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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWetland Delineation 978900089 Steve Smith Wetland Delineation Report Parcel # 978 900 089 November 2003 DEC 2 9 2003 ;OUNIY :~- EN¥1RO ~ ~or: Steve Smith 667 Olympus Blvd. Port Ludlow, WA 98365 dixie~cablespeed.com Steve Smith Wetland Delineation Report Parcel # 978 900 089 November 2003 Contents Introduction Description of Site Applied Methodology Washington State Wetland Identification and Delineation Manual Soils Vegetation Hydrology Classifw~tion Determining Wetland Edges Findings Soils Vegetation Hydrology Classification Summary References Appendix Sheet # 1 Location Map and Soil Survey Of Jefferson County. Of Washin~on Sheet #2 Findings Map Sheet #3 Jefferson County Critical Areas Map ~ Wetlands Rating Field Data Form(_p~n II~t.t,'bepon9 Data Forms, Routine Determination WA State Wetland Delineation Manual Jefferson County Critical Areas Map Lg' Steve Smith Wetland Delineation Report Parcel # 978 900 089 November 2003 Introduction At the request of Steve Smith a wetland delineation was conducted on October 30. 2003. The subject parcel is located near Mats Mats Bay and west of Olympus Blvck The goal ofthe wetland delineation is to determine wetland locations and associated buffers that would restrict a building site location on this parcel. Wetlands are mapped nearby on the Jefferson CounW Critical Areas Maps on the adjacent parcel to the east. All wetlands within Jefferson County, are subject to requirements outlined in the Jefferson County Unified Development Code (UDC) dated January 1,2001. Land use restrictions will apply to all fmure developments associated with this parcel. Description of Site · Le~mal Description: Parcel ~978 900 089 T28N, R1E, S4 · Location: West of Olympus Blvck. and adjacent to 667 Olympus Blvck, near Mats Mats Bay Port Ludlow, Wash. (Appendix Sheet #1: Location Map) · Soils: AIC Alderwood gravelly sandy loam,, and Mu Mukilteo peat,, moderately shallow' variant, (A~dix Sheet #1: Soil map) · Slopes: 0 to 15% slopes The subject parcel consists of an open pasture sloping towards Admiralty Inlet. Near the eastern property boundary there is a low-lying drainage swale that supports wetlands vegetation. This swale continues off site to the neighboring parcel to the north. The onsite wetlhnd is low- quality.- consisting only of non-native pasture ~masses and common rush. Off site the wetland is multi- story and consists of diverse native vegetation. The entire wetland is less than 1 acre and has been rated as one wetlanck Smith Wetland Delineation Report File Number 2003-01763 O .lympic Wetland Resources. Inc. 11 '03 Applied Methodology The following resources were consulted for this project: Jefferson County Critical Areas Map Wetlands (1995) Sheet #3, included in Appendix Jefferson County Unified Development Code (January 1,2001) · Soil Surve~v of Jefferson Coun~ (U.S. Soil Conservation Service 1975) · Washin~on State Wetland Identification and Delineation Manual · National List of Plant Species That Occur in Wetlands: Northwest (Re,on 9) Washington State Wetland Identification and Delineation Manual Fieldwork to determine the actual wetland boundaries was conducted according to the methodolo~ov outlined in the Washington State Wetland Identification and Delineation Manual (Department of Ecology ~)6-94). Chapter 173-9_29 ofthe Washin~on Administrative Code requires that all wetlands within the State of Washin~on be delineated using thi~ manual. The methodology outlined in the Washin~on State Wetland Identification and Delineation Manual requires examination of the three parameters for a positive wetland determination: hydric soils, hydrophytic vegetation, and hydrology. For an area to qualify as a jurisdictional wetland it must have a positive indicator from all three parameters. All wetlands identified using this methodology may be federally regulated, regardless of size. Soils A hydric soil is a soil that forms under conditions of sammtiom flooding, or ponding lasting long eno ~ugh during the growing season to result in an anaerobic upper layer. I-I~vdric soils favor the growth and regeneration ofhydrophytic vegetation. The indicators for thi.q type of soil include low chroma, mottles, ~eying, and high o ~rganic content within the upper 32 inches ofthe soil profile. Holes were dug on the site and soil colors (including value and chroma) were recorded in the top 16 inches. Soil colors were analyzed using the Munsell Color Charts (1992). Vegetation Wetland plant species must consfinne greater than 51% of the total vegetation present to meet the qualification as a site dominated by hydrophytic vegetation. Dominance of plant ~es is determined by calculating acmml aerial cover wiltfin a 30-foot radius for trees, a 1 O-foot radius for shnfl~, and a (>-foot radius for the herbaceous layer at each ~m point. Commonly occurring plant species have been rated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFW) National List of Plant Species That Occur in Wetlands: Northwest (Region 9) as to their frequency of occurrence in wetlands and