HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000.02.00 - Level 1 Wetland Report for Montana Addition Block 7t
Level I
Wetland Report
Montana Addition Block 7
February 2000
Prepared for:
Nancy E. Miller
3823 Seabeck/Holly Road NW
Seabeck, WA 983 80
Prepared by:
Dixie Llewellin
Olympic Wetland Resources
856 50n'Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
Level I Wetland Report
Montana Addition Block 7
February 2000
Contents
Description of Site
Introduction
Methodology
Soils
Vegetation
Hydrolory
Classification
Wetland Edges
Findings
Soils
Vegetation
Hydrology
Summary
References
Appendix
Map #1 Wetland Edges and Buffers
Map #1A wetland Edges and Buffers, Field Measurements
Map #2 City of Port Townsend Wetland, Flood, and Drainage Areas 1995
wetlands Rating Field Data Form (Deparhnent of Ecology)
0lympic Wetland Resources
1i' '.;::l-
Nancy E. Miller
3823 SeabecVFlolly Road NW
Seabeck, WA 98380
Report File Number:
Report Subject:
2000-0016
Wetland Survey
Level I Wetland Report
Montana Addition Block 7
Description of Site
Legal Description: Lots l-8 Block 7 Montana Addition, port Townsend wA.o Location: Between Grant and Hendricks, 50ft and 5l't Street
Soils: Mapped as saB san Juan gravelly sandy loam, Tyo to g% slopes
This site consists of a forested canopy with an under-story of shrub and herbaceous layers. There
are several large red cedars on the site. This block is located at the south-east corner ofthe
intersection of Hendricks and 5l't Street. Access to the subject property is from either Hendricks
or 5 1" Street.
Introduction
At the request of Jan Garing, Windermere Real Estate, Dixie Llewellin of Olympic Wetland
Resources, Inc. conducted a wetland reconnaissance on February 4, ZO0O for Nancy E. MillerandRichardandBonnieRy-diog on property described above. The jurpose of this survey was to
determine how the wetland edges and the associated buffers relate io potential building lots. This
determination will assist the planning process for building sites locations within Block 7MontanaAddition. As part of a larger City stor$water project the nearby wetland has been described in
1995 by LisaPalazzi, wetland scientist,-as Wetland 4-12 (Sheridan Street Wetland).
Nancy E. Miller Wetland Report 2000-0016 Olympic Wetland Resources, inc. 2/00
All development adjacent to wetlands or within wetland buffers is subject to regulation standards of the
City of Port Townsend ESA 19.05.1 l0 Wetlands.
Methodology
Prior to fieldwork, all documents related to wetland work conducted on nearby property were
reviewed. This includes the information from the City of Port Townsend Stormwater Program
Wetland Inventory Q992).
The following maps were also consulted:
e National Wetland Inventory Maps
U.S. Geological Survey Maps
City of Port Townsend Wetlands Maps (1995)
Soil Survey Maps of Jefferson County (U.S. Soil Conservation Service 1975)
Fieldwork to determine the actual wetland boundaries was conducted according to the methodology
outlined in the Washington State Wetland Identification and Delineation Manual @epartment of
Ecolory #96-94). Currently, the Washington Administrative Code requires that all wetlands within the
State ofWashington be delineated using this manual.
The methodology outlined in the Washington State Wetland Identification and DelineationManual
requires examination of the three parameters for a positive wetland determination: hydric soils,
hydrophytic vegetation, and hydrolory. For an area to qualify as a jurisdictional wetland it must have a
positive indicator from all three parameters. All wetlands identified using this methodology may be
federally regulated, regardless of size.
Soils
A hydric soil is a soil that forms under conditions of saturation, flooding, or ponding which last
long enough during the growing season to result in an anaerobic upper layer. Hydric soils favor
the growth and regeneration of hydrophytic vegetation. The indicators for this type of soil include low
chroma, mottles, gleyorg, and high organic content within the upper 32 inches of the soil profile. Holes
were dug on the site and soil colors (including value and chroma) were recorded in the top 16 inches.
