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2015-07-29_Hoh RiverWetlandReport Final deliverable
WETLAND DELINEATION REPORT Upper Hoh River Road Project Task Order No. DTFH7015F19003 IDIQ Contract No. DTFH 70-10-D-00019 Project No. WA Jefferson 91420(1) Prepared for: Federal Highway Administration Western Federal Lands Highway Division 610 East Fifth Street Vancouver, Washington Prepared by: David Evans and Associates, Inc. 2100 SW River Parkway Portland, Oregon 97201 July 2015 Wetland Delineation Report Upper Hoh River Road Project Page i July 2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Purpose .......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Project Study Area.......................................................................................................................... 1 2. METHODS .............................................................................................................................................. 1 2.1 Background Research .................................................................................................................... 1 2.2 Field Investigation........................................................................................................................... 2 3. GENERAL STUDY AREA CONDITIONS .............................................................................................. 3 4. RESULTS ............................................................................................................................................... 4 4.1 Background Information ................................................................................................................. 4 4.2 Field Investigation........................................................................................................................... 5 4.2.1 Site C1 ............................................................................................................................................... 5 4.2.2 Site C2 ............................................................................................................................................... 7 4.2.3 Site C3 ............................................................................................................................................... 7 4.2.4 Site C4 ............................................................................................................................................... 8 4.2.5 Site C5 ............................................................................................................................................. 10 4.3 Buffers .......................................................................................................................................... 12 4.3.1 Wetland Buffers ............................................................................................................................... 12 4.3.2 Stream Buffers ................................................................................................................................. 13 5. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................................... 13 6. REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................................... 14 TABLES Table 1: Dominant Plant Species within the Study Area .............................................................................. 3 Table 2: Project Area Soils............................................................................................................................ 4 Table 3: Characteristics of Wetlands in Study Area ................................................................................... 11 Table 4: Project Area Wetlands and Required Jefferson County Buffer Ranges ....................................... 12 Table 5: Project Area Streams and Required Jefferson County Buffers .................................................... 13 APPENDICIES Appendix A: Figures Appendix B: Data Sheets Appendix C: Site Photographs Appendix D: Ecology Wetland Rating Forms Wetland Delineation Report Upper Hoh River Road Project Page iii July 2015 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS DEA David Evans and Associates, Inc. Ecology Washington State Department of Ecology FHWA Federal Highway Administration GIS Geographic Information System GPS Global Positioning System LWD large woody debris NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service NWI National Wetlands Inventory OHW ordinary high water ONP Olympic National Park PFO palustrine forested USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service WRIA Water Resource Information Service Wetland Delineation Report Upper Hoh River Road Project Page 1 July 2015 1. INTRODUCTION David Evans and Associates, Inc. (DEA) has been contracted by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to provide wetland delineation services on the Upper Hoh River Road Project (project) located in Jefferson County, Washington. The Upper Hoh River Road is an 18-mile road that extends east from Highway 101 along the north side of the Hoh River and ends in Olympic National Park (ONP). Jefferson County owns and maintains the 12 westernmost miles of the road and ONP maintains the remaining 6 miles within the park. 1.1 PURPOSE The Hoh River is eroding away the river bank and undermining sections of Upper Hoh River Road. FHWA is studying and designing options to stabilize the banks along the river and improve overpasses of several tributaries. This wetland delineation is intended to support related planning, permitting, and design efforts. 1.2 PROJECT STUDY AREA The proposed project study area covers five sites along Upper Hoh River Road (Appendix A: Figures 1 and 2). These were specified in the project statement of work as follows: • Site C1, Milepost 3.7 to 4.0 – Implement bank stabilization • Site C2, Milepost 4.4 – Implement bank stabilization • Site C3, Milepost 7.3 – Replace Tower Creek Bridge • Site C4, Milepost 7.3 to 7.8 – Implement bank stabilization • Site C5 Milepost 10.5 – Replace Canyon Creek culvert with a bridge Mileposts provided above are approximate. The individual site study areas were mapped by DEA using Geographic Information System (GIS) software and hand markup maps provided by FHWA. Site study area mapping was confirmed by FHWA and are shown in report figures provided in Appendix: A. 2. METHODS 2.1 BACKGROUND RESEARCH Background research consisted of a review of published information about local critical areas for evidence of wetlands and streams on the subject land parcels. Published information included applicable codes, topographic maps, and other public domain resource data. The following information was reviewed: • Jefferson County Code Chapter 18.22 – Critical Areas. 2013. • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2014. National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) GIS mapping (1977 to present). Branch of Habitat Assessment. • Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 2014. Soil Survey (SSURGO) database for Jefferson County Area, Washington (2014a) and for Olympic National Forest Area, Washington (2014b). Upper Hoh River Road Project Wetland Delineation Report July 2015 Page 2 • Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 20 Watershed Management Plan (Golder Associates 2009). • Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington 2014 Update (Hruby 2014). • WRIA 20 Map Themes website (Washington State Department of Ecology [Ecology] 2013). 2.2 FIELD INVESTIGATION DEA conducted an on-site investigation of the project area from February 2 to 5, 2015. This investigation was conducted to delineate and document the presence of on-site wetlands and other waters (e.g., streams, ponds, etc.) and associated buffers. The following methods were used. Wetland and Waters Delineation: The wetland delineation was conducted following the Level 2 Routine Delineation Method described in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Wetlands Delineation Manual (USACE 1987) and further supported by the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual, Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region (USACE 2010). This method requires the simultaneous presence of hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and positive wetland hydrology in wetland delineations. Wetland Jurisdiction: The above methodology is required to be used by both the USACE and Ecology. However, wetlands determined to be isolated and non-jurisdictional by the USACE may still be regulated by Ecology. Special Aquatic Sites (Riffles and Pools): At the request of the USACE Seattle District, riffles and pools in the Hoh River project areas were mapped as “special aquatic sites”. USACE Section 404(b)(1) guidelines, Section 230.45 characterizes riffles and pools as follows. “Steep gradient sections of streams are sometimes characterized by riffle and pool complexes. Such stream sections are recognizable by their hydraulic characteristics. The rapid movement of water over a coarse substrate in riffles results in a rough flow, a turbulent surface, and high dissolved oxygen levels in the water. Pools are deeper areas associated with riffles. Pools are characterized by a slower stream velocity, a steaming flow, a smooth surface, and a finer substrate. Riffle and pool complexes are particularly valuable habitat for fish and wildlife.” DEA used this characterization to divide project stream reaches into riffles and pools. Mapping was based on aerial photography review, specifically October 13, 2013 photography provided by Google Earth, along with site observations from the river bank on May 18, 2015. The aerial photographs and site visit both represented periods of relatively low river levels. Areas of exposed gravel bars were assumed to form riffles during higher river levels. It should be noted that although site observations matched well with October 2013 aerial photo observations, the Hoh River is a dynamic system and riffle and pool locations are subject to change over time. Wetland Rating Evaluation: Wetlands were rated based on the Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington: 2014 update (Publication #14-06-029). This rating system categorizes wetlands based on specific attributes such as rarity, sensitivity to disturbance, and the functions they provide. Wetlands are rated on a scale from I to IV, with I being the highest. Wetland Delineation Report Upper Hoh River Road Project Page 3 July 2015 Wetland Buffer Determination: The wetland rating system helps determine wetland buffer widths. Buffer width guidance is provided by Ecology and typically applied through local jurisdiction critical areas ordinances. The buffers were documented and mapped in support of Jefferson County Code compliance. Mapping: Wetlands, other waters, and associated sample plots were mapped using a resource-grade global positioning system (GPS) with typical horizontal accuracy of three feet or better. Linear features (e.g., wetlands, drainages, jurisdictional ditches) with approximately 4 feet average width or less were mapped with GPS using the feature’s centerline, and the features average width recorded. 3. GENERAL STUDY AREA CONDITIONS The proposed project is located within the Hoh River Watershed (Hydrologic Unit Code 17100101023769), within the Sol Duc/Hoh WRIA 20. The project is located in the Westside Lowland Conifer-Hardwood Forest habitat type, with typical vegetation types shown in Table 1. Elevations within the study area range from approximately 250 to 450 feet in elevation. Most of the study area is occupied by native upland and wetland forest vegetation, except for roadside ditches and cleared areas adjacent to the roadside, where the non-native species shown in Table 1 are present. Table 1: Dominant Plant Species within the Study Area Trees - Common Name Scientific Name Abundance Red alder Alnus rubra Dominant Western hemlock Tsuga heterophylla Dominant Sitka spruce Picea sitchensis Common Shrubs and Woody Vines - Common Name Scientific Name Abundance Salmonberry Rubus spectabilis Dominant Vine maple Acer circinatum Abundant Trailing blackberry Rubus ursinus Common Devil’s club Oplopanax horridus Uncommon Red elderberry Sambucus racemosa Uncommon Himalayan blackberry Rubus armeniacus* Uncommon Herbs and Grasses - Common Name Scientific Name Abundance Youth-on-age Tolmiea menziesii Dominant Sword fern Polystichum munitum Dominant Water parsley Oenanthe sarmentosa Dominant Kentucky bluegrass Poa pratensis* Common Oregon oxalis Oxalis oregana Common Slough sedge Carex obnupta Common Creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens* Common *Non-native species Upper Hoh River Road Project Wetland Delineation Report July 2015 Page 4 4. RESULTS 4.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION NWI Data NWI mapping within the project study areas is shown in Appendix A: Figure 3. No wetlands are mapped by the NWI within the project study areas. The NWI maps the various reaches of the Hoh River in the project vicinity as a riverine, upper perennial, unconsolidated shore, seasonally flooded river. Soils Project study area soils are documented by the Jefferson County Area Soil Survey (NRCS 2014) and the Olympic National Forest Soil Survey (NRCS 2014). Project area soil types are summarized in Table 2 and mapped in Appendix A: Figure 4. As shown, only riverwash associated soils are mapped as hydric. Table 2: Project Area Soils Soil Code Soil Type Hydric Status Study Area Site Jefferson County Area Soils CGB Calawah silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes No C5 HW Huel loamy fine sand No C1 KAB Kalaloch loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes No C4 KND Klone-Hoko association, moderately steep No C4, C5 PHF Phelan gravelly silt loam, 30 to 80 percent slopes No C2 RW Riverwash Yes C1 W Water Unranked C1, C4 Olympic National Forest Area Soils 666M9 Mudcreek-Kalaloch complex, 5 to 35 percent slopes No C3 900AZ Riverwash-Udifluvents complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes Yes C4 902E8 Udorthents, 1 to 5 percent slopes No C3, C4 983 Water No C4 Wetland Delineation Report Upper Hoh River Road Project Page 5 July 2015 4.2 FIELD INVESTIGATION Wetland delineation findings are organized by each study area site below. Delineation mapping is provided in Appendix A: Figure 6. Delineation data sheets are provided in Appendix B, site photos are provided in Appendix C, and wetland rating forms are provided in Appendix D. Table 3 provides a summary of wetlands delineated within the study area and is located at the end of Section 4.2. 