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Home My WebLink About2022-05-04 Habitat Summary Memo WET.LAND, LLC 8201 164TH AVE NE, SUITE 200, PMB 141, REDMOND, WA, 98052 206-309-8100 Wet.land, LLC Jennifer Marriott, PWS 8201 164th Ave NE, Suite 200, PMB 141 Redmond, WA 98052 4 May 2022 Ann Burkhart Pomona Woods, LLC PO Box 145, Port Hadlock, WA 98339 PROJECT: Pomona Woods Project, Jefferson County, Washington SUBJECT: Habitat Assessment of Areas Proposed for Disturbance Dear Ann, As requested, I evaluated the Pomona Woods property on 25 April 2022 for listed species and wildlife habitat. The habitat assessment targeted those areas proposed for disturbance as part of the Project. This assessment was prepared in connection with the applicant’s response to an appeal of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) threshold determination for the Project and therefore is limited to addressing specific issues included in the appeal for that project as of the date of this assessment, namely impacts to wildlife habitat on the site as a result of development on those areas proposed for disturbance and a potential off-site wetland identified by third parties. Project Location & Purpose The Pomona Woods project is comprised of two parcels (921183008 and 921183002) totalling approximately 21.5 acres in Jefferson County, Washington (called “Site” hereafter). The Public Land Survey System location is Section 18, Township 29 North, Range 1 East, Willamette Meridian (W.M.). The Site is bound to the west by Oak Bay Road. Surrounding land uses include single-family residences on large lots to the north and south, and commercial forest to the west. The Project proposes to construct a small-scale recreational retreat with associated infrastructure, parking areas, an access road, and an onsite manager’s residence (Figure 1). 4 MAY 2022 PAGE 2 Figure 1. Site Plan (as of 2 March 2022) Project Site Description The Pomona Woods Site is undeveloped and dominated by native forest in both the canopy and understory. A more detailed discussion of the forest condition is provided below. The Site slopes downhill from west to east with elevations onsite ranging between approximately elevation 360 feet in the west down to 150 feet above sea level at the east end of the Site. The western third of the Site is gently sloping with approximately 10% slopes. The eastern 2/3 of the Site has an average slope of approximately 17% with select areas of steeper terrain. A series of valleys occur between the ridgelines on the Site that are visible on the below topography map (Figure 2). 4 MAY 2022 PAGE 3 Figure 2. Contours Map A geologic hazard assessment was prepared by Stratum Group (Geologic Hazard Assessment, Stratum Group, 14 July 2021) that describes the geologic critical areas on the Site. The conclusions of the geologic hazard assessment were that the onsite slopes were stable and not subject to failure or erosion concerns. Topography is from publicly available data, and is not surveyed data. 4 MAY 2022 PAGE 4 Background Review Prior to field investigations of the Site, a thorough review of existing publicly available databases was completed to determine what has been previously mapped over the Site. An in-depth review of Agency database results for this Project Site follows in Table 1, below. Databases were reviewed for features on the site and within 300 feet of the site. Databases referenced include: • Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Websoils Survey (NRCS) • US Fish and Wildlife (USFWS), Wetlands Online Mapper (National Wetlands Inventory, NWI) (USFWS) • Washington State Department of Ecology (ECY) Water Quality Atlas • Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Priority Species and Habitats • Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Forest Practices Application Mapping Tool (FPAMT) • Statewide Integrated Fish Distribution (SWIFD) Web Map • Salmonscape • StreamNet • Fish Passage Culverts Map • Google Earth • Historic Aerials, www.historicaerials.com • Jefferson County GIS Table 1. Summary of Agency Databases Database Agency (Database Manager) Results Township, Range, Section Map WSDOT Section 18, Township 29 North, Range 1 East, Willamette Meridian (W.M.) Watershed Boundaries ECY HUC 8 (12) – 17110019(0803) Oak Bay Drainage Basin WRIA 19 – Quilcene-Snow Websoils NRCS AmD – Alderwood gravelly loam, 15 – 30% slopes CfD – Cassolary sandy loam, 15 – 30% slopes SnC – Sinclair gravelly sandy loam, 0 – 15% slopes SnD – Sinclair gravelly sandy loam, 15 – 30% slopes None are considered hydric soils. National Wetlands Inventory USFWS No features mapped within the study area. FEMA Map Service Center FEMA No features mapped within the study area. 4 MAY 2022 PAGE 5 Washington State Water Quality Atlas ECY No features mapped within the study area. Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) WDFW No features mapped within the study area. Forest Practices Application Mapping Tool WDNR No features mapped within the study area. Statewide Integrated Fish Distribution (SWIFD) Web Map NWIFC No features mapped within the study area. SalmonScape WDFW No features mapped within the study area. StreamNet Mapper The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Mapper No features mapped within the study area. Washington State Fish Passage WDFW No features mapped within the study area. Public Land Records Jefferson County No features mapped within the study area. None of the publicly available databases have mapped any wetlands, streams, priority habitats, or listed species on or within 300 feet of the Site. 4 MAY 2022 PAGE 6 Habitat Assessment The Site was evaluated in the field on 25 April 2022. This included an evaluation of a potential offsite wetland as well as an assessment of the habitat within the proposed area of disturbance. A Photodocument is provided as Attachment 1. Offsite Wetland An offsite feature was identified on the adjacent property to the south of the Site as a potential wetland area. The area in question was only observed from a distance, so a thorough assessment was not able to be completed. However, the feature clearly occurs within a valley between two (2) ridges and appeared linear in nature. The outlet of this feature was not observed. Where an outlet might be located was obscured by trees and the topography of the area. There was visible water at the time of the assessment and some hydrophytic plants, including common rush (Juncus effusus), a common wetland plant that also occurs in disturbed sites. The entirety of the feature would not be wetland as young bracken fern were also observed within the low area. Given the normal rainfall conditions prior to the Site visit and the presence of both hydrophytic vegetation and surface hydrology, the feature was assumed to be a wetland. A final determination of wetland status cannot be established without direct access to evaluate the soils within the feature in question. The wetland was evaluated as a slope wetland and rated accordingly using the Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington (Hruby 2014). The wetland was determined to be a Category IV wetland. Category IV wetlands have standard buffers ranging between 25 feet and 50 feet, depending on the land use intensity. Regardless of land use, the wetland itself occurs more than 50 feet from the parcel boundary based on visual estimates, and thus any buffer for this wetland feature would not extend onto the Site. In addition to any distance from the parcel boundary to the offsite feature, the Project proposes to retain a 50-foot landscape setback from the parcel limits that would remain in its currently vegetated condition as a native forest. Habitat Description The Pomona Woods Site is dominated by native forest in both the canopy and understory. A small pocket of English holly (Ilex aquifolium) was observed onsite near the proposed limits of disturbance. Typical canopy species include Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), western red cedar (Thuja plicata), bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum), and red alder (Alnus rubra). The understory is dominated by sword fern (Polystichum munitum) across the entire site with lesser quantities of other common shrubs, vines and ferns. For discussion purposes, we divided the Site into three (3) communities based on dominant species of the canopy, including deciduous-dominant, conifer-dominant, and a deciduous-conifer mixed community (Figure 3). While each community was evaluated through meandering pedestrian transects across the Site, the mapping was based on an aerial interpretation based on the visible canopy on the map. The community boundaries were not field delineated or surveyed. The below community boundaries are approximate. 4 MAY 2022 PAGE 7 A discussion of each community is provided below. • Deciduous-Dominant Forest – The canopy in this area contains large amounts of red alder with few to no conifers present. The understory in these areas is dominated by sword fern, salal (Gaultheria shallon), salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus) and some bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) starting to show. Other species occur but aren’t prevalent across the community type. The canopy in this area is the most open of the community types. Large woody material is smaller in size and lesser in quantity in this community type than the others. • Conifer-Deciduous Mixed Forest – The canopy in these areas are a mix of conifers and deciduous species with bigleaf maple as well as Douglas fir and Western redcedar as prominent components of the canopy. The understory is still dominated by sword fern and salal, but also contains salmonberry, red huckleberry (Vaccinium parviflorum), Western hazelnut (Corylus cornuta), and oso-berry (Oemleria cerasiformis). Large woody material of a variety of sizes is a common part of this community. • Conifer-Dominant Forest - Conifers are the only canopy tree present except for areas transitional to the other community types. Deciduous species are more likely to be the understory shrub species such as oso-berry or Western hazelnut. The understory in this community is mostly sword fern. There is a noticeable increase in large snags and logs present within this community compared to the other community types. All communities onsite are native-dominated communities that are functioning normally. There are no unique or protected habitats within the areas proposed for disturbance. 4 MAY 2022 PAGE 8 Figure 3. Community Types Map Wildlife No state or federally listed species or their habitats were identified onsite. A variety of songbirds were heard onsite during field investigations, including a Pine Siskin and several different warblers. Pileated woodpeckers were both seen and heard on the Site, and clearly use the Site for foraging at a minimum. The Cornell University Merlin phone application was used to verify bird calls. None of the birds heard have been identified as listed species that would require special protection. 