Soil colors were analyzed using the Munsell Color Charts (1992).
Vegetation
Weland plant species must constitute greater than 50% of the total vegetation present to meet the
Qualifimdtt as a site dominated by hydrophytic vegetation. Dominance of plant species is determined
by calculating actual aerial cover within a 30-foot radius for trees, a lO-foof radius for shrubs, and a 6-
foot radius for the herbaceous layer at each data point. Commonly occuning plant species have been
rated by the United States Fish and Wildlife (USFW), National List of Plant Species ihat occur in
Wetlands: Northwest (Region 9) as to their frequency of occurrence in wetlands and non-wetlands.
During the fieldworlg each species was recorded and given a rating based on indicator status.
r
2NancyE. Miller Wetland Report 2000-0016 Olympic Wetland Resources, Lrc. 2/00
Hydrology
Wetland hydrology is defined in the Washington State Wetland Identification and Delineation Manual
as "areas that are periodically inundated or have soils saturated to the surface at some time during the.
growing season". fueas must have seasonally inundated or saturated soil at least 12.50 of the growing
season.
I lndicators of hydrology include vizual observation of inundation or soil saturatiorq water-
stained leaves, cracking of the soil surface, or sediment deposits. Positive signs of hydrology are often
absent during the summer and fall months but can be infened if there are positive indicators of hydric
soil and hydrophytic vegetation.
ClassiJication
Wetland categoizationwas determined using the WA State Department ofEcology Wetland Rating
System (publication #91-57 October 1991), which assigns a numerical value to any grven wetland
according to wetland size, quality of surrounding buffers, vegetation diversity, wetland types, and
habitat value. Wetlands are rated as entire systems and quite often exceed project boundaries. This
wetland has been classified as a high quality Class tr (38 points) wetland by Lisa p4laz"1, Pacific Rim
Soil and Water (10126195). This classification of wetland 4-12 Sheridan Street Wetland was verified
during the February 2000 survey.
According to the City of Port Townsend ESA Ordinance (1995), wetlands are regulated ifthey meet
size and classification specifications. All Class tr wetlands over 5,500 square feet are regulated
19.05.1l0). Class II wetlands have associated 100-foot buffers. The buffer line and wetland edge
on the subject property are included in the Appendix (Map #l).
Department of Ecology Wetland Rating Forms from the 1995 Classification are included in the
Appendix.
Wetland Edges
Wetland edges were determined by establishing a data point within the wetland which contained
positive indicators of all three of the wetland requirements: soils, hydrology, and vegetation. Another
data point was established to define the non-wetland, where wetland soils, hydrology, or hydrophytic
vegetation were not present. Since the property has been recently surveyed both Lot and Block
corners were clearly marked and the wetland edge could be accurately measured. Details of field
measurements are included in the Appendix (Map #1A).
Findings
Fieldwork on this site identified wetland soils, hydrophytic plants, and standing water on the
southern portion of Block 7. According to the City of Port Townsend Sensitive Areas map (and
verified by on-site findings), the wetland is extensive and connects to other wetlands via a
drainage corridor associated with Basin 4, terminating at Chinese Gardens.
On-site findings reveal a slight topographic rise as well as a distinct plant community change at
the wetland/upland edge. This wetland survey does not represent a formal delineation; rather it is
I The growing season is defined by the Jefferson County soil sun'ey as March 12 to November 25 in or near Port
Torvnsend. Hy'drology must be present for l2.5Yo (20 days) of these 258 days for an area to qualifr as a rvetland.
3NancvE. Miller Wetland Report 2000-0016 Ollmpic Wetland Resources, lnc. 2/00
an overview of findings, to be used for general planning purposes only. A formal delineation
would include many more data points and a wetland edge flagged every 25 feet. A map of
wetland edges and associated 100 foot buffers and is enclosed in the Appendix (Map #l).
