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Home My WebLink AboutWetland Categorization 962700025~ Wltermood 1 Associates, Inc. cCI~~~1~ ,~; 1~ -July 14, 2008 ~OQ$ Rapheal Thornton ~EEFEfI~iN 4,0~~I 1 ~~Q 1087 S. Discovery Road, Port Townsend, WA 9836$ RE: Offsite Wetland Categorization and confirmation of wetland size for the proposed development of a single family home on Lot 21 of the Irondale Tracts, Port Hadlock Jefferson County Washington. Dear Rapheal The intent of this letter is to provide some documentation of the status of a wetland delineated as part of the original Loggy D delineation near the northwest corner of Lot 21 next to Monroe Street in the Irondale Tracts. It is my understanding that the wetland.. has not been grandfathered under the old Jefferson County Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) and it needs to be re-categorized using the Department of Ecology Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington Publication# 04-06-025 in accordance with the current Jefferson County Critical Areas Ordinance revised June 200$. It is a small depressional emergent wetland (~ 800sq.ft.) that is" dominated. by slough sedge with moderate to dense overhanging forest with almonberry and ocean spray growing along the fringe. I have rated the wetland using: new DOE rating system and determined Ghat the wetland meets the criteria for a Category III depressional system scoring 31 points on the enclosed rating form. It scores 9 points for water quality because it has a highly constricted outlet with a well developed emergent layer that slows and filters'toxins and pollutants from the water, It has the potential to improve water quality but does not have the opportunity to perform water quality functions because it does. not receive untreated runoff from developed or, disturbed. It scores 4 points-for hydrologic functions including the multiplier of 2 because the wetland has he opportunity to protect downstream property from erosion and water damage. It receives 18 points for habitat because there is low vegetative diversity and it is bordered by a 1015 s.W. Harper Road, Port Orchard, Washington 98367 (360) 876-2403 Fax (360)876 2053 i~1 . / / ~~ ~ ~ Wlterrnood IF"~'~?~ 1 Associates Inc.. .~ ~ ._ ~ ~~')~, ~-~ July 14, 2008...: J~1 ~ ~' Rapheal Thornton 1087 S. Discovery Road Port Townsend, WA 98368 RE: Offsite Wetland Categorization and confirmation of wetland: size for the proposed development of a single family home on Lot 22 of the Irondale Tracts, Port Hadlock, Jefferson. County Washington. Dear Rapheal: The intent of this. letter is o provide some documentation of the status of a wetland delineated as part of the original Loggy D delineation near the northwest corner of Lot 22 next to Monroe Streetin the Irondale Tracts. It is my understanding that the wetland has not been grandfathered under the. old Jefferson: County Critical Areas ordinance (CAO) and it needs to be re-categorized using the Department of Ecology Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington Publication # 04-06-D25 in accordance. with the currentJefferson County Critical Areas Ordinance revised June .2008. It is a small depressionat emergent wetland (~ 8OOsq.ft) that is dominated by slough .sedge with moderate to dense overhanging forest with. salmonberry and ocean spray growing along-the fringe. I have rated the wetland.using new DOE rating system and determined that the wetland-meets the criteria for a Category III depressional system scoring 31< points on the enclosed rating. form. It scores 9 points for water quality .because it has a highly constricted-outlet with a well developed emergent layer that slows and filters toxins and pollutants from the water. It has the potential to improve water quality but does not have the opportunity to perform water quality functions because if does not receive untreated runoff from developed or disturbed. It scores 4 points far hydrologic functions including the multiplier of 2 because the wetland has the opportunity.. to protect downstream property from' erosion and water damage: It receives 18 points for habitat because there is low vegetative diversity and it is bordered by a 1015 S.W. Harper Road, Port Orchard, Washington 98367 (360) 876-2403 Fax (360) 876-2053 i~ ~, ~t~l 17 2008 ~~~~~ ~~ .Thornton.:. July 14, 2008 Page 2 - paved- road and there is no undisturbed- connection to