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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWetland Delineation 801102002 Wetland Delineation and Ranking Jefferson County Parcels 801102002 & 801102004 Located at the junction of Center and McMillen Roads in the NW1I4 of Section 10, Township 28N, Range lW, WM Produced for: Ms. Catherine Hendy 374 Blue Mountain Road Chimacum, Washington 98325 (360) 301-2565 cathendy(cl?o I ypen.com Produced by: Dr. Kenneth M. Brooks Aquatic Environmental Sciences 644 Old Eaglemount Road Port Townsend, Washington 98368 (360) 732-4464 brooks@olympus.net November 20, 2008 sooz g - ~3a Table of Contents Page 1. Background 3 2. Qualifications 3 3. Property Description 4 4. In-Office Survey 4 Soils Jefferson County critical area inventory 4 4 5. Field Inspection Notes and Wetland Identification 5 5.1. Southern wetland on JC Parcel 801102004 5.2. Northern wetland on JC Parcel 801102002 5 9 6. Wetland rating 10 7. Summary 10 References 12 DEe - 8 2008 2 Wetland Delineation and Ranking Jefferson County Parcels 801102002 & 801102004 Located at the junction of Center and McMillen Roads in the NWI/4 of Section 10, Township 28N, Range IW, WM 1.0. Background. Wetlands on Jefferson County Parcels 801102002 and 801102004 were delineated and ranked on November 13 and 14, 2008 by Aquatic Environmental Sciences at the request of Ms. Catherine Hendy. Uplands on this commercially zoned property were previously graded in support of a commercial sawmill. Two wetlands were identified. The smaller encumbers essentially all of Parcel 801102002, The larger wetland lies south of the sawmill on Parcel 801102004. Much of this larger wetland extends onto parcels lying south of the Hendy property and only the northern boundary was delineated. Both wetlands are bounded on the west by Center Road and on the east by McMillen Road. The site investigation was conducted following a period of moderate to heavy rain. Figure 1 describes the location of these parcels. \~ / \\ ~\ ..."',"', ... // \\ \_.. - ..","'" ... 0(/-~~/ - -01 -, __ . ~,~--.t~=~-=- _ ___ .__.-,-./.. ,f to~ ----~----------,----.-.--~-~-~------.---::-~--~ ~b--1w"~-~~.\ "'.."....... /~P~.. :7:/ . --^ - "'''~.. --'-T- .,.,//' ,/ ~HoM) / / i / '/ / />// I:' ....--,._-_.=----"~-~.__.~~ IlOtD33007 \.....,. DEe -8 2008 . ."----~ Hendy Properties j i/ I I I r-- " , 1\ .~ ""1 I I I , I I . I Figure I. Jefferson County Parcels 801102002 & 801102004 (Hendy Properties) located west of Center Road in Jefferson County, Washington. 2.0. 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 until January 1997. The author is a Qualified Level (I) and Level (II) wetland consultant in Clallam County and has 19 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 1996, Dr. Brooks inventoried all of the wetlands on the Long Beach Peninsula for 3 the City of Ocean Shores with funding provided by the Department of Ecology. In addition, he taught a three week course in wetland ecology and delineation at Peninsula College as part of his freshwater ecology course. 3.0. Property Description. The larger of the Hendy parcels (801102004) covers 9.58 acres and the smaller parcel (801102002) less than two. Figure 2 is a copy of the Jefferson County Critical Area Ordinance for this area describing wetlands on both properties. The landscape is generally flat at an elevation of ca. 200' with 50 foot increases in elevation to the east and west of the bounding roads. Most of the uplands have been graded in support of timber and lumber storage associated with the historic sawmill. Several commercial buildings and railway boxcars used for storage are present on the property, The wetlands lie in a depression with no identifiable outlet. The southern wetland is scrub-shrub with immature stands of willow and alder. The northern wetland is palustrine emergent. 4.0. In-office survey. Preparation for field work included a review ofthe NRCS Soil Survey for Jefferson County and downloading of maps and aerial photography from the Jefferson County's Critical Area Inventory. Soils. Soils on this site are complex and include the following: Swantown gravelly sandy loam on 0 to 8 percent slopes (StB). This soil is shown dominating the northern parcel (801102002). It is described as somewhat poorly drained with moderate permeability above the till. The soil is used mainly for production of trees and for wildlife habitat, hay and pasture crops. The matrix color is generally 10YR with relatively high value and chroma (10YR5/3) at depths of5 to 13 inches, The Swantown series is not listed as hydric in Jefferson County. Alderwood gravelly sandy loam on 15 to 30 percent slopes (AID). This soil is depicted by the soil survey in the area that was graded in support of the sawmill. It is