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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWetland Mitigation 602353023 STECB COMP BUFFER ~RATION AND ENI-IAN~N~I' PLAN: PARCEL~ 602-353-023 BRINNON, WASHINGTON January 2003. Submitted to: ~RSON COUN~ DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVE[I)PMENT 621 Sheridal~. Street Port Townsend, WA 98368 Prepared by: WESTECH COMPANY P.O. Box 2876 Port Angeles, Washington 98362 P.O. Box 2876 · Po~ ~ Washington 98362 · Teleplume: (360) 452-0186' Fax: (360) 452~115 · mm'l., bshea@ten~otwat'cl, com JEFFERSON COUNTY DEPT. OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BUFFER RF_~TORATION AND ENHANCEMENT PLAN: PARCEl_.// 602-353-023 BRIN ON, WASI-HNGTON January 2003 Submitted to: JEFFERSON COUNTY DEPARTIVlE~ OF CO/vlMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 621 Sheridan Street Port Townsend, WA 98368 Prepared by: WES~H COMPANY P.O. Box 2876 Port Angeles, Washington 98362 CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Jefferson County Compliance Requiremems 3.0 Buffer Enhancement and Restoration Plan 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Soil stabilization Revegetation Tree Planting Construction and Timing Fencing and Monitoring Compliance Agreement 4.0 Conclusions and Recommendations 5.0 References 2 3 3 3 4 5 5 6 7 9 Figures ~igum 1. Location Map 'Figure 2. Vicinity Map Figure 3. Site Plan Map Showing Buffer Restoration and Enhancement Plan Tables Table 1. List of Recommended Vegetation Plantings 10 11 12 13 14 15 WT813PLN.ENH/011603gbs i 1.0 INTRODUCTION The Property known as Parcel #602-353-023 is owned by Keith and Tammy Berry. The property is located in Brinnon, Jefferson County, Washington in the southwest quarter of Section 35, Township 26 North, Range 2 West W.M. (Figures 1,2). The property consists of 7.67 acres on the east side of Highway 101 adjacent to Hood Canal (Figure 3). The property was purchased by the present owners from a relative (Mrs. Berry's grandmother} who previously lived on a home on the property. Several years ago, the home was damaged by a fallen tree, became unusable and was recently removed by the Berry's in preparation for construction of a new house on the property. Westech performed a wetland delineation on the property in December 2002. The delineation found that there was a Class I wetland on three sides of the property and that continued residential use would require a reductiOn of the buffer zone. That report recommended a reduction of the buffer zone to 75', or 50 percent of the buffer required for a Class I wetland. Buffer averaging will also be necessary at the entrance of the property in order to provide access to the parcel, since the entrance road runs along a slough to the west of the property. The property includes a salt marsh, adjacent to Hood Canal, a buffer zone (recommended to be 75' and a homesite. The buffer zone had grown up in blackberry bushes and these have been removed, perc holes installed to test for drainfield suitability, and the area has 'been revegetated with a native bluegrass and ryegrass mix to stabilize the area against erosion and sedimentation. A portion of the homesite has also been revegetated with native grass. The Project Site has areas determined to be Critical Areas under the Jefferson County Uniform Development Code (Jefferson County Uniform Development Code Section 3). The Code requires preparation of a Buffer Enhancement Plan in order to reduce standard buffer widths for development adjacent to wetlands. Site inspections were performed for development of this Plan by Dr. Bradford Shea on December 31, 2002 and January 2, 2003. On December 31, the property owner, Mr. Keith Berry met Dr. Shea on the Site to go over position of the planned new residence. Biological observations conducted by Dr. Shea indicate that the wetlands and buffer zone portions of the site has good wildlife habitat value. Signs of deer and elk were observed and have been reported on the Site. Salmonid fish utilize the sloughs and channels in the marsh. Numerous songbirds utilize the marsh in season. Small mammals undoubtedly utilize the Site. WT813PLN.ENH/011603gbs 1 2.0 .