HomeMy WebLinkAboutWetland Delineation 902362006WESTECW COMPANY
Environmental Consulting a Site Permitting
WETLAND DELINEATION AND MITIGATION PLAN
WYCOFF ROAD
PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON 98368
ASSESSOR'S PARCEL # 902362006
JEFFERSON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
November 2015
G. Bradford Shea, Ph.D.
Charles Tanner
Submitted to:
JEFFERSON COUNTY DEPARTMENT
OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
621 Sheridan Street
Port Townsend, Washington 98368
Submitted by;
WESTECH COMPANY
P.O. Box 2876
Port Angeles, Washington 98362
P.O. Box 2876 - Port Angeles, Washington 98362 - Telephone: (360) 565-1333
email: brad@westechcompany.com
WETLAND DELINEATION AND MITIGATION PLAN
WYCOFF ROAD
PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON 98368
ASSESSOR'S PARCEL # 902362006
JEFFERSON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
November 2015
G. Bradford Shea, Ph.D.
Charles Tanner
Copyright 2015 by G. Bradford Shea, Westech Company —All Rights Reserved
Submitted to:
JEFFERSON COUNTY DEPARTMENT
OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
621 Sheridan Street
Port Townsend, Washington 98368
Submitted by:
WESTECH COMPANY
P.O. Box 2876
Port Angeles, Washington 98362
CONTENTS
CHAPTER/SECTION
PAGE NO.
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1
2.0
METHODS
5
3.0
WETLAND DELINEATION RESULTS
9
3.1 Existing Conditions
9
3.2 Land Uses and Habitat Values
15
3.3 Wetland Types and Buffers
17
3.4 Jefferson County Wetland Map
18
4.0
BUFFER REDUCTION AND MITIGATION
19
4.1 Buffer Reduction
19
4.2 Buffer Mitigation/Enhancement
19
4.3 No Net Loss Determination
22
5.0
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
23
5.1 Conclusions
23
5.2 Recommendations
23
6.0
REFERENCES
24
':11110
Table 1 — List of Plant Species: on -Site Wetland 10
Table 2 — Dominance Test Using 50/20 Rule for Plant Selection 13
Table 3 — Site Soils 16
Table 4 — List of Native Plants for Buffer Mitigation and Enhancement 21
FIGURES
Figure 1 — Location Map 2
Figure 2 — Vicinity Map 3
Figure 3 — Parcel Map 4
Figure 4 —Aerial Photograph Showing Wetland and Test Pits
with a 110 Foot Buffer 11
Figure 5 — Project Site Plan Showing Reduced Buffers
and Mitigation (Planting) Areas 20
APPENDICES
Appendix A — Site Photographs A-1
Appendix B — Wetland Data Forms B-1
Appendix C — Wetland Rating Forms C-1
W W 1452-W ycoffRd W D.TOC/112715/mas
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Property (Site) is a 6.0 acre parcel located on Wycoff Road southwest of Port
Townsend, Washington in Jefferson County, The Property is listed as Assessor's Parcel
#902362006 and is located in the Northwest Quarter of Section 36, Township 29 North,
Range 2 West (Figures 1, 2, and 3). The Property owner is William Stuber listed at P.O.
Box 205 in Millbury, Ohio 43477-0205.
The Property is located in central -western Jefferson County approximately 1.6 miles
south of Discovery Bay. The Property abuts Wycoff Road to the west and lies about
0.15 miles west of U.S. Highway 101. The Property lies at an elevation of about 200 feet
above mean sea level (msl) at its westernmost edge, grading to approximately 120 feet
at its eastern edge. The Property consists of a grass -dominated open field adjacent to
Wycoff Road and a Douglas fir and sword fern dominated lowland forest along its
western and southern boundaries.
Mr. William Stuber contracted with Westech Company (Westech) to conduct a Wetland
Delineation for the Property. Mr. Stuber plans to place a single family housing unit, a
two car garage and septic system on the Property. Mr. Stuber contracted with Westech
to delineate and rate the wetland and determine the buffer required under the Jefferson
County Codes (Jefferson County 2015a). Chapter 2.0 describes the Methodology used to
conduct this Wetland Delineation. Chapter 3.0 contains results of the Wetland Delineation.
Field investigations of the wetland were conducted by Mr. Charles Tanner and Mr. David
Parker during September 2015. Dr. Bradford Shea reviewed photographic and other site
documentation and visited the Site during October 2015. The wetland was classified as a
Category III wetland with a habitat rating of 5, requiring a 110 foot buffer for projects of this
size. This report includes an application for a buffer reduction of 25 percent (to an 82.5
foot buffer), with appropriate mitigation as per Jefferson County codes (Jefferson County
2015a). The Wetland boundaries and buffers have been marked in the field.
WW 1452-WycoffRd W D. R PT/ 112715/mas 1
D]
2.0 METHODS
The Wetland was delineated and rated according to procedures required by the Jefferson
County Code (JCC). The JCC requires that wetlands be identified and delineated
according to procedures in the 1997 Washington State Department of Ecology's (WDOE)
Washington State Wetlands Identification and Delineation Manual (Ecology Publication
No. 96-94 or as amended) (JCC 18.22.300). Because the State of Washington now
defers to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (Corps) wetland delineation methods, this
wetland was delineated according to the Corps' Regional Supplement for the Western
Mountains, Valleys and Coast Region (Corps 2010). The Wetland was rated by the
methods outlined in the Washington State Department of Ecology's Wetland Rating
System for Western Washington (WDOE 2014).
The following methods are drawn from the Corps' Supplement for the Western Mountains,
Valleys and Coast Region (Corps 2010). The Corps' manual defines wetlands as those
"areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and
duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances, do support, a
prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions." Wetlands
are defined by the following three criteria:
1. Vegetation: Prevalent vegetation consisting of macrophytes adapted to areas with
wetland hydrologic and soil conditions.
2. Hydric soils: Soils that are histosols, in aquic suborders or that show certain
characteristics associated with poor draining, very poor draining or ponding for a
long duration during the growing season.
3. Hydrologi Evidence that the area is inundated or saturated to the surface between
5 and 12.5 percent of the growing season in most years.
Evidence of at least one wetland indicator from each of these three categories is generally
required to identify an area as a wetland.
Preliminary data gathering consisted of the examining U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
maps, county parcel, wetlands, and topographic maps, aerial photographs and Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) soil surveys. Because these sources were
insufficient to make a determination, additional information on site vegetation, soils and
hydrology was unavailable, and the Site did not appear to have the complexity to require a
comprehensive determination, a Routine Determination with Onsite Inspection was used.
Because the wetland on -Site was less than five acres, the procedure for "Areas Equal to
or Less Than 5 Acres in Size" was used. The wetland and its boundaries were initially
estimated by noting likely areas of topographic and vegetative distinction between
wetlands and uplands. The routine method for delineating wetlands begins with the
identification of plant communities, as uplands and wetlands are often occupied by
W W 1452-WycoffRd W D. R PT/112715/mas 5
different assemblages of species determined by combinations of environmental
influences.
These plant communities were identified and evaluated for the presence or absence of
hydrophytic vegetation. The wetland indicator status of the dominant species is used to
determine the presence of hydrophytic vegetation. Each species has an indicator status
defined according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) (USDA 2012). A
species indicator status refers to the relative frequency at which the species occurs in
jurisdictional wetlands. Wetland plant species (OBL, FACW and/or FAC) must constitute
greater than 50 percent of the dominant vegetation to meet Department of Ecology (DOE)
criterion for hydrophytic vegetation (Corps 2010). Because non-dominant plants in the
wetland were scattered irregularly throughout, small transects could not be utilized to
estimate percent coverage. Accordingly, a combination of on -Site visual inspection and
aerial maps were used to estimate percent coverage. These estimates were used to
conduct a dominance test with 50/20 selection as described in the Corps manual (Corps
2010).
Wetland plants were primarily identified in the field, with subsequent collection and keying
when necessary. Plants were identified using the following sources:
Pojar and MacKinnon 1994 (Updated 2004)
Guard 1995
Cooke 1997
Hitchcock and Cronquist 1973
Lyons 1997
Taylor 1995
Keying of plants using magnifying lenses and dissecting microscope was used as
necessary. Determination of wetland indicator status utilized regional keys published by
USDA. This indicator replaced the previous U.S. Fish and Wildlife key in June 2012
(USDA 2012).
Areas with plant communities dominated by hydrophytic vegetation were then evaluated
for wetland hydrology and hydric soils. Wetland hydrology refers to "all hydrological
characteristics of areas that are periodically inundated or have soils saturated to the
surface at some time during the growing season." These are areas with evidence that
the presence of water has an overriding influence on the characteristics of vegetation
and soils due to anaerobic and reducing conditions (Corps 2010). An area has wetland
hydrology if it is inundated or saturated to the surface continuously for at least five
percent (5%) of the growing season in most years. The level of inundation can range
from permanently inundated to irregularly inundated/saturated. The level of
inundation/saturation can be impacted by precipitation, topography and soil
characteristics.
W W 1452-W ycoffRd W D. R PT/112715/mas 6
Hydrology is often the least exact of the parameters used to delineate wetland edges
because it is the most ephemeral and leaves the least reliable traces in the landscape
after water tables or floods have receded. Therefore, indicators of wetland hydrology
are sometimes difficult to find in the field. However, it is essential that a wetland area is
periodically inundated or has saturated soils for a sufficient duration during the growing
season.
Based on Corps recommendations, Westech staff noted areas with evident
characteristics of wetland hydrology. In general, places with wetland hydrology show
evidence that the presence of water has had an overriding influence on characteristics
of vegetation and soils due to anaerobic and chemically -reducing conditions. Hydrologic
conditions were determined through examination of topographic relief and drainage
patterns. Soil moistness was determined by hand and, in the event of standing water,
depth to standing water was noted. Field indicators of wetland hydrology include such
features as watermarks, historic records, and visual observation of saturated soils or
inundation.
