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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHabitat Plan & Delineation 801121001Crooked Shepherd LLC Wetland Delineation and Habitat Management Plan 552 Embody Road Port Ludlow, WA 98365 Parcel 801 1 21001 April 2019 Prepared for: Tia Taylor 552Bmbody Road Port Ludlow, WA 98365 t Yvr^uvllvr tr wulrlrr6lvrt 360 38s-6432 dixie@cablespeed.com Crooked Shepherd LLC Wetland Delineation and Habitat Management Plan April 2019 Table of Contents Introduction Project Proposal Site Description and Existing Conditions Methodology Background Info rmation Wetland Delineation Findings Soils Vegetation Hydrology Habitat Management Plan and Wetland Analysis Categortzation and Buffers Habitat and Species Assessment Watershed and Hydrologic Assessment Potential Impact of Proposed Development Limitations Summary References Appendix Figure 1 Location, Critical Area Map (Jefferson County), Soils Figure 2 Findings and Proposed Septic Location Figure 3 Photographs Figure 4 1 KM Polygon for Rating Form Applied Methodology for Wetland Delineation 2019 Wetland Rating Field Data Form Data Forms, Routine Determination, WA Wetland Rating System (DOE) Crooked Shepherd LLC Wetland Delineation and Habitat Management Plan Parcel80l l2l00l April2019 Introduction Olympic Wetland Resources, LLC has been authorized by Tia Taylor, Crooked Shepherd LLC to perform a Wetland Delineation and Habitat Management Plan (HMP) on the subject parcel at 552 Embody Road, Port Ludlow Washington. Field work was conducted on Apil17,2019 to determine the wetland boundary and rating ofthe wetland. The wetland boundaries are accurate within 5 feet as determined by topography, soils, and vegetation. Project Proposal A septic system and reserve area have been desigrred by Nathan Cleaver Sepic Design Inc. (Permit # SEPT18-00011, Oct20l7). Tia Taylor is working with Linda Atkins Jefferson County Environmental Public Health for approval of the septic design and with Kevin Hitchcock Departrnent of Community Development @CD, (CASE BLD 1800129, 212112018)) for building plans associated with the new house under construction. Prior to final approval both the septic design and building plans require additional information. Site Description and Existing Conditions The parcel slopes gently towards Ludlow Creek (east) and associated wetland (east and north). The parcel is entirely composed of fenced pastures, pig pens, outbuildings, greenhouses, bams, and yurts. The single-family home under construction has been framed and roofed. The yurts, design for new septic, and new house are located upslope approximately 10 feet in elevation from Ludlow Creek and the bottom of Beaver Valley. o Legal Description: Parcel 801 121 001, Section 12 Township 28N Range 1Wo WRIA 17 Sub Basin 2014 Ludlow, Zoned RR-20 e Soils: Se Semiahmoo muck, StB Swantown gravelly sandy loam, and KsD Kitsap gravelly loamr Location: 6.5 miles south of Chimacum intersection on Beaver Valley Road (HWY 19)o Slopes 0 to 8%,9.989 acres, elevations 160' to 170' At the end of this report are the following: Figure I Location, Critical Areas, and Soils Figure 2 Findings and Proposed Septic Location Figure 3 Photographs Figure 4 1 KM Polygon for Rating Form. Methodology Due to the mapped wetlands throughout Beaver Valley and Ludlow Creek located on the subject parcel, this Wetland Delineation and HMP are required by Jefferson County Environmental Health and DCD as part ofthe permit application process. This assessment is prepared according to the current Unified Development Code, Chapter 18.22, Critical Areas (18.22.270,18.22.330,18.22.440 and 18.22.450). Crooked Shepherd LLC Wetland Delineation and HMP Report File 2019-0417 I April 2019 The characteristics ofan area that result in its classification as 'lretland- have been formally defined by federal and state agencies. All wetland delineations must be prepared in accordance with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: W'estern Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region, Version 2.0 (May 2010) Complete Methodology used for this delineation and HMP are included at the end of this report. Background Information The following resources were consulted prior to field work for this project: o Jefferson County UDC Chapter I 8 Critical Areas (updated on the intemet, March 