described as occurring on moderately steep landscapes where glacial terraces converged toward ravines and steep drainage-ways. Runoff is medium to rapid and there is danger of significant erosion. It is used as forestland, pastureland and for the production of hay. The average >28 OP growing season ranges from 220 to 320 days. Alderwood soils are not listed as hydric soils. Cassolarv-Everett complex on 15 to 30 percent slopes (ChDa). This soil is identified on the ridge supporting McMillen Road lying along the eastern boundary of these properties. The complex is described as containing 60 percent Cassolary sandy loam and 40 percent Everett gravelly sandy loam, These are well-drained soils found on upland terraces. Neither component of the complex is listed as hydric in Jefferson County. Semiahmoo Muck (Se). This hydric soil is found in nearly level terrain in valley basins. It is described in the wetland area on Parcel 801102004. Surficial (0 to 12 inches depth) soils are nearly black (5YR2/l). Semiahmoo muck is very poorly drained with moderate permeability and high water capacity. The soil is used mainly for pasture, hay and vegetables. Jefferson County Critical Area Inventory. Figure 2 is a copy of the Jefferson County Critical Area inventory for these parcels with the location of listed wetlands shown in green. There are no streams or significant wildlife locations on these parcels. There are no listingsin the DNR Natural Heritage database for this location. . DEe - 8 2008 1~-\\ ' t--f"1 ~.',c::,. ~ till '0 7" 7 3010440<2 .. tl(HU:U003 I, t\ :!Ie - i -- j ~ -r-\~- -4 - 'f ( \ .'..... 'ti' ........ .80W:UO'3 aQ10l:3C" _ --- i A 1lO1M,\Ot8 -~ ' - "- , J l' ' _q' _.. '.'., " ,0)> \ '\ I , .: \ / . J X/ i ;, \, : () ~-~-:,... -=_L.-_. i. /,' l I ~_: -~/, ~"lJootl I \ " ,.".200" - =-.-'.-..-' ;><., I / i \ I .. -- "~ ~-T-~ ~~\ ~ --. --../--~ ('1')OO;)').w.l~l\O:xl:l _ L ") I " I I I r - -- -...-. 000r:l(X'),I$: r I - _l- .,..__ I ,"0 \ :. ., ",,,,.~., I I ,I '\, 'I: -- -r---T- "1 l. ,""''''':' i, ..",-_.~- .ji[ I II \, .....1.'. \,' ", -....,l..,,<j~.... I -\ I \ . . Hendv Properties Figure 2. Hendy properties showing the wetlands identified in Jefferson County's inventory. 5.0. Field Inspection Notes. Field work was accomplished on November 13 and 14,2008 following a period of moderate to heavy rain. The boundary between the wetlands and adjoining uplands was marked at ca. 75' intervals with 3/8' thick x 24" long" white fiberglass stakes. Each stake was dated, initialed and labeled with a location code (CH-l through CH-13 for the southern wetland and CHB- 1 through CHB-5 for the northern wetland). Fill for Center and McMillen Roads forms well defined western and eastern boundaries for the northern wetland and these boundaries were not staked. The top of each stake was decorated with fluorescent orange surveyor's flagging. Additional flagging was placed as high as possible in adjoining brush or trees to facilitate future location of the marks, Because of the very heavy brush covering this area, the property owners' are encouraged to drive steel rebar into the soil at each stake and to then place a ten foot long piece of W' diameter PVC pipe over the rebar. By next year the brush will have covered the paths cut with a machete; the stakes; and much of the flagging. The approximate location of the flags is shown in Figure 3. However, the delineation is not based on a formal survey by a licensed surveyor, 5.1. Southern wetland on JC Parcel 801102004. This wetland is complex and its boundary extends well to the south beyond the Hendy property. Thirteen flags were placed at ca. 75 foot intervals to define the northern boundary of the wetland where it li~. :~'~fJ~ndy " "1 ,'0:-,., " II') ~ u \0 ~ of! """ ~ to ~ "0 = = ~ .t::l = l. ~ ..s::: 1:: ~ = ~ of! b1l = 'a I+:: ~t- ~~ ~ = 5 S =.t::l ~ '" .... ~ ....."0 ~ = ~ ~ =- '... ..... - ~ ~ ~ ~ E """ ~ ~..s::: =1:: ~ ~ ::: = ~ ~ ~..s::: ~..... -b1l ~ .5 ~ = 5:.:: '... ..... ~ = t ~ g:~ ~ ~ ] 5 ..... = b1l~ =::: .... ~ ~ ~ ~ = ..s::::.:: '" ~ "'''0 , .S:! ~ :;: 1:: =: ; ~ l;; :;: Q. "0 ~ = ,So ~ "i I ..... "0 t !"O = i = ~ ll=: ~ yLI~ ~ l...s::: = .....= b1l .... 