HomeMy WebLinkAboutTree and Habitat Evaluation - PLN General - 3/7/2003 ALDERBROOK
SR106 HIGHWAY RELOCATION PROJECT
HabitatTree and •
Pre
rr •r r
North40 Lodging
March 7, 00
Prepared ,
Washington 1Consultants,
Olympia,
360/943-1723
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Introduction I
Proposed SR106 Corridor 1
Observations I
Methodology 2
Type I 2
Type II- V 4
Type VI and Type VII 5
Type VIII and Type IX 6
Conclusions 6
Mitigation Area for Lost Habitat 7
Introduction 7
Observations 7
Methodology 7
Forest Cover Type I 7
Conclusions
Summary
ii
List of Photos
Photo A. View of Type I trees and understory.
Photo B. View of tree crowns within Type I.
Photo C. View of trees in mitigation area.
Photo D. View of old growth tree and platforms in mitigation area.
Photo E. View of mitigation area and Alderwood Creek corridor.
List of Figures
Figure 1. Aerial depicting location and extent of mitigation area.
Figure 2. Map of proposed highway relocation area and evaluation area.
iii
1
WASHINGTON FORESTRY CONSULTANTS, INC.
:ORESTRY AND VEGETATION MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS
W F C I
360/943-1723 1919 Yelm Hwy SE, Suite C
FAX 360/943-4128 Olympia, WA 98501
-Tree and Habitat Evaluation-
ALDERBROOK RESORT E IGHWAY.RELOCATION
SR 106 at Dalby Road
Union, WA
Prepared for: North 40 Lodging
Prepared by: Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc.
Date of Field Visits: March 3rd and 6th, 2003
Date of Report: March 10, 2003
INTRODUCTION
I have completed an evaluation of trees on the proposed rights-of-way for the SR106
relocation at the Alderwood Inn.
The purpose of the evaluation was to:
1. Evaluate trees on the proposed rights-of-way to determine if characteristics of
marble murrelet habitat are present. This includes, but is not limited to platforms,
branches larger than 6" diameter, branch deformities, broken tops, trees with
multiple leaders, moss or stick covered nests, other characteristics that would
potentially create a nesting place. Potential platforms occur above 50' in trees
larger than 32"DBH(diameter at breast height).
2. Evaluate the potential for bald eagle perch, roost, or nest trees.
3. Evaluate the trees for their potential to create the habitat.
4. Evaluate the off-site mitigation area, its characteristics, and potential to develop
into marbled murrelet or bald eagle habitat.
PROPOSED SR106 NEW CORRIDOR
Observations
The site of the proposed new highway corridor is a gentle slope above the existing SR106
roadbed. The soils are gravelly sandy loams. Portions are seepy or have small wetlands,
URBAN/RURAL FORESTRY • TREE APPRAISAL • HAZARD TREE ANALYSIS
RIGHT-OF-WAYS • VEGETATION MANAGEMENT • ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES • CONTRACT FORESTERS
Member of International Society of Arboriculture and Society of American Foresters
Alderbrook Resort wa Hi h Relocation—Tree and Habitat Evaluation 2
Highway
but the majority of the area appears to be well drained. There are 9 forest cover types.
These types were created due to disturbance and/or soils conditions. There are no
structures within the corridor, with the exception of the wastewater treatment plant.
Methodology. — The entire proposed rights-of-way and associated cut slopes were
evaluated. A 100% inventory and evaluation was completed for each tree larger than 28"
DBH (smaller than the normal 32" threshold for a nest tree). The protocol for this
evaluation is based on information and methodology described in the Washington Forest
Practices Manual (December 2002), and the manual titled Management of Wildlife and
Fish Habitats in Forests of Western Oregon and Washington, USDA Forest Service
Publication No.: R6-F&WL-192-1985. The information collected included:
• Species
• DBH
• Total Height
• Crown Position
• Live Crown Ratio
• Tree Condition rating
• #of nesting platforms above 50'
• #branches larger than 6" diameter
• Presence of other structures suitable for nesting
• Forest cover type data on lesser species, including species, dbh, and general
condition.
