Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutApp B Kalaloch_wetland report 05.18.16 Kalaloch Cabins Wetland Delineation & Rating Report May 18, 2016 Prepared for: Derek Zwickey, Delaware North 8358 Huffline Lane, Suite 2 Bozeman, MT 59718 Site Address: 153573 Highway 101 Forks, WA 98331 Kalaloch Cabins Wetland Delineation & Rating Report 2 | MSA Table of Contents I. Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………..4 II. General Site Conditions …………………………………………………………………4 III. Methodology ………………………………………………………………………………5 IV. Background Information…………………………………………………………………6 A. Soil Survey…………………………………………………………………………..6 B. National Wetlands Inventory………………………………………………………6 C. Wetland Rating Parameters……………………………………………………...7-8 V. Wetland Delineation Results…………………………………………………………...8 A. Coastal Lagoon……………………………………………………………………9 1. Vegetation……………………………………………………………………9 A. Wetland Vegetation…………………………………………………9 B. Upland Vegetation…………………………………………………10 2. Soils………………………………………………………………………….11 3. Hydrology…………………………………………………………………...11 4. Wetland Evaluation………………………………………………………...12 B. Sloped Mosaic…………………………………………………………………….14 1. Vegetation…………………………………………………………………..14 A. Wetland Vegetation………………………………………………..14 B. Upland Vegetation…………………………………………………14 2. Soils………………………………………………………………………....15 3. Hydrology…………………………………………………………………...16 Kalaloch Cabins Wetland Delineation & Rating Report 3 | MSA 4. Wetland Evaluation………………………………………………………..16 VI. Summary…………………………………………………………………………………..17 VII. References………………………………………………………………………………..18 Figures 1. Site and Vicinity Map……………………………………………………………………….19 2. National Wetland Inventory Map…………………………………………………………20 3. NRCS Soil Survey Map…………………………………………………………………...21 Appendices……………………………………………………………………………………22 A. Routine Wetland Determination Data Forms for Coastal Lagoon B. Routine Wetland Determination Data Forms for Sloped Wetland C. Lagoon Wetland Rating Forms D. Sloped Wetland Rating Forms E. Wetland Rating Maps 1. 1 Kilometer Polygon 2. 150 Foot Boundary 3. Contributing Basin Kalaloch Cabins Wetland Delineation & Rating Report 4 | MSA Jefferson County Parcels 413273002, 413273004, 413273005, 413273006 & 413273007 WETLAND DELINEATION & RATING I. Introduction Marine Surveys & Assessments (MSA) was authorized by the applicant, Derek Zwickey, Delaware North, to perform a wetland delineation and rating on five consecutive parcels in Jefferson County, Washington. The delineation was done between February 6th and April 19th, 2016 to identify wetlands on the site and their associated buffers. During the field work two separate wetlands, a coastal lagoon and a sloped wetland, were identified. The property is known as Sea Crest and is comprised of five separate parcels (413273006, 413273002, 413273007, 413273004 and 413273005) equaling approximately 23.52 acres. The parcels are located in the SW 1/4 SEC 27, T24N, R13W (Figure 1). For the purposes of Federal, Washington State, and Jefferson County jurisdictional oversight, the wetland delineation followed the methodology outlined in the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region (Version 2.0) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers May 2010. WAC 173-22-035 states delineations should be done according to this manual and supplements. The changes became effective March 14, 2011. The sections below provide: (1) an introduction to the site; (2) a description of methods used in the field delineation; and, (3) technical results. II. General Site Conditions This property is located in a relatively remote and undeveloped part of west Jefferson County within the Jefferson County West End Planning Area (WEPA) and the Quinault Indian Nation. It is north of the Queets River and approximately 1/2 mile south of the Olympic National Park boundary. The property is 23.52 acres and is divided into five parcels, which are bisected by Highway 101. The portion of the property to the east of Highway 101 is approximately 4.11 acres. It is flat and gravel covered. Along the north and east boundaries of this portion, there is an approximate 8-foot wide drainage ditch, which in conjunction with the gravel, was likely used to turn wetland into a useable heavy machinery staging area (see Habitat Management Plan). The western portion of the property where proposed construction will occur is bordered by Highway 101 