HomeMy WebLinkAboutWetland Mitigation 821291002
NEW SHINE QUARRY
FINAL WETLAND MITIGATION PLAN
NOVEMBER 10, 2020
BGE19_0170.030
BGE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC.
WETLAND CONSULTING AND LAND USE PLANNING
NEW SHINE QUARRY
FINAL WETLAND MITIGATION PLAN
NOVEMBER 10, 2020
PROJECT LOCATION
IRON MOUNTAIN QUARRY
STATE ROUTE 104
PORT LUDLOW, WA
PREPARED FOR
JIM BURNETT
IRON MOUNTAIN QUARRY
BOTHELL, WA
PREPARED BY
BGE ENVIRONMENTAL LLC
2102 BRASHEM AVE
BREMERTON, WA 98310
360.710.6066
www.bgeenvironmental.com
BGE19_0170.030
BGE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC NOVEMBER 10, 2020 PAGE | 1
NEW SHINE QUARRY FINAL WETLAND MITIGATION PLAN
INTRODUCTION
Iron Mountain Quarry’s New Shine Quarry (NSQ) is an approved phased mining operation in
Jefferson County. The facility, operations, and mining area are located within an approximate
142 acre parcel owned by Rayonier (formerly Pope Resources) and leased by Iron Mountain
Quarry. A critical area inventory of wetlands and streams was completed in 2009 (ENVIRON).
The land use action for the NSQ was reviewed under the authority of Jefferson County (County).
A jurisdictional determination was concluded with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and
the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology). Twenty-one (21) wetlands were identified
within the project area. Eleven were determined and confirmed by the Corps as not being
waters of the U.S. (NWP-2009-981 dated July 25, 2011). NSQ has requested the Corps’
concurrence, through a stand-alone Corps Approved JD (33 CFR 331).
The NSQ is currently in operation and is now seeking County approval of Phase 2. Several
conditions of the County’s SEPA threshold determinations, a Mitigated Determination of Non-
significance (MDNS), apply to the review and approval of this phase. Specifically, conditions 14
through 20. Wetlands were reviewed, assessed, and quantified for jurisdiction in 2019. The
Wetland inventory update is documented in the New Shine Quarry Wetland Inventory Update by
BGE dated September 21, 2020 (BGE19_0170.020).
Wetland impacts with both Phases of the project, direct and indirect, amount to 0.75 acres of
Category IV wetlands. Wetland buffer impacts total 3.88 acres.
Advanced mitigation was completed through a covenant, recorded in 2013, as preservation of
16.3 acres of Category I broad-leaved forested and estuarine emergent wetland. Enhancement
of 3.7 acres of broad-leaved forested to conifer-dominated forest is scheduled for completion,
December 2020. On-site mitigation includes buffer averaging to impacted Phase 1A buffers for
no net loss of area up to twenty-five percent of the impact. On-site wetland creation, concurrent
with Phase 2 stormwater facility construction, mitigates the final balance of impacts with the
NSQ operations. On-site wetland creations is not less than 0.31 acres .
This document is the Final NSQ Mitigation Plan to address the conditions of approval for Phase
1B, Phase 1A, and Phase 2. For reference the MDNS conditions are provided below. This report
includes a determination of impacts associated with the implementation of Phase 1B and Phase
1A and all known and anticipated impacts with the approval of Phase 2.
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NEW SHINE QUARRY FINAL WETLAND MITIGATION PLAN
SEPA MDNS MITIGATION CONDITIONS
JEFFERSON COUNTY MDNS (2012) NSQ
Each of these conditions contains some elements that are relevant to the final wetland
mitigation plan for the phases of the NSQ. Each condition is reproduced as it appears in the
MDNS under Surface Water (Streams and Wetlands) Conditions 14 through 20 as modified by the
SEPA Addenda issued by the County on September 28, 2012 .
14. The Final Wetland Mitigation Plan for each phase of the project shall be reviewed by
Jefferson County for consistency with codes and standards. The plans shall be based on
mitigation guidance specified in the Jefferson County Code and in Wetland Mitigation in
Washington State (2006) prepared by Ecology, USACE, and USEPA.
15. The following will be a precondition of the Phase 1B Stormwater Management
Permit1: The Phase 1B Final Wetland Mitigation Plan shall feature a table that includes the
following information for all phases of the project: wetland category, wetland buffer width,
direct wetland impact area, indirect wetland impact area, wetland buffer impact area, total
wetland mitigation area and ratios (per table JCC 18.22.35), proposed onsite mitigation (type and
acreage), proposed offsite mitigation (type and acreage), and the phases during which the
impacts and mitigation will occur. It is understood that the wetland impact numbers would be
worst-case scenario, are subject to change after Phase 1B, and shall be updated (if necessary) in
the Phase 1A and/or Phase 2 Final Wetland Mitigation Plans.
