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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWetland Delineation 821355036 Wetlands Delineation and Ranking JeffersoD COUDty Parcel 821355036 Produced for: Mr. Gabe Fletcher 54 Sparrow Lane Port Ludlow, WA 98365 MARl 2005 Produced by: i ._ J Dr. Kenneth M. Brooks Aquatic Environmental Sciences 644 Old Eaglemount Road Port Townsend, WA 98368 21 September, 2004 MAR 2005 Wedands Delineation and Rtuaking Jefferson County Parcel 821355036 located in the NWl/4 of S35, TS 28N, RlE owned by Gabriel and Paula Fletcher 1. Introduction. Wetlands situated on Jefferson County Parcel 821355036, located west of Paradise Bay Road were delineated on September 10, 2004 by Dr. Kenneth M. Brooks of Aquatic Environmental Sciences (AES). Figure 1 depicts the location of this property. -~ 71 Figure L Site map describing the location of Jefferson County Parcel 821355036 owned by Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Fletcher. 2. Author's Qualifications. Dr. Brooks is the owner of Aquatic Environmental Sciences. He has a Doctorate in Marine Biology from the University of Washington School of Ocean Sciences and Fisheries and was Director of the Fisheries Technology Program at Peninsula College untillanuary 1997. The author is a Qualified Level (I) and Level (IT) wetland consultant in Clallam County and has 14 years experience in delineating, constructing and managing wetlands in western Washington. Wetland mitigation efforts include several major projects approved by the Department of Ecology, Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In 19796, Dr. Brooks inventoried all of the wetlands on the Long Beach Peninsula for the City of Ocean Shores with funding provided by the Department of Ecology. I . MARl "' 2005 3. Property Description. Jefferson County Parcel 821355036, hereinafter referred to as the Fletcher property, slopes generally and irregularly from west to the east. As seen in Figure 2, the terrain rises sharply to the west of this parcel. Soils in the area contain more fine sand that described by NRCS for Kitsap soils (KtC). Several ephemeral streams originate at the base of the western rises and flow for short distances into the Fletcher property. The forested property was logged at some point in the past and is now dominated by alder of various sizes. Mapa o,.N6naI ~ e.n. SIMa.. CIS / Figure 2. Lidar image with contour plots overlaid. Wetland delineation stakes are numbered GF-xx and their location identified with green circles. Wetland areas are overlaid in light blue. Identified stream channels, flowing or dry on September 10, 2004 are identified in dark blue. 2 MAR 11 2005 4. ID..omee Survey. The following in-office activities were accomplished in preparation for the field delineation. Soils. The National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) soil survey for Jefferson County identifies the dominant upland soil on this property as (KtC) Kitsap silt loam on 0 to 15 percent slopes. The soil is described as a dark brown silt loam to a depth of 4 inches. Between 4 and 14 inches, the soil is a brownish gray silt loam having a dry and fine structure. The IIB3 strata (21 to 32 inches deep) is known to include thin strata of silty clay. sandy loam, loamy sand and sand. In general, the soil is described as moderately well drained with slow permeability. A perched water table is identified at between 1.5 and 3 feet depth. The soil is used for production of trees, recreation, rural homesites and wildlife habitat. Kitsap silt loam is not listed as a hydric soil. The southeastern portion of the parcel includes an area of the wet variant of Belfast silty clay loam (Bm). which is listed as a hydric soil in Jefferson County. This soil is found on level terrain. The upper 20 inches is silty clay loam and sandy clay loam. This strata is underlain by a thick (20 to 60 inches) strata of dark-gray or olive-gray fine sandy loam., silt loam or clay loam. The soil is poorly drained with moderately slow permeability and a perched seasonal water table at 0.5 to 1.0 feet below the surface. Most of this soil is used for pasture in Jefferson County. JerrenOD County maps. No critical areas (streams or wetlands) were identified on the Jefferson County Assessors Maps available on-line. However, Mr. Fletcher obtained a map from the county depicting several Type 5 streams on these parcels. A thorough search for these drainage features was made as part of this delineation. 