HomeMy WebLinkAboutHabitat Management Plan 502313050Habitat Management Plan
Grau Property
384 Forest Drive
Brinnon, WA 98320
April3,2002
Prepared by:
Kathleen W. Smayda, Biologist
Smayda Environmental Associates, Inc.
139 NE 61st St, Seattle, WA 98115
206-522-6199
1. Introduction
The Grau property is located at 384 Forest Drive in Brinnon, Washington. It is listed as
Jefferson County tax parcel # 502-313-050. An unnamed, seasonal stream runs through
the property, entering a culvert about 50 feet south of the northeast comer of the property.
This Type 5 stream does not support fish, but enters the fish-bearing waters of Hood Canal
within 1/4 mile of the eastern property boundary.
The Grau's propose to construct a single family home on the site. The comers of the
proposed structure have been located on the ground by the landowner. A portion of the
proposed exterior deck on the north side of the home will be located within the county-
designated 50-foot streamside buffer. This report provides details on the locations of the
streamside buffer and the proposed structure, and provides a proposal to use buffer
averaging and enhancement of the forested habitat to offset the buffer width reduction.
2. Type 5 Stream and Streamside Buffer
Figure 1 shows the location of the Type 5 stream on the Grau property. The seasonal
stream enters the property about midway along the western property boundary and
continues generally northeast across the property, exiting via a culvert near the northeast
comer. Previously, an additional 20' length of 18" culvert pipe enclosed the stream near
the eastern property boundary; this culvert was washed out during winter 2001-2002,
exposing the stream bed.
A smaller side drainage joins the stream in the northwest quarter of the property, draining
from a recently clear-cut slope above. The stream is incised and actively eroding
downward, apparently at least in part as a result of the recent clearcut.
~ Grau Property Habitat Management Plan
The majority of the property and the streamside buffer is moderately to heavily wooded
with young second-growth western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), western redcedar
(Thuja plicata), big-leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum), and red alder (Alnus rubra),
bittercherry (Prunus emarginata), and a few Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia). Evidence of
historic logging is present in the form of large diameter stumps with springboard notches.
More recent logging of second-growth trees is also evident. Mature trees on the site
exceed 80 feet in height and 2.5 feet in diameter.
Common shrubs within the streamside buffer include red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa),
Indian plum (Oemleria cerasiformis), salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), and thimbleberry
(Rubus parviflora). Red huckleberry (Vaccinium parvifolium) and Pacific rhododendron
(Rhododendron macrophyllum) are present in drier locations of the property.
Other understory plants in the streamside buffer include swordfern (Polystichum munitum),
lady fern (Dryopterisfelix-femina), licorice fern (Polypody glycyrrhiza), piggy-back plant
( Tolmeia menziesii), woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) and bedstraw ( Galium sp.).
Non-native plants observed in the streamside buffer include foxglove (Digitalis purpurea),
Himalayan blackberry (Rubus discolor), evergreen blackberry (Rubus laciniatus), bull
thistle (Cirsium vulgate), and bugle (Ajuga reptans). Scot's broom (Cytisus scoparius) has
been removed from other portions of the property.
The building site and adjacent area along the eastern property boundary are not wooded.
Turfgrass lawn is present along the eastern boundary near the northeast corner and near the
building site. The access to the existing well is also non-wooded.
Figure 1 shows the location of the 50-foot streamside buffer required by Jefferson County.
This buffer totals approximately 1.03 acres, with an estimated 0.91 acres in forested habitat
and 0.12 acres in turfgrass or other non-forested condition. The southern portion of the
stream buffer near the proposed construction site is wooded with a few 6 to 8-inch
hemlock and several multi-stemmed big leaf maples of fifteen to twenty-five feet in height.
Sword fern and Indian plum are present in the understory. The easternmost section of the
streamside buffer is not wooded, but is managed as turfgrass lawn with a small orchard
near the northeast corner of the property. A shed is located about 10 feet south of the
stream near the eastern property boundary. The stream was previously enclosed in a
culvert near this location.
3. Proposed New Construction
Figure 1 shows the building site for the proposed single family residence. The County
requires a 5-foot building setback in addition to the 50-foot streamside buffer, for a total of
55 feet. The northern edge of the proposed deck will be located 41 feet from the ordinary
high water mark (OHWM) on the south bank of the stream (Point A on Figure 1). At Point
B on Figure 1, the deck will be 51 feet from the OHWM. All other portions of the
proposed structure are to be located outside of the 55-foot buffer and setback.
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April 3, 2002
Grau Property Habitat Management Plan
The proposed buffer/setback width reduction will be a maximum of 25 % smaller than the
standard buffer/setback (41 feet of 55 feet at Point A), and will extend for a distance of 30
feet. The streamside buffer will be reduced in area by approximately 0.01 acre as a result
of the construction. The portion of the streamside buffer to be affected by the construction
in non-forested; no trees will be removed from the buffer as a result of construction. The
area to be affected is presently vegetated with grasses and forbs, and is partially gravelled.
Relocation of the proposed structure to avoid the buffer incursion would require removal
of one western red cedar of approximately 2.5 feet in diameter and twenty.or more 2 to 3-
inch diameter red alder and bittercherry.
4. Buffer Averaging
In order to offset the loss of non-forested habitat from the streamside buffer at the building
site, the landowner proposes to provide additional buffer width along the upper portion of
the stream. Figure 1 shows the proposed location of the revised buffer along the south side
of the upper portion of the stream. In this reach, the buffer will be widened to an average
of 75 feet from the OHWM. The standard streamside buffer would provide approximately
1.03 acres. The revised streamside buffer will incorporate a reduction of 0.01 acres at the
building site and an addition of 0.09 acres in the southwest portion of the property, for a
total buffer area of 1.11 acres.