other wetlands or priority habitat.. areas. It scores highest for having 330. foot buffers around 50%` of the wetland: The Jefferson County CAO requires 60 foot buffers for Category III .wetlands when moderate impact land uses are proposed when the wetland scores less than 20 habitat points. This wetland lies offsite next to the northwest property cornerand is over 60 feetfrom he proposed development. The wetland and its required buffer should not lze impacted by the proposed single family home. If you have any .questions :concerning the wetland categorization and determination, please ,feel free to call. me at (360) 876--2403: Sincerely, ~~ `- ~ ; V ghn Everitt Wetland Specialist Wetland name or number WETLAND RATING FORM -WESTERN WASHINGTON Version 2 - Ltpdated 3uly 2006 to increase accuracy and reproducibility among users Name of wetland (if known}: tic~nl+ c1, ~4•c. wl-e.-. Date of site visit: ~• "',Y ~Z~ 2° ° ~ Rated by ~ ~~~~ i=~er~~-~ Trained by Ecology? Yes.~No Date of training f(-l~Q~ SEC: ~ TWNSHP: ~~ RNGE:1~ Is S/T/R in Appendix D? Yes_ No X Map of wetland unit: Figure N__ Estimated size -g~~~-- SUMMARY OF RATING Category based on FUNCTIONS provided by wetland I II III X IV Score for Water Quality Functions Q Category I =Score >=70 Category II =Scare 51-69 Score for Hydrologic Functions y Category III = Score. 30-50 ~( Score for Habitat Functions i G( Cate~orv IV =Score < 30 TOTAL score for Functions `~~ Category based on SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS of wetland I II Does not Apply Final Category (choose the "highest" category from above) Summary of basic information about the wetland unit ,. ~ ti ~~ .1 ~-2: ~•,~ ~ .. ~ ~ lit 1 ~H ~~~ 'Wetland T1nt has Special Characteristics Wetland. HGM_Class used for Ratin Estuarine De ressional K Natural Herita a Wetland Riverine go Lake-Erin e Mature Forest Slo e Old Growth Forest Flats Coastal La oon Freshwater Tidal Interdunal None of the above x Check if unit has multiple HGM classes resent Wetland Rating Form -western Washington I August 2004 version 2 Wetland name or number Classification of Wetland Units in Western Washington If the h}~drologir criteria listed itt each question da not apply to the entire unit bung :.-- rated, you probably have a unit with multiple HCM classes. In this case, identify which hydrologic criteria iir questions ~-7 apply, and go to Question 8. 1. Are the water levels in the entire unit usually controlled by tides (i.e. except during floods)? NO go to 2 YES -the wetland class is Tidal Fringe If yes, is the salinity of the water during periods of annual low flow below 0.5 ppt (parts per thousand)? YES -Freshwater Tidal Fringe NO -Saltwater Tidal Fringe (Estuarine} 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 rated as an Estuarine wetland.. Wetlands that were called estuarine in the first and second editions of the rating system are called Salt Water Tidal Fringe in the Hydrogeomorphic Classification. Estuarine wetlands were categorized separately in the earlier editions, and this separation is being kept in this revision. To maintain consistency between editions, the term "Estuarine" wetland is kept.. Please note, however, that the characteristics that define Categoryl and II estuarine wetlands have changed (see p. ). 2. The entire wetland unit is flat and precipitation is the only source (>90%) of water to it. dwater and surface water runoff are NOT sources of water to the unit. O 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 both of the following criteria? _The vegetated part of the wetland is on the shores of a body of permanent open water (without any vegetation on the surface) at least 20 acres (8 ha) in size; _At least 30% of the open water area is deeper than 6.6 ft (2 m}? 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 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. The water leaves the wetland without being impounded? 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 <3ft diameter and less than 1 foot deep). ~~ - go to 5 YES -The wetland class is Slope tf ht^ - ~1 J~fL 17 2008 Wetland Rating Form -western Washington 3 Au t 24 version 2 !