0 ~ '" property. Inventories were conducted at CH-02, CH-08 and CH-11. The northern wetland boundary has not been formally surveyed and without delineating the wetland on adjoining properties, it is not possible to determine the actual acreage. However, the wetland appears large, covering >20 acres. There is a significant area of upland lying southwest ofCH-IO. It covers perhaps y.. acre, but is isolated by a distinct wetland area from the adjoining uplands. Despite the relatively low habitat functional score for this wetland (13 points), it is rated as Class III because of the exceptionally high water quality function (24 points). It is my understanding that this property is zoned Commercial and therefore would be considered High Impact requiring an 80 foot buffer. The upland area is long (-180 feet long) and relatively narrow (-100' wide). Therefore, it appears that all of the upland area would lie within the required buffer. After consulting with Ms. Hendy, it was decided to not delineate out this isolated upland area, but to include it within the wetland's boundary. Soils. Wetland soils were Semiahmoo muck at CH-08 with a matrix color of 10YR3/1 to depths >14 inches. Wetland soils at CH-02 and CH-ll were a high TOC (Total Organic Carbon) silty loam to depths of 10 inches where high clay content till was encountered, Upland soil was a sandy gravelly loam at CH-11 with a matrix color of5YR3/3 and no mottling or gleying within the upper 12 inches of the soil column. Upland soil at CH-08 was sandy gravel to a depth of 10 inches (matrix color IOYR4/2) with a layer of high chroma clean and well sorted sand at depths between 10 and 14 inches and glacial till below that. Upland soils at CH-02 consisted of a silt loam having a matrix color of7.5YR3/3, which was uniform without mottling to a depth> 14 inches. Vegetation, Vegetation in this wetland is complex with clumps of Pacific willow (Salix lasiandra = FACW) and Scouler's willow (Salix scouleriana = FAC). The dominant wetland vegetation consists of soft rush (Juncus effusus = F ACW), reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea = F ACW), horsetail (Equisetum arvense and perhaps Equisetum telmateia= F ACW), and Douglas spiraea (Spiraea douglasii = F ACW). It should be emphasized that numerous FACU plants are present within the wetland's boundary, including Canadian creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense = F ACU), dewberry (Rubus ursin us = F ACU) and bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum = FACU). Figure 4 describes the southern wetland's boundary looking west from uplands in the vicinity ofCH-02 Upland vegetation was equally diverse but dominated by Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii = F ACU), red alder (Alnus rubra = F AC), Himalayan blackberries (Rubus discolor = FACU), evergreen blackberry (Rubus laciniatus = FACU), dewberry (Rubus ursinus = FACU), Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius = NI but it is FACU to UPL). Upland herbs included bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum = FACU), Canadian creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense = F ACU), stinging nettle ( Urtica dioica = F AC) and unidentified dormant pasture grasses. Figure 5 was taken from uplands near CH-04100king southwest into the scrub-shrub wetland. Figure 4. View of the southern wetland looking west from the vicinity of CH-02 Figure 5. View of the southern wetland looking southwest from the vicinity of CH-04. The wetland's boundary lies within the dense growth of Himalayan blackberries. Hydrology. Due to the recent rains, hydrology was a good indicator ofthe wetland's boundary because the landscape's slope at the wetland-upland boundary is fairly steep. Wetland soils were saturated to the surface whereas all upland soil cores were not saturated at any depth to 14 inches. In fact, upland soils within one to two feet of the wetland's boundary were slightly damp to dry at all depths. 5.2. Northern wetland on JC Parcel 801102002. This wetland encumbers essentially all but the western most boundary of the parcel. Four stakes (CHB-l through CHB-4) were used to define the southern boundary which lies near the base of a rather steep bank. A fifth stake was placed at the northeastern most comer of the wetland near the intersection of Center and McMillen Roads. The approximate location of these stakes is provided in Figure 3, A single inventory of soils, vegetation and hydrology was made in the vicinity of CHB-3. Soils, Wetland soils were deep (> 14 inches) histosols with a matrix color of 10YR3/1. A nearby core had more red (7.5YR3/1). None of the several cores showed signs of mottling. Upland soils along the two roads were comprised of fill. Upland soils on the steep bank at the southern edge of the wetland were sandy-gravelly loam with a matrix color of 10YR3/3 to 10YR6/3 and no significant mottling in the upper 10 inches of the soil profile. Vegetation. Derelict barbed wire fencing and wetland vegetation strongly dominated by reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea = F ACW) suggest that this parcel was used as pasture at one time. The only other species present within the wetland was several clumps of willows growing in the shallow ditch lying alongside McMillen Road (Figure 6). Upland vegetation along the southern boundary included dewberry (Rubus ursinus = F ACU), Himalayan blackberry (Rubus disc%r = F ACU), snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus = F ACU), sword fern (Polystichum munitum = F ACU), red alder (Alnus rubra = F AC) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii = F ACU). In many areas, the upland plant community was dominated by Himalayan blackberry and red alder. Figure 6. Northern wetland viewed from the west side of McMillen Road looking north. DEe -8 2008 Hydrology. Wetland soils were saturated to the surface everywhere. Upland soils were dry to depths >12 inches. 