16.55.360 Critical aquifer recharge areas designation.
Critical aquifer recharge areas (CARA) are those areas with a critical recharging effect on aquifers used for potable water as defined by WAC 365-190-030(2). CARA have prevailing geologic conditions associated with infiltration rates that create a high potential for contamination of ground water resources or contribute significantly to the replenishment of ground water. These areas include the following:
A. Wellhead Protection Areas. Wellhead protection areas may be defined by the boundaries of the 10-year time of ground water travel or boundaries established using alternate criteria approved by the Washington State Department of Health in those settings where ground water time of travel is not a reasonable delineation criterion, in accordance with WAC 246-290-135.
B. Sole Source Aquifers. Sole source aquifers are areas that have been designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the Federal Safe Water Drinking Act.
C. Susceptible Ground Water Management Areas. Susceptible ground water management areas are areas that have been designated as moderately or highly vulnerable or susceptible in an adopted ground water management program developed pursuant to Chapter 173-100 WAC.
D. Special Protection Areas. Special protection areas are those areas defined by WAC 173-200-090.
E. Moderately or Highly Vulnerable Aquifer Recharge Areas. Aquifer recharge areas that are moderately or highly vulnerable to degradation or depletion because of hydrogeologic characteristics are those areas delineated by a hydrogeologic study prepared in accordance with the State Department of Ecology guidelines.
Based on the criteria and descriptions in subsections (A) through (E) of this section, the city concludes that there are no critical aquifer recharge areas within the city limits and its jurisdiction at the time of adoption of this chapter. Therefore, there are no express regulations affecting this type of critical area within the city.
Regulations pertaining to development within the city within the Lake Whatcom reservoir watershed, a surface drinking water source, are found in Chapter 16.80 BMC. [Ord. 2005-11-092].