20 1 9)o Washington Departunent of Fish and Wildlife Priority Habitat Species @HS)o Aerial Photographs (Google Intemet)o Soil Survey Ottps://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App4lomePage.htn)o Washington State Wetland Identification and Delineation Manual (1997) o National List of Plant Species That Occur in Wetlands: Northwest @egion 9) (2019 name update) Wetland Delineation Findings This delineation follows a dry winter with below average rain falI. Vegetation was dormant, and the temperatures were seasonally warm; air temperatures were 52o and soils temperatues 48o at 16" below the surface in a soil test pit. Deterrnining a wetland edge is difficult in grazed agricultural pastures especially at the beginning of the growing season. The Jefferson County Critical Areas map indicates over 80 percent of the parcel is within a wetland, except for the westem boundaries. NRCS soil maps indicate hydric soils (Se, Semiahmoo muck) on only the north eastem comer (Figure 1). The wetland edge was determined by examining soils, vegetation layers, and hydrology at each data point. The wetland boundary is defined by a slight drop in topography, change ofvegetatior; the presence of redoximorphic features in the soils, and the presence of hydrology both in the pit and ponding nearby. Findings reveal the wetland edge conesponds closely NRCS soil map indicating hydric soil (Se) boundaries and not the wetland edge indicated on Jefferson County Critical Areas wetland map. Once the wetland edge was established it was flagged at 20' to 30' intervals (A1- A4). The Findings Map (Figure 2) includes the property boundaries, existing buildings, proposed septic site location, delineated wetland edge, associated buffers, and data point locations overlaid on an aerial photograph (Google). Soils NRCS Soil Survey (intemet) lists all soils on the subject parcel as Se Semiahmoo muck (hydric) (37.9%), StB Swantown gravelly sandy loam (44.9%), and KsD Kitsap gravelly loan (17 .2%6). Findings were consistent with this soil description as observed in the 3 data point soil test pits aad within Nathan Cleaver soil logs. The Soil manix color in Data Point I @P 1) was very dark broun (1OYR 2/2) with no redoximorphic features. Below 8" soils were greyish brown and sandy (10YR 5/2) with faint redoximorphic streaking in the sandy layer (10YR 5/8). The soil pit had no water and minimal vegetation was present due to agricultural practices. Crooked Shepherd LLC Wetland Delineation and HMP Report File 2019-0417 2 April 2019 Data Point 2 @P 2) was downslope near Ludlow Creek and consisted of hydric soils. The soil matrix color was black (Munsell 10YR 2/1). Below the surface 12 inches down in the pit a compressed silt ash layer (10YR 5/1) was observed. This soil test pit is within the wetland and immediately filled with water to within 8 inches ofthe surface. Ponding, surface saturation, and near surface water table were present and hydric vegetation including spire4 willow, soft rusll and rced canarygrass were dominant. Data Point 3 @P 3) was 40 feet to the west and slightly upslope from DP 2. Soils in this test pit were dry and very dark brown (10yR212). Soils below 10 inches were dark grey and sandy (l0YR 4/1). AII soils were dry and no redoximorphic indicators were observed. Vegetation This wetland delineation was conducted during spring when most pasture grasses wele still dormant, and shrubs were just beginning to leaf. Herbaceous vegetation was identified by last year's growth or growth structure. Trees and shrubs were identified by familiarity of branching, bud formation, and residual leaves on the ground. The only trees or shrubs on this parcel are associated with Ludlow Creek. The remaining parcel consisted ofbuildings, greenhouses, bare soils (in pig pens), or grazed pastures. The dominant vegetation aad percent cover are recorded on the Data Forms at the end of this report. Below is the list ofvegetation identified during the April assessment and include the assigned indicator status of eachoI eacn sDecres. Scientific Name Common name Status Layer Dactvlis slomerata Orchard-grass FACU Grass Juncus effusus Soft rush FACW Rush Phalaris arundinacea Canarygrass FACW Grass Rumux crispus Curly dock FAC Herb Salix scouleriana Scouler willow FAC Tree Spiraea douglasii Hardhack FACW Shrub Taraxacum officinale