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What are the 5 Critical Areas of Conservation?

The Growth Management Act (GMA) requires all cities and counties in Washington to adopt regulations protecting “critical areas” in order to preserve the natural environment, wildlife habitats, and sources of fresh drinking water. Critical area regulation also encourages public safety by limiting development in areas prone to natural hazards like floods and landslides.

RCW 36.70A.030(6) defines five types of critical areas:

Wildlife Habitat

Wildlife protection areas are guided by WDFW's priority habitat species list. Protection of these areas aims to increase fish habitat.

Wetlands

Wetlands are areas saturated by surface or groundwater vegetation.

Frequently Flooded

Areas in the floodplains that are subject to 1% chance of flooding are considered frequently flooded areas.

Aquifer Recharge

Areas that have crucial recharge effect on potable water and recharging aquifers are critical areas.

Geologically Hazardous

Geologically hazardous areas are subject to erosion, sliding, earthquakes, or other geological events.

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