HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarsh & Meadows Conserv'n Ease PO Box 1610
1033 Lawrence Street
Port Townsend WA 98368
Phone/FAX (360) 379-9501
JEFFERSON LAND TRUST
Helping the community preserve open space, working lands
and habitat forever
March 28, 2002 i: i: ', !
" MAR 29
........ : .......... . "; 7-%' -
:::.,.-~ ..; - . .,: {
Community Development Department
Jefferson County
621 Sheridan Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
E-mail: jlt@saveland.org
Web: www. saveland.org
BOARD OF' DIRECTORS
Kees Kolff, President
John Clise
Ginna Correa
Ellen Crockett
Steve Habersetzer
Amy Hiatt
Stephanie Lutgring
Lynn Moser
Barbara Nightingale
STUDENT BOARD MEMBER
Anna Vinitsky
PROJECTS MANAGER
Sarah Spaeth
programs @saveland.org
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Vickie Le Huray
jlt @saveland.org
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Connie Ross
admin@saveland.org
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
DEVElOPmENT DIRECTOR
Libby Urner
libby @ olympus, net
Dear Kevin,
Attached is a copy of Jefferson Land Trust's (JLT) baseline
information on the Marsh and Meadows Conservation Easement. I've
marked with highlighter on the maps the area in which we are
planning to conduct a volunteer work party on March 30 (Lot 3 only),
and the sections of the baseline narrative and plant lists dealing with
the invasive plant species occurring on the property.
Per the UDC Section 3.6.9.e.2, the work that we are planning to do
is considered Type 2 Non-Compensatory Enhancement. This letter
and the attached material is intended to constitute the first installment
of the required description of enhancement activity that we expect to
be undertaking over the next several years at Marsh and Meadows.
The long-term goal of this project for JLT is to manage and enhance,
with the participation and cooperation of the property owners, the
successional recovery of the land in the Conservation Easement from
the effects of past agricultural uses, particularly livestock grazing.
The assumption is that the open areas will gradually grow back as a
mosaic of scrub-shrub and forest, providing improved wetland
functions and increased quality and diversity of habitat for wildlife.
The basic management and enhancement objectives are:
· . suppression and/or eradication of invasive exotic plant species.
· replacement with seedling plants of native species already
occurring in the vicinity, preferably from seeds and cuttings
collected on site.
· introduction of native plant species not occurring in the vicinity
but appropriate to the site conditions.
A timeline for this project has not been defined. The extent of activity will be dependent on availability
of volunteer labor and plant materials. However, the effects of the work will be monitored and
documented at least annually as part of JLT's routine oversight of the Conservation Easement.
The tasks described below will not involve any regulated activities described in UDC Section 3.6.9.b,
except Item 7 (destruction or alteration of wetland vegetation). There will be no application of
herbicides; nor will there be any use of wheeled or motorized vehicles. The work will be done using
hand tools, hand-carried power equipment and wheelbarrows. There will be no significant ground
disturbance; nor will there be any alteration of watercourses.
The specific tasks identified for the work party on March 30 are as follows:
Zones 3-a and 3-c on Lot 3:
· Eradicate seedlings of Ilex aquifolium (English holly) by hand-pulling.
· Remove mature plants and root systems of holly and Rubus discolor (Himalayan blackberry)
by cutting and grubbing.
Zone 2-a on Lot 3:
· Cut the isolated patches of Phalaris arundinacea (reed canary grass) down to stubble using a
weed whacker or scythe.
· Stake down black plastic sheetiug to cover the stubble. (Plastic cover is to remain in place
for at least one growing season in order to kill the grass roots.)
· Hand-pull individual plants of reed canary grass in saturated ground if the root systems can
also be pulled out.
· Plant seedlings of western red cedar along south property boundary.
Zone 2-b on Lot 3:
· Plant seedlings of western red cedar along south edge adjacent to the treeline of Zone 3-a.