non-wetlands. Dm/rig the fieldwork, each species was recorded and ~ven a rating based on indicator smms and percent cover. Smith Wetland Delineation Report File Number 2003-01763 Olympic Wetland Resources. Inc. 11 '03 Hydrology Wetland hydrology is defined in the Washington State Wetland Identification and Delineation Manual as "areas that are periodically inundated or have soils sannmed to the surface at some time during the growing season.' Areas must have seasonally inundated or smmated soil at least 12.5% of the ~m~owing season. Indicators of hydrology include visual observation of inundation or _soil saturation,, water-stained leaves, cracking of the soil sm-face, and/or sediment deposits. Positive si~s of hydrology are of Lan absent during the summer and fall months bm can be inferred ifthere are positive indicators ofhydric soft and hydrophytic vegetation. Classification Wetland categorization was determined using the Washin~on State Department of Ecolo~' (DOE) Wetland Rating System (publication ~3-74, A ~ugust 1993), which assigns a numerical value to any given wetland according to wetland size, quality of surrounding buffers, vegetation diversity, wetland types, and habitat value. Wetlands are rated as entire systems and quite often exceed project boundaries ratings, which range from Class I to Class IV. Class I is the hi,est quality wetland and is not replaceable. Class I, IL. III, and IV wetlands receive protective buffers of 150', 100', 50', and 25', respectively. Determining Wetland Edges Wetland edges were determined by establishing two data points: one within the wetland which contained positive indicators of all three of the wetland requirements: soils, hydrology, and vegetation,, and another data point outside the wetland,, where one or all of the requirements were not present. Measurements were taken with a Chainman II hip chain from fences that indicated property boundaries (according to property owner). Findings Although the Jefferson County Wetland Map indicates that a large wetland is off site and east of the subject parcel wetland-dependent vegetation and wetland soils were identified on site. The wetland appears to be confined by' a swale that corresponds to a drop in topo_.maphy. The rating for this wetland is a low- quality (7 points) Class III wetland with 50-foot buffers. The wetland was flagged with pink plastic ribbon labeled "Wetland Boundary,-- tied at intervals of approximately 20 feet apart along the wetland edge. The wetland edge is contiguous with the drop in topography and distinct vegetation change. Flagging is labeled with alphanumeric codes (Al thro ~ugh A6). The data point locations, wetland edges, and buffers are indicated on the Findings Map in the Appendix (Sheet #2). Smith Wetland Delineation Report File Number 2003-01763 Ol.vmpic Wetland Resources. Inc. 11 03 Jefferson County Soil Survey (p~e 52) fists softs on site as AIC Alderwood ~mavelly sandy loarm Mu Mukilteo peat,, moderately shallow variant,, and Bm Belfast silty clay loam. Mukilteo and Belfast are classified as a hydric soil on the Jefferson County Area Hydric Soil list (January. 1991). Mukilteo peat consists of very poorly drained organic soft overlying a hard mineral soil formed by glaciers. Data point #1 and other soil test pits confirmed the presence ofhydric soils; soils were low- chroma the entire depth of the soil test. At Data Point #1 the soil layer was very dark brown (10YR 3/2 and 10/YR 3/1 with mottles). At Data Point #2, upslope and to the east of Data Point #1, soils colors changed to a higher chroma of dark brown (7.5YR 3/3 with mottles). The soils in Data Point #2 do not qualify as hydric soils due to the chroma (the second number in the soil color must be 2 or less): Vegetation The plant commtmity in the low-l,ving swale on the western edge of the parcel contains 100% wetland-tolerant vegetation. However, vegetation diversity is low', consisting of non-native pasture grasses and common rush. The neighboring parcel to the north is of a much higher quality with smacua-al diversity and habitat layers. Native trees (cedars, alders, big leaf maple), slmfl~ (salmon berry), and obligate wetland species were identified in the herbaceous layer (skunk cabbage, water parsley). Below is the list of vegetation identified on the subject parcel and the assigned indicator stares. Scientific Name ~t grostis capillaris co'lis glomerata ~Elylriga repens olcuslanatus Common Name Status Cover Location iSlenderben,tgrass ! FAC !Grass IDI>gl, DI~2 IOrchard-~m~ass i FACU i Grass iDg~g2 }Quac~kgrass i FAC- i Grass IDDg2 Nelve~tgrass ,!FAC i Grass iDl>gl, DDg2 : iSoft or common rush i FACW i Rush iDDgl ~,anunozl us r epe ns ICreeping buttercup ! FACW i Herb iDP~I UPL Upland Species. FACI' Facultative Upland Species-Non Wetland. FAC Facuttafive Species. FACW Facultative Wetland Species. OBL Obligate Wetland Species. NI No hdica~or A&si~_ ~ The q~ralifier of+ or - fttrther defines the status of the species. Plains classified according to the Fish and Wildlife Service; 1988.1993 Update Hydrology Water needs to be present only 20 days of the growing season for an area to qualLfy as a