5. Field Inspection Notes. Wetlands were delineated on September 10, 2004 by Dr. Brooks using procedures defined ~ the 1987 Corps of Engineers Manual and the Washington State Wetlands Identification and Delineation Manual (Ecology Publication #96-94. dated March 1997). Fourteen, 24" long. pressure treated wood stakes were placed at 50' intervals to delineate wetlands and stream channels. Red wire flags accompany each stake and surveyor's flagging was tied as high as possible in adjacent trees or shrubs to help identify each location. The approximate location of the stakes, which have not been determined by a licensed surveyor, is provided in Figure 2. An attempt was made to obtain GPS coordinates but the tree canopy is so dense as to prevent adequate interception of satellite signals. Regulated wedands. Two wetland areas were identified. The larger covers approximately 5,200 square feet and the smaller. located along the northern boundary of the property covers 765'. The larger wetland was rated using the Washington State Department of Ecology's Wetland Rating System for Western Washington, 2nd Edition (1993). Because of its small size and lack of structural diversity. it scored only 14 points and is properly designated a Category ill wetland. Both wetlands are isolated and not regulated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Jefferson County (Unified Development Code Section ~.6.9.a.(2) does not regulate Category ill wetlands covering ~ 10.000 square feel Therefore, the two wetland areas described in Figure 2 are not regulated by either federal or local jurisdictions. Figure 3 describes the larger of the two wetlands lying on the western border of the property. Figure 4 describes uplands adjacent to this wetland. 3 MAR 2005 Figure 3. Unregulated Category III wetland covering 5,200 fr located near the western boundary of the Fletcher property. Figure 4. Uplands lying adjacent to the unregulated Category III wetland lying east of the western property line of the Fletcher property in Jefferson County, Washington. 4 MAR 1 1 2005 Soils. Figure 5 is a photograph of a typical core retrieved from uplpnd soils. The soils were mixed everywhere, likely in association with the previous logging activity. The matrix color was 7.5 YR 6/3. The color variation is not associated with gleying or mottling, but appears to be caused by mixing of the soils. Unmixed soil cores displayed the same matrix color with a gradual gradation to 10 YR 3/3. Wetland soils had a high organic carbon surface horizon to a depth of ca. 7" that had matrix colors of 2.5 Y 3/2 to 7.5 YR 3/1. WetIand soils below this histic epipedon were either gleyed (Gley (1) 1 0.5Y /S seen in Figure 6) or mottled (7.5 YR 5/6 seen in Figure 7). Figure 5. Typical mixed upland soll core from the Fletcher property. Figure 6. Saturated wetland core describing the thick organic layer underlain by gleyed material having a high clay content. Figure 7. Wetland core below the histic epipedoD showing mottled clay. 5 MAR 1 1 2005 Vegetation. Uplands trees were dominated by alder (Alnus rubra = ItAC) With scattered hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla = F ACU-) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga me~Jtsii = l.UPL). The upland understory in the western portions of the property was dominated by salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis = F AC), elderberry (Sambucus racemosa = F ACU), trailing blackberry (Rubus sp. = F ACU) and sword fern (Polystichum munitum = UPL). Dense thickets of salal (Galtheria sha/lon = F ACU) were present in some upland areas near the center of the property (Figure 8). A well defined boundary was apparent between plant communities dominated by sword ferns in uplands and horsetail (Equisetum cf. arvense = F AC+) in wetlands. This association was consistent with hydric conditions observed in underlying soils (Figure 3). Figure 8. Scattered thickets of salal at the northern end of stream segment GF-I (Figure 2) Hydrology and Type 5 streams. Several springs, identified in Figure 2, rise at the base of the steep terrain lying west of this property. They flow for short distances to the east before descending below ground. These streams flow in fairly well defmed, albeit small, channels that vary between 15 and 20 cm wide. In some instances they have cut square channels to a depth of ca. 15 cm in soft soils suggesting higher flows during major stonn events. In every case, except the stream located in the southwest comer oCthe property, the streams percolate into the ground after traveling a hundred feet or less. Stream segment GF-I and Culvert (CI). An inundated depression approximately 15 feet long and 3 feet wide was observed just north of the existing access road at GF-l. The feature does not appear to have been created by erosion because there is no evidence of flow south of the road. Figure 9 describes the ponded area, which may have been created by heavy 6 equipment during past logging operations. There is a reasonably well defined channel running north from this feature for about 50' through thick salal. No evidence of a stream channel was apparent to the north or east of the location depicted in Figure 8. A dry swale was found west of culvert (CI in Figure 2) extending perhaps a hundred feet to the west. Soils were not saturated in this swale and the Lidar image shows no sign of a connection between the channel at GF-I and C I. It appears that water may collect at GF-I during major rain events, but that the water percolates into the permeable soils as it moves to the north and east. No evidence of the multiple channels or a continuous stream channel as depicted on the county's