The wetland/drainage corridor has been delineated by Lisa Palazzi, Pacific Rim Soil and Water,
and surveyed by Polaris Engineering (199211993). The results of this delineation are the purple
dotted lines included in the Appendix (Map #l). The delineation has no formal report to verify
findings (letter from Lisa Palazzi dated September I l, 1995). Delineations are valid for a period
of three years from the date that the delineation report is accepted by the City (ESA 19.05.020).
The wetland edge appears to be consistent with previous findings; old wetland flagging was still
present and the wetland/upland edge is quite distinct and confined to a channel. The recent
mapping during this survey is more accurate since Block 7 has been recently surveyed and
measurements were taken directly from sunrey markers.
Soik
Soils are mapped by the Jefferson County Soil Survey as SaB San Juan gravelly sandy loam, with
0o/o to 8olo slopes.
Test pits were dug to a depth of 16 inches in the wetland area and inspected for hydric conditions.
Hydric soils were located at Data Points #t and #2withtop layers of deep brown (iOYR 3/l)
above layers of sandy colored soil (l0YR 4/l) with faint orange mottling. All soil colors
identified meet the requirements of hydric soil. An upland test pit, Data Point #3, was dug to a
depth of 10" (to hardpan) on the eastern edge of Block 7. Soil colors at this location did not
qualify as hydric (IOYR 4/3 without mottles). All Data Point locations are indicated in the
Appendix (Map #l).
Vegetation
Vegetation in the wetland areas includes a mixed deciduous tree layer of alder, willows, and hawthom
with an understory of Nootka rose, spirea, and salmonberry. Sedges and ferns were identified in the
herbaceous layer. Several of the species listed above thrive with regular inundation. The wetland
vegetation is of very high habitat value due to the variety of community types: dense shrub layer, dead
standing trees that provide nesting and perching sites, and protection with nearby forest buffers.
Generally, the vegetation clearly defines the wetland/upland edge throughout the wetland. The upland
plant community consists of an evergreen tree layer of Douglas fir, and red cedar with a dense
understory ofocean spray, rose, and sword ferns.
Hydrology
Hydrology was present 75 feet south of Block 7 along Hendricks Street where water flows out of
an l8-inch culvert under Hendricks Street. At this location the water was 3 to 4 inches deep and
2 to 3 feet across. The wetland widens from this point and at 165 feet to the east, along the
southern boundary, the wetland crosses onto Block 7. The south-east property boundary marker
from the recent survey) was standing in water 35' from the upland edgeraWater depths at this
location are from 3 to 6 inches. This is the area that has been described as Sheridan Wetland (WL
4'12). Plant species diversity is very high and is found within a variety of forested, shrub, and
4NancyE. Miller Wetland Reporr 2000-0016 Olympic Wetland Resources, brc. 2/00
herbaceous layers. The entire wetland is over one acre in size and is surrounded by over 100 feet
of undisturbed forest. Sheridan Wetland has very high habitat value for amphibians, birds, and
wildlife especially since it is connected to a series of wetlands.
Summary
A high quality Class II wetland was identified by LisaPalazzi in 1995 in the south-east corner of
Block 7 Montana addition and confirmed during this field survey. There are 100 fodt associated
buffer requirements that apply to all development near Class II wetlands. These buffers restrict
removal of vegetation and building site choices. Measurements were taken directly from recent
survey corner markers; although the wetland edge has not changed since the 1992 survey, the new
measurements are more accurate than lines indicated on previous maps.
Final authority over this wetland determination rests with the City of Port Townsend and the
Corps of Engineers.
If you have any questions or would like to see the field notes from the data points please feel free
to call.
Sincerely,
Dixie Llewellin
Principal Biologist, Olympic Wetland Resources, Inc.