Evidence of hydric soils was checked along the apparent wetland boundary. These are
soils that formed under conditions of saturation, flooding or ponding long enough during
the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper layers. These soils are
identified in the field mainly by morphological features such as color patterns, organic
matter accumulation, and observation of inundation.
Soils were sampled to depths of up to 18-24 inches using a wetland shovel. Soil
consistency was determined by feeling for grain size and texture. Soil moisture was
determined at that time. In the event of saturated conditions in the hole, depth to standing
water was noted. Soil color was determined through comparison of field samples with
standard Munsell Color Charts (Munsell 1994). Soil was also examined for presence of
redox features, gley or other indicators of anaerobic soil oxidation. If one or more of these
indicators was present in the wetlands, the soil was considered hydric.
The Wetland was determined based on the Routine On -Site Field Method used by the
Corps using a combination of vegetation, soil and hydrology indicators. The boundaries of
the wetland were determined by first mapping each plant community area as wetland or
non -wetland. The general wetland boundary was determined by the interface of these two
mapping units. These boundaries were confirmed and the boundary locations narrowed
down by sampling specific transects along wetland boundaries. Various points were
sampled for vegetation, soil and hydrology in order to pinpoint the location of wetland
boundaries. Appendix B contains data forms for two sample points (one wetland and one
upland) from a typical area in the delineated wetland.
W W 1452-W ycoffRd W D. R PT/112715/mas 7
Wetland boundaries were indicated in the field by the use of pink "Wetland Delineation
Boundary" flagging tape tied to the wooden stakes (24" or 48") or to trees as appropriate.
Buffer widths were determined based the Jefferson County Critical Areas Code and
marked in the field with orange and black tape. Soil test pits were indicated by
orange/white diagonal flagging and stakes containing the test pit number.
Site visits were carried out by Dr. G. Bradford Shea, Mr. Charles Tanner and Mr. David
Parker in September and October 2015. This report was carried out jointly by Mr. Tanner
and Dr. Shea. Exploration of the Property involved noting Site characteristics such as
hydrology and soil conditions. A botanical study involving identification of the plant species
found growing on the Site was also conducted. The wetland edge was delineated and
photographic documentation was acquired (Appendix A). Measurements for mapping
purposes were made using a fiberglass tape measure.
W W 1452-WycoffRd W D. R PT/112715/mas 8
3.0 WETLAND DELINEATION RESULTS
3.1 EXISTING CONDITIONS
The Property is located in central -western Jefferson County approximately 1.6 miles
south of Discovery Bay. The Property abuts Wycoff Road to the west and lies about
0.15 miles west of U.S. Highway 101. The Property lies at an elevation of about 200 feet
above mean sea level (msl) at its westernmost edge, grading to approximately 120 feet
at its eastern edge. An existing well, abandoned well house and old access road are
presently located on the Property.
The Property consists of a grass -dominated open field adjacent to Wycoff Road and a
lowland forest along its western and southern boundaries. The lowland forest on -Site is
dominated in the tree layer by Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and red alder (Alnus
rubra); trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus) in the shrub layer; and sword fern
(Polystichum munitum) in the herb layer. The open field consists of mixed grasses and
herbaceous plants. Wetland and upland plants located on the Site are specifically
discussed below. (Table 1)
The Property lies about 300 feet west of Snow Creek, the Creek appearing to come as
near as 150 feet from the southeast corner of the Site from aerial photos. Snow Creek
drains to Discovery Bay approximately 1.6 miles north of the Site.
The surrounding area consists of cleared forest to the west, forested areas to the north
and northeast, and cleared individual parcels to the south. The Property is rated Rural
Residential 5 (RR5) indicating an allowance of one residence per 5 acres. A well house
is currently located on the Property. A ditch has previously been dug running north to
south across the open field while narrow underground piping has been added in the
southwest corner of the parcel to drain runoff into a pond. The ditch primarily appears to
hold water in the wetland as it runs perpendicular to the landscape gradient. The Site is
immediately abutted by land zoned for commercial forestry to the west.
Wetland
Westech's field investigation determined that a system of wetlands is located on the Site
(Figure 4). A slope wetland begins around the edge of the western forested area, taking
drainage from overground upland areas and precipitation. A second slope wetland lies in
the southwest corner of the Property and drains into a ponded, depressional wetland in the
same corner. Two 2 -inch pipes run through this area from a property to the south into the
pond. The Property owner indicated that these pipes were placed so as to bring water to
the pond. The pond drains downslope and to the northeast, connecting with the slope
wetland in the open field. This wetland can be considered a system connected by a
common hydrology.
VVW 1452-W ycoffRd W D. RPT/112715/mas 9
TABLE 1. LIST OF PLANT SPECIES: ON-SITE WETLAND
Common Name
Scientific Name
Indicator *
% Cover
-
Red alder
Alnus rubra
FAC
6.0
Big leaf maple
Acermacroph lum
FACU
5.3
Salmonberry
Rubus s ectabilis
FAC
3.9
Reed canary grass
Phalaris arundinacea
FACW
28.7
Tall fescue
Festuca arundinacea
FAC
14.7
Colonial bentgrass
Agrostis tenuis
FAC
8.8
Timothy
Phleum pratense
FAC
1.5
Creeping buttercup
Ranunculus repens
FACW
19.4
Lad fern
Ath rium felix-femina
FAC
4.3
Stinging nettle
Urtica dioica
FAC
2.5
Cattail
T pha latifolia
OBL
1.7
Piggyback plant
Tolmiea manziesii
FAC
0.7
Upland_
Dou las fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii
FACU
32.5
Red alder
Alnus rubra
FAC
15.5
Cottonwood
Popularis balsamifera
FAC
10.8
Big leaf maple
Acermacrophylum
FACU
9_.3
Western red cedar
Thuja plicata
FAC
3.6
Bitter cherry
Prunus emarginate
FACU
1.5
Trailing blackberry
Rubus ursinus
FACU
8.2
Salmonberry
Rubus spectabilis
FAC
2.6
Tall fescue
Festuca arundinacea
FAC
18.1
_
Colonial bentgrass
Agrostis tenuis
FAC
16.0
Timothy
Phleum pratense
FAC
_
1.5
Sword fern
Polystichum munitum
FACU
18.0
Cree in buttercup
Ranunculus repens
FACW
5.1
Yarrow
Achillea millfolium
FACU
1.5
English plantain
Plantago macrocarpa
FACU
1.0
Lady fern
Ath rium felix-femina
FAC
1.0
*Indicators: UPL = Upland plant, FACU= Facultative Upland Plant (more upland than
wetland), FAC = Facultative (borderline wetland plant), FACW = Facultative
Wetland Plant (prefers wetland conditions), OBL = Obligate (only found in
wetlands).
WW1452-WycoffRdWD.Tab1/112715/mas 10
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Wetland boundaries were determined by first noting likely areas of topographic and
vegetative distinction between wetland and uplands. The wetland system is approximately
62,000 square feet, or 1.4 acres, in size. Vegetation in the open field slope wetland
transitions from wetland to upland in a gradual fashion, consisting of a mix of mostly FAC
grasses and changing densities of creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens). Because
species such as buttercup are FAC and can extend into upland areas, soil characteristics
were especially important in marking the line separating the wetland from upland.
Evidence of hydric soils was checked along the apparent wetland boundary. Westech staff
noted the presence of a dark layer overlaying a depleted matrix in boundary areas of the
wetland.
At its western upslope end, the open field wetland grades sharply into a Douglas fir/sword
fern dominated patch of forest. The slope wetland at the southwest corner of the parcel
also has a relatively sharp transition to forested upland with salmonberry (Rubus
spectabilis) buffering some areas.
Westech staff also noted the presence of hydrological indicators. While difficult to find, and
often the least exact of the three indicators, Westech staff noted areas with evident
characteristics of wetland hydrology, places where the presence of water has an
overriding influence on characteristics of vegetation and soils due to anaerobic and
chemically -reducing conditions. These included standing water, saturation in the root zone
and the presence of vegetation shaped by overland flow (See Figure 5 and Appendix B).
The vegetation, soils, and hydrology of the Site are described in more detail in the
following subsections. Results of these three factors at two test pit locations (one in the
wetlands, one in the upland area) (Figure 4) are contained in Appendix B. Figure 4 shows
the location of the wetland relative to nearby features. Site photographs are shown in
Appendix A.
Vegetation
Table 1 lists wetland vegetation and the upland vegetation present in the area adjacent to
the wetland boundary. Dominant vegetation in the wetland includes red alder (FAC) and
big leaf maple (Acer macrophylum) in the tree layer; salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis,
FAC) in the shrub layer; and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea, FACW),
creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens) and tall fescue (Festuca arunadinacea, FAC)
in the herb layer.
Table 2 shows the results of a dominance test conducted following the guidelines of the
Corps (Corps 2010). As this table indicates, the dominant species in the Wetland were
rated OBL, FACW or FAC. The vegetation in this wetland can thus be characterized as
hydrophytic for the purposes of delineating the wetlands.
W W 1452-WycoffRd W D. R PT/112715/m as 12
TABLE 2. DOMINANCE TEST USING 50/20 RULE FOR PLANT SELECTION
STRATUM
SCIENTIFIC NAME
WETLAND
ABSOLUTE
DOMINANT?