to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The access is at the north end of the property (Figure 1). The top of the western portion of the property between Highway 101 and the steep slope to the west is roughly 80' above sea level and is partially developed with two existing vacation cabins, a well, and septic system. The dominant vegetation is Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), and salal (Gaultheria shallon). West of the developed portion there is a steep, mostly vegetated slope which drops to near sea level. On the northern end of the property at the toe of the slope lies a 1.84 acre coastal lagoon and beyond that, the Pacific Ocean. The lagoon is separated from the ocean by a mixed substrate of cobble, rock and sand, and the area is mostly vegetated with facultative and upland plant species as well Kalaloch Cabins Wetland Delineation & Rating Report 5 | MSA as ocean tossed logs. The slope to the south of the lagoon has a mosaic of wetland pockets, which are a result of ground water coming from the hillside in several different locations along the slope. This area extends south to the gravel access road running east and west from the top of the bluff to the beach area. The adjacent property to the south is undeveloped and belongs to the Quinault Indian Nation. There is a wetland here as well, that appears to be a depression with no outlet. This pond is located outside of the required distance for protected buffers. A single-family residence occupies the adjacent property to the north of the subject property. III. Methodology Consistent with procedures detailed in the Washington State Wetlands Identification and Delineation Manual (Washington State Department of Ecology, 2011 Manual), preliminary information was gathered on the project site prior to the field review and delineation. General information sources included: • 1974 National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps, United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) • 1975 Soil Survey of Jefferson County Area, Washington (USDA) • 2013 Washington Department of Natural Resources Water Resource Map (DNR) • 1979 Washington State Wetlands Identification and Delineation Manual, (WSDE) • 2009 Jefferson County Unified Development Code Chapter 18.22 Critical Areas Jefferson County Critical Areas Map • 2014 State of Washington 2014 Wetland Plant List US Army Corps of Engineers (COE) • 2014 Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington 2014 Update. (Hruby, T Washington State Department of Ecology) The field delineations followed the methodology outlined in the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual (effective January 1987): Western Mountains, Valleys and Coast Region 9 Version 2.0) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This document is the wetland delineation manual that is used in determining wetland areas when applying state and local government regulations under the Shoreline Management Act and the Growth Management Act in Washington State. The extent and location of both the lagoon wetland and the sloped wetland was determined during field work completed on April 12-13, 2016 and April 19-20, 2016. Field work was done under variable conditions with an ambient temperature ranging between 49° and 57° Fahrenheit. The time of year and recent precipitation history were considered in assessing the extent of the suspect wetlands presumed to exist on site. Specific field methodology used in determining the extent and location of wetland areas include: Kalaloch Cabins Wetland Delineation & Rating Report 6 | MSA 1) As part of the initial project site reconnaissance, the site was walked to determine the general extent and location of potential wetland areas. 