16. Wetland hydrology monitoring shall be conducted during Phase 1B and 1A to
determine if onsite wetlands, including but not limited to wetlands A, C, D, and E, increase or
decrease in size as a result of storm water management (e.g., infiltration/dispersion tren ches).
This monitoring shall be correlated with how the trenches are functioning. All other onsite
wetlands that have the potential to be indirectly affected by the project activity shall be re -
delineated before Phase 1A or Phase 2 commences, and the bou ndaries shall be confirmed by
the County and/or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. New wetland boundaries shall be surveyed
and documented either in a revised wetland report or in the Final Wetland mitigation Plan for
the next phase of the project. All results of the wetland hydrology monitoring shall also be
included in the report/plan. The report/plan shall be provided to Jefferson County for approval.
17. An increase in size to Wetlands A, C, D and E as a result of the infiltration/dispersion
trenches may be used to satisfy wetland mitigation requirements, pursuant to these conditions:
1 A precondition is required before issuance of a permit.
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NEW SHINE QUARRY FINAL WETLAND MITIGATION PLAN
a. Any proposal to use the new wetland areas as mitigation credit shall be
detailed in the Final Wetland Mitigation Plan for the next phase of the project. The new
wetland delineation shall clearly reveal that 1) wetland criteria have been met in these
expanded areas, per Jefferson County Code, and 2) other onsite wetlands have not been
indirectly affected and/or are now smaller in size.
b. Larger wetlands must be rated again, including the new wetland area, and this
information shall be included either in a revised wetland report or in the Final Wetland
Mitigation Plan for the next phase of the project.
c. These new wetland areas shall be planted with native vegetat ion if they are
unvegetated, and shall be included in the wetland mitigation monitoring plan.
d. Trenches shall be functioning correctly and consistently so that constant
wetland hydrology is expected throughout the life of the quarry operations.
18. Timing of the mitigation activities shall be as follows:
a. Prior to Phase 1B approval, advance offsite critical areas mitigation in the for m
of wetland preservation (securing and protecting the offsite estuarine intertidal wetland)
shall be completed for th e wetland buffer impacts proposed to occur in Phase 1B.
b. Prior to Phase 1A approval, offsite critical areas mitigation (in the form of
wetland preservation, and/or wetland enhancement) shall be completed for the critical
area impacts proposed to occur in Phase 1A. In, addition, onsite wetland creation for
indirect wetland impacts to Wetland L, shall be completed at the end of Phase 1A.
c. Prior to Phase 2 permit issuance, offsite critical areas mitigation (in the form of
wetland and buffer preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, and/or enhancement) and
onsite critical areas mitigation (in the form of buffer restoration and wetland creation
and/or re-establishment in the Phase 1A area) shall be completed for the critical areas
impacts proposed to occur in Phase 2.
19. Wetland mitigation monitoring plans shall be included in the Phase 1B, Phase 1A, and
Phase 2 Final Wetland Mitigation Plans submitted for the proposed mining activities.
20. Contingency plans shall be included in the Phase 1B, Phase 1A, and Phase 2 Final
Wetland Mitigation Plans submitted for the proposed mining activities. Contingency measures
should provide direction in the event that a proposed wetland mitigation plan fails, or in case
critical area impacts are greater than anticipated.
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NEW SHINE QUARRY FINAL WETLAND MITIGATION PLAN
PROJECT ACTIONS
The NSQ is defined and approved to two phases. The first phase is referenced as Phase 1B (14.8
acres) and Phase 1A (21.9 acres). Phase 1B was defined as a secondary processing and stockpile
area which included some mining activities. Elements of this phase included a basin/action
specific stormwater control pond. Phase 1A is mining. Direct wetland impacts were not
anticipated until Phase 2, although indirect impacts were conservatively anticipated and likely
overestimate (ENVIRON) with the incremental mining of Phases 1B and 1A.
To date, Phase 1B was not used to support processing. Rather the existing Shine Quarry,
adjacent to and northwest of the NSQ has been and continues to be used for operations. Actions
occurring within Phase 1B included limited clearing for stockpiles, road improvements, and a
modest detention pond. Phase 1A is delineated with clearing limits , stormwater facilities are
complete, and mining operations are on -going.
Mitigation has been provided as preservation to an offsi te, in basin 20-acre Category I wetland.
The preserved wetland is a broad-leaved forested and estuarine emergent complex, with
acreages of 10.5 and 5.8 respectively. Enhancement of natural succession patterns to 3.7 acres of
broad-leaved forested wetland is currently being implemented.
The boundaries of all wetlands were objectively reviewed and assessed in 2019. Wetland
determinations were completed in August 2020 using the Regional Supplement to the Corps of
Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region. Wetland
Regulatory Assistance Program, Army Corps of Engineer. May 2010. All wetlands have been
rated using the most recent version of the Washington State Department of Ecology’s rating
system for Western Washington (Hruby 2014). The investigation and findings are presented in
the New Shine Quarry 2019 Wetland Inventory Update by BGE dated September 21, 2020
(BGE19_0170.020).
