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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMitigation-Buffer Reduction Report - 984000106, 984000107 Mitigation Planting Plan Revision February 28, 2022 Josh Harris 3502 North Baltimore Tacoma, WA 98407 RE: Addendum to September 17th, 2018, Mitigation Planting Plan for Parcels 984000106 and 984000107 in Jefferson County. Dear Mr. Harris, Marine Surveys & Assessments (MSA) prepared a Habitat Management Plan (HMP) and Mitigation Planting Plan for a project located on Jefferson County parcels 984000106 and 984000107, in Section 22, Township 28N, Range 01E, (3365 Paradise Bay Road) in Port Ludlow, WA. The report was completed September 17th, 2018, to address impacts from the construction of a single-family residence, septic system, and driveway located within Critical Habitat Area buffers. The Critical Habitat Areas that will be impacted include a marine shoreline buffer and a type “Ns” stream. The HMP was produced to address criteria outlined in the Jefferson County Code (JCC), Chapters 18.22 Critical Areas and 18.25 Shorel ine Master Program. Based on the site plan provided in 2018 (Figures 1 and 2) MSA concluded that there would be No Net Loss to habitat function or value on site assuming the recommendations provided in the HMP and the Mitigation Planting Plan were implemented. The proposed pr oject takes Mar 15 2022 place within a significant portion of the marine shoreline and Type “Ns” stream Ordinary - High Water Mark (OHWM) setback, frontage setback, and construction setbacks. Development within the shoreline buffer qualifies for the Modest Home Provisio n for nonconforming lots that meet JCC 18.25.270(5)(a) or (b), because the depth of the lot cannot accommodate all setbacks. Avoidance measures in regard to the marine shoreline and stream buffers in this project include shifting the building area outside of the stream buffer and within the frontage setback. Native plantings will be installed along the top of the bluff, along the stream, and within the perimeter of the southwest border (adjacent to Paradise Bay Road), resulting in an area of at least 1,225 ft2 of native vegetation within the project site. See Figure 1 Site Map. Figure 1. Full Site Map (2018) Figure 2. Closeup of Buildable Area Outside of 50-foot Stream Buffer After the HMP and Mitigation Planting Plan were accepted and approved by Jefferson County November 2021, the Site Plan was revised, which pushed the footprint into the designated stream buffer (Figures 3 and 4). Figure 3. Revised Site Plan (2021) Figure 4. Closeup of Revised Building Footprint Within 50-foot Stream Buffer The proposed footprint now extends into the Type Ns stream buffer, thus impacting approximately 220 square feet, which will require additional mitigation for a buffer reduction as per JCC 18.22.640 (1), which states, “The administrator shall have the authority to reduce buffer widths on a case-by-case basis; provided, the specific standards for avoidance and minimization in JCC 18.22.660 shall apply, and when the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the administrator that all of the following criteria are met: (a) The buffer reduction shall not adversely affect the habitat functions and values of the adjacent FWHCA or other critical area. (b) The buffer shall not be reduced to less than 75 percent of the standard buffer, unless it can be demonstrated through a special report prepared by a qualified professional that there will be no net loss of FWHCA functions or values. (c) The slopes adjacent to the FWHCA within the buffer area are stable and the gradient does not exceed 30 percent.” The Mitigation Planting Plan was revised to include the installation of 14 extra native plant species to be planted on 4-foot centers over approximately 225 square feet adjacent to the east property line and the stream. Invasive English Holly, Himalayan Blackberry, and Laurel will be removed prior to planting. The 14 shrubs were selected to enhance habitat structure and forage adjacent to the stream. The proposed buffer reduction, with a 20% reduced buffer on the large end and a 6% reduced buffer on the small end, equals approximately 220 square feet (Figure 4). This proposed mitigation area is designed to compensate for unavoidable impacts and is approximately 225 square feet, which meets the 1:1 mitigation requirement outlined in JCC 18.22.660 (3) (a). The topography of the planting area is relatively flat, and there are no indications of unstable ground. It is the opinion of MSA that if the recommendations outlined in the HMP dated September 17th, 2018, along with the revised Mitigation Planting Plan dated September February 27th 2022 are followed, there will be No Net Loss to habitat function or value on the site. Sincerely, Meg Amos Certified Wetland Specialist and Permit Coordinator Marine Surveys & Assessments Pollock Proposed Residence Mitigation Planting and Monitoring Plan September 17, 2018 Revised February 24, 2022 Prepared for : Josh Harris 3502 North Baltimore Tacoma, WA 98407 Regarding: Jefferson County Parcels 984000106 and 984000107 Mitigation Planting Plan The proposed Mitigation Planting Plan will require invasive species removal over the entire property, which includes two parcels and four native planting areas that will equal approximately 1,450 square feet, including the additional 225 square feet added for a buffer reduction revision. Volunteer native shrubs and trees exist on site, therefore spacing may be varied. Invasive species to be removed include: English ivy (Hedera helix), Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus), English holly (Ilex aquifolium), and Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus). Native, volunteer species present on site include Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziessi), Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), Red Alder (Alnus rubra), Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum), Salal (Gaultheria shallon), Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) and Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium). The following tables contain a quantitative list of species to be planted in the areas that are outlined in the Planting Plan (Figure 1). Photo documentation of the planting areas is provided in Attachment 1. Plants will be selected from a regional native plant nursery. Table 1. Bluff, Creek and Paradise Bay Border (Original Plan) Quantity Botanical Name Common Name Size 4 Holodiscus discolor Ocean Spray 1 Gallon 13 Myrica californica Pacific Wax Myrtle 1 Gallon 3 Rosa gymnocarpa Baldhip Rose 1 Gallon 26 Rubus spectabalis Salmonberry 1 Gallon 5 Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry 1 Gallon 5 Thuja plicata Western Red Cedar 5 Gallon 6 Vaccinium ovatum Evergreen Huckleberry 1 Gallon Table 2. Planting Area Adjacent to Stream for Buffer Reduction (Added 2/24/2022) Quantity Botanical Name Common Name Size 3 Corylus cornuta Hazel 1 Gallon 4 Rosa