• Understory shrub species
• Soils, slope, aspect, site information.
The forest cover types were stratified by species composition and size class. Eight forest
cover types were identified. The following is a description of the tree and vegetation
cover in each of the 9 forest cover types.
Tye I. — This type begins at Dalby Road and extends --400 feet to the riparian area of
Dalby Creek. The predominant tree species is Douglas-fir with scattered western red
cedar, and western hemlock. The stand is well stocked and has been commercially
thinned within the past 10 years. Twenty-two trees were identified on the rights-of-way
that were over 28" DBH. They ranged in DBH from 28 to 38 inches. They were equally
split between codominant and dominant crown classes, with 1 intermediate tree. The live
crown ratios ranged from 30-70% with most trees in the 30-45% range. Tree condition is
very poor to good. Most trees were classified as being in fair condition, which means the
stand is approaching maturity. The estimated age of the stand is 90 years old.
No platforms or other structures were identified within the rights-of-way or in the
adjacent edge trees in this type. The even-aged stand structure, lack of large branches
and other deformities reduces the probability of nest occurrence in this stand now and in
the future. The even-aged structure and proximity to Dalby Road and human activity
also limits the potential use by bald eagles for perch, roost, or nest trees.
Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc. 3110103
Olympia, WA
,3 j �, +ti t' 4fitl
��/ LC t:�ri{*1:,�`S.i (� •�t �?\ '��.t:.
iln.� •t\\. /. .•1•w' t'(r.�
Ali' 1 B.V-,��•�, \ - ; �• k '
e t �• `^4R
��'�� Spit t `� �4- ,•��
�'f tt..'Xy �•,� " r :•ice; _ -
w••
�+�' fl fir" " k'+6` �` "�►
�' •lyV,- l/�fti�.j. �1Tpt'y� ••�I=j• N•! 'ti; __. � ) �:• i
kZ
��Lq¢. v#�rnf�p_�f='�3 .. �t v. �: •!,. ate+ a
.e��• r�/w _.. ^�•AW,,yam •�i"Y;e��{<.�i�a - •':-• M' /�
�,�`,. : . �,. . � . .�tip,. .. . • • t:: r � � �•�'�" �' .
Alderbrook Resort Highway Relocation—Tree and Habitat Evaluation 4
TyM IL -- This is the riparian area on Dalby Creek. The area has been disturbed and
some trees harvested many years ago. The predominant tree species that remain are
Douglas-fir and western red cedar. These are residuals from the previously existing
stand. There are 11 trees that range from 30 to 42" DBH scattered throughout the stand.
All trees are classified as dominant trees. The live crown ratios are high, ranging from
50-95%, with the exception of one dead westem hemlock. This western hemlock had
two branches that would have potentially formed platforms, however the tree is now
dead. Only 1 Douglas-fir occurred that was over 28" DBH. The remainder of the larger
trees were western red cedar and bigleaf maple, neither of which is considered to be the
preferred habitat for marbled murrelet nest sites.
No platforms were found in this type and the potential for platform development and
creation of future nest sites is low. Due to its proximity to the highway and surrounding
human activity, the potential for bald eagle perch, nest, or roost habitat is low.
Tyne III. — This type includes a stand of red alder and black cottonwood and is entirely
within the chain-link fenced area. The rights-of-way is entirely stocked with deciduous
trees ranging in diameter from 3 to 12". There are several scattered small conifers off of
the rights-of-way. The stocking level is estimated at 800 trees per acre. There are no
trees over 32" DBH on the rights-of-way or adjacent to the rights-of-way.
This type has little potential to develop marbled murrelet or bald eagle perch, roost, or
nest sites.