A final mitigation plan is conditioned to the permitting of Phase 2. Project impacts, direct and
indirect, have been quantified and addressed in this Final wetland mitigation plan.
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NEW SHINE QUARRY FINAL WETLAND MITIGATION PLAN
WETLAND INVENTORY UPDATE
The NSQ wetlands, ratings, and associated buffers (2019) are shown on Exhibit A. There are
twenty-one (21) wetlands within the proposed mine lease area. Wetland BB is an extension of
Wetland B and is not identified as a separate wetland. All NSQ wetlands were field reviewed to
determine potential changes, increase or decrease in size, since the original delineation in 2009,
as a result of NSQ Phase 1B and Phase 1A (MDNS Condition 16). The wetlands were objectively
reviewed in March 2019 by a Senior Professional Wetland Scientist (SPWS). All wetlands were
relocated with plan maps and confirmed with remnant flagging based on the 2009 delineation by
ENVIRON. Wetland flagging was frequently encountered. Where absent, the boundary was field
walked and confirmed for accuracy to the projects plan maps (survey). The observed wetland
boundary was evaluated for consistency and concluded as having no change, larger, smaller, or
non-wetland. Assessment data was taken for determination of function, value and category
rating for processing wetland category to the current guidance using the Western Washington
Wetland Rating System-2014 Update by the Department of Ecology (Ecology).
BGE completed the wetland determinations in August 20202. Wetland ratings and standard JCC
buffers were assessed at Category II, Category III, and Category IV complexes. Standard buffers
are 300, 150, and 50 feet, respectively. A table summary of the wetland delineation and ratings
for the 2009 versus the 2019 assessment is provided in Appendix A. The NSQ wetland
assessment was compiled into the New Shine Quarry 2019 Wetland Inventory Update by BGE
dated September 21, 2020 (BGE19_0170.020).
The 2019 wetland review concludes that Wetland F is non wetland where hydrophyte coverage is
limited to individuals and hydrology was absent. Wetland S is larger than delineated in 2009. All
other subject wetlands are unchanged.
It should be noted that the Hruby (2004b) wetland rating methods indicates that the rating
system for wetlands smaller than 4,356 sq ft (0.1 acre) “will not work well”. Many NSQ wetlands
are less than 0.1 acre, and related scores are presumed to overestimate the potential function.
With the updated 2014 version of the rating system, most of these small wetlands resulted in
Category IV system. A summary of the updated findings and standard buffers for all NSQ
wetlands is provided in Table 1 below. Delineated wetlands, ratings, and standard JCC buffer
widths are shown on Exhibit A.
2 Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Western Mountains, Valleys, and
Coast Region. Wetland Regulatory Assistance Program, Army Corps of Engineer. May 2010.
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NEW SHINE QUARRY FINAL WETLAND MITIGATION PLAN
Table 1. Summary of NSQ Wetland Update 2019
Wetland
Area
(acres) HGM 1
Water
Quality Hydrologic Habitat Rating 2
Buffer
(ft)
A 0.37 S 3 3 6 IV 50
B/BB 0.38 S 4 4 7 IV 50
C 1.13 S 4 4 8 III 300
D ND 3 R 5 6 9 II 300
E 0.90 S 3 3 8 IV 50
F 4 0.05 S Wetland is no longer present in 2019
G 0.03 S 3 3 6 IV 50
H 0.25 S 3 3 6 IV 50
I 0.40 D 4 4 7 IV 50
II 0.06 D 4 4 6 IV 50
J 0.03 D 4 3 6 IV 50
K 0.12 D 5 4 6 IV 50
L 0.77 D 6 4 7 III 150
M 1.53 D 5 4 7 III 150
N 0.01 D 4 3 6 IV 50
O 0.03 D 5 4 6 IV 50
P 0.15 D 4 3 6 IV 50
Q 0.06 D 5 4 6 IV 50
R 1.02 5 D 5 4 8 III 300
S 2.88 5 D 5 5 7 III 150
T 0.70 S 4 3 7 IV 50
1 HGM: S= SLOPE, R=RIVERINE, D=DEPRESSIONAL
2 Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington, 2014 Update
3 Not Delineated (ND). Wetland off-site
4 Function and rating scores taken from ENVIRON analysis, 2004 Rating Methodology
5 On-site area only, wetland continues off-site to the nth degree
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PROJECT IMPACTS
WETLAND AND WETLAND BUFFER IMPACT
ASSUMPTIONS & CONCLUSIONS
To evaluate potential mitigation requirements, the Final Phase 1B & 1A Wetland Mitigation Plan
hypothesized conservatively, that indirect impacts will occur based on three factors. The first is
the change, or loss, of hydrology with the mining in close proximity to wetland boundaries .
Interception of hydrologic sources and sinks to the wetlands is likely. Indirect impacts were
openly overestimated, and Wetland L and M were assumed to be completely lost from indirect
impacts with the mining. This hypothesis failed as the wetland boundaries were unchanged in
2019 despite the mining that has occurred .