Please let me know if this format for describing the wetland enhancement activity at Marsh and
Meadows is satisfactory. It is anticipated that another work party will take place there in October or
November. Lots 1, 2 and 4 will be the focus at that time and the tasks will be similar to those
described for Lot 3.
Would you like us to notify you each time we schedule an activity or would it be acceptable for us to
provide you with an expanded version of this letter that could serve as a blanket notice? We would like
to settle eventually on a regular program in cooperation with the individual lot owners to manage the
weed species. It seems unnecessarily burdensome for us, the landowners, and your office to deal with
the paperwork for very minor actions that will ideally be frequently occurring. Feel free to call me at
385-1172.
Sincerely,
Amy Hiatt, Chair
Land Conservation Committee
X
X x
200.00
~5'~2'~
X
Marsh and Meadows Easement Baseline Vegetation Survey .
Summary ...... · ....'.
Date:
Observers:
Attachments:
References:
Note:
April 05, 2000
Amy Hiatt, Karen McKee
Plant lists and notes for Zones I through 4
Map of zones and sub-zones (reduced version)
Code of habitat types
1997 DNR aerial photo at scale: 1 inch-- 100 feet (used
USDA-SCS Soil Survey of Jefferson County
Pojar & McKinnon's "Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast"
Guard's "Wetland Plants of Oregon and Washington"
WSU's "A Field Guide to Wetland Characterization"
The individuals who conducted this survey are mnateur naturalists,
wetlands delineators.
as basis for the Zone Map)
not professional
No archival or oral research has been conducted on historic land-use of this particular property. The
assumption is that the bottom lands throughout Beaver Valley were among the earliest areas in the
region to be cleared for agriculture. The land was probably logged off ca 1880-1900, the stumps
gradually removed and ditches installed to i~nprove drainage.
The land has probably been used primarily for pasture. It is not known whether any of it has ever
been cultivated. The ca 1954 aerial photograph used as the base for mapping of the Soil Survey
shows more open land than presently exists. It is likely that the wettest areas have been least grazed,
either because of fencing or lack of easy access by livestock, and have slowly returned to forest.
There remain a very few large, charred and decayed stumps and suags itl the area where most of the
larger living trees are located. No samples have been taken to positively date any of the trees on the
property, but none appear to be older than about 100 years. In the case of the Douglas-firs, this
judgement is based on the relatively thin bark at the base of the trees. In the case of the cedars, the
judgement is based on size.
Tile largest trees on the property do generally appear to have grown up in tile open. They were
perhaps left standing to provide shelter for livestock or because they were on ground unsuitable for
agriculture such as the knoll in Zone 3-b.
The wetlands on tile property are extensive and varied. Zone 2 contains the open wetlands. Zones 3
and 4 contain forested wetlands with some upland areas.
The open wetlands do not appear to have much diversity of plant species at the present time. Juncus
effusus and possibly Juncus balticus are the dominant plants other than grasses. But, since livestock
grazing will no longer be permitted, the diversity should gradually increase as sedges and other
herbs and shrubs re-introduce themselves. This process could be accelerated by planting, but it
seems that tile greater challenge as far as enhance,nent activities are concerned is the control of
invasive, non-native species such as Himalayan blackberry, Canada thistle and reed canary grass.
These three species are present on the property now but have so far not become widespread.
Tile forested wetlands have a moderate diversity of plant species and appear to provide significant
habitat for birds and small ~nammals. At least a half-dozen old bird nests were observed and the
following birds were heard or seen: winter wren, black capped chickadee, red-wing black bird,
robin. Deer tracks aud coyote scat were seen.
The predominant ground cover in the less shaded areas of Zone 4 is creeping buttercup, but it yields
to extensive carpets of youth-on-age, bleeding heart, false lily-of-the-valley and foam flower in the
deeper forest. The abundance of moss and the occasional licorice fern growing on an alder indicate
that the entire area remains moist throughout the year. Skunk cabbage is abundant around the edges
of Zone 4 in very wet, spongy ground.