2) Wetland and upland sample plots were established in the identified potential wetland areas and in the adjacent upland areas; and 3) The extent of the wetlands was located with a GPS unit and measured on the ground to reference points. The project areas were investigated and data was collected at two (2) transect locations per wetland. Data was collected at four (4) sample plot locations per wetland. Data forms were completed for the wetland areas and corresponding upland areas. Data collected at each sample plot was entered onto Routine Wetland Determination Data Forms (USACOE Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast- Version 2.0) (Appendix A). IV. Background Information Soil Survey The soil survey of Jefferson County and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) indicate that there are no published soils for the area that is located on the Quinault Indian Reservation (Figure 3). National Wetlands Inventory The USFWS NWI map (on the National Wetlands Inventory website) shows two mapped wetlands in the vicinity of the proposed Sea Crest project (See Figure 2. NWI Map). The wetlands are classified by the NWI according to the Cowardin classification system as Palustrine, Unconsolidated Shore, Seasonally Flooded (PUSC) and Palustrine, Unconsolidated Bottom, Seasonally Flooded, Semi permanent-Tidal (PUBT). National Wetland Inventory code interpretations are as follows: • P: The Palustrine System includes all nontidal wetlands dominated by trees, shrubs, emergents, mosses or lichens, and all such wetlands that occur in tidal areas where salinity due to ocean derived salts is below 0.5 ppt. Wetlands lacking such vegetation are also included if they exhibit all of the following characteristics: 1. are less than 8 hectares ( 20 acres ); 2. do not have an active wave-formed or bedrock shoreline feature; 3. have at low water a depth less than 2 meters (6.6 feet) in the deepest part of the basin; 4. have a salinity due to ocean-derived salts of less than 0.5 ppt. • US: The Unconsolidated Shore Class includes all wetland habitats having two characteristics: 1) unconsolidated substrates with less than 75 percent areal cover of stones, boulders or bedrock and 2) less than 30 percent areal cover of vegetation. Landforms such as beaches, bars and flats are included in the Unconsolidated Shore class. • C: Seasonally Flooded Water Regime means surface water is present for extended periods especially early in the growing season, but is absent by the end of the growing Kalaloch Cabins Wetland Delineation & Rating Report 7 | MSA season in most years. The water table after flooding ceases, is variable, from saturated to the surface, to a water table well below the ground surface. • UB: The Unconsolidated Bottom class includes all wetlands and deep water habitats with at least 25% cover of particles smaller than stones (less than 6-7 cm), and a vegetative cover less than 30%. • T: Semi permanent-Tidal water regime refers to Palustrine, Riverine and Lacustrine wetlands that are flooded by fresh water tides. The surface water persists throughout the growing season in most years. When surface water is absent, the water table is usually at or very near the land’s surface. The NWI map documents were prepared primarily by stereoscopic analysis of high altitude aerial photographs taken in 1980 and 1981. Wetlands were identified on the photographs based on vegetation, visible hydrology, and geography. The aerial photographs typically reflected conditions during a specific year and season when they were taken. Some small wetlands and those obscured by dense forest cover may not be included on the map. In addition, there is a margin of error inherent in the use of aerial photographs. As you will see in our delineation results, the actual Cowardin classification of the wetlands found differed from those on the USFWS NWI map. Wetland Rating Parameters The wetlands were rated using the Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington (2014 Update). When the final wetland category is determined, it is based on either functions or special characteristics (whichever is higher). The rating system for special characteristics was designed to differentiate among wetlands based on their sensitivity to disturbance, their significance, their rarity, the ability to replace them and the functions they provide. Wetlands identified with special characteristics are rated by function in addition to special characteristics because in some cases there are additional buffer widths due to a very high score in one of the three functions listed below. We rated two wetlands at this site. The first was a depressional coastal lagoon and the second was a slope mosaic. When rating wetlands by function they are divided into four grades: Category I with total scores of 23-27 have the largest buffers, Category II with total scores of 20-22, Category III with total scores of 16-19 and Category IV with total scores of 9-15 which have the smallest buffers. The category of