The second hypothesis considered the effects of stormwater management facilities
(detention/water quality ponds in series with infiltration/dispersion trenches) overflow to the
downstream receiving wetlands. Outfalls were designed, directed, and managed to Wetlands A,
C, D, and E. The discharges would supposedly mitigate upslope mining by supplementing the
wetlands hydrology long term. Should the receiving wetlands expand in area with the
stormwater management facilities, credit could be sought in accordance with MDNS Condition
17. The downslope, stormwater receiving wetlands were observed to be relatively unchanged in
boundary in 2019. To date, the hypothesis that wetlands will be expanded with the infiltration
and/or sheet flow from the upslope stormwater facilities has failed. However, these facilities
have only recently been completed with designed discharge now fully functioning. Currently the
wetland boundaries are static so the stormwater management faci lities are presumed to have
adequately mitigated anticipated hydrologic changes upslope . These overflows could likely
result in larger wetlands in the future.
The third hypothesis was based on the retention of forested cover within the wetlands
contributing drainage basin. It was presumed that if less than 50 percent of the wetland
watershed was left undisturbed, 100 percent of the wetland would be lost indirectly. This
hypothesis provided mitigation projections for compensatory planning to Phase 1A & 1B.
In summary, the 2009 Report assumed indirect impacts to Wetlands A, F, L, and M. Anticipated
impacts to Wetland A were likely mitigated with the stormwater facilities, which occurred.
Wetland F was confirmed as absent in 2019, agreeing that loss of basin forest cover indirectly
impacted this wetland. The boundary of Wetland L is relatively unchanged despite, the adjacent
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mining, having removed 46% of the basin forest cover. Wetland M drainage basin is retained to
date at 89% forest cover with no discernable changed identified to the wetland boundary. The
forested basin hypothesis passed. A summary of the indirect impact via forested basin retention
among phases is provided in Table 2 and shown in Exhibit B.
Mined
(sq ft)
Forested
(sq ft)
Percent
Forested
Mined (sq
ft)
Forested
(sq ft)
Percent
Forested
Mined (sq
ft)
Forested
(sq ft)
Percent
Forested
Direct
(sq ft)
Indirect
(sq ft)
A 16,236 IV 359,662 292,963 66,699 19%- 66,699 19%0 66,699 19%0 0 0 1 A
B & BB 16,505 IV 244,610 14,150 230,460 94%0 230,460 94%0 230,460 94%0 0 B & BB
C 49,141 III 160,606 2 30,706 129,900 81%0 129,900 81%0 129,900 81%0 0 C
D ND III ND 3 0 0 0 0 D
E 39,085 IV 523,057 245,791 277,266 53%0 277,266 53%7,898 269,368 51%0 0 E
F 2,221 NA 195,687 175,836 19,851 10%0 19,851 10%0 19,851 10%0 2,221 2,221 F
G 1,284 IV 34,518 0 34,518 100%0 34,518 100%0 34,518 100%0 0 G
H 11,070 IV 138,055 34,163 103,892 75%0 103,892 75%1,005 102,887 75%0 0 H
I 17,622 IV 87,979 0 87,979 100%0 87,979 100%82,099 5,880 7%17,622 0 17,622 I
II 2,844 IV 125,104 0 125,104 100%66,691 58,413 47%46,178 12,235 10%2,844 0 2,844 II
J 1,411 IV 213,037 0 213,037 100%212,636 401 0%184,943 401 0%1,411 0 1,411 J
K 5,266 IV 63,726 13,031 50,695 80%0 50,695 80%0 50,695 80%0 0 K
L 33,509 III 393,597 180,105 213,492 54%0 213,492 54%0 213,492 54%0 0 L
M 66,836 III 521,492 58,708 462,784 89%699 462,085 89%0 462,085 89%0 0 M
N 738 IV 175,581 0 175,581 100%86,250 89,331 51%0 89,331 51%0 0 N
O 1,240 IV 82,824 23,268 59,556 72%9,398 50,158 61%0 50,158 61%0 0 O
P & Q 9,137 IV 183,262 0 183,262 100%95,708 87,554 48%0 87,554 48%0 9,137 9,137 P&Q
R 44,836 III ND 3 0 0 0 0 0 R
S 136,089 III ND 3 0 0 0 0 0 S
T 30,353 IV 138,551 16,060 122,491 88%122,491 88%0 122,491 88%0 0 T
21,877 11,358 33,235
0.50 0.25 0.75
1 Hydrology maintained by pond(s), dispersion tranches
2 Contributing basn not fully delieateed, only contains area on-site
3 Not Delineated, extends well outside of action area
Total Impacts (sq ft)
Total Impacts (acres)
Table 2. Direct and indirect wetland impact determination & forested basin assessment, all phases of mining actions.