The predominant understory plant through much of Zone 4 is sahnonberry, particularly in
association with alders. A number of unusually large Pacific crab apples call be found ill the vicinity
of the oldest conifers, perhaps marking the edge of an area that was formerly more open. English
holly has become well established in Zone 3 and the western part of Zone 4-d, but could be
controlled by hand weeding of the small seedlings and grubbing out of the larger plants.
This plant survey was conducted in early spring, before most deciduous trees and shrubs had leafed
out. It is likely that many more species would be added to each of the zone lists after another visit
later in the spring or in early summer. Also, as mentioned ill the notes for Zone 3, that area has uot
yet been surveyed ill detail.
Recomme~dations for fm'ther action:
Complete the plant species inventory for Zone 3.
Continue to supplement the plant and animal inventories for all of the zones during annual
monitoring visits and at other times as appropriate.
.. Research and record the land-use history of the property through interviews with Bruce Porter
and other individuals who have knowledge of the area.
.. Implement a program in collaboration with the landowner(s) for control of invasive non-native
species, targeting English holly, Hilnalayan blackberry, Canada thistle and reed canary grass.
.. hnplement a program in collaboration with the landowner(s) for enhancement of plant diversity
and hydrology, particularly in Zone 2.
IViarsh and Meadows Easement
Zone:
Habitats:
Date:
Address:
Observers:
1
11,20,21
Wednesday, April 05, 2000
south side of Embody Road
Amy Hiatt, Karen McKee
Baseline Vegetation Surve~
(see the Zone Map attached)
(see JLT Habitat List attached)
A Abundance: 1=rare 2=infrequent 3=frequent 4=abundant
W Wetland indicator species:
OBL = wetland obligate FACW = wetland facultative FAC =facultative FACU = upland facultative
I Common ¢lal'ne
UPL = upland obligate
N Notes: see end of list.
Plant List' Non-native species
ISpecies name
grass spp. unidentified
common plantain
Icommon dandelion~
Herbs
2 Plantago major
3 Taraxacum officinale
4 Vicia spp.
Plant List: Native species
ISpecies name ICommon name
Herbs
..................... _- ........... _J g__(ra ss s p p______~, u ni d____e_n ti_~_f i e d
Shrubs -
Berberis nervosa Oregon grape
Gaultheria shallon salal
Oemlaria cerasiformis indian plum
Symphoricarpos albus common snowberry
IVaccinium parvifolium ired huckleberry
Trees
1 Alnus rubra
2 Prunus emarginata
3 Sa x spp.
Vines
red alder
bitter cherry
w ow
1 IRubus ursinus
I A I U I'Z I W I
20, 21
20, 21 [ FACU
2o, 2~ I I
20, 21
I g I U I ZI W I
IAO, 211I
11 FACU
11
I FACUI
11
11 I FAC
12o, 211 I I
Itrailing blackberry
I
l
~lotes:
This small upland area is the side of a knoll, the top of which appears to be the highest point on the 40
acre parcel. According to the USDA-SCS Soil Survey, the soil type is Kitsap silt loam. The ca 1954
aerial photograph used in the Survey shows that this area was cleared, probably pasture. Conifers were
planted across the area in about 1995; several firs and cedars have survived. The northern boundary of
the area is an old fenceline with a hedgerow developing along it. The deciduous trees and shrubs listed
above are located there. The rest of the area has a dense cover of mixed grasses with a few other herb-
aceous species scattered throughout.
N
N
Marsh and Meadows Easement Baseline Vegetation Survey
Zone: 2 (a-c) {see the Zone Map attached)
Habitats: 7, 10, 20 (see JLT Habitat List attached)
Date: Wednesday, April 05, 2000
Address: south side of Embody Road
Observers: Amy Hiatt, Karen McKee
Z Zone: see map for sub-zones
A Abundance: 1=rare 2=infrequent 3=frequent 4=abundant
W Wetland indicator species:
OBL wetland obligate FACW=wetland facultative FAC=facultative FACU=i, uplan~d-
UPL = upland obligate
N Notes: see end of list.