wetland based on functions for depressional and slope wetlands are rated by the following parameters: 1) Water Quality Functions Water quality functions are indicators of the site's potential to improve water quality and are measured by three parameters: a) Does the site have potential to improve water quality? b) Does the landscape have the potential to support the water quality function of the site? (This question refers to what sort of pollutants are entering the wetland upgradient from the wetland). Kalaloch Cabins Wetland Delineation & Rating Report 8 | MSA c) Does the improvement in water quality provided by the site have the potential to benefit adjacent waters that need to be improved? 2) Hydrologic Functions Hydrologic functions are indicators of the site's potential to improve water quality and are measured by the following parameters: a) Does the site have the potential to reduce flooding and erosion? b) Does the land use and the land contiguous with the wetland have the potential to support the hydrologic functions of the site? (This question, refers to what sort of pollutants are entering the wetland upgradient from the wetland). c) Do the hydrologic functions provided by the site help capture surface water that might otherwise flow down-gradient into areas where flooding has damaged human or natural resources? 3) Habitat Functions Habitat functions are indicators of the site's potential to provide important habitat and are measured by the following parameters: a) What potential does the site have to provide habitat for natural living systems? b) Does the accessible and undisturbed habitat and land use intensity surrounding the wetland have the potential to support the habitat functions of the site? c) Is the habitat provided by the site valuable to society? Does it provide habitat for species valued in laws, regulations, or policies? V. Wetland Delineation Results The two NWI mapped wetlands described above are below the bluff where the proposed cabins are sited. The smaller wetland to the south on the Quinault Reservation classified as PUBT on the NWI map, was over 300’ from the closest proposed structure and was not part of the subject property, therefore it was not delineated. The mapped wetland to the north, classified as PUSC on the NWI map, was tested for salinity on February 6th, 2016 during a period of high water from winter rains and was found to have a salinity of over 0.5 ppt (See Coastal Lagoon Wetland Evaluation) and therefore classified under Special Characteristics, as a Coastal Lagoon. An additional Slope Wetland Mosaic was found between the two ponds on the steep bluff with slope readings of up to 74%. Several areas of flowing water were observed as well as hydrophytic vegetation and hydric soils. Kalaloch Cabins Wetland Delineation & Rating Report 9 | MSA Testing for Salinity on February 6, 2016 The mosaic sloped wetland was determined by our findings at four data points. The dry holes ideally would have been on top of the bluff, but due to the steepness of the slope, the instability of the soil, and the overhanging bluff, it was not possible to safely access that area. As a result of the difficulty accessing the upper reaches of the slope, our wetland and upland plots for this wetland are in close proximity, which accounts for some of the overlap in vegetation findings (see Appendix A Data Forms). The delineated portion of the Coastal Lagoon on this property was determined by our findings at four data points along the western wetland edge along the toe of the slope. At the northern end of the property the wetland recedes and the steep wooded hillside ends directly at the lake edge. Each data point for both wetlands contained a plot within the wetland where positive results were found for the three wetland indicators: hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and wetland hydrology. There was a corresponding plot on the upland side where positive wetland indicators were not found. Additional flagging was hung between data points marking the wetland boundaries. Test pits at each data point were marked with yellow flagging, pink wire flags, and GPS Latitude and Longitude locators. A. Coastal Lagoon 1. Vegetation A. Wetland Vegetation Stratum Common Name Latin Name Status Tree red alder Alnus rubra FAC Kalaloch Cabins Wetland Delineation & Rating Report 10 | MSA Stratum Common