Wetland
Wetland
Area
(sq ft)
Rating Contributing
Basin (sq ft)
PHASE 1 PHASE 2A PHASE 2B IMPACTS Mitigation
Area
(sq ft)
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NEW SHINE QUARRY FINAL WETLAND MITIGATION PLAN
WETLAND AND BUFFER IMPACT SUMMARY
Wetland and wetland buffer impacts from the different phases of the project have been
identified. All wetland buffer impacts have occurred with Phase 1. Buffers associated with
wetlands not disturbed with Phase 2 are avoided. Wetland character, complex, ratings, and
impacts are summarized in Table 3. Wetland and buffer impacts are shown in E xhibit C.
Table 3. Wetland and buffer impact summary
Impact
(D)=Direct, (I)=Indirect
Area
(acres) HGM 1
FUNCTIONS
Rating Water
Quality Hydrologic Habitat
Wetland
(I) Wetland F 2, 3 0.05 Slope 5 1 20 IV
(D) Wetland I 0.40 Depression 4 4 7 IV
(D) Wetland II 3 0.06 Depression 4 4 6 IV
(D) Wetland J 3 0.03 Depression 4 3 6 IV
(I) Wetland P 0.15 Depression 4 3 6 IV
(I) Wetland Q 3 0.06 Depression 5 4 6 IV
Total Wetland
Impact 0.75
Buffer (acres)
Buffer C 0.54
Buffer L 2.57
Buffer M 0.77
Total Wetland
Buffer Impact 3.88
1 Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) type
2 Function and rating scores taken from ENVIRON analysis, 2004 Rating Methodology
3 Category IV wetland <0.1 acres are exempt from replacement requirements of JCC
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MITIGATION STANDARDS
All wetlands have been rated using the most recent version of the Washington State Department
of Ecology’s rating system for Western Washington (Hruby 2014). All impacts with the project
are Category IV, slope and depressional, complexes. Mitigation standards and con clusions are
provided in the Final 1A and 1B Wetland Mitigation Plan 3 which states, ‘Wetland buffer impacts
are only included for impacts to buffers of wetlands that will remain intact. For those wetlands
eliminated by the project, the impact for the loss of wetlands has been counted but not the
buffer. To calculate the adequacy of mitig ation, the loss of wetland buffers is considered
equivalent to the loss of a “Category III” wetland’. This standard is adjusted to the current and
most recent category rating for impacts as Category IV.
Mitigation requirements, at the time of the lease and permit approval of Phase 1, was approved
as preservation and enhancement to an off-site, in basin 20-acre Category I wetland. The
mitigation area provided partial mitigation in advance of any wetland impacts for all phases of
the NSQ operations. The Category I wetland complex has been recorded for preservation in a
covenant dated January 17, 2013 (Appendix B). The off-site mitigation area includes 10.5 acres
of palustrine broad -leaved deciduous forest and 5.8 acres of estuarine emergent intertidal
wetland. The remaining 3.7 acres of the preservation area is enhancement of natural succession
patterns to a broad-leaved deciduous forest. Enhancement is currently being implemented. The
offsite mitigation area is shown on Exhibit D, replicated Figure 4 (ENVIRON 2012).
Mitigation includes on-site creation for the all additional areas of direct and indirect impacts with
the Phased mining operations. Creation is proposed at 1:1 ratio for Category IV wetlands located
to the Phase 1A mining area. Restoration of wetland buffers shall include robust plantings to
standard widths for reforestation. Mitigation for both wetland and buffer are consistent with the
interagency regional mitigation guidance4 and JCC Title Table 18.22.740(1).
3 Table 1. Estimated direct and indirect wetland and wetland buffer impacts and proposed onsite and offsite
compensatory wetland mitigation and mitigation replacement ratios and net mitigation benefits at p. 3. Attachment
A Response to June 7, 2012 Stormwater Permit Application Review Comments. June 22, 2012. ENVIRON.
4 Table 1a. Mitigation Ratios for Western Washington at p. 73. Washington State Department of Ecology, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers Seattle District, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10. March 2006. Wetland
Mitigation in Washington State – Part 1: Agency Policies and Guidance (Version 1). Washington State Department
od Ecology Publication #06-0-011a. Olympia, WA.
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ON-SITE MITIGATION
ON-SITE BUFFER AVERAGING
Buffer impacts to Wetlands C (0.54 acres), Wetland L (2.57 acres), and Wetland M (0.77 acres)
occurred in conjunction with the Phase 1 mining area. Phase 2A is designed to avoid direct
impacts to outlying wetland buffers. Opportunity to mitigate for existing buffer impacts exists to
Wetlands L and M through buffer averaging. To compensate for loss of buffer area, twenty-five
percent of the impacted buffer is applied to mature forested uplands adjacent to the standard
buffers, see Exhibit E. The averaging results in replacing 0.64 acres of Wetland L buffer and 0.20
acres of Wetland M buffer. The averaging is established at 1:1 for no net loss of buffer area. The
remaining cumulative buffer impacts to Wetlands L and M are 2.5 acres.