Plant List: Non-native species
Al U I Z I W IN
ISpecies name iL;ommon name I '-' I " I -
Herbs
1 _ grass spP. unidentified 4 10, 20 a, b
2 Arctium minus common burdock 1 20 a
3 Cirsium arvense Canada thistle 2 10, 20 b
4 Cirsium vulgare bull thistle 1 10, 2_0 b
5 Phalaris arundinacea reed canary grass 1 20 a FACW
-6 Ranunculusrepens creeping buttercup 4 all a, b,c FACW
7 Rumex crispus curled dock 2 10, 20 a, b FACW
Vines .............................................
"i I~ub,,, discok, i ................................. Himalayan blackberry
l'lan[ LISt; IMdLIVt~ :~l,~O~,,,l~o
Speoies na,.e I Co.,,-on na,.e .... F--
Herbs
grass spp. unidentified 4 10, 20 a, b
Athyrium felix-femina lady fern 2 7 b FAC
Cardamine spp. bitter-cress 4 7, 10 b FAC
Carex spp. sedge 1 7, 10 b FAC
Equisetum spp. horsetail 1 10, 20 a, b FAC
Galium spp. bed-straw 2 10, 20; a, b FAC
Geum macrophyllum large-leaved avens 1 20 a FACW
Juncus spp. rush 4 7, 10 b, c FAC
Lysichiton americanum skunk cabbage 3 7 b OBL
Rubus spectabilis salmonberry 3 10 b FAC
Urtica dioica stinging nettle 2 10 b I AC
Vines I
Rubus ursinus trailing blackberry 2 20 a
Notes:
Zone 2, with sub-zones a-c, represents about half of the land in the easement. The USDA-SCS Soil Survey
describes a variety of soil types within the zone. The historic pattern of land uses and the zone boundaries
delineated in this report both correspond consistently with the soil types. Zones 2-aand 2-ccontain Belfast silty
clay loam (wet variant) and Alderwood, Everett and Swantown gravelly sandy loams. These areas are noticeably
higher and drier than Zone 2-b which contains McMurray and Mukilteo peats and Semiahmoomuck. Zone2
appears to have been used as pasture and perhaps hayfield until the mid-1990s. The ca 1954 aerial photograph
used in the Soil Survey shows that Zone2 was cleared grassland. The predominance of juncus and grass
species is indicative of grazing activity. There are signs that sedges, shrub species such as cornusstolonifera
and spirea douglasii, and a few willows are beginning to spread into Zone 2 from the adjacent woodlands. This
natural pattern has been enhanced by the planting ca 1995 of dozens of Sitka spruce along the woodland edges.
There is evidence of old ditching at theNend of Zone 2-b. Another ditch runs along the Sedgeof Zone4-d.
Aroad trace lies parallel to and Wof this ditch. Acrossing of the main stream appears to have been located
near this point.
Viarsh and Meadows Easement
Zone:
Habitats:
Date:
Address:
Observers:
3 (a-c)
1,3,8
Friday, March 03, 2000
south side of Embody Road
A Abundance: 1--rare 2=infrequent 3=frequent 4.-abundant
W Wetland indicator ~peci0,~:
OBL = wetland obligate FACW = wetland facultative FAC ~--- facultative FACU
UPL = upland obligate
N Notes: see end of list.
~lant List: Non-native species
~1o. ISpecies name
Trees
'1 I Ilex aquifolium
Vines
-1_ I Rubus discolor
~lant List: Native species
~1~ ISpecies name
I CUmmon name
i English holly
Baseline Vegetation Survey
(see the Zone Map attached)
(see JLT Habitat List attached)
Amy Hiatt~ Karen McKee, Kees Kolff, George Bush, Eric Toews _
upland raculta~ vo
.:. MAR 29 2002
Herbs
.[Himalayan blackberry
Common name
1 JPolystichum munitum lsword fern
Shrubs
- ]Oemlaria cerasiformis lindian plum
2 3 a'-
Trees FAC
~1-- Alnus rubra red alder 3 3 a
~--Picea sitchensis Sitka spruce 2 1 b __
~-- Pseudotsuga menziesii douglas-fir 2 1 b FACU
._4 Thuja plicata western red cedar 3 1 b FAC
~otes:
Zone 3 has not been yet been systematically surveyed for plant species. The list above results from a quick
walk through the area in late winter. The expectation is that Zone 3 has very similar vegetation to Zone 4.
