HomeMy WebLinkAboutWetland Delineation 801102004
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 1W, WM
Produced for:
Ms. Catherine Hendy
374 Blue Mountain Road
Chimacum, Washington 98325
(360) 301-2565
cathendvcmolypen.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
800Z 8 - J30
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
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2
Wetland Delineation and Ranking
Jefferson County Parcels 801102002 & 801102004
Located at the junction of Center and McMillen Roads
in the NW1/4 of Section 10, Township 28N, Range lW, 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
encwnbers 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.
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Figure 1. 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 ofthe 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 oftimber 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 of the 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 <>P growing
season ranges from 220 to 320 days, Alderwood soils are not listed as hydric soils.
Cassolary-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 (5YR2/1). 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 parc~ls. There are..no listings,in ..
the DNR Natural Heritage database for this location.
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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 lifiS-~~ ~nciY
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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 ~ 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
1OYR3/1 to depths >14 inches. Wetland soils at CH-02 and CH-11 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 ofthe soil column. Upland soil at CH-08 was
sandy gravel to a depth of 10 inches (matrix color 10YR4/2) 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 ursinus = 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 = F ACU), evergreen blackberry (Rubus laciniatus = F ACU), dewberry (Rubus
ursinus = F ACU), Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius = NI but it is F ACU to UPL). Upland herbs
included bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum = F ACU), 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 -04 looking southwest into the scrub-shrub
wetland.
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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 of the
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
10YR311. A nearby core had more red (7 .5YR311). 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 ofthe 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 discolor = 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.
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 of the 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
N 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 mistypedin the NRCS soil
survey for Jefferson County. Rather than the listed Swantown gravelly sandy lOam (S$) the
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soils are Semiahmoo muck. The Category N 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 ofthe property.
~.~-
Aquatic Environmental Sciences
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1:1
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References
Bigley,R.E., and S.W. Hull. 1993. Recognizing Wetlands and Wetland Indicator Plants on
Forest Lands. Washington State DNR, ForestLand ManagementDivision, Contribution No,
500.
Caduto,M.J.,1990. Pond and brook: a guide tonaturein freshwater environments.
University Press of New England, Hanover, NH 03755
Clallam County Critical AreaS Ordinance. 1992. cce 27.12.
Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.e. Golet and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of Wetlands and
Deepwater habitats of the United States. U.S. Department ofthe 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.e. Cooperative technical publication, 76 pp. plus
appendices.
Franklin, J.f. and e.T. Dyrness. 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 plant species that occur in wetlands: Northwest
(Region 9). U,S. Fish WildI. Servo BioI. Rep. 88(26.9). 89 pp.
Sequim Municipal Code. 2000. Chapter 18.70. Wetlands Protection.
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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 Conservation Service, 1993. Western W.etlandFlora - 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.
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