water mark. The fill and removal regulations protect wetlands which are frequently riparian areas. Other regulations such as flood plain restrictions were adopted to reduce hazards but also serve to prohibit most development in riparian areas which are also flood plain zones. The regulations which apply to conflicting uses in riparian areas are discussed below along with a description of the rivers and streams where each regulation applies. The following two provisions apply to all rivers and streams identified in the inventory: 1. In all zones the county zoning ordinance requires a 100 foot setback from the ordinary high water mark of all streams or lakes for all sewage disposal installations and structures. No structures, septic tanks or drain fields are permitted within 100 feet of any inventoried River Study or perennial stream. 2. In all zones a conditional use permit is required for fill and removal of any material, including vegetation, within a wetland or within the bed and banks of an inventoried stream. This provision applies to all wetlands mapped on the National Wetland Inventory Maps. The bed and banks of a stream is defined as the container below full bank stage plus the land 10 feet on either side of the container. Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 42 Flood Plain Zone - Title 18.96 0137,-1792 Where the riparian area is zoned Flood Plain because it is mapped as flood plain on the FEMA maps, the regulations of Title 18.96 apply. Permitted uses in the flood plain are limited to agriculture, forest management, open space, and residential uses not containing structures. Conditional use permits are required for all other uses. One of the specific purposes of the zone is to conserve riparian areas and maintain fish and wildlife resources. The Flood Plain zone also regulates docks and piers and requires a finding that the structure will not cause the deterioration of destruction of wildlife habitat. Landscape Management Zone - Title 18.84 The following rivers and streams are designated as Landscape Management streams and are subject to the provisions of Title 18.84, the Landscape Management Combining Zone. Deschutes River Little Deschutes River Squaw Creek Crooked River Tumalo Creek Paulina Creek Title 18.84.080(1) requires retention of vegetation to screen development which would be visible from the designated river or stream. This provision may protect riparian vegetation. The zone includes land within 1320 feet of a state scenic waterway (segments of Deschutes River) or a federal Wild and Scenic River (segments of Deschutes River and Squaw Creek), or within 660 feet of the other rivers and streams identified as landscape management. Title 18.84.080.(10) requires a conservation easement for landscape management site plan reviews adjacent to the landscape management rivers and streams. The conservation easement includes the area 10 feet from the ordinary high water mark of the river or stream. The conservation easements shall not require public access. Other Provisions in Title 18 Title 18.113.070(D), Destination Resort Zone, requires complete mitigation of any loss or net degradation of fish and wildlife resources from destination resort development. Title 18.113.070(E), Destination Resort Zone, requires maintenance of riparian vegetation within 100 feet of streams rivers and significant wetlands in new destination resorts. Title 18.116.220 requires a conservation easement as a condition of approval for all land use actions involving properties adjacent to the Deschutes River, Crooked River, Fall River, Little Deschutes River, Spring River, Paulina Creek Squaw Creek and Tumalo Creek in order to protect natural resources, natural values and water quality. The conservation easement includes Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 43 all property within 10 feet of the ordinary high water mark of the river or stream. 0137"-171'3 J 1'3 Concurrent with the adoption of this inventory pa and ESEE analysis, the Board of County Commissioners has directed the Planning Division to begin the process to amend Title 18.116.220 to add Indian Ford Creek to the list of streams requiring a conservation easement as a condition of approval for land use actions involving properties adjacent to certain streams. Title 18.128(V) establishes criteria for conditional use permits for development of hydroelectric facilities. This provision resulted from the Deschutes County/City of Bend River Study (Ordinance 86-018). The regulations require river enhancement and maintenance or enhancement of existing fish and wildlife habitats. Federal Wild and Scenic River Segments of the Deschutes River and upper Squaw Creek are designated as Federal Scenic Rivers. The U.S. Forest Service is in the process of developing a management plans for the Deschutes River. The county is participating in technical review committees developing the plan. State Scenic Waterway The Deschutes River, except for the portion adjacent to the Sunriver planned development, is designated an Oregon Scenic Waterway. Development within one quarter mile of state scenic waterways is subject to review by the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department to assure compatibility with the scenic values along the river. New dams are prohibited. Although, the principle objective of the State Scenic Waterways is to protect scenic characteristics, a secondary benefit is retention of riparian vegetation for screening and scenic qualities. Commercial Forest Practices Commercial forest practices in riparian areas on private land are regulated by the Oregon Department of Forestry. Riparian area management on federal land is subject to either Bureau of Land Management or U.S. Forest Service land management plans. Agricultural Practices Agricultural practices including grazing are a permitted use in most zones. In the EFU zone, state statute prohibits regulations that make farm practices a nuisance or trespass. Therefore, the county does not regulate farm practices. Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 44 0137-1'794 Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Land Use Planning Guide identifies acceptable riparian protection ordinances in its Riparian Handbook for Planners. One of the referenced ordinances is Deschutes County's. The handbook specifically describes the 100 foot setback for structures and the Landscape Management Combining Zone as measures protecting riparian areas in Deschutes County. Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 45 0137-1705 Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 46 "PENDih I3 0137-17% RsQoXREHMfrS Z- Conditions (from Findings - what was required to protect resource?) u- -Retain Vegetation Y / N b- Plant Vegetation Y / K c- Conservation Easement? Y / K Width d. Setback Di -stance rxox River (OHH) e. Other: Descriptons: 2. Have Habitat Values lcproved? Stayed the Same? Deteriorated? Describe: (How? why?) Riparian Cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 46 Sz= aNFORzQaaON U137 -170I DESGR=ION= Pre -development P"�t-= 0 z_ Development Proposal= Address= Kame: Map. Zone: Paver= State Scenic W' r- Y/2i Federal •R & S? Y/2i Reiland Hap: Fp Hap SiTR VISIT -D=z aST'^ATL Current Aerial Photo f Site Visit Photo? 2. Riparian Veg Description= a. Wetland (NWI)? b. Floodplain (F1RK)? Y / x c_ other streamside? Y-/ x Average Width of Riparian Zone= ft_ Area • sq_ :Et. g Native % Altered ' Unknown Describe: 3.*Adjacent Riparian Habitat: 4. Su=ounding land use 5. Source of Description: Findings & Deci si orL _ Site Plan Applicant Photo Aerial Photo Site Visit twit• ' :i Y �• It Y • Z. Is development in: a. Reiland (NRI)? Y / N b. Floodplain (F1RK)? Y / x c. Zoo ft. Setback? Y / x Average Width of Riparian Zone: Area ft. g Native . *- Altered Describe: 2. Surrounding Habitat: 3. Surrounding tand Use: 4. Code Enforcement Complaints? Y / K Riparian cumulative Effects Study - November 14, 1994 Page 47 F-q;F