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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHMP for MEP2001-00014 - HMP Habitat Managment Plan - 9/4/2001 STA T,rOf, J RECEIVED < s SEP 2 7 2001 State of Washington DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE MI - PLANNING Region 6 Office:48 Devonshire Road-Montesano,Washington 98563-9618-(360)249-4628 September 25, 2001 Mason County DCD ATTENTION: Scott Longanecker P.O. Box 279 Shelton, WA 98584 Dear Mr. Longanecker: SUBJECT: Stearns Habitat Management Plan Review; Blacksmith Lake, Tributary to Tahuya River, Mason County, WRIA 15.LAKE I have reviewed the above referenced Habitat Management Plan and have the following comments. It is unclear exactly which tree and shrub species will be planted where. WDFW recommends that a planting plan be submitted with species, density, and locations depicted. This plan reviewed and revised until approved by Mason County DCD. This report also lacks a vegetation monitoring plan. Eighty percent survival over a minimum of 3 years of the planted trees and shrubs should be mandatory. Any dead or dying plants should be replaced. If Mason County's goal for these buffers is to leave a natural area, then the proposed planting to provide 40 percent canopy closure would not be natural. Typically, forests in the surrounding area would support a canopy closure of 60-90 percent. This should be the goal for this Habitat Management Plan replanting plan. There is no indication of an adaptive management plan nor an invasive species control plan. These are instrumental for the success of the proposed plan and should be mandatory. 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 Mr. Longanecker September 25, 2001 Page 2 cc: William Stearns, 16606 NE 371h Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98686-1878 Kevin F. Noon,Ph.D., Critical Habitats, Inc., 7718 131h Ave. NW, Seattle, WA 98111 Marty Ereth, Skokomish Tribe HABITAT MANAGEMENT PLAN Stearns Residential Development Part of the Mason County Environmental,After-The-Fact, Permit Application Project Address: Property Owners: 76 NE Lakeway, William Stearns Parcel No. 223107990734 Cheryle Stearns Blacksmith Lake, Mason County 16606 NE 37'Ave Belfair, Washington 98538 Vancouver, WA 98686-1878 Prepared by Kevin F.Noon Ph.D. PWS Critical Habitats,Inc. 7718 13th Avenue NW Seattle Washington 9811 206 784 8205 August 14, 2001 Project and Site Description Proposed is a residential development on a 1.14-acre lot adjacent to Blacksmith Lake, Mason County,Washington. The components of the proposed project are construction of a house, septic,well,a switchback wheelchair access to within 10 ft. of the wetland lake edge,and use of an existing driveway(see attached Plan). Some construction activity has occurred on the site,therefore,this management plan is part of an after-the-fact permit application. The house is single family and the footprint measures 52 ft. by 32 ft. The garage is attached and measures 22 ft. by 20 ft. The septic field is located at the south end of the site,near the entry road. A driveway(approximate 15-ft. wide)is located along the east edge of the property. The house is located as far back from the lake edge as possible(130 ft. from the wetland edge). Location of the house toward the lake is limited by the buffer requirements. Location of the house towards the opposite end of the property is limited by a steep grade change. Costs to fill and regrade the driveway, and to fill and remove the forest habitat,would be prohibitive and would cause greater damage to remaining forested areas. The property is long,narrow, and extends from the access road(Blacksmith Lake Rd.),for approximately 550 ft.,to the lake edge. The width of the property at the road end is 84 ft. and 110 ft. at the lake end. According to the County ordinance,there is a 165 ft. buffer(150-ft. buffer plus 15-ft. setback from the lake). The total proposed development area(house: 1,664 sq. ft. and 4-ft. wide wheelchair access path: 1,064 sq. ft.)that is within the 165-ft.buffer area is 2,728 sq. ft. The total area within the buffer area is 17,820. The proposed development area is 15 percent of the total buffer. This property is located within a subdivision. The property to the east, next to this property, has a driveway and permanent trailer/house(which is approximately 30 ft. from this property line). The adjacent property to the west is undeveloped. The second property over and to the west of this property has a house(which is approximately 100 ft. from this property line). Pre-Construction Conditions The total 165-ft. buffer area(cleared and uncleared)measures approximately 17,820 sq. ft. Prior to the purchase by the current owner,approximately 2,230 sq. ft. of the property,within the 165-ft. buffer,had been cleared of natural vegetation. The buffer area had a 15-ft. driveway along the eastern edge that extended from the access road into the buffer,to within 94 ft. of the lake edge. There was a clearing at the end of the driveway and in the buffer, large enough for turning a vehicle around(approximately 15 ft. by 15 ft.). In addition,there was a path clearing(approximately 10 ft.wide and 94 ft. long in the buffer)that extended from the end