4 MAY 2022 PAGE 9 Analysis of Impacts The Pomona Woods project is comprised of two parcels (921183008 and 921183002) totalling approximately 21.5 acres in Jefferson County, Washington. The undeveloped Site is dominated by native forest over a sloping landscape with elevations ranging between approximately elevation 360 feet in the west down to 150 feet above sea level at the east end of the Site. For discussion purposes, the Site was divided into three (3) aerially delineated communities based on dominant species of the canopy: deciduous-dominant, conifer-dominant, and a deciduous- conifer mixed community. The Project proposes to construct a small-scale recreational retreat with associated infrastructure, parking areas, an access road, and an onsite manager’s residence. An access road will meander across the Site from Oak Bay Road to connect the new facility to the county road. The Project proposes approximately one (1) acre of impacts to the native forest onsite to accommodate the project footprint. The remainder of the Site, roughly 95% of the Site area, will remain in its existing condition. Forest Community Types Total Size (acres) Total Impacted Area (acres) Total Retained Area (acres) Total Retained Area (%) Coniferous Dominant 4.76 0.25 4.51 95% Conifer/Deciduous Mix 12.52 0.32 12.2 97% Deciduous Dominant 4.34 0.51 3.83 88% Total 21.62 (100%) 1.08 5% 20.54 95% No state or federally listed species or their habitats were identified onsite. No unique ecosystems or habitats were identified onsite that would be impacted by this Project. 4 MAY 2022 PAGE 10 Conclusion Because approximately 95% of the Site area will remain in its existing condition, no significant adverse impacts are anticipated. Should you have any questions or require additional information regarding this Project, please contact me at jen@wet.land (office: 206-309-8100). Jennifer Marriott, PWS Owner/Senior Scientist Wet.land, LLC Attachments: Photodocument; Offsite Wetland Rating Form #0084 3 May 2022 PHOTODOCUMENT Conifer-Deciduous Mixed Forest—Typical Deciduous-dominant Forest—Typical—Approximate area of parking lot in southwest quadrant of Site Deciduous-dominant forest—Typical Photo—showing approximate area of Manager’s Residence Conifer-Deciduous Mixed Forest—Typical #0084 3 May 2022 PHOTODOCUMENT Coniferous-dominant Forest—Typical—showing snag used by woodpeckers Potential Offsite Wetland—Photo facing south from parcel boundary. Potential Offsite Wetland—Photo facing south from parcel boundary—showing pipe that has been placed within this feature. Coniferous-dominant Forest—Typical Wetland name or number Name of wetland (or ID #):Date of site visit:4/25/2022 Rated by Trained by Ecology? Yes No Date of training 3/30/2016 HGM Class used for rating Wetland has multiple HGM classes? Yes No NOTE: Form is not complete with out the figures requested (figures can be combined). Source of base aerial photo/map OVERALL WETLAND CATEGORY IV (based on functions or special characteristics ) 1. Category of wetland based on FUNCTIONS Category I - Total score = 23 - 27 Score for each Category II - Total score = 20 - 22 function based Category III - Total score = 16 - 19 on three X Category IV - Total score = 9 - 15 ratings (order of ratings is not important) L L 9 = H, H, H L H 8 = H, H, M L M Total 7 = H, H, L 7 = H, M, M 6 = H, M, L 6 = M, M, M 5 = H, L, L 5 = M, M, L 4 = M, L, L 3 = L, L, L 2. Category based on SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS of wetland X RATING SUMMARY – Western Washington Offsite Wetland JMM/KN Slope ESRI aerial imagery FUNCTION Improving Water Quality Hydrologic Habitat 6 12 CHARACTERISTIC Category List appropriate rating (H, M, L) Site Potential L Landscape Potential L Value L Estuarine Wetland of High Conservation Value Bog Mature Forest Old Growth Forest Coastal Lagoon Score Based on Ratings 3 3 Interdunal None of the above Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 1 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015 Wetland name or number Maps and Figures required to answer questions correctly for Western Washington Depressional Wetlands Map of: Figure # Cowardin plant classes Hydroperiods Location of outlet (can be added to map of hydroperiods) Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure ) Map of the contributing basin 1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website) Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web) Riverine Wetlands Map of: Figure # Cowardin plant classes Hydroperiods Ponded depressions Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure ) Plant cover of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants Width of unit vs. width of stream (can be added to another figure ) Map of the contributing basin 1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website) Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web) Lake Fringe Wetlands Map of: Figure # Cowardin plant classes Plant cover of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure ) 1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website) Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web) Slope Wetlands Map of: Figure # Cowardin