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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHabitat Management Plan 001162001 KUNZ BIOLOGICAL CONSULTING 780 Arcadia West Port Townsend, WA 98368 (360) 385-6300 LARRY SCOTT MEMORIAL TRAIL PRIORITY HABITAT AND SPECIES REPORT A wildlife and critical habitat survey was conducted at the request of Jefferson County for the proposed Larry Scott Memorial Trail. The purpose of the survey is to assess the area along the existing railroad grade, and portions of those properties on which the proposed trail will be located, for critical wildlife habitat and to determine if priority species are present. Priority species and critical habitat are established by the Washington Department ofFish and Wildlife (WDFW). Management guidelines are addressed in the 1991 IIManagement Recommendations for Washington's Priority Habitats and Speciesll. In regards to project impacts to wetlands, this report will address only priority habitat and species issues, A separate report, prepared by Pacific Rim Soil and Water, will identify and characterize the wetlands that occur within the proposed project vicinity, , Priority habitat is defined by the WDFW as a habitat type with unique or sigriificant value to many species. An area classified and mapped as IIpriority habitat II must meet certain criteria as described in the WDFW 1991 management guidelines. Priority species are defined as wildlife species requiring protective measures for their perpetuation due to their population status, their sensitivity to habitat alteration, and/or their recreational importance, A priority habitat may contain priority and/or non-priority species, The proposed Larry Scott Memorial Trail ~egins at the Park & Ride parking lot located at the intersection of 12th and Landis in Port Townsend. The trail will continue east through the Port Townsend Industrial Park to an existing railroad grade near the Port Townsend, Paper Mill. The existing trail currently continues south and ends at Four Corners (Figure 1), The route of the proposed trail has not yet been finalized. However, those owners indicating an interest in locating the proposed trail on their land are represented by the shaded portions in Figure 1. The legal.description is Township 30N, Range lW and currently includes Sections 10, 15, 16,17,20,29 and 32. As the proposed trail may include Sections 18, 19, and 30, a priority habitat and species data search for these areas are included in this report, Surveys were conducted 8 May through 20 May 1995 by walking the existing trail from Park & Ride parking lot to the vicinity of Four Corners. The vegetation characteristics of the adjacent habitat and wildlife observations and sign were noted. Additionally, the Washington Department ofFish and Wildlife (WDFW) was contacted and a data search was requested for sensitive or priority wildlife and/or habitat within all sections of the existing or potential trail locations. BABITA T DESCRIPTION As a result ofWDFW consultations and priority habitat/species surveys, several significant habitat areas have been identified within the proposed project vicinity. Due to the habitat variations found along the length of the trail, a description of the project area will be provi.ded for each affected (or potentially affected) section within the township. This description will include WDFW critical habitat or species designations for the entire section, habitat characteristics, and wildlife observations or sign, if any. Township 30N, Range lW, Section 10 The proposed trail originates at the Park & Ride parking lot and continues east through the Port Townsend Industrial Park. South of the Industrial Park a gravel road leads to the railroad grade north of the Port Townsend Paper Mill. This initial portion of the trail traverses through the more industrial area of the project. Priority Habitat/Species Description: Kai Tai Lagoon, adjacent to the Park & Ride parking lot, is designated as an urban wetland and lagoon used by regular large concentrations of wintering and migratory waterfowl. This priority area'is defined as an area that is commonly used by a large concentration of animals. The concentration is large relative to that expected for the ,particular species or geographic area. The Port Townsend shoreline has fairly.extensive eel grass beds which are utilized by brant and harlequin ducks for feeding. This estuarine or estuarine-like environment generally supports high wildlife density and diversity, The southeast comer of this section contains a pigeon guillemot nesting area in the cut bank above the railroad bed. This nesting area has been documented as a Jefferson County Significant Natural Area. As Section 15 supports a larger portion of this nesting area, the priority area is defined in the following section, The existing trail does not appear to be impacting any of the above described priority habitats or species. Township 30N. Range IW, Section 15 The pigeon guillemot nesting area, as noted above, continues into this section north of the , Port Townsend Paper Mill. The habitat west of the paper mill within this section consists of patches ofboth deciduous (red alder, willow, cherry and madrona) and coniferous (selectively thinned stand of Douglas fir) stands. The understory is scotchbroom, Oregon grape, soapberry, salal, blackberry, wild roses and honeysuckle. A mature bald eagle was observed flying west from the paper mill. Additionally, a