The tree species and ages appear to be about the same. There is, however, more variety in soil types in Zone 3.
According to the USDA-SCS Soil Survey, Zone 3-a contains Semiahmoo muck and McMurray/Mukilteo peat.
Zone 3-b contains Alderwood gravelly loam. Zone 3-c contains Everett and Swantown gravelly loams.
Zone 3-b is a knoll with an uneven surface and an unusual number of large rocks protruding from the ground.
The knoll is covered with a grove of large Iow-branching cedars and a few large Sitka spruce. Around the edges of
the grove are many young Sitka spruce planted ca 1995. Zone 3-c contains a mammade pond built ca 1960
Drainage from the pond is directed across the open area in Zone 2-a through a ditch roughly parallel to the
S property line. It disperses into the forested area in Zone 3-a and eventually jOins the main creek.
Marsh and Meadows Easement Baseline Vegetation Survey
Zone: 4 (a-d) (see the Zone Map attached)
Habitats: 2, 3, 5, 8 (see JLT Habitat List attached)
Date: Wednesday, April 05, 2000 _, .. : .......... --
Address: south side of Embody Road
Observers: AmyHiatt, KarenMcKee .' '~. i': '
A Abundance: 1-rare 2 infrequent 3=frequent 4=abundant MAR 2 9 2002
w
Wetland indicator species:
OBL- wetland obligate FACW = wetland facultative FAC = facultative FACU = up and:facultative: "i--:L'.;~:,',; ....
UPL=upland obligate - ': :" ': I~',''I'::I' "'"~'i, ii '-:~:.'¢-'"_ '_
N Notes: see end of list.
~lant List: Non-native species
No. ISpecies name
Herbs
IComrnon name
wall lettuce
creeping buttercup
_Lactuca muralis
~nunculus repens
i--~-i H I- z I w_I~-TN'
1~ a~, ad', t~ACW _
Trees ---
-1 ]llex aquifolium [English holly ]4 I--3 [ d I --]-
Vines
~--~ laciniatus
~-IRubus discolor
evergreen blackberry
Himalayan blackberry
1 3 d
2 3,51a, dl
Plant List: Native species
Herbs
Athyrium felix-femina lady fern
Carex deweyana Dewey's sedge
Claytonia sibirica candy flower
Dicentra formosa Pacific bleeding heart
uisetum spp. horsetail
Galium spp. bed-straw
,eum macrophyllum large-leaved avens
/sichiton americanum skunk cabbage
~nthemum dilatatum false lily-of-the-valley
Polypodium glycyrrhiza licorice fern
Polystichum munitum sword fern
spectabilis 'salmonberry
Stachys cooleyae Cooley's hedge-nettle
~rella trifoliata ,foamflower
Tolmeia menziesii
Urtica dioica
Comus stolonifera
Lonicera involucrata
Luzula spp.
O--~mlaria cerasiformis
Ribes Iobbii
Ribes divaricatum
Ribes lacustre
,outh-on-age
stinging nettle
Shrubs
red-osier dogwood
black twinberry
wood-rush
indian plum
gummy gooseberry
wild gooseberry
black gooseberry
'ed elderberry
hardhack
:ommon snowberry
evergreen huckleberry
red huckleberry
~_JSpirea douglasii
I ~ °/s-~°~q~~s
[ 11[Vaccinium ovatum
I 12[Vaccinium parvifolium
~-1 d FAC~!