~ t , ~~~ ~,i; ~~ "'+ w_ ~ 't ~ ~ _~~ ., Wetland name or number ~t~~. i 72008 D ~k~,~a~a~~~ ~~~a~ ~~q~pts Depressional and Flats Wetlands WATER: QUALITY FUNCTIONS -Indicators that the wetland unit functions to long' s~°~ ~* ~~) im rope water ~al~ D 1. Does the wetland unit have the potential to improve water quality? (see p.38) D D 1.1 Characteristics of surface water flows out of the wetland: Figure ____ Unit is a depression with no surface water leaving it (no outlet) points = 3 outlet oints fl i tl i d D ow ng y . permanen cte Unit has an intermittently flowing, OR highly constr Unit has an unconstricted, or slightly constricted, surface outlet (permanently flowing) points = 1 Unit is a "flat" depression (Q. 7 on key), or in the Flats class, with permanent surface outflow and no obvious natural outlet and/or outlet is a man-made ditch Points = I (Ijditch is not permanently flowing treatunit as "intermittently flawing' ~ Provide hoto or drawin S 1.2 The soil 2 inches below the surface (or duff layer) is clay or organic (use NRCS definitions) D YES points = 4 ' 0 NO oints = D 1.3 Characteristics of persistent vegetation (emergent, shrub, and/or forest Cowardin class) a rots = 5 `~ f > = 95% i Figure _ o are on Wetland has persistent, ungrazed, vegetat D Wetland has persistent,. ungrazed, vegetation > = 1/2 of area paints = 3 Wetland has persistent, ungrazed vegetation > = l/10 of area points = 1 Wetland has persistent, ungrazed vegetation <1/10 of area points = 0 ~ Ma of Cowardin v etation Gasses D 1.4 Characteristics of seasonal ponding or inundation. Figure _ This is the area of the wetland unit that is ponded for at least 2 months, but dries out D sometime during the year. Do not count the area that is permanently ponded. Estimate area as the average condition S out of 10 yrs. Area seasonally ponded is > %i total area of wetland points = 4 nd omts tl f l d i > '/ we a area o 4 tota s Area seasonally ponde Area seasonally ponded is < `/e total area of wetland potnts = 0 ' ods Ma of H dro ---~ ~ Total for D 1 Add the points in the boxes above ~ - R~~ 1 D D 2. Does the wetland unit have the opportunity to improve water quality? (seep. 44) Answer YES if you know or believe there are pollutants in groundwater or surface water coming into the wetland that would otherwise reduce water quality in streams, lakes or groundwater downgradient from the wetland. Note which of the following conditions provide the sources of pollutants. A unit may have pollutants coming from several sources, but any single source would qualify as opportunity. - Grazing in the wetland or within 150 ft - Untreated stonnwater discharges to wetland - Tilled fields or orchards within 150 ft of wetland - A stream or culvert discharges into wetland that drains developed areas, residential areas, farmed fields, roads, or clear-cut logging , - Residential, urban areas, golf courses are within 150 ft of wetland multiplier - Wetland is fed by groundwater high in phosphorus or nitrogen - Other YES multi Tier is 2 NO multi Tier is 1 D TOTAL -Water Quality Functions Multiply the score from DI by D2 Q Add score to table on . 1 Wetland Rating Form -western Washington version 2 August 2004 Wetland name or number wetlands ~f all HGNI classes. Points These questions apply to r . n (only I sco 1-TABTTAT pLJNCTIQNS -Indicators thatunittunctions to provide important habitat ~F~x) H 1. Does the wetland unit have the potential to provide habitat for many species? H 1.1 Vegetation structure (see p. 72) Figure - Check the types of vegetation classes present (as defined by Cowardin)- Size threshold for each class is '/. acre or more than 10% of the area if unit is smaller than 2.5 acres. Aquatic bed _ c~Emergent plants ~_Scrub/shrub (areas where shrubs have >30% cover) Forested (areas where trees have >30% cover) If the unit has a forested class check if.• 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 Add the number of vegetation structures that qualify. If you have: 4 structures or more points = 4 Map of Cowardin vegetation losses 3 structures oints = 2 2 structures points = 1 . 