4.2.1 Site C1 North of the road, wetland and upland forest transition frequently into one another due to slight changes in topography, groundwater movement, and presence of berms created by historic digging of ditches adjacent to the road. Soils are dominated by silty clay loams. Average height of trees is 75 to 100 feet, with a few trees approximately 125 feet in height. A few larger snags are standing, but large woody debris (LWD) is somewhat limited, especially in the western portion of the study area that is dominated by red alder/salmonberry forest, which is primarily wetland. Upland areas are dominated by western hemlock and sword fern. A narrow band of riparian vegetation is present south of the road in places, but has eroded away within much of the study area, and the roadway drops steeply to the Hoh River. The emergency repair section of the roadway lies near the center of Site C1. A description of individual wetland and waterway resources at Site C1 is provided below. Roadside Wetland Ditch (DC1-A and DC1-B) A roadside ditch runs the length of much of the Site C1 project study area, with most of it meeting wetland delineation criteria. The ditch ranges in width between roughly 1 and 3 feet wide and is identified as wetland ditch DC1-A. A portion of the ditch, including adjacent wetland cut slope, is more than six feet wide and is called out as feature DC1-B (Appendix A: Figure 6, Sheet 2). The roadside ditch collects road runoff; however, hydrology is predominantly provided by inflows from Wetlands WC1-A through WC1-H and Streams SC1-A through SC1-C. Soil saturation and approximately 1 inch of flowing water was observed during the site visit. Vegetation is dominated by water parsley and creeping buttercup, with a lesser presence of soft rush and Kentucky bluegrass. Soils met the “redox dark surface (F6)” hydric soil criteria. Ditch flows drain to culverts that run under Upper Hoh River Road. Most of the culvert outlets are situated just above the ordinary high water (OHW) elevation of the Hoh River. Wetlands WC1-A through WC1-H Wetlands C1-A through C1-H are all slope wetlands at the base of a steep hillside north of Upper Hoh River Road. These wetlands are all characterized similarly and drain into the roadside wetland ditch described previously. All of these wetlands would be characterized as palustrine forested (PFO) under the Cowardin classification system (Cowardin et al. 1979). Vegetation. Vegetation in these wetlands is dominated by obligate and facultative wetland species, including red alder, salmonberry, water parsley, and youth-on-age. Mature Sitka spruce and vine maple were also commonly present but were not as dominant as red alder and salmonberry. Adjacent uplands contained western hemlock and sword fern, both of which are not hydrophytic plant species, and aided with wetland boundary determination. Upper Hoh River Road Project Wetland Delineation Report July 2015 Page 6 Hydrology. Wetland hydrology results from shallow subsurface flow and hillside seepage. In places, seepage water accumulates into shallow (approx. 2 inches deep by 1 foot wide) discontinuous channels. Water eventually flows by one of these small channels, subsurface and/or as sheet flow into the roadside ditch. Wetland hydrology indicators included a high water table, soil saturation, water- stained leaves, and geomorphic position. Soils. Soils within these wetlands typically consisted of a silty clay loam texture. Hydric soil indicator “redox dark surface” was used to determine the presence of hydric soils within the wetlands. Hydric soil indicators were absent in areas adjacent to the wetlands. Wetland Rating and Functions. Wetlands WC1-A through WC1-H are similar enough, including vegetation within and surrounding the wetlands and similar hydrology, that they were evaluated using the same rating evaluation form (Appendix D). All of these wetlands are smaller than 1 acre, including estimated off-site acreage, and therefore do not meet the rating system special characteristics designation of “old growth forests” or “mature forests” wetlands, a designation that would have automatically classified the wetlands as a Category I wetland according to the Washington State rating system. Therefore, the wetlands were classified based on the functional scoring approach, with all wetlands classified as Category III. Functional scoring showed that the wetlands function relatively low for water quality, moderate for hydrology, and relatively high for habitat functions. Streams SC1-A through SC1-C As previously described for Wetlands WC1-A through WC1-H, these wetlands contain shallow discontinuous streams that flow from these wetlands and into the roadside ditch. Similar to the wetlands, flow is assumed to be ephemeral and is a function of a seasonally high water table overlaid with additional flow inputs after periods of frequent and/or high intensity rain. These small channels lack vegetation and had evidence of scouring. They were typically no more than 3 inches deep and 1 foot wide at the OHW mark. Stream SC1-D Stream SC1-D flows down a steep hillside (greater than 100 percent slope) and is not associated with wetland seeps. The stream bed is cobble and gravel and drops down the hillside in a series of steep drops. The stream has ephemeral surface flows; however, flow could be heard running below the surface and occasionally revealed itself as a slight trickle over the steep drops. This was the case during the first few days of the site visit. However, roughly 2 to 4 inches of swift surface flow was observed on February 5, 2015, the morning after an intense rain storm. Flows drain under Upper Hoh River Road to a culvert outlet just above the OHW elevation of the Hoh River. The culvert is not designed to provide fish passage and there is no fish habitat within the creek. Hoh River at Site C1 The Hoh River runs along the south side of Upper Hoh River Road, with typically only a narrow area of riparian vegetation or riprap slope situated between the road and the river. The river is eroding into the bank and undermining sections of this riparian buffer. OHW was mapped based on the presence of drift deposits, evidence of bank erosion, presence/absence of exposed roots along the bank, and presence/absence of leaf litter. Appendix A, Figure 7-Sheet 1 shows mapping of riffle and pool habitat at Site C1, with roughly two -thirds of the area adjacent to the bank mapped as riffle and one- third mapped as pool. Wetland Delineation Report Upper Hoh River Road Project Page 7 July 2015 4.2.2 Site C2 Upland plant communities at Site C2 are similar to Site C1, but the forest is somewhat younger. The north side of Site C2 is much steeper than Site C1 and contains soils derived primarily from sandstone, which is visible in cut banks and results in much better drainage than that found in C-1. Similar to C-1, only a narrow band of riparian vegetation is present between the south side of the road and the Hoh River channel. The river bank has experienced considerable erosion in places. No wetlands were identified at Site C2. The roadside ditch on the north side of Upper Hoh River Road did not meet wetland criteria (see Plot 2) nor did it contain evidence of flows (i.e., scour). A description of individual waterway resources at Site C2 follows. Hoh River at Site C2 Similar to Site C1, the Hoh River runs along the south side of Upper Hoh River Road, with typically only a narrow area of riparian vegetation or riprap slope situated between the road and the river. The river is eroding into the bank and undermining sections of this riparian buffer. OHW was mapped based on the presence of drift deposits, evidence of bank erosion, presence/absence of exposed roots along the bank, and presence/absence of leaf litter. Appendix A, Figure 7-Sheet 2 shows mapping of riffle and pool habitat at Site C1, with roughly three quarters of the area adjacent to the bank mapped as riffle and one quarter mapped as pool. 4.2.3 Site C3 Forest in this study site is older, with greater cover by Sitka spruce, and an average height of approximately 100 to 125 feet. Fewer red alder are present, but those present are older and covered by moss and lichen, as are the few big-leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) that are present. Sword fern is dense in the understory and there is less cover by salmonberry and vine maple than at several of the other sites. Wetlands are largely absent, except in two locations where road runoff has been directed to small depressions adjacent to the north side of the road. LWD and snags are relatively large and abundant. No waterways are present in this portion of the study area, aside from a roadside ditch. A description of individual wetlands and waterway resources at Site C3 follows. Roadside Wetland and Water Ditch DC3-A This narrow, 12- to 18-inch-wide roadside ditch has both wetland and waterway (i.e., other non- wetland waters) characteristics and is situated along the west side of Upper Hoh River Road and a hill cut. Road runoff and hillside seepage provide hydrology to this feature. The portion with wetland characteristics drains to the northeast to Tower Creek. This section is fully vegetated with water parsley being the sole dominant plant species. Soils met the “loamy mucky mineral (F1)” hydric soil criteria. Primary wetland hydrology indicators included an inch of flowing surface water observed during the site visit, along with saturated soils, water stained leaves, and a hydrogen sulfide odor. Upper Hoh River Road Project Wetland Delineation Report July 2015 Page 8 The non-wetland portion of the ditch would likely meet USACE jurisdictional standards as a non- wetland water. This ditch section generally lacked vegetation but contained an OHW mark as evidenced by scour marks and differential sorting of materials due to water flow. Roughly an inch of flowing water was observed during the field visit. A small portion of this ditch segment drained toward the wetland ditch described above; however, the majority of the ditch segment drained to the southwest, delivering runoff to Wetland WC3-B. Wetlands C3-A and C3-B Wetlands C3-A and CE-B are small wetlands, situated in depressions at the base of road fill that primarily derive their hydrology from road runoff. A distinction is that C3-A runoff hydrology is diffuse (i.e., sheet flow), whereas runoff hydrology to C3-B is delivered by a roadside ditch. Vegetation. Vegetation in these wetlands is dominated by obligate and facultative wetland species, including red alder, salmonberry, youth-on-age, and slough sedge. Hydrology. Wetland hydrology results primarily from road runoff, although some input from subsurface flows is also likely. Primary wetland hydrology indicators included soil saturation and water stained leaves. Soils. Soils within these wetlands typically consisted of texture ranging from silt loam to clay, with gravel mixed in. Hydric soil indicator “depleted matrix” was observed in Wetland C3-A, while indicator “redox dark surface” was used to determine the presence of hydric soils in Wetland C3-B. Hydric soil indicators were absent in areas adjacent to the wetlands. Wetland Rating and Functions. Wetlands WC3-A and C3-B are similar enough that they were evaluated using the same rating evaluation form (see Appendix D). The evaluation rated the wetlands as Category III wetlands. Although forested, they were too small to automatically be rated as Category I wetlands according to the state rating system (Hruby 2014). Functional scoring showed that the wetlands function relatively high for water quality, but only moderate to low for hydrology and habitat functions. 4.2.4 Site C4 Site C4 is very similar to Site C1, but with larger, mossy red alder, and more cover by slough sedge in the wetlands. Several large spruce and alder snags are present, but LWD is somewhat limited. Tower Creek flows into the Hoh River at the west end of the study area. A description of individual wetland and waterway resources at Site C4 follows. Roadside Wetland and Water Ditches Ditch Wetland DC4-A is a continuation of the ditch wetland DC3-A. Within Site C4, this feature flows out of a culvert and down a hillslope where it connects into Tower Creek. Otherwise, conditions in DC4-A are similar to those described for DC3-A. Ditch DC4-B is similar to the previously described DC3-A in that it starts as a narrow shallow scoured channel lacking vegetation (i.e., non-wetland water) and transitions into a wetland ditch downslope. The ditch bottom ranges from approximately 12 inches wide at its upper end (measured at OHW line) and widens to approximately 36 inches near its inlet into Wetland WC4-A. The vegetated portion of the ditch is dominated by water parsley and Kentucky bluegrass, both Wetland Delineation Report Upper Hoh River Road Project Page 9 July 2015 hydrophytic species. Soils met the “depleted matrix” hydric soil criteria. Flowing water was not observed at the time of the site visit, but soils were saturated within the wetland portion of the ditch, and evidence of flow (scour marks, differential sorting of materials, etc.) was observed in the unvegetated portion of the ditch. Wetlands C4-A through C4-C Wetland C4-A through C4-C are similar to those described at Wetlands C1-A through C1-H. These are slope wetlands that derive their hydrology primarily from hillside seepage and shallow subsurface flow. Each wetland drains under Upper Hoh River Road by culvert, with the culvert outlets set a few feet above the OHW line of the Hoh River. Water released from the culverts drains through the large riprap along the river bank; therefore, no channels exist between the culvert outlets and the Hoh River. Vegetation. Vegetation in these wetlands is dominated by obligate and facultative wetland species, including red alder, Sitka spruce, salmonberry, and water parsley. Slough sedge was also prevalent in patches. Adjacent uplands contained red alder and salmonberry, but also contained non-hydrophytic species including red elderberry and sword fern that signified drier conditions and aided with wetland boundary determination. Hydrology. Wetland hydrology results from shallow subsurface flow and hillside seepage. Wetland hydrology indicators included a high water table, soil saturation, water stained leaves, and geomorphic position. Water is believed to pond several inches deep in portions of these wetlands during particularly wet periods. Soils. Soils within these wetlands typically consisted of a silty clay loam texture. Hydric soil indicator “redox dark surface” was used to determine the presence of hydric soils within the wetlands. Hydric soil indicators were absent in areas adjacent to the wetlands. Wetland Rating and Functions. Wetlands WC4-A through WC4-C are similar enough, including vegetation within and surrounding the wetlands and similar hydrology, that they were evaluated using the same rating evaluation form (Appendix D). All of these wetlands are smaller than one acre, including estimated off-site acreage, and therefore do not meet the rating system special characteristics designation of “old growth forests” or “mature forests” wetlands, a designation that would have automatically classified the wetlands as a Category I wetland according to the Washington State rating system. Therefore, the wetlands were classified based on the functional scoring approach, with all wetlands classified as Category III. Functional scoring showed that the wetlands function relatively low for water quality, moderate for hydrology, and relatively high for habitat functions. Stream C4-A Stream C4-A is a shallow discontinuous stream that flows through Wetland WC4-B. The stream drains to a culvert under Upper Hoh River Road and discharges to the riprap bank of the Hoh River. Similar to the wetland, flow is assumed to be ephemeral and is a function of a seasonally high water table overlaid with additional flow inputs after periods of frequent and/or high intensity rain. This small channel lacks vegetation and had evidence of scouring. The channel was typically no more than 3 inches deep and 1 foot wide at the OHW mark. Upper Hoh River Road Project Wetland Delineation Report July 2015 Page 10 Stream C4-B Stream C4-B is likely an intermittent stream that dries out in the summer months. It is situated in a ravine with moderate side slopes. The stream bed is cobble and gravel. Stream width at the OHW line ranges between 3 to 6 feet wide and is no more than 6 inches deep. Roughly 3 inches of flow was observed during the site visit. The stream drains to a culvert under Upper Hoh River Road and discharges to the riprap bank of the Hoh River. Fish passage is unlikely or very poor at best. Tower Creek Tower Creek is a swift flowing perennial tributary to the Hoh River. It is roughly 30 to 40 feet wide in the vicinity of the Upper Hoh River Road bridge crossing. Substrates consist of boulders and large cobble. Within the project study area the creek is confined in a very steep-sided canyon, portions of which are vegetated. The creek appears to be eroding away at the west canyon wall upstream of the bridge, leading to unvegetated slopes in places where earth and vegetation have fallen into the creek. Extensive bank erosion occurs near the confluence of Tower Creek and the Hoh River. OHW was mapped based on the presence of drift deposits, evidence of bank erosion, presence/absence of exposed roots along the bank, and presence/absence of leaf litter. Hoh River at Site C4 The Hoh River runs along the south side of Upper Hoh River Road, with typically only a narrow area of riparian vegetation situated between the road and the river. Much