plant classes Hydroperiods Plant cover of dense trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants Plant cover of dense, rigid trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants (can be added to another figure) Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure ) 1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website) Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web) D 2.2, D 5.2 D 4.3, D 5.3 H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3 D 3.1, D 3.2 To answer questions: D 1.3, H 1.1, H 1.4 D 1.4, H 1.2 D 1.1, D 4.1 R 1.2, R 4.2 R 4.1 R 2.2, R 2.3, R 5.2 H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3 D 3.3 To answer questions: H 1.1, H 1.4 H 1.2 R 1.1 R 2.4 H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3 L 3.1, L 3.2 L 3.3 To answer questions: R 3.1 R 3.2, R 3.3 To answer questions: L 1.1, L 4.1, H 1.1, H 1.4 L 1.2 L 2.2 S 2.1, S 5.1 H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3 S 3.1, S 3.2 S 3.3 H 1.1, H 1.4 H 1.2 S 1.3 S 4.1 Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 2 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015 Wetland name or number For questions 1 -7, the criteria described must apply to the entire unit being rated. 1. Are the water levels in the entire unit usually controlled by tides except during floods? NO - go to 2 YES - the wetland class is Tidal Fringe - go to 1.1 1.1 Is the salinity of the water during periods of annual low flow below 0.5 ppt (parts per thousand)? NO - Saltwater Tidal Fringe (Estuarine)YES - Freshwater Tidal Fringe NO - go to 3 YES - The wetland class is Flats If your wetland can be classified as a Flats wetland, use the form for Depressional wetlands. 3. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria? NO - go to 4 YES - The wetland class is Lake Fringe (Lacustrine Fringe) 4. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria? The wetland is on a slope (slope can be very gradual), The water leaves the wetland without being impounded. NO - go to 5 YES - The wetland class is Slope 5. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria? The overbank flooding occurs at least once every 2 years. NO - go to 6 YES - The wetland class is Riverine NOTE: The Riverine unit can contain depressions that are filled with water when the river is not flooding. The water flows through the wetland in one direction (unidirectional) and usually comes from seeps. It may flow subsurface, as sheetflow, or in a swale without distinct banks. NOTE: Surface water does not pond in these type of wetlands except occasionally in very small and shallow depressions or behind hummocks (depressions are usually <3 ft diameter and less than 1 ft deep). The unit is in a valley, or stream channel, where it gets inundated by overbank flooding from that stream or river, HGM Classification of Wetland in Western Washington If hydrologic criteria listed in each question do not apply to the entire unit being rated, you probably have a unit with multiple HGM classes. In this case, identify which hydrologic criteria in questions 1 - 7 apply, and go to Question 8. If your wetland can be classified as a Freshwater Tidal Fringe use the forms for Riverine wetlands. If it is Saltwater Tidal Fringe it is an Estuarine wetland and is not scored. This method cannot be used to score functions for estuarine wetlands. 2. The entire wetland unit is flat and precipitation is the only source (>90%) of water to it. Groundwater and surface water runoff are NOT sources of water to the unit. The vegetated part of the wetland is on the shores of a body of permanent open water (without any plants on the surface at any time of the year) at least 20 ac (8 ha) in size; At least 30% of the open water area is deeper than 6.6 ft (2 m). Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 3 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015 Wetland name or number NO - go to 7 YES - The wetland class is Depressional NO - go to 8 YES - The wetland class is Depressional 6. Is the entire wetland unit in a topographic depression in which water ponds, or is saturated to the surface, at some time during the year? This means that any outlet, if present, is higher than the interior of the wetland. 7. Is the entire wetland unit located in a very flat area with no obvious depression and no overbank flooding? The unit does not pond surface water more than a few inches. The unit seems to be maintained by high groundwater in the area. The wetland may be ditched, but has no obvious natural outlet. 8. Your wetland unit seems to be difficult to classify and probably contains several different HGM classes. For example, seeps at the base of a slope may grade into a riverine floodplain, or a small stream within a Depressional wetland has a zone of flooding along its sides. GO BACK AND IDENTIFY WHICH OF THE HYDROLOGIC REGIMES DESCRIBED IN QUESTIONS 1-7 APPLY TO DIFFERENT AREAS IN THE UNIT (make a rough sketch to help you decide). Use the following table to identify the appropriate class to use for the rating system if you have several HGM classes present within the wetland unit being scored. Slope + Depressional Depressional Slope + Lake Fringe Lake Fringe Depressional + Riverine along stream Depressional NOTE: Use this table only if the class that is recommended in the second column represents 10% or more of the total area of the wetland unit being rated. If the area of the