Dandelion FACU Herb FACU Facultative Upland Species/ Non wetland FAC Facultative Species FACW Facultative Wetland Species OBL Obligate Wetland Species NI No Indicator Assigned National Wetland Plant List 2019 COE Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Hydrology Hydrology was only present at DP 2 occurring within 8" ofthe surface indicating a shallow water table. Ponding and soil saturation were near this test pit as seen in the photo$aphs at the end of this report (Figure 3). Both DP I and 3 are slighfly upslope from the bottom ofthe Beaver Valley and Ludlow Creek and contained no hydrology at 16 inches. The wetland was flagged between the upland/wetland Data Points 2 and 3. Ludlow Creek at Embody Road drains towards Port Ludlow Bay. Habitat Management Plan and Wetland Analysis Categorization and Buffers This wetland unit at 552 Embody Road falls between driveways and ditches that define the boundaries. The rating for this wetland unit received 19 points based the following: Improving Water Quality (6 points), Hydrologic Function (6) points, and Habitat (7 points) for a total of 19 points. Wetlands with a Crooked Shepherd LLC Wetland Delineation and HMP Report File 2019-0417 3 April 2019 rating of 19 points and 7 points for Habitat qua1iff as a Category III Wetland and have associated 1 I 0 foot buffers as highlighted in the table below. Buffers are measured perpendicular from the delineated edge. The proposed septic system/reserve and single-family residence are on a parcel larger than one acre and are defined as 'lnoderate impact land- use". All development is outside of wetland buffers. The Wetland Rating Form is included in the Appendix at the end ofthis report. Table 18.22.33oQ) WETLAND CATEGORIES. RATING SCORXS AND BUFFER WIDTHS FOR MODERATE IMPACT LAND USES Moderate impact land uses shall include the following: . Singl€-Family residential use on parcels ofone acre or larger; . Private roads or driveways serving three or more residential parcels; ' Paved trails; ' Passive recreation areas; . Utility corridors (private or public) with a maintenance road; . Habitat and Species Assessment Washington Departrnent of Fish and Wildlife Priority Habitat and Species were evaluated within 1/3 of a mile of this parcel. All threatened or endangered plant or animal species were recorded and if possible surveyed during the April 2019 assessment. Many species of birds and wildlife have been documented to use this site. WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife Priority Habitat Species (PHS) Common Name Scientific Name Coho O. kisutch Freshwater Forested Shrub/Wetland Resident Coastal Cutthroat O. clarkii Wetlands Watershed and Hydrologic Assessment This parcel drains toward Ludlow Creek and eventually into Port Ludlow Bay. Ludlow Creek is a Type "F ' Fish Bearing Stream and requires 150' buffers (Table 18.22.270(l)). It is in the WRIA 17 Sub Basin 20 1 4 Ludlow. The subj ect parcel rises slightly upslope to an elevation of I 0 feet above the low areas of Beaver Valley. The building envelope will be located on the highest elevation ofthe site outside ofthe 1 10' wefland and 150' Ludlow Creek buffers. Figure 2 indicates both wetland and creek buffers. Crooked Shepherd LLC Wetland Delineation and HMP Report File 2019-0417 4 Wetland Category Wetland Characteristics : . Habitat (I{) . Water Quality (WQ) Buffer Width with an Identified Wetland Boundary (Delineated) + An Additional Distance from an Apparent Wetland Boundary (Not Delineated) IV (Total of scores for all functions is less than l5 points) [Total of scores less than 15 pointsl 40 feet +20 feet III (Total of scores for all functions is l6 - l9 points) [With H score 5 -7 points] [Not meeting above characteristic] I l0 feet 60 feet +30 feet April 2019 Potential Impacts of Proposed Development Short-term impacts during the septic installation and completion of the house will be minimized by carefrrl construction practices. Quantities of excavated soils for the septic system and the final design for the single-family residence will be discussed in detail in the frnal plans. All other impacts and impervious surfaces will be addressed when the final plans are submitted. All construction will take place outside of delineated buffers and are over 150 feet from the waters of Ludlow Creek. There will be "No Net