red- tailed hawk was observed over a clearcut west of the. papermill. Priority Habitat/Species Description: The pigeon guillemot nesting area is a priority area which is described as "the primary use area necessary to support a breeding pair and its young during the breeding season". Pigeon guillemots, in this instance, are considered priority species only within their known breeding area, Bald eagles are commonly observed within the Port Townsend shoreline vicinity. There are no documented bald eagle nests located within this section. The proposed project is unlikely to impact priority habitat within this area provided the cut bank remains intact for pigeon guillemot nesting, Township 30N, Range IW, Section 16 Within this section is the Glen Cove Pond and Marsh which is a man made pond and , marsh on the mill property. This pond is located approximately 600 feet southerly of the existing trail located along the railroad grade, This area is a documented Jefferson County Significant Natural Area for waterrowl usage, The following waterrowl species utilize the area: green-winged teal, pintail, mallard, gadwall, widgeon, scaup, ruddy duck, hooded merganser, and northern shoveler, The eastern portion of this section consists of a predominantly second growth Douglas fir stand, associated with alder, madrona and willow. The understory is blackberry, scotchbroom, salal, ferns, wild rhododendron and honeysuckle. Continuing west, the habitat changes to a predominantly red alder stand with ,an understory consisting of red elderberry, tansy mustard and nettles. Beyond this alder stand the trail leads to a more dry and open environment with a few large willow, madrona, cedar, Douglas fir, alder, and big-leafed maple. The understory is composed of grasses, thistles, scotchbroom, nettles, trailing blackberry and vetch. The trail continues to the south and runs par~el with Highway 20. The habitat east of the trail is entirely scotch broom; west of the trail, bordering the highway, are Douglas fir with some snags and dead top trees. Priority Habitat/Species Description: The Glen Cove Pond and Marsh area is designated as significant for waterfowl migration. A WDFW migration area is defined as an area regularly used (averaging at least once per week during the fall and winter) as a travel corridor between seasonal ranges. Project impacts to this priority habitat will need to be re-evaluated if the proposed trail causes habitat alteration at this pond and marsh area. However, the existing trail does not appear to be impacting any priority habitats or species. Township 30N, Range lW, Section 17 Jefferson County and the WDFW have documented a small freshwater wetland in the southeast corner of this section. The trail, which is located north of this wetland, runs from below the Highway 20 bridge to beyond the Discovery Road bridge. The habitat between bridges consists of scotchbroom, wild roses, alder, willow, some Douglas fir, honeysuckle, and grasses: The habitat changes little from the Discovery Road bridge to Nelson's Landing Road. The willow and alder are more dense with a few large Douglas fir. A marsh hawk and raven were observed in the open scotch broom habitat adjacent to Nelson1s Landing Road. From Nelson's Landing Road the trail continues south into a more remote portion of the trail. Habitat is predominantly scotchbroom and red alder. A red-tailed hawk was observed above the trail southwest of Nelson's Landing Road, Priority Habitat/Species Description: The freshwater wetlands designated by the WDFW are only those identified by the National Wetlands Inventory and some exceptional quality wetlands. Freshwater wetlands are important wildlife breeding habitat and support a comparatively high wildlife density and species diversity. The one wetland designated by WDFW as priority habitat is not in the vicinity of the existing trail. Currently, there are no documented priority species within this 'section. Township 30N, Range 1 W, Section 18 Despite the fact that the trail does not currently extend into this section, the possibility exists that the proposal may include this area. An extensive survey was not conducted, but the WDFW data search indicates that several freshwater wetlands occur in the southeast corner of the section. Currently, however, there are no documented priority species in the vicinity. Township 30N, Range 1 W. Section 19 The trail does not extend into this section. However, as discussed above for section 18, the trail proposal may also include section 19'. Again, the WDFW data search indicated several freshwater wetlands in the northwest corner of this section. No documented priority species were noted for this vicinity. Township 30N, Range lW, Section 20 Several documented wetlands were observed along the western portion of this section and adjacent to the existing traiL The habitat is predominantly alder and small Douglas fir, associated with scotchbroom, willow, trailing blackberry, wild rhododendron, and soapberry. Columbian black-tailed deer were observed in a pasture west of the trail. A private drive has eliminated a portion of the trail within this section. The trail crosses Old Discovery Road and continues south into Section 29. Priority Habitat/Species Description: These wetlands were, again, documented by the WDFW and are defined as priority habitats, While these wetlands are not in the vicinity of the existing trail, project impacts to these priority areas will need to be