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FES - 4 2005
Hagen Consulting
PO Box 3068
Port Angeles, WA
98362
office: 360-452-9982
email: mhagen@olympus.net
Date: February 2,2005
Subject: Waiver from Wetland delineation report requirements/ parcels # 801022011 and # 801022009:
Robert and Mary Olsen Jr. at 1466 Egg and I Rd.
To: Jefferson County Planners
I inspected the site on February 1, 2005. The wetland edge was marked with blue flagging and
the wetland was classified according to Washington State Department of Ecology (2004) and U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers manual (1987) standards. A full delineation was not done since the wetland crosses
many property lines. The entire side nearest the proposed development was delineated, on both lots
owned by Mr. Olsen. From the portions seen on February 1, the wetland rates as Class 3 with 36 points
using the new Dept. of Ecology rating system. The most applicable hydrogeomorphic type is Slope. This
wetland is actually a single wetland, not two as indicated on Jefferson Co. base maps. It is partially
forested with young Red Alder and extremely dense shrub/scrub Salmonberry. Old remnant stumps
indicate a former old growth Red Cedar stand. The only emergent vegetation class is near the county road
and dominated by Reed Canary grass and Fescue. There are several seeps feeding water into the
wetland from the hillside, while the Type 5 stream running down the center had flow only near the culvert
at Egg & I Rd. Vegetation is typical of North Olympic Peninsula Alder bottom lands and spatial diversity is
moderate. This is neither a "special" wetland or on the NWI database. This wetland has been extensively.
altered in the past by timber harvest, fill, by road construction and by inadequate culverts. Recently the
historic forest and agricultural based land use has changed to rural residential.
Jefferson County Critical Areas Rules allow for a waiver from Delineation and Special Report
Requirements (page 3-30,3-31; Table 3-3). For a Class three wetland the minimum required distance
from the estimated wetland boundary is 75 feet. In this case the proposed outbuilding has been staked
out approximately 146 feet from the nearest flagged wetland edge on Olsen's property and is 117 feet
from the nearest Type 5 stream, on the neighboring ownership across the private road. Distances were
determined using a laser rangefinder.
This wetland will receive 50 foot buffers. Buffers were not staked until a rating could be assigned
to this wetland.
Wetland buffers are to maintained in a natural state, preferably stocked with native trees. Since
much of this buffer has been mowed and other parts occupied by fill, the County Road right of way, much
of the buffer space is not in a natural condition. Weeds (Reed canary grass, Himalaya berry and Scotch
Broom are established but can be controlled with diligent effort). Every effort should be made to restore
native forest and shrubs. In this case native western Red Cedar, Red Alder and Seouler's willow would do
well and would provide shade and bird habitat. All data sheets are available if needed.
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Michael Hagen
rEE - 4- 2005
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FEB -- 4 2005