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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Report (034)TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: Martin Penhallegon, PACE Diane Brewster DATE: February 3, 2004 CRITICAL AREAS RECONNAISSANCE REPORT FOR THE SECOND CHANCE RANCH ANIMAL SHELTER/KENNEL JEFFERSON COUNTY~ WASHINGTON LANDAU ASSOCIATES ' R REC - VED JEFFERSO J COUNTY DCD INTRODUCTION At the request of Penhallegon Associates Consulting Engineers, Inc. (PACE), a Landau Associates wetland biologist conducted a critical areas study, consisting of a wetland delineation and stream assessment, on tax lot # 701061007 (the site) in Jefferson County near the city of Quilcene, Washington (see Exhibit E), on January 28, 2004. Donovan Creek meanders across the middle of the site from approximately its mid-point along Center Road to the northwestern comer of the property. This approximately 30-acre lot, mostly undeveloped, has one small shed and concrete pad in the northeastern portion of the site. Two dirt access roads enter the site from Center Road at the northern and southern ends of the site, and a number of logging roads associated with the May 2003 logging activities traverse the site. Nearly the entire property has been logged through Forest Practices Application/Notification (FPA/N) No. 2605356, with only the stream management area in the eastern portion of the site remaining undisturbed. As part of the FPA/N, a 6-year moratorium was placed on the property. Currently, a buyer is conducting due diligence in preparation to purchase the property to develop the site as the Second Chance Ranch Animal Shelter/Kennel and has started the process of lifting the 6-year Forest Practices Moratorium. Jefferson County has required several elements involving critical areas on the property in order to lift the moratorium, including identification of the onsite wetland and stream boundaries, classification of the wetland and stream, determination of wetland and stream boundaries, and a restoration concept for areas impacted by logging activities, including a list of recommended native vegetation. This technical memorandum addresses all of these elements. 1VIETHODOLOGY Landau Associates biologist Diane Brewster conducted the critical areas field reconnaissance on January 28, 2004. Wetlands were delineated using the 1987 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) ~/etland Delineation Manual (USACE 1987), and supplemented with the USACE Regional Guidance 130 2nd Avenue South · Edmonds, WA 98020 · (425) 778-0907 · fax (425) 778-6409 ° www. landauinc.com letter on the 1987 Manual (USACE 1994). The routine determination was used because the onsite wetland area has a homogeneous vegetation, soil, and hydrologic regime. Attachment A provides a complete description of the methodology used in this investigation. Public domain resources were reviewed prior to the site visit to determine existing conditions and potential wetland indicators on the site. During the visit, the project site was walked to identify plant community types and wetland habitat. Data on vegetation, soil, and hydrology were collected at various locations in the wetland and wetland buffer although no information was recorded on data sheets. The wetland edge was determined where the following three parameters were met: 1) the dominant plant species were considered hydrophytic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) (Reed 1988); 2) soil was considered hydric under federal definition; and 3) hydrologic conditions meeting the federal wetland definitions were present or inferred. The wetland boundaries were marked in the field with pink flagging printed with the words "Wetland Boundary." These flags were not formally surveyed, but the wetland edge is generally depicted on Exhibit E produced by PACE. The stream course had been previously mapped by PACE and is also shown on Exhibit E that also shows the critical area buffers and vegetation restoration areas. DOCUMENT REVIEW The Jefferson County area soil survey (McCreary 1975) indicated the presence of hydric soil (Belfast silty clay loam, wet variant) along the creek, with upland soils (Alderwood gravelly sandy loam and Quilcene silt loam) on the remainder of the site. Both the Alderwood and Quilcene soil series can include hydric inclusions (unnamed alluvial cones) (NRCS web site 2001). A review of the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) electronic Coastal Atlas mapping shows Donovan Creek on the site, but no wetland habitat (Ecology web site 2004). FIELD RESULTS Wetland Habitat One wetland occurs along Donovan Creek in the eastern portion of the site (see Exhibit E). The wetland