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Home My WebLink AboutHabitat Management Plan 701194030 Kunz Biological Consulting Gusoskey Planting Plan January 26, 2005 r RECEIVED JAN 2 8 2005 JHHRSON COUNTY oeo PROPOSED PLANTING PLAN Gusoskey Property Jefferson County Project #MLA04-00234 January 26,2005 Prepared by: Cindi Kunz Wildlife scientist Kunz Biological Consulting 780 Arcadia West Port Townsend, WA 98368 cmkunz@olypen.com (360) 385-6300 "~_._.~F Kunz Biological Consulting Gusoskey Planting Plan January 26, 2005 , / John and Carole Gusoskey Property Proposed Planting Plan Jefferson County Project #MLA04-00234 INTRODUCTION The Gusoskey property Proposed Planting Plan and a Revised Priority Habitat and Species Management Plan were prepared at the request of Jeff Davis, Washington Department ofFish and Wildlife. Additionally, these documents were prepared and submitted to meet the requirements of the Jefferson County Unified Development Code. The landowners, John and Carole Gusoskey, are proposing to construct a single-family residence with an access driveway and garage. The setback buffer from the center of the creek will be approximately 78 feet in order to accommodate the residence and driveway. The septic system has been installed (permit number SEP04-00293) within the pre- designated community drainfield due east of the proposed building site, across from the access easement. The well is functional and all water and power lines have been installed form the well site to the edge of the property. As discussed in the Revised Priority Habitat and Species Management Plan for this project, habitat enhancement west of the proposed property will mitigate for the building intrusion into the 100-foot buffer adjacent to the unnamed creek. It is the intent of this document to provide a plan to improve the riparian habitat quality of this critical wildlife habitat area. PLANTING PLAN The suggested planting plan proposal, as indicated by Figure 1, will provide horizontal, vertical and species diversity throughout this riparian zone where only small red alder, willow, Douglas fir, scotch broom, rugose rose, ferns and grasses currently exist. By the addition ofthese native trees, grasses, and woody shrub plant species in the project vicinity, both aquatic and terrestrial habitats will be enhanced in order to offset the construction impacts adjacent to this wildlife corridor. The existing vegetative buffer is approximately 10 to 20 feet in width along the portion of the creek adjacent to the building site. The proposed plan will increase this buffer to approximately 78 feet in width, in addition to providing plantings along the southern and western property boundaries. The following section identifies specific recommended native vegetation to be planted and a suggested planting plan. > _/ Kunz Biological Consulting Gusoskey Planting Plan January 26, 2005 Recommended Native Plants ,,-. ~/ As identified in the Priority Habitat and Species Management Plan, these native trees, shrubs and grasses proposed for planting will occur throughout the buffer zone and within the landscape design, as well. The proposed planting list for this project location will provide food and cover for fish and wildlife and increase streambank stability. Each of these suggested native plants are able to survive in the riparian environment. Pacific willow and red alder currently exist on the site. Approximately 2 to 4 plants of each of the following eleven tree and shrub species will be planted: Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) Evergreen huckleberry (Vacinnium ovatum) Red flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum) Red osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) Rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum) Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) Oregon grape (Mahonia aquafolium) Native crabapple (Malas fuscia) Madrone (Arbutus menziesii) Vine maple (Acer circinatum) Additionally, a native grass seed layer planted in the upland area adjacent to the residence comprised of the following grass species and compositions is proposed: Red fescue (Festuca rubra var. commutata) 40% Tufted hairgrass (Dechampsia cespitosa) 30% Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) 20% (Do not substitute 1. perenne) Alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum) 10% (Do not substitute T pratense or T repens) * Planting Recommendation: 25 lbs/acre The estuarine habitat will be unaffected by this proposed project, as there is adequate setback from the existing bulkhead and no soil disturbance will occur to affect the marine environment. The marine environment will be enhanced by the removal of noxious weeds and the revegetation of existing grasses with hardy, native woody vegetation along the shoreline. Suggested native plant species for shoreline plantings are as follows: Beach strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis) Sea-myrtle (Baccharis halimifolia) Tall Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) Red flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum) .'.,.--./' low Oregon grape (Mahonia repens) Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) Mock-orange (Philadelphus lewisii) Rugose rose (Rosa rugosa) Kunz Biological Consulting Gusoskey Planting Plan January 26,2005 Planting Recommendations '-.