}EFPERSON COUNTY COMPLIANCE REQ~~~ The property owners of the Site intend to apply for a building permit to construct a single family, two bedroom residence and associated drainfield. Approximate locations of the proposed home and drainfield are shown in Figure 3. Due to a number of years of non-use of the previous residence, the previous lawn area of the home had grown up in non-native blackberry plants and other weedy species. This included portions of the buffer zone. Those bushes were removed by the owner during the process of digging drainfield test pits and the area has been replanted with a native grass mixture. The County has indicated that the landowner must develop a Buffer Restoration and Enhancement Plan which includes stabilization of soils in the affected area and revegetafion with trees, shrubs and herbaceous vegetation. The Buffer Restoration and Enhancement Plan set forth in the next section of this document has been developed by biologists at Westech Company to comply with these requirements. Since the Plan will affect the utilization of the area by wildlife, special provisions have been included, requiring some long-term monitoring. Westech company has coordinated with the property owners, Jefferson County's "representative (Mr. Jerry Smith) during the preparation of this Plan. The County has indicated that it will be acceptable for a contract to be developed between the landowners and the County for implementation of the Buffer Restoration and Enhancement Plan. The terms in that contract will be based on the recommendations of this Plan and on other conditions that the County and the landowner may agree on. WT813PLN.ENH/011603gbs 2 3.0 BUFFER ~RATION AND ENHANCEMENT PLAN This Buffer Restoration and Enhancement Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of the Jefferson County Uniform Development Code, Section 3, Wetlands. As such, the Plan includes information and recommendations on soil stabilization, revegetafion and tree/shrub placement. Timing of implementation is also discussed, since the contract with the County is anticipated to contain dates for compliance which indicate completion of certain actions. 3.1 Soil Stabilization Prior to construction, soils should be stabilized through placement of a silt fence, at least 18 inches in height along the homesite/buffer zone edge extending from the south property line, surrounding the homesite on three sides (east, north and wes0. Additional erosion control measures-, should be in place on any exposed soils which have not been replanted prior to commencement of the rainy season (generally October 1 to April 30). Thus, all exposed soil should be either: 1) Covered with impermeable surface (house foundation, driveways etc.), 2) Replanted in ground cover or shrubs, or 3) Treated for erosion control using straw bales or plastic ground sheeting. These additional measures should be in place before October 1, 2003 (or immediately following any grading or other ground-disturbing activities which occur prior to the end of the 2002-2003 rainy season), in order to comply with the County requirement for soil stabilization. 3.2 ~ Revegetation of disturbed areas in the buffer zone should be accomplished with native vegetation. Native standing trees (whether living trees or snags) in this area should not be disturbed. Removal of lower limbs of trees is appropriate in some eases to improve vieW, however, such removal should specifically be checked with the county representative or with a qualified biologist. All new plants will be vulnerable to the stresses of the local environment (which may include salt spray, salty conditions in the root zone, wind and periodic wet soil conditions. This may cause loss of plants (mortality). Additional stress will result from the presence of grazing by native deer and elk. The plan thus compensates for these factors by recommending additional plantings to compensate for mortality, temporary fencing during establishment of plants, and periodic monitoring to ensure success. WT813PLN.ENH/011603gbs 3 Native vegetation recommended to revegetate the 75 foot buffer zone includes but is not limited to the following (see also Table 1 for quantities and a more detailed listing): Trees: Western Red Cedar Red Alder Yellow Twig Dogwood Red Stem Dogwood Shrubs: Evergreen Huckleberry Sword Fern Oregon Grape Salal Wild rose Herbaceous Plants: Ferns Bluegrass Ryegrass The revegetation of the buffer zone should be limited to native plants (within 75 feet of the wetland). The property owners should work with a qualified nursery specialist or biologist to select listed plants (see Table 1). Native vegetation is also preferred but not required on the homesite outside the buffer zone. A list of shrub and herbaceous layer vegetation which will be replanted in the buffer zone is given in Table 1. 