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Home My WebLink AboutBLD2017-01103 Wetland Delineation and Analysis - BLD Letters / Memos - 11/30/2017 r F&I - 1,�f2017 - 6ity-)) THE WETLAND CORPS T Wetland Delineation - Habitat Management Plans - Riparian Restoration • Mitigation • Biological Evaluation RECEIVED JAN 0 8 2018 PARCEL 12320-34-00030 WETLAND DELINEATION& ANALV Alder Street NE Timberline Drive Belfair, Washington Mason County Prepared for: Tom and Shawna Shear Prepared by: Lee Boad and Heather Lane November 2017 THE WETLAND CORPS v Wetland Delineation • Habitat Management Plans • Riparian Restoration • Mitigation • Biological Evaluation PARCEL 12320-34-00030 WETLAND DELINEATION& ANALYSIS TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................... 1 GENERAL SITE CONDITIONS.......................................................................................... 1 METHODOLOGY................. BACKGROUND INFORMATION....................................................................................... 3 WETLAND DELINEATION RESULTS.............................................................................4 WETLANDEVALUATION..................................................................................................6 STREAMEVALUATION..................................................................................................... 6 SUMMARY............................................................................................................................. 7 REFERENCES........................................................................................................................ 8 Figures Figure 1. Site Vicinity Map Figure 2. Site Map Figure 3. National Wetland Inventory Map Figure 4. Pierce County Soil Survey Map Figure 5. DNR Water Resource Map Appendices Appendix A. Routine Wetland Determination Data Forms Appendix B. Soil Survey Text Appendix C. Wetland Rating Form The Wetland Corps ' Wetland Delineation • Habitat Management Plans • Riparian Restoration - Mitigation - Biological Evaluation November, 2017 Project#TWC17-082 Page 1 of 12 PARCEL 12320-34-00030 WETLAND DELINEATION & ANALYSIS NE Timberline Drive Belfair,Washington INTRODUCTION The Wetland Corps has been authorized by Tom and Shawna Shear to perform a wetland delineation at the property located off of NE Timberline Drive, in Belfair, Mason County, Washington, (Tax Identification Number 12320-34-00030). The delineation was performed throughout December, 2017 to identify wetlands and associated buffers that would be applicable to future use of the site. The subject property is located in the SE 1/4 of Section 20, Township 23 North, Range 01 West WM(Figure 1 Vicinity Map). According to the Mason County Assessor, the subject parcel is 13.78 acres in size. For the purposes of federal, Washington State, and Mason County jurisdictional oversight, this wetland delineation followed the methodology outlined in the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region (Version 2.0) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers May 2010. WAC 173-22-035 states delineations should be done according to this manual and supplements. The changes became effective March 14, 2011. The sections below provide: (1) an introduction to the site; (2)a description of methods used in the field delineation; and, (3)technical results. GENERAL SITE CONDITIONS The property is accessed via NE Timberline Drive off of Old Belfair Highway. NE Timberline drive makes up the northern property boundary. The property is surrounded by both residential parcels and parcels utilized for timber production. Topography throughout the east side of the parcel is a flat grassy area, while the west side of the property contains both steep and moderate forested slopes grading down from the northeast and a flat area within the eastern portion. The property contains both forested areas and herbaceous patches occupied by pasture grasses. Forested areas generally consist of Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii, FACU) and western red cedar (Thuja plicata, FAC) with an understory of himilayan blackberry(Rubus discolor,FACU),salmonberry(Rubus spectabilis,FAC+)and swordfern (Polystichum munitum, FACU). Pasture areas consist of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea, FACU), canadian thistle (Canadium arvense, FACU) and tall buttercup (Ranunculus acres, FACU). A portion of one wetland was identified within the southern portion of the property, situated at the base of the easterly-facing slope. The wetland PO Box 2854 Belfair,Washington 98528•Cell Phone 360-620-0618.Office Phone 360-372-2421•wetlandcorps@hotmail.com Parcel 12320-34-00030 Wetland Delineation TWC No.17WO82 November 2017 Page No.2 contains both forested and herbaceous classes, and is characterized by hydrophytic vegetation such as slough sedge(Carex obnupta, OBL)and salmonberry(Rubus spectabilis, FAC+). Details regarding the wetland characteristics