Name Latin Name Status Tree Sitka spruce Picea sitchensis FAC Tree Hooker’s willow Salix hookeriana FACW Shrub salmonberry Rubus spectabilis FAC Shrub red elderberry Sambucus racemosa FACU Shrub salal Gaultheria shallon FACU Shrub black twinberry Lonicera involucrata FAC Herb lady fern Athrium filix-femina FAC Herb slough sedge Carex obnupta OBL Herb false lily of the valley Maianthemum dilatatum FAC Herb deer fern Blechnum spicant FAC Herb curly chickweed Stellaria crispa FAC Herb sword fern Polystichum munitum FACU Herb little western bitter-cress Cardamine oligosperma FAC B. Upland Vegetation Stratum Common Name Latin Name Status Tree red alder Alnus rubra FAC Tree Sitka spruce Picea sitchensis FAC Tree western hemlock Tsuga heterophylla FACU Shrub salal Gaultheria shallon FACU Shrub red elderberry Sambucus racemosa FACU Shrub salmonberry Rubus spectabilis FAC Shrub black twinberry Lonicera involucrata FAC Herb sword fern Polystichum munitum FACU Kalaloch Cabins Wetland Delineation & Rating Report 11 | MSA Stratum Common Name Latin Name Status Herb false lily of the valley Maianthemum dilatatum FAC Herb little western bitter-cress Cardamine oligosperma FAC To meet the qualification as a site dominated by hydrophytic vegetation, wetland plant species must show at least one of five hydrophytic vegetation indicators. • Indicator 1 (Rapid Test) is met if all dominant species across all strata are either OBL or FACW. • For indicator 2 (Dominance Test) hydrophytic vegetation must constitute greater than 50% of the total vegetation present. This is determined by calculating the actual aerial cover within a 30 foot radius for trees and shrubs and a 5 foot radius for woody vines and herbaceous layers. The number of dominant species that are OBL, FACW, or FAC in each stratum is then divided by the total number of dominant species across all strata. Since the wetland boundary for this coastal lagoon was between the toe of the slope and the extremely steep bluff, the horizontal distance between wet and dry holes was abbreviated. In the case of the tree and sapling/shrub layers, cover estimates are made within a 30-foot diameter circle. This caused overlap in our plots (Appendix A) where the trees and shrubs may show hydrophytic indicators, but the only FACW and OBL plant species were in the wet plots. As noted by the aerial photographs, a clear vegetation break between wetland and upland was verified by our findings on site. 2. Soils Hydric soils are soils that formed under conditions of saturation, flooding, or ponding long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper soil horizon (NRCS). In this wetland, hydric soils were identified by the hydrogen sulfide indicator (A4) and the Histosol indicator (A1). In test pit BW (Appendix A Data Forms) from 0-16" the matrix color was 2.5YR 2.5/1 @ 60% and redox features were 7.5YR 4/6. In test pit IW (Appendix A Data Forms) hydrogen sulfide odor was detected immediately upon breaking the soil with shovel. Both upland pits (Appendix A Data Forms) were a sandy loam with 100% matrix of 10YR 2/1 from 0-12". This soil contained a lot of gravel as well. 3. Hydrology Wetlands occur where hydrologic conditions controlled by climate, topography, geology, and soils create surface saturation remaining long enough to form hydric soils and a favorable environment for hydrophytic vegetation. High water table, saturation, sediment deposits, and geomorphic position were all indicators of the hydrology parameter in this depressional costal lagoon. Kalaloch Cabins Wetland Delineation & Rating Report 12 | MSA 4. Wetland Evaluation According to the Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington 2014 Update (Hruby 2014), a Coastal Lagoon must meet the following criteria: 1) The vegetated wetland lies in a depression with open water for at least part of the year that is adjacent to marine waters. The depression is wholly or partially separated from those marine waters by sandbanks, gravel banks, shingle, or less frequently, rocks along part of its circumference. The banks can be vegetated or bare. 2) The unvegetated areas of the lagoon contain water, in at least some parts of the lagoon, that is saline or brackish (>0.5ppt) during most of the year (needs to be measured near the bottom). 