INDICATOR
PERCENT
STATUS
COVER
Tree
A6ius rubra
FAC
6.0
Yes
Acer macrophylum
FACU
5.3
Yes
Total cover
11.3%
50/20 Thresholds
50% total cover = 6.7
20% total coyer = 2.3
Shrub
Rubus spectabilis
FAC
3.9
Yes
Total cover
3 9
50/20 Thresholds
50% total cover = 2.0
20% total cover = 0.8
Herb
Festuca arundinacea
FAC
28.7
Yes
Ranunculus repens
FACW
19.4
Yes
Agrostis tennuis
FAC
14.7
Yes
Phalaris arundinacea
FACW
8.8
No
Athyrium felix-femina
FAC
4.3
No
Typha latifolia
OBL
1.7
No
Urtica dioica
FAC
1.5
No
Tolmiea menziesii
FAC
0.7
No
Total cover
79.8%
50/20 Thresholds:
50% total cover = 39.9
20% total cover = 16.0%
Hydrophytic
Total number of dominant species across all strata = 6
Vegetation
Percent of dominant species that are OBL, FACW or FAC = 83.3%
Determination
Therefore, the community is hydrophytic by Indicator 2 (Dominance
Test)
WW1 4 52-WycoffRdW D. Ta b2/112715/mas 13
Vegetation in the upland area also meets the requirement for wetland vegetation. It is
dominated by Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii, FACU), red alder and cottonwood
(Popularis balsamifera) in the tree layer; trailing blackberry and salmonberry in the
shrub layer; and sword fern (Polystichum munitum), tall fescue and colonial bentgrass
(Agrostis tenuis, FAC). This includes 62.5 percent dominants which are FAC, meeting
Army Corps criterion for wetland vegetation. The area is transitional to upland
vegetation, though this made soil conditions and hydrology important to delineating the
wetland. Appendix B includes data forms for upland and wetland vegetation.
Soils
"Hydric soils" is a name for soils commonly found in wetlands. These soils are identified
mainly by morphological features such as color patterns, organic matter accumulation,
or observation of inundation. A soil may be considered hydric if it is inundated (flooded
or ponded) for at least one continuous week during the growing season in most years
(Corps 2010). Westech staff looked for field indicators of hydric soil conditions as
recommended by the Corps. If one or more of these indicators was present in the
wetlands, the soil was considered hydric (Corps 2010).
Westech staff examined existing NRCS soil surveys of the Site. The NRCS maps two
soils on the Site (NRCS 2015). The two soils mapped by the NRCS on the Site include:
Semiahmoo muck, moderately shallow variant (Sh) is a very poorly drained soil
with a depth of more than 80 inches to its restrictive layer; a moderately high
capacity to transmit water in its most limiting layer (0.20 to 0.57 in/hr); and a
depth to the water table of zero inches. This soil is recorded as having low water
storage capacity and no frequency of flooding and frequent ponding. This soil
has a very high water storage capacity in its profile (about 19.7 inches).
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam 0 to 15 percent slopes (AIC) is a somewhat
moderately well drained soil with 20 to 40 inches to its most restrictive feature; a
very low to moderately low capacity to transmit water in its most limiting layer
(0.00 to 0.06 inches/hr); and 18 to 36 inches to the water table. The soil is listed
as having a very low water storage capacity (about 2.5 inches) and no frequency
of flooding or ponding.
Semiahmoo muck is listed as hydric on the NRCS National Hydric Soils List (NRCS
2015). Muck soils were observed in areas toward the southwest end of on -Site wetland.
Micro -conditions have also created soil not characteristics of those listed by the NRCS
soils. Other hydric soils included silt loams with dark surface layers. These soils that
could have developed as Alderwood foams which lost sediment due to overland flow.
WW1452-WycoffRdWD.RPT/112715/mas 14
Because NRCS soil surveys do not necessarily capture small scale variation, Westech
staff conducted additional field studies of the soils. To examine soils in the wetland
boundaries, Westech staff dug soil pits and observed soil characteristics. The location of
two soil pits examined by Westech is shown in Figure 4. These VSH plots are located
within representative upland and wetland areas. The location of these plots has been
marked in the field using wooden stakes tied with orange and white striped flagging. The
soil information taken at these sample points is highlighted in Table 3.
Micro -conditions on the Property have created wetland soils distinct from those
recorded by the NRCS. Multiple soils pits were dug as the wetland graded downhill and
below the ditch running through the field. A soil pit in the wetland (VSH-1) exhibited
soils with a value/chroma of 3/1(10YR) to a depth of 9 inches. From 9 to 18 inches the
soil had a value/chroma of 4/3 (10YR) with over 20 percent redox features (4/6 10YR).
This soil met the criterion for a depleted matrix below a dark layer classified by the U.S.
Army Corps as a wetland soil. These soils were silt loams. A soil pit in an adjacent
upland area (VSH-2) exhibited soils with a value/chroma of 2/2 (10YR) to a depth of
about 14 inches; from 15 to 18 inches the soil had a value/chroma of 3/3 (10YR) with no
redox features. These soils were also silt loams. These soils do not fit U.S. Army Corps
criterion for hydric soils (Corps 2010).
Hydrology
Numerous factors (e.g., precipitation, topography, soil permeability, and plant cover)
influence the wetness of an area. The water source for this wetland comes from a
combination of direct precipitation, runoff from uphill areas surrounding the wetland and
groundwater sources. Water enters both of the slope wetland areas from uphill runoff and,
likely, underground flow across a high dense layer. Water flowing across the southwest
slope wetland comes both overground and through two plastic pipes approximately two (2)
inches in diameter running through the wetland. Flow from this wetland drains into a pond,
which then feeds the slope wetland in the field through underground flow.
Hydrologic indicators across the wetland included areas of inundation and saturation in
the root zone as well area where vegetation has been bent in the direction of overland
flow (Corps 2010).
3.2 LAND USES AND HABITAT VALUES
Wetlands are transitional areas between uplands and aquatic environments where water is
present long enough to form distinct soils, and where specialized, water -tolerant plants
grow. Wetlands serve a variety of functions such as transferring surface water into the
ground, thereby recharging groundwater supplies. Wetlands trap water along with
sediments and pollutants providing stormwater detention and filtration; mitigate flood
impacts; and provide wildlife habitat.
W W 1452-W ycoffRd W D. R PT/112715/mas 15
TABLE 3. SITE SOILS
Location/Depth
Type ,
Value/Chroma .
Redox
(Color/%) r
Plot #VHS -1 (Wetland)
0-9
Silt loam
3/1 (10YR)
none
9-18
Silt loam
4/3 10YR
4/6 10YR /20%
Plot #VHS -2 U land
0-14
Silt loam
2/2 10YR
none_
14-18
Silt loam
3/3 10YR)
none
W W 1452-WycoffRd W D. Tab3/112715/mas 16
Wetland buffers are important because they reduce the adverse impacts of adjacent land
uses on wetlands. The buffers serve to stabilize soil and prevent erosion, filter suspended
solids, nutrients and toxic substances and moderate impacts of stormwater runoff. As
such, buffers serve to preserve wetland functions. They also provide important habitat for
wildlife living in and around the wetland.
The wetland is situated between an uphill commercial forest area immediately to the west
of the Site and Snow Creek approximately 300 feet due east of the Site. Ariel photographs
indicate that the commercial forest west of the Site was recently clear-cut. Because clear-
cut forests rapidly leach nutrients such as nitrogen compounds, the wetland likely serves
to filter and process contaminants that could enter Snow Creek,
3.3 WETLAND TYPES AND BUFFERS
The buffer sizes to be applied at this Site are governed by the Jefferson County Critical
Areas Code. In order to establish buffer sizes, Jefferson County requires that wetlands be
rated using the Washington State Department of Ecology's Wetland Rating System for
Western Washington (WDOE 2006). In this system, wetland ratings are based on:
1) Water Quality Function (i.e., Does the wetland have the ability to improve water
quality?)
2) Hydrologic Function (i.e., Does the wetland decrease flooding and/or erosion?)
3) Habitat Function (i.e., Does the wetland provide habitat for many species?)
In Washington, wetland rating categories are based on the rarity of the type of wetland, our
ability to replace it, its sensitivity to adjacent human disturbances, and the functions it
performs. The objective of the rating system is to divide wetlands into groups that have
similar needs for protection.
The on -Site wetland was classified as a Category III depressional wetland with an
overall score of 18. This was comprised of a water quality score of 7, a hydrologic score
of 6, and a habitat score of 5 (See Wetland Rating Forms in Appendix B). The wetland
habitat was limited (with the exception of the pond); however, the wetland system is
connected to accessible and relatively undisturbed habitat within a one kilometer radius.
The Jefferson County Codes requires 110 foot buffers to protect these functions in
areas of moderate use projects (such as single family residences). Chapter 4.0
discusses provisions for Buffer Reduction to 82.5 feet as per the Jefferson County Code
(Jefferson County 2015a).
W W 1452-WycoffRd W D. RPT/112715/mas 17
3.4 JEFFERSON COUNTY WETLAND MAP
Jefferson County online maps show wetlands on the parcel (Jefferson County 2015b).
However, the wetlands mapped by the County do not accurately reflect the on -Site
wetland conditions. Micro -conditions on the Site have created wetland conditions not
mapped by the County (See Figure 4).
W W 1452-W ycoffRd W D. RPT/112715/mas 18
4.0 BUFFER REDUCTION AND MITIGATION
4.1 BUFFER REDUCTION
Reduction of Buffer Zone width is allowed under the Jefferson County Critical Areas Code
(JCC 18.22.330 (7)). This Chapter is intended to fulfill the provisions of a Special Report
prepared by a Qualified Professional, demonstrating that buffer reduction would not have
any adverse impact on the existing functions and values of the Category III wetland on the
Property. The proposed buffer would be reduced by 27.5 feet (25 percent of the standard
110 foot buffer), for a length of approximately 550 feet. The proposed buffer reduction
area is shown in Figure 5.
The reduced buffer line would extend east -west along the buffer line to the south of the
wetland, extending from the east fence line to the western property boundary, allowing
room for a proposed house -site on the crest of a knoll which lies on the Property to the
south of the wetland. This appears to be the optimal home -site from both environmental
and design considerations. It will allow an access road extending from the existing gate,
near the existing well, to the vicinity of the home -site on the top of the knoll.