HGM class listed in column 2 is less than 10% of the unit; classify the wetland using the class that represents more than 90% of the total area. HGM classes within the wetland unit HGM class to being rated use in rating Slope + Riverine Riverine Salt Water Tidal Fringe and any other Treat as class of freshwater wetland ESTUARINE If you are still unable to determine which of the above criteria apply to your wetland, or if you have more than 2 HGM classes within a wetland boundary, classify the wetland as Depressional for the rating. within boundary of depression Depressional + Lake Fringe Depressional Riverine + Lake Fringe Riverine Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 4 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015 Wetland name or number Slope is 1% or less points = 3 Slope is > 1% - 2%points = 2 Slope is > 2% - 5%points = 1 Slope is greater than 5%points = 0 Yes = 3 No = 0 Dense, uncut, herbaceous plants > 90% of the wetland area points = 6 Dense, uncut, herbaceous plants > ½ of area points = 3 Dense, woody, plants > ½ of area points = 2 Dense, uncut, herbaceous plants > ¼ of area points = 1 Does not meet any of the criteria above for plants points = 0 Total for S 1 Add the points in the boxes above 3 Rating of Site Potential If score is: 12 = H 6 - 11 = M 0 - 5 = L Record the rating on the first page Yes = 1 No = 0 Other Sources Yes = 1 No = 0 Total for S 2 Add the points in the boxes above 0 Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 1 - 2 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page Yes = 1 No = 0 Yes = 1 No = 0 Yes = 2 No = 0 Total for S 3 Add the points in the boxes above 0 Rating of Value If score is: 2 - 4 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page SLOPE WETLANDS S 1.3. Characteristics of the plants in the wetland that trap sediments and pollutants: Choose the points appropriate for the description that best fits the plants in the wetland. Dense means you have trouble seeing the soil surface (>75% cover), and uncut means not grazed or mowed and plants are higher than 6 in. 1 S 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the water quality function of the site? S 2.1. Is > 10% of the area within 150 ft on the uphill side of the wetland in land uses that generate pollutants?0 S 2.2. Are there other sources of pollutants coming into the wetland that are not listed in question S 2.1?0 Water Quality Functions - Indicators that the site functions to improve water quality S 1.0. Does the site have the potential to improve water quality? S 1.1. Characteristics of the average slope of the wetland: (a 1% slope has a 1 ft vertical drop in elevation for every 100 ft of horizontal distance ) 2 S 1.2. The soil 2 in below the surface (or duff layer) is true clay or true organic (use NRCS definitions ):0 S 3.0. Is the water quality improvement provided by the site valuable to society? S 3.1. Does the wetland discharge directly (i.e., within 1 mi) to a stream, river, lake, or marine water that is on the 303(d) list?0 S 3.2. Is the wetland in a basin or sub-basin where water quality is an issue? At least one aquatic resource in the basin is on the 303(d) list.0 S 3.3. Has the site been identified in a watershed or local plan as important for maintaining water quality? Answer YES if there is a TMDL for the basin in which the unit is found ? 0 Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 5 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015 Wetland name or number Dense, uncut, rigid plants cover > 90% of the area of the wetland points = 1 All other conditions points = 0 Rating of Site Potential If score is: 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page Yes = 1 No = 0 Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page S 6.1. Distance to the nearest areas downstream that have flooding problems: points = 2 Surface flooding problems are in a sub-basin farther down-gradient points = 1 No flooding problems anywhere downstream points = 0 Yes = 2 No = 0 Total for S 6 Add the points in the boxes above 0 Rating of Value If score is: 2 - 4 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page NOTES and FIELD OBSERVATIONS: SLOPE WETLANDS Hydrologic Functions - Indicators that the site functions to reduce flooding and stream erosion S 4.0. Does the site have the potential to reduce flooding and stream erosion? S 4.1. Characteristics of plants that reduce the velocity of surface flows during storms: Choose the points appropriate for the description that best fits conditions in the wetland. Stems of plants should be thick enough (usually > 1/8 in), or dense enough, to remain erect during surface flows.0 S 5.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support hydrologic functions of the site? S 5.1. Is more than 25% of the area within 150 ft upslope of wetland in land uses or cover that generate excess surface runoff?0 S 6.0. Are the hydrologic functions provided by the site valuable to society? 