of the bank through this study area has been riprapped. Where riprap is absent, the river is eroding into the bank and undermining sections of this riparian buffer. This occurs at the west end of the study area near the confluence with Tower Creek. OHW was mapped based on the presence of drift deposits, evidence of bank erosion, presence/absence of exposed roots along the bank, and presence/absence of leaf litter. Appendix A, Figure 7-Sheet 3 shows mapping of riffle and pool habitat at Site C1, with roughly two-thirds of the area adjacent to the bank mapped as riffle and one-third mapped as pool. 4.2.5 Site C5 This study area is dominated almost entirely by mid-successional red alder, which lies on steep slopes leading down to the Canyon Creek in the center of the study area. Sword fern is the dominant species in the understory, and the study area is surrounded primarily by recent clearcuts, except for a few patches of older hemlock forest to the southwest and southeast. No wetlands or jurisdictional ditches were delineated at this site. A description of Canyon Creek, the only jurisdictional feature at the site, follows. Canyon Creek Canyon Creek is a swift flowing perennial tributary to the Hoh River. It is roughly 15 feet wide (at OHW line) on the upstream side of Upper Hoh River Road. A large scour hole exists on the downstream side, where the creek is roughly 35 feet wide before narrowing back down. Substrates consist of small boulders, cobbles, and gravels. Within the project study area the creek is confined in a canyon with forested side slopes. OHW was mapped based on the presence of drift deposits, evidence of bank erosion, presence/absence of exposed roots along the bank, and presence/absence of leaf litter. The creek confluence with the Hoh River floodplain occurs roughly 100 feet downstream of the project study area. Wetland Delineation Report Upper Hoh River Road Project Page 11 July 2015 Table 3: Characteristics of Wetlands in Study Area Wetland Cowardin Class HGM Class Ecology Rating Estimated Size in Study Area (acres) Water Quality Score Hydrologic Score Habitat Score Jurisdictional Status Assumption Source of Hydrology Hydric Soil Indicator WC1-A PFO Slope III 0.10 4 5 8 Fed & State Jurisdictional (outlets to Hoh River) Hillside seeps F6 WC1-B PFO Slope III <0.01 4 5 8 Fed & State Jurisdictional (outlets to Hoh River) Hillside seeps F6 WC1-C PFO Slope III 0.02 4 5 8 Fed & State Jurisdictional (outlets to Hoh River) Hillside seeps F6 WC1-D PFO Slope III 0.06 4 5 8 Fed & State Jurisdictional (outlets to Hoh River) Hillside seeps F6 WC1-E PFO Slope III 0.06 4 5 8 Fed & State Jurisdictional (outlets to Hoh River) Hillside seeps F6 WC1-F PFO Slope III 0.04 4 5 8 Fed & State Jurisdictional (outlets to Hoh River) Hillside seeps F6 WC1-G PFO Slope III 0.13 4 5 8 Fed & State Jurisdictional (outlets to Hoh River) Hillside seeps F6 WC1-H PFO Slope III 0.04 4 5 8 Fed & State Jurisdictional (outlets to Hoh River) Hillside seeps F6 WC3-A PFO Depressional III 0.03 7 4 5 Non-Fed Jurisdictional but State Jurisictional (isolated depressions) Road runoff F3 WC3-B PFO Depressional III 0.02 7 4 5 Non-Fed Jurisdictional but State Jurisictional (isolated depressions) Road runoff F6 WC4-A PFO Slope III 0.13 4 5 8 Fed and State Jurisdictional (outlets to Hoh River) Hillside seeps F6 WC4-B PFO Slope III 0.01 4 5 8 Fed and State Jurisdictional (outlets to Hoh River) Hillside seeps F6 WC4-C PFO Slope III 0.24 4 5 8 Fed and State Jurisdictional (outlets to Hoh River) Hillside seeps F6 Upper Hoh River Road Project Wetland Delineation Report July 2015 Page 12 4.3 BUFFERS Jefferson County Code (Chapter 11.22) defines and provides guidance regarding County-regulated Critical Areas, which include wetlands, streams, and associated buffers. County Code 18.22.070 cites the following general exemptions that are likely the most relevant to the proposed project (note that other exemptions may apply and should be reviewed once further project design details are known). The following activities in critical areas or their buffers are exempt from the requirements of this chapter: (3) Maintenance or reconstruction of existing public or private roads, paths, bicycle ways, trails, bridges, and associated storm drainage facilities when undertaken pursuant to best management practices to minimize impacts to critical areas and to immediately restore any disturbed critical area or its buffer; provided, that reconstruction does not involve expansion of facilities. (4) Maintenance and repair of existing drainage facilities or systems, including, but not limited to, ditches, culverts, catch basins, and outfalls when undertaken pursuant to best management practices to minimize impacts to critical areas and immediately to restore any disturbed critical area or its buffer. 4.3.1 Wetland Buffers Should it be determined that the project is not exempt from County Code Chapter 18.22 Critical Areas, then the buffer width requirements included in the code will need to be addressed. The County provides Tables 18.22.330(1 through 3) in their code that lays out a complex set of rules for determining wetland buffer widths. Unfortunately, the tables are based on Ecology’s old 2004 rating system, which uses a different scoring range and is not applicable to the current 2014 scoring system. This is despite the County code stating elsewhere that the most up-to-date version of Ecology’s rating system methodology should be used. That said, it is most likely that a revised version of Table 18.22.330(3) would apply as it is for projects with high impact land uses, which includes public roads. Table 4 provides a summary of the range of wetland buffers that could be applied to each wetland category. Table 4: Project Area Wetlands and Required Jefferson County Buffer Ranges Wetland Category Project Wetlands Buffer Range (ft) (High Impact) III WC1-A thru –H WC4-A thru –C WC3-A and -B 80 to 150 Wetland Delineation Report Upper Hoh River Road Project Page 13 July 2015 4.3.2 Stream Buffers Project area stream types for the on-site streams were determined based on the criteria provided in Table 18.22.270(1) of the County Code (Chapter 18.22). The same table also identifies stream buffer widths based on stream type. Stream buffers are measured from the OHW mark as identified in the field. The required buffer “shall include any adjacent wetland, landslide hazard areas and/or erosion hazard areas and required buffers, but shall not be extended across paved roads or other lawfully established structures or hardened surfaces.” Project study area stream types and associated buffers are summarized in Table 5. Table 5: Project Area Streams and Required Jefferson County Buffers Stream Name Tributary To Stream Type1 Stream Buffer (ft) Hoh River (all sites) Pacific Ocean F 150 Streams SC1-A thru SC1-C Hoh River Ns <20% 50 SC1-D Hoh River Ns >20% 75 SC4-A Hoh River Ns <20% 50 SC4-B Hoh River Ns >20% 50 Tower Creek Hoh River F 150 Canyon Creek Hoh River F 150 1 F = Fish bearing stream; Ns <20%= Non-Fish bearing seasonal stream less than 20% grade; Ns >20% = Non-Fish bearing seasonal stream greater than or equal to 20% grade 5. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS Federal, state, and local regulations apply to development proposals in and near wetlands and streams. Agencies having jurisdiction over development activities that affect these areas include, but are not limited to, the USACE, Ecology, and the County. The USACE administers Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which regulates the discharge of dredged or fill materials and other activities in waters of the U.S. including non-isolated wetlands. Ecology has review and approval authority for many federal, state, and local permits, including the implementation of Section 401 Water Quality Certification as a condition of Section 404 permitting implemented by the USACE. The County Code (Jefferson County 2013) defines development parameters in and around wetlands and other sensitive areas. As previously noted, the code defines uses within fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas (i.e., streams) and within a wetland or wetland buffer that are exempt from the requirements of the critical areas ordinance. These exemptions include, among other things, the “maintenance, reconstruction, repair or operation of existing streets, highways or roads.” Upper Hoh River Road Project Wetland Delineation Report July 2015 Page 14 6. REFERENCES Jefferson County. 2013. Jefferson County Code Chapter 18.22 Critical Areas. Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. Office of Biological Services, Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, FWS/OBS-79/31. Golder Associates. 2009. Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 20 Watershed Management Plan. Prepared for Clallam County, Jefferson County, and the WRIA 20 Planning Unit. 043-1130- 300.00. June 2009. Hruby, T. 2014. Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington: 2014 Update. Publication No. 14-06-029. Olympia, Washington: Washington Department of Ecology. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 2014a. Soil Survey (SSURGO) database for Jefferson County Area, Washington. ———. 2014b. Soil Survey (SSURGO) database for Olympic National Forest Area Area, Washington. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 1987. Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual. Technical Report Y-87-1, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Mississippi. ———. 2010. Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual: Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region. Technical Report TR-08-13, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center. Vicksburg, Mississippi. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2014. National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) GIS mapping (1977 to present). Branch of Habitat Assessment. Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology). 2013. WRIA 20 Map Themes website. Reviewed February 2015. Available at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/services/gis/maps/wria/number/wria20.htm Wetland Delineation Report Upper Hoh River Road Project July 2015 APPENDIX A: Figures Forks 101 101 UpperHohRiverRd Study Area forSites C1 & C2 Study Area forSites C3 & C4 Study Area forSite C5 WASHINGTON Enlarged Area T. 27N R. 11WSec. 19, 25, 27, 28 & 30T. 27N R. 12W Sec. 24 & 25 Figure 1Vicinity 0 2 4 Miles Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_01_Vicinity.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 2:31:17 PM User Name: mmf ESRI, ArcGIS Online, USA Topographic Maps. 30x60 Grid.1988. Forks, Washington. Service Layer Credits: Copyright:© 2013 National Geographic Society, i-cubed Parcel No: 000000001 Parcel No: 000000260 Parcel No: 712253000Parcel No: 712253000 Parcel No: 712243000 Parcel No: 000000260 Parcel No: 000000260 Parcel No: 00 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 C1 C2 C3 & C4 C50100200Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_02_Taxlots.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 3:07:49 PM User Name: mmf Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Legend Study Area Tax Lot Upper Hoh River Road Figure 2, Sheet 1Tax Lots Parcel No: 712243000 Parcel No: 000000001 Parcel No: 000000260 Parcel No: 000000260 Parcel No: 000000260 Parcel No: 712253000 Parcel No: 000000260 Parcel No: 712253000Parcel No: 000000230 C1 C2 C3 & C4 C50100200Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_02_Taxlots.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 3:07:51 PM User Name: mmf Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Legend Study Area Tax Lot Upper Hoh River Road Figure 2, Sheet 2Tax Lots Parcel N o : 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 6 0 Parcel N o : 7 1 2 2 5 3 0 0 0 Parcel N o : 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Parc e l N o : 7 1 2 2 5 3 0 0 0 Parcel No: 712253000 Parcel No: 000000001 Parcel No: 712243000 Parcel No: 712253000 Parcel No: 000000260 Parcel No: 000000260 Parcel No: 712253000 Parcel No: 000000260 Parcel N o : 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 Parcel No: 000000260 Parcel No: 712253000 Parcel No: 000000001 C1 C2 C3 & C4 C50100200Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_02_Taxlots.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 3:07:52 PM User Name: mmf Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Legend Study Area Tax Lot Upper Hoh River Road Figure 2, Sheet 3Tax Lots Parcel No: 711302000 Parcel No: 711302000 Parcel No: 000000001 Parcel No: 000000001 P a r c e l N o : 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 C1 C2 C3 & C4 C5050100Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_02_Taxlots.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 3:07:54 PM User Name: mmf Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Legend Study Area Tax Lot Upper Hoh River Road Figure 2, Sheet 4Tax Lots Parcel No: 711283003 Parcel No: 711283003 Parcel No: 000000001 Parcel No: 711274003 Parcel No: 711283002 Parcel No: 000000230 Parcel No: 711283003 Parcel No: 711283003Parcel No: 711283003 Pa r c e l N o : 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Parcel No: 711274003 C1 C2 C3 & C4 C50100200Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_02_Taxlots.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 3:07:56 PM User Name: mmf Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Legend Study Area Tax Lot Upper Hoh River Road Figure 2, Sheet 5Tax Lots Parcel No: 711283002 Parcel No: 000000001 Parcel No: 711271000 Parcel No: 711283002 Parcel No: 711271000 Parcel No: 711281001 Parcel No: 711283003 Parcel No: 711271000 Parcel No: 711283003 Parcel No: 711274003 Parcel No: 711274003 Parcel No: 711271000 Parc e l N o : 000 0 0 0 2 3 0 Parcel No : 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 Pa r c e l N o : 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Parcel No: 711274003 C1 C2 C3 & C4 C50100200Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_02_Taxlots.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 3:07:58 PM User Name: mmf Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Legend Study Area Tax Lot Upper Hoh River Road Figure 2, Sheet 6Tax Lots Parcel No: 711271000 Parcel No: 711271000 Parcel No: 000000001 Parcel No : 71127100 0 Parcel N o : 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 Parcel No: 000000001 C1 C2 C3 & C4 C50100200Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_02_Taxlots.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 3:07:59 PM User Name: mmf Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Legend Study Area Tax Lot Upper Hoh River Road Figure 2, Sheet 7Tax Lots Parcel No: 711253001 Parcel No: 711253001 Parcel No: 00 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 Parcel No: 000000260 C1 C2 C3 & C4 C5050100Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_02_Taxlots.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 3:08:01 PM User Name: mmf Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Legend Study Area Tax Lot Upper Hoh River Road Figure 2, Sheet 8Tax Lots Study Area forSites C1 UpperHohRiverRd Study Area forSites C2 R3USC PFO4/1A PFO1A PFO1A PSS1/USC R3USC R3USC PEM1C PSS4/EM1C PFO1A PSS1C R3USC PEM1C PSS1/USC PEM1C PFO1A PSS4/1C PFO1A PSS1C PEM1/USC R3USC PSS1/USC PSS4/EM1C PUBHh R3USC PUBH PEM1A PUBF 101 Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Figure 3, Sheet 1National Wetlands Inventory 0 1,500 3,000Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_03_NWI.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 2:26:30 PM User Name: mmf R3USC Riverine, upper perennial, unconsolidated shore, seasonally flooded Types of Wetlands within Study Area ESRI, ArcGIS Online, USA Topographic Maps.2011. Spruce Mountain, Washington and 2011 Winfield Creek, Washington. US Fish and Wildlife Service. 