lies along both banks of the creek, with a lobe of wetland extending north from the eastern end of the creek along Center Road. Most of this wetland lobe, along with two other portions of the wetland (one located at the northeastern end of the wetland and another at the central-western edge of the wetland), were cleared during logging. Tree species logged from the wetland include Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis, FAC), western red cedar (Thuja plicata, FAC), and red alder (Alnus rubra, FAC). The ground was not scraped during logging operations and remnants of shrub and ground cover vegetation were 02/03/04 S:\WPROC\716\003\Critical Areas_tm.doc 2 LANDAU ASSOCIATES observed in the cleared areas. The majority of the wetland occurs within the stream management area that was flagged prior to logging and was not affected by tree removal or logging operations. The wetland is composed of palustrine forested habitat and is dominated by red alder with a few western red cedar scattered throughout. Several snags and downed logs were observed in the wetland. The densely-growing understory is dominated by salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis, FAC+). The sparsely vegetated ground layer includes small patches of skunk cabbage (Lysitchitum americanum, OBL), piggyback-plant (Tolmiea menziesii, FAC), stinging nettle (Urtica dioica, FAC+), patches of slough sedge (Carex obnutpa, OBL), American brooklime (Veronica Americana, OBL), and water parsley (Oenanthe sarmentosa, OBL). The cleared lobe of wetland had a few mature Sitka spruce trees and young western red cedar trees, with remnant salmonberry, patches of slough sedge, creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens, FACW), western bitter-cress (Cardamine occidentalis, OBL), and western dock (Rumex occidentalis, FACW+). Understory and groundcover vegetation were mostly lacking in the other cleared areas, with only a few remnant salmonberry observed. Vegetation observed throughout the wetland meets the federal definition of hydrophytic (wetland or water-loving) vegetation. Soil observed in the wetland consists of a black (10YR 2/1) clayey silt loam to a depth of 18 inches below ground surface. Patches of black silt with a high organic content were observed in the southeastern portion of the wetland. This soil meets the federal definition of hydric soil. The wetland is located within the Donovan Creek floodplain. Based on a visual evaluation, groundwater flows downgradient from the southern, northern, and western slopes of this site into the wetland and Donovan Creek. Several springs and seeps were observed in the area northwest of the wetland. Wetland hydrology indicators include adventitious roots on the trees located within the wetland, water-stained leaves, saturated soils, and areas of standing water. Based on these characteristics, this area meets the criteria for wetland hydrology. Northwest of the wetland, where the springs and seeps were observed, the FPA/N identified this area as wetland rather than a stream (the FPA/N stated that this area would be delineated with flagging and avoided during logging; however, this entire area was cleared with the exception of the big leaf maple trees). However, during the January 28' 2004 site reconnaissance, a distinct stream channel with flowing water was observed meandering through the middle of this area. In addition, the vegetation here is dominated by big-leaf maple (Acer macrophvllum, FACU), the only tree not logged in this area. The trees that were logged appear to have been predominantly western red cedar and red alder, as evidenced by the branches left on the ground. The understory is dominated by salmonberry with frequently occurring vine maple (Acer circinatum, FAC-) and infrequently occurring wax currant (Ribes divaricatum, FAC) with an understory dominated by sword fern (Polystichum munitum, FACU) with patches of creeping buttercup. This area is very disturbed from logging activities, including several 02/03/04 S:\WPROC\716\003\Cdtical Areas_tm.doc 3 LANDAU ASSOCIATES logging roads, and soils are very compacted with water flowing across the soil surface through this area. While the vegetation in this area is comprised of both wetland and upland vegetation, the predominance of sword fern, which cannot tolerate inundation, suggests that this area does not have sustained hydrology to support wetland habitat and so was determined to be disturbed riparian habitat along the upper reach of Donovan Creek. CRITICAL AREA RATINGS AND BUFFERS The onsite wetland was determined to be a Category II wetland using Ecology's Wetland Rating System of Western Washington, 2nd Edition, 1993. This determination