-..,,,/ As detailed in Figure 1, the planting plan includes a variety of native tree and shrub species. These proposed plants are of varying heights and characteristics and include both coniferous and deciduous species. This diversity will provide important fish and wildlife habitat in addition to effectively anchoring the soil throughout this riparian zone. The spacing between plants will be approximately 8 to 12 feet for larger trees and 4 feet for shrubs and small trees. The most ideal time for planting would be in the early spring when the seedlings or cuttings are still dormant. Noxious Weed Control Japanese Knotweed, Scotch broom, and Tansy Ragwort (classified as Class B noxious weeds in Jefferson County) may occur on the property. Ross Goodwin of the Washington Department of Natural Resources, observed Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) in the lower end of the stream channel during his site visit. This is a very aggressive species that is capable of crowding out other vegetation. These plants are extremely difficult to remove mechanically due to their high rhizome densities. Several herbicides, such as Glyphosate, have been shown to be effective in controlling Japanese knotweed and Tansy Ragwort. The Gusoskey's will contact Carol Dargatz, Jefferson County weed management coordinator, to determine the most effective eradication method, particularly within the stream corridor. The landowners plan to continue the control and removal of invasive weeds in order to reduce the degradation of native plant and animal habitat. Plan Monitoring The new plantings will meet a minimum of 80 percent survival after 5 years and the newly vegetated buffer will remain in a natural state. Compliance with this plan may be verified through inspections following construction for approximately 5 years in order to ensure the establishment of a functional stream buffer. ,~ z <( \" ~/ ...J a. (D z - r- z <( ...J a. >- w ~ (f) '.~o (f) J ~ ~ r1. cq r!1 lI) cr I Ii AI ~ td > "3 V ~ C\J :::t:. :z: 0 ~ 0 I ~ V 0 0 ( a .J ~ ~ ~ 1<: ~) rsi -' ~j "'9 ps I ~' ,L) '::> Vi r I I >!) m 0 L 0 JM u ~ c m m '0 Z I/J <.J QG m '3 ~ -=r I m 1 \!l 0 I ::t' ~ 0 1:: 0 {V: :E. ~ ~ \. 'U 00" ~~ ~\<' aU ~-e .? c ;J E E o o I/J '0 c (IJ (I) /" '0 ~ ap!1. LlI5!LI ueaUJ ~ .~ ~----- --=~~ , -.-=-- f)€ I '0 m til, ~~ c u c J V> J 0\ ~ ~r3 .\ 'E '-l ' u. \ \ );\"\ ... "0 ....~.@l g Q) ~ u Ol) o u 8 -g v SO r/.l Ol) 2 0::: is.. Q) a1 w '2 p, s ~ .0 ';;; oQ)r.:;~ 120 o ~ ..~,q~j ~ O"Cl U .Q .t:: ::>.- ;:l Q) r/.l....r/.l;;;>>::cO::: W t5 u Wu o:::~ B5....CIJ~>::co f- ~ ...l 0- ..l<: o o ~~~ ~ ~ ::cCO<<lQ)C ';: c>'o"'iS..Q) <<IC j;;~ p,"ClCI" *a1~.8.g.g~ ~~~5~~~ ::CCOo... c: ~co~uo:::~c -~ ~ /" ~ -z. ~ "~ - ---- Western Hemlock Tsuga heterophylla Grows 100-175 feet Soil conditions: tolerant throughout life Shallow, wide-spreading roots Abundant and vigorous reproduction Shade tolerant Provides food (seeds) and winter cover for wildlife Western Red Cedar Thuja plicata Grows 150-200 feet Soil conditions: tolerant Shallow, wide-spreading roots Rapid reproduction Provides food and cover for wildlife Pacific Willow Salix lasiandra ~' ::," ,.',~- - V ')I ~,. Grows 30-50 feet Soil conditions: moisture loving Soil-binding roots for erosion control Rapid growth for stream/wetland cover Not shade tolerant Provides food and cover for wildlife Vine Maple Acer circinatum ~' =- ; '- . . ~ ~ 0 _~" -- ,'::L :/ - ._ 4." /0 Small tree up to 35 feet Soil conditions: very tolerant, moist banks Excellent soil-binding roots for erosion control Shade tolerant Provides excellent forage for wildlife Sitka Spruce Picea sitchensis Grows 150-200 feet Soil conditions: tolerant Shallow soil-binding roots Reproduction vigorous Not shade tolerant Provides year-round food/cover Cottonwood Populus spp, Grows 150-200 feet Soil conditions: medium tolerance Fast growing tree in wet conditions Not shade tolerant Excellent habitat for nesting birds Red Alder Alnus rubra Grows 50-80 feet Soil conditions: moist/medium soil Shallow root system Aggressive reproduction Not shade tolerant Provides food and cover for wildlife Madrona Arbutus menziesii Medium sized tree up to 100 feet Soil conditions: moderately tolerant Vigorous growth Not shade tolerant Provides food and cover for wildlife , , ~ ~ Red Osier Dogwood Cornus stolonifera Grows approximately 15 feet Soil conditions: moist/medium moisture Excellent soil-binding roots Shade tolerant Provides food for wildlife Red Flowering Currant Ribes sanguineum .~ rt Grows 3 to 6 feet Soil conditions: medium moisture Shade tolerant Berries eaten by wildlife Planted in stream or wetland upland or landscape Evergreen huckleberry Vaccinium ovatum Grows 6 to 8 feet Soil conditions: medium-dry moisture Shade tolerant Forms thickets to provide wildlife cover Berries eaten by wildlife and humans Oregon Grape Mahonia aquifolium Grows up to 10 feet Soil conditions: medium/dry Excellent control for soil erosion Shade tolerant Provides food and cover for wildlife Native Crabapple Pyrus fusca Grows 15 to 20 feet Soil conditions: medium moisture Fruit eaten by wildlife Planted in upland or landscape Rhododendron Rhododendron macrophyllum Grows up to 12 feet Soil conditions: moist soil tolerant Shade tolerant Used for landscaping Provides evergreen wildlife cover