I ~ I 3 Id IFAC/
3 d
2 I ~ I a ~ACI
I 3 I d FACWI
2 I a,b I o~" I
3 d
3 d
I1 I ~ I~ I ~ACWl
3 d
I Iz,, I
I 2,5
5 a FACW
2,3b,c,d
~" I ~" I~ACUl
2,aIb'°'dl I
2'aI~' °'~1I
3 I 5 I ~ [FACWl
'8-1--~'-/~Acu'I
3 ' d
I t / I
Trees
~,lnus rubra red alder
Malus fusca Pacific crab apple
Picea sitchensis Sitka spruce
Pseudotsuga menziesii douglas-fir
Thuja plicata western red cedar
Tsuga heterophylla western hemlock
4 2, 3 all FAC
3 3 d FAC
2 3 d
3 3 d
4 3 c, d FAC
2 3 d
Vines
1 jRubusursinus Itrailingblackberry
~lotes:
The land in Zone 4 is forested. The sub-zones identify areas with different distributions of tree species and ages.
Zone 4-a borders the creek and extends along the ditch and fenceline at Embody Road. Most of the trees in
Zone 4-a are deciduous. A group of standing dead alders is located near the N end. Alder is the dominant tree
in Zone 4-b, with a scattering of young cedars. Zone 4-c is an almost pure stand of alders, not as large as those
in Zone 4-b. The dorninant understory plant in both Zones 4-b and 4-c is salmonberry. Zone 4-d contains a mix
of conifers and unusually large alders. The older cedars and firs have Iow branches indicating that they grew up
in the open. A group of Sitka spruce (approx. 18" dbh) is located near the SW edge. A few large charred snags
and stumps are scattered in the same area as the largest living trees. In the W corner of Zone 4-d is one small
area of relatively recent blow-down, affecting a half-dozen medium sized cedars. No stumps of recently cut
trees were observed. The USDA-SCS Soil Survey shows that Zone 4 contains Mukilteo peat and Semiahmoo
muck. The ca 1954 aerial photograph used in the Survey shows that the E half of Zone 4-d was unforested,
apparently meadow or grassland; Zone 4-c probably contained shrubs or small trees. The tallest trees were
along the SW edge of Zone 4-d.
in the same location as the oldest and largest trees are today--in a belt ' ~:~-"~'~
!Habitat Type Codes (Jefferson Land Trust) 'I
-- r Woodlands ..........
1: Coniferous Forest - dominated by coniferous trees .......
2 Deciduous Forest- dom!hated ~¥ dec!,(~u°us trees ..................................
~' Mixed Forest- mix of coniferous and..dec!.d~O.U~.:,!,r.,e,e...s. ..........................................................................
:resh Water Habitat _
5 Creek/Stream
..... 6 Bo.g.- r.efe[dng to ;l~'l~agnum ............... ."." .i ...... 'i
7 ¢larsh\Wet Meadow - wetland with emergent vegetation
.... 8 Swamp_ a forestcd..w¢l~.la[~d .......... . ......
Grass/Shrub Lands
9!Recent Clear-cut - look for signs of forest disturbance
.... 10 Meadow -nonforested areas consisting of gr~isses.and herbaceous vegetation
1 i'ShrUb'/Thicket - nonforested areas consisting of shrubby vegetation and saplings
Sa'ltw 't'er Habit'at
] 3 Eelgrass Bed - open salt water wit. h rooted eelgrass
1~] Tidal Mudflat - inter-tidal zone with muddy substrate and big tidal flL~ctuations
15 Salt Marsh - salt water wetland with emergent vegetation . .' __
1 7 Rocky Shore - rock or rubble
18 Seaciiff/bluff - restricted to seaward exposures, ocean and stra!ghts .......
.. :Agricultural Lands
19 Orchard/Vineyard
.... 20 Pastures I ' I I
- 21 .ayf,eld I ! "! --!
:: :[ F¢'~'"'.~ CCi ~}1"¢ :'