4.2 BUFFER MITIGATION/ENHANCEMENT
Mitigation for the buffer reduction is proposed to occur on the north slope of the knoll,
within the reduced buffer zone. The mitigation will include the planting of native trees and
shrubs on the north slope of the knoll, immediately south of the emergent wetland and
pond. The proposed planting plan is shown in Table 4.
Planting Methods
These native plants will be planted in the reduced buffer zone on six (6) foot centers for
shrubs and 10 foot centers for trees in the designated Mitigation Area (See Figure 5). The
plants will be installed in holes of sufficient size (generally twice the size of the original
nursery container, and filled with topsoil). Mulch (wood chips) will be provided on the
ground surface after planting to protect the surface layer from temperature extremes and
to conserve moisture during dry months.
Monitoring and Performance Standards
The trees and shrubs will be monitored annually for survival for a period of two years
following planting and a performance standard of 90 percent survival will be required. In
the event that survival falls below 90 percent, the non -surviving trees or shrubs will be
replaced with hardier specimens. It may be necessary to provide drip irrigation or other
watering during summer months during the first two years, due to dry summer conditions.
A brief letter report will be submitted annually to Jefferson County indicating the condition
of the mitigation area.
W W 1452-WycoffRd W D. RPT/112715/mas 19
Figure 5. Project Site Plan Showing Reduced Buffers and Mitigation (Planting) Areas
Westech Company 2015
Source: Google Earth 2015
TABLE 4. LIST OF NATIVE PLANTS FOR
BUFFER MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT
Location
Species
Scientific Name
Number
Size
A
Salal
Gaultheria shallon
20
1 gallon
A
_
Kinnikinnick
Arctostaph los uva-ursi
20
1 gallon
A
Snowberry
S mphoricarpos albus
5
1 gallon
A
Thimbleber y
Rubus parviflorus
5
1 allon
A
Red flowering current
Ribes sanguineum_
1 clallon
A
Vine Maple
------5
Acer circinatum
15
1 gallon
A
Red Elderberry
Sambucus racemosa L
10
1 gallon
A
Oceanspray
Holodiscus discolor
10
1 allon
B
Western red cedar
Thu'a plicata
5
5 qallon
B
Deer fern
Blechnum spicant
20
1 allon
B
Indian plum
Oemleria cerasiformis
___
2
1 gallon
B
Oceans ra
Holodiscus discolor
3
1 gallon
B
Oregon grape
Mahonia nervosa
10
1 gallon
B
Speedwell
Veronica serpyllifolia
20
1 allon
B
Sword fern
Polystichum munitum
10
1 qallon
W W 1452-W ycoffRd W D. Tab4/112715/mas 21
Erosion Control and Protection
The mitigation area will be protected from erosion through use of a silt fence along the line
of the Reduced Buffer to the north of the home -site. The silt fence will be installed prior to
beginning construction activities at the home -site and shall remain throughout the
construction and until revegetation at the home -site is well established. Any observed
significant erosion may require other measures such as use of hay bales or wattles.
Project and Mitigation Timing
The mitigation plantings should be emplaced within one year of completion of the home
construction. They should be placed during early fall (late September to October) or early
spring (March through May) for optimal growth conditions. They may be emplace
concurrently with home construction, provided that erosion control measures are already
in place. Monitoring should occur during the two years following planting.
4.3 NO NET LOSS DETERMINATION
The home -site lies on a hill located to the south of the wetland and a man-made pond
within the wetland. The hill slopes generally away from the wetland to the east and south,
so potential erosion, particularly with erosion control measures as discussed above, will
not be a significant impact.
Wetland hydrology will not be affected by the reduced buffer since the reduction area
drains generally away from the wetland, to the east and south. Similarly, water quality in
the wetland will not be affected by the buffer reduction. The habitat affected by the
reduction is primarily open field with a few scattered trees located east of and on top of the
knoll. The habitat reduction on the home -site will be offset by the mitigation in the reduced
buffer zone, and re-establishment of a shrub -forest ecosystem on the hillside which is
currently mostly bare of trees and shrubs.
With this Mitigation Plan, it is our professional opinion that the reduced buffer will cause No
Net Loss to wetland functions and values. It will make it possible for the property owner to
design and construct a house near the top of the knoll, within a 40 foot by 60 foot footprint.
The homeowner proposes to place an entry road and a two car garage near the eastern
end of the property, outside of the reduced wetland buffer. The drainfield will not be
placed in the wetland buffer, but will be placed to the south of the home -site.
W W 1452-WycoffRd W D. R PT/112715/mas 22
5.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 CONCLUSIONS
A wetland system was identified and flagged on the Site. Figures 4 and 5 show the
location and extent of the mapped wetland system. This is a combined slope and
depressional wetland system and has been rated according to state guidelines and
classified as a Category III wetland.
Jefferson County requires standard buffer widths of 110 feet for this type of wetland and
the proposed intensity of land use for the Site. Wetland boundaries and buffers have been
marked in the field. The discussion in Chapter 4.0 requests a reduction in the standard
buffer width to 82.5 feet as provided by the Jefferson County Code and proposed
Mitigation Measures (Jefferson County 2015a).
5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS
This project is allowed under the Jefferson County Code, with the concurrence of the
Jefferson County Administrator, provided that the facilities are placed outside the reduced
buffer zone. Westech recommends that all construction activity for the new home take
place outside the buffer zone and that mitigation and appropriate erosion control take
place as discussed in Chapter 4.0 of this report. Westech also recommends that the
County update the wetland boundary so that it accurately reflected in County maps.
W W 1452-WycoffRd W D. R PT/112715/mas 23
6.0 REFERENCES
Cooke, S.S. 1997. A Field Guide to the Common Wetland Plants of Western Washington
and Northwestern Oregon. Seattle Audubon Society. Seattle, Washington.
Google Earth. 2015. Online mapping software. www.googleearth.com. Imagery date:
July 5, 2013.
Guard, J. 1995. Wetland Plants of Oregon and Washington. Lone Pine Publishing.
Renton, Washington.
Hitchcock, C.L. and A. Cronquist. 1973. Flora of the Pacific Northwest. University of
Washington Press. Seattle, Washington.
Jefferson County. 2015a. Critical Areas Code website. http://www.co.'efferson.wa.us/
commdevelopment/Critical%20Areas%20Ordinance%20Web%20Files/CAOrd03-
0317-08.pdf
Jefferson County. 2015b. Online Interactive Mapping website.
hftp://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/idms/mapserver.shtml
Lyons, C.P. 1997. Wildflowers of Washington. Lone Pine Publishing. Renton,
Washington.
Munsell. 1994. Munsell Soil Color Charts. GretagMacbeth. New Windsor, New York.
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). 2015. Hydric Soils.
http://soils.usda.gov/use/hydric/.
Pojar, J. and A. MacKinnon. 1994 (Updated 2004). Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast.
Lone Pine Publishing Company. Redmond, Washington.
Taylor, R. 1995. Northwest Weeds. Mountain Press Publishing Company. Missoula
Montana.
U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (Corps). 2010. Regional Supplement to the Corps of
Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Western Mountains Valleys and Coast
Regions (Version 2.0). May 2010. Washington, D.C.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2012. 2012 National Wetland Plant List,
http://plants.usda.gov/core/wetiandSearch.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). 1985. USGS 1:24,000 Scale Quadrangle Map of
Uncas, Washington. Published 1953, updated 1985. Denver, Colorado.
W W 1452-WycoffRd W D. R PT/112715/mas 24
Washington Department of Ecology (WDOE)
System for Western Washington.
Olympia, Washington.
2014. Washinqton State Wetlands Rating
Thomas Hruby. Publication #14-06-029.
Washington Department of Ecology (WDOE). 1997. Washington State Wetlands
Identification and Delineation Manual. Publication #. 96-94. Olympia, Washington.
W W 1452-WycoffRd W D. R PT/ 112715/mas 25
APPENDICES
W W 1452-WycoffRd W D. R PT/112715/mas 26
APPENDIX A
SITE PHOTOGRAPHS
W W 1452-WycoffRdW D.AP PA/110415/mas A-1
Tkl
r",
ttaj kat
1) Field area (foreground), which grades into an emergent wetland
(background) on the northeast portion of the Site.
2) . Small pond, likely man-made located in northwestern portion of Site.
WW1452-WycoffRdWd.APPA111 04151mas A-2
WETLAND DATA FORMS
W W 1452-W ycoffRdW D. AP P B/110515/mas B-1
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM —Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region
Project/Silo ,_ _ _ _ City/County } Sampling Date '
ApplicanilOwnecState: Sampling Point
Investigators):.....__�Section, Township, Range ? ;�
____-_._,
Landtomt (hiils[o o, terrace ec-'
Local relle((concave, convex. novo):_ Slope ._
Subregion (I RR): __....... .L . _ .. Lat: _ _ ci ._._ Long: .,'._. _._ Datum: ___.._._..
Soil Map Unit Name: __- _ NWI classification'. _
Are climatic! hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this tune of year? Yes _�No (If no. explain In Remarks.)
�J
Aro Vegetation . Soil _, or Hydrology _significantly disturbed. Are "Normal Circumstancespresento Yes , � _-. No
Are Vegetation ___, Sod -_ ,
or Iiydrology, _ __ naturally problematic? (If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS —
Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
r iydrophytic Vegetation Present?
_ Yes -- No
1lydric Soil resent?
Yes No Is the Sampled Area
Wetland Hydrology Present?
Yes _ No within a Wetlands Yes._ No
i Remarks:
VEGETATION — Use scientific
names of plants.
- Absolute Dominant Indicator Dominance 'fest worksheet:
I rep Stratum (Plot sire
) /o Cover ,Specjgs? Status Number of Dominant Species
. _. _ r "I hat Are 01,31_. FACW, or FAC __._.__..._ (A)
-fetal Number of Dominant
3.
