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Home My WebLink AboutBLD2001-00634 Habitat Evaluation ��I.S?Art O v. t W"2 tA Jy ree� 4oy° 1 State of Washington DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE Region 6 Office:48 Devonshire Road-Montesano,Washington 98563-9618-(360)249-4628 November 29, 2001 l 2CE � Wr�Jefferson County DCD Al I ENTION: Jerry Smith 1 �y, DEC 3 2001 -) 621 Sheridan Street Port Townsend, WA 98368 i JEFFERSON COUNTY OPMENT _EPT. OF OO".MMUNiTY GEvEL Dear Mr. Smith: SUBJECT: Trumpeter Swan and Type 2 Water Review for the Quilcene Heights Property Located at McInnes Road, Quilcene,WA; Section 18, Township 27 North, Range 01 West,Jefferson County, WRIA 17.0115. On November 29, 2001 I visited the subject property at your request to determine the impacts to the nearby winter Trumpeter Swan territory and the Type 2 Water. After reviewing the proposed pump house construction, it does not appear that there will be any significant impact to wintering Trumpeter swans. Aquatic vegetation should not be disturbed, as this is the forage base for wintering Trumpeter swans. A driveway was constructed down to the existing well. Both the driveway and the well are placed within 65-feet of Donovan Creek. Donovan Creek supports coho and chum salmon, as well as, coastal cutthroat trout. This buffer width is well below streamside buffers recommended in"Best Available Science". Therefore, WDFW recommends that the applicant mitigate for the proposed intrusion into the buffer by removing the culvert that remains in Donovan Creek where the farm road crossing has failed. Also, this buffer surrounding the driveway and pump house should be restored with native conifer trees and shrubs after the removal of invasive plants i.e. Himalayan blackberry. Riparian buffers provide year around shade for the stream, leaf litter, terrestrial invertebrates, large woody debris and provide a water quality function within the buffer. Shade provides a moderating component of stream temperature. Land use activities that reduce the natural shade levels within the riparian zone often lead to elevated stream temperatures. Shade is important mostly during summer months however it is also import to moderate the water temperature during the winter months. Shading also reduces the primary productivity within the stream. This is extremely important for streams that may have anthropogenically elevated nutrient levels that produce algal blooms and subsequent die-offs that reduce the dissolved oxygen levels within the stream. Mr. Smith November 29, 2001 Page 2 The riparian zone is the main source for leaf litter and other small organic debris. Small organic debris supports both terrestrial and aquatic invertebrate populations. Organic debris is the food source for shredder and consumer invertebrates. Fish and wildlife species utilize these insects as a primary or secondary food source within the aquatic and riparian habitats. The debris input from deciduous plants and coniferous species should be balanced within the riparian buffer. Deciduous leaf litter often are consumed within 2-6 months, whereas, pine needles persist within a stream system for up to 2 years. This is important for the moderation of organic inputs and the food base for aquatic invertebrates. Conifer and deciduous trees should be planted throughout the entire buffer along with other native shrub species that are likely to be found within the surrounding watersheds. These riparian restorations should be encouraged to both upstream and downstream property owners where possible. Large woody debris (LWD) is also derived from the riparian buffer and is integral in the formation of stream complexity through the creation of meanders and retention of stream substrate and organic materials. LWD also aids in the formation of pool/riffle habitat that is important for spawning and rearing of fish and amphibians. Conifer sources of LWD often remain as functional pieces of wood within the stream for approximately the same amount of years as the tree was old when it was delivered to the channel, as compared to the life of a deciduous tree species that typically lasts for 10 to 20 years within the stream channel. It is therefore, important to re-vegetate this stream buffer with a mix of conifer and deciduous trees species. The stream channel through the subject property has been channelized by historic farming practices. Therefore, WDFW does realize the limitations of placing LWD within the stream channel, however, we would like to encourage the future investigation into the restoration of this lower stream mile by re-meandering the stream channel and the placement of LWD within the channel along with the re-establishment of the riparian buffer in areas where it is feasible. Riparian zones are also extremely important for wildlife species. Although the existing stream buffer has been severely degraded by historic farming and development of the surrounding area, it is important to identify that important wildlife habitat has been lost and encourage the restoration of the riparian buffer habitat. Approximately 90 percent of amphibians and reptiles species depend directly on the riparian habitat to carry out their life function. This use is decreased when land uses that limit the amount of riparian buffer and the downed woody debris typically associated with the buffer. According to Kaufman et al., 72 percent of the bird species in Oregon and Washington use freshwater, riparian, and wetland habitats. The loss of habitat diversity significantly alter the avian species diversity and population numbers. Large and small mammals are often directly dependent on the riparian habitat found adjacent to freshwater stream systems. Mink, river otter, squirrels. bats, native mouse species, shrew and moles, and blacktail deer are many species directly dependent on riparian zones to carry out their life functions. These species may carry out their life cycle with the riparian zone or may depend on this habitat for breeding, foraging, hiding cover, thermal regulation, and as a travel corridor. Riparian habitat Mr. Smith November 29, 2001 Page 3 typically ties some other habitat to a diversity of other habitats, such as, the marine shoreline in this case would be connected through the riparian buffer to other upland and/or wetland habitats that have been historically disconnected by the loss of the riparian buffer. These wildlife species not only serve a function within the ecosystem framework,they hold an intrinsic valley to our society. Thank you for the opportunity to provide this information. If you have any questions,please contact me at (360) 895-3965. Sincerely, Jeff Davis Area Habitat Biologist JD jd cc: Jim Fraser, WDFW