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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWetland Mitigation for BLD2004-00303 - PLN General - 7/23/2004 Forestech LLC www.littleforest.org Main Office:260 Old Fort Townsend Road Port Townsend,WA 98368 (360)2714779 Branch Office:9857 Miami Beach Road NW Seabeck,WA 98380 (360)830-5%4 July 23, 2004 RECEIVED Mr. Rick Mraz JUL 2 8 2004 Mason County Dept. of Community Development MCCD - PLANNING P.O. Box 279 Shelton, WA 98584 Re: Case No: BLD2004-00303 Brad Armstrong Parcel# 123303390021 Dear Mr. Miraz: I was retained by Mr. Brad Armstrong to evaluate wetlands and propose mitigation measures referenced by the above-mentioned case. Please find enclosed a Wetland Delineation and Evaluation report as well as a Wetland Mitigation Proposal for the same project. Mr. Armstrong and I ask that you review both reports, and we hope that you find our proposal reasonable. Please feel free to contact me at the above address if you should need any clarifications or if you should have any questions. Sincerely, Earl Kong Wetland Consultant. Forestech LLC www.littleforest.org Main Office:260 Old Fort Townsend Road Port Townsend,WA 98368 (360)271-4779 Branch Office:9857 Miami Beach Road NW Seabeck,WA 98380 (360)830-5564 Wetland Mitigation proposal for Brad Armstrong Mitigation plan for impact on wetland vegetation area July 20,2004 Parcel# 123303390021 SW1/4-SW1/4-S30-T23N-RO1 W-WM Mason County, Washington The wetland of consideration is described in accompanying wetland report. Mason County Resource Ordinance 17.01.070 provides that Wetland Vegetation Areas as well as building setbacks, shall be required for all regulated wetlands. The ordinance also provides that. 1. Minor structural intrusions into the area of the building setbacks may be allowed if it will not negatively impact the wetland; 2. The boundary of the vegetation area may be modified by averaging the vegetation area widths. This plan proposes mitigation for a minor structural intrusion into the vegetation area of a category I I I wetland. The topography surrounding the wetland vicinity is gently rolling with deep ravines. The wetland occurs on a ten percent slope with a west aspect. The vegetation in the vicinity has valuable wildlife habitat. The surrounding areas are occupied by open fields, scattered trees,deciduous and coniferous forests as well as mixed forests. The surrounding areas also has the structural diversity to provide for a diverse wildlife population. This small wetland is an integral part of the surrounding habitat. It provides water, food and cover, including thermal. Wildlife in the vicinity typifies those species native to Western Washington. Wildlife "species of concern"(monitored for survival or classed as sensitive,threatened or endangered)are found in the area, although not specifically found in this immediate vicinity, are: Great Blue Heron-A large,gray-blue bird with a cavalier plume of black feathers behind the eye. Size, about 46 inches. Turkey Vulture-A large two toned pale gray bird with a naked head. Size, about 27 inches. Osprey-A large long winged hawk,brown above,white below. Size, about 24 inches. Bald eagle-A large blackish eagle with white head and tail and heavy yellow bill. Size about 30 inches. Forestech Pileated Woodpecker-A crow size woodpecker, with white neck stripes,white wing linings and red crest. Size, about 17 inches. Western Bluebird-A long winged short tailed bird with a deep blue hood and upper parts. Size,about 6 inches. Vaux's Swift-A dark swift with long wings and rounded tail. Size, about 4 inches. Pacific Water Shrew-A dark brown mouse like mammal with a long tail and a long pointed snout. Size,about three inches plus a three- inch tail. No evidence or nest sites of these species were found in the immediate vicinity of this Wetland Area. Vegetation areas provided for under the Mason County rules adequately protect the wetland. this protection could be enhanced by increasing the vegetation area along the upslope(eastern) side of the wetland. Considering that there is gradient above the springs mentioned in the Wetland Delineation report,additional protection could prevent the delivery of sediments resulting from surface erosion. The springs are an integral part of the habitat. This mitigation plan proposes adjustments well within the guidelines provided for under Resource Ordinance 17.01.070. This proposal is a request to modify the vegetation area by averaging the widths as provided for under Mason County Resources Ordinance 17.01.070. To reduce the width a from fifty feet to twenty five feet in the Southwest corner of the vegetation area and increase the vegetation area along the eastern side to a doublewide, or 100 feet, vegetation area. This would allow a minor structural intrusion into the building setback line and the vegetation area on the down-slope side of the wetland. This would also provide for increased protection of the wetland by providing a double-wide vegetation area along the most critical area of the wetland,the upslope side. The implementation of the above mentioned modifications to the Wetland Vegetation area would not negatively impact the wetland. It would have a positive impact as additional protection is added to the most critical part of the wetland. The wetland and vegetation areas shall be retained in its natural condition. Combined with the surrounding habitat,they are a critical part of a diverse habitat that is valuable to many species in their present state. The analysis,conclusions, and recommendations presented in this report are based on information provided by the landowner, conditions observed in the field and my best professional judgment. Earl Kong July 20,2004 Forester/Wetland consultant Forestech I w tt Wetland Mitigation Site Map V ODE`� Gg�p o� wA7 For Brad Armstrong Parcel Number 123303390021 ho Located in the SW '/.- SW '/.- S 30—T 23N—R 01W �y Mason County, Washington go � h0 N Scale= 1"=50' W ETLA N L; L. �u � 1- U1tj , ti Z �" �� O. Q PROPOSED uJ SrkUCTURE pk.OPEkTY L1 14E