Species Across Ail Strata: ':__.-____ 43)
4
Percent of Dominant Species
total Cover -T hat Am OBI., f ACW. or F C (ArB)
Sailnn/Shrub Stratum (Plot size:,__prevalence
�
_
', Index worksheet:
n.
; "-_
_ _-_- Iota] % Cover of Multiply by
._..._._LL, .�.�..-=__.._
_.
.t.-_ _....... 0131. species x 1
_._.
r new species K2-
a,
____---- ----
FAC species x a
5
PACU species X4-
._ ._.._. ..... .......
'Total Cover
t{er¢_S4rd(um (Plpt silo.
) UPI. species ,. _ _ x S
Column Totals (A1 (B)
2'
r - _. Prevalence index (!A
L.._- +�_. Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
4
i - Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
.._.__... ::
;j 2-Dommance Test Is >50
- 3__. :.__ '
_.� ------ _ _ _ 3 - Prevalence brdox is 53.0'
A - Morphological Adaptations' (Provide supporting
data In Remarks or on a separate sheet)
Wotland Non Vascular Plants'
)0.
Problematic Ihlydrophytle Vegetation' (f_xplain)
11,
'Indicators of hydric soil and w0tland hydrology must
be present, unless disturbed or problematic
" 'f otal Cover
VJootly_Vlne Stratum, (I°lot Size:
__)
Hydrophytic
p
Vegetation
k
Present? Yes No
Iota[Cover
Bare Ground in Herb Stratum
US Anny Corps of f:ngineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast— Version 2.0
SOIL
_-.. ........-. ....._._-_nee _._____._ ._..._. __ .._. _..___
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document [he indicator or confirm Cho absence, of i
Depth Matrix Redox I eaaues
_0nc0esl_ Coles (mo1s� / _ C or most r
jypc Lon.-._
z
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to
-__ Histosol(A1)
Hisfic 6piporen (A2)
Black Histic (A3)
_ Hydrogen Sulfide (A4)
Depicted Below hark Surface (At 1)
_..,_ Thick Dark Surface (Al2)
Sandy Mucky Mincral(S1)
Sandy Cloyed Matrix (S4)
-1 ype .... .
Depth (inches)
HYDROLOGY
LRRs, unless otherwise noted.)
Sandy Redox (S5)
Stripped Matrix (S6)
Loamy Mucky Mineral (f=1) toxcopt MLRA i)
_ Loamy Gteyed Matrix (f'2)
Depleted Matrix (L3)
Rodox Dark Surface (1-8)
Dopleled Dark Surface (P7)
Redox Depressions (1=8)
Sampling Point
Indicators for Problematic Hydric So
_ 2 cm Muck (A10)
Red Parent Material (f F2)
-_,-- Very Shallow Dark Surface (I f12)
Other (f xplam in Remarks)
'Indicators of hydrophyle vegetation and
wetland hydrology must be present,
unless disturbed or problematic.
Hydric Soil Present? Yes,__.____ No
Prime Indicator k(min mum o one gguiretl cite k ell IIie,S�PR Y] . _ , .^ ._ __-.___ _ _.
Secondary Intlroators f2 or more regulrgda,
Surface Water (Al)
Water Stained Leaves (tag) (except
Water,Stained Leaves (139) (ML.RA 1, 2,
High Water Table (A2)
MLRA 1, 2, 4A, and 4f3)
4A, and 413)
Saturation (A3)
Salt Crust (1311)
__. Drainage Patterns (1310)
__.. Water Marks (131) _-_
Aquatic Invertebrates (1313)
._ Dry-Soason Water fable (C2)
Sediment Deposits tB2)
Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C7)
Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
Dan Deposits (133) _
Oxidwrid Rhivospheres along Living Roots (C3)
_ Geomorphic Position (f)2)
Algal Mal or Crust (134)
Presence of Reduced Iron (C4)
Shallow Aquitard (D3)
Iron Deposits (135) —_
Rocont Iron Reduction in 'Filled Soils (C6)
FAC-Noulrai Test (D5)
Surface Soil Cracks (136)
Stunted or Stressed Plants (Op (LRR A)
Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)
Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (137) _
Other (I=xplain in Remarks)
_ I`lost-Cleave Hummocks (1)7)
Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (88)
Field Observations:
Surface Water Present? Yes _ No
Depth (inches)
Water Table Presort? Yes_ No
Depth (inche
n
Saturation I rrsont? YesNo
Depth (inches) -
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes No i
(includes capillary, fringe)
gaugo,
US Army Corps of f.ngineors Western Mountains. Valleys, and Coast— Version 2.0
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM — Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region
ProjccVSitc l s_ z,
Sampling Date'.
gppllcan(/Ownoi. t t t State'. _(r' a Sampling Point,
Investigator(s) r _
. --------__._____.— Section, l ownship, Range
Landform (hillslope, terra Ce, eta): =_ _ I-ocal rolief (concave, convex. none):? t Slope (/ )
__ ._. _.--� _
i
Subregion (I RF2). _-: � � ......... ].at : -' ;. Long _ — Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name ' _ , _._::_ .-':__.. _..- .. ... .......... NWI classification I _
Are climatic /hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year? Yes i No(If no, explain in Remarks.)
Are Vegetation Soil, or Hydrology significantly disturbed? Are "Normal Circumstances" prosenl? Yes _ Al No
Are VegetationSoill or Hydrology naturally problematic? (broaden, explain any answers in Remarks.)
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS — Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Ilydrophyto Vegetation Present? Yes- No..__
Hydric Soil Presents YesNo Is the Sampled Area
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes '7 No within a Wetland? Yes ,. _ No
VEGETATION — Use scientific names of plants.
4
5
="I""otalCover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot sizes
1.
2,
Bare Ground in Herb Stratum
US Army Corps of I'nglneers
_ > 1 col Cover
= Total Cover
Number of Dominant Species
That Are OHL_ FACW, or FAC-___ (A)
'Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata: ___ _ __
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OnL. FACW, or PAC
I dial % Cover of
Multiply by ___.,,,
0131., species -------
x f _.._.___._.._.._._
f ACW species _....... ......
x2= ..
FAC species __. ...... .........
_ x 3-
FACU species
x4=
UPI. species .—_.__._.
x 5 —_._...
ColumnofalS
(A)
Prevalence Index -< B/A =
1 - Rapid I est for Hydrophytic Vegetation
2- Dominance Test is >50%
3 - Prevalence Index is s3.0'
,. 4 - Morphological Adaptations` (Provide supporting
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
5 - Wetland Non Vascular Plants
v. Problematic I lydi ophytic Vegetation' (Explain)
'Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must
be present, unless disturbed or problematic.
Hydrophytic
Vegetation
Present? Yes. ,43 No—
Western
o_
Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
SOIL Sampling Point'.
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
Depth _ Matnx Redox r atmos
[l,imiies] _ Color (molsj _ ColoriListl"— / __ _'T pe, L,or, Texture..._ Remarks______
i
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to
Ilistosol (All
I i stic Epipedon (A2)
Black llistic(A3)
_ Hydrogen Sulfide (A4)
Depleted Below Dark Surface (AT 1)
'chick Dark Surface (Al2)
Sandy Mucky Mineral (Sl)
_.__. Sandy Cloyed Matrix (S4)
1 ype..
Depth (inches)
HYDROLOGY
LRRs, unless otherwise noted.)
__ Sandy Redox 185)
_ Stripped Matrix (S6)
I. usury Mucky Mineral (1 1) (except MLRA 1)
Loamy Gleycd Matrix (f-2)
Depleted Matrix (1 3)
.... Redox Dark Surface (F6)
._.,, Depleted Dark Surface (F'7)
Redox Depressions (F8)
Indicators for Problematic. Hydric Se
_ 2cm Muck (AT 0)
_ Rid Parent Material (TF2)
_ Very Shallow Dark Surface C 112)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
'Indicators of hydrophyte vegetation and
welland hydrology must be present,
unless disturbed or problematic.
Hydric Soil Present? Yes __ No
Prirnary,l dt) icetors minimum of one reoulred, check_aJ t1iar PPSI Z_ _
Secondary dlcators {9 or moreJ_q_cLuired)
�4 Surface Water (Ai)
_ Water Stained Leaves (Bg) (except
_ Water -Stained Leaves (139) (MLRA 1, 2,
High Water Table (A2)
MLRA 1, 2, 4A, and 413)
4A, and 4B)
—_ Saturation (A3) _
_ Salt Crust (B1'i)
Drainage Patterns (1310)
Water Marks (131)
^ Aquatic Invertebrates (Bi 3)
[Dry Season Water Table (C2)
__. Sediment Deposits (132) ,.
Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (Ci)
Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
_ Drift Deposits (B3) _
_ Oxidieed Rhizosphcres along t,iving Roots (C3)
Geomorphic Position (02) -
___ Algal Mat or Crust (84)
Presence of Reduced Iron (C4)
_ Shallow Aqultard (03)
;roil Deposits (135) _...
Recent Iron Reduction fn Tilled Soils (CG)
FAC Neutral Test (D5)
Sudace Solt Cracks (136)
Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A)
Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)
inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (137)
Other (E:xplam in Ronlarks)
.,_ Frost -Heave Hummocks (67)
Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8)
Surtacc Water Presenl'? Yes._, No a.' Depth (inches)
Water Table Present? YesNo ._ Depth (inches) _
saturation Present? Yes No Depth (inches):d ..� Wotlaod Hydrology Present? Yes t, No
(Includes capillary fringe)
Describe Recorded Date (slmam gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), If available:
US Army Corps of Fngineors Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast— Version 2.6
APPENDIX C
WETLAND RATING FORM AND MAPS
W W 1452-WycoffRd W D.AP PC/110515/mas C-1
Wetland name or number (,,_
RATING SUMMARY — Western Washington
Name of wetland (or ID Date of site visit:' t _
Rated by _ T Trained by Ecology? Yes __,No Date of training
HGM Class used for rating__'r j Wetland has multiple HGM classes? Y N
NOTE: Form is not complete without the figures requested (figures can be combined).