map was observed. Stream segment GF-2 to GF-4. The stream located in the southwest comer (Figure 10) originated at the base of steep terrain located just west of the Fletcher property. It flowed off the property to the south and was not followed. This survey was taken after several significant rain events. The nature of this stream's channel suggests that it is an intermittent Type 5 water. Culvert C2. This culvert is located at the base of a deep cut near the crest of a hill on Paradise Bay Road. There is no stream channel adjacent to this culvert, which appears to be placed to pass stormwater collecting in the roadside ditch to the east. Culvert eJ. No significant drainage was found in association with this culvert, which lies to the north of the Fletcher property adjacent to Jefferson County Parcel 82126400 1. MAR 1 1 2005 Figure 10. Stream located in the southwest corner of the Fletcher property as it flows onto Jefferson County Parcel 821355035. Photo taken at GF-2 (Figure 2). 7 ~ 6. Wetlan,! ClassificatioQ. As previously noted, the wetlands located on the Fletcher property are Class m and less than 10,000 sq~ feet in size.- 7. DuO'er requirements. Table 3.2 of Jefferson Counties Unified Development Code requires a 50 foot buffer for Type 5 waters. Only the stream segment from GF4 to GF-2 has the characteristics of a stream warranting a buffer. The above ground drainage from GF-5 that terminates in the 5,200 ~ wetland on the western side of the Fletcher property is not (in the author's opinion) of sufficient length or flow to warrant designation as a Type 5 water. The same comment applies to the drainage feature at GF-I. 8. Summary. Groundwater originating on higher terrain to the west surfaces near the western boundary of the Fletcher property and flows for short distances above ground before percolating into native soils. Two small wetland areas were identified and delineated. Both wetlands are Category ill and < 10,000~. Neither wetland is regulated at the local or federal levels. S?IY, .J .A~ __~ ~~~- Aquatic Environmental Sciences MAR 1 1 2005 8 , ~ Wetland Bibliography Bigley, R.E., and S.W. Hull. 1993. Recognizing Wetlands and Wetland Indicator Plants on Forest Lands. Washington State DNR, Forest Land Management Division, Contribution No. 500. Brooks, K.M. 2003. Wetland Examination - Lots 7, 8, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19 and 23 on Fat Cat Lane in Sequim, Washington. Recorded as Clallam County Auditor's File No. 2000- 1041701 on page 78 of volume 43 of surveys. This property includes a portion of the NWl/4, Section 2, T30N, R4W, W.M., C1allam County, Washington. Produced for Ms. Carrie Millet, REMAX Fifth Av~ue Realty, 593 North Fifth Avenue, Sequim, Washington 98382. 13 pp. Caduto, MJ., 1990. Pond and brook: a guide to nature in freshwater environment$. University Press of New England, Hanover, NH 03755 MAR 1 1 2005 Clallam County Critical Areas Ordinance. 1992. . CCC 27.12. Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification oJ-w~t~:~(r',":" Deepwater habitats of the United States. U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Document FWS/OBS-79/31. Office of Biological Services, Washington, D.C. 20240. Ui"\/L tD~~:./,t Jefferson County Unified Development Code - Section 3 - Land Use Districts. King County. 1986. We~d Plants of King County, and the Puget Sound Lowlands. Kitsap County Interim Critical Areas Ordinance. 1994. Including amendments as adopted February 27, 1995 by the Kitsap county Board of Commissioners. Kitsap County Ordninance No. 170-1994. 69 pp. plus appendices. Federal Interagency Committee for Wetland Delineation. 1989. Federal Manual for Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S.DA Soil Conservation Service, Washington, D.C. Cooperative technical publication. 76 pp. plus appendices. Franklin, J.r. and C.T. Dymess. 1973. Natural Vegetation of Oregon and Washington. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report PNW-8 KozlotJ, E.N. 1976. Plants and Animals of the Pacific Northwest University of Washington Press, Seattle and London. Niering, W.A 1992. The Audubon Society nature Guides - WETLANDS. Alfred A Nopf, Inc. New York, NY 9 ., ~ Reed. P.B.,lr., 1988. National list of plant species that occur in wetlands: Northwest (Region 9). U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv. BioI. Rep. 88(26.9). 89 pp. Sequim Municipal Code. 2000. Chapter 18. 70. Wetlands Protection. Steward. A.N., 1.0. LaR.ea and H.M. Gilkey. 1963. Aquatic Plants of the Pacific Northwest Oregon State University Press, Corvalis, Oregon. U.S. Soil Conservation Service. 1993. Western Wetland Flora - Field Office Guide to Plant Species. USDA Soil Conservation Service, West national Technical Center, Portland. Oregon. Washington State Department of Ecology. 1993. Washington State Wetlands Rating System - , Western Washington. Second Edition. Publication #93-74. Washington State Department of Ecology. 1997. Washington State Wetlands Identification and Delineation Manual. Ecology Publication #96-4. 93 pp. plus appendices. MAR 1 1 2005 10