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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHMP - HMP Habitat Managment Plan - 2/9/2009 HABITAT MANAGEMENT PLAN For: Van Horn and Sasten Float Addition Project Site Address: 390 East Cronquist Road Allyn,WA 98524 Prepared by: Marine Surveys and Assessments 521 Snagstead Way Port Townsend,WA 98368 Phone: (360) 3854073 Fax: (360)385-1724 E-mail: sea@cablespeed.com February 9,2009 Printed from Mason County Information for the Van Horn and Sasten Float Addition Project that is relevant to the Habitat Management Plan is presented below: 2.a.Description of the nature,density and intensity of the proposed use... The proposed project involves the addition of two floats to an existing pier, ramp and float(PRF)structure in Case Inlet. The proposed floats will measure 8'by 15'and 8'by 24'and will have 50% functional grating installed. In addition,three Chemonite-treated pilings will be installed to secure the two additional floats. Float stops will be installed to suspend the floats at least 12" above the seabed during low tides. The site plan and plan and elevation views are seen in the RGP-6 for this project. One additional family will join the Van Horn family as a joint-use participant in this project. 2. b. Effects analysis of the proposed use or activity on fish and wildlife and their habitat. The following is a discussion of the possible impacts on Puget Sound Chinook, marbled murrelets,Puget Sound steelhead, bull trout and surf smelt. These are the primary species that may be impacted by the addition of the two floats. Pile driving noise: Feist et al. (1992)reported that salmonids could be expected to hear pile driving noise approximately 2,000' from the source. Based on the studies at the Everett Homeport,these researchers concluded that pile driving did alter the distribution and behavior of juvenile pink and chum salmon. It is also possible that noise from pile driving will mask the approach of predators. The reported Everett Homeport results may not be entirely applicable to the proposed project, because a vibratory pile driver will be used in the proposed project-a diesel powered compression hammer was used in the Everett study. As stated in the Feist report,"It would be reasonable to say that juvenile salmonids might respond differently to the sounds of a vibratory hammer, compared to that of a diesel compression hammer." Marbled murrelets spend most of their time at sea and only use old growth areas for nesting. In the critical nesting areas, fragmentation and loss of old growth forest has a significant impact on the survival and conservation of the species(WDW 1993). There are no critical nesting habitats or nests within close range of the project.No murrelets have be observed in the area in the summer or winter. It seems unlikely that the brief pile-driving phase will impact any murrelets. Turbidity from pile driving: Increased turbidity caused by pile driving could have adverse effects on salmon and bull trout. The impact level depends on duration of exposure,concentration of turbidity,the life stage during the increased exposure and the options available for the fish to avoid the plumes. The effects can be discussed in terms of lethal, sublethal or behavioral (Nightingale and Simenstad 2001 a and Simenstad, editor, 1988). For this project, turbidity effects are expected to be localized and brief. The area where turbidity impacts may affect the listed fish has been defined by the Army Corps of Engineers(ACOE)as a 25'radius around each piling. Because the work windows for salmon and bull trout do not overlap with the work window for surf smelt in the Allyn area,testing must be requested of WDFW to determine if pile driving can occur during the period between July 16 and February 15 (the work window for salmon and bull trout). Site inspection, notification and scheduling will be per WDFW procedures. Prior to construction,the applicants must have a qualified biologist or biologist certified by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife(WDFW)confirm, in writing,that no surf smelt are spawning in the project area during the proposed project construction. Address the letter or memorandum to the ACOE project manager and include the RGP-6 authorization reference number. If the qualified or certified biologist confirms that no surf smelt are spawning in the project area,the permittee has 48 hours to begin the work and two weeks from the date of the inspection to complete all work contacting the substrate waterward of mean higher high water.If this confirmation is made,the permittee does not need to wait for approval from the Corps. Migratory pathway alteration: It is generally accepted that overwater structures can alter migration behavior of juvenile salmon(though the effects may vary depending on the design and orientation of the structure,degree of sllading, nd the pr sefrom n of artificial light) educe salmon prey reso es and refugia by shading Prinfea anonuounty a�, life (Simenstad et al. 1999;Nightingale and Simenstad 2001 b). However,the significance of these effects is not clear. As Simenstad et al. state,"We found no studies that described empirical evidence supporting or refuting that modification of juvenile salmon behavior in shoreline habitats was reflected in changes in survival."Nightingale and Simenstad state, "Presently,although we know that under some conditions small juvenile salmon will delay or otherwise alter their shoreline movements when encountering an overwater structure,the conditions under