of the drive to the lake edge. The pre-construction buffer area, around the driveway and path,was forested. Typical species included: hemlock(Tsuga heterophyla) shore pine(Pinm contorta), salal (Gaultheria shallon)Rhodadend-on macrophylum, Oregon grape(Berb+eris naTaw)evergreen huckleberry (Vaxb*m ovatum), sword fern(Po4wkham mw&zan). The wetland edge along the lake remains and is primarily hardhack(Spiraeadouglasil!), Carcx spp.,Scbpw spp., and white water lilly (Nymphaea odorata) Existing Conditions The net result of the clearing and grubbing effort was the clearing of 8,902 sq. ft. within the 165-ft. buffer. (This is the area that the landowner recently cleared and grubbed,which totals 11,132 sq. ft. of clearing,minus the 2,230 sq. ft. of prior cleared area.) The total area of the cleared and uncleared buffer,within property boundaries,is 17,820 sq. ft. The construction area for the house was cleared and leveled. Soil from the house pad area was distributed along the lower elevations of the entrance driveway outside the buffer area. The fill eliminated the steep slope of the drive to allow for easier wheelchair access. Aside from this,no grades were, or will be, changed on the site. A prominent feature of the property is the embankment that slopes(20 percent)down and towards the lake at the edge of the house clearing area. The sloped embankment extends for 95 ft. from the lake edge. Resource Impacts Some wildlife habitat function was lost due to the removal of the young forest and shrub habitat. However, since the area is small the impact is minimal. The current owner cleared natural vegetation from approximately 8,902 sq. ft. of the buffer(or 50 percent of the total buffer area). Using the surrounding forest areas as a comparison, I estimate that approximately 20 trees were removed which probably varied from 2 to 5 inch diameter- breast-height. Numerous shrubs and ferns were removed from the understory. The nine largest trees(approximately 6 inches diameter-breast-height)were left standing. Approximately 6,688 sq. ft. of the property, within the 165-ft.buffer(or 38 percent of the total buffer area)remains as undisturbed forest with a shrub understory. 2 Habitat Management Plan 14 August 2001 Critical Habitats,Inc. Steams Residential Property Removal of the vegetation and Exposure of the soils(cobbley, sandy, loams)created a loss of water quality function. However, since the soils are extremely porous, and the area is small, the temporary impact is minimal. Mitigation Plan Runoff and sediment delivery to the adjacent wetland and lake shall be contained using silt fencing. Silt fence has been installed around the down gradient perimeter of the cleared area, above the wetland edge. The silt fence shall be monitored and maintained until the disturbed area is stabilized. The surface of the 20 percent slope area has been mulched. In addition, to minimize water quality impacts,the septic field was located as far from the lake as possible, 520-ft. back. All remaining cleared areas will be restored with native trees and shrubs and all existing natural areas will be preserved. Disturbed areas shall be stabilized with appropriate erosion control practices such as hydro seeding and/or broadcast seeding and mulching, immediately (within 72 hours)after completion of the access trail and restoration planting. The goals of the compensatory mitigation are to: Replace the wildlife habitat functions lost as a result of the tree and shrub removal. Restore trees and shrubs, similar to those lost, in and around most of the impact site, and according to a one to one area restoration(buffer averaging) Control any opportunity for soil erosion and restore the long-term water quality function by revegetating all exposed soil areas Buffer averaging and restoration will be used to compensate for the 8,902 sq. ft. clearing of forest habitat. The remaining undeveloped 6,174 sq. ft. in the buffer that was cleared by the owner will be restored to a forest with shrub understory. An additional 2,728 sq. ft. will be restored beyond the buffer area, in order to compensate for the loss of buffer area to the development of the house and wheelchair access path. The additional compensation will: 1. extend the buffer area around the house by restoring(replanting with native trees and shrubs) a 1,253 sq. ft. area,and 2. restore a 1,475 sq. ft. area that had been cleared by some previous owner. The 1,475 sq. ft. restoration area is located along a drainage channel in the central portion of the site. A twelve-inch diameter culvert delivers storm water, from the properties above and east of the property,then under the driveway, and into a previously excavated area on-site. The compensation is to restore a strip of the excavated area that is 27-ft. wide and 54-ft. long to a forested and shrub condition. A drainage swale will be graded through the restoration area. The resultant habitat will be a restoration of the drainage channel. The area is currently exposed soil and the restoration will reduce erosion and downstream sedimentation,and restore wildlife habitat. The tree species may include: hemlock(Tsuga heteroph*) shore pine(Faros cm9orta). The scrub/shrub plantings may include: salal (Gaultheria shallop)Rhodadendron macrophylwn, Oregon grape(Berbera nenvw)evergreen huckleberry(Vawmiwn ow dim), sword fern(Potystichum mwdam)and hardhack(,*iraeadouglasii). The exact species will depend on coordination with the local wetland restoration contractor and on availability. 