ON-SITE WETLAND CREATION
A minimum of 0.31 acres of wetland will be created to a forested mixed canopy wetland complex
within Phase 1A upon completion of the current mining and stormwater pond construction
(Phase 2B). The mitigation area will be designed to the topographical position in the existing
landscape. Hydrologic support will be secured with overflow and dispersion from the Phase 2B
stormwater pond. Soils will be amended from the excavations of Wetland I and Wetland II
accordingly. Plantings shall be robust densities of native trees and limited shrub species to
promote structural complexity and habitat forming niches found in natural forested wetlands.
Design elements shall include habitat features such as snags and logs, and may include native
seeding for discovery of success. Restoration of buffers shall include robust plantings to standard
widths for reforestation. The proposed location of this created wetland is illustrated on Exhibit F.
OFF-SITE MITIGATION
ENHANCEMENT
Enhancement of natural succession patterns to conifer -dominated forested wetlands is currently
underway to 3.7 acres extending from the toe-of-slope of South Point Road to the west as shown
in Exhibit D. The prescribed reforestation is moderate density se edlings considering a deciduous
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forest already exists. The prescribed density is 100 trees/acres and includes western red cedar
(139), Sitka spruce (138), and western hemlock (93). These species are suited to the landscape
and hydrologic regime. It is expected that a fraction of these trees will survive to maturity.
Plantings promote the establishment of multiple tiers within the overstory with a mixed stand -
age to enhance the ecological processes truncated as a consequence of periodic timber harvest
activities.
MONITORING
Minimal monitoring is proposed to the enhancement area. Permanent photostations will be
established to the enhancement area and perimeter. An as-built report will be produced once all
plantings are complete. The as-built will include established photostations with GPS coordinates,
directions, photographs, planting details, and success standards. Periodic photographs shall be
taken to document survival and maturation of planted conifers. Monitoring and success shall be
evaluated on the observed successional trajectory of the planted conifers over a minimum period
of ten years.
PRESERVATION
The entire 55.5 acre area has been recorded in a covenant. An area of 20 acres is earmarked as
mitigation for the NSQ. The preservation area is 16.3 acres Category I palustrine broad-leaved
deciduous forest and estuarine emergent intertidal wetland 5. The offsite mitigation is shown on
Exhibit D, replicated Figure 4 Final Phase 1B & 1A Wetland Mitigation Plan (ENVIRON 2012).
ESTUARINE EMERGENT INTERTIDAL WETLAND
Tidally influenced, this salt marsh intertidal wetland is well defined with dense emergent
complexity along tidal channels. Vegetation inventory includes pickleweed (Sarcocornia
perennis), seashore saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), potentilla (Potentilla anserine), and softstem
bulrush (Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani). Farther away from the active channels, softstem
bulrush forms dense stands throughout much of the 5.8 acre estuarine intertidal emergent
wetland preservation area identified on the attached off-site wetland mitigation figure, Exhibit
5 Wetland nomenclature by ENVIRON 2012.
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PALUSTRINE BROAD-LEAVED DECIDUOUS FORESTED WETLAND
A total of 10.5 acres of this wetland type is present to the preservation area. Complexity is a
common lowland forest of red alder (Alnus rubra) and Pacific willow (Salix lucida). Dominate
understory is skunk cabbage (Lysichiton americanus), salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), slough
sedge (Carex obnupta), and black twinberry (Lonicera involucrate). Invasive species are abundant
locally to areas disturb ed along the right-of-way to South Point Road.
TIMING
Off-site preservation is complete (Appendix B) and enhancement is underway, to be completed
in December 2020. On-site creation will not occur until Phase 2B with final construction of the
stormwater pond. The wetland creation design details will be completed in the future
concurrent to the findings models and production of construction grade facility plans to comply
with MDNS condition 18 and 19.
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NEW SHINE QUARRY FINAL WETLAND MITIGATION PLAN
COMPLIANCE
The combined mitigation strategy for preservation, enhancement, and creation is consistent with
the approved mitigation targets in the Final Phase 1B & 1A Wetland Mitigation Plan and the
interagency mitigation guidelines. A summary of impact type, phase , and compensatory
mitigation is provided in Table 4.
Due to the phased approach and large landscape of the mining operations, impacts to wetlands
and buffers have a high temporal variability. Over ninety (90) percent of the impacts are
mitigated in advance to high quality Category I wetlands in the same watershed . These wetland
function at a higher level, providing habitat value to multiple prior ity species of fish and wildlife.
The remainder of the mitigation, on-site creation, is in the later time frame and concurrent with
Phase 2B. Once successfully complete the mitigation elements comply with the policies for no
net loss of area and re-establishes functional parameters of impacted wetlands within the
watershed.
CONTINGENCY
Should any action of wetland creation or enhancement fails to satisfy the goals for establishment
to such an extent that the failure cannot be adequately addressed through standard
maintenance activities, a contingency plan shall be developed. A detailed contingency plan
cannot be developed until the specific items that need to be address ed are known. Compliance
with the installation procedures and maintenance plans are measures to properly promote a
successful mitigation project. Where the performance is less than satisfactory, attention shall be
given to, but not limited to, soil conditions, species installation, and temporal variations.