5. Habitat Management Plan
In order to ensure proper functioning of the revised streamside buffer, a Habitat
Management Plan has been developed. The Habitat Management Plan will serve as an
owner's manual for management of the streamside buffer, describing acceptable and
desired practices as well as prohibited activities.
The streamside buffer will be managed by the landowner in a natural condition. Native
vegetation will not be cleared from the site. Minor pruning of vegetation to enhance views
or permit access will be allowed as long as the function and character of the buffer are not
diminished. The portions of the streamside buffer that are currently managed as turfgrass
lawn will be retained as such. However, no additional lawn areas will be established
within the streamside buffer.
In order to improve the value of the streamside buffer in terms of soil stability and wildlife
habitat value, the landowner will undertake the following management activities:
· Control ofinvasive non-native species;
· Enhancement of streamside buffer with plantings of native species;
· Retention of dead and downed wood;
· Restriction of domestic grazing animals; and
· Avoidance of pesticide / herbicide / fertilizer use.
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April 3, 2OO2
Grau Property Habitat Management Plan
Control of invasive non-native species. The landowners have aggressively controlled
invasive non-natives on the site for four years and will continue weed control in the future.
Eradication of Himalayan blackberry, evergreen blackberry, bull thistle, and Scot's broom
is the goal for the streamside buffer. Other invasive non-native species will be controlled
to prevent their spread within the buffer. Non-native species common to the region that
could occur within the buffer in the future, and should be controlled, include: English ivy
(Hedera helix), Japanese or giant knotweed (Polygonum spp.), tansy ragwort (Senecio
jacobaea), and Canada thistle ( Cirsium arvense).
The landowner agrees to use physical and mechanical methods such as pruning, hand-
pulling, and grubbing of roots to control invasive non-native plants within the streamside
buffer. Chemical controls will not be used. Additional information on weeds and weed
control will be sought from the Jefferson County Weed Control Board (360-379-5610).
Enhancement of streamside buffer with plantings of native species. The forested
portion of the streamside buffer will be enhanced with rooted cuttings and/or 1- to 2-gallon
sized rooted stock of native shrubs, forbs, and small trees. A total of 40 plants will be
installed in the following proportions: approximately 10 trees, 20 shrubs, and 10 forbs or
ferns. A list of native species recommended for the site is provided in Table 1.
Table 1. List of Recommended Native Plants for Enhancement Plantings
Trees
Western red cedar Thuja plicata
Western hemlock Tsuga heterophylla
Western flowering dogwood Comus nuttallii
Bitter cherry Prunus emarginata
Shrubs Indian plum Oemleria cerasi, formis
Red flowering currant Ribes sanguineum
Oceanspray Holodiscus discolor
Cascara Rhamnus purshiana
Pacific ninebark Physocarpus capitatus
Baldhip rose Rosa gymnocarpa
Oregon grape Mahonia nervosa
Mock orange Philadelphus lewisii
Ferns / Forbs
Swordfern Pol?stichum munitum
Piggy-back plant Tolmeia menziesii
Fringecup Tellima grandiflora
Bleeding heart Dicentraformosa
Vanilla leaf Achlys trifilla
Western columbine Aquilegiaformosa
False lily of the valley Maianthemum dilatatum
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April 3, 2002
- ' Grau Property Habitat Management Plan
Enhancement of the buffer vegetation will increase plant species diversity and stem density
within the understory. This will increase wildlife habitat value related to structural
complexity and forage. The increase in rooted vegetation will contribute to the stability of
streamside soils.
Plantings should be performed in mid- to late fall or early spring for the best chance of
survival and least need for supplemental watering. Installation should be performed with
minimal disturbance of soils and existing vegetation within the streamside buffer.
Additional information on the availability and suitability of native plant species and
planting methods will be sought from the Jefferson County Conservation District (360-
385-4105).
Retention of downed woody material. The landowners have adopted the practice of
retaining dead and down woody material in place within the forested area of their property.
Under the Habitat Management Plan, this practice would continue, with all stumps (from
historic logging and natural deadfall), limbs, and logs retained on-site within the
streamside buffer. Retention of woody material enhances microbial and wildlife habitat,
and provides nursery sites for many plant species.
Control of domestic grazing animals. The streamside buffer will not be used to pasture,
graze, or tether domestic animals. If cows, horses, goats, or pigs are present on the
property, they shall be restricted from grazing within the streamside buffer area.
Pesticide / Herbicide / Fertilizer Use. Pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers will not be
applied within the streamside buffer. Organic compost and/or mulch may be applied at the
time of planting of native species.
6. Construction Management
During construction, the landowner will post the perimeters of the revised streamside
buffer with temporary signs at an interval of one per 100 feet (minimum). Additional signs
will be placed if necessary to clearly indicate the buffer in the vicinity of the house
construction site. The signs will remain in place prior to and during approved construction
activities. The signs will be worded: 'Buffer - Do Not Remove or Alter Existing Native
Vegetation'.
Smayda Environmental Associates, Inc. 5
April 3, 2002
APPROVED , _
DEPT. OF COM~ .UNITY
storm.,w~ter ~[;s
Required~~:~.---
Robert & Diane GRAU
384 Forest Drive
Brinnon, WA 98320
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Map base: Armstrong Homes of Bremerton, Inc., Grau Site Plan 2002
Map Revised 4/2/02 by SEA, Inc.
Based on field inspection 3/29/02.
Locations of feature¢ are approximate.
Standard 50' streamside buffer on north of stream not depicted. '
Stippling indicates forested habitat.
Figure 1.
HABITAT MANAGEMENT PLAN
NAP