are discussed throughout this wetland evaluation. METHODOLOGY Consistent with procedures detailed in the Washington State Wetlands Identification and Delineation Manual (Washington State Department of Ecology, 2011) (2011 Manual), preliminary information was gathered on the project site prior to the field review and delineation. Information sources include the Mason County GIS and the Washington Department of Natural Resources Water Resource Map, and Mason County's critical areas regulations. Field Delineation The methodology used for this wetland delineation was consistent with the technical approaches articulated in the 2011 Manual. This document is the wetland delineation manual that is used in determining wetland areas when applying state and local government regulations under the Shoreline Management Act and the Growth Management Act in Washington State. The extent and location of suspect wetlands were determined during field work performed on October 8th, 2013. Field work was conducted under sunny conditions with an ambient temperature ranging between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The time of year and recent precipitation history were considered in assessing the extent of the suspect wetlands presumed to exist on site. Specific field methodology used in determining the extent and location of wetland areas include: 1. As part of the initial project site reconnaissance,the site was walked to determine the general extent and location of potential wetland areas; 2. Wetland and upland sample plots were established in the identified potential wetland areas and in the adjacent upland area; and 3. Wetland boundaries were delineated with flagging by noting localized topography and vegetation patterns and comparing parameters of hydrology, soil,and vegetation with data collected at the wetland and upland sample plots. The project area was investigated and data was collected at two sample plot locations. Each sample plot included a data form completed for a wetland area and a form completed for the corresponding upland area. Data collected at each sample plot was entered onto a Routine Wetland Determination Data Form (USACOE Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast- Version 2.0). PO Box 2854 Belfair, Washington 98528•Cell Phone 360-620-0618.Office Phone 360-372-2421•wetlandcorps@hotmail.com Parcel 12320-34-00030 Wetland Delineation TWC No.17WO82 November 2017 Page No.3 BACKGROUND INFORMATION DNR Water Resources Man The Department of Natural Resources Water Resources Map shows two streams draining in the immediate vicinity of the subject property. A type "S"(Shoreline of the State) stream is shown draining southerly along the east side of the subject property(see Figure 5. WA DNR Water Resources Map). The stream is commonly known as Union River. A tributary to Union River is shown draining within 200 feet south of the subject property. The tributary is mapped as a type "F" (fishbearing channel). Our findings regarding streams are discussed in the Stream Evaluation section below. WETLAND DELINEATION RESULTS A portion of one wetland containing both a forested/shrub and herbaceous classes was identified on the subject property. The wetland extends onto the southern portion of the property,and occupies approximately 1.4 acres within the subject parcel. Based on available aerial photos and topography information from the Mason County Map Viewer,the wetland appears to occupy an additional three acres, beyond what exists within the parcel. The wetland is a groundwater receptor wetland, meaning it is hydrologically supported by a fluctuating water table, in addition to receiving surface water from surrounding seasonal topography. A ditched type F channel drains through the wetland and into the Union River. The channel provides a surface water outlet for the wetland during flood events. PO Box 2854 Belfair,Washington 98528•Cell Phone 360-620-061 -Offfice Phone 360-372-2421 -wetlandcorps@hotmail.com Parcel 12320-34-00030 Wetland Delineation TWC No.17W082 November 2017 Page No.4 A x - 1 l Photo 1. Ditched Type F Channel draining through forested portion of wetland. t 1 ^ J } 4 Photo 2. Herbacous portion of wetland within parcel. PO Box 2854 Belfair, Washington 98528-Cell Phone 360-620-0618.Office Phone 360-372-2421•wetlandcorps@hotmail-com Parcel 12320-34-00030 Wetland Delineation TWC No.17W082 November 2017 Page No.5 The wetland boundary was identified primarily by the presence of hydrophytic vegetation such as slough sedge(Carex obnupta,OBL)subsisting in dark,silty soils with a high content of organic matter. The wetland boundary was identified by noting the presence of facultative wetland vegetation in congruence with hydric soil indicators and positive wetland hydrology indicators discussed below. Vegetation The forested portion of the consists of an overstory of red alder (Alnus rubra, FAC) and western red cedar(Thuja plicata,FAC),with an understory containing salmonberry(Rubus