which this behavioral modification is significant to the fishes' fitness and survival is relatively unknown." A study by Williams et al. (2003)found that, "Salmon fry were observed in all nearshore habitats during each transect sampling period(day and night). The fry were observed under a wide range of PAR values(0.0 µmol m-2 s-1 to 2370 µmol m-2 s-1). Fry were observed both outside the terminal (Mukilteo ferry terminal)and underneath the terminal at all times, and shadows produced by the 10-m-wide terminal structure did not appear to act as barriers to fry movement at this location." There is no question that underwater structures may alter migration patterns—that is not in dispute. As seen in the study by Williams and in many other studies (see the literature review by Weitkamp -2003), there are studies that indicate that salmon migration is not affected by the presence of overwater structures. Of course,there are other studies indicating migration patterns are altered by overwater structures. The issue is that no one has shown that these migration changes lead to increased mortality or decreased fitness. None of the studies that report changes in salmonid migration patterns caused by overwater structures have reported that these changes have a negative impact on salmonids-see the quotes above from Simenstad et al. 1999 and Nightingale and Simenstad 2001 b. Increased predation: At this time,there is no evidence of docks aggregating salmonid predators in the Puget Sound (Ratte & Salo 1985; Cardwell et al. 1980;Nightingale and Simenstad 2001b and Williams et al. 2003). Dock associated structures,such as breakwaters,may serve as marine mammal haulout areas,but there is no scientific literature that states that these mammals are particularly targeting small outmigrating juveniles. It might be assumed that birds would be interested in small migrating juveniles, but there is no evidence that docks provide an aggregation site for predatory birds(Taylor and Willey 1997). One of the main concerns about the impacts of overwater structures on migrating salmon is that they will be forced to move out into deeper water, where they will be consumed by predatory fish species. However, Williams et al. state, We found no evidence that avian, marine mammal, or fish predators consumed more juvenile salmon near WSF terminals than along shorelines without overwater structures. Few species appeared to be targeting abundant fry in nearshore habitats, and we observed only two occasions in which predators (one tern sp.,one staghom sculpin)had consumed juvenile salmon. The authors also state, Our analysis of fish diets at the Mukilteo ferry terminal provides one piece of conclusive evidence that juvenile salmon were not a major dietary component of predatory fish species during our study. Therefore, it cannot be stated,based on existing research, that the predation rates of juvenile salmonids will be altered due to the presence of the structure. Shading and crushing impacts: Shading caused by overwater structures and float grounding can reduce or eliminate eelgrass, macroalgae and other epibenthic organisms. The following design parameters will lessen shading impacts on the benthic environment: • The floats will have 50%functional grating installed. • Float grounding impacts will be avoided by the incorporation of float stops,which will support the floats at least 12" above the seabed at low tides. •As seen in the Habitat Survey and the Habitat Survey Map In the RGP-6 for this project,there is no macroalgae present in the area where the two proposed floats will be located. Therefore,the two floats will have no negative impacts on macroalgae in the area. ri n te c 1� *n l,.vs. £rtnY✓ S+ 3., ..f am °L');ff'� }A hi. 4 Y.2WfSs�'+' � � '.� Boating impacts: Boating activity can cause damage to the aquatic habitat due to prop scour and increased turbidity. In several studies, aquatic vegetation and benthic organisms were found to be absent or greatly reduced in areas where boat traffic was high and the propellers were within one foot of the bottom(Chumra and Ross 1978; Ogilvie 1981). Langler(1950) found that propellers within approximately 14" of the bottom removed all plants and silt within a swath approximately 5'wide. Conversely, boat use over deeper water can actually stimulate aquatic plant growth by increasing the dissolved carbon dioxide and increasing water circulation(Warrington 1999). Ulva at 20%density was noted along T5 and T6 south of the proposed floats' location. It is possible that at low tides there may be some scouring impacts on that Ulva,depending on boat speed and direction. Pollution from exhaust can have indirect adverse effects on the listed fish. Warrington(1999) concluded from his study of the literature that,"There is no significant effect of outboard exhaust on zooplankton, phytoplankton, periphyton or other aquatic invertebrates in the bulk water." However, he also concluded that there are no acceptable works on exhaust effects on salmonids. 3.c.Plan for avoiding,minimizing and/or mitigation adverse impacts The following is a discussion of how the applicants will avoid, minimize and/or mitigate adverse impacts to fish species and their habitat: Pile driving will take place between July 16 and February 15 assuming there is no surf smelt spawning activity taking place as discussed above. Pile driving during this time will minimize direct impacts on migrating salmon, bull trout and spawning surf smelt. Over-water work may have to be undertaken outside of the work window. This over-water work will consist of bringing the two floats to the site and attaching them to the newly installed pilings using hand tools. This process usually takes one day. The process will be brief and will produce no more noise or turbidity than normal boat activity on Hood Canal. Additional conservation measures will minimize adverse effects of the project. They include: 1. The floats will have 50% functional grating installed. 