1 structure omts = 0 j H 1.2. Hvdroneriods (seep. 73) Figure _ Check the types of water regimes (hydroperiods) present within the wetland. The water. regime has to cover more than /0% of the wetland or'/ acre to count. (see text for descriptions of 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 point = Saturated only I type present oints = 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 Map of hydroperiods Q H 1.3. Richness of Plant Species (seep. 75) 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) You do not have to name the species. Do not include Eurasian Milfoil, reed canarygrass, purple loosestrife, Canadian Thistle If you counted: > 19 species points = 2 List species below if you want to: 5 - 19 species points = 1 ecies mts~-- a~~ < 5 s p Wetland Rating Form -western Washington version 2 ~. ~L ~ i4iUU -- ~~„ , ... , ~ ^ t; Total for page ~_ August 2004 Wetland name or number H 2.3 Near or adjacent to other priority habitats listed by WDFW (seep. 82) Which of the following priority habitats are within 330ft (100m) of the wetland unit? NOTE: the connections do not have to be relatively undisturbed. These are DFW definitions. Check with your local DFW biologist if there are any questions. Riparian: The area adjacent to aquatic systems with flowing water that contains elements of both aquatic and terrestrial. ecosystems which mutually influence each other. -Aspen Stands: Pure or mixed stands of aspen greater than 0.8 ha (2 acres). -Cliffs: Greater than ?.6 m (25 ft) high and occumng below 5000 ft. Old-growth forests: (Old-growth west of Cascade crest) Stands of at least 2 tree species, forming amulti-layered canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 20 trees/ha (8 trees/acre) > 81 cm (32 in) dbh or > 200 years of age. -Mature forests: Stands with average diameters exceeding 53 cm (21 in} dbh;. crown cover may be less that 100%; crown cover may be less that 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. -Prairies: Relatively undisturbed areas (as indicated by dominance of native plants) where grasses and/or forts form the natural climax plant community. -Talus: Homogenous areas of rock rubble ranging in average size 0.15 - Z.0 m (0.5 - 6.5 ft), composed of basalt, andesite, and/or sedimentary rock, including riprap slides and mine tailings. May be associated with cliffs. -Caves:. A naturally occurring cavity, recess, void, or system of interconnected passages Oregon white Oak: Woodlands Stands of pure oak or oak/conifer associations where _ canopy coverage of the oak component of the stand is 25%. -Urban Natural Open Space: A priority species resides within or is adjacent to the open space and uses it for breeding and/or regular feeding; and/or the open space functions as a corridor connecting other priority habitats, especially those that would otherwise be isolated; andlor the open space is an isolated remnant of natural habitat larger than 4 ha (10 acres) and is surrounded by urban development. Estuary/Estuary-like: Deepwater tidal habitats and adjacent tidal wetlands, usually semi- enclosed by land but with open, partly obstructed or sporadic access to the open ocean, and in which ocean water is at least occasionally diluted by freshwater runoff from the land. The salinity may be periodically increased above that of the open ocean by evaporation. Along some low-energy coastlines there is appreciable dilution of sea water. Estuarine habitat extends upstream and landward to where ocean-derived salts measure less than O.Sppt. during the period of average annual low flow. Includes both estuaries and lagoons. Marine/Estuarine Shorelines: Shorelines .include the intertidal and subtidal zones of beaches, and may also include the backshore and adjacent components of the terrestrial landscape (e.g., cliffs, snags, mature trees, dunes, meadows) that are important to shoreline associated fish and wildlife and that contribute to shoreline function (e.g., sand/rock/log recruitment, nutrient contribution, erosion control). If wetland has 3 or more priority habitats = 4 points If wetland has 2 priority habitats = 3 Dints If wetland has. 1 priority habitat 1 point No habitats tnts Note: All vegetated wetlands are by a tration a priority habitat but a ncluded in this list. Nearby- wetlands are addressed in uestion H 2.4 d,~ ~ Wetland Rating Form -western Washington 16 August 2004, ~ , . version2 ~~t:4~t '~~~! s~ Wetland name or number H 2.4 Wetland Landscape (choose the one description of the landscape around the wetland that best fits) (see p. 84) There are at least 3 other wetlands within 'h mile, and the connections between them aze relatively undisturbed (light grazing between wetlands OK, as is lake shore with some but connections should NOT be bisected by paved roads, fill, fields, or other boating , development. rots - 5 The wetland is Lake-fringe on a lake with little disturbance and there are 3 other - nge wetlands within %i mile ~ points = 5 There aze at least 