HomeMy WebLinkAboutWetland Delineation 06/02 950100905 Monitoring Report
South Point Wetland Revegetation
Final Report
Trail End Estates
June 2002
Prepared for:
Harriette Buckmann
2105 2nd Avenue
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Prepared by:
Dixie Llewellin, Principal Biologist
Olympic Wetland Resources, Inc,
Port: T°Wnsend385-6432 98368
Monitoring Report
South Point Wetland Revegetation
Trail End Estates
June 2002
Introduction
The wetlands in the Trail End Estate were filled March l 9, 1997 to increase upland space for
recreation. In December of 1998 fill was removed, soil levels were brought back to the original
elevation, and the site was re-vegetated.
As stated in the Wetland Revegetation Planting Plan, South Point Wetlands (November 4, 1998)
monitoring is required over a 5 years period to evaluate the success of the project. Monitoring reports
were submitted to the County in 1999 and 2001. Final monitoring was conducted by Dixie Llewellin~
Olympic Wetland Resources, on June 13, 2002.
Health and numbers of planted species were counted to determine whether the performance standards
of the revegetation plan were met on the three parcels impacted (Area A (Parcel 950100905), Area B
(Parcel 950100907) and Area C (part of Parcel 950100804 and part of Parcel 950100806)). The total
area re-vegetated was approximately 19,471 square feet.
A re-vegetation project is successful when, after 3 years, over 80% of the plants consist of native
species and are healthy and vigorous and weedy species represent less that 10% of the overall cover.
This report represents the final monitoring for the South Point Wetland Revegetation Project.
Results and Discussion
The final evaluation of this projects shows that the planting far exceeds performance standards
outlined in the revegetation plan. Weedy species were sparse in the planted areas and comprised far
less than 10% of the ground cover. Weeds are prevalent along the roadways and perimeters of the
planted parcels but native vegetation seems to be out-competing encroaching non-natives. Areas A
and B are so dense it was difficult to count all the planted species. Some of the planted willow trees
were well over 20 feet tall and shrubs were 10 to 15 feet tall.
The success of this project has to do with the presence of hydrology and good soil conditions. Soils in
all areas were saturated and water was ponded in the ditches and low-lying areas during the June
'monitoring. Non-native and invasive plants were observed on the adjacent lots but these did not
appear to be invading the planted areas. Weedy species including curly dock, Himalayan blackberry,
and reed canarygrass covered far less than 10% of the ground cover in the planted areas. Native
vegetation was the dominant plant cover found in the wetlands. A table presenting plant survivorship
of planted species is included in the Summary. A vicinity map and planting plan is included at the end
of this report.
Monitoring South Point Wetland Ol.vmpic Wetland Resources, Inc. June 2002
Project # 2001-0092 Page 1
Area A 103' X 107'
Area A is bordered on the north by Ferry Street and on the south and west by a mowed vacant lot.
Species planted in 1998 include salmonberry, slough sedge, red-osier dogwood, ninebark~ and Sitka
spruce. Red osier dogwood did not survive the initial planting; all other species were healthy and
thriving. The ninebark was blooming and the spruce had healthy new buds (Figure 1 at the end o£this
report).
Volunteer alders and planted willows are ~-om 10 to 25 feet in height. Volunteer native species
returning and dominating the site include skunk cabbage, cattails, Douglas' aster, and water parsley.
The overall return o£native species (in addition to the planted species) exceeds the 80% native
vegetation cover required by the performance standards. There is less than 10% weed cover on site;
weeds observed in Area A are Himalayan blackberry.
The photograph of Area A in Figure 1 shows a dense stand of cattails and alders returning to the site.
A large dead spruce (the main feature in the photograph f~om last years report) has been removed.
Area B 90' X 65'
Area B has highly saturated soils, which were ponded during the 1998 planting and 1999 monitoring.
Soils were saturated during the monitoring in July of 2001 and during this monitoring. The dense
stands of cattails were almost impenetrable (Photograph in Appendix). Willows were thriving but the
planted spruce was not observed. There are several standing dead spruce that can be seen in the
photograph of Area B (Figure 1). The hydrologic regime may have changed in this area and soils may
be too saturated to support spruce trees.
