A. The city of Bothell is located in King and Snohomish counties and has a municipal urban growth area (MUGA) in Snohomish County and a potential annexation area (PAA) in King County. The city limits together with the MUGA and PAA are considered Bothell’s planning area.

B. The planning area contains freshwater shorelines associated with Washington State’s Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 8 – Cedar/Sammamish. WRIA 8 encompasses 692 square miles and collects water from two major rivers (Cedar and Sammamish Rivers) before flowing through Lake Union and ultimately into Puget Sound via the Lake Washington Ship Canal and Hiram M. Chittenden locks.

C. Several shoreline units in North Creek and Swamp Creek have moderate functions, and some on North Creek have moderate-high functions. These shorelines would benefit from additional protection. All of the Sammamish River units have somewhat degraded riparian conditions that would benefit from restoration, in addition to protection of existing conditions.

D. All of the shoreline units in Swamp Creek and the Sammamish River have low to low/moderate flood storage potential. North Creek has a history of flooding that has been managed in several areas through installation and maintenance of structural flood hazard reduction measures. Because of existing development along North Creek and the potential for additional increases in peak stream flows, flood hazard reduction, structural and otherwise, is important to consider in the SMP.

E. Adding fill above or below the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) could reduce floodplain and in-stream storage and conveyance functions.

F. High temperatures throughout many of the shoreline units result from degraded vegetation cover. Conservation of existing shoreline vegetation is an essential component to stabilize water temperatures.

G. Fecal coliform and dissolved oxygen levels are the most common water quality impairments within the city’s shoreline jurisdiction. Storm water management and non-point source pollution prevention are key issues to address water quality concerns and avoid further degradation.

H. The Sammamish River has a continuous network of public parks, open space, and trails with a private golf course near the west end of the city. South of 228th Street SE, North Creek shorelines have a fairly continuous corridor of public and private open space and trails. North of 228th Street SE, recreation opportunities are mostly associated with Centennial Park. Swamp Creek is largely developed with residential uses and does not have as much park and recreation space. Private open space is located along some portions of the creek north of 228th Street SW, and public parks are located near Locust Way.

I. There are some known areas of shoreline stabilization on North Creek and the Sammamish River. Armoring typically occurs along the banks at stream/road crossings and outfalls.

J. Several small docks occur along the Sammamish River, but none exist in North Creek or Swamp Creek. While all docks will have some adverse impact on the aquatic conditions around and beneath them, including providing habitat for nonnative and/or predatory fish species, the size, design, and materials will determine the extent of adverse impact on aquatic habitat.

K. Historically, dredging has occurred along the Sammamish River to maintain its flood carrying capacity. Such dredging has resulted in a uniform channel lacking many beneficial habitat features. Removing sediment by dredging, or adding sediment through the disposal of dredge materials without an explicit beneficial purpose and thorough review of adverse impacts is likely to result in unintended, adverse consequences on site or downstream. However, flood management practices should account for the fact that the Sammamish River is a navigable water body that is used by the public for boating and recreation. Navigation impediments exist along the Sammamish River which may jeopardize the river’s ability to accommodate boat traffic.

L. Many of the city’s shoreline units in North Creek presently have moderately well-functioning shoreline habitats, shorelines in Swamp Creek have moderate habitat functions, and the Sammamish River shorelines are generally somewhat degraded. The type of recommended enhancement will vary according to the present conditions, but all of the shoreline units would benefit from shoreline habitat enhancement projects.

M. The most significant boating facility in the city is the Blue Heron Landing on the north bank of the Sammamish River. There are three private motorized boat launching facilities in other locations.

N. The character of the North Creek shoreline is mixed, with reaches of residential areas interspersed with reaches of an office/commercial/industrial pattern. The Swamp Creek land use pattern is predominantly residential with some public and private parks, recreation and open space. The Sammamish River land use pattern is mostly flanked by public and private parks, recreation and open space with occasional residential and commercial uses.

O. Residential development is found along all three shorelines but is concentrated along Swamp Creek. Existing commercial development is common throughout the Bothell shoreline jurisdiction, but is concentrated along North Creek. There are no significant water-dependent or water-related commercial uses in Bothell other than the Blue Heron Landing marina located on the Sammamish River. Industrial development in shoreline jurisdiction is concentrated along North Creek with none of this industry considered water-oriented.

P. Portions of shoreline jurisdiction are forested, particularly the following reaches: Centennial Park, Fitzgerald, Swamp Creek, Sammamish River Park, and Bothell Way Corridor.

Q. Roadways, bridges, and parking areas are located in some portions of the shoreline, including four major transportation features: I-405, SR-527, SR-524, and SR-522.

R. Many shoreline jurisdiction parcels are served by city storm water, water and sewer systems, which may require repair or expansion as development in these areas continues. (Ord. 2112 § 3 (Exh. C), 2013).