Loss" ofany ecological functions during or after construction. The proposed building envelope consists of existing buildings and gazed pastures, no trees are present. Due to the gently sloping landscape there will be no potential for erosion or siltation entering Ludlow Creek or associated wetlands. Best Management Practices (BMPs) should be followed during and after construction. There will be no alteration of surface water flows since the site is level, well dmined and fina1 contours will follow the original slopes in the landscape. Limitations The final authority over approval ofthis Wetland Delineation, Categorization and Fish Bearing Stream Buffer will be Jefferson County DCD and Department of Environmental Public Health. Final jurisdictional authority over wetland, shoreline, and buffer determinations rests with the local, state and federal agencies. Ifthere are further questions or planning requirements for this project, please do not hesitate to call. Summary Olympic Wetland Resources, LLC conducted a wetland delineation, rating, and Habitat Management Plan for Tia Taylor, Crooked Shepherd LLC on the subject parcel at 552 Embody Road, Port Ludlow Washington on April 17.2019. The proposed project includes the installation ofa septic system (Permit # SEPT18-00011, Oct20l7) axld the permitting and completion of a single-family residence, (CASE BLD 1800129, February 2018) currently under construction. Tia Taylor is working with Jefferson County Environmental Public Health to finalize septic design and DCD for building plan approval. Findings from this report include a Category III wefland with 110 foot buffers and a Type "F" Fish Bearing Stream with 150 foot buffers. The building envelope is over 150 feet from Ludlow Creek and outside all wetland buffers as indicated on the findings map (Figure 2) at the end ofthis report. Best Management Practices (BMPs) should be followed during and after construction to insure 'No Net Loss" ofecological functions or impacts to wetlands or waters of Ludlow Creek. Respectfirlly Submitted, / ((-.,,^------ Dixie Llewellin dixie@cablespeed.com Principal Biologist, Olympic Wetland Resources, LLC Certified for Wetland Delineation, WTI Certified for Wetland Rating and Soil Analysis DOE,2007,2012,20t4 Crooked Shepherd LLC Wetland Delineation and HMP Report File 2019-0417 5 April 2019 References 2019 Buckingham, et a1., 1995. X'lora of the Olympic Peninsula. Northwest Interpretive Association and the Washington Native Plant Society, Seattle, Wash. Cooke, Sarah Spear, 1997. A Field Guide to the Common Wetland Plants of Western Washington and Northwest Oregon. Seattle Audubon Society, Seattle, Wash. Cowardin, L.M.V. Carter, F.C.Goblet, and E.T. LaRoe, 1979. Classification of Wetland and Deep Water Habitats of the U.S. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. Hitchcock and Cronquist, 1973, Second Addition2Ol S update. Flora ofthe Pacifrc Northwest. Jefferson County Unified Development Code. Critical Areas, Shoreline Master Program 2014. MacBeth, Div. of Kollmorgen Instruments Corp., 1992. Munsell Soil Color Charts. Pojar, Mackinnon,1994. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Reed, Porter, 1988. National List of Plant Species That Occur in Wetlands, Region 9 WMVC. Updared 2017 12019. Washington State Department of Ecology, April 2004. Guidance on Wetland Mitigation in Washington State. Washington State Department of Ecology, January 2015. Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washi4gton, Pub 14-06-029 and as updated on intemet. Washington State Department of Ecology, October 2016. Determining OHWM for Shoreline Management Act Compliance in Washington State @ub 16-06-029). U.S. Corps of Engineers, 1987. X'ederal Manual for Identiffing and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands. U.S. Corps of Engineers, 2010. Regional Supplement to the Corps Ensrneer Wetland Delineating Manual: Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region (Version 2.0 and as updated). U.S. Departrnent of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 1975. Soil Survey of Jefferson County. Web sites: Fish and Wildlife Service, NWI, http://wetlandsfus.er.uses.gov/wtlndylaunch.htrnl National Resource Conservation Service, http://websoilsurvey.mcs.usda.eov/app/ Priority Habitat and Species https:/lwdfu.wa.gov/mappingy'phs/