Certified for Wetland Delineation, 1987 Manual
Wetland Training Institute June 1995.
5NancyE. Miller Wetland Report 2000-0016 Olympic Wetland Resources, Inc. 2/00
References
Literature Cited
Cooke, Sarah Spear, 1997. A Field Guide to the Common Wetland Plants of Western
Washington and Northwest Oregon. Seattle Audubon Society. Seattle WA.
Cowardin, L.M.V. Carter, F.C.Goblet, and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of Wetland and
Deep Water Habitats of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Washington, DC.1979
Hitchcock and Conquest, 1973. Flora of the Pacific Northwest
Federal Interagency Committee for Wetland Delineation. 1987. Federal Manual for Identifying
and Delineation Jurisdictional Wetlands. July 1994 update. U.S. Army Corp of
Engineers, US Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and
USDA Soil Conservation Service.
Guard, Jennifer, 1995. Wetland Plants of Oregon and Washington. Lone Pine Press.
Redmond, Washington.
Leonard, William P., 1993. Seattle Audubon Series. Amphibians of \ilashington and Oregon.
MacBeth, Div. of Kollmorgen Instruments Corp., 1992. Munsell Soil Color Charts.
Mitsch and Gosselink, 1993. Wetlands.
Pojar, Mackinnon,1994. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast.
Port Townsend, City of. November, 1992. Sensitive Areas Ordinance. City of Port Townsend
Port Townsend, City of. November, 1995. Wetlands Inventory. Sheldon & Associates.
Reed, Porter, 1988. National List of Plant Species that Occur in Wetlands, Region 9. 1993
update.
Washington State Wetland Department of Ecology. March, 1997. Washington State Wetland
Identification and Delineation Manual, #96-94.
USDA5 Dept. of Agriculture. 1994 Pocahontas Press. Keys to Soil Taxonomy
U.S.D.A., Soil Coh;ervation Service, 1975. Soil Survey of Jefferson County.
T
Appendix
Montana Addition Blo ck 7
Port Townsend, WA
5 l st Street
C)
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op{
Ltr-lL,
L.t(.)
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94
tl2-
v-5Oth StreeL/\ a'\-/
2---
75'
To
Culvert under
Hendricks \F
ffi: I',.:'.";::;':fi"Jffi'I;Tl, ffi',
100' Buffer From Wetland Edge
@ Points measured on site in relationship to recent survey
Note: All roads shown on map are gravel except Grant, 50th and 5 l st East of Sheridan which are only platted.
Li on this are for and not a formal delineati
1.5":100'
ftolrIillcWetlandEdgesandBuffers
Field Measurments
llole
February 2000
0lympic t/ellcnd Rerour(er, lnr.
856 50l}r Jheel
Porllomrend, M 98368
360 385{432
0imt Nancy E. Miller
3823 SeabeckA{olly RD NW
Seabeck, WA 98380
Map
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lob t
2000,0016
3
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I.IETIINDS RA
BACKGROT ND. IryFORMATION :
DaEe: /q 1 2/* ru;* iNaoeofRater(s):Lisa palazzi JU/^i a-.<--k g
Affiliacion (s):
GovernnenE j urisdicti
h)
C SoilSurveyP:- NWI nqa p: Aerial phoro:
Location:/ t4'/
Nane of Wetland (if known):
of wetland:
check all sources that apply)
TING FIELD DATA FORM
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
Sire visit: X USGS Topo
OEher:. d Describe:
WHEN THE FIELD DATA FORM IS COMPLETE , ENTER CATEGORY HERE 9t
a e
e. 1 . High euatity [atural r{ettand.
Answer this question if you have adequate infornationorexperiencetodoso. If not, find sor"orr" withtheexpertisetoansarerthequestlons. Then, if the ansvertoquestionsla, rb, and lc are alr No, contact theNaturalHeritageProgramofDNR.
la. .Human-caused disturbances