0 The sub-basin immediately down-gradient of site has flooding problems that result in damage to human or natural resources (e.g., houses or salmon redds) S 6.2. Has the site been identified as important for flood storage or flood conveyance in a regional flood control plan?0 Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 6 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015 Wetland name or number HABITAT FUNCTIONS - Indicators that site functions to provide important habitat H 1.0. Does the site have the potential to provide habitat? Aquatic bed 4 structures or more: points = 4 Emergent 3 structures: points = 2 Scrub-shrub (areas where shrubs have > 30% cover)2 structures: points - 1 Forested (areas where trees have > 30% cover)1 structure: points = 0 If the unit has a Forested class, check if : H 1.2. Hydroperiods Permanently flooded or inundated 4 or more types present: points = 3 Seasonally flooded or inundated 3 types present: points = 2 Occasionally flooded or inundated 2 types present: points = 1 Saturated only 1 types present: points = 0 Permanently flowing stream or river in, or adjacent to, the wetland Seasonally flowing stream in, or adjacent to, the wetland Lake Fringe wetland 2 points Freshwater tidal wetland 2 points H 1.3. Richness of plant species If you counted:> 19 species points = 2 5 - 19 species points = 1 < 5 species points = 0 H 1.4. Interspersion of habitats These questions apply to wetlands of all HGM classes. H 1.1. Structure of plant community: Indicators are Cowardin classes and strata within the Forested class. Check the Cowardin plant classes in the wetland. Up to 10 patches may be combined for each class to meet the threshold of ¼ ac or more than 10% of the unit if it is smaller than 2.5 ac. Add the number of structures checked. 0 The Forested class has 3 out of 5 strata (canopy, sub-canopy, shrubs, herbaceous, moss/ground-cover) that each cover 20% within the Forested polygon 0 Check the types of water regimes (hydroperiods) present within the wetland. The water regime has to cover more than 10% of the wetland or ¼ ac to count (see text for descriptions of hydroperiods). 0 Count the number of plant species in the wetland that cover at least 10 ft2.Different patches of the same species can be combined to meet the size threshold and you do not have to name the species. Do not include Eurasian milfoil, reed canarygrass, purple loosestrife, Canadian thistle 0 Decide from the diagrams below whether interspersion among Cowardin plants classes (described in H 1.1), or the classes and unvegetated areas (can include open water or mudflats) is high, moderate, low, or none. If you have four or more plant classes or three classes and open water, the rating is always high. None = 0 points Low = 1 point Moderate = 2 points All three diagrams in this row are HIGH = 3 points Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 7 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015 Wetland name or number H 1.5. Special habitat features: Large, downed, woody debris within the wetland (> 4 in diameter and 6 ft long) Standing snags (dbh > 4 in) within the wetland Total for H 1 Add the points in the boxes above 1 Rating of Site Potential If Score is: 15 - 18 = H 7 - 14 = M 0 - 6 = L Record the rating on the first page H 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the habitat function of the site? H 2.1 Accessible habitat (include only habitat that directly abuts wetland unit ). Calculate: % undisturbed habitat + (% moderate & low intensity land uses / 2 ) = If total accessible habitat is: > 1/3 (33.3%) of 1 km Polygon points = 3 20 - 33% of 1 km Polygon points = 2 10 - 19% of 1 km Polygon points = 1 < 10 % of 1 km Polygon points = 0 H 2.2. Undisturbed habitat in 1 km Polygon around the wetland. Calculate: % undisturbed habitat + (% moderate & low intensity land uses / 2 ) = Undisturbed habitat > 50% of Polygon points = 3 Undisturbed habitat 10 - 50% and in 1-3 patches points = 2 Undisturbed habitat 10 - 50% and > 3 patches points = 1 Undisturbed habitat < 10% of 1 km Polygon points = 0 H 2.3 Land use intensity in 1 km Polygon: If > 50% of 1 km Polygon is high intensity land use points = (-2) ≤ 50% of 1km Polygon is high intensity points = 0 Total for H 2 Add the points in the boxes above 6 Rating of Landscape Potential If Score is: 4 - 6 = H 1 - 3 = M < 1 = L Record the rating on the first page Site meets ANY of the following criteria:points = 2 It has 3 or more priority habitats within 100 m (see next page) It is mapped as a location for an individual WDFW priority species Site has 1 or 2 priority habitats (listed on next page) with in 100m points = 1 Site does not meet any of the criteria above points = 0 Rating of Value If Score is: 2 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page 1 Check the habitat features that are present in the wetland. The number of checks is the number of points. Undercut banks are present for at least 6.6 ft (2 m) and/or overhanging plants extends at least 3.3 ft (1 m) over a stream (or ditch) in, or contiguous with the wetland, for at least 33 ft (10 m) Stable steep banks of fine material that might be used by beaver or muskrat for denning (> 30 degree slope) OR signs of recent beaver activity are present (cut shrubs or trees that have not yet weathered where wood is exposed ) At least ¼ ac of thin-stemmed persistent plants or woody branches are present in areas that are permanently or seasonally inundated (structures for egg-laying by amphibians ) Invasive plants cover less than 25% of the wetland area in every stratum of plants (see H 1.1 for list of strata ) 3 3 0 H 3.0. Is the habitat provided by the site valuable to society? H 3.1. Does the site provide habitat for species valued in laws, regulations, or policies? Choose only the highest score that applies to the wetland being rated . 