was based on the presence of forested habitat less than 1 acre in size with a lack of mature coniferous trees, the vegetative structural and species diversity of the undisturbed portions of the wetland, the presence of a perennial stream, and undeveloped buffers (see Attachment B for the completed rating data form). The Jefferson County Unified Development Code (UDC) has a standard buffer width of 100 ft. for Category II wetlands. Two ratings have been determined for Donovan Creek on this site. The eastern portion of Donovan Creek has been identified as a Type 3 stream [defmed under Washington Administrative.Code (WAC) 222-16-031] by Jefferson County. The reconnaissance of the stream confirmed this rating given the stream's 2 ft and wider def'med channel and a gradient of less than 16 percent. Upstream from the wetland, characteristics of Donovan Creek change significantly with a channel less than 2 ft wide that is undefined for at least 100 ft. of this reach. This portion of the creek flows through the cleared riparian area and appears to be ephemeral based on the lack of banks and upland vegetation observed in portions of the creek. Thus, the stream reach upstream of the wetland was determined to be a Type 5 stream based on its seasonal nature and lack of fish habitat. The UDC has standard buffers of 100 ft for Type 3 streams and 50 ft for Type 5 streams, with a 5-ft building setback from the edge of any stream buffer area. Buffer averaging and buffer reductions are allowed for both wetlands and streams under the UDC under certain circumstances (3.6.8 g. 6 and 8; and 3.6.9 d. 6 and 8). Negotiations must be made with Jefferson County before averaging or reducing any critical area buffers. RESTORATION RECOMMENDATIONS As requested in Jefferson County's Pre-application Conference letter (dated January 16, 2004), the UDC requires restoration to forested wetlands, Type 3 streams, and their associated buffers due to damage caused by logging. The riparian buffer surrounding the Type 3 portion of Donovan Creek, approximately 100 ft along each bank, was marked prior to logging as a Stream Management Zone (SMZ) and was not damaged by logging activities. However, none of the wetlands were marked onsite 02/03/04 S:\WPROC\716\003\Cdtical Areas_tm.doc 4 LANDAU ASSOCIATES prior to logging (although the FPA/N indicated that this would be done) and portions of the forested wetland identified onsite and nearly all of its buffer were cleared. These areas will need to be replanted with native vegetation. Because the ground was not scraped over most of the cleared areas, it is expected that the shrubs and groundcover will re-establish on their own. Understory plants observed in the disturbed buffer include salmonberry, vine maple, wax currant, holly (Ilex aquifolia, FACU), cascara (Rhamnus purshiana), and red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa, FACU). Groundcover species observed in the disturbed buffer area are sword fern, creeping buttercup, prickly sow thistle (Sonchus asper), and trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus). Other species expected to re-establish in the buffer include western red cedar, westem hemlock, Douglas fir (Psuedotsuga menziesii), dull Oregon grape (Mahonia nervosa), and red huckleberry (Vacciniurn parvifolium), because these were observed in adjacent undisturbed buffer. Salmonberry was observed in the disturbed wetland understory layer with slough sedge, western bittercress, western dock, and creeping buttercup in the ground layer. Other species expected to re- establish in the wetland include western red cedar, red alder, water parsley, piggy-back plant, and skunk cabbage, because these were observed in adjacent undisturbed wetland habitat. We recommend that trees be planted in the cleared wetland and buffer areas to restore the forested layer that existed prior to logging. Trees are generally planted on 10- to 12-ft centers (that is, all trees would be planted no closer than 10 to 12 ft from any other tree). A rough calculation of areas to be restored includes approximately 25,000 square feet (ft2) of wetland habitat needs to be restored (located on the eastern lobe, the northwestern areas of the wetland, and the western edge of the wetland), approximately 57,000 ft2 of upland buffer along the eastern and western portions of the wetland, and approximately 22,000 ft2 of riparian buffer along the northern edge of the wetland. There are three separate soil/groundwater regimes in the areas to be replanted. In the wetland area, soils are completely saturated and need to be planted only with species that can tolerate anaerobic conditions. The riparian area northwest of the wetland has a moist soil