nutkana Nootka Rose 1 Gallon 4 Rubus spectabalis Salmonberry 1 Gallon 3 Vaccinium ovatum Evergreen Huckleberry 1 Gallon Prior to planting, the area will be weeded of all invasive species. Soil will be amended where necessary and the plants will be installed by digging a one-to-two-foot hole, loosening the soil, and placing the plant in the ground after loosening soil around the root ball. The hole must be deep enough to ensure that roots are straight, but not so deep as to bury plants too far above the root collar. Once the plant is in place the hole will be backfilled and tamped lightly. Mulch should be applied 3-inches deep at a radius of at least 12-inches around each plant, being careful not to touch the stem of the plant. Each plant shall be watered immediately after planting and mulching. Periodic maintenance will be necessary to meet the performance standard for invasive species removal and a timed irrigation system may be necessary for this site during the first growing season. Figure 1. Mitigation Planting Plan Layout Performance Standards Performance standards are measurable criteria for determining if the goals and objectives of the mitigation project are being achieved. If the proposed benchmarks are not achieved by comparing the surveys to the mitigation goals, then contingency plans will need to be implemented. Performance Standard # 1 (survival rate): Immediately after planting, all plants will be counted and documented. At the end of each growing season (late Aug - early Sept) plots will be visited and a count of surviving plants will be documented. The percent survival for the plots will be calculated by dividing the total number of plants after planting by the total number of surviving plants at the end of the season. Photo stations for each replanting site will be determined and a photograph of each transplant location will be taken on an annual basis, for five years. Individual plants that die must be replaced with native species in order to meet the survival performance standards. Performance Standard # 2 (percent cover): The percent cover standard will be monitored by looking at each monitoring unit of the enhanced areas from above and estimating the area covered by the newly installed native plants. The percent cover within an area can be quantified as a total greater than 100% because plants (in tree, high/low shrub and herbaceous layers) overlap in cover. Performance Standard # 3 (Invasive species): Invasive species must be kept below a total of 15% site coverage over the five-year monitoring period. Monitoring Plan An As-Built drawing and report will be submitted to Jefferson County Department of Community Development (JCDCD) as documentation of the implementation of the approved planting plan within one month of installation. Once approved, the monitoring proposal is to maintain and monitor the survival of the native plants installed as well as removal of the invasive plants for five years. The plan will include vegetation description and photo documentation from established photo stations. A panoramic photo of the entire mitigation site will also be provided. Monitoring will take place over a period of five years at the end of the growing season (late August or early September) of each monitoring year. The performance standards will be monitored by measuring plots in zones within the planting area that will be established and mapped after planting occurs and will be outlined clearly in the As-Built plan. There will be photo points for each plot which will also be referenced in the As- Built plan. Each year the photo points that are established at each site will be used for comparison. Photos will be taken at all points for all years as visual documentation of the performance standards’ progress, or lack of. In addition to photos at designated points, photo documentation must include a panoramic view of the entire planting area. Submitted photos must be formatted on standard 8 ½” by 11” paper, dated with the date the photo was taken, and clearly labeled with the direction from which the photo was taken. The photo location points must be identified on a reference drawing. Collected data and photos will be compiled into an annual planting report each year and submitted to the JCDCD by December of each monitoring year for five years. Each annual monitoring report shall include written and photographic documentation on plant mortality and replanting efforts and must document whether the performance standards are being met. The results of the monitored performance standards will determine whether or not contingency measures will be needed. Performance Standards #1 and #2 Year 1: Achieve 100% survival success of planted natives within mitigation areas at the end of the first year. Years 2 through 5: Achieve 80% survival success of planted natives within mitigation areas at the end of each of each year (2 - 5) with aerial coverage from planted shrubs reaching a minimum of 75% by the fifth year. Performance Standard #3 Years 1 through 5: Achieve ≥ 85% removal of targeting invasive species from mitigation areas. Maintenance and Contingency Maintenance shall occur at least twice during the growing season to ensure the survival of all native species within the mitigation area, including volunteer natives. Watering by hand may be necessary during year one until natural underlying hydrology is re- established. A timed watering system may be necessary. Water requirements will depend on the timing of planting with the seasons, weather conditions, and underlying hydrology. Once plants are established, extra watering is not anticipated to be necessary. Removal of aggressive invasive vegetation will be necessary over the expanse of the property, until either native plantings can naturally suppress competition, or the five-year monitoring period has passed. If the required survival rate is not met by the end of any monitoring year, plants lost to mortality will be replaced to achieve the percentage cover performance standard described above. Prior to replacement, an appropriate assessment will be performed to determine if the survival was affected by species/site selection, animal damage, or some other factor. Subsequent contingency actions must be designed to respond directly to the stressor(s) which are increasing mortality of planted native species. If a particular species is shown not to endure site conditions, then another more appropriate species will be selected. If excessive damage is observed, protective measures will be introduced. Monitoring years may be added if significant re-planting becomes necessary. Attachment 1 Photo Documentation Planting area at top of bluff. Note English Ivy to be removed. Salmonberry planting area in SE corner of property on both sides of stream. Pacific Wax Myrtle hedge planting area. Area along east property line to be planted for stream buffer reduction (14 shrubs) added 2/24/2022. Note English Ivy and Laurel to be removed. Laurel to be removed.