T�IV. —This is the northerly tip of a small stand of Douglas-fir and western red cedar
located at Beach Drive. It is within the riparian corridor for Alderbrook Creek. The area
has been disturbed for Beach Drive and for the water treatment plant. Eight trees over
28" DBH occur on or adjacent to the proposed rights-of-way. They include Douglas-fir
and western red cedar ranging from 28 to 48" DBH. All are dominant trees except one
red cedar, which is codominant. The live crown ratios range from 45 to 80% and tree
condition is rated as fair to good. All are second growth trees and are not showing any
old growth characteristics. The stand age is similar to Type I.
Currently there are no platforms in the trees in this type. The open grown nature of two
Douglas-fir trees creates the potential that branch diameters could reach 6" and create
nesting locations. However, the proximity to Beach Drive and surrounding houses limits
the potential for both marbled murrelet and bald eagle use.
Tyne V.V. — This is the small stand that extends from the water treatment plant to the test
hole and casing. It was previously disturbed, is wet, and is stocked with red alder and
bigleaf maple. This type includes most of the wetlands. The trees are variable in
stocking and range from 8-12"DBH. There are no trees that qualify as marbled murrelet
habitat and there is little potential habitat. The understory is predominantly stocked with
salmonberry and blackberry, with salal and Oregongrape in the drier areas.
Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc. 3110103
Olympia, WA
Alderbrook Resort Highway Relocation—Tree and Habitat Evaluation 5
There are no suitable trees or platforms in this stand. This type has little potential to
develop habitat for marbled murrelet or bald eagles.
Type VI. — This type resulted from disturbance and is predominantly red alder with
scattered small conifers. The trees range from 6-18" DBH. There are two age classes:
the conifer is 25-30 years old and the red alder is 15-20 years old. The conifers are likely
remnants from the previous stand. The soils in this type have better drainage.
J
.wM.
t
�1 R
C
1
Photo C. View of Type VI,V11,and V111. Types VI and VII are the predominantly red
alder types with low habitat potential. Type IX in the background is similar in quality
to Type 1. View is west to east(WFCI 3-3-03).
There are no platforms or suitable trees for use by bald eagles. There is low potential for
development of suitable habitat for marbled murrelets or bald eagles due to the young
tree ages, and proximity of the type to the developed Alderbrook Resort site and
highway.
Type VII. — This is a small area of Douglas-fir and red alder, with lesser numbers of
western red cedar and western hemlock. The area was disturbed (similar to Type V),
however some residual trees remain. These conifer residuals occur in a cluster in the
center of the rights-of-way and range from 8-20". The surrounding red alder ranges from
6 to 10" DBH. The conifer is approximately 25 years old and the red alder is 15-20 years
old. The understory is salmonberry and Indian plum.
Washington Forestry Consultants,Inc. 3110103
Olympia, WA
Alderbrook Resort Highway Relocation—Tree and Habitat Evaluation 6
Similar to Type VI, there is a very low potential for the type to develop habitat
characteristics required for marbled murrelet or bald eagles.
Type VIII. —This stand is similar in tree size and condition to Type I with a higher
stocking of western red cedar. However, the site is on a north facing slope, is more
mesic, and has a higher stocking of understory shrubs.
The composition, condition, and age of this type forest stand favors the development if
suitable habitat, however, the potential for marbled murrelet and bald eagle usage is low
due to the proximity to the highway and human activity.
Tye IX. -- This is the area at the top of the cut above the proposed new highway
corridor. It is part of a much larger stand that extends south into the mitigation area. Six
trees larger than 28" DBH occurred within the staked clearing limits. They included
western red cedar, Douglas-fir, and grand fir. The trees ranged from 28" to 48" DBH.
The large 36"DBH grand fir was dead.
These trees are part of a larger stand that has the potential to develop into suitable habitat
for marbled murrelets and bald eagles, though no platforms, suitable nest trees, or bald
eagle nest, perch, or roost trees occurred today. Because this edge of the stand overlooks
the wastewater treatment plant, a parking lot and the highway, the potential for future use
of this habitat is low.