Planted species include Sitka spruce; pacific willow, twinberry, and bulrush. All the species planted
with the exception of the spruce are healthy and spreading. Native vegetation is extremely thick and
healthy throughout the site and constitutes over 95% cover. Volunteer native species thriving here
include salmonberry, common rush, cattails, and Douglas' aster.
Weedy species include thistle, reed canarygrass, and Himalayan blackberries. Prior to the clearing the
Himalayan blackberries were the dominant cover. Now all weedy species comprise far less than 10%
of the cover.
The photograph of Area B in Figure 1 shows the dead standing spruce snag, dense cattails and
willows.
Area C 40' X 50' with an adjacent 100' X 6' strip along South Beach Road
Species planted in this area include hardstem bulrush, red-osier dogwood, and twinberry. The
dogwood did not survive the original planting and may not be suitable for this site. All other plantings
were present and thriving. The hardstem bulrush planted in this area is spreading and the seven
original twinberries counted in 1999 are still present and healthy. Volunteer natives include alder,
thimbleberry, cattail, common rush, and seacoast bulrush (Scirpus maritimus). This dry, open site has
a greater number of weedy species than Area A or Area B. These include rumex, reed canary grass,
blackberry, Scot's broom, and tansy ragwort. The percentage of weedy species is still less than 10%
of the existing cover.
Monitoring South Point Wetland Ol.vmpic Wetland Resources, Inc. June 2002
Project # 2001-0092 Page 2
The photograph of Area C (Figure 1) shows the emergent layer of hardstem bulrush, common rush,
volunteer alders and cattails.
Summary
This has been an extremely successful restoration project due to good soil conditions, presence of
regular hydrology, and native borders reestablishing all parcels. The area now supports a diverse
community of native species, structural layers, and habitat features. Dead standing snags and down
trees found in Areas A and B add to the overall habitat value of the wetlands by providing nesting
cavities for birds, amphibians, and small mammals. Restoration efforts for this site exceed the required
performance standards.
This report fulfills the final monitoring requirements by the Jefferson County Department of
Community Development for the South Point Wetlands, Trail End Estates restoration project. Site
conditions exceed the performance standards three years after the final planting.
Below is the table of plants observed; all planted species could not be counted due to the extremely
dense vegetation returning to the site.
Plant Survivorship and Health
Species Name Common name Planted Observed Condition Comments
Emergent
. dst m u shI ,001 > 00l x e"ent
Carex obnupta I Slough sedge 200 >200 Good Soils dry
Scrnb-Shmb
Comus sericea * Red osier dogwood 5 None Did not survive year 1
Physocarpus capitatus Pacific ninebark 30 6 Excellent Bushes over 7'tall
Rubus spectabilis Salmonberry 20 7+ Excellent Bushes 3'tall
Lonicera involucrata Twin-berry 20 20 Excellent Over 6' tall
Trees
Picea sitchensis Sitka spruce ] 10 4 Excellent Healthy new shoots [
Salix lucida var. lasiandra Pacific willow 30 15 Excellent 6 to 25 ' tall '
Live stakes of red-osier dogwood did not survive.
It has been a pleasure working on this successful project. If there are any further questions about this
project feel free to call.
Sincerely,
Dixie Llewellin, Principal Biologist
Olympic Wetland Resources, Inc.
360 385-6432
Monitoring South Point Wetland Ol.vmpic Wetland Resources, Inc. June 2002
Project # 2001-0092 Page 3
South Point Wetland Revegetaion
Location of Areas Planted
5 g5Ot~S
95010081 (
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Vicini~ ~ap And Planting Plan
~ 8~ 50~ ~ed June 2002
~' Pod t~send, WA 98368 Cli~ flarrieffe B~kman
360 385.~32 2105 2nd Avenue~ ~:
Pod ~gel~, WA 98362 02-0092
South Point Wetlands Monitoring 2002
Flowering ninebark
Dense cattails
Healthy spruce
Wetland Resources, Inc.Figure 1 June 2002
Olympic