The county council has signed and adopted the critical areas ordinance. The code amendments are effective Friday, Feb. 6. To see them, visit http://goo.gl/pqNSXT.

“We hope the adoption of this ordinance will resolve the two remaining Growth Management Act compliance issues identified by the Growth Management Hearings Board. Compliance with the GMA helps keep us eligible for certain state grants,” say county officials.

The amendments: prohibit drainfield lines in wetlands (although someone could apply for a reasonable use approval, and council reduced the fee in 2014 in anticipation of this stricter requirement. Department of Community Development will be developing a mitigation guidance bulletin regarding mitigation); require utilities constructed and installed in developed areas comply with the county’s mitigation sequence and requirements; corrects scriveners’ errors.