regime and experiences seasonal surface water flows, and the upland has dry soils. Thus, three lists of appropriate trees are provided here for each regime. In addition, while western red cedar was the predominant tree on this site prior to clearing, the young saplings are very sun intolerant and the survival rate for plantings in this now open area is expected to be low. Where red cedar and western hemlock are listed as appropriate planting species, we recommend that hybrid black cottonwood be planted in the first year to establish shade, then plant the western red cedar the following year. Hybrid cottonwood is recommended because it does not produce the "cotton"; it grows quickly, and dies back in a relatively short period of time, allowing these areas to succeed to its natural state of coniferous forest in a relatively short period of time. 02/03/04 S:\WPROC\716\003\Critical Areas_tm.doc 5 LANDAU ASSOCIATES Wetland trees (approximately 250 trees if planted on 10-ft center or 173 trees if planted on 12-ft center) Hybrid black cottonwood Western red cedar* Riparian trees (220 trees if planted on 10-ft center or 153 trees if planted on 12-ft center) Hybrid black cottonwood Western hemlock* Western red cedar* Upland trees (570 trees if planted on 10-ft center or 395 trees if planted on 12-ff center) Douglas fir (the saplings planted after logging can be transplanted from the riparian and wetland areas that they had originally been placed in; they likely will not survive in these wetter areas) *Plant in second year Cuttings of the hydrid black cottonwood will need to be planted before the end of March to increase their survival rate. Plant cuttings should be stored for no more than 2 weeks and kept moist and shaded during that time. Cuttings needs to be planted so at least half of their length is buried in soil. All planted areas will need to be maintained for at least the first two summers after each planting period. The upland areas will likely need to be watered at least once a week from July to the end of October (or whenever the winter rains begin). The riparian areas will also need to be watered weekly from the time the area dries out to the end of October. The wetland areas will need to be checked for groundwater and watered on an as-needed basis. In addition, red alder and blackberry are pioneer species and are likely to invade the restored areas. The red alder is a desirable species if its numbers are kept in check; it will need to be thinned each spring to 12-ft centers to keep it from outc0mpeting the planted trees. The blackberry is undesirable and should be cut back in the spring and fall. Ecology has restricted the use of herbicides in proximity to streams and wetlands, so all thinning and cleating needs to be done by hand. USE OF THIS REPORT This report was prepared for the exclusive use of the Second Chance Ranch Animal Shelter and their consultants for the specific application to this project. The use by others, or for purposes other than intended, is at the user's sole risk. The findings presented herein are based on our understanding of the project, the City of Quilcene's Critical Areas Regulations, and on vegetative, soil, and hydrologic conditions observed during a site visit on January 28, 2004. Within the limitations of scope, schedule, and budget, the f'mdings presented in this report were prepared in accordance with generally accepted sensitive area investigation principles and practices in this locality at the time the report was prepared. We make no other warranty, either express or implied. 02/03/04 S:\WPROC\716\003\Critical Areas_tm.doc 6 LANDAU ASSOCIATES REFERENCES Ecology. 1997. Washington State Wetlands Identification and Delineation Manual. Washington State Department of Ecology. Publication No. 96-94. March. Ecology web site. 2004. Digital Coastal Atlas. http://www.ec¥.wa.gov/programs/seaJSMA/ atlas home.html. Accessed on February 2, 2004. McCreary, F. 1975. Soil Survey of Jefferson County Area, Washington. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, in cooperation with Washington Agricultural Experiment Station. August. NRCS web site. 2001. Hydric Soils List, Jefferson County, Washington Area: Detailed Soil Map Legend. http://www.wa.nrcs.usda, gov/technical/soils/hydric lists/hydsoil-wa-631.pdf. Accessed on February 2, 2004. Reed, Jr., Porter. 1988, revised 1993. National List of Plant Species that Occur in Wetlands: Northwest (Region 9). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Report 88(26.9). Washington, D.C. Ecology. 1997. Washington State Wetlands Identification and Delineation Manual. Publication #96-94. Washington State Department of Ecology. Olympia, Washington. March. USACE. 