Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;font-size:12pt"><DIV><P><SPAN>Shoreline jurisdictions in Bellevue are governed by the Shoreline Master Program (SMP), which applies to water bodies like Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish, Phantom Lake, and Lower Kelsey Creek. Jurisdictions cover areas 200 feet landward from the ordinary high water mark, including floodways, floodplains, and wetlands. The SMP ensures protection of these critical areas, regulating development and managing natural resources to balance ecological health and public access while adhering to state guidelines.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;font-size:12pt"><DIV><DIV><P><SPAN>Hydrologic soil groups classify soils based on their runoff-producing characteristics, while descriptions provide information on soil composition, texture, and other properties. This dataset is vital for understanding soil suitability for various land uses, assessing potential environmental impacts, guiding agricultural practices, and informing stormwater management and erosion control efforts.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></DIV>
Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;font-size:12pt"><DIV><P><SPAN>Displays the Special Floodplain Hazard Area boundaries which includes flood zone A, AE, and AH but removes the floodplain over Phantom Lake, outside of Bellevue and over Lake Sammamish. The data is useful for analyzing the impacts of floodplains on properties, structures, permitting, streams, and potential street/structure flooding.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;font-size:12pt"><DIV><P><SPAN>In Bellevue, the floodway refers to the central channel of a river or stream and adjacent areas that carry the bulk of floodwaters downstream. This zone experiences the highest water velocities and the greatest potential for destructive forces during flooding events. The City of Bellevue implements regulations to prevent flood damage, protect public safety, and minimize environmental impacts.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>Floodways are part of broader floodplain management regulations designed to mitigate the risks of flooding by controlling development and infrastructure improvements in these areas. Structures within floodways are subject to strict standards to ensure they don't increase flood risk for neighboring properties.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;font-size:12pt"><DIV><P><SPAN>In Bellevue, the 500-year floodplain refers to areas with a 0.2% chance of experiencing flooding in any given year. Although less likely to flood than the 100-year floodplain, these zones still face significant flood risks. Properties within the 500-year floodplain, known as moderate-risk areas, may be subject to certain regulations for flood mitigation and might qualify for lower-cost flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>The city uses updated FEMA maps to assess flood risks, and these floodplains are important in planning for public safety, infrastructure protection, and environmental conservation. Floodplain management helps to ensure that development in these areas does not increase flood risks for the community.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;font-size:12pt"><DIV><P><SPAN>This dataset depict slopes greater than 40% with areas greater than 1000 square feet, which is essential for understanding potential landslide risks, informing development regulations, and assessing environmental impacts. It was developed from a DEM that was compiled by the consultant GeoTerra using the 2016 LiDAR.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;font-size:12pt"><DIV><P><SPAN>Winter steelhead are a significant species in Bellevue's aquatic ecosystems, especially within the Kelsey Creek and surrounding watersheds. These watersheds play a critical role in steelhead habitat conservation, as they provide essential spawning and rearing grounds for these fish.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>Efforts to restore and enhance steelhead habitats include removing barriers to fish passage, such as under-road culverts, and improving natural stream conditions. For instance, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has initiated projects like the one at Sunset Creek near I-90 to restore fish passages, which will enhance steelhead and other salmonid species' ability to access important upstream habitats.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>In these waterways, maintaining a healthy ecosystem is crucial for sustaining steelhead populations, as these fish are sensitive to water quality and stream flow conditions.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;font-size:12pt"><DIV><P><SPAN>The National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service program that provides maps and data on the location, size, and type of wetlands across the country. It helps inform environmental planning and conservation efforts by identifying wetlands that are critical for habitat protection, flood control, and water quality maintenance. </SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>In Bellevue, this data is used as a reference point for city planning and environmental regulations, especially in areas with sensitive or critical habitats, including wetlands.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;font-size:12pt"><DIV><DIV><P><SPAN>Displays the locations and names of major streams that are and are not capable of bearing fish in the City of Bellevue area. This dataset contributes to the understanding of local hydrology, water resources, and potential flood risks.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P></DIV></DIV></DIV>
Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;font-size:12pt"><DIV><P><SPAN>Sockeye salmon in Bellevue primarily inhabit the city's streams, including those in the Lake Washington watershed. These habitats provide the clean, cool water and gravelly streambeds that are essential for salmon spawning. Sockeye salmon rely on streamside vegetation and stable stream flows to maintain optimal water quality and oxygen levels. The Kelsey Creek watershed is a significant habitat for salmon in Bellevue, offering both spawning and rearing environments. Bellevue works to protect these critical habitats to support the local salmon population.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><DIV><DIV><P><SPAN>This layer was created by consultants at The Watershed Company, who worked with the City of Bellevue on their Shoreline Management Program (SMP). The SMP (Shoreline Management Program) classifies shoreline areas into six unique environment designations or shoreline use districts. These designations are based on the existing use pattern, the biological and physical character of the shoreline as identified in the Shoreline Inventory and Characterization, and the community goals as expressed in the Bellevue Comprehensive Plan. The six shoreline environments designated in Bellevue are: Aquatic (A), Urban Conservancy (UC), Urban Conservancy-Open Space (UC-OS), Shoreline Residential (SR), Shoreline Residential Canal (SRC), and Recreational Boating (RB).</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P></DIV></DIV></DIV>