3) The lagoon retains some of its surface water at low tide during spring tides. The lagoon we delineated was sampled during a time of year when large amounts of freshwater filled the depression from winter storms and run off. This time of year one would expect to find the most dilution and therefore the lowest salinity. As the water evaporates in the dry season the salinity increases due to evaporation. On February 6th, 2016 samples were taken from four locations with a Niskin bottle at depths from 2.2 - 3.55 feet. The Niskin bottle is a plastic cylinder with stoppers at each end which are connected by an elastic cord and attached to a release mechanism. The bottle is lowered to the bottom of the pond. A small weight travels down the length of the line holding the bottle, striking the release mechanism, which closes the stoppers at each end of the bottle insuring that the water collected is from the bottom. Samples collected were placed in clean, labeled jars and brought to the Port Townsend Marine Science Center for testing with the YSI professional plus salinity testing unit. The results for the testing are as follows: SAMPLE DEPTH in feet SALINITY in parts per thousand Sample 1 3’ 0.62 ppt Sample 2 3.45’ 0.71 ppt Sample 3 3.55’ 0.67 ppt Sample 4 2.2’ 0.64 ppt The average salinity was 0.66 ppt, which is greater than 0.5 ppt threshold; therefore this wetland is categorized as a Coastal Lagoon. Coastal lagoons are further categorized based on size and level of disturbance in the lagoon and its buffers. If a wetland in a Coastal Lagoon meets the following three criteria, it is Category I: 1) The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation or grazing), and has less than 20% cover of aggressive, opportunistic plant species (see list of species on pp 100 of the Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington 2014 Update). Kalaloch Cabins Wetland Delineation & Rating Report 13 | MSA 2) At least 3/4 of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest or ungrazed or unmowed grassland. 3) The wetland is larger than 1/10 ac (4,350 sf). This lagoon is approximately 1.84 acres. It is relatively undisturbed and the landward edge meets the 75% cover of forest and shrub in the 100-foot buffer. The close adherence of the delineated depressional wetland to the Coastal Lagoon special characteristics, inform the classification and result in a Category I Coastal Lagoon. According to the Jefferson County Code table 18.22.330(2) updated for use with the 2014 rating system, the buffer for a Category I Coastal Lagoon, for high impact land uses (single-family residential use on parcels smaller than one acre; commercial, multifamily, industrial and institutional uses) is 200 feet (see Figure 1 Site Map). Although the overall rating category and subsequent buffer for this wetland is based on special characteristics (Coastal Lagoon), the wetland is also rated by function as a depressional wetland. When rating by function the wetland is assessed for indicators of how the site functions to: 1) improve water quality, 2) reduce flooding and stream degradation and 3) provide important habitat. Wetlands with higher habitat scores generally have additional buffer widths. This wetland scored a total of 18 points by function. The water quality score was 6 points, the hydrologic score was 5 points, and the habitat score was 7 points. The wetland boundary is along the toe of the slope and was identified by noting hydric soil indicators, positive wetland hydrology and the presence of hydrophytic vegetation. Pink flagging marks the boundary of this wetland. The short term impacts from the proposed work (moving the structures on site and having heavy equipment on site) will encroach on a maximum of 122 ft of the wetland buffer leaving 78 ft of the buffer undisturbed from the toe of the slope to the top of the slope. The long term impacts from where the structures will be placed will encroach on 100 ft of the wetland buffer leaving 100 ft of buffer undisturbed from the toe of the slope to the cabins. Acreage that is going to be impacted (short term plus long term) is 1.837 acres. A mitigation plan is proposed on the property to the east of Hwy 101 to mitigate for any potential impacts (see Habitat Management Plan). Coastal Lagoon and Pacific Ocean Kalaloch Cabins Wetland Delineation & Rating Report 14 | MSA B. Sloped Mosaic 1. Vegetation A. Wetland Vegetation Stratum Common Name Latin Name Status Tree red alder Alnus rubra FAC