re-evaluated if the proposed trail route traverses the western portion of Section 20. ' Columbian black-tailed deer are classified by the WDFW as a recreationally important species which are defined as species with high recreational importance or high public profile and that are vulnerable to habitat loss or degradation. Wildlife under this classification are game species which are hunted, or otherwise harvested, by the public and are subject to hunting and fishing regulations. Township 3 ON, Range 1 W, Section 29 The WDFW data search indicates that fairly extensive wetlands occur along the western portion of this section. The wetlands in the upper northwest corner are not currently in close proximity to the trail. There is a WDFW priority habitat and species designation for the southwest wetlands which the existing trail bisects. From the Old Discovery Road crossing, the trail continues south through a new development along a gravel road. The habitat consists of scotchbroom, alder, willow, madrona, cedar, and Douglas fir. Deer tracks were observed along the trail. South of this newly developed area the trail parallels the wetland to the west. The habitat is predominantly large Douglas fir and red alder. Priority Habitat/Species Description: This wetland and farmland area is designated as significant for regular large concentrations of wintering waterfowl. This priority area is defined as an area commonly used by large concentrations of animals. Project impacts t6 this priority habitat will need to be re-evaluated if the proposed trail causes habitat alteration at this wetland area. This wetland habitat extends into Section 32 where additional habitat descriptions and wildlife observations have been noted. Township 3 ON; Range IW, Section 30 As discussed earlier in this report, the trail does not currently extend into this section, The WDFW data search and consultations have identified both priority habitats and priority species within this section, The bald eagle management areas encompass most of the section. Additionally, saltwater wetlands have been identified within the vicinity. Priority Habitat/Species Description: As noted above, the two bald eagle management areas extend throughout most of Section 30. Shelly Ament, WDFW eagle biologist, has indicated that several bald eagle management plans exist for these eagle management areas, specific to each landowners needs. If the trail route was altered to include these management areas, consultation with the WDFW would be necessary. Township 30N, Range IW, Section 32 The WDFW have identified priority habitat and species along the northern portion of this section, This area, which is an extension of the wetland discussed in Section 29, is designated as waterfowl habitat encompassing most of the freshwater wetlands and pastureland. ' From Section 29, the trail continues south to Section 32 through the wetland and riparian zone. The habitat consists of red alder, big-leaf maple, and willow, Several large snags and dead top trees are present. Open water could be observed from the trail to the east. South of this area the trail continues through private property to Milo Curry Road which branches from Four Comers Road. Habitat consists oflarge Douglas fir and red alder stands, associated with big leaf maple. Columbian black-tailed deer and coyotes were observed in the vicinity of the open water habitat. A pileatedwoodpecker was heard in the riparian zone where large snags were present. Priority Habitat/Species Description: This wetland and farmland area is designated as significant for regular large concentrations of wintering waterfowl. This priority area is defined as an area commonly used by large concentrations of animals. Pileated woodpeckers are designated as a state candidate species. These are species known to be experiencing or have experienced failing or declining populations due to factors such as limited numbers, disease, predation, exploitation, or a loss of suitable habitat. As recommended in Section 29, project impacts to this priority habitat will need to be re- evaluated if the proposed trail causes habitat alteration at this wetland area. CONCLUSIONS The habitat description provided in the above sections pertain, predominantly, to the existing trail along the railroad grade. While several priority habitats and species have been identified within the project area, the existing trail does not appear to be impacting any of the WDFW or Jefferson County documented areas of significance. From the Park & Ride parking lot, located at the intersection of 12th and Landis, to Nelson's landing, the adjacent habitat has been developed or somehow disturbed, or is within an industrial area. Most of the trail has high motorcycle usage. On several occasions throughout the survey, motorcyclists were observed from the Glen Cove area to the more remote area adjacent to the wetland in Sections 29 and 32. Horse back riding appears to be popular along the trail with riders and sign of horses observed near from the Port Townsend Paper Mill to Nelson's Landing. Due to the current level of activity along the existing trail, it is unlikely that the proposed project will impact priority habitat, provided precautions are taken during construction in the more sensitive areas, It is recommended that upon detennination of a trail route proposal, another WDFW search and habitat survey may be conducted in order to ensure protection of priority habitat and species.