3,3 Tree Enhancement Plantings In order to enhance the buffer zone, native tree specimens will be replanted to compensate for the proposed reduction of the buffer zone. Additional, trees will be planted as an insurance against tree mortality which may occur. A recommended total of 69 trees are reCOmmended in Table 1. With additional planting for mortality, 85 trees will thus be planted. The trees will be planted in four tree/shrub areas as indicated in Figure 3. Additional trees may be planted within the shrub areas in groupings to help ensure that sufficient become established and survive to become mature trees. Trees to be planted are primarily western red-cedar (Thu_ia plieata) which is recommended for all four areas. Vine maple and red alder are recommended more for the eastern areas, where they will provide valuable habitat without extensive screening of the house views. Redstem dogwood is also recommended for all four areas. Crabapple is recommended to the north and west (areas 3 and 4) since these plants generally do well in settings near the edge of forested areas. WT813PLN.ENH/011603gbs 4 A recommended layout of tree plantings is shown in Figure 3. All replanted trees should be native specimen trees, which are in good health. Heights are expected to vary. Western red cedar should be at least three feet in height to help ensure maximum survival rate. The recommended tree species (including quantities and locations as per Figure 3) are listed in Table 1. 3.4 Implementation and Timing Native vegetation will survive best if planted in fall or spring when frequent rainfall makes watering largely unnecessary. Given the time of this report preparation, the first oppommity to plant would be in the spring of 2003. Both trees and shrubs should be planted at this time. Native groundcover plants can also be transplanted or planted at this time. The area should be revegetated to specifications of this plan during the spring and fall of 2003. Seeding for groundcover within the homesite other than grasses for erosion stabilization should await completion of construction activities. Planting of any and all trees and shrubs in the buffer zone can be carded out at any time during the seasons listed above. The construction schedule is not firm at this time and depends on contractor schedules as well as other factors, however, the homeowner would like to begin construction in April 2003 if permits can be obtained in a timely manner. Replanting should be completed as soon as possible following completion of construction of the residence. All replanting should be completed within 90 days of construction, unless such a timeframe results in planting during dry summer months (generally mid-June through mid-September). 3,5 Fencing and Monitoring Establishment of temporary fencing will be necessary to protect new plants against grazing by deer and elk until those plants are well established. This is estimated to require 2-3 years following planting. Fencing should be sturdy field fencing at least 5 feet in height (no higher than six feet). Fencing should be secured by wooden posts measuring at least 4"x4" and set solidly in the ground with a post-hole digger. Posts may be set with a small amOUnt of concrete to maintain stability, however, such concrete should not be extensive since it must be later removed and disposed of off-site, as must any treated wooden posts (for the temporary fences). Fencing may be placed around each grove of trees (areas 1-4). With permission of the Washington State Department offish and Wildlife, fencing may alternatively be placed at the outside edge of the buffer zone, for a period not to exceed three years, following which time it must be removed. Permanent fencing of a non-barrier type, such as a three foot split rail fence may be erected at the outside edge of the homesite (inside edge of the buffer zone). WT813PLN.ENH/011603gbs 5 Monitoring of plant success should be carried out twice annually by a qualified biologist for a period of three years following planting. Brief letter reports should be filed with the County annually. 