wetland. The ~owing season is defined by the Jefferson County soft survey as March 12 to November 25. Hydrology must be present for 12.5% (20 days) ofthese 258 days. The ~owing season is also Smith Wetland Delineation Report File Number 2003-01763 Olymapic Wetland Resources. Inc. 11 03 defined by soil temperature at 19.7 inches below the soil surface being higJaer than biolo~cal 0 (5°C or 40F). Daytime temperatures were above 50° during this fieldwork; therefore this delineation was conducted during the ~owing season~ Hydrology was not present in an~v of the soil test pits. When there are positive indicators of wetland ~oils and wetland vegetation, then hydrology can be assumed during the dry seasons. If there is a question of hydrology, a wet season evaluation could be conducted in early spring. Western Washington has been experiencing record drought conditions this year and rainfall has been below normal for the past 3 years (Herb Herringtom official weather observer). Classification of Wetlands All wetlands have been rated according to the DOE rating system. This wetland classifies as a Class m (7 points) wetland with 50-foot buffers. All buffers are measured perpendicular from the delineated edge (Jefferson County. Unified Development Code, Jan. 1. 2001.3-30 Buffers Table 3-4). Summary This report presents findings from the wetland delineation conducted on parcel ~78 900 089 near Mats Mats Bay owned by Steve Smith. Findings reveal a small, low-qualiw Class III wetland contained in a low-lying swale. The subject parcel consists of open pasture. The wetland extended off site to the north, and was rate& This Class m wetland will have 50-foot buffers. The results from thi~ wetland delineation supe~ the wetland as indicated on the Jefferson County Critical Areas Map. The final authority over this wetland determination rests with the governmental aggencies: restriction will apply to any development near the wetlands or buffers associated with this parcel. If there are further questions or planning requirements for this project please do not hesitate to call. Dixie Llewellin Principal Biologist,. Olympic Wetland Resources, Inc. Certified for Wetland Delineation,. 1987 Manual. Wetland Training Institme, June 1995. Smith' Wetland Delineation Report File Number 2003-01763 Olympic Wetland Resources. Inc. 11-03 - References Buck/ngham, et al., 1995. Flora of the Olympic Peninsula. Northwest Interpretive Association and the Washington Native Plant Society, Seattle, Wasl~ Cooke, Sarah Spear, 1997. A Field Guide to the COmmon Wetland Plants of Western Washington and Northwest Oregon. Seattle Audulx)n Society, Seattle, Wash. CowardJn, 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, Washin~om D.C. Hitchcock and Conquest,. 1973. Flora of the Pacific Northwest. Federal Interagency Committee for Wetland Delineation, 1987. Federal Manual for Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands. July 1994 updme. U.S..Army Corps of Engineem, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. and U.S.D~_. Soil Conservation Service. Jefferson County Unified Development Code. January 2001. Leonard,. William P., 1993. Amphibians of Washington and Oregon. Seattle Audubon Series. MacBeth,. Div. of Kollmorgen Instruments Corp., 1992. Munsell Soil Color Charts. Mitsch and Gosselink: 1993. Wetlands. Pojar, Mackinnom 1994. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Reed,. Porter, 1988. National List of Plant Species That Occur in Wetlands, Region 9. 1993 update. Washington State Wetland Department of Ecology, March 1997. Washin~on State Wetland Identification and Delineation Manual g96-94. U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1994. Keys to Soil Taxonomy. Pocahontas Press. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 1975. Soil Su~ey 9f Jefferson County. Appendix Sheet # 1 Sheet #2 Location Map and Soil Survey Of Jefferson County., Washington Findings Map Sheet #3 Jefferson County._ Critical Areas Map Wetlands Rating Field Data Form Data Forms, Routine Determination WA State Wetland Delineation Manual Jefferson County Critical Areas Map Findings Map s~: 1' s~ ~ ~78 ~0 089 Steve 8m~ Novem~r 2003 ~70l~p~ Blv& ~Job~: 2~3~1763 Po~ L~low, WA 98365 '' ' ' - ...... - .... . ' ' ' . ....... .' ' Il ~ ~ ~ .~ ~ ~ ~ '~ '' ' I1 PropoSed Location 50' Buffer '50' Delineated Wetland Edge ~ 103' All wetland locations and sizes are approximate, to establish exact points a formal survey is required 150' · -- ,:',",; ,:--i-]'-'-,--~_ Delineated Wetland Edge ............ ' ..... 50' Buffer From Wetland Edge ~ Flagged delineation markers t~- Data Poims · :~ ~ ~effe~n C~y Cr~fica~ A~eas ~: '~ ~ ~' P~cel ~978 ~ 089 ~ '"~,ff ~ ~ ~ Novem~r 2003 ~3 :~~ Pon ~d, WA 9~8 c~: Steve Smith ~(~ ~~ 667 O~m~ Blvd. ~: 2~341763 I¥ on Ludlow, WA 98365 Subject Properly ArclMS HTML Viewer . 2000 Aeftll Fhol~ JFOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY- - warranty with' J I Jefferson County does not attest to the accuracy of the data contained herein and makes no. accuracy Of its J Jr~ct to its corre~ or validity. Data contained in this map is timi'"'"'"'"'"~d by the method and !