Source of base aerial photo/map
OVERALL WETLAND CATEGORY (based on functions_,_.,_-- or special characteristics___)
1. Category of wetland based on FUNCTIONS
_Category I -- Total score = 23 - 27
Category II -Total score = 20 22
Category III -Total score = 16 - 19
____Category IV - Total score 9 - 15
FUNCTION
Improving
I Hydrologic
Habitat -;
Wetland of High Conservation Value
Waterquahty
Bog
I�
Mature Forest
Circle the appropriate
rating.
Site Potential
H M L
H M L
1 11 111 IV
Landscape Potential
I M L
H M
H M I
Value
11 M L
H ;M L
H M L
icore Based on
TOTAL
2. Category based on SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS of wetland
CHARACTERISTIC
CATEGORY
Estuarine
Wetland of High Conservation Value
I
Bog
I�
Mature Forest
Old Growth Forest
1
Coastal Lagoon
I II
Interdunal
None of the above
1 11 111 IV
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form -.Effective January 1, 2015
Score for each
function based
on three
ratings
(order of ratings
is not
important)
9 = H, H, H
8 = [1,11'M
7 = Ii,H,I.
7 = H,M,M
6 = H,M,I
6 = M, M, M
5 H,L,L
5 = M,M,L
4 = M,L,L
3=L,L,L
I
Wetland name or nurriber-, --- ---- -
Maps and figures required to answer questions correctly for
Western Washington
qep_mssional Wetlands
Riverine Wetlands
Lake Fringe Wetlands
Map of:To
answer questi,
--- ----- — --- ----
Cowardin plant classes
if 3.1, 11 1.1
ydi roperio d s
-d _j
H 1 2
P oll e depressions
R 1.1
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure)
R 2.4
Plant cover of grecs, shrubs, and herbaceous plants
— - - -1-1 -------- - ---- ---- -
R 1.2, R 4.2
Widti of unit vs. width of stream (call be added to onotherfigure)
R 4.1
Map of the contributing basin
R 2.2, R 2 , R 5.2
I km Polygon : Arei that extends I on from entire wetland edge - including
H 2-1 H 2.2, H 2.3
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from I cology website)
R 3.1.
Screen capture of list of TIM D Ls for WRIA i n which unit is found (fro in web)
R 3.2, R 3.3
Lake Fringe Wetlands
2
2opc Wetlands
----------- ......
Map -of:To
-classes
answer questii
-
Cowardin plant
-- ----------
H 1 .3, If 1.4
Hydroperiods
H 1.2
Plant cover of dense hoes, shrubs, and herbaceous plants
S 1.3
Plant cover of dense, rigid trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants--
S 4.7.
(can be added tofigureabove)
Rou n dary of 150 fit buffer ca n be added to another figure)
S 2.1, S 5.1
I kill, Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge. including
H 2A, 11 2.2, 112.3
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
s c o a n capture a f on ap of 36 3 11 st e. w a to r s in basin (fro m I c o logy w obsit a
S 3.1 S 3.2
Screen capture list of IMOLS for which unit (from web)
- - I -- ----- -- - - ------ --------
S 13
Wetland Ratj i ig system for Western WA: 2014 U1)dato
Rating Fc, i in - F I I ect i v e January 1, 2 0 15
2
Weiland name or number
HGM Classification of Wetlands in Western Washington
For questions 1-7, the criteria described trust apply to the entire unit being rated.
If the hydrologic criteria listed in each question do not apply to the entire unit being rated, you
probably have a unit With multiple HGM classes. In this case, identify which hydrologic criteria in
questions 1-7 apply, and go to Question 8.
i. Are the water levels in the entire unit usually controlled by tides except during floods?
NO - go to Z YES - the wetland class is Tidal Fringe - go to 1.1
1.1, is the° salinity of the water during periods of annual low flow below 0.5 opt (parts per thousand)?
NO - Saltwater Tidal Fringe (Estuarine) YIiS - Freshwater Tidal Fringe
lfyoar wetland can be classified as a Freshwater Tidal Fringe use the forrns for Riverine wetlands, if it
is Saltwater Tidal JTinge it is an Estuarine wetland and is not scored. This method cannot be used to
score functions for estuarine wetlands.
2. 'file entire wetland unit is Mat and precipitation is the only source (>90%) Of water to it. Groundwater
and surface water runoff are NOT sources of water to the unit.
NO - go to 3 YES -The wetland class is Flats
-Ify"our wetland can be classified as a 1"lots wetland, use the form for Depressional wetlands.
3. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
_The vegetated part of the wetland is on the shores of a body of permanent open water (without any
plants on the surface at any time of the year) at least 20 ac (8 ha) in size;
-_AC least 30% of the open water area is deeper than 6.6 ft (2 m).
�.NO - go to 4 YES -The wetland class is Lake Fringe (Lacustrioe Fringe)
4 Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
___'fhe wetland is on a slope (slope can be veiygradual),
_'fhe water flows through the wetland in one direction (unidirectional) and usually comes from
seeps. It may flow subsurface, as Sheettlow, or in a swale without distinct banks,
_The water leaves the wetland without being impounded.
NO,- go to 5 YES -The wetland class is Slope
NOTE; Surface water does not pond in these type of wetlands except occasionally in very small and
shallow depressions or behind hummocks (depressions are usually <3 ft diameter and less than 1 ft
deep).
5. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
IMe unit is in a valley, or stream channel, where it gets inundated by overbank flooding from that
stream or river,
_ _The overbank flooding occurs at least once every 2 years.
Weuaud Ratmp Syteem (or Western WA: 2014 Update
ttaung l'or m k ffecrkT January 1, 2015
Wetland name or number
,140 - go to 6 YES -The wetland class is Riverine
NOTE: The Riverine unit can contain depressions that are filled with water when the river is not
flooding
6. Is the entire wetland unit in a topographic depression in which water ponds, or is saturated to the
surface, at some time during the year? This means that any outlet, if present, is higher than the interior
ofwtlae wetland.
NO -,go to 7 YES - The wetland class is Depressional
7. Is the entire wetland unit located in a very flat area with no obvious depression and no overbank
flooding? The unit does not pond surface water more than a few inches. The unit seems to be
maintained by high groundwater in the area. The wetland may be ditched, but has no obvious natural
outlet
ANO,- go to 8 YES - The wetland class is Depressional
8. Your wetland unit seems to be difficult to classify and probably contains several different HGM
classes For example, seeps at the base of a slope may grade into a riverine floodplain, or a small
stream within a Depressional wetland has a zone of flooding along its sides. GO [SACK AND IDENTIFY
WHICH OF THE HYDROLOGIC REGIMES DESCRIBED IN QUESTIONS 1-7 APPLY TO DIFFERENT
AREAS IN THE UNIT (make a rough sketch to help you decide.). Use the following table to identify the
appropriate class to use for the rating system if you have several IIGM classes present within the
wetland unit being scored.
NOTE: Use this table only if the class that is recommended in the second column represents 1.0% or
more of the total area of the wetland unit being rated. If the area of the IIGM class listed in column 2
is less than 10%ofthe unit; classify the wetland using the class that represents more than 900/0 of the
total area.
HGM classes within the wetland unit
_ being rated
HGM class to
use in rating
Slope + Riverine
Riverine _
--- -- ------------
Slope + Depressional
--
4epressional
Slope + Lake Fringe
Lake Fringe
Depressional+ Riverine along stream
within boundary of depression
Depressional
Depressional 4- Lake Fringe
Depressional
Riverine + Lake Fringe
Riverine
Salt Water Tidal Fringe and any other
class of freshwater wetland
Treat as
ESTUARINE
if you are still unable to determine which of the above criteria apply to your- wetland, or ifyou have
more than HGM classes within a wetland boundary, classify the wetland as Depressional for the
rating.
wetland Rating; Systr:m for Western WA: 2014 Update 4
Ratin;; Form - Effective lamiaiy 1, 20,1'i
Wetland name or number
DEPRESSIONAL AND FLATS WETLANDS
Water Quality Functions t- Indicators that the site functions to improve water quality
D 1.0. Does the site have the potential to improve water quality?
�.; cc, s[ics ofsurface 1; at outflows from the wetland:
ct and is a depression or flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key) with na surface water leaving it (no outlet)•..
generate poll tants? Yes i-: No = 0
ooints 3 �=
Wetland has an intermittently flowing s.i ears or c Itch, OR highly constricted permanently flowing outlet
U 2.3. Are there septic systems within 250 it of the wetland?
points =. 2
wetland has an unconstricted, or slightly constricted, surface outlet that is permanently flowing points 1
Yes - 1 No 0"
Welland is a_ flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key) whose outlet is a permane.ntl ditch. pomL = 1
U 2.4. Are thei c other sources of pollutants coming into the wt tland that are not listed in questions U 2 1 D 23?
:� l:fie soil 2 in below the surface or duff Li er is true da or true organic use NR(Sowing
_ —_ __.___S_____y_-1 Y g" ( definitions).Yes .4. No .0
Source ,... Yes :.1... No::. p
'- D 1.3. Chat--.acten5tics and distribution of persistentplants (Emergent, Scrub -shrub, and/or retested Cowardin classes)::
Total for 0 2 Add Che points in the boxes about
Wetland has persistent, ungrazed plants> 95% of atea points - 5
-
Wetland has persistent, ungr zed plants > -, of area points - 3
-
Wetland has persistent, ungrazed plants> Y„ of area points _. 1
Wetland has persistent_ ungrazed planes <:/,o of area points =0
1.. C arac.cristics o1 sea sonal_ponding or inundation:
—__—
This is the area that is ponded for at least 2 months. See description in manual.
Area seasonally ponded is > A total area of wetland points -- 4
Arra seasonally ponded is > Y total area of wetland points. r: .