Conclusions
It is my opinion that the stands of trees that occur within the proposed new SR106
highway rights-of-way have low- to no potential to provide suitable marbled murrelet or
bald eagle habitat toady and in the future due to the following conditions:
1. Conifer stands are classified as second-growth and are even-aged.
2. No platforms or other suitable structure exists today that would be considered to
have the potential to serve as marbled murrelet nest habitat.
3. Tree diameters, lack of deformities or structure, and the even-aged nature of the
stands limit the potential for bald eagle perch, roost, or nest trees.
4. The stands that are primarily young deciduous trees offer little potential for
habitat today or in the future. The potential of scattered conifers within these
types to provide future habitat are limited by the proximity to human activity.
5. The proximity of all of the 9 forest cover types to human activity, structures, and
SR 106 today reduces the potential of the trees in these types to provide marbled
murrelet or bald eagle habitat.
6. If edge trees in these small stands were allowed to develop, structural changes
within the trees would likely create platforms from large branches and broken or
multiple top development. However, the benefits of creation of this habitat would
likely be offset by the proximity to human activity. The probability of use by
marbled murrelets or bald eagles would likely be very low even though habitat
was present.
Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc. 3110103
Olympia, WA
Alderbrook Resort Highway Relocation—Tree and Habitat Evaluation 7
MITIGATION AREA FOR LOST HABITAT �
Introduction
The project proponents have proposed dedication of approximately 4.3 acres adjacent to
the Alderbrook Creek and its buffers as mitigation for the loss of wildlife habitat. The
purpose of the dedication is to replace current and any potential future habitat due to the
SR 106 highway relocation project.
The scope of my evaluation was to examine the existing tree and habitat conditions in
this mitigation area, and discuss its potential to replace habitat lost to the highway
relocation project.
Observations
The mitigation area is located south of the highway relocation project and east of
Alderbrook Creek. The area contains 1 upland second-growth forest cover type.
Methodology. — The method to determine the suitability of the habitat for current or
future use by marbled murrelets or bald eagles was similar to that described for the
highway corridor.
All trees larger than 28" DBH were examined for the presence of platforms, deformities,
or other structural conditions that could create a nesting platform for the marbled
murrelet, or characteristics that would be suitable for a bald eagle perch, roost, or nest
tree. Since boundaries of the area were not marked at the time of the evaluation, trees
thought to be beyond the approximate lines were examined to insure a complete habitat
evaluation.
Forest Cover Type I. — The entire upland area was classified as the same forest cover
type. The 80-90 year old stand was dominated by Douglas-fir, with large numbers of
western red cedar, western hemlock, bigleaf maple, and red alder. The diameters in the
stand ranged from 10" to over 66". The stocking levels were irregular: 1) Smaller,
densely stocked conifers 10-20" DBH (>260 trees per acre), 2) Fully stocked, but larger
mean diameter trees 10-32" DBH (--120 trees per acre), and 3) Gaps with low growing
shrubs and small trees. These stocking variations created a mosaic of small stands that
repeated across the mitigation area. Despite the variation, the stand was classified as one
forest cover type due to the small size of the individual patches of trees.
The largest commonly occurring tree sizes (24-30") were similar to that of Types I and
Type VII on the highway corridor. These larger trees were commonly Douglas-fir or
western red cedar. Generally the larger trees were in very good condition, and exhibited
little damage that would create deformities, structural defects, or multiple tops. Branch
Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc. 3110103
Olympia, WA
~�I• ate, ,� ,v.. ! �• � . .' •� J� '�
Y•
j y"PO
�'' ~• �I fit. •ate :�•• 7• � f' �tR -... y� ,_
eru
fir"' r� �, •��L .. .Y``G• r = //J . ,�
'ice,�wf - �^- •• 'T /, _ .
v.
J � ter'• '•r,.'.f: �.}. ,�•.r � l•
;�"rJ► 'yam; `yt.
lily ..