2014. National Wetlands Inventory (1977 to present).Branch of Habitat Assessment. Service Layer Credits: National Geographic, Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ, UNEP-WCMC, USGS, NASA, ESA, METI, NRCAN, GEBCO, NOAA, iPC Copyright:© 2013 National Geographic Study Area forSite C4 UpperHoh RiverRd Study Area forSite C3 R3USC PFO1A PFO4C PFO1A PFO1A PSS1/USC PSS1/USC PFO1C PSS1A PSS1/USC R3USC R3USC 101 Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Figure 3, Sheet 2National Wetlands Inventory 0 1,500 3,000Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_03_NWI.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 2:26:32 PM User Name: mmf R3USC Riverine, upper perennial, unconsolidated shore, seasonally flooded Types of Wetlands within Study Area ESRI, ArcGIS Online, USA Topographic Maps.2011. Spruce Mountain, Washington and 2011 Winfield Creek, Washington. US Fish and Wildlife Service. 2014. National Wetlands Inventory (1977 to present).Branch of Habitat Assessment. Service Layer Credits: National Geographic, Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ, UNEP-WCMC, USGS, NASA, ESA, METI, NRCAN, GEBCO, NOAA, iPC Copyright:© 2013 National Geographic Study Area forSite C5 Upper H o h R i v e r R d R3USC PSS1A PFO1A PSS1A PSS1A PFO1A PEM1C PFO1A PSS1/USC R3USC PSS1C PSS1/USC PSS1C PSS1C PSS1C PSS1C 101 Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Figure 3, Sheet 3National Wetlands Inventory 0 1,500 3,000Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_03_NWI.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 2:26:35 PM User Name: mmf R3USC Riverine, upper perennial, unconsolidated shore, seasonally flooded Types of Wetlands within Study Area ESRI, ArcGIS Online, USA Topographic Maps.2011. Spruce Mountain, Washington and 2011 Winfield Creek, Washington. US Fish and Wildlife Service. 2014. National Wetlands Inventory (1977 to present).Branch of Habitat Assessment. Service Layer Credits: National Geographic, Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ, UNEP-WCMC, USGS, NASA, ESA, METI, NRCAN, GEBCO, NOAA, iPC Copyright:© 2013 National Geographic Study Area forSites C1UpperHohRiverRd Study Area forSites C2 KND PHF KND PHF KOC W KND HKC SSE HKC HW HF KND ITF HKC RW RW HKC HF HW HH RW KGD CVB DMF HH HH KCCRW HW HW HH CGB RW KND 101 Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Figure 4, Sheet 1Soil Survey 0 1,500 3,000Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_04_Soils.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 2:28:14 PM User Name: mmf Jefferson County Area SoilsCGB Calawah silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopesHW Huel loamy fine sandKAB Kalaloch loam, 0 to 8 percent slopesKND Klone-Hoko association, moderately steepPHF Phelan gravelly silt loam, 30 to 80 percent slopesRW RiverwashW Water Olympic National Forest Area Soils666M9 Mudcreek-Kalaloch complex 5 to 35 percent slopes900AZ Riverwash-Udifluvents complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes902E8 Udorthents, 1 to 5 percent slopes983 Water Types of Soils within Study Area ESRI, ArcGIS Online, World Imagery. Microsoft. 2010. UC-G. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).2014. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database for Jefferson County Area, Washington.2014. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database for Olympic National Forest Area, Washington(Parts of Callam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, and Mason Counties) Service Layer Credits: National Geographic, Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ, UNEP-WCMC, USGS, NASA, ESA, METI, NRCAN, GEBCO, NOAA, iPC Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Study Area forSite C4 UpperHoh RiverRd Study Area forSite C3 SSE KND KND SPD HKC PHF DMF PHF KAB HF KND HH DMF HW W RW RW 902E8 DMF W CGB 902E8 KAB 902E8 901AZ 983 902E8 666M9 W 901AZ 900AZ HF 983 W 900AZ 666M9 HKC DMF ITD HW HW 902E8 HW 901AZ KND 901AZ 983 901AZ 666M9 666M9 RW 900AZ HW KND HW 900AZ 900AZ HWRW 663X7 HKC 900AZ 983 HW 900AZ HH 101 Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Figure 4, Sheet 2Soil Survey 0 1,500 3,000Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_04_Soils.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 2:28:16 PM User Name: mmf Jefferson County Area SoilsCGB Calawah silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopesHW Huel loamy fine sandKAB Kalaloch loam, 0 to 8 percent slopesKND Klone-Hoko association, moderately steepPHF Phelan gravelly silt loam, 30 to 80 percent slopesRW RiverwashW Water Olympic National Forest Area Soils666M9 Mudcreek-Kalaloch complex 5 to 35 percent slopes900AZ Riverwash-Udifluvents complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes902E8 Udorthents, 1 to 5 percent slopes983 Water Types of Soils within Study Area ESRI, ArcGIS Online, World Imagery. Microsoft. 2010. UC-G. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).2014. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database for Jefferson County Area, Washington.2014. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database for Olympic National Forest Area, Washington(Parts of Callam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, and Mason Counties) Service Layer Credits: National Geographic, Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ, UNEP-WCMC, USGS, NASA, ESA, METI, NRCAN, GEBCO, NOAA, iPC Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Study Area forSite C5 Upper H o h R i v e r R d KND SSE KND HKC ITD HW HH W HKC CGB DMF DMF KAB HH HW RW RW RW HH DMF CGB KGD KLF RW HW HW RW RW RW DMF HKD 101 Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Figure 4, Sheet 3Soil Survey 0 1,500 3,000Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_04_Soils.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 2:28:18 PM User Name: mmf Jefferson County Area SoilsCGB Calawah silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopesHW Huel loamy fine sandKAB Kalaloch loam, 0 to 8 percent slopesKND Klone-Hoko association, moderately steepPHF Phelan gravelly silt loam, 30 to 80 percent slopesRW RiverwashW Water Olympic National Forest Area Soils666M9 Mudcreek-Kalaloch complex 5 to 35 percent slopes900AZ Riverwash-Udifluvents complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes902E8 Udorthents, 1 to 5 percent slopes983 Water Types of Soils within Study Area ESRI, ArcGIS Online, World Imagery. Microsoft. 2010. UC-G. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).2014. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database for Jefferson County Area, Washington.2014. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database for Olympic National Forest Area, Washington(Parts of Callam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, and Mason Counties) Service Layer Credits: National Geographic, Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ, UNEP-WCMC, USGS, NASA, ESA, METI, NRCAN, GEBCO, NOAA, iPC Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Study Area forSites C1 UpperHohRiverRdHohRiver Study Area forSites C2 101 Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Figure 5, Sheet 1Aerial Photograph 0 600 1,200Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_05_Aerial.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 2:30:37 PM User Name: mmf ESRI, ArcGIS Online, World Imagery. Microsoft. 2010. UC-G. Service Layer Credits: National Geographic, Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ, UNEP-WCMC, USGS, NASA, ESA, METI, NRCAN, GEBCO, NOAA, iPC Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Study Area forSite C4 H o h River U p per HohRiverRd Study Area forSite C3 101 Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Figure 5, Sheet 2Aerial Photograph 0 400 800Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_05_Aerial.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 2:30:39 PM User Name: mmf ESRI, ArcGIS Online, World Imagery. Microsoft. 2010. UC-G. Service Layer Credits: National Geographic, Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ, UNEP-WCMC, USGS, NASA, ESA, METI, NRCAN, GEBCO, NOAA, iPC Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Study Area forSite C5 U p p e r H o h R i v e r R d H o h R i v e r 101 Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Figure 5, Sheet 3Aerial Photograph 0 100 200Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_05_Aerial.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 2:30:40 PM User Name: mmf ESRI, ArcGIS Online, World Imagery. Microsoft. 2010. UC-G. Service Layer Credits: National Geographic, Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ, UNEP-WCMC, USGS, NASA, ESA, METI, NRCAN, GEBCO, NOAA, iPC Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar H o h R i v e r U p p e r H o h R i v e r R d Plot 3 Plot 4 Plot 6Plot 5 WC1-Aextends outsidestudy area WC1-Cextends outsidestudy areaWC1-Boutsidestudy area DC1-A extends outside s t u d y a r e a C1 C2 C3 & C4 C50100200Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_06_WtldDelin.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 2:15:59 PM User Name: mmf Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Legend Study Area Stream - OHW Wetland Stream - OHW Ditch - OHW Ditch - Wetland Wetland/OHW Features outside of Study Area Data Plot Culvert Upland Ditch End Upper Hoh River Road Figure 6, Sheet 1Wetland Delineation, Study Area C1 H o h R i v e r Upper Hoh River Rd Plot 9Plot 8Plot 1 Plot 2 Plot 12 Plot 13 Plot 10Plot 11 WC1-Gextends outsidestudy area WC1-Dextends outsidestudy area WC1-Eextends outsidestudy area WC1-Fextends outsidestudy area WC1-Hextendsoutsidestudy area DC1-B SC1-Bextends outsidestudy area SC1-Cextends outsidestudy area SC1-Aextends outsidestudy area DC1-A C1 C2 C3 & C4 C50100200Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_06_WtldDelin.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 2:16:02 PM User Name: mmf Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Legend Study Area Stream - OHW Wetland Stream - OHW Ditch - OHW Ditch - Wetland Wetland/OHW Features outside of Study Area Data Plot Culvert Upland Ditch End Upper Hoh River Road Figure 6, Sheet 2Wetland Delineation, Study Area C1 HohRiver UpperHohRiverRd Plot 14Plot 15 Plot 12 Plot 13 Plot 17Plot 18 Plot 16 WC1-Hextendsoutsidestudy area SC1-Dextends outsidestudy area SC1-Cextends outsidestudy area C1 C2 C3 & C4 C50100200Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_06_WtldDelin.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 2:16:47 PM User Name: mmf Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Legend Study Area Stream - OHW Wetland Stream - OHW Ditch - OHW Ditch - Wetland Wetland/OHW Features outside of Study Area Data Plot Culvert Upland Ditch End Upper Hoh River Road Figure 6, Sheet 3Wetland Delineation, Study Area C1 Hoh River UpperHohRiverRd No wetlands, jurisdictional ditches,or streams other than Hoh Riverobserved at site C2.Plot 1 Plot 2 C1 C2 C3 & C4 C5050100Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_06_WtldDelin.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 2:22:48 PM User Name: mmf Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Legend Study Area Stream - OHW Wetland Stream - OHW Ditch - OHW Ditch - Wetland Wetland/OHW Features outside of Study Area Data Plot Culvert Upland Ditch End Upper Hoh River Road Figure 6, Sheet 4Wetland Delineation, Study Area C2 Up p e r H o h R i v e r R d Plot 7 Plot 6 Plot 5 Plot 4 Plot 3 Plot 1 Plot 2 WC3-A WC3-Bextends outsidestudy area DC3-A DC4-A C1 C2 C3 & C4 C50100200Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_06_WtldDelin.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 2:17:15 PM User Name: mmf Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Legend Study Area Stream - OHW Wetland Stream - OHW Ditch - OHW Ditch - Wetland Wetland/OHW Features outside of Study Area Data Plot Culvert Upland Ditch End Upper Hoh River Road Figure 6, Sheet 5Wetland Delineation, Study Area C3 and C4 Up p e r H o h R i v e r R d Upper H o h R i v e r R d T o w e r C r e e k Plot 9 Plot 8 Plot 7 Plot 6 Plot 5 Plot 14Plot 12Plot 13 Plot 11 Plot 10 H o h R i v e r WC4-Aextends outsidestudy area WC4-Bextends outsidestudy area DC-B DC3-A DC4-B DC4-A SC4-Aextends outsidestudy area C1 C2 C3 & C4 C50100200Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_06_WtldDelin.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 2:18:03 PM User Name: mmf Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Legend Study Area Stream - OHW Wetland Stream - OHW Ditch - OHW Ditch - Wetland Wetland/OHW Features outside of Study Area Data Plot Culvert Upland Ditch End Upper Hoh River Road Figure 6, Sheet 6Wetland Delineation, Study Area C3 and C4 H o h R i ve r UpperHohRiverRd Plot 20 Plot 19 Plot 18 Plot 17 Plot 16 Plot 15 WC4-Cextends outsidestudy area WC4-Bextends outsidestudy area SC4-Aextends outsidestudy area SC4-Bextends outsidestudy area C1 C2 C3 & C4 C50100200Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_06_WtldDelin.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 2:16:05 PM User Name: mmf Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Legend Study Area Stream - OHW Wetland Stream - OHW Ditch - OHW Ditch - Wetland Wetland/OHW Features outside of Study Area Data Plot Culvert Upland Ditch End Upper Hoh River Road Figure 6, Sheet 7Wetland Delineation, Study Area C3 and C4 C a n y o n C r e e k C a n y o n C r e e k Upper Hoh River Rd Plot 1 C1 C2 C3 & C4 C5050100Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_06_WtldDelin.mxdDate: 2/16/2015 Time: 2:17:18 PM User Name: mmf Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Legend Study Area Stream - OHW Wetland Stream - OHW Ditch - OHW Ditch - Wetland Wetland/OHW Features outside of Study Area Data Plot Culvert Upland Ditch End Upper Hoh River Road Figure 6, Sheet 8Wetland Delineation, Study Area C5 Upper Hoh River Rd H o h R i v e r C1 C2 C3 & C4 C50225450Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_07_Riffles_and_Pools.mxdDate: 7/28/2015 Time: 12:24:33 PM User Name: mmf Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Legend Study Area Stream - OHW Pool Riffle Riprap Upper Hoh River Road Figure 7, Sheet 1Hoh River Riffles and Pools, Study Area C1 H o h R i v e r Upp e r H o h R i v e r R d C1 C2 C3 & C4 C5050100Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_07_Riffles_and_Pools.mxdDate: 7/28/2015 Time: 12:24:37 PM User Name: mmf Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Legend Study Area Stream - OHW Pool Riffle Riprap Upper Hoh River Road Figure 7, Sheet 2Hoh River Riffles and Pools, Study Area C2 Upper Hoh River Rd H o h R i v e r Study AreaSite C3 Study AreaSite C4 T o w e r C r e e k C1 C2 C3 & C4 C50250500Feet Document Path: P:\F\FHAX00000217\0600INFO\GS\Maps\Wetland_Delineation\Fig_07_Riffles_and_Pools.mxdDate: 7/28/2015 Time: 12:24:40 PM User Name: mmf Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Legend Study Area Stream - OHW Pool Riffle Riprap Upper Hoh River Road Figure 7, Sheet 3Hoh River Riffles and Pools, Study Area C3 and C4 Wetland Delineation Report Upper Hoh River Road Project July 2015 APPENDIX B: Data Sheets Wetland Delineation Report Upper Hoh River Road Project July 2015 APPENDIX C: Site Photographs Wetland Delineation Report Upper Hoh River Road Project July 2015 Photo 1: Looking north at typical wetland condition, Wetland WC1-D. Photo 2: Looking east along ditch wetland DC1-B, with Wetland WC1-F and Stream SC1-B on left side of photo. Upper Hoh River Road Project Wetland Delineation Report July 2015 Photo 3: Looking north at Wetland WC1-G, with wetland Ditch DC1-A in foreground. Typical vegetation community structure in wetland. Photo 4: Typical upland forest conditions. Located between Wetlands WC1-G and WC1-H. Wetland Delineation Report Upper Hoh River Road Project July 2015 Photo 5: Looking west along rip-rapped bank of Hoh River and culvert outlet across road from Wetland WC1-G. Photo 6: Looking east along rip-rapped bank of Hoh River. Upper debris line defines ordinary high water line. Photo across road from Wetland WC1-F. Upper Hoh River Road Project Wetland Delineation Report July 2015 Photo 7: Looking east at Study Area C-2. Photo 8: Photo of west end of Study Area C-3, looking east. Wetland Delineation Report Upper Hoh River Road Project July 2015 Photo 9: Looking at northwest boundary of Wetland WC3-A at biologist. Wetland in foreground. Photo 10: Looking northeast along wetland Ditch DC3-A as it drains towards culvert near bridge corner behind biologist. Upper Hoh River Road Project Wetland Delineation Report July 2015 Photo 11: Looking north at Tower Creek from bridge. Photo 12: Looking east at Study Area C-4 from east edge of Jefferson County staging yard driveway. Ditch DC4-B runs along left side of roadway. Wetland Delineation Report Upper Hoh River Road Project July 2015 Photo 13: Looking east at culvert inlet associated with Wetland WC4-A and wetland Ditch DC4-B. Photo 14: Looking south from within Wetland WC4-C toward Upper Hoh River Road. Upper Hoh River Road Project Wetland Delineation Report July 2015 Photo 15: Looking west from east end of Study Area C4. Hoh River on left side of photo. Photo 16: Stream SC4-B looking south, downstream toward road. Wetland Delineation Report Upper Hoh River Road Project July 2015 Photo 17: Canyon Creek looking south from edge of road in Study Area C5. Photo 18: Canyon Creek from north side of road looking downstream. Wetland Delineation Report Upper Hoh River Road Project July 2015 APPENDIX D: Ecology Wetland Rating Forms Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 1 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 = H,H,M 7 = H,H,L 7 = H,M,M 6 = H,M,L 6 = M,M,M 5 = H,L,L 5 = M,M,L 4 = M,L,L 3 = L,L,L RATING SUMMARY – Western Washington Name of wetland (or ID #): _________________________________ Date of site visit: _____ Rated by____________________________ Trained by Ecology?