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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBLD2021-00365-09B- Wetland Report1157 · 3rd Avenue Suite 220A • Longview, Washington 98632 • Tel (360) 578-1371 • Fax (360) 414-9305 May 12, 2021 Margaret Ejde PO Box 701 Chimacum, WA 98325 RE: Jefferson County Parcel Number 901271007 Margaret, This letter is intended to address comments expressed by Jefferson County Department of Community Development (Department). ELS has reviewed site plans, researched online critical areas mapping tools, and used best professional judgement in preparing this memo. A site visit was not made, however, ELS believes the materials presented to be accurate and sufficient for review. Introduction The project is proposed at 2339 West Valley Road in Chimacum, Jefferson County, Washington. It is a 10.26- acre, rectangular-shaped parcel at the terminus of West Valley Road. There is an existing residence at the west end of the property accessed by a driveway entering the northwest corner. There are several other existing outbuildings around the residence including a garden shed and playhouse near the driveway entrance, a greenhouse east of the playhouse, a shop near the west property line, a woodshed south of the shop, and an existing concrete pad between the shop and the residence. The west end of the property is composed of development and mowed lawn. There is one tree near the playhouse and garden shed. Most of the property is composed of a mowed pasture with an area of forest at the east end. Critical Areas Mapping Naylor Creek is a Type F stream mapped outside the northwest property corner by Jefferson County (Figure 1). It appears to originate at the north end of Gibbs Lake, flows north before turning east along Naylor Creek Road, passes under West Valley Road, turns northeast at the northwest property corner, then drains into a larger stream about a half mile downstream. Based on review of LIDAR data and topographic contours, there is no evidence indicating Naylor Creek comes onsite, but occurs approximately as mapped. It is reasonable to assume the stream is correctly typed because the typing is consistent across several agency mapping tools (Figure 2). There are potential wetlands mapped by Jefferson County along Naylor Creek where it approaches the property and in the mowed grass at the east end of the property, west of the forested portion (Figure 1). Review of aerial imagery reveals saturation visible in the area mapped as wetland at the east end of the property, indicating the area likely meets wetland criteria (Figure 3). This wetland does not appear to extend westerly beyond the extent it is mapped. Therefore, the wetland area is approximately 600 feet away from the proposed development. The largest Jefferson County wetland buffers are 300 feet. The area mapped as wetland at the east end of the property is composed of the existing development described above and saturation is not visible on aerial Margaret Ejde May 12, 2021 Page 2 imagery. It is determined that while there may be some wetland associated with Naylor Creek offsite, there are no wetlands at the west end of the property. Critical Areas Regulations Jefferson County Code (JCC) 18.22.630(5) specifies the required buffer widths for fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas (FWHCA) including streams. The required buffer width for a Type F stream, according to Table 18.22.630(1), is 150 feet, measured from the OHWM. There is a required building setback of 5 feet from the buffer, however, septic drainfields are allowed within the setback. JCC 18.22.270 specifies buffers that are functionally isolated from the critical area, do not function to protect the critical area, and shall be excluded from critical area buffer areas. The 150-foot buffer extends south and east from Naylor Creek where it occurs offsite and overlaps with the existing development in the northwest corner of the property. The driveway, shop, woodshed, concrete pad, playhouse, garden shed, and greenhouse are all within that buffer. These structures appear to have been in place since approximately 2009, according to aerial imagery, when the buffer would have been much lower (Figure 4). Therefore, these structures are legally established and can continue to be used as such. The existing residence is located outside the buffer. Project Proposal The project proposes to install a new septic system southeast of the existing residence and an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) southwest of the existing residence (Figure 5). The septic system needs to be installed to accommodate the ADU’s increase in bedrooms onsite. The drainfield will be located on the landward side of the residence outside the buffer. The tanks for both the ADU and the residence are also outside the buffer. The ADU is located directly east of the concrete pad and approximately 22 feet from the edge of the buffer. It will be connected to the existing well by a new water line proposed under the existing driveway, entirely outside the buffer. Conclusions Both the septic system and the ADU are proposed outside the required 150-foot buffer of Naylor Creek. They are also proposed outside the 5 foot structural setback. There is no work proposed within the buffer of Naylor Creek. The project will not impact Naylor Creek or its buffer because it is proposed landward of existing development and outside the buffer. If there are any questions regarding the material presented, I can be reached at lauraw@eco-land.com or at 360-674-7186 extension 1202. Respectfully, Laura Westervelt Biologist Margaret Ejde May 12, 2021 Page 3 Attachments Figure 1 Jefferson County Critical Areas Map Figure 2 Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Practices Application Mapping Tool (FPAMT) Figure 3 2016 Aerial Figure 4 2009 Aerial Figure 5 Site Plan Source: Esri, Maxar, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS,AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community, Jefferson County, WA., Pro-West &³These data are provided on an "AS-IS" basis, without warranty of any type, expressed or implied, including but not limited to any warranty as to their performance, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose.This map is not a substitute for accurate field surveys or for locating actual property lines and any adjacent features. Jefferson County, WA Date: 5/11/20211:2,257 Source: Esri, Maxar,GeoEye, EarthstarGeographics,CNES/Airbus DS,USDA, USGS, Extreme care was used during the compilation of this map to ensureits accuracy. However, due to changes in data and the need torely on outside information, the Department of Natural Resourcescannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions, and therefore, there are no warranties that accompany this material. 0 0.1Miles Date: 5/11/2021 Time: 11:11:02 AM Map Symbols Additional Information Legal Description Forest Practices Activity Map - Application #______________ ¯ S22 T29.0N R01.0W, S27 T29.0N R01.0WS23 T29.0N R01.0W, S26 T29.0N R01.0W *Waste Area ~~~Harvest Boundary Stream Ç Rock Pit U Landing Y Clumped WRTS/GRTS × Existing Structure Road Construction RMZ / WMZ Buffers 2016 Aerial Indicates wetland vegetation at east end of pasture Legend 400 ft NN Image © 2021 Maxar Technologies Image © 2021 Maxar Technologies Image © 2021 Maxar Technologies 2009 Aerial Indicates shop and playhouse Legend 300 ft NN Image U.S. Geological Survey Image U.S. Geological Survey Image U.S. Geological Survey