3.6 Compliance Agreemem A compliance agreement will be enacted between the homeowner and Jefferson County. That agreement should specify timing of planting, general planting techniques and any other required compliance conditions. In the following section (4.0), various recommendations are made which may be used as the basis for conditions in the compliance agreement. WT813PLN.ENH/011603gbs 6 The trees and shrubs to be planted are for mitigation for fish and wildlife habitat which is being lost due to construction of the residence and reduction of the buffer zone size. Erosion control and control of water runoff (through drywells and other drainage structures) are also part of that mitigation. Implementation of these recommendations and incorporation of the recommendations into a compliance agreement is expected to mitigate for the effect of buffer reduction. The net result is expected to constitute an adequate enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat. WT813PLN.ENH/011603gbs 8 5.0 REFERI~.NCES Allen, J.S. 1978. Survey of Portion of Government Lot 5, Section 35, T26N, R2W, W.M. Submitted to Jefferson County. Port Townsend, Washington. Cooke, S.S. 1997. A Field Guide t.o the Common Wetland Plants of Western Washington and Northwestern Oregon. Seattle Audubon Society. Seattle, Washington. Davis, J. 2003. Personal communication with Jeff Davis, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Port Orchard office, by Dr. Bradford Shea, Westech Company. Guard, J. 1995. Wetland Plants of Washington and Oregon. Renton, Washington. Lone Pine Publishing. Hitchcock, C.L. and A. Cronquist. 1973. Flora of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press. Seattle, Washington. Jefferson County. 2001. Jefferson County Unified Development Code. Section 3, Land Use Districts, Subsection 3.6 - Wetlands. Department of Community Development. Port Townsend, Washington. Lyons, C.P. 1997. Wildflowers of Washington. Lone Pine Publishing. Renton, " Washington. Jefferson County Planning Division. 2003. Personal communication with Mr. Jerry Smith, Jefferson County Department of Community Development with Dr. Bradford Shea, Westech Company. Port Angeles, Washington. Pojar, J. and A. MacKinnon. 1994. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Lone Pine Publishing. Redmond, Washington. FI~URF~ 10 NATIONAL FOREST O¢.ckso'~' FOREST Figure 1. Location Map Westech Company, 2002 jo ...'.., ~i - '-- -':-~ '"-'-~'- I Rock ': ; ' -::¥':2.~ '"%' ·., .':: >.~;.:.:-. '.~? ~-.- ...: ~.. . ===================== ~t : srle~::'~:'.:-. ", %. 7" ::.?:.?:: ::::'~': ::: ::::. . ~.:.::. :'-::;:::~?;~}.,~:?~.-.::.:'.~;~:)~-~ :': ~ Figure 2. Vicinity Map Westech Company, 2002 TABLRS ~4 TABLE 1. LIST OF RECOMMENDED VEGETATION PLANTINGS Botanical Name ~ Common Name _Ouantity* Min. Size Area (no. + mort.) Trees Thu_ia plicata Western red cedar 25+5=30 3' ht. 1,2,3,4 Acer circinatum Vine maple 12+3 = 15 3' ht. 1,2 Alnus rubra Red alder 12+3=15 3' ht. !,2,3 Comus stolonifera Redstem dogwood 16+4=20 3' ht. 1,2,3,4 Malvus fusca Crabapple 4+ 1 =5 3' ht. 3,4 Shrubs C. DX!Illa_~0.~ Yellow twig dogwood 8+2=10 2 gal 1,2,3 Gaultheria shallon Salal 8+2 = 10 1 gal. 1,2 Mahonia nervosa Oregon Grape 6+2=8 1 gal 1,2 Vaccinium parvifolium Red Huckleberry 10+2=12 1 gal. 1,2,3 Rosa nutkana Nootka rose 8+2=10 2 gal. 3,4 Herbaceous Pteridium aquillinum Polystichum munitum Bracken Fern 5+1=6 1 gal. 1,2 Sword fern 10+2=12 1 gal. 1,2 Grasses: Poaceae (includes bluegrass,(Poa annua. Poa palustris), ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and rescue (Festuca rubra). Native grasses 40 lbs. Seed 1,2,3,4 * The numbers given include the number of trees recommended for compensation, plus the number of trees (estimated) to succumb to mortality from natural factors (excluding grazing which will be limited through temporary fencing). These are added together to obtain the total trees needed. 15