spectabilis, FAC+), Himilayan blackberry (Rubus discolor, FACU), creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens,FACW)and slough sedge (Carex obnupta,OBL). Wetland vegetation within the herbacous portion of the wetland,located at the northernmost point of the wetland, consists of slough sedge (Carex obnupta, OBL), soft rush (Juncus effufus, FACW) and creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens, FACW). Wetland vegetation is indicated by hydrophytic vegetation FAC and FACW dominating over 50 percent of the vegetation community in wetland data plots. The areas immediately adjacent to the forested portion of the wetland consist of Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii, FACU) and western red cedar (Thuja plicata, FAC) with an understory of himilayan blackberry (Rubus discolor, FACU), salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis, FAC+) and swordfem (Polystichum munitum, FACU). Upland pasture areas adjacent to the herbaceous portion of the wetland consist of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea, FACU), Canadian thistle (Canadium arvense, FACU) and tall buttercup (Ranunculus acris, FACU). Hydophytic vegetation occupies less than 50 percent of the vegetative community in upland data plots. Soils The profiles within the test pits consisted of a single layer profile consisting of silty mucky mineral soil to 12 inches deep with matrix chroma 1 OYR 3/1 and 1 OYR 2/1.A 2-centimeter layer of muck overlayed the soil profile. Wetland hydric soils are indicated silty, mucky mineral soil and the presence of muck within the upper 2 centimeters. In addition, the soil consists of a low-chroma(equaling one) in all wetland test pits. The upland test pits exhibited a two-layer soil profile. The upper layer consists of gravelly sandy loam approximately eight to ten inches deep of matrix chroma 1 OYR 4/4. The lower profile contained less gravel with a matrix chroma of 1 OYR 3/3. No hydric soil indicators were present in upland soil test pits. Hydrology Wetland hydrology is indicated by FAC-neutral vegetation, drainage patterns, oxidized rhizospheres among living root channels, soil saturation and free water in the test pits. The sample plots within the wetland area revealed free water in the test pits at a four inch depth and soil saturation to the surface. PO Box 2854 Belfair, Washington 98528-Cell Phone 360-620-0618.Office Phone 360-372-2421•wetlandcorps@hotmail.com Parcel 12320-34-00030 Wetland Delineation TWC No.17WO82 November 2017 Page No.6 Upland test pits showed no indicators of wetland hydrology. WETLAND EVALUATION The onsite wetland is classified as a Depressional wetland per Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington (Hruby 2006). Based on functional attributes associated with the wetland including habitat,water quality, and hydrology functions, it has been rated as a Category II wetland, scoring 52 points on the state rating form. The score for water quality functions in this wetland is 10, hydrological functions scored 16, and the score for habitat functions is 26 (see Appendix C for rating form). According to Table 17.01.070 E of the Mason County Resource Ordinance, the base buffer width for Category II Wetlands scoring between 20 and 28 points in habitat function is 110 feet with an additional 15-foot building setback within parcels intended for Moderate Impact Land Use. Moderate Impact Land Use is described in Table 17.07.070 B of the Mason County Resource Ordinance as single-family residential lots,residential subdivisions with 1 unit/acre or less. STREAM EVALUATION Two streams are mapped by WA DNR Water Resources Map to occur within and within the vicinity of the subject property(see Figure 5. WA DNR Water Resource Map). The stream commonly identified as Union River is mapped draining southerly along the eastern property boundary. Union River stream is mapped as a type "S" (Shoreline of the State)channel, and was identified along the eastern side of the property. A tributary to Union River is mapped draining easterly within 200 feet south of the southern property boundary. A ditched stream channel was identified within the southern portion of the property, draining easterly through the onsite wetland and into Union River within the property(see Photo 2,above). The stream is greater than two feet in width, on average, and is situated along a gradient of less than sixteen percent with no instream obstructions to Union River. Therefore,the ditched stream channel within the property contains fishbearing habitat according to stream typing criteria described in WAC 16.222.031. According to Section 17.01.110 of the Mason County Resource Ordinance, type S channels and type F streams are each regulated with a 150-foot buffer and an additional 15-foot building setback. SUMMARY This wetland report documents the presence of a portion of a Category II Depressional Wetland, a type S stream (Union River) and a type F stream channel within