The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutWetland Reconnaissance Evaluation - PLN General - 9/17/2004 A AGUA TIERRA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING, INC. TE C Design 0 Restore a Construct September 17,2004 `I VE DSEP 2 0 ?Up# 42 Mr. Steve Dagle 1726 Monroe St. Shelton,WA 98584 SUBJECT: Wetland Reconnaissance Evaluation,Mason County,Washington Parcel#321307590133 1.0 INTRODUCTION At the request of Mr. Steve Dagle,Agua Tierra Environmental Consulting,Inc.(ATEC)conducted a wetland reconnaissance(WR)visit on a parcel located in Shelton,Mason County,Washington. Celina Abercrombie, Restoration Specialist,conducted the site visit on September 17,2004. The site lies within Section 30, Township 21N,Range 3W(W.M.). The property is recorded at the assessor's office as parcel# 321307590133. The property is approximately 1.5 acres in size. All observations reported in this letter relate to this subject property addressed above. 2.0 GENERAL OVERVIEW OF WETLAND TASKS Described below is an overview of wetland tasks that may be encountered on any wetland project. 2.1 WETLAND RECONNAISSANCE EVALUATION(WR) The purpose of a WR is to answer the following specific questions: (1) Determine if wetlands subject to federal jurisdiction(and therefore state and local regulations)are present; and,if so (2) Provide a rough sketch of wetland area present;and (3) Provide a rough estimate of the category(ecological quality)of wetland and some guidance on buffer requirements. The WR is intended as a relatively inexpensive means of determining the relative scale of wetland limitations present on the subject property before pursuing a more extensive delineation,or land management activity. The size and location of any wetland/s identified in a WR report must be treated as a rough estimate for initial planning purposes only. Greater detail and assurance of size and location requires delineation. 2.2 DELINEATION AND ASSESSMENT If wetland areas are identified on the subject properties and if their condition is such that a client wishes to further pursue land modification,a wetland delineation and assessment are then required under local government regulations. Wetland delineations involve a detailed site investigation of soils,plants,and hydrologic conditions resulting in a flagged wetland boundary. Wetland assessments evaluate the relative quality of a wetland based on various functions and values(flood control,wildlife habitat,etc.). An assessment will include a wetland category rating. Local governments use ratings to determine site buffer requirements and mitigation ratio requirements. RIVERS FISH HABITAT WETLANDS WATERSHEDS MARINE SHORELINES AGUA TIERRA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING, INC. 506 Edison Street SE • Suite 100• Olympia,Washington 98501 T:(360)754-3755 • F:(360)754-3431 • E-Mail: atec@aguatierra.net www.aguatierra.net 2 Wetland buffers are perimeter areas established surrounding the wetland itself to insulate the site from adjacent adverse impacts. The extent of any buffer requirement is based on the overall quality of the wetland. ATEC staff provides delineation and assessment tasks as a single stand alone report. 2.3 MITIGATION Following a delineation and assessment of a site,project planning and design can be performed with respect to wetland constraints. Adverse impacts to the wetland and its buffers must be avoided or minimized. If the project design can not avoid impacts to wetlands then mitigation must be performed. Mitigation is generally defined as wetland enhancement or restoration actions taken to reduce adverse impacts to the wetland and its buffer. ATEC staff works closely with project designers to find ways to avoid and/or minimize impacts to wetlands. If impacts still exist after design modifications,ATEC staff will then design enhancement and/or restoration plans for the wetland and/or buffer as needed. ATEC also offers construction services for any required mitigation. 3.0 WETLAND RECONNAISSANCE EVALUATION FOR THIS SITE Wetland identification work at your site involved investigation within the study area for the presence and,if present,the extent of three wetland indicator parameters: (1) VEGETATION: Presence or absence of a prevalence of hydrophytic vegetation having indicator status of wetland obligate,facultative-wetland or facultative status; (2) SOILS: Presence or absence of a prevalence of hydric soils at the appropriate depth below land surface; and (3) HYDROLOGY: Presence or absence of indicators of wetland hydrology within identified study area. 3.1 SUMMARY One wetland was identified within the northern portion of the subject property and labeled Wetland A. Wetland A is a small isolated depressional wetland approximately 2500 square feet in size containing forested, scrub/shrub,and emergent plant communities. Wetland A extends off-site to the northwest. Any wetlands found and their approximate locations are hand sketched on the attached Sketch Map for reference. A summary narrative of Wetland A characteristics is provided in Section 4.0 of this report. Wetland A appears to be regulated due to its size and overall functional quality. 4.0 VEGETATION The table below lists dominant vegetation observed in Wetland A. Plant Species Plant Community Wetland Indicator Status Slough sedge(Carex Emergent Obligate(OBL) obnupta) Hardhack(Spiraea Scrub/shrub Facultative Wetland douglasii) (FACW) Sitka willow(Salix Scrub/shrub Facultative Wetland sitchensis) (FAC Pacific willow(Salix Tree Facultative Wetland+ lasiandra) (FACW+) The presence and distribution of these species satisfies the vegetation criteria for wetland status. 