Tree Sitka spruce Picea sitchensis FAC Tree Douglas fir Pseudotsuga menziesii FACU Shrub salmonberry Rubus spectabilis FAC Shrub black twinberry Lonicera involucrata FAC Shrub red elderberry Sambucus racemosa FACU Shrub evergreen huckleberry Vaccinium ovatum FACU Shrub salal Gaultheria shallon FACU Herb water parsley Oenanthe sarmentosa OBL Herb false lily of the valley Maianthemum dilatatum FAC Herb slough sedge Carex obnupta OBL Herb little western bitter-cress Cardamine oligosperma FAC Herb sword fern Polystichum munitum FACU Herb curly chickweed Stellaria crispa FAC Herb lady Fern Athrium filix-femina FAC Herb giant horsetail Equisetum telmateia FACW B. Upland Vegetation Stratum Common Name Latin Name Status Tree Sitka spruce Picea sitchensis FAC Tree red alder Alnus rubra FAC Kalaloch Cabins Wetland Delineation & Rating Report 15 | MSA Stratum Common Name Latin Name Status Tree Douglas fir Pseudotsuga menziesii FACU Shrub salal Gaultheria shallon FACU Shrub red elderberry Sambucus racemosa FACU Shrub salmonberry Rubus spectabilis FAC Shrub black twinberry Lonicera involucrata FAC Shrub evergreen huckleberry Vaccinium ovatum FACU Shrub common gorse Ulex europaeus FACU Herb sword fern Polystichum munitum FACU Herb false lily of the valley Maianthemum dilatatum FAC Herb water parsley Oenanthe sarmentosa OBL Herb pearly everlasting Anaphalis margarticacea FACU Herb giant vetch Vicia gigantea FACU The wetland edge of the slope mosaic is close to the top of the bluff which is steep, unstable and undercut. The vegetation at the top of the bluff is primarily a dominant upland plant community with Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and salal, (Gaultheria shallon). Because we were unable to access the property on the edge of the bluff our dry holes (Appendix B) were located at the highest point we could reach from the toe of the slope. The area for cover to be estimated for trees and shrubs is 30 feet. If you have a small wetland on the side of a steep slope, your wetland and upland cover for trees and shrubs is bound to overlap. Our upland plots passed the Dominance test for hydrophytic vegetation, but we did not find hydrology or hydric soils. 2. Soils In this wetland, hydric soils were identified by the A11 indicator (depleted below dark surface). Test pit S1W (Appendix B) produced a matrix color of 5YR5/1 starting at 7" below a dark surface. The dark layer had less than 1% redox (7.5YR5/6) starting at 6". The soil was a silty clay loam to silt loam and was gravelly to the top. There were large pebbles in the bottom layer that were coated with iron. Test pit S4W was much the same, but no redox was observed in the top layer. From 7-16" the matrix was 10YR6/1 with redox features of 10YR5/8. This soil was identified as a silty clay loam to silt loam. The dry holes contained dark soil to 16" with roots and gravel. Kalaloch Cabins Wetland Delineation & Rating Report 16 | MSA 3. Hydrology Multiple primary indicators, as well as geomorphic position, met the hydrology parameter for this wetland. Water was seeping from the hillside in many locations and ponding at the toe of the slope. Surface water, high water table, and saturation were all present. The area at the toe of slope is also visible on aerial photos by the change in vegetation. 4. Wetland Evaluation This wetland was rated using the criteria for a sloped wetland and also met the requirements of a mosaic. According to the Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington 2014 Update (Hruby 2014), a mosaic of wetland pockets is considered one unit when: • Each patch of wetland is less than 1 ac, AND • Each patch is less than 100 ft. away from the nearest wetland, AND • The total area delineated as vegetated wetland is more than 50% of the total area of wetlands and uplands, open water, and river bars around which you can draw a polygon, AND • There are at least three patches of wetland that meet the size and distance thresholds. (p. 20) This mosaic of seeps and ponding occurs on a steep slope (up to 74%) and at the toe of the slope, and was rated as a sloped wetland. "Slope wetlands occur on hill or valley slopes where groundwater surfaces and begins running along the surface, or immediately below the surface. Water in these wetlands flows only in one direction (down the slope) and the gradient is steep enough that the water is not impounded. The