1987. Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual Technical Report Y-87-1. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterways Experiment Station. Vicksburg, Mississippi. USACE. 1994. Washington Regional Guidance on the 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District Regulatory Branch. Seattle, Washington. May 23. 02/03/04 S:\WPROC\716\003\Critical Areas_tm.doc 7 LANDAU ASSOCIATES ATTACHMENT A WETLAND DELINEATION METHODOLOGY The triple parameter approach was used to delineate wetlands on the site described in this report. Methodologies used were from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Wetland Delineation Manual (USACE 1987), the Washington Regional Guidance on the 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual (USACE 1994), and the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) Wetlands Identification and Delineation Manual (Ecology 1997). These methodologies require evaluating vegetation, soil, and hydrology to determine the presence or absence of wetlands. A determination of the presence of wetland habitat was made on this site using the routine delineation method. Data from wetland and upland plots were recorded on the routine wetland determination data forms to determine the boundaries on the wetlands. An area is determined to be wetland if all of the following conditions are met: the dominant vegetation is hydrophytic, soil are hydric, and wetland hydrology is present. Each of these parameters is described in more detail in the following sections. WETLAND VEGETATION Hydrophytic plants are those species that are adapted to saturated and/or anaerobic conditions. These plants are typically found in areas where the frequency and duration of inundation produce permanently or periodically saturated soil conditions. Several indicators are used to determine the presence of hydrophytic vegetation. The USACE and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have assigned an indicator status to many plant species based on the estimated probability of the species existing in wetland conditions (see table below). Plants with an indicator status of obligate (OBL), facultative wet (FACW), or facultative (FAC) are considered to be adaptive to wetland conditions. The strongest indicator for hydrophytic vegetation is when greater than 50 percent of the dominant plant species have an indicator status of OBL, FACW, or FAC. DEFINITIONS OF PLANT INDICATOR STATUS Indicator Status Category Wetland/Non-Wetland Occurrence OBL - Obligate wetland plants Occur in wetlands, under natural conditions, approximately 99% of the time. FACW - Facultative Wetland plants Occur in wetlands approximately 67 to 99% of the time. FAC - Facultative plants As likely to be found in wetlands as in non-wetlands, approximately 34 to 66% of the time. FACU - Facultative Upland plants Occur in wetlands approximately 1 to 33% of the time. UPL - Obligate Upland plants Occur in non-wetlands, under natural conditions, approximately 99% of the time. NI - No Indicator Assumed to be upland, not given an indicator status. Source: Reed 1988, revised 1993. 02/03104 S:\WPROC\716\003\Cdtical Areas_tm.doc 8 LANDAU ASSOCIATES At each data plot, vegetation is identified. For herbs, shrubs, and saplings, a data plot consists of an area with a 5-ft radius and for trees a 30-ft radius is used. The approximate percent cover for each plant species identified at the data plot is recorded. Dominant plant species are determined to be those that, when cumulatively totaled in descending order of cover, exceed 50 percent of the cover for each stratum, plus any additional species that individually comprise 20 percent or more of the total percent cover for that stratum. A data plot was considered to have hydrophytic vegetation when greater than 50 percent of the dominant plant species have an indicator status of OBL, FACW, or FAC Hydrophytic vegetation also tends to exhibit specific morphological adaptations to saturated conditions. These adaptations include adventitious roots, shallow root systems, inflated leaves, and floating leaves. Observed vegetative adaptations were recorded on the data form. HYI)RIC SOIL The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has defined hydric soil as those soils that are sufficiently wet to support the growth and regeneration of hydrophytic vegetation. Thus, not all areas having hydric soil will qualify as wetlands, such as soil that has been drained and no longer supports hydrophytic vegetation. Only when a hydric soil supports hydrophytic vegetation and the area has indicators of wetland hydrology may that soil be referred to as a wetland soil. Hydric soil exhibits distinct characteristics