__ Yes ___No Date of training______ HGM Class used for rating_________________ 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 Water Quality Hydrologic Habitat Circle the appropriate ratings Site Potential H M L H M L H M L Landscape Potential H M L H M L H M L Value H M L H M L H M L TOTAL Score Based on Ratings 2. Category based on SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS of wetland CHARACTERISTIC CATEGORY Estuarine I II Wetland of High Conservation Value I Bog I Mature Forest I Old Growth Forest I Coastal Lagoon I II Interdunal I II III IV None of the above Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 3 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 HGM Classification of Wetlands in Western Washington 1. Are the water levels in the entire unit usually controlled by tides except during floods? NO – go to 2 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 ppt (parts per thousand)? NO – Saltwater Tidal Fringe (Estuarine) YES – Freshwater Tidal Fringe If your wetland can be classified as a Freshwater Tidal Fringe use the forms for Riverine wetlands. If it is Saltwater Tidal Fringe it is an Estuarine wetland and is not scored. This method cannot be used to score functions for estuarine wetlands. 2. The entire wetland unit is flat 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 If your wetland can be classified as a Flats 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; ___At 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 (Lacustrine Fringe) 4. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria? ____The wetland is on a slope (slope can be very gradual), ____The water flows through the wetland in one direction (unidirectional) and usually comes from seeps. It may flow subsurface, as sheetflow, 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? ____The 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. For questions 1-7, the criteria described must 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. Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 4 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 NO – 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 of the 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. NO – 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 BACK 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 HGM classes present within the wetland unit being scored. NOTE: Use this table only if the class that is recommended in the second column represents 10% or more of the total area of the wetland unit being rated. If the area of the HGM class listed in column 2 is less than 10% of the unit; classify the wetland using the class that represents more than 90% of the total area. HGM classes within the wetland unit being rated HGM class to use in rating Slope + Riverine Riverine Slope + Depressional Depressional Slope + Lake Fringe Lake Fringe Depressional + Riverine along stream within boundary of depression Depressional Depressional + 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 if you have more than 2 HGM classes within a wetland boundary, classify the wetland as Depressional for the rating. Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 11 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 SLOPE WETLANDS Water Quality Functions - Indicators that the site functions to improve water quality S 1.0. Does the site have the potential to improve water quality? S 1.1. Characteristics of the average slope of the wetland: (a 1% slope has a 1 ft vertical drop in elevation for every 100 ft of horizontal distance) Slope is 1% or less points = 3 Slope is > 1%-2% points = 2 Slope is > 2%-5% points = 1 Slope is greater than 5% points = 0 S 1.2. The soil 2 in below the surface (or duff layer) is true clay or true organic (use NRCS definitions): Yes = 3 No = 0 S 1.3. Characteristics of the plants in the wetland that trap sediments and pollutants: Choose the points appropriate for the description that best fits the plants in the wetland. Dense means you have trouble seeing the soil surface (>75% cover), and uncut means not grazed or mowed and plants are higher than 6 in. Dense, uncut, herbaceous plants > 90% of the wetland area points = 6 Dense, uncut, herbaceous plants > ½ of area points = 3 Dense, woody, plants > ½ of area points = 2 Dense, uncut, herbaceous plants > ¼ of area points = 1 Does not meet any of the criteria above for plants points = 0 Total for S 1 Add the points in the boxes above Rating of Site Potential If score is: 12 = H 6-11 = M 0-5 = L Record the rating on the first page S 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the water quality function of the site? S 2.1. Is > 10% of the area within 150 ft on the uphill side of the wetland in land uses that generate pollutants? Yes = 1 No = 0 S 2.2. Are there other sources of pollutants coming into the wetland that are not listed in question S 2.1? Other sources ________________ Yes = 1 No = 0 Total for S 2 Add the points in the boxes above Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 1-2 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page S 3.0. Is the water quality improvement provided by the site valuable to society? S 3.1. Does the wetland discharge directly (i.e., within 1 mi) to a stream, river, lake, or marine water that is on the 303(d) list? Yes = 1 No = 0 S 3.2. Is the wetland in a basin or sub-basin where water quality is an issue? At least one aquatic resource in the basin is on the 303(d) list. Yes = 1 No = 0 S 3.3. Has the site been identified in a watershed or local plan as important for maintaining water quality? Answer YES if there is a TMDL for the basin in which unit is found. Yes = 2 No = 0 Total for S 3 Add the points in the boxes above Rating of Value If score is: 2-4 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 12 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 SLOPE WETLANDS Hydrologic Functions - Indicators that the site functions to reduce flooding and stream erosion S 4.0. Does the site have the potential to reduce flooding and stream erosion? S 4.1. Characteristics of plants that reduce the velocity of surface flows during storms: Choose the points appropriate for the description that best fits conditions in the wetland. Stems of plants should be thick enough (usually > 1/8 in), or dense enough, to remain erect during surface flows . Dense, uncut, rigid plants cover > 90% of the area of the wetland points = 1 All other conditions points = 0 Rating of Site Potential If score is: 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page S 5.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the hydrologic functions of the site? S 5.1. Is more than 25% of the area within 150 ft upslope of wetland in land uses or cover that generate excess surface runoff? Yes = 1 No = 0 Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page S 6.0. Are the hydrologic functions provided by the site valuable to society? S 6.1. Distance to the nearest areas downstr eam that have flooding problems: The sub-basin immediately down-gradient of site has flooding problems that result in damage to human or natural resources (e.g., houses or salmon redds) points = 2 Surface flooding problems are in a sub-basin farther down-gradient points = 1 No flooding problems anywhere downstream points = 0 S 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 S 6 Add the points in the boxes above Rating of Value If score is: 2-4 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page NOTES and FIELD OBSERVATIONS: Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 13 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 These questions apply to wetlands of all HGM classes. HABITAT FUNCTIONS - Indicators that site functions to provide important habitat H 1.0. Does the site have the potential to provide habitat? H 1.1. Structure 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 ¼ ac or more than 10% of the unit if it is smaller than 2.5 ac. Add the number of structures checked. ____Aquatic bed 4 structures or more: points = 4 ____Emergent 3 structures: points = 2 ____Scrub-shrub (areas where shrubs have > 30% cover) 2 structures: points = 1 ____Forested (areas where trees have > 30% cover) 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 H 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 ¼ ac to count (see text for descriptions of hydroperiods). ____Permanently flooded or inundated 4 or more types present: points = 3 ____Seasonally flooded or inundated 3 types present: points = 2 ____Occasionally flooded or inundated 2 types present: points = 1 ____Saturated only 1 type present: points = 0 ____Permanently flowing stream 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 H 1.3. Richness of plant species Count the number of plant species in the wetland that cover at least 10 ft 2. Different patches of the same 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 If you counted: > 19 species points = 2 5 - 19 species points = 1 < 5 species points = 0 H 1.4. Interspersion of habitats Decide from the diagrams below whether interspersion among Cowardin plants classes (described in H 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. None = 0 points Low = 1 point Moderate = 2 points All three diagrams in this row are HIGH = 3points Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 14 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 H 1.5. Special habitat features: Check the habitat features that are present in the wetland. The number of checks is the number of points. ____Large, downed, woody debris within the wetland (> 4 in diameter and 6 ft long). ____Standing snags (dbh > 4 in) within the wetland ____Undercut banks are present for at least 6.6 ft (2 m) and/or overhanging plants extends at least 3.3 ft (1 m) over a stream (or ditch) in, or contiguous with the wetland, for at least 33 ft (10 m) ____Stable steep banks of fine material that might be used by beaver or muskrat for denning (> 30 degree slope) OR signs of recent beaver activity are present (cut shrubs or trees that have not yet weathered where wood is exposed) ____At least ¼ ac of thin-stemmed persistent plants or woody branches are present in areas that are permanently or seasonally inundated (structures for egg-laying by amphibians) ____Invasive plants cover less than 25% of the wetland area in every stratum of plants (see H 1.1 for list of strata) Total for H 1 Add the points in the boxes above Rating of Site Potential If score is: 15-18 = H 7-14 = M 0-6 = L Record the rating on the first page H 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the habitat functions of the site? H 2.1. Accessible habitat (include only habitat that directly abuts wetland unit). Calculate: % undisturbed habitat + [(% moderate and low intensity land uses)/2] = _______% If total accessible habitat is: > 1/3 (33.3%) of 1 km Polygon points = 3 20-33% of 1 km Polygon points = 2 10-19% of 1 km Polygon points = 1 < 10% of 1 km Polygon points = 0 H 2.2. Undisturbed habitat in 1 km Polygon around the wetland. Calculate: % undisturbed habitat + [(% moderate and low intensity land uses)/2] = _______% Undisturbed habitat > 50% of Polygon points = 3 Undisturbed habitat 10-50% and in 1-3 patches points = 2 Undisturbed habitat 10-50% and > 3 patches points = 1 Undisturbed habitat < 10% of 1 km Polygon points = 0 H 2.3. Land use intensity in 1 km Polygon: If > 50% of 1 km Polygon is high intensity land use points = (- 2) ≤ 50% of 1 km Polygon is high intensity points = 0 Total for H 2 Add the points in the boxes above Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 4-6 = H 1-3 = M < 1 = L Record the rating on the first page H 3.0. Is the habitat provided by the site valuable to society? H 3.1. Does the site provide habitat for species valued in laws, regulations, or policies? Choose only the highest score that applies to the wetland being rated. Site meets ANY of the following criteria: points = 2 It has 3 or more priority habitats within 100 m (see next page) It provides habitat for Threatened or Endangered species (any plant or animal on the state or federal lists) It is mapped as a location for an individual WDFW priority species It is a Wetland of High Conservation Value as determined by the Department of Natural Resources It has been categorized as an important habitat site in a local or regional comprehensive plan, in a Shoreline Master Plan, or in a watershed plan Site has 1 or 2 priority habitats (listed on next page) within 100 m points = 1 Site does not meet any of the criteria above points = 0 Rating of Value If score is: 2 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 15 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 WDFW Priority Habitats Priority habitats listed by WDFW (see complete descriptions of WDFW priority habitats, and the counties in which they can be found, in: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2008. Priority Habitat and Species List. Olympia, Washington. 177 pp. http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00165/wdfw00165.pdf or access the list from here: http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/phs/list/) Count how many of the following priority habitats are within 330 ft (100 m) of the wetland unit: NOTE: This question is independent of the land use between the wetland unit and the priority habitat. Aspen Stands: Pure or mixed stands of aspen greater than 1 ac (0.4 ha). Biodiversity Areas and Corridors: Areas of habitat that are relatively important to various species of native fish and wildlife (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report). Herbaceous Balds: Variable size patches of grass and forbs on shallow soils over bedrock. Old-growth/Mature forests: Old-growth west of Cascade crest – Stands of at least 2 tree species, forming a multi- 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. Mature forests – Stands with average diameters exceeding 21 in (53 cm) dbh; crown 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 pure oak or oak/conifer associations where canopy coverage of the oak component is important (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 158 – 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 take the form of a dry prairie or a wet prairie (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 161 – see web link above). Instream: The combination of physical, biological, and chemical processes and conditions that interact to provide functional life history requirements for instream fish and wildlife resources. Nearshore: Relatively undisturbed nearshore habitats. These include Coastal Nearshore, Open Coast Nearshore, and Puget Sound Nearshore. (full descriptions of habitats and the definition of relatively undisturbed are in WDFW report – see web link on previous page). Caves: A naturally occurring cavity, recess, void, or system of interconnected passages under the earth in soils, rock, ice, or other geological formations and is large enough to contain a human. Cliffs: Greater than 25 ft (7.6 m) high and occurring below 5000 ft elevation. Talus: Homogenous areas of rock rubble ranging in average size 0.5 - 6.5 ft (0.15 - 2.0 m), composed of basalt, andesite, and/or sedimentary rock, including riprap 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 (51 cm) in western Washington and are > 6.5 ft (2 m) in height. Priority logs are > 12 in (30 cm) in diameter at the largest end, and > 20 ft (6 m) long. Note: All vegetated wetlands are by definition a priority habitat but are not included in this list because they are addressed elsewhere. Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 16 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 CATEGORIZATION BASED ON SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS Wetland Type Check off any criteria that apply to the wetland. Circle the category when the appropriate criteria are met. Category SC 1.0. Estuarine wetlands Does the wetland meet the following criteria for Estuarine wetlands? The dominant water regime is tidal, Vegetated, and With a salinity greater than 0.5 ppt Yes –Go to SC 1.1 No= Not an estuarine wetland SC 1.1. Is the wetland within a National Wildlife Refuge, National Park, National Estuary Reserve, Natural Area Preserve, State Park or Educational, Environmental, or Scientific Reserve designated under WAC 332 -30-151? Yes = Category I No - Go to SC 1.2 Cat. I SC 1.2. Is the wetland unit at least 1 ac in size and meets at least two of the following three conditions? The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing, and has less than 10% cover of non-native plant species. (If non-native species are Spartina, see page 25) At least ¾ 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 contiguous freshwater wetlands. Yes = Category I No = Category II Cat. I Cat. 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 SC 2.2. Is the wetland listed on the 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? http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/datasearch/wnhpwetlands.pdf Yes – Contact WNHP/WDNR and go to SC 2.4 No = Not a WHCV SC 2.4. Has WDNR identified the wetland within the S/T/R as a Wetland of High Conservation Value and listed it on their website? Yes = Category I No = Not a WHCV Cat. I SC 3.0. 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 3.1. Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soil horizons, either peats or mucks, that compose 16 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 3.2. 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 clay or volcanic ash, or that are floating on top of a lake or pond? Yes – Go to SC 3.3 No = Is not a bog SC 3.3. Does an area with peats or mucks have more than 70% cover of mosses at ground level, AND at least a 30% cover of plant species listed in Table 4? Yes = Is a Category I bog No – Go to SC 3.4 NOTE: If you are uncertain about the extent of mosses in the understory , you may substitute that criterion by measuring the pH of the water that seeps into a hole dug at least 16 in deep. If the pH is less than 5.0 and the plant species in Table 4 are present, the wetland is a bog. 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 Cat. I Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 17 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 SC 4.0. Forested Wetlands Does the wetland have at least 1 contiguous acre of forest that meets one of these criteria for the WA Department of Fish and Wildlife’s forests as priority habitats? If you answer YES you will still need to rate the wetland based on its functions. Old-growth forests (west of Cascade crest): Stands of at least two tree species, forming a multi-layered canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac (20 trees/ha) that are at least 200 years of age OR have a diameter at breast height (dbh) of 32 in (81 cm) or more. Mature forests (west of the Cascade Crest): Stands where the largest trees are 80- 200 years old OR the species that make up the canopy have an average diameter (dbh) exceeding 21 in (53 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 wetland in a coastal lagoon? The 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 to be measured near the bottom) Yes – Go to SC 5.1 No = Not a wetland in a coastal lagoon SC 5.1. 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 p. 100). At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un -grazed or un- mowed grassland. The wetland is larger than 1/10 ac (4350 ft2) Yes = Category I No = Category II Cat. I Cat. II SC 6.0. Interdunal Wetlands Is the wetland west of the 1889 line (also called the Western Boundary of Upland Ownership or WBUO)? If you answer yes you will still need to rate the wetland based on its habitat functions. In practical terms that means the following geographic areas: Long Beach Peninsula: Lands west of SR 103 Grayland-Westport: Lands west of SR 105 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,H,H or H,H,M for the three aspects of function)? Yes = 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 or larger? Yes = Category II No – Go to SC 6.3 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 1 ac? Yes = Category III No = Category IV Cat I Cat. II Cat. III Cat. IV Category of wetland based on Special Characteristics If you answered No for all types, enter “Not Applicable” on Summary Form Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 1 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 = H,H,M 7 = H,H,L 7 = H,M,M 6 = H,M,L 6 = M,M,M 5 = H,L,L 5 = M,M,L 4 = M,L,L 3 = L,L,L RATING SUMMARY – Western Washington Name of wetland (or ID #): _________________________________ Date of site visit: _____ Rated by____________________________ Trained by Ecology?__ Yes ___No Date of training______ HGM Class used for rating_________________ 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 Water Quality Hydrologic Habitat Circle the appropriate ratings Site Potential H M L H M L H M L Landscape Potential H M L H M L H M L Value H M L H M L H M L TOTAL Score Based on Ratings 2. Category based on SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS of wetland CHARACTERISTIC CATEGORY Estuarine I II Wetland of High Conservation Value I Bog I Mature Forest I Old Growth Forest I Coastal Lagoon I II Interdunal I II III IV None of the above Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 3 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 HGM Classification of Wetlands in Western Washington 1. Are the water levels in the entire unit usually controlled by tides except during floods? NO – go to 2 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 ppt (parts per thousand)? NO – Saltwater Tidal Fringe (Estuarine) YES – Freshwater Tidal Fringe If your wetland can be classified as a Freshwater Tidal Fringe use the forms for Riverine wetlands. If it is Saltwater Tidal Fringe it is an Estuarine wetland and is not scored. This method cannot be used to score functions for estuarine wetlands. 2. The entire wetland unit is flat 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 If your wetland can be classified as a Flats 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; ___At 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 (Lacustrine Fringe) 4. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria? ____The wetland is on a slope (slope can be very gradual), ____The water flows through the wetland in one direction (unidirectional) and usually comes from seeps. It may flow subsurface, as sheetflow, 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? ____The 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. For questions 1-7, the criteria described must 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. Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 4 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 NO – 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 of the 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. NO – 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 BACK 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 HGM classes present within the wetland unit being scored. NOTE: Use this table only if the class that is recommended in the second column represents 10% or more of the total area of the wetland unit being rated. If the area of the HGM class listed in column 2 is less than 10% of the unit; classify the wetland using the class that represents more than 90% of the total area. HGM classes within the wetland unit being rated HGM class to use in rating Slope + Riverine Riverine Slope + Depressional Depressional Slope + Lake Fringe Lake Fringe Depressional + Riverine along stream within boundary of depression Depressional Depressional + 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 if you have more than 2 HGM classes within a wetland boundary, classify the wetland as Depressional for the rating. Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 5 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 DEPRESSIONAL AND FLATS WETLANDS Water Quality Functions - Indicators that the site functions to improve water quality D 1.0. Does the site have the potential to improve water quality? D 1.1. Characteristics of surface water outflows from the wetland: Wetland is a depression or flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key) with no surface water leaving it (no outlet). points = 3 Wetland has an intermittently flowing stream or ditch, OR highly constricted permanently flowing outlet. points = 2 Wetland has an unconstricted, or slightly constricted, surface outlet that is permanently flowing points = 1 Wetland is a flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key), whose outlet is a permanently flowing ditch. points = 1 D 1.2. The soil 2 in below the surface (or duff layer) is true clay or true organic (use NRCS definitions).Yes = 4 No = 0 D 1.3. Characteristics and distribution of persistent plants (Emergent, Scrub-shrub, and/or Forested Cowardin classes): Wetland has persistent, ungrazed, plants > 95% of area points = 5 Wetland has persistent, ungrazed, plants > ½ of area points = 3 Wetland has persistent, ungrazed plants > 1/10 of area points = 1 Wetland has persistent, ungrazed plants <1/10 of area points = 0 D 1.4. Characteristics of seasonal ponding or inundation : This is the area that is ponded for at least 2 months. See description in manual. Area seasonally ponded is > ½ total area of wetland points = 4 Area seasonally ponded is > ¼ total area of wetland points = 2 Area seasonally ponded is < ¼ total area of wetland points = 0 Total for D 1 Add the points in the boxes above Rating of Site Potential If score is: 12-16 = H 6-11 = M 0-5 = L Record the rating on the first page D 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the water quality function of the site? D 2.1. Does the wetland unit receive stormwater discharges? Yes = 1 No = 0 D 2.2. Is > 10% of the area within 150 ft of the wetland in land uses that generate pollutants? Yes = 1 No = 0 D 2.3. Are there septic systems within 250 ft of the wetland? Yes = 1 No = 0 D 2.4. Are there other sources of pollutants coming into the wetland that are not listed in questions D 2.1 -D 2.3? Source_______________ Yes = 1 No = 0 Total for D 2 Add the points in the boxes above Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 3 or 4 = H 1 or 2 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page D 3.0. Is the water quality improvement provided by the site valuable to society? D 3.1. Does the wetland discharge directly (i.e., within 1 mi) to a stream, river, lake, or marine water that is on the 303(d) list? Yes = 1 No = 0 D 3.2. Is the wetland in a basin or sub-basin where an aquatic resource is on the 303(d) list? Yes = 1 No = 0 D 3.3. Has the site been identified in a watershed or local plan as important for maintaining water quality (answer YES if there is a TMDL for the basin in which the unit is found)? Yes = 2 No = 0 Total for D 3 Add the points in the boxes above Rating of Value If score is: 2-4 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 6 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 DEPRESSIONAL AND FLATS WETLANDS Hydrologic Functions - Indicators that 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. Characteristics of surface water outflows from the wetland: Wetland is a depression or flat depression with no surface water leaving it (no outlet) points = 4 Wetland has an intermittently flowing stream or ditch, OR highly constricted permanently flowing outletpoints = 2 Wetland is a flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key), whose outlet is a permanently flowing ditch points = 1 Wetland has an unconstricted, or slightly constricted, surface outlet that is permanently flowing points = 0 D 4.2. Depth of storage during wet periods: Estimate the height of ponding above the bottom of the outlet. For wetlands with no outlet, measure from the surface of permanent water or 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 bottom of outlet points = 5 Marks are at least 0.5 ft to < 2 ft from surface or bottom of outlet points = 3 The wetland is a “headwater” wetland points = 3 Wetland is flat but has small depressions on the surface that trap water points = 1 Marks of ponding less than 0.5 ft (6 in) points = 0 D 4.3. 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 less than 10 times the area of the unit points = 5 The area of the basin is 10 to 100 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 Flats class points = 5 Total for D 4 Add the points in the boxes above Rating of Site Potential If score is: 12-16 = H 6-11 = M 0-5 = L Record the rating on the first page 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 D 5.2. Is >10% of the area within 150 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, etc.)