HomeMy WebLinkAboutWetland Rating and Apparent Boundary Parcel Number 701 063 011
Tippins Wetland Rating and
Apparent Boundary
December 17, 2017
Prepared for:
Lesslie Tippins
P.O. Box 284
Quilcene, WA 98376
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Environmental consulting firm Marine Surveys & Assessments was authorized by Leslie
Tippins to identify critical areas and their buffers on her parcel and in the vicinity, in relation
to the placement of a proposed septic system including tank and drain fields. Ms. Tippins
property is located off Center Valley Road in Quilcene, Jefferson County, Washington,
(Tax ID number 701063011) in the SW1/4 of Sec 06, T27N, R01W (Figure 1. Vicinity
Map).
The southwest half of the property has a slope of 0 to 15% with soils listed as QuC
(Quilcene silt loam) as depicted on the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
soil map for the Jefferson County area. The northeast half of the property slopes 15 to
30% from east to west. Soils are listed as AID (Alderwood gravelly sandy loam). The
entire parcel, approximately 4.5 acres, is forested with a mix of coniferous and deciduous
second growth.
The County critical area map shows a stream flowing from the northwest and entering
this parcel in the southwest corner with possible associated wetlands (Figure 2. County
Layer). A portion of the southern end of property does contain wetland characteristics,
but does not seem to be connected to the stream or overbank flooding, except for the area
adjacent to an existing culvert that periodically backs up (according to property owners).
The flatter southwest corner of the property seems to be charged with water coming from
the steeper hillside to the east. In addition to the stream and wetland in the SW corner, the
Jefferson County map shows a wetland on parcel 701063009 to the east.
Marine Surveys & Assessments conducted a preliminary site visit on parcel # 701063011
on December 5-6, 2017 to substantiate the absence or presence of these wetlands. A
subsequent wetland rating and apparent wetland boundary found a sloped wetland area on
the southern end of the property (Figure 3. Site Map). Plant species represented in the
flatter wetland area consist of: Red Alder (Alnus rubra), vine maple (Acer circinatum),
salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), slough sedge (Carex obnupta), piggy-back plant
(Tolmiea menziesii), reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), horse tail sp. (Equisetum
sp.), and western red cedar (Thuja plicata). Other plants in drier areas of the flat include:
Douglas fir (pseudotsuga menziesii), grand fir (Abies grandis), big leaf maple (Acer
macrophyllum), snowberry (Symphoricarpus albus), sword fern (Polystichum munitum),
grass sp. and Himalyan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus).
Access was not possible on the neighboring parcel, and it was difficult to get a clear view
of the suspect wetland area from the property line due to thick vegetation and slope.
There did not appear to be a wetland to the northwest based on soil and vegetation
observations at a plot on the property line, which is consistent with the National Wetland
Inventory (NWI) map (Figure 4. NWI Map). The soil was uniformly dark with gravel and
live roots. There was no redox and no sign of a water table. Plants were more indicative
of uplands with grand fir (Abies grandis), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), big leaf
maple (Acer macrophyllum), red alder (Alnus rubra), Oregon grape (Mahonia sp.), ocean
spray (Holodiscus discolor), snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), red huckleberry
(Vaccinium parvifolium), bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) and Himalyan blackberry
(Rubus ameniacus).
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Note: due to time of year, vegetation survey is likely not representative of all species
typically present.
The wetland rating and apparent boundary were conducted in the SW corner (Appendix
A. Data Forms) and (Appendix B. Rating Forms) to determine land use restrictions as
specified by Jefferson County Unified Development Code (UDC). One set of test plots
was established in representative hydric and upland soils to collect information on plants,
soil and hydrology. Plots were marked on the ground with wire flag (wet 1 and dry 2) and
pink ribbon (Figure 3). Plots, boundaries and buffers were mapped by traversing from a
known point with compass, tape and laser range finder (Appendix C. Survey Method).
Wetland analysis methodology was based on the Washington State Department of
Ecology Wetland Identification and Delineation manual (1997).
Using the Department of Ecology Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western
Washington (updated 2014) the assessment resulted in a Category III wetland based on
functions (17 points) and wetland characteristics (habitat score of 5-7 points). All class III
wetlands located in an area where moderate impact land uses are proposed and with a
habitat score of 5-7 points shall be protected with a 140 foot buffer if not delineated and a
110 foot buffer if delineated (Jefferson County Code, Table 18.22.330(2)).
This wetland report documents the finding that the proposed septic system is outside of
the required 140-foot wetland buffer by approximately 60 feet at the closest point and
outside of the 150-foot stream buffer by approximately 40 feet at the closest point (Figure
3). The final authority over wetland determinations and associated buffers rests with
Jefferson County Community Development.
We trust this information is sufficient for you at this time. If you have any further
questions or planning requirements for this project, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Meg Amos
Marine Surveys & Assessments
Wetland Specialist
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Figure 1. Vicinity Map: Parcel 701063011
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Figure 2. County Mapped Wetlands and Streams – Parcel 701063011
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Figure 3. Site Map for Parcel 701063011 by Jess Godsalve, Licensed Designer
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Figure 4. National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) Map – Parcel 701063011
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Figure 5. Rating Figure (1)
(H1.1, H1.4, H1.2, S1.3, S4.1, S2.1, S5.1, H2.1, H2.2 & H2.3)
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Figure 6. Rating Figure (2) 303(d) Screen Capture
(S3.1, S3.2 & S3.3)
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Appendix A. Data Cards
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Appendix B. Rating & Associated Figures
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Appendix C. Point Location Survey – Parcel 701063011 (Site Map by Jess Godsalve)