that are directly observable as a result of anaerobic conditions. These characteristics include: · The presence of organic soil (histosols) commonly called peat or muck. This soil has high organic matter content (greater than 50 percent) in the upper 32 inches of the soil · Sulfidic material is present, giving the soil a rotten-egg odor · Water saturation within a specific depth, ranging from 0.0, 0.5, or 1.0 ft from the surface (dependent on soil drainage class, permeability, and texture) for a duration sufficient to produce anaerobic conditions within the upper 20 inches · Dark soil colors that are quantified using the Munsell soil color chart; dark colors are defined as those areas where: - The matrix chroma is 1 or less - The matrix chroma is 2 or less in mottled soil. Mottles, meaning marked with bright spots of color, in a dark soil matrix indicate a fluctuating water table - Bluish or grey color, called gley, indicates the anaerobic soil conditions. 02/03/04 S:\WPROC\716\003\Critical Areas_tm.doc 9 LANDAU ASSOCIATES Identification of hydric soil was accomplished by using a soil auger or shovel to dig holes at least 18 inches below the ground surface at each wetland data plot. Direct observation of the soil was made at these plots. Soil organic content was determined visually and texturally and soil color was determined using the Munsell soil color chart. Water saturation and/or inundation was also observed. Soil that met the hydric characteristics for color and saturation were determined to be wetland soil. Other hydric characteristics present were also noted on the data forms. WETLAND HYDROLOGY Areas with evident characteristics of wetland hydrology are those where the presence of water has an overriding influence on characteristics of vegetation and soil due to anaerobic conditions. These characteristics are typically present in areas that are inundated or have soil that are saturated to the surface for a sufficient duration during the growing season to both develop hydric soil and support hydrophytic vegetation. Wetland hydrology was considered to be present in areas where observed characteristics indicated that inundation was present for at least 5 to 12 (12 to 29 days) percent of the growing season. The Seattle District USACE considers 14 consecutive days of inundation or soil saturation to meet this parameter. The growing season begins when the soil reaches a temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit in the root zone. In western Washington, the growing season is typically considered to be March 1 to October 31. Hydrology of the site was determined using direct visual observation of soil saturation or inundation over the entire site and at each soil data plot to 18 inches below ground surface. Information was recorded on the data forms. Wetland hydrology was considered to be present in areas of inundation and/or saturated soil (depending on the soil texture). Positive indicators were also noted, such as dried watermarks, drift lines, sediment deposits, and drainage patterns. These indicators assisted in evaluating whether wetland hydrology was present for at least 14 consecutive days during the growing season. 02/03/04 S:\WPROC\716\003\Cdtical Areas_tm.doc 10 LANDAU ASSOCIATES ATTACHMENT B WESTERN WASHINGTON WETLANDS RATING FIELD DATA FORM Wetlands Rating Field Data Form Background lnforrnation' Name of Rater: L...:,~-~ .~-~.:. ~'.~t~, ~-~ ~:~:~:-.':- Affiliation: 1~%,.~.~,~.,~.:~..~..~,.~~¥ .... ~ ~.~ Date: Name of wetland (if ~own) :__ -~ ~ .... ~::~¢ ~ (~.. ..- Government Jurisdiction of wetland:_~.)~.~5~ ~?~ ..; ~, -:-,~. ~ ~ ........... Location: 114 Section: .. of 1/4 S: Section:~ Township:.~ Range: Sources of Information: {Check all aourcas that apply) Site visit: ~ USGS Topo Map:_.X// ~I map: Aerial Photo:.-~/Soils su~ey: Other: Describe: ..... When The Field Data fora is complete enter Catego~ here: .... ~.~. Hiflh Ouality ~atural ~etland Circle Answers Answer ~is question if you have adequate info~ation or experience to do so, If not find someone with the expertise to answer ~e questions. Then, if~e answer to questions la, lb ~d Ic ~e all NO, con,ct the Natural Hefi~ge progrm of D~. la. Human caused disturbances. Is there si~ificant evidence ofhum~mamed changes to topo~aphy or hydrolo~ of~e wetl~d ~ indicated by ~y of the follow~g conditions? Consider only ch~ges that may have token place in the last 5 decades. The impacts of changes done e~lier have probably been stabilized and the wetland ecosystem will be close to reaching some new e~uilibfium that ~y represent a high quali~ wetland. Yes: go to Q.2 la. 1 Upstre~ watershed > 12% impe~ous, yes: go to Q.2 1 ~. Wetland is ditched and water flow is not obstructed. Yes: go to Q~2 la3. Wetl~d has been ~ded, filled, logged, ~o to Q.2 la4. Water in wetland is controlled by dikes, weirs, etc. Yes: go to Q.2 la5. Wetland is ~zed. Yes: go to Q.2 I a6. Other indicators of dismrb~ce (list below) No: go to lb. ................ 