6.0. Wetland rating. The southern wetland was rated using the revised version ofWDOE (2004). Appendices 1 (for the southern wetland) and 2 (for the northern wetland) are Excel spreadsheets summarizing the scores. Because of its isolation, small watershed, and the presence of two roads lying along the wetland's edge, the southern wetland scored 24 Water Quality Function points; 12 Hydrologic Function points, but only 13 Habitat Function points, The total score for this palustrine, scrub-shrub wetland was 49 points making it high value Class III. Assuming the uplands remain in High Impact commercial use, this wetland will require an 80 foot buffer (JCC Table 18.22.330(3)). It should be noted that there is a seasonally inundated area lying alongside Center Road on property lying south ofthe Hendy parcel. The inundated area covers <<0.25 acres (Figure 7) but may hold water long enough in spring and early summer to allow amphibian reproduction including metamorphosis, which occurs in the first week or two of July in this area. Figure 7. Wetland area lying south ofthe Hendy property viewed from the edge of Center Road looking northeast. This portion of the wetland was not delineated. The northern wetland is a palustrine emergent feature covering less than two acres. It scored 24 points (16 Water Quality; 4 Hydrologic Function; 4 Habitat Function) and is Category IV requiring a 50 foot buffer for high impact (commercial) use on the adjoining property. The wetland and buffer essentially consume all of this parcel leaving it unusable without a variance. 7.0. Summary. Soils on the northern parcel (JC 801102002) are mistypedinthe NRCSsoil survey for Jefferson County. Rather than the listed Swantown gravelly sandy IOfUl1(Stl3J.the DEe - 8 2008 soils are Semiahmoo muck. The Category IV wetland and its required 50 foot buffer encumber the entire parcel leaving no usable land in the absence of a reasonable use variance. The northern boundary of a large southern wetland lies on the Hendy property, This wetland extends well to the south onto adjacent properties. It has a high value (49 points) primarily because of its high function for water quality in association with the two roads running along the east and west sides of the wetland, Uplands at this site have been graded flat in support of the historic sawmill located on the property. There is little or no natural vegetation in the uplands outside a narrow strip surrounding the wetland, The scrub-shrub southern wetland is dominated by reed canary grass and spiarea. This high quality wetland will require an 80 foot wide buffer in association with continued commercial (high impact) use of the property. ~.~- Aquatic Environmental Sciences References Bigley, R.E., and S.W. Hull. 1993. Recognizing Wetlands and Wethmd Indicator Plants on Forest Lands. Washington State DNR, ForestLand ManagementDivision, Contribution No; 500. Caduto, Mol., 1990. Pond and brook: a guide to nature in freshwater environments. University Press of New England, Hanover, NH 03755 Clallam County Critical AreaS Ordinance. .1992. CCC 27.12. Cowardin, LM., V. Carter, F.C. Golet and E.T. LaRoe. 1979, Classification of Wetlands and 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. Jefferson County Unified Development Code - Section 3 - Land Use Districts. King County. 1986, Wetland 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.D.A. Soil Conservation Service, Washington, D.C. Cooperative technical publication. 76 pp. plus appendices. Franklin, J.t: and C.T. Dymess. 1973. Natural Vegetation of Oregon and Washington, USDA Forest Service General Technical Report PNW-8 Kozloff, 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 Reed, P.B., Jr., 1988. National list of pi ani species that occur in wetlands: Northwest (Region 9). U,S. Fish WildL Servo BioI. Rep. 88(26.9). 89 pp. Sequim Municipal Code. 2000. Chapter 18.70. Wetlands Protection. DEe -8 2008 ._. IJ2 . . Steward, A.N., J.D. LaRea and H.M. Gilkey. 1963. Aquatic Plants of the Pacific Northwest. Oregon State University Press, Corvalis, Oregon. U.S. Soil ConservationService. 1993. Western Wetland Flora ..FieldiOffice 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. DEe - 8 2008 _,13