the subject property. According to Table 17.01.070 of the Mason County Resource Ordinance, the wetland requires a 110-foot buffer with an additional 15-foot building setback. According to Table 17.01.110 of the Mason County Resource Ordinance, the type S stream (Union River)and the type F stream are each regulated with a 150-foot buffer and an additional 15- foot building setback. See Figure 2. Site Map for the approximate location of the wetland, stream and associated buffers. PO Box 2854 Belfair,Washington 98528•Cell Phone 360-620-0618.Office Phone 360-372-2421 wetlandcorps otmaii.com Parcel 12320-34-00030 Wetland Delineation TWC No.17W082 November 2017 Page No.7 We trust this information is sufficient for you at this time. Thank you for choosing the Wetland Corps as your environmental consultant. If you have any questions,feel free to call. Respectfully submitted, The Wetland Corps Heather Lane Staff Wetland Specialist Lee Boad Senior Ecologist PO Box 2854 Belfair,Washington 98528•Cell Phone 360-620-0618.Office Phone 360-372-2421•wetlandcorps@hotmail.com REFERENCES Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet and E.T. LaRoe, 1979. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service document FWS/OBS-79/31. 84 pp. Washington, D.C. Hitchcock, L.C. and A. Cronquist, 1973. Flora of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press.. 730 pp. Hruby, T.,2004. Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington—Revised. Washington State Department of Ecology Publication#04-06-025. Munsell Soil Color Charts, 1998. GretagMacbeth. New Windsor,New York. Pojar,J. and A. MacKinnon, 1994.Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Lone PinePublishing. 528 pp. Vancouver, British Columbia. Speare-Cooke, S., 1997. A Field Guide to the Common Wetland Plants of Western Washington and Northwestern Oregon. Seattle Audubon Society. 417 pp. US Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. Soil Survey of Pierce County Area, Washington. September, 1977. US Fish and Wildlife Service. National Wetlands Inventory. 1978. Washington State Department of Ecology, 1997. Washington State Wetland Identification and Delineation Manual. Ecology Publication#96-94, various pagination. Olympia, Washington. Washington State Department of Ecology, 1993. Washington State Wetlands Rating System, Western Washington Second Edition. 61 pp.Ecology Publication#93-74. Olympia, Washington. Washington State Department of Ecology, 1999. Methods for Assessing Wetland Functions for Reverine and Depressional Wetlands in the Lowlands of Western Washington. Ecology Publication#99-115. Olympia, Washington. United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 1993.National List of Plant Species that Occur in Wetlands Region 9—Northwest. Resource Management Group PO Box 2854 Belfair,Washington 98528•Cell Phone 360-620-0618.Office Phone 360-372-2421•wetlandcorps@hotmail.com Approximate S1407q Site Location Oct 7- Sardhiff Park re Jake D r 0 NE Vzl F F, I fai r I I FIGURE 1. SITE VICINITY MAP THE WETLAND CORPS Project:Parcel 12320-34-00030 Wetland Delineation Project Number: TWC17-082 Client: Tom and Shawna Shearer Location: Belfair,Wa Date: 11/2017 23203400030 :cw search resulisfor 12320._. 7 + 200 NE 71WERUNE UR 125' Wetland Setback 1 NE TIN6MRUN DR Access Road 131 NE�ill Union River FIGURE 2. SITE MAP Project:Parce112320-34-00030 Wetland Delineation �' Project Number: TWC17-082 THE WETLAND CORPS Client: Tom and Shawna Shearer Location: Belfair,Wa Date: 11/2017 Approximate - Parcel Location 0 i i PUBH P"C y r Figure adapted from the Figure 3. NWI Map ; NWI Mapping Website Section 20 Township 23 North Range 1 West FIGURE 3. NWI WETLANDS MAP _ Project:Parcel 12320-34-00030 Wetland Delineation �✓ Project Number: TWC17-082 THE WETLAND CORPS Client: Tom and Shawna Shearer Location: Belfair, Wa Date: 11/2017 Mason County,Washington(WA645) n Mason County, Washington (WA645) ;J Map Acres Percent of Unit Map Unit Name Symbol in AOI AOI Ba Belfast sandy 8.3 25.540 loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes Bb Belfast silt 10.3 31.711/c loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes Ee Everett 0.5 1.4% gravelly loamy sand, 5 to 15 percent slopes Ef Everett 2.5 7.990 gravelly loamy sand, 15 to 30 percent slopes Ib Indianola 9.6 29.7% loamy sand, to 15 perc slopes Ic 3uno loamy 0.0 0.1% sand, 0 to 3 FIGURE 4. MASON COUNTY SOIL SURVEY Project:Parcel 12320-34-00030 Wetland Delineation Project Number: TWC17-082 PS Client: Tom and Shawna Shearer THE WETLAND COR Location: Belfair, Wa Date: 11/2017 Approximate Parcel Location f t r f N N l ! � ,r .KI' � 1 _ 1.4 n9R 4 Water Bodies ® Flats.'Gravel Bars Ice Man Made Features Open o"dater Wet Area Streams Streams — Type S — Type F -- Type fit, fop.Ns U,unknown X,non-typed per WAC 222-16 FIGURE 5 DNR WATER TYPE MAP Project:Parcel 12320-34-00030 Wetland Delineation Project Number: TWC17-082 THE WETLAND CORPS Client: Tom and Shawna Shearer Location: Belfair,Wa 7