4.1 SOILS The site was investigated for the presence of hydric soils(wetland indicator). Soil pits were hand dug with a shovel to depths of 12 to 16 inches at selected candidate hydric soil locations within the study area. Site soil conditions were compared with those mapped in the Soil Survey of the Mason County,Washington(USDA Soil Conservation Service, 1960). Soil investigation results are shown in the table below. RIVERS FISH HABITAT WETLANDS WATERSHEDS MARINE SHORELINES A AGUA TIERRA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING, INC. TEC 506 Edison Street SE• Suite 100. Olympia,Washington 98501 T: (360)754-3755 • F: (360)754-3431 • E-Mail: atec@aguatierra.net www.aguatierra.net 3 Soil Characteristics (M)Mapped Soil Soil Test Soil Hydric Characteristics Observed Results of Type Pit Type (if any) field check or Listed as for hydric (0)Other Soil Hydric* condition Type Found Y/N Y/N (M)Alderwood 1 N gravelly sandy loam Histosol Y (0)Muck Y *Listing by local government or U.S. Department of Agriculture(MRCS). Site soil conditions do satisfy the soil criteria for wetland status based on the 1987 Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE)Delineation Manual. 4.2 HYDROLOGY Hydrology indicators visually observed in Wetland A include the following: Primary indicators • Saturated in upper 12", and • Water marks. Secondary indicators • Water stained leaves. Site hydrology indicators do satisfy the criteria for wetland status based on the ACOE Delineation Manual. 4.3 APPLICABLE REGULATIONS AND WETLAND BUFFERS Wetland buffer requirements for Mason County are as follows: Wetland Buffer Recommendations Wetland Category Proposed Buffer Ranges Category 1 125 feet Category 2 85 feet Category 3 50 feet Category 4 25 feet Based on a reconnaissance level evaluation estimate,Wetland A appears to be rated as a Category III wetland due to size,habitat functions,and vegetative diversity. State and local regulation are likely to require a minimum vegetative buffer setback of 50 feet. It is possible that Wetland A is a Category IV wetland and unregulated by Mason County due to size(Ordinance No. 77-93, Section 17.01.070). A wetland delineation assessment can determine wetland categorization along with associated vegetated buffer requirements. 5.0 CONCLUSION Field investigation of the three required wetland parameters, (1)vegetation, (2)soils and(3)hydrology revealed one wetland(Wetland A)within the study area.Wetland A is likely to be a regulated wetland. It is approximately 2500 square feet in size containing forested, scrub/shrub,and emergent plant communities.Wetland A has an estimated rating of Category III requiring a minimum buffer setback of 50 feet. There is a potential that Wetlands A is rated as a Category IV wetland and unregulated by.Mason County due to size. RIVERS FISH HABITAT WETLANDS WATERSHEDS MARINE SHORELINES A� AGUA TIERRA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING, INC. TE(� 506 Edison Street SE •Suite 100 • Olympia,Washington 98501 T: (360)754-3755 • F: (360)754-3431 • E-Mail: atec@aguatierra.net www.aguatierra.net 4 6.0 NEXT STEPS • A wetland delineation assessment can determine wetland categorization along with associated vegetated buffer requirements. • Discussion with Mason County Planning Department to determine whether Wetland A is regulated. Thank you for the opportunity to assist you in the management of this site. As your project develops,please let us know if we can be of further assistance. Sin rely, Celina Abercr b e — Restoration Specialist RIVERS • FISH HABITAT WETLANDS WATERSHEDS MARINE SHORELINES AGUA TIERRA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING, INC. TEC 506 Edison Street SE •Suite 100 .Olympia,Washington 98501 T: (360)754-3755• F: (360)754-3431 • E-Mail: atec@aguatierra.net www.aguatierra.net AGUA TIERRA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING, INC. (ATEC) OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON 0 14+ HAICHEMY 101 If LAftr- -23:24 LAKE 24:19 1912 L 21 01 -------------------------------- - --------------------------- -- ------- ------------------------------------------ -----------I ------------ - O corritmw 1997 Rak�* HlR MPS. ALL RIGHTS AtMit= 139 9�2 121 23,24 ----------- --------- McREAVY-- ----------- ------- --------------------I _t............. ............. ------------- ——------------ 26:25 4 5:30 30129 29:28 MANSA PL EAGLE LEONGTON PL ANN AABOR DR 'CRAMERRY LAK OLLING HILLS DR ROAD ------------ -------------- ---- -------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------ALE -------------- RD DF1 N w ---- Gov RD s 26'25 25130 29 29,28 --------------- 35:36 --------------t----------- —--- --- -—----------- - ----------------------------------------T2�:33 36131 --------------- ---- - ---- ----------------------- ----------------- ------------------------------------ ---- ------ --- ------ -------------- 32 35!36 T 1N �' 1 32�33 r THN 6— 'e 5 1 4 't~ 't,I Id LrrrLE BFwA IN Source:mason County Roadrunner Street Atlas 1998 PROJECT AREA 0- 506 EDISON STREET SE SUITE 100 TE OLYMPIA. WA. 9MI STREET MAP TEL (MO) 754-3755 AGUA TIERRA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING, INC. (ATEC) OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON Qyrcs- w 4�Na� A w ti 506 EDISON STREET SE SUITE 100 T E an+PIA, WA. 98501 SKETCH MAP TEL (360) 754-3755 parcel#321307590133