§ 8.2.10. Wetland mitigation requirements.

A.

Restoration is required when a wetland or its buffer is altered in violation of law or without specific permission or approval of county commissioners. The following standards apply to restoration of a wetland or buffer area to the maximum extent practicable:

1.

The original wetland configuration must be restored, including its width, depth, length and gradient at the original location;

2.

The original soil type and configuration must be restored;

3.

The wetland edge and buffer area must be restored to its original configuration;

4.

The wetland and buffer must be replanted with species native or adaptive to Larimer County that restores the original vegetation in species composition, size and densities to the maximum extent practicable;

5.

The original wetland functions must be restored, including hydrologic and biologic functions;

6.

The restoration must be accomplished according to a plan prepared by a recognized wetland expert with demonstrated expertise in the field who is acceptable to Larimer County. The property owner is responsible for the expert's fee and cost of restoration. Restoration must be accomplished within 12 months after the alteration of the wetland or buffer area is discovered.

B.

Replacement of a wetland is required when a wetland or buffer is altered or when a wetland is used for a regional retention or detention pond or other use approved by the county commissioners.

C.

Enhancement may be allowed when a wetland or buffer is altered under an approved development proposal but the wetland's biologic or hydrologic functions will be improved as demonstrated in a study by a recognized wetlands expert acceptable to Larimer County.

D.

All approved alterations of wetlands must be mitigated by replacement or enhancement on the site or within the same drainage basin on a one-to-one basis with equivalent or better biologic and hydrologic functions.

E.

Replacement off-site may be allowed if the property owner shows in a study by a recognized wetlands expert acceptable to Larimer County that the off-site location is in the same drainage subbasin as the original wetland; the replacement is on a one-to-one basis by area; and greater biologic and hydrologic functions can be achieved.

F.

Replacement sites must be located to avoid wildlife habitat fragmentation.