? Yes = 1 No = 0 Total for D 5 Add the points in the boxes above Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 3 = H 1 or 2 = M 0 = 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 unit is in a landscape that has flooding problems. Choose the description that best matches conditions around the wetland unit being rated. Do not add points. Choose the highest score if more than one condition is met . The 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 redds): Flooding occurs in a sub-basin that is immediately down-gradient of unit. points = 2 Surface flooding problems are in a sub-basin farther down-gradient. points = 1 Flooding from groundwater is an issue in 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. Explain 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 Rating of Value If score is: 2-4 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 13 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 These questions apply to wetlands of all HGM classes. HABITAT FUNCTIONS - Indicators that site functions to provide important habitat H 1.0. Does the site have the potential to provide habitat? H 1.1. Structure 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 ¼ ac or more than 10% of the unit if it is smaller than 2.5 ac. Add the number of structures checked. ____Aquatic bed 4 structures or more: points = 4 ____Emergent 3 structures: points = 2 ____Scrub-shrub (areas where shrubs have > 30% cover) 2 structures: points = 1 ____Forested (areas where trees have > 30% cover) 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 H 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 ¼ ac to count (see text for descriptions of hydroperiods). ____Permanently flooded or inundated 4 or more types present: points = 3 ____Seasonally flooded or inundated 3 types present: points = 2 ____Occasionally flooded or inundated 2 types present: points = 1 ____Saturated only 1 type present: points = 0 ____Permanently flowing stream 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 H 1.3. Richness of plant species Count the number of plant species in the wetland that cover at least 10 ft 2. Different patches of the same 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 If you counted: > 19 species points = 2 5 - 19 species points = 1 < 5 species points = 0 H 1.4. Interspersion of habitats Decide from the diagrams below whether interspersion among Cowardin plants classes (described in H 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. None = 0 points Low = 1 point Moderate = 2 points All three diagrams in this row are HIGH = 3points Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 14 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 H 1.5. Special habitat features: Check the habitat features that are present in the wetland. The number of checks is the number of points. ____Large, downed, woody debris within the wetland (> 4 in diameter and 6 ft long). ____Standing snags (dbh > 4 in) within the wetland ____Undercut banks are present for at least 6.6 ft (2 m) and/or overhanging plants extends at least 3.3 ft (1 m) over a stream (or ditch) in, or contiguous with the wetland, for at least 33 ft (10 m) ____Stable steep banks of fine material that might be used by beaver or muskrat for denning (> 30 degree slope) OR signs of recent beaver activity are present (cut shrubs or trees that have not yet weathered where wood is exposed) ____At least ¼ ac of thin-stemmed persistent plants or woody branches are present in areas that are permanently or seasonally inundated (structures for egg-laying by amphibians) ____Invasive plants cover less than 25% of the wetland area in every stratum of plants (see H 1.1 for list of strata) Total for H 1 Add the points in the boxes above Rating of Site Potential If score is: 15-18 = H 7-14 = M 0-6 = L Record the rating on the first page H 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the habitat functions of the site? H 2.1. Accessible habitat (include only habitat that directly abuts wetland unit). Calculate: % undisturbed habitat + [(% moderate and low intensity land uses)/2] = _______% If total accessible habitat is: > 1/3 (33.3%) of 1 km Polygon points = 3 20-33% of 1 km Polygon points = 2 10-19% of 1 km Polygon points = 1 < 10% of 1 km Polygon points = 0 H 2.2. Undisturbed habitat in 1 km Polygon around the wetland. Calculate: % undisturbed habitat + [(% moderate and low intensity land uses)/2] = _______% Undisturbed habitat > 50% of Polygon points = 3 Undisturbed habitat 10-50% and in 1-3 patches points = 2 Undisturbed habitat 10-50% and > 3 patches points = 1 Undisturbed habitat < 10% of 1 km Polygon points = 0 H 2.3. Land use intensity in 1 km Polygon: If > 50% of 1 km Polygon is high intensity land use points = (- 2) ≤ 50% of 1 km Polygon is high intensity points = 0 Total for H 2 Add the points in the boxes above Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 4-6 = H 1-3 = M < 1 = L Record the rating on the first page H 3.0. Is the habitat provided by the site valuable to society? H 3.1. Does the site provide habitat for species valued in laws, regulations, or policies? Choose only the highest score that applies to the wetland being rated. Site meets ANY of the following criteria: points = 2 It has 3 or more priority habitats within 100 m (see next page) It provides habitat for Threatened or Endangered species (any plant or animal on the state or federal lists) It is mapped as a location for an individual WDFW priority species It is a Wetland of High Conservation Value as determined by the Department of Natural Resources It has been categorized as an important habitat site in a local or regional comprehensive plan, in a Shoreline Master Plan, or in a watershed plan Site has 1 or 2 priority habitats (listed on next page) within 100 m points = 1 Site does not meet any of the criteria above points = 0 Rating of Value If score is: 2 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 15 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 WDFW Priority Habitats Priority habitats listed by WDFW (see complete descriptions of WDFW priority habitats, and the counties in which they can be found, in: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2008. Priority Habitat and Species List. Olympia, Washington. 177 pp. http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00165/wdfw00165.pdf or access the list from here: http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/phs/list/) Count how many of the following priority habitats are within 330 ft (100 m) of the wetland unit: NOTE: This question is independent of the land use between the wetland unit and the priority habitat. Aspen Stands: Pure or mixed stands of aspen greater than 1 ac (0.4 ha). Biodiversity Areas and Corridors: Areas of habitat that are relatively important to various species of native fish and wildlife (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report). Herbaceous Balds: Variable size patches of grass and forbs on shallow soils over bedrock. Old-growth/Mature forests: Old-growth west of Cascade crest – Stands of at least 2 tree species, forming a multi- 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. Mature forests – Stands with average diameters exceeding 21 in (53 cm) dbh; crown 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 pure oak or oak/conifer associations where canopy coverage of the oak component is important (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 158 – 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 take the form of a dry prairie or a wet prairie (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 161 – see web link above). Instream: The combination of physical, biological, and chemical processes and conditions that interact to provide functional life history requirements for instream fish and wildlife resources. Nearshore: Relatively undisturbed nearshore habitats. These include Coastal Nearshore, Open Coast Nearshore, and Puget Sound Nearshore. (full descriptions of habitats and the definition of relatively undisturbed are in WDFW report – see web link on previous page). Caves: A naturally occurring cavity, recess, void, or system of interconnected passages under the earth in soils, rock, ice, or other geological formations and is large enough to contain a human. Cliffs: Greater than 25 ft (7.6 m) high and occurring below 5000 ft elevation. Talus: Homogenous areas of rock rubble ranging in average size 0.5 - 6.5 ft (0.15 - 2.0 m), composed of basalt, andesite, and/or sedimentary rock, including riprap 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 (51 cm) in western Washington and are > 6.5 ft (2 m) in height. Priority logs are > 12 in (30 cm) in diameter at the largest end, and > 20 ft (6 m) long. Note: All vegetated wetlands are by definition a priority habitat but are not included in this list because they are addressed elsewhere. Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 16 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 CATEGORIZATION BASED ON SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS Wetland Type Check off any criteria that apply to the wetland. Circle the category when the appropriate criteria are met. Category SC 1.0. Estuarine wetlands Does the wetland meet the following criteria for Estuarine wetlands? The dominant water regime is tidal, Vegetated, and With a salinity greater than 0.5 ppt Yes –Go to SC 1.1 No= Not an estuarine wetland SC 1.1. Is the wetland within a National Wildlife Refuge, National Park, National Estuary Reserve, Natural Area Preserve, State Park or Educational, Environmental, or Scientific Reserve designated under WAC 332 -30-151? Yes = Category I No - Go to SC 1.2 Cat. I SC 1.2. Is the wetland unit at least 1 ac in size and meets at least two of the following three conditions? The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing, and has less than 10% cover of non-native plant species. (If non-native species are Spartina, see page 25) At least ¾ 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 contiguous freshwater wetlands. Yes = Category I No = Category II Cat. I Cat. 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 SC 2.2. Is the wetland listed on the 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? http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/datasearch/wnhpwetlands.pdf Yes – Contact WNHP/WDNR and go to SC 2.4 No = Not a WHCV SC 2.4. Has WDNR identified the wetland within the S/T/R as a Wetland of High Conservation Value and listed it on their website? Yes = Category I No = Not a WHCV Cat. I SC 3.0. 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 3.1. Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soil horizons, either peats or mucks, that compose 16 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 3.2. 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 clay or volcanic ash, or that are floating on top of a lake or pond? Yes – Go to SC 3.3 No = Is not a bog SC 3.3. Does an area with peats or mucks have more than 70% cover of mosses at ground level, AND at least a 30% cover of plant species listed in Table 4? Yes = Is a Category I bog No – Go to SC 3.4 NOTE: If you are uncertain about the extent of mosses in the understory , you may substitute that criterion by measuring the pH of the water that seeps into a hole dug at least 16 in deep. If the pH is less than 5.0 and the plant species in Table 4 are present, the wetland is a bog. 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 Cat. I Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 17 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 SC 4.0. Forested Wetlands Does the wetland have at least 1 contiguous acre of forest that meets one of these criteria for the WA Department of Fish and Wildlife’s forests as priority habitats? If you answer YES you will still need to rate the wetland based on its functions. Old-growth forests (west of Cascade crest): Stands of at least two tree species, forming a multi-layered canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac (20 trees/ha) that are at least 200 years of age OR have a diameter at breast height (dbh) of 32 in (81 cm) or more. Mature forests (west of the Cascade Crest): Stands where the largest trees are 80- 200 years old OR the species that make up the canopy have an average diameter (dbh) exceeding 21 in (53 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 wetland in a coastal lagoon? The 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 to be measured near the bottom) Yes – Go to SC 5.1 No = Not a wetland in a coastal lagoon SC 5.1. 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 p. 100). At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un -grazed or un- mowed grassland. The wetland is larger than 1/10 ac (4350 ft2) Yes = Category I No = Category II Cat. I Cat. II SC 6.0. Interdunal Wetlands Is the wetland west of the 1889 line (also called the Western Boundary of Upland Ownership or WBUO)? If you answer yes you will still need to rate the wetland based on its habitat functions. In practical terms that means the following geographic areas: Long Beach Peninsula: Lands west of SR 103 Grayland-Westport: Lands west of SR 105 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,H,H or H,H,M for the three aspects of function)? Yes = 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 or larger? Yes = Category II No – Go to SC 6.3 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 1 ac? Yes = Category III No = Category IV Cat I Cat. II Cat. III Cat. IV Category of wetland based on Special Characteristics If you answered No for all types, enter “Not Applicable” on Summary Form Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 1 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 = H,H,M 7 = H,H,L 7 = H,M,M 6 = H,M,L 6 = M,M,M 5 = H,L,L 5 = M,M,L 4 = M,L,L 3 = L,L,L RATING SUMMARY – Western Washington Name of wetland (or ID #): _________________________________ Date of site visit: _____ Rated by____________________________ Trained by Ecology?__ Yes ___No Date of training______ HGM Class used for rating_________________ 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 Water Quality Hydrologic Habitat Circle the appropriate ratings Site Potential H M L H M L H M L Landscape Potential H M L H M L H M L Value H M L H M L H M L TOTAL Score Based on Ratings 2. Category based on SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS of wetland CHARACTERISTIC CATEGORY Estuarine I II Wetland of High Conservation Value I Bog I Mature Forest I Old Growth Forest I Coastal Lagoon I II Interdunal I II III IV None of the above Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 3 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 HGM Classification of Wetlands in Western Washington 1. Are the water levels in the entire unit usually controlled by tides except during floods? NO – go to 2 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 ppt (parts per thousand)? NO – Saltwater Tidal Fringe (Estuarine) YES – Freshwater Tidal Fringe If your wetland can be classified as a Freshwater Tidal Fringe use the forms for Riverine wetlands. If it is Saltwater Tidal Fringe it is an Estuarine wetland and is not scored. This method cannot be used to score functions for estuarine wetlands. 2. The entire wetland unit is flat 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 If your wetland can be classified as a Flats 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; ___At 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 (Lacustrine Fringe) 4. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria? ____The wetland is on a slope (slope can be very gradual), ____The water flows through the wetland in one direction (unidirectional) and usually comes from seeps. It may flow subsurface, as sheetflow, 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? ____The 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. For questions 1-7, the criteria described must 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. Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 4 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 NO – 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 of the 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. NO – 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 BACK 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 HGM classes present within the wetland unit being scored. NOTE: Use this table only if the class that is recommended in the second column represents 10% or more of the total area of the wetland unit being rated. If the area of the HGM class listed in column 2 is less than 10% of the unit; classify the wetland using the class that represents more than 90% of the total area. HGM classes within the wetland unit being rated HGM class to use in rating Slope + Riverine Riverine Slope + Depressional Depressional Slope + Lake Fringe Lake Fringe Depressional + Riverine along stream within boundary of depression Depressional Depressional + 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 if you have more than 2 HGM classes within a wetland boundary, classify the wetland as Depressional for the rating. Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 11 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 SLOPE WETLANDS Water Quality Functions - Indicators that the site functions to improve water quality S 1.0. Does the site have the potential to improve water quality? S 1.1. Characteristics of the average slope of the wetland: (a 1% slope has a 1 ft vertical drop in elevation for every 100 ft of horizontal distance) Slope is 1% or less points = 3 Slope is > 1%-2% points = 2 Slope is > 2%-5% points = 1 Slope is greater than 5% points = 0 S 1.2. The soil 2 in below the surface (or duff layer) is true clay or true organic (use NRCS definitions): Yes = 3 No = 0 S 1.3. Characteristics of the plants in the wetland that trap sediments and pollutants: Choose the points appropriate for the description that best fits the plants in the wetland. Dense means you have trouble seeing the soil surface (>75% cover), and uncut means not grazed or mowed and plants are higher than 6 in. Dense, uncut, herbaceous plants > 90% of the wetland area points = 6 Dense, uncut, herbaceous plants > ½ of area points = 3 Dense, woody, plants > ½ of area points = 2 Dense, uncut, herbaceous plants > ¼ of area points = 1 Does not meet any of the criteria above for plants points = 0 Total for S 1 Add the points in the boxes above Rating of Site Potential If score is: 12 = H 6-11 = M 0-5 = L Record the rating on the first page S 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the water quality function of the site? S 2.1. Is > 10% of the area within 150 ft on the uphill side of the wetland in land uses that generate pollutants? Yes = 1 No = 0 S 2.2. Are there other sources of pollutants coming into the wetland that are not listed in question S 2.1? Other sources ________________ Yes = 1 No = 0 Total for S 2 Add the points in the boxes above Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 1-2 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page S 3.0. Is the water quality improvement provided by the site valuable to society? S 3.1. Does the wetland discharge directly (i.e., within 1 mi) to a stream, river, lake, or marine water that is on the 303(d) list? Yes = 1 No = 0 S 3.2. Is the wetland in a basin or sub-basin where water quality is an issue? At least one aquatic resource in the basin is on the 303(d) list. Yes = 1 No = 0 S 3.3. Has the site been identified in a watershed or local plan as important for maintaining water quality? Answer YES if there is a TMDL for the basin in which unit is found. Yes = 2 No = 0 Total for S 3 Add the points in the boxes above Rating of Value If score is: 2-4 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 12 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 SLOPE WETLANDS Hydrologic Functions - Indicators that the site functions to reduce flooding and stream erosion S 4.0. Does the site have the potential to reduce flooding and stream erosion? S 4.1. Characteristics of plants that reduce the velocity of surface flows during storms: Choose the points appropriate for the description that best fits conditions in the wetland. Stems of plants should be thick enough (usually > 1/8 in), or dense enough, to remain erect during surface flows . Dense, uncut, rigid plants cover > 90% of the area of the wetland points = 1 All other conditions points = 0 Rating of Site Potential If score is: 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page S 5.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the hydrologic functions of the site? S 5.1. Is more than 25% of the area within 150 ft upslope of wetland in land uses or cover that generate excess surface runoff? Yes = 1 No = 0 Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page S 6.0. Are the hydrologic functions provided by the site valuable to society? S 6.1. Distance to the nearest areas downstr eam that have flooding problems: The sub-basin immediately down-gradient of site has flooding problems that result in damage to human or natural resources (e.g., houses or salmon redds) points = 2 Surface flooding problems are in a sub-basin farther down-gradient points = 1 No flooding problems anywhere downstream points = 0 S 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 S 6 Add the points in the boxes above Rating of Value If score is: 2-4 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page NOTES and FIELD OBSERVATIONS: Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 13 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 These questions apply to wetlands of all HGM classes. HABITAT FUNCTIONS - Indicators that site functions to provide important habitat H 1.0. Does the site have the potential to provide habitat? H 1.1. Structure 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 ¼ ac or more than 10% of the unit if it is smaller than 2.5 ac. Add the number of structures checked. ____Aquatic bed 4 structures or more: points = 4 ____Emergent 3 structures: points = 2 ____Scrub-shrub (areas where shrubs have > 30% cover) 2 structures: points = 1 ____Forested (areas where trees have > 30% cover) 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 H 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 ¼ ac to count (see text for descriptions of hydroperiods). ____Permanently flooded or inundated 4 or more types present: points = 3 ____Seasonally flooded or inundated 3 types present: points = 2 ____Occasionally flooded or inundated 2 types present: points = 1 ____Saturated only 1 type present: points = 0 ____Permanently flowing stream 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 H 1.3. Richness of plant species Count the number of plant species in the wetland that cover at least 10 ft 2. Different patches of the same 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 If you counted: > 19 species points = 2 5 - 19 species points = 1 < 5 species points = 0 H 1.4. Interspersion of habitats Decide from the diagrams below whether interspersion among Cowardin plants classes (described in H 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. None = 0 points Low = 1 point Moderate = 2 points All three diagrams in this row are HIGH = 3points Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 14 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 H 1.5. Special habitat features: Check the habitat features that are present in the wetland. The number of checks is the number of points. ____Large, downed, woody debris within the wetland (> 4 in diameter and 6 ft long). ____Standing snags (dbh > 4 in) within the wetland ____Undercut banks are present for at least 6.6 ft (2 m) and/or overhanging plants extends at least 3.3 ft (1 m) over a stream (or ditch) in, or contiguous with the wetland, for at least 33 ft (10 m) ____Stable steep banks of fine material that might be used by beaver or muskrat for denning (> 30 degree slope) OR signs of recent beaver activity are present (cut shrubs or trees that have not yet weathered where wood is exposed) ____At least ¼ ac of thin-stemmed persistent plants or woody branches are present in areas that are permanently or seasonally inundated (structures for egg-laying by amphibians) ____Invasive plants cover less than 25% of the wetland area in every stratum of plants (see H 1.1 for list of strata) Total for H 1 Add the points in the boxes above Rating of Site Potential If score is: 15-18 = H 7-14 = M 0-6 = L Record the rating on the first page H 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the habitat functions of the site? H 2.1. Accessible habitat (include only habitat that directly abuts wetland unit). Calculate: % undisturbed habitat + [(% moderate and low intensity land uses)/2] = _______% If total accessible habitat is: > 1/3 (33.3%) of 1 km Polygon points = 3 20-33% of 1 km Polygon points = 2 10-19% of 1 km Polygon points = 1 < 10% of 1 km Polygon points = 0 H 2.2. Undisturbed habitat in 1 km Polygon around the wetland. Calculate: % undisturbed habitat + [(% moderate and low intensity land uses)/2] = _______% Undisturbed habitat > 50% of Polygon points = 3 Undisturbed habitat 10-50% and in 1-3 patches points = 2 Undisturbed habitat 10-50% and > 3 patches points = 1 Undisturbed habitat < 10% of 1 km Polygon points = 0 H 2.3. Land use intensity in 1 km Polygon: If > 50% of 1 km Polygon is high intensity land use points = (- 2) ≤ 50% of 1 km Polygon is high intensity points = 0 Total for H 2 Add the points in the boxes above Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 4-6 = H 1-3 = M < 1 = L Record the rating on the first page H 3.0. Is the habitat provided by the site valuable to society? H 3.1. Does the site provide habitat for species valued in laws, regulations, or policies? Choose only the highest score that applies to the wetland being rated. Site meets ANY of the following criteria: points = 2 It has 3 or more priority habitats within 100 m (see next page) It provides habitat for Threatened or Endangered species (any plant or animal on the state or federal lists) It is mapped as a location for an individual WDFW priority species It is a Wetland of High Conservation Value as determined by the Department of Natural Resources It has been categorized as an important habitat site in a local or regional comprehensive plan, in a Shoreline Master Plan, or in a watershed plan Site has 1 or 2 priority habitats (listed on next page) within 100 m points = 1 Site does not meet any of the criteria above points = 0 Rating of Value If score is: 2 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 15 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 WDFW Priority Habitats Priority habitats listed by WDFW (see complete descriptions of WDFW priority habitats, and the counties in which they can be found, in: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2008. Priority Habitat and Species List. Olympia, Washington. 177 pp. http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00165/wdfw00165.pdf or access the list from here: http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/phs/list/) Count how many of the following priority habitats are within 330 ft (100 m) of the wetland unit: NOTE: This question is independent of the land use between the wetland unit and the priority habitat. Aspen Stands: Pure or mixed stands of aspen greater than 1 ac (0.4 ha). Biodiversity Areas and Corridors: Areas of habitat that are relatively important to various species of native fish and wildlife (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report). Herbaceous Balds: Variable size patches of grass and forbs on shallow soils over bedrock. Old-growth/Mature forests: Old-growth west of Cascade crest – Stands of at least 2 tree species, forming a multi- 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. Mature forests – Stands with average diameters exceeding 21 in (53 cm) dbh; crown 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 pure oak or oak/conifer associations where canopy coverage of the oak component is important (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 158 – 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 take the form of a dry prairie or a wet prairie (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 161 – see web link above). Instream: The combination of physical, biological, and chemical processes and conditions that interact to provide functional life history requirements for instream fish and wildlife resources. Nearshore: Relatively undisturbed nearshore habitats. These include Coastal Nearshore, Open Coast Nearshore, and Puget Sound Nearshore. (full descriptions of habitats and the definition of relatively undisturbed are in WDFW report – see web link on previous page). Caves: A naturally occurring cavity, recess, void, or system of interconnected passages under the earth in soils, rock, ice, or other geological formations and is large enough to contain a human. Cliffs: Greater than 25 ft (7.6 m) high and occurring below 5000 ft elevation. Talus: Homogenous areas of rock rubble ranging in average size 0.5 - 6.5 ft (0.15 - 2.0 m), composed of basalt, andesite, and/or sedimentary rock, including riprap 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 (51 cm) in western Washington and are > 6.5 ft (2 m) in height. Priority logs are > 12 in (30 cm) in diameter at the largest end, and > 20 ft (6 m) long. Note: All vegetated wetlands are by definition a priority habitat but are not included in this list because they are addressed elsewhere. Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 16 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 CATEGORIZATION BASED ON SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS Wetland Type Check off any criteria that apply to the wetland. Circle the category when the appropriate criteria are met. Category SC 1.0. Estuarine wetlands Does the wetland meet the following criteria for Estuarine wetlands? The dominant water regime is tidal, Vegetated, and With a salinity greater than 0.5 ppt Yes –Go to SC 1.1 No= Not an estuarine wetland SC 1.1. Is the wetland within a National Wildlife Refuge, National Park, National Estuary Reserve, Natural Area Preserve, State Park or Educational, Environmental, or Scientific Reserve designated under WAC 332 -30-151? Yes = Category I No - Go to SC 1.2 Cat. I SC 1.2. Is the wetland unit at least 1 ac in size and meets at least two of the following three conditions? The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing, and has less than 10% cover of non-native plant species. (If non-native species are Spartina, see page 25) At least ¾ 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 contiguous freshwater wetlands. Yes = Category I No = Category II Cat. I Cat. 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 SC 2.2. Is the wetland listed on the 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? http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/datasearch/wnhpwetlands.pdf Yes – Contact WNHP/WDNR and go to SC 2.4 No = Not a WHCV SC 2.4. Has WDNR identified the wetland within the S/T/R as a Wetland of High Conservation Value and listed it on their website? Yes = Category I No = Not a WHCV Cat. I SC 3.0. 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 3.1. Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soil horizons, either peats or mucks, that compose 16 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 3.2. 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 clay or volcanic ash, or that are floating on top of a lake or pond? Yes – Go to SC 3.3 No = Is not a bog SC 3.3. Does an area with peats or mucks have more than 70% cover of mosses at ground level, AND at least a 30% cover of plant species listed in Table 4? Yes = Is a Category I bog No – Go to SC 3.4 NOTE: If you are uncertain about the extent of mosses in the understory , you may substitute that criterion by measuring the pH of the water that seeps into a hole dug at least 16 in deep. If the pH is less than 5.0 and the plant species in Table 4 are present, the wetland is a bog. 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 Cat. I Wetland name or number ______ Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 17 Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015 SC 4.0. Forested Wetlands Does the wetland have at least 1 contiguous acre of forest that meets one of these criteria for the WA Department of Fish and Wildlife’s forests as priority habitats? If you answer YES you will still need to rate the wetland based on its functions. Old-growth forests (west of Cascade crest): Stands of at least two tree species, forming a multi-layered canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac (20 trees/ha) that are at least 200 years of age OR have a diameter at breast height (dbh) of 32 in (81 cm) or more. Mature forests (west of the Cascade Crest): Stands where the largest trees are 80- 200 years old OR the species that make up the canopy have an average diameter (dbh) exceeding 21 in (53 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 wetland in a coastal lagoon? The 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 to be measured near the bottom) Yes – Go to SC 5.1 No = Not a wetland in a coastal lagoon SC 5.1. 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 p. 100). At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un -grazed or un- mowed grassland. The wetland is larger than 1/10 ac (4350 ft2) Yes = Category I No = Category II Cat. I Cat. II SC 6.0. Interdunal Wetlands Is the wetland west of the 1889 line (also called the Western Boundary of Upland Ownership or WBUO)? If you answer yes you will still need to rate the wetland based on its habitat functions. In practical terms that means the following geographic areas: Long Beach Peninsula: Lands west of SR 103 Grayland-Westport: Lands west of SR 105 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,H,H or H,H,M for the three aspects of function)? Yes = 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 or larger? Yes = Category II No – Go to SC 6.3 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 1 ac? Yes = Category III No = Category IV Cat I Cat. II Cat. III Cat. IV Category of wetland based on Special Characteristics If you answered No for all types, enter “Not Applicable” on Summary Form