Area seasonally ponded is < % total area of wetland points- 0
I otai for U 7 Add the points in the boxes above
D,.;— -.t r:._ n
- ----u - - -- ---• • -• •• �.,___��-w - r, __o -ii = rvi o -a = L Record the rating on the first page
l) 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the water quality function of thesite?
D 2.1. Does -he wetland unit receive stormwater. discharges? Yes 5 No: 0
D 2 7.Is >20% of thrarea within 150 ft of -the wetland in land uses that
wetland in a basin or sub -basin where an aquatic resource is on the 303 d list?- ( ) Yes 1� No �= 0
generate poll tants? Yes i-: No = 0
he site been identified in a watershed or local plan as important for maintaining water quality(pnswer YES
U 2.3. Are there septic systems within 250 it of the wetland?
re is a 7MDt for the basin in which the unit is ound ?
found)
Yes - 1 No 0"
...._.__.._ .___. ,__.... _ ,Yes = Z No = 0
U 2.4. Are thei c other sources of pollutants coming into the wt tland that are not listed in questions U 2 1 D 23?
I Total for D3 Add the points in the boxes above
Source ,... Yes :.1... No::. p
Total for 0 2 Add Che points in the boxes about
-•• b �•-�••�....,r.; ��_.a� 1Lvi e is:_ a or 4 = N _ 1 or 2 = M —_0 = L Record the rating on the first page
water quality improvement provided by the site valuable to society?
s the wetland discharge directly (iewltniu 1 mi) to a stream, river, lake, or marine water that is on thed)list?Yes
73�Hahe
-1r'No 6e
wetland in a basin or sub -basin where an aquatic resource is on the 303 d list?- ( ) Yes 1� No �= 0
he site been identified in a watershed or local plan as important for maintaining water quality(pnswer YES
re is a 7MDt for the basin in which the unit is ound ?
found)
...._.__.._ .___. ,__.... _ ,Yes = Z No = 0
,
I Total for D3 Add the points in the boxes above
___...o _. .....�... •,...-..,moo, ... vy_n __ 1=1VI U=L
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 7,019 Update
Rating Fm 11) - Hffective January 1, 2015
Record the rating an the first page
Wetland name or number
DEPRESSIONAL AND FLATS WETLANDS
Hydrologic Functions - Indicatorsthat the site functions to reduce flooding and stream degradation
D 4.0. Does the site have the potential to reduce flooding and erosion?
D 4 1. Ch acteri,stics of surface wager outflows f. ori the wetland:
Wmiand is a depression or flat depression with no surface water leaving it (no outlet) r:points - 4
Vvetland has an intermittently flowing stream of ditch, OR highly constricted permanently flowing outletpomts 2.
Wetland is a flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key), whose outlet is a permanently flowing ditch points = 1
'
Aletland has an unconstricted, or slightly constricted surface outlet that is permanently flowing points - 0
.— __.- --- —..._ ........- ---- — ... --------
D4.2,_.. —.__
Depth of storage during wet peliods: Estimate the height of ponding above the bottom of the outlet. Por wetlands
_._.......--.
with na outlet, measure from the surface of permanent waterer if dry, the deepest part.
Marks of ponding are 3 ft or more above the surface or bottom of outlet points - 7
Marks of ponding between 2 ft to < 3 ft from surface or bottorn of outlet , points = 5
Marks are at least 0.5 ft to < 2 fl from surface or bottom of outlet points := 3
The wetland is a "headwater" wetland points - 3
`
Wetland is flat. buthas small depressions on the surface that trap water points:- 1
Marks of ponding less than 0.5 ft (6 in) points = 0
D 43. Contribution of the wetland to storage in the watershed' Estimate the ratio of the area of upstream basin
contributing surface water to the wetland to the area of the wetland unit itself.
The area of the basin is Tess than 10 times the area of the unit points = 5
The area of the basin is 1.0 to 1.00 times the area of the unit points =.3
The area of the basin is more than 100 times the area of the unit points = 0
_ Entire wetland is in the Plats class points = 5
_
Total for D 4 Add the points in the boxes above
�.o u., m mw a "'a" _I = in b-11 = M U-5 = L Record the ratina on the firct nnno
D 5.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support hydrologic functions of the site?
D .5.1.. Does the wetland receive stormwater discharges? '"Yes = 1. No -- 0
D5.2. Is >10% of the area within 1 S ft of the wetland in land uses that generate excess runoff? Yes 1. <No = 0
D 5.3. is more than 25% of the contributing basin of the wetland covered with intensive human land uses (residential at
>1 residence/ac, urban, commercial, agriculture (ttc.)?Yes 1:� No 0�'
Total for D S Add the points in the boxes above
,.auug v, Laurumnuai it score. 6:_._,-S = tt X_1 or L = M0 = L
__. Record the rating on the first page
D 6.0. Are the hydrologic functions provided by the site valuable to society?
D 6.1. The umt i@ in a,I,andscaQe that has floodin problems. Choose the description that hest matches conditions around
Ile wetland unit being rated. Do not odd points. Choose Ute hi hes[_more i_ more than one condition is met,
1'he wetland captures surface water that would otherwise flow down gradient into areas where flooding has
damaged human or natural resources (e.g., houses or salmon roods):
• Flooding occurs in a sub -basin that is immediately down -gradient of unit. points =2
Surface flooding problems are in a sub oasm farther downgradient,points 1 '
I looding from groundwater is an issue iii the sub basin 'points =-1
The existing or potential outflow from the wetland is so constrained by human or natural conditions that the
water stored by the wetland cannot reach areas that flood. t:xplain why __. points - 0
there are no problems with flooding downstream of the wetland. points - 0
D 6.2. Has the site been identified as important for flood storage or flood conveyance in a regional flood control plan?
Yes=2 No -0
`
Total for D 6 Add the points in the boxes above
mating or vague it score is: Z-4 = N 1 M 0 = L
WeOand Rating System for Western WA: 2014 -update
Rating Form - EACCILive Januar= 1, 2015
u
Record the rating on the first page
6
Wetland name or number
These questions apply to wetlands of all HGM classes.
HABITAT FUNCTIONS Indicators that site functions to provide important habitat
H1.0. Does the site: have the potentia to provide habitat?
H I.J. Suc
trture of plant community: Indicators are Cowardin classes and strata within the Forested class. Check the
Cowardin plant classes in the wetland. Up to 10 patches may be combined for each class to meet the threshold
of % ac or more than 101% of the unit if it is smallerthan 2.5 ac. Add the number of structures checked
Aquatic bed 4 structures or more: points ---4
,r Emergent 3 structures: points:- 2
_,-__Scrub-shrub (areas where shrubs have,> -10% cover) - 2 structures: points= 1
Tel ested (areas where trees have > 30% rover)-- 1 structure: points = 0
If the unit has a Forested class, check if:
The Forested class has 3 out of 5 strata (canopy, sub -canopy, shrubs, herbaceous, moss/ground-cover)
that each cover 20% within the Forested polygon
fl 1.2. Hydroperiods
Check the types of water regimes (hydroperiods) present within the wetland. The water regime has to cover
more than 10% of the wetland or % ac to count (see text for descriptions of hydroperiods),
permanently flooded or Inundated 4 or more types present: points = 3
,
_ -Seasonally flooded or inundated types present: points - 2
'p
;rr occasionally flooded or Inundated 2 types present: points ,,'l
.-__Saturated only 1 type present: points - 0
Permanently flowing streann or river in, or adjacent to, the wetland
Seasonally flowing stream in, or adjacent to, the wetland
..,_.__Lake Fringe wetland 2 points
..___,-Freshwater tidal wetland 2 points
i
---
H 1.3. Richness of plant species
----�-"-
Count the number of plant species in the wetland that cover at least 7.0 ft'.
Different patches of the some species can be combined to meet the size threshold and you do not have to name
the species. Do not include Eurasian milfoil, reed canarygrass, purple loosestrife, Canadian thistle
It you counted: > 19 species points = 2
,
5 - 19 species ( points = 1.
------___..__ < 5 species points = 0
_
H 1A. Interspersion of habitats
---
Decide from the diagrams below whether interspersion among Cowardin plants classes (described in If 1.1), or
the classes and unvegetated areas (can include open water or mudflats) is high, moderate, low, or none. if you
have four or more plant classes or three classes and open water, the rating is always high.
C� D�
None - 0 points Low = 1 point Moderate `:: 2 points
All three diagrams Ira.
in this row(LD
C*)
are HIGH: 3points
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 13
Rating Form - LA -festive January 1, 2015 .
Wetland name or mini ei
,.�.rs 'n the boxes above
P - %ecoid the noting on tie first Doge
P -,-Er a! to support the habitat to cion; -_.
'total for it 2 Ado t- - -
Rating of Landscape Potent ` s:or is: 4-6 = H ..,_ 1-3 = M _< 1 = L saae
114 3.0. Is the habitat prop. des by the site valuable to society?
d 2.1. Does the site pros , c ,o;ieat for species valued in laws, regulations, o�,+, ._._
shot applies to the v. etre ?d being rated.
Sate inCot $ ANY of the fol owing criteria:
it .l _ 3 of more priority habitats within 7.00 m (see iCm f >_
-- .t)ovldoshabitit for hreatenedorl.ndangered.,r:.: -_ ..�,�a9'lists)
-_ 1 � mapped as a location for an indjv.d.:al Wilt 1A -
_.-...7 :'etland of High Conservation vaiue-
tegorized as an imoorrta t .., ..
<. _ .-a
Va s: ei Plan, or in a watersrc
ye �.
n- i:, habitats {listed on reg p—c; points = 1
of .-,e cnwia above points 0
L 0 M 1
H
2 == 'Z
_ the toting on the first page
*v� a,
WetIand name or number
WDFW Priority Habitats
Prior(t'dia hitat) s listec bX W.� (see complete descriptions of WDPW fa iority habitats, and the counties in which they can
be focmd, in: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2008. Vriority Habitat and Species hist Olympia, Washington.