25 I b Are there p opulations of non-native Plants which are currently present, cover more than 10% of the wetland, and appear to be invading native populations? Briefly describe any non-native plant populations and Information source(s):_ I c. Is there evidence of human-caused disturbances which have visiblY degraded water quality. Evidence of the degradation of water quality include: direct (untreated) runoff from roads or parking lots; presence, or historic evidence, of waste dumps; oily sheens; the smell of organic ChemiCals; or livestoCk use, Briefly describe: Q.2. Irreplaceable Ecological Functions: Does the wetland: have at least I/4 acre of organic soils deeper than 16 inches and the wetland is relatively undisturbed; OR jif the answer is NO because the wetland is disturbed briefly describe: Indicators of disturbance may include: - Wetland has been graded, filled, logged; - Organie soils on the surface are dried-out for more than half of the year; - Wetland receives direct storrnwater runoff from urban or agricultural areas.]; OR 1lave a forested class greater than 1 acre; OR have characteristics of an estuarine system; OR have eel grass floating or non-floating kelp beds? 2a. Bogs and Fens Are any of the three following conditions met for the area of' organic soil? 2a. 1. Are Sphagnum. mosses a common ground cover (>30%) and the cover of invasive species (see Table 3) is less than 10%? Is the area of sphagnum mosses and deep organic soils > 1/2 acre? Is thc area of sphagnum mosses and deep organic soils ~A-1/2 acre? 2a.2. Is there an area of organic soil which has an emergent class with at least one species from Table 2, and cover ofinvasive species, is < 10% (see Table 3)? Is the area of herbaceous plants and deep organic soils > 1/2 acre? Is the area ofherbaceous plants and deep organic soils 1/4-1/2acre? YES: go to Q.2 No: go to lc. YES: go to Q.2 NO: Possible Cat. I Contact DNR :,;~)o all: go to Q.3) 'YES go to 2a YES: Go to 2b Yes: Go to 2c Yes: Go to 2d YES: Category I YES: Category II NO: Go to 2a.3 YES: Category I YES' Category II NO: Go to 2a.3 26 Table 3 List of invasive/exotic plant species for question 2a.1 (peat wetlands), Question 2b.3, (mature forested wetlands), .and Question 3.2 (Catego scientific Name Agropyron repens AIopecun~spratensis, A. aequalis Arcticum minus Brumus tectorum, B. rigidus, B. brizaeformis, B. secalinus B. japonicus, B. mollis, B. commutatus. B. inermis. B. erectu6: Cenchrus lo~ngispinus Centaurea solstitialis, C. repens, C cyanus, C maculosa C diffusa C#:~ium vulgare, C arvense Cynosursus cristasus, C echinatusl Cytisus scoparius Dactylis glomerata Dipsacus syIvestris Digitaria sanguinalis Echinochloa crusgalli Elaeagnus augustifolia Euphorbiapeplus, E. esuIa Festuca arundinacea, F. pratensis Holcus lanatus, H. mollis Hordeumjubatum Hypericumperforatum Iris pseudacorus Loliumperenne, L multiflorum, L temulentum Lotus corniculatus Lythrum salicaria Matricaria matricarioides Medicago sativa Melilotus Mba, M. officinaIis Phalris arund#tacae Phleu~n pratense Phragmites australis Poa compressa, P. paIustris, P. pratensis Polygonium aviculare, P. convolutus, P. cuspidatutn P. lapathifolium, P. persicaria RanuncuIus repens Rubus discolor, R. Iaciniatus, R. vestitus, R. macro?hyllus Sa[sola kali Setaria viridis Sisymbrium altissimum, S. loeseHi, S. officinale Tanacetum vulgate Trifolium dubium, T. pratense, T. repens, T. Arvense T. subterraneum, T. hybridium Cultivated species: ry IV wetlands) Common Name Quackgrass Meadow Foxtail Burdock Bromes Sandbur Knapwccds Thistles Dogtail Scot's Broom Orchardgrass Teasel Crabgrass Barnyard Grass Russian Olive Spurge Fescue Velvet Grass Foxtail Barley St. John's Wort Yellow Iris Ryegrass Birdsfoot Trefoil Purple Loosestrife Pineapple Weed Alfalfa Sweet Clover Reed Canarygrass Timothy Reed Bluegrass Knotweeds Creeping Buttercup Non-native Blackberries Russian Thistle Green Brisflegrass Tumblemustards Tansy Clovers Wheat, Corn, Barley, Rye, etc. 19 EXHIBIT E STREAM / WETLAND DELINEATION AND BUFFER AVERAGING 701064006 NOTE: 1. ENTIRE TAX LOT # 70106104)7 HAS BEEN LOGGED OUTSIDE STREAM AND WETI_AND. DECIDUOUS TREES WERE LEFT THROUGH PROPERTY. 2. SITE SIZE: APPROX. 30 ACRES 3. SOURCE OF TOPO: USGS 4. APPROX. 6.13 AC OF STREAMNVETLAND AND BUFFER AREAS. ABOUT 2.0 AC ARE UNDESTURBEO. Legend Add Io buffer = 0.50 AC (approx.) IRemove fr~n buffer = 0.50 AC (approx_) ~ Buffer = 6.13 AC (approx.) Wettand