3 Habitat Management Plan 14 August 2001 Critical Habitats,Inc. Steams Residential Property The restoration areas will be planted in a density that will result in a long-term tree canopy of 40 percent cover. The remaining area will be shrub canopy cover. The trees and shrubs will be planted as bare root, whip stock, or balled and burlapped. The entire area will be mulched to reduce soil erosion. Planting will be done in late fall or early spring. 4 Habitat Management Plan 14 August 2001 Critical Habitats,Inc. Steams Residential Property 08/17/2001 09:17 2067895093 THE MAILBOX & SV.CTR PAGE 01 f ��T - �� -- MASON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Planning Mason County Bldg. 1 411 N.5th P.O.Box 279 Shelton,WA 98584 (360) 427-9670 Belfair (360) 275-4467 Elma (360) 482-5269 Seattle (206) 464-6968 September 4, 2001 Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife ATTN: Jeff Davis, Freshwater Habitat Biologist 502 High Ave Ste 106 Port Orchard WA 98366 RE: Blacksmith Lake Habitat Management Plan, (site location 76 NE Lakeway, Blacksmith Lake). Dear Jeff, The enclosed Habitat Management Plan (HMP) has been provided by a property owner who is applying for a Mason Environmental Permit to reduce the normally required vegetation buffer and building setback on Blacksmith Lake pursuant to the Mason County Resource Ordinance, fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Area Chapter 17.01.110. This ordinance requires buffers and building setbacks from areas such as streams, lakes and ponds that support fish and/or wildlife habitat. This applicant is proposing the construction of a single family residence within the required buffer/ setback area of Blacksmith Lake. The buffer/ setback requirement on Blacksmith Lake is a 150 foot vegetated buffer plus an additional 15 foot building setback from the buffer. The applicant is going through an after the fact Mason Environmental Permit process for the removal of buffer vegetation. Part of the HMP is a mitigation plan to restore this buffer area and other areas of the property in order to reduce development impacts. Please review the enclosed HMP and let me know if you have comments, questions, or concerns about this plan. I am more than willing to incorporate suggestions into the conditions for this permit, assuming that it is granted. If it's easier you can E-mail your comments to me. My E-mail address is listed below. Thank you for your time and consideration. By ordinance we have a 28 day HMP review period for this type of project, so if you could have any comments to me by October 4, 2001 it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again. Sincerely, cott L ecker, Shoreline Planner Maso C unty Dept. of Community Development PO ox 279 She on WA 98584 Ph. (360) 427-9670 ext 363, E-mail longans@co.mason.wa.us MASON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Planning Mason County Bldg.1 411 N.5th P.O.Box 279 Shelton,WA 98584 (360) 427-9670 Belfair (360) 275-4467 Elma (360) 482-5269 Seattle (206) 464-6968 September 4, 2001 Skokomish Indian Fisheries ATTN: Marty Ereth N 541 Tribal Center Rd Shelton WA 98584 RE: Blacksmith Lake Habitat Management Plan, (site location 76 NE Lakeway, Blacksmith Lake). Dear Marty, The enclosed Habitat Management Plan (HMP) has been provided by a property owner who is applying for a Mason Environmental Permit to reduce the normally required vegetation buffer and building setback on Blacksmith Lake pursuant to the Mason County Resource Ordinance, fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Area Chapter 17.01.110. This ordinance requires buffers and building setbacks from areas such as streams, lakes and ponds that support fish and/or wildlife habitat. This applicant is proposing the construction of a single family residence within the required buffer/ setback area of Blacksmith Lake. The buffer/ setback requirement on Blacksmith Lake is a 150 foot vegetated buffer plus an additional 15 foot building setback from the buffer. The applicant is going through an after the fact Mason Environmental Permit process for the removal of buffer vegetation. Part of the HMP is a mitigation plan to restore this buffer area and other areas of the property in order to reduce development impacts. Please review the enclosed HMP and let me know if you have comments, questions, or concerns about this plan. I am more than willing to incorporate suggestions into the conditions for this permit, assuming that it is granted. If it's easier you can E-mail your comments to me. My E-mail address is listed below. Thank you for your time and consideration. By ordinance we have a 28 day HMP review period for this type of project, so if you could have any comments to me by October 4, 2001 it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again. Sincerely, IMas tt Lo necker, Shoreline Planner o ounty Dept. of Community Development PO Box 279 Shelton WA 98584 Ph. (360) 427-9670 ext 363, E-mail longans@co.mason.wa.us