1 It provides habitat for Threatened or Endangered species (any plant or animal on the state or federal lists) It is a Wetland of High Conservation Value as determined by the Department of Natural Resources It has been categorized as an important habitat site in a local or regional comprehensive plan, in a Shoreline Master Plan, or in a watershed plan Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 8 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015 Wetland name or number Aspen Stands: Pure or mixed stands of aspen greater than 1 ac (0.4 ha). Herbaceous Balds: Variable size patches of grass and forbs on shallow soils over bedrock. Cliffs: Greater than 25 ft (7.6 m) high and occurring below 5000 ft elevation. Old-growth/Mature forests: Old-growth west of Cascade crest – Stands of at least 2 tree species, forming a multi-layered canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac (20 trees/ha) > 32 in (81 cm) dbh or > 200 years of age. Mature forests – Stands with average diameters exceeding 21 in (53 cm) dbh; crown cover may be less than 100%; decay, decadence, numbers of snags, and quantity of large downed material is generally less than that found in old-growth; 80-200 years old west of the Cascade crest. Oregon White Oak: Woodland stands of pure oak or oak/conifer associations where canopy coverage of the oak component is important (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 158 – see web link above ). Riparian: The area adjacent to aquatic systems with flowing water that contains elements of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems which mutually influence each other. Westside Prairies: Herbaceous, non-forested plant communities that can either take the form of a dry prairie or a wet prairie (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 161 – see web link above ). Instream: The combination of physical, biological, and chemical processes and conditions that interact to provide functional life history requirements for instream fish and wildlife resources. Nearshore: Relatively undisturbed nearshore habitats. These include Coastal Nearshore, Open Coast Nearshore, and Puget Sound Nearshore. (full descriptions of habitats and the definition of relatively undisturbed are in WDFW report – see web link on previous page ). WDFW Priority Habitats Priority habitats listed by WDFW (see complete descriptions of WDFW priority habitats, and the counties in which they can be found, in: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2008. Priority Habitat and Species List. Olympia, Washington. 177 pp. http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00165/wdfw00165.pdf or access the list from here: http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/phs/list/ Count how many of the following priority habitats are within 330 ft (100 m) of the wetland unit: NOTE : This question is independent of the land use between the wetland unit and the priority habitat. Biodiversity Areas and Corridors: Areas of habitat that are relatively important to various species of native fish and wildlife (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report ). Caves: A naturally occurring cavity, recess, void, or system of interconnected passages under the earth in soils, rock, ice, or other geological formations and is large enough to contain a human. Talus: Homogenous areas of rock rubble ranging in average size 0.5 - 6.5 ft (0.15 - 2.0 m), composed of basalt, andesite, and/or sedimentary rock, including riprap slides and mine tailings. May be associated with cliffs. Snags and Logs: Trees are considered snags if they are dead or dying and exhibit sufficient decay characteristics to enable cavity excavation/use by wildlife. Priority snags have a diameter at breast height of > 20 in (51 cm) in western Washington and are > 6.5 ft (2 m) in height. Priority logs are > 12 in (30 cm) in diameter at the largest end, and > 20 ft (6 m) long. Note: All vegetated wetlands are by definition a priority habitat but are not included in this list because they are addressed elsewhere. Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 9 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015 Wetland name or number Wetland Type Category Check off any criteria that apply to the wetland. List the category when the appropriate criteria are met. SC 1.0. Estuarine Wetlands Does the wetland meet the following criteria for Estuarine wetlands? The dominant water regime is tidal, Vegetated, and With a salinity greater than 0.5 ppt Yes - Go to SC 1.1 No = Not an estuarine wetland SC 1.1. Yes = Category I No - Go to SC 1.2 SC 1.2.Is the wetland unit at least 1 ac in size and meets at least two of the following three conditions? Yes = Category I No = Category II SC 2.0. Wetlands of High Conservation Value (WHCV) SC 2.1. Yes - Go to SC 2.2 No - Go to SC 2.3 SC 2.2.Is the wetland listed on the WDNR database as a Wetland of High Conservation Value? Yes = Category I No = Not WHCV SC 2.3.Is the wetland in a Section/Township/Range that contains a Natural Heritage wetland? http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/datasearch/wnhpwetlands.pdf Yes - Contact WNHP/WDNR and to SC 2.4 No = Not WHCV SC 2.4. Yes = Category I No = Not WHCV SC 3.0. Bogs SC 3.1. Yes - Go to SC 3.3 No - Go to SC 3.2 SC 3.2. Yes - Go to SC 3.3 No = Is not a bog SC 3.3. Yes = Is a Category I bog No - Go to SC 3.4 SC 3.4. Yes = Is a Category I bog