, 1
• 1 • 1 • - 1 1 ' • 1" 1 1 • • 1 1
rr `�:�T� �� ,�,"� S„Y •�' '�j'l.pia
a _yrf. •_.�; ,:; '� � ; :his. _��rr'� ��t'fi�'`�' �?i�::.r
ir--l'
it
16
. !�:S �; �1��[j�/jam 6.•ri �7�rY ii
�. _ •• , ,} ♦l •�� ; '•. yam• �.' l. { �' �s
Alderbrook Resort Highway Relocation—Tree and Habitat Evaluation 10
The irregular nature of the stocking has created many large Douglas-firs with DBH's
over 24" and tree heights over 140' and long live crown ratios. These are dominant or
codominant trees with 2-4 sides of their crowns free to grow. These types of trees have
the potential to be used by bald eagles as perch trees today. Their proximity near water
provides a wide view, increasing the probability that these trees may be used by bald
eagles. I did not see any trees with bad tops or defects that would be considered as
probable nest trees. As the stand matures (next 60 years), defects and structure will likely
develop that may create more suitable nesting habitat.
The Alderbrook Creek drainage is deeply incised, particularly in the upper reaches. Tree
stocking on these slopes is quite variable, and the species are similar to the upland areas.
The average tree diameter is smaller on the steep slopes. The creek bottom is variable in
width, but is typically 20 to 60 feet wide. The topography slopes sharply from this
stream channel or channel migration zone. There are many large Douglas-firs, western
hemlock, and western red cedar in the stream bottom. While no platforms for marbled
murrelets were found, there is excellent potential for development of habitat in the next
60 years. The trees in the bottom also have the potential to be suitable for bald eagle
roost trees. The more sheltered nature of the area, large open grown trees with good
visibility, and tree heights over 150 feet create this potential.
�f h
Photo E. View from mitigation area into buffer on Alderwood Creek. Area of higher light is the
deeply incised channel of the creek. View is east to west(WFCI 3-6-03).
Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc. 3110103
Olympia, WA
Alderbrook Resort Highway Relocation—Tree and Habitat Evaluation 11
Conclusions
The proposed mitigation area is stocked with trees and vegetation that is currently
superior to the existing forest cover on the proposed highway rights-of-way for marbled
murrelet and bald eagle habitat. The following is a summary of the favorable conditions:
1. Two old residual trees occur that have existing marbled murrelet platforms, and
may serve as perch trees for bald eagles,
2. The existing forest cover is an uneven-aged stand of conifers with many large
trees that will develop into marbled murrelet habitat as the stand matures,
3. The forest cover is diverse in terms of species, density, and size of trees,
4. Gaps occur which contribute to the vegetation layering — which increases the
biodiversity of the site,
5. Edge created by the small stands has allowed many trees to develop long, healthy
crowns which will increase the longevity of the trees,
6. The tall edge trees provide potential perches for bald eagles, and may develop
platforms for marbled murrelets as they mature and more defects develop.
SUMMARY
The existing trees on the proposed SR106 new highway corridor have no platforms for
marbled murrelets and low potential for use by bald eagles due to the tree size, age,
species composition, even-aged nature of the stand, and/or proximity to human activity.
Conversely, the area proposed to mitigate for the loss of habitat on the new rights-of-way,
is part of a larger upland forest stand and is contiguous with the Alderwood Creek
riparian area and its buffers. This large block of forest land is superior to the proposed
SR106 corridor in species composition, large tree sizes, presence of platforms and old
residual trees, tree stocking and distribution, understory shrub stocking and composition,
and proximity to open water, and is further from human activity.
In summary, it is my opinion that the proposed mitigation area greatly exceeds the
existing and future potential for marbled murrelet and bald eagle use when compared to
the habitat on the proposed highway corridor. Due to the high quality trees and diversity
of habitat, no management other than protection is recommended in the mitigation area
All work is confidential to the client only.
Y
Respectfully submitted,
7alen
gton Forestry Consultants, Inc.