3 other wetlands within 'h mile, BUT the connections between them are disturbed points = 3 The wetland is Lake-fringe on a lake with disturbance and there are 3 other lake-fringe wetland. within `/z mile points = 3 There is at least l .wetland within Y~ mile. Pother = 2 There are no wetlands within `h mile. points = 0 H 2. TOTAL Score - opportunity for providing habitat ~ ~ y ~ Add the scores rom H2.I,H2.2, H2.3, H2.4 ---- TOTAL for H 1 from page 14 Total Score for Habitat Functions -add the points for H 1, H 2 and record the result on 1 l ~ r ~. ~ 7 2aoe {{'~ 1 Wetland Rating Form -western Washington 17 August 2004 version 2 Wetland name or number SC 2.0 Natural Heritage Wetlands (seep. 87) Natural Heritage wetlands have been identified by the Washington Natural Heritage Program/DNR as either high quality undisturbed wetlands or wetlands that support state Threatened, Endangered, or Sensitive. plant species. SC 2.1 Is the wetland unit being rated in a Section/Township/Range that contains a Natural Heritage wetland? (this question is used to screen out most sites before you need to contact WNHP/DNR) S/T/R information from Appendix D _ or accessed from WNHP/DNR web site YES -contact WNHP/DNR (see p. 79) and go to SC 2.2 NO _ SC 2.2 Has DNR identified the wetland as a high quality undisturbed wetland or as or as a site with state threatened or endangered plant spec es~ YES = Category I NO not a Heritage Wetland Cat. I SC 3.0 Bogs (seep. 87) Does the wetland unit (or any part of the unit) meet both the criteria for soils and vegetation in bogs? Use the key below to identify if the wetland is a bog. If you answer yes you will still need to rate the wetland based on its function 1. Does the unit have organic soil horizons (i.e. layers of organic soil), either pests or mucks, that compose 16 inches or more of the first 32 inches of the soil profile? (See Appendix B for a field key to identify organic soils)? Yes - go to Q. 3 No - go to Q. 2 2. Does the unit have organic soils, either pests or mucks that are less than 16 inches deep over bedrock, or an impermeable hardpan such as clay or volcanic ash, or that are floating on a lake or pond? Yes - go to Q. 3 No - Is not a bog for purpose of rating 3. Does the unit have more than 70% cover of mosses at ground level, AND other plants, if present,. consist of the "bog" species listed in Table 3 as a significant component of the vegetation (more than 30% of the total shrub and herbaceous cover consists of species in Table 3)? Yes - Is a bog for purpose of rating No - go to Q. 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" deep. If the pH is less than 5.0 and the "bog" plant species in Table 3 are present, the wetland is a bog. 1. Is the unit forested (> 30% cover) with sitka spruce, subalpine fir, western red cedar, western hemlock, lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, Englemann's spruce, or western white pine, WITH any of the species (or combination of species) on the bog species plant list in Table 3 as a significant component of the ground cover (> 30% coverage of the total shrub/herbaceous cover)? 2. YES = Category I No~ Is not a bog for purpose of rating Cat. I ~ a F.., . Wetland Rating Form -western Washington 14 ~~~ ~A~g~~04 version 2 V // LUUU~O t~L ''.3tJl ~~ 6tL}~~li ~4rL Weiland name or number SC 6.0 Interdunat Wetlands (see p. 93) Is the wetland unit west of the 1889 line (also called the Western Boundary of Upland Ownership or WBUO)? YES - go to SC 6.1 NO .shot an interdunal wetland-far rating \ If you answer yes you will still need to rate the wetland based on its functions. In practical terms that means the following geographic areas: • Long Beach Peninsula- lands west of SR 103 • Grayland-Westport- lands west of SR 1'05 • Ocean Shores-Copalis- lands west of SR 115 and SR 109 SC 6.1 Is the wetland one acre or larger, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is once acre or larger? YES =Category II NO - go to 5C 6.2 Cat. II SC 6.2 Is the unit between 0.1 and 1 acre, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is between 0.1 and 1 acre? YES =Category III Cat. III Category of wetland based nn Special Characteristics Choose the "highest" rating i f wetla~td falls-into several categories, and recoYd ott p. t. If .au answered NO for all s'enter "Not A licable" on . I T ~~. 1 ~` 208 Wetland Rating Form - western Washington 21 August 2004 version 2