Copyright Text: ITD GTS, Heidi Bedwell, Nicholas Matz
Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;font-size:12pt"><DIV><P><SPAN>Shoreline-associated wetlands in Bellevue are critical areas connected to major water bodies like Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish, Phantom Lake, and Lower Kelsey Creek. These wetlands provide vital ecological functions such as water filtration, flood control, and wildlife habitat. They are protected under the Shoreline Master Program, which regulates activities to prevent ecological degradation while supporting balanced development. The wetlands are included in the shoreline jurisdiction, extending 200 feet landward from the ordinary high water mark of these water bodies.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;font-size:12pt"><DIV><P><SPAN>Resident cutthroat trout in Bellevue inhabit the city's extensive stream network, spanning over 80 miles. These streams, along with wetlands and lakes like Phantom and Larsen Lake, offer a critical habitat. The waterways are essential for cutthroat trout as well as other species such as salmon. Wetlands also help slow stormwater runoff, prevent erosion, and maintain ecological balance. Bellevue protects these habitats through regulations, prohibiting activities that could disturb the stream environments and offering volunteer opportunities for conservation efforts.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;font-size:12pt"><DIV><P><SPAN>Rainbow trout in Bellevue's streams primarily inhabit freshwater bodies with cool, well-oxygenated water, thriving in streams and rivers with gravel beds for spawning. They prefer clean, fast-moving streams that have abundant vegetation and cover, such as large woody debris, which offers shelter from predators. The City of Bellevue has conducted stream assessments to monitor habitat conditions and improve conservation efforts for local species, including trout. These assessments inform decisions on managing stormwater and enhancing aquatic habitats.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;font-size:12pt"><DIV><P><SPAN>The Kokanee salmon, a landlocked relative of sockeye salmon, primarily inhabit Lake Sammamish and its tributaries, including Bellevue's streams. Historically, they were abundant in the area, but now their spawning is limited to only a few streams. Significant restoration efforts have been made to support the recovery of these salmon, including partnerships between Bellevue, neighboring cities, King County, and local tribes. Conservation actions focus on enhancing water quality, restoring habitat, and improving stream conditions to help boost their populations.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;font-size:12pt"><DIV><P><SPAN>Fall Chinook salmon in Bellevue primarily spawn in local streams such as Kelsey Creek, Mercer Slough, and Coal Creek. These fish migrate from the Pacific Ocean back to their birth streams to lay eggs, typically between September and November. The salmon require cool, clean water with sufficient oxygen and gravel beds for spawning. Bellevue's habitat restoration efforts, particularly in maintaining these critical environments, help support the Chinook's life cycle, while also promoting water quality for other species and local ecosystems.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;font-size:12pt"><DIV><P><SPAN>The Dolly Varden and Bull Trout habitats in Bellevue are part of the city's critical aquatic systems, primarily found in streams, lakes, and wetlands that are protected from development. These habitats are important for supporting a variety of fish species, including salmonids like Bull Trout. Bellevue's streams, including areas bordering Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish, provide crucial habitats that aid in maintaining water quality and offer rearing grounds for fish.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>Riparian zones, or the vegetated areas along streambanks, play a key role in these habitats by providing shade, preventing erosion, and creating shelter for fish. Wetlands also help manage stormwater and reduce the risk of flooding, ensuring that fish populations, such as the Bull Trout, have stable ecosystems. It is important to protect these areas from disturbances, as they are vital for the long-term survival of local species.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;font-size:12pt"><DIV><P><SPAN>The Coho salmon habitat in Bellevue benefits from local restoration efforts aimed at improving stream conditions for fish populations. Coho salmon are commonly found in Coal Creek, where around 600 adult fish were released as part of a project in partnership with the Muckleshoot Tribe and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. This is part of a broader initiative to bolster native salmon populations by supporting spawning and egg incubation in local streams.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>Efforts have been made to improve urban waterways, including habitat restoration projects along streams like Coal Creek. Coho salmon typically spawn in the fall, and their eggs remain in the gravel until they hatch in the spring. Juveniles stay in the creek for about a year before migrating to the ocean. Restoration efforts, such as maintaining cool, oxygenated water and protecting streamside vegetation, are essential for the survival of these fish.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
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Description: This dataset enumerates the impervious surfaces of Bellevue, WA and its surrounding area as of late spring 2012. Surfaces are classified into 8 categories, depending on structure and use. The dataset was manually digitized from 3-inch resolution true-color aerial photography, and includes all surfaces, including those obscured by canopy in the orthoimagery. The minimum mapping unit (MMU), indicating the smallest feature delineated, was 100 sq. ft. The dataset was updated from an earlier dataset produced in 2008, using 2007 orthoimagery.
Description: This feature class contains polygons describing the infiltration potential of areas within the City of Bellevue where infiltration may be feasible. This feature class was prepared as part of the Technical Memorandum, Task 3, Mapping Areas Feasible for Infiltration prepared for the City of Bellevue Utilities Department by Associated Earth Sciences, Inc.Attributes of this feature class include the fields “INFILTRATION_POTENTIAL” and “GEOLOGY_AND_SOIL_PERMEABILITY”. The INFILTRATION_POTENTIAL field describes the infiltration potential of the area as “HIGH”, “MEDIUM”, “MEDIUM-LOW”, or “LOW”, as discussed in the Technical Memorandum.The GEOLOGY_AND_SOIL_PERMEABILITY field describes the permeability of the mapped geologic units and the mapped soils units in that area. The assignment of INFILTRATION_POTENTIAL category was based on these permeabilities. The assignment of high and low permeability to geologic and soils units is discussed in the Technical Memorandum