Adaptive management actions taken to ensure success, when practical, are an acceptable means
to ensure survival and growth of the planted species. This contingency plan complies with MDNS
condition 20.
Table 4. Summary of impacts and compensatory mitigation for all mining phases; final
Phase
Impacts (acres)
Total
Wetland and
Buffer Impacts
Wetland Mitigation (acres) Replacement Ratios & Credits
Total
Mitigation
Benefit
Wetland
Buffer
Wetland 1
Category IV On-site Off-site On-site Off-site
Direct Indirect R/C PRES 2 ENH 3 R/C 4
PRES
10:1
ENH
2:1
1A 2.50 5 0.05 6 2.55 16.3 1.63 1.63
1B 0.54 [7] 0.54 3.7 1.85 1.85
2A 0.03 8 0.21 9 0.24
2B 0.46 10 0.46 0.31 0.31 0.31
TOTAL 3.04 0.49 0.26 3.79 0.31 16.3 3.7 0.31 1.63 1.85 3.79
[1] All wetlands have been rated using the most recent version of the Washington State Department of Ecology’s rating system for Western
Washington (Hruby 2014).
[2] The off-site preservation area is 16.3 acres Category I palustrine broad -leaved deciduous forest and estuarine emergent intertidal wetland.
[3] The off-site enhancement appears to meet the definition of rehabilitation , see Final Phase 1B and 1A Final Wetland Mi tigation Plan report
(ENVIRON 2012)
[4] On-site re-establishment/creation proposed at a minimum ratio of 1:1. Conceptual mitigation proposes 0.31 acres of on -site wetland
creation.
[5] Buffer Wetland L = 2.57 acre (112,105 sq ft), Wetland M = 0.77 acre (33,455 sq ft): Reduced by 25% with buffer averaging
[6] Wetland F = 0.05 acre (2,221 sq ft)
[7] Buffer Wetland C = 0.54 acre (23,328 sq ft)
[8] Wetland J = 0.03 acre (1,411 sq ft)
[9] Wetland P= 0.15 acre (6,447 sq ft) & Wetland Q = 0.06 acre (2,690 sq ft)
[10] Wetland I = 0.4 acre (17,622 ft) & Wetland II = 0.06 acre (2,844 sq ft)
EXHIBIT A
WETLANDS & BUFFER
NEW SHINE QUARRY Wetland Consulting & Land Use Planning
BGE Environmental, LLC
BGE19_0170.030
J
E
C
B
A
I
H
G
FT
L
M K
II
O
S
R
SHINE
QUARRY N
D
Q & P
CATEGORY IV
CATEGORY III
CATEGORY II
2019
Delineation replicated with
professional judgement to
remnant flagging.
Aerial photography Google Earth
2018
BB
EXHIBIT B
WETLAND DRAINAGE BASIN IMPACTS
NEW SHINE QUARRY
BB
J
E
C A
I
H
G
F
T
L
M K
II
P & Q
O
N
S
R
PHASE 1APHASE 1B
PHASE 2A
Wetland Consulting & Land Use Planning
BGE Environmental, LLC
BGE19_0170.030
PHASE 2B
Basin replication
Environ 2011
Wetland Consulting & Land Use Planning
BGE Environmental, LLC
BGE19_0170.030
BB
J
E
C
B
A
I
H
G
FT
L
M K
II
O
S
R
SHINE
QUARRY N
D
Q & P
WETLAND BUFFER IMPACTS
INDIRECT WETLAND IMPACTS
DIRECT WETLAND IMPACTS
PHASE 2A
PHASE 1A
MINING
EXHIBIT C
WETLAND & BUFFER IMPACTS
NEW SHINE QUARRY
PHASE 2B
PHASE 1B
Wetland Consulting & Land Use Planning
BGE Environmental, LLC
BGE19_0170.030
EXHIBIT D
OFFSITE PRESERVATION
20 ACRES CATEGORY I WETLAND
Wetland Consulting & Land Use Planning
BGE Environmental, LLC
BGE19_0170.030
BB
J
E
C
B
A
I
H
G
FT
L
M K
II
O
S
R
SHINE
QUARRY N
D
Q & P
WETLAND BUFFER REDUCTION
WETLAND BUFFER IMPACTS
PHASE 2A
PHASE 1A
MINING
EXHIBIT E
BUFFER AVERAGING
NEW SHINE QUARRY
PHASE 2B
PHASE 1B
WETLAND BUFFER AVERAGING
Wetland Consulting & Land Use Planning
BGE Environmental, LLC
BGE19_0170.030
BB E
C
B
A
H
G
T
L
M K
O
S
R
SHINE
QUARRY N
D
Q & P
PHASE 2A
PHASE 1A
MINING
EXHIBIT F
REMAINING INTACT FOREST AND ON-STE WETLAND
MITIGATION
NEW SHINE QUARRY
PHASE
2B
PHASE 1B
WETLAND CREATION
0.31 ACRES
BGE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC NOVEMBER 10, 2020 PAGE | 17
NEW SHINE QUARRY FINAL WETLAND MITIGATION PLAN
REFERENCES
BGE Environmental, LLC. September, 2020. New Shine Quarry Wetland Inventory Update.