2. Float stops will suspend the floats at least 12"above the seabed during low tides. 3. The floats will be located over a seabed area that is devoid of macroalgae. 4. Two Ponderosa Pine trees and two Dull Oregon Grape shrubs will be planted adjacent to the waterfront as mitigation for this project(see the Planting Plan in the RGP-6). References: Cardwell R.D., S.J. Olsen,M.I. Carr and E.W. Sanborn. 1980. Biotic, water quality and hydrologic characteristics of Skyline Marina in 1978. TechRep. 54,Washington Dept. of Fisheries. Chumra, G. L. and N. W. Ross. 1978. The environmental impacts of marinas and their boats. A literature review with management implications,Marine Advisory Service,University of Rhode Island.Narragansett, RI. Feist, Blake E.,J.J. Anderson and R. Miyamota. 1992. Potential impacts of pile driving on juvenile pink(Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)and chum(O. keta)salmon behavior and distribution. FRI-UW-9603, Fish. Res. Inst., UW, Seattle, WA. Langler,K. F., A. S. Hazzard, W. E. Hazen and W. A. Tompkins. 1950. Outboard motors in relation to fish behavior, fish production and angling success. Transactions of the 15th Annual North American Wildlife Conference. pp. 280 -303. Nightingale, Barbara and Charles Simenstad. 2001a. Dredging activities: marine issues. Submitted to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Ecology, and Washington State Department of Transportation, Olympia, WA, 144 pp. Nightingale, Barbara and Charles Simenstad. 2001b. Overwater structures: marine issues. Submitted to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Ecology, and Washington State Department of �� te'd' 'TrUl iviasonuounty Ogilvie, M. A. 1981. The mute swan in Britain, 1978. Bird Study. 28: 87 - 106. Ratte, L. and E. O. Salo. 1985. Under-pier ecology of juvenile Pacific salmon in Commencement Bay. Report to Port of Tacoma,FRI-UW-8508,Fish. Res. Inst. UW, Seattle, WA. Simenstad, C. A.,(ed.). 1988. Effects of dredging on anadromous Pacific coast fishes, Workshop proceedings, Washington Sea Grant, Seattle WA, September 8-9, 1988. Simenstad, C.A.,B.J.Nightingale, R.M. Thom and D.K. Shreffler. 1999. Impacts of ferry terminals on juvenile salmon migration along Puget Sound shorelines. Phase 1: Synthesis of state of knowledge. Report to WSDOT/TJSDOT Research Report T9903,Task A2, 116 pp. +appendices. Taylor, W. S. and W. S. Willey. 1997. Port of Seattle fish migration study. Pier 64/65 short-stay moorage facility: qualitative fish and avian predator observations. Prepared for Beck Consultants, Inc. Draft report to the Port of Seattle. Warrington, P. D. 1999. Impacts of outboard motors on the aquatic environment. www.nalms.orgibclss/impactsrecreationboat.htm Washington Department of Wildlife(WDW). 1993. Status of the marbled murrelet Brachyramphus marmoratus in Washington. Unpubl. Rep. Wash. Dept. Wildl., Olympia, WA. Weitkamp, Don E. September 2003. Young Pacific Salmon in Estuarine Habitats. Review Draft. Parametrix, Inc. Kirkland, WA. Williams, G. D., R. M. Thom, D. K. Shreffler,J. A. Southard,L. K. O'Rourke, S. L. Sergeant,V. I. Cullinan,R. Moursund,and M. Stamey. Assessing Overwater Structure-Related Predation Risk on Juvenile Salmon: Field Observations and Recommended Protocols. September 2003. Prepared for the Washington State Department of Transportation Under a Related Services Agreement With the U.S. Department of Energy Under Contract DE-AC06- 76RLO 1830. IL A IPF� riDME) +.. ..A�' Mason °OOP MASON COUNTY � rp Shelton (360) 427-9670 DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Belfair (360) 275-4467 Planning Mason County Bldg.i 411 N.5th Elma (360) 482-5269 P.O.Box 279 Shelton,WA 98584 1854 MEMORANDUM DATE: May 7,2009 TO: Margie Schirato, WDFW John Kanovsky, Squaxin Island Tribe FROM: Grace Miller,Planner RE: Habitat Management Plan and SEPA for Shoreline Substantial Development Permit #SHR200900003,for your review and comment.The applicants are John VanHorn and Dwight Sasten.The proposal includes the construction of a float and three piling as an extension of an existing pier,ramp and float facility. NOTE:Please submit comments regarding the enclosed Biological Evaluation by June 4,2009. Please find the enclosed Biological Evaluation for your review and comment.The Mason County Resource Ordinance Fish&Wildlife Habitat Conservation Area Chapter 17.01.110 provides that management plans and biological evaluations shall be reviewed by local Tribes,Washington State Dept of Fish and Wildlife and other applicable state/federal agencies. A 28-day comment period is provided for the Biological Evaluation review.Please submit comments regarding the HMP by June 4,2009.The SEPA comment period ends May 21,2009.Details of the project follow and are enclosed. APPLICANTS: John VanHorn and Dwight Sasten LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Sec 32,Twn 22 N,R 1 W. PARCEL NUMBERS: 12232-40-01040 and 12232-40-91051. PROJECT DESCRIPTION:Construction of a float and three piling to be added to an existing PRF facility. j Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I can be reached at 427-9670,ext 360.Thank you. inted fr ��� 1\11" '