(1) The scope of the department's review shall be limited to a review of existing or proposed development regulations submitted for certification and whether the regulations address the protection of critical areas in areas used for agricultural activities.

(2) Counties may consider Clallam, Clark, King, or Whatcom county's critical area regulation, in effect on July 1, 2011, as example regulations that protect critical areas in areas used for agricultural activities. Counties may also consider development regulations of another local government as long as those regulations have been upheld by a growth management hearings board or court after July 1, 2011.

(3) Regulations shall support the continuation of existing and ongoing agricultural operations.