M. Wright, A4P,ASCA
Certified Arborist No. 129
Certified Forester No. 44
Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc. 3110103
Olympia, WA
l
' Alderbrook Resort Highway Relocation —Tree and Habitat Evaluation 12
�..�,•..\t` `-. t. ') � 1. A �-_"A �! � _
MT
�.�:}! jy',}`'., •\ ,`t � V f.,\ .,fix:� "`Y�' 'L�`�
\ \ i
-1 y��. �`�1I' •t' •.. _- ` . �`�\� Wit:
-
,,�li'
��\``_• � ` 11 \�;. `e`a�l r` 1� ' t 1+
Area of Tree Evaluation
Figure 1. ALDERWOOD
RESORT HIGHWAY
RELOCATION PROJECT t `
WFCI3-3-03
Washington Forestry Consultants,Inc. 3110103
�� Olympia, WA
r HOOD
CANAL
}�,�14'�'.�. �yarn I'(t� .S � � ♦\��*���.�
,: • �'
v .w, •j 'w/J j 30 ACRES'O �1 HE EAST
<PA/LCEL AR�A TO 9f
-*'V DEDrCATED AS SI I
f r+ PERMANENT EONS ,�AT O.
'EASEMENT Ol ,*-
,' t ALDERlIR F Elf
ADOITZONQI
$ ' ! 4, OR llodD CONSTRUC4ION
1TION, 4.3 ACRES
A�
N.
-,,..Y :,`��• � �J�, 1. � JZ: -
;< A a g569 Eg-y '4 rorAt Egsr dap N�fsr
RESORT
AREA..
Alderbrook Resort Highway Relocation—Tree and Habitat Evaluation 14
ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITING CONDITIONS
1) Any legal description provided to the Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc. is assumed to be
correct. Any titles and ownership's to any property are assumed to be good and marketable. No
responsibility is assumed for matters legal in character. Any and all property is appraised or
evaluated as though free and clear,under responsible ownership and competent management.
2) It is assumed that any property is not in violation of any applicable codes, ordinances, statutes, or
other governmental regulations,unless otherwise stated.
3) Care has been taken to obtain all information from reliable sources. All data has been verified
insofar as possible; however, Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc. can neither guarantee nor be
responsible for the accuracy of information.
4) Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc. shall not be required to give testimony or to attend court by
reason of this report unless subsequent contractual arrangements are made, including payment of an
additional fee for such services as described in the fee schedule and contract of engagement.
5) Loss or alteration of any part of this report invalidated the entire report.
6) Possession of this report or a copy thereof does not imply right of publication or use for any purpose
by any other than the person to whom it is addressed, without the prior expressed written or verbal
consent of Washington Forestry Consultants,Inc.
7) Neither all or any part of the contents of this report, nor copy thereof, shall be conveyed by anyone,
including the client, to the public through advertising, public relations, news, sales or other media,
without the prior expressed written or verbal consent of Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc. --
particularly as to value conclusions, identity of Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc., or any
reference to any professional society or to any initialed designation conferred upon Washington
Forestry Consultants,Inc.as stated in its qualifications.
8) This report and any values expressed herein represent the opinion of Washington Forestry
Consultants, Inc., and the fee is in no way contingent upon the reporting of a specified value, a
stipulated result,the occurrence of a subsequent event,nor upon any finding in to reported.
9) Sketches, diagrams, graphs, and photographs in this report, being intended as visual aids, are not
necessarily to scale and should not be construed as engineering or architectural reports or surveys.
10) Unless expressed otherwise: 1)information contained in this report covers only those items that were
examined and reflects the condition of those items at the time of inspection; and 2) the inspection is
limited to visual examination of accessible items without dissection, excavation, probing, or coring.
There is no warranty or guarantee, expressed of implied, that problems or deficiencies of the tree or
other plant or property in question might not arise in the future.
Washington Forestry Consultants, Inc. 3110103
Olympia, WA