17? pp. hit p: AmdN, .wa eov/tImbli ;;tions/093b )/wdfw(101, 65.2df or access the list from here:
htt : (wdftiv.tra.goyyJ�:onsen%ati i .f�hs li.�)
Count how many of the following priority habitats are within 330 f: (100 m) of the wetland unit: NOTh'; 'Phis question is
independent of the /and use between the wetland unit and the priority habitat.
— Aspen Stands: Pure or mixed stands of aspen greater than 1 ac (OA ha).
— Biodiversity Areas and Corridors: Areas of hall dat are relatively important to various species of native fish and
wildlife (fall descriptions in INDAINMIS repart).
--- Herbaceous Balds; Variable size patches of grass and forbs on shallow soils over bedrock.
— Old-growth/Mature forests: OldZrowth weft ofsscne er eft-- Stands of at least 2 it species,formingamulti
-
layered canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac (20 trees/ha ) > 32 in (81 cm) dbh or> 200
years of age. Matw,_e forests -- Stands with average diameters exceeding 21 in (S3 cm) dbh; mown cover may be less
than '100%; decay, decadence, numbers of snags, and quantity of large downed material is generally less than that
found in old-growth; 80-200 years old west of the Cascade crest.
—. Oregon White Oak: Woodland stands of pare oak or oak/conifer associations where canopy coverage ol'the oak
component is important (full descriptions in WDAW PIIS report P. 1718 - see web link above).
Riparian: The area adjacent to aquatic systems With flowing water that contains elements of both aquatic and
terrestrial ecosystems which mutually influence each other.
— Westside Prairies: Herbaceous, non -forested plant communities that can either false the form ofa dry prairie or a wet
prairie (/ull desa iption.s in MID1,INPHS report p. 161 -- see web link above).
-- Instream: 9'he combination of physical, biological, and chemical processes and conditions that interact to provide
functional life history requirennentsinr Instream fish and wildlife resow,ces.
— 'Nearshore: Relatively undkttvbecl nearslnore habitats. 'these include Coastal Nearshore, Open Coast Nearshore, and
Puget Sound Nearshore ((ull desrriptrons oJhabitrlts' and the definition of relatively undisturbed are in tNDFW report-
see web link on previous page).
— Caves: A naturally occcmring cavity, recess, void, or system of interconnected passages under the earth ill soils, rock,
ice, or at he r geol ogical formations and is large enough to canto ia a human.
— Ckif1's: Greater than 25 fi (7.6 nn) high and occurring below 5000 ft elevation.
— TaIUS: Homogenous areas of rock rubble ranging in average size 0.5 - 6.5 ft (0.15 - 2.0 n)), composed of basalt, andesite,
and/or sedimentary rock, including nprap slides and mine tailings. May be associated with cliffs.
— Snags and Logs: Trees are considered snags if they are dead or dying and exhibit sufficient decay characteristics to
enable cavity excavation/use by wildlife. Priority snags have a diameter at breast height of> 20 in (Sl cm) in western
Washington and are > 6.5 ft (2 nn) un height. Priority logs are > 12 in (30 cm) in diameter at the largest end, and > 20 it
(6 nn) long.
Note: All vegetated wetlands are by definition a priority habitat but are not included in this list because they are addressed
elsewhere
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2019 Update 7.S
Rating Porno - tffeceive January 1, 2015
Wetland name or number
CATEGORIZATION BASED ON SPFCIAI CHARACTFRICTIfs
Wetland Type ' --
Category
Checkoff any criteria that apply fo the wetland. Circle the category when Che_o_pproprmte criteria are met.___
SC 1.0. Estuarine wetlands _
_
Does the wetland meet the following criteria for Estuarine wetlands?
--- The dominant water regime is tidal,
-- Vegetated, and
\Virh a saluiity greater Chan 0.5 ppt Yes -Go to SC 1.1; No Not an estuarine wetland
SC 1.7., Is it-(? wetland within a National Wildlife Refuge, Nauonal Park, National Estuary Reserve, Natural Area
Preserve, State Park or Educational, Environmental, or Scientific Reserve designated under WAC 332-30-1,51?
Ycs :� Category I No - Go to SC 1.2
Cat.
SC 1.2. Is the wetland unit at least 1 ac in sire and meets at least two of the following three conditions?
—"fIle wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing, and has less
than 10%cover of nominative plant species. (If non-native species are Sportino, see page 25)
Cat. I
I —At least'/ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un grazed or un -
mowed grassland.
--The wetland has at least two of the following features: tidal channels, depressions with open water, or
Cat. II
contiguous freshwater wetlands. Yes - Category I No'1� Category II
SC 2.0. Wetlands of High Conservation Value (WHCV)
SC 2.1. Has the WA Department of Natural Resources updated their website to include the list of Wetlands of High
Conservation Value? Yes - Go to SC 2.2 ,`No - Go to SC 2.3
Cat. I
SC 2.2. Is the wetland listed on I lie WDNR database as a Wetland of High Conservation Value?
Yes= Category I / No = Not a WHCV
SC 2.3. Is the wetland in a Section/Township/Range that contains a Natural Heritage wetland?
htt : -vv _dncwaaov _/refdesk/datasearch/wnho_wetlands.odf
Yes -- Contact WNHP/WDNR and go to SC 2.4 ;'No = Not a WHCV
SC 2.4. Has W DNR identified the wetland within the S/T/R as a Wetland of High Conservation Value and listed it on
their website? Yes= Category] - No=NotaWHCV
SC3.0.Bogs
Does the wetland (or any part of the unit) meet both the criteria for soils and vegetation in bogs? Use the key
below. If you answer YES you will still need to rate the wetland based on its functions.
SC:3.7.. Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soil horizons, either peaty or mucks, ghat compose 1.6 in or
more of the first 32 in of the soil profile? Yes - Go to SC 3.3 No -.Go to SC 3.2
SC; 12. Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soils, either peats or mucks, that are less than 16 in deep
over bedrock, or an impermeable hardpan such as day or volcanic ash, or that are floating on top of a lake or
pond? Yes -GotoSC3.3 No-Isnotabog
SC 3.3. Does an area with peats or mucks have more than 70% cover of mosses at ground Icvel, AND at least a 30%
cover of plant species listed in fable 4? Yes „ Is a Category I bog No'- Go to SC 3.4
NOTE: if you are uncertain about the extant of mosses in the understory, you may substitute that criterion by
measuring the of of the water that seeps into a hole dug at least 16 in deep. If the pti is less than 5.0 and the
plant species in Table 4 are present, the wetland is a bog,
Cat. I
SC 3.4. Is an area with peats or mucks forested (> 30% cover) with Sitka spruce, subalpine fir, western red cedar,
western hemlock, lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, Engelmann spruce, or western white pine, AND any of the
species (or combination of species) listed in Table 4 provide more than 30% of the cover under the canopy?
Yes _, Is a Category I bog ;No = Is not a bog
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2019 -Update 16
Ruing Porm ... EfTectivc January 1, 2015
Wetland name or number
Wetlands
etland have at least 1 coiltguous acre of forest that meets one of these criteria for the WA
t of Fish and Wildlife's forests as priority habitats? If you answer YES you will still need to rate
W
d based on lits functions.
F
wth forests (west of Cascade crest): Stands of at least two tree species, forming a nwlti-layered
with occasional small openings; with at least 8 troes/ac (20 trees/ha) that are at least 200 years of
have a diameter at breast height (dbh) of 32 in (81cm) or more.
--- Mature forests (west of the Cascade Crest): Stands where the largest trees are 80- 200 years old Off the
species that make up the canopy have an average diameter (dbh) exceeding 21 in 153 cm).
Yes = Category I - No = Not a forested wetland for this section
Cat. I
SC 5.0. Wetlands in Coastal Lagoons
Does the wetland meet all of the following criteria of a writland in a coastal lagoon?
--'l'be wetland lies in a depression adjacent to marine waters that is wholly or partially separated from
marine waters by sandbanks, gravel banks, shingle, or, less frequently, rocks
--The lagoon in which the wetland is located contains ponded water that is saline or brackish (> 0.5 ppt)
during most of the year in at least a portion of the lagoon (needs tobe. measured near the bottom)
Cat. I
Yes - Go to SC 5.1 ;No =1 Not a wetland in a coastal lagoon
SC S.1.. Does the wetland meet all of the following three conditions?
—The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing), and has less
than 20% cover of aggressive, opportunistic plant species (see list of species on In. 100).
Cat. II
— At least % of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 It buffer of shrub, forest, or un grazed or un -
mowed grassland.
--The wetland is larger than'/.M ac (4350 ft)
Yes : Category I No, Category II
SC 6.0. Interdunal Wetlands
Is the wetland west of the 1889 line (also called the Western Boundary of Upland Ownership or WHUO)? If
you answer yes you will still need to rate the wetlund based on its habitat functions.
In practical terns that means the following geographic areas:
— Long Beach Peninsula: Lands west of SR 103
— Grayland-Westport: Lands west of SR 105
Catl
--- Ocean Shores-Copalis: Lands west of SR 115 and SR 109
Yes -- Go to SC 6.1 No =: not an interdunal wetland for rating
SC 6.1. Is the wetland 1 ac or larger and scores an 8 or 9 for the habitat functions on the form (rates H,LI,H or H,H,M
Cat. II
for the three aspects of function)? Yos -= Category I No - Go to SC 6.2
SC 6.2. Is the wetland 1 ac or larger, or is it In a mosaic of wetlands that is 1 ac of larger?
Yes -Category II ;'No. - Go to SC 6.3
Cat. III
SC 6.3. Is the unit between 0.1 and 1 ac, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is between. 0.1 and 1ac?
Yes = Category III /No - Category IV
Cat. IV
Category of wetland based on Special Characteristics
If you answered No for all types, enter "Not Applicable" on Summary Porm
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 17
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