No = Is not a bog Is the wetland within a National Wildlife Refuge, National Park, National Estuary Reserve, Natural Area Preserve, State Park or Educational, Environmental, or Scientific Reserve designated under WAC 332-30-151? The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing, and has less than 10% cover of non-native plant species. (If non-native species are Spartina , see page 25) At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un- grazed or un-mowed grassland. The wetland has at least two of the following features: tidal channels, depressions with open water, or contiguous freshwater wetlands. CATEGORIZATION BASED ON SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS Has the WA Department of Natural Resources updated their website to include the list of Wetlands of High Conservation Value? Has WDNR identified the wetland within the S/T/R as a Wetland of High Conservation Value and listed it on their website? Does the wetland (or any part of the unit) meet both the criteria for soils and vegetation in bogs? Use the key below. If you answer YES you will still need to rate the wetland based on its functions . Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soil horizons, either peats or mucks, that compose 16 in or more of the first 32 in of the soil profile? Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soils, either peats or mucks, that are less than 16 in deep over bedrock, or an impermeable hardpan such as clay or volcanic ash, or that are floating on top of a lake or pond? Does an area with peats or mucks have more than 70% cover of mosses at ground level, AND at least a 30% cover of plant species listed in Table 4? NOTE: If you are uncertain about the extent of mosses in the understory, you may substitute that criterion by measuring the pH of the water that seeps into a hole dug at least 16 in deep. If the pH is less than 5.0 and the plant species in Table 4 are present, the wetland is a bog. Is an area with peats or mucks forested (> 30% cover) with Sitka spruce, subalpine fir, western red cedar, western hemlock, lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, Engelmann spruce, or western white pine, AND any of the species (or combination of species) listed in Table 4 provide more than 30% of the cover under the canopy? Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 10 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015 Wetland name or number SC 4.0. Forested Wetlands Yes = Category I No = Not a forested wetland for this section SC 5.0. Wetlands in Coastal Lagoons Does the wetland meet all of the following criteria of a wetland in a coastal lagoon? Yes - Go to SC 5.1 No = Not a wetland in a coastal lagoon SC 5.1. Does the wetland meet all of the following three conditions? The wetland is larger than 1/10 ac (4350 ft2) Yes = Category I No = Category II SC 6.0. Interdunal Wetlands In practical terms that means the following geographic areas: Long Beach Peninsula: Lands west of SR 103 Grayland-Westport: Lands west of SR 105 Ocean Shores-Copalis: Lands west of SR 115 and SR 109 Yes - Go to SC 6.1 No = Not an interdunal wetland for rating SC 6.1. Yes = Category I No - Go to SC 6.2 SC 6.2.Is the wetland 1 ac or larger, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is 1 ac or larger? Yes = Category II No - Go to SC 6.3 SC 6.3. Yes = Category III No = Category IV Category of wetland based on Special Characteristics If you answered No for all types, enter “Not Applicable” on Summary Form Is the wetland west of the 1889 line (also called the Western Boundary of Upland Ownership or WBUO)? If you answer yes you will still need to rate the wetland based on its habitat functions. Is the wetland 1 ac or larger and scores an 8 or 9 for the habitat functions on the form (rates H,H,H or H,H,M for the three aspects of function)? Is the unit between 0.1 and 1 ac, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is between 0.1 and 1 ac? NA Does the wetland have at least 1 contiguous acre of forest that meets one of these criteria for the WA Department of Fish and Wildlife’s forests as priority habitats? If you answer YES you will still need to rate the wetland based on its functions. Old-growth forests (west of Cascade crest): Stands of at least two tree species, forming a multi-layered canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac (20 trees/ha) that are at least 200 years of age OR have a diameter at breast height (dbh) of 32 in (81 cm) or more. Mature forests (west of the Cascade Crest): Stands where the largest trees are 80- 200 years old OR the species that make up the canopy have an average diameter (dbh) exceeding 21 in (53 cm). The wetland lies in a depression adjacent to marine waters that is wholly or partially separated from marine waters by sandbanks, gravel banks, shingle, or, less frequently, rocks The lagoon in which the wetland is located contains ponded water that is saline or brackish (> 0.5 ppt) during most of the year in at least a portion of the lagoon (needs to be measured near the bottom ) The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing), and has less than 20% cover of aggressive, opportunistic plant species (see list of species on p. 100). At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un- grazed or un-mowed grassland. Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 11 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015