Brinson, M. M. (1993). “A hydrogeomorphic classification for wetlands,” Technical Report WRP-
DE-4, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS.
http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/wetlands/pdfs/wrpde4.pdf
Cowardin, L. M., V. Carter, F. C. Golet, E. T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and
deepwater habitats of the United States. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
http://www.fws.gov/nwi/Pubs_Reports/Class_Manual/class_titlepg.htm
ENVIRON International Corporation. July 2009. New Shine Quarry Wetland Delineation and
Inventory. Project 30-22731.
ENVIRON International Corporation. June 13, 2011. Addendum to Wetland Delineation and
Inventory Report for the New Shine Quarry (NSQ).
ENVIRON International Corporation. May, 2012. New Shine Quarry Final Phase 1B & 1A Wetland
Mitigation Plan.
ENVIRON International Corporation. June 22, 2012. Attachment A to Responses to June 7, 2012
Stormwater Permit Application Review Comments .
Hruby, T. (2014). Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington: 2014
Update. (Publication #14-06-029). Olympia, WA: Washington Department of Ecology.
Jefferson County Code (JCC). Title 18.22 Critical areas.
https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/JeffersonCounty/#!/JeffersonCounty18/JeffersonCounty18
.html
Lichvar, R.W., D.L. Banks, W.N. Kirchner, and N.C. Melvin. 2016. The National Wetland Plant List:
2016 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2016-30: 1-17. Published 28 April 2016. ISSN 2153
733X. http://wetland-
plants.usace.army.mil/nwpl_static/data/DOC/lists_2016/National/National_2016v2.pdf
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 2010. Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland
Delineation Manual: Western Mountains, Valleys, a nd Coast Region (Version 2.0), ed. J. S.
Wakeley, R. W. Lichvar, and C. V. Noble. ERDC/EL TR -10-3. Vicksburg, MS: U.S. Army
Engineer Research and Development Center.
BGE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC NOVEMBER 10, 2020 PAGE | 18
NEW SHINE QUARRY FINAL WETLAND MITIGATION PLAN
VanNess, Feldman, GordonDerr. May 9, 2012. Iron Mountain Quarry-Response to 3/15/12 Letter
and 4/20/12 MDNS (copy)
Washington State Department of Ecology, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Seattle District), and
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Region 10). 2006a. wetland Mitigat ion in
Washington State – Part 1: Agency Policies and Guidance (Version 1). Washington State
Department of Ecology Publication #06-06-011a. Washington State Department of
Ecology, Lacey, WA.
BGE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC NOVEMBER 10, 2020 BGE19_0170.030
NEW SHINE QUARRY FINAL DRAFT WETLAND MITIGATION PLAN
APPENDIX A
Summary comparison wetland rating and buffer; 2009 (ENVIRON) AND 2019 (BGE)
WETLAND AREA
(acres) HGM 2009 2019
RATING BUFFER (ft) RATING BUFFER (ft)
A 0.37 Slope III 150 IV 50
B/BB 0.38 Slope III 150 IV 50
C 1.13 Slope III 150 III 300
D ND1 Riverine II 300 II 300
E 0.90 Slope III 150 IV 50
F 0.05 Slope IV 50 Non Wetland
G 0.03 Slope IV 50 IV 50
H 0.25 Slope IV 50 IV 50
I 0.40 Depressional III 150 IV 50
II 0.06 Depressional III 150 IV 50
J 0.03 Depressional III 150 IV 50
K 0.12 Depressional II 150 IV 50
L 0.77 Depressional III 150 III 150
M 1.53 Depressional III 150 III 150
N 0.02 Depressional IV 50 IV 50
O 0.03 Depressional III 80 IV 50
P 0.15 Depressional III 80 IV 50
Q 0.06 Depressional III 80 IV 50
R 1.022 Depressional III 150 III 300
S 2.882 Depressional III 150 III 150
T 0.70 Slope III 150 IV 50
Quarry 0.07 Depressional III 80 - - - -
1 Not Delineated (ND). Wetland off-site
2 On-site area only, wetland continues off-site to the nth degree
BGE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC NOVEMBER 10, 2020 BGE19_0170.030
NEW SHINE QUARRY FINAL DRAFT WETLAND MITIGATION PLAN
APPENDIX B
Declaration of Wetland Preservation Covenants
2102 Brashem Ave
Bremerton, WA 98310
(360) 710-6066
www.bgeenvironmental.com
BGE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC.
Wetland Consulting and Land Use Planning