downhill side of the wetland is always the point of lowest elevation in the wetland. Slope wetlands with surface flows can be distinguished from Riverine wetlands by “the lack of a defined stream bed with banks." (p. 33) The wetland was rated as a category IV with a total score of 14 (Water Quality - 3, Hydrologic – 4, and Habitat - 7). Category IV wetlands are those with a score of 9-15 based on combined scores for water quality, hydrology and habitat. This is a high impact project as per Jefferson County Code, Table 18.22.330(3), Wetland Categories, Rating Scores and Buffer Widths For High Impact Land Uses and requires a delineated buffer width of 50 feet. To be in compliance with the code all impact must occur outside of the 50 foot buffer. The proposed work will encroach on approximately 3 square feet of the buffer at the very southwestern edge of the buffer. Kalaloch Cabins Wetland Delineation & Rating Report 17 | MSA Sloped Wetland VI. Summary This wetland report documents the presence of two wetlands, one meeting the criteria for Category I, Coastal Lagoon Wetland and the second wetland meeting the criteria for a Category IV, Slope Mosaic Wetland. According to table 18.22.330(2) of the Jefferson County Code the coastal lagoon wetland requires a 200-foot buffer and the slope mosaic wetland requires a 50- foot buffer. See Figure 1 Site Map for the approximate location of the wetland and associated buffers. We trust this information is sufficient for you at this time. Thank you for choosing Marine Surveys & Assessments as your environmental consultant. If you have any further questions or planning requirements for this project, please do not hesitate to contact us. Respectfully submitted, Marine Surveys and Assessments ______________________________ Meg Amos and Soozie Nichol Staff Wetland Specialists ______________________________ Amy Leitman Senior Biologist, Owner Kalaloch Cabins Wetland Delineation & Rating Report 18 | MSA VII. REFERENCES Cowardin, LM., V. Carter, F.C. Golet and E.T. LaRoe, 1979. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service document FWS/OBS- 79/31. 84pp. Washington D.C. Hitchcock, L.C. and A. Cronquist, 1973. Flora of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press. 730 pp. Hruby, T., 2014. Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington - Revised. Washington State Department of Ecology Publication #04-06-025. Jefferson County Unified Development Code, Title 18, Article VII. July 2006. Munsell Soil Color Charts, 1998. GretagMacbeth. North Windsor, New York. Pocket Guide to Hydric Soil Field Indicators Based on Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States v. 7.0 with Updates, Prepared by Wetland Training Institute, Inc., 2013 Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual (1987): Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region (Version 2.0), US Army Corps of Engineers, May 2010. Speare-Cooke, S., 1997. A Field Guide to the Common Wetland Plants of Western Washington and Northwestern Oregon. Seattle Audubon Society. 417 pp. US Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. Soil Survey of Jeffeson County Area, Washington. December, 2013 US Fish and Wildlife Service. National Wetlands Inventory. 1978 Washington State Department of Ecology, 1997. Washington State Wetland Indentification and Delineation MAnual. Ecology Publication #96-94, Olympia, Washington. Kalaloch Cabins Wetland Delineation & Rating Report 19 | MSA Figure 1. Site and Vicinity Map Kalaloch Cabins Wetland Delineation & Rating Report 20 | MSA Figure 2. National Wetland Inventory (NWI) Map Kalaloch Cabins Wetland Delineation & Rating Report 21 | MSA Figure 3. NRCS Soil Survey Kalaloch Cabins Wetland Delineation & Rating Report 22 | MSA Appendix A. Routine Wetland Determination Data Forms for Coastal Lagoon Appendix B. Routine Wetland Determination Data Forms for Sloped Wetland Appendix C. Lagoon Wetland Rating Forms RATING SUMMARY Western Washington Maps and figures required to answer questions correctly for Western Washington HGM Classification of Wetlands in Western Washington WDFW Priority Habitats Appendix D. Sloped Wetland Rating Forms RATING SUMMARY Western Washington Maps and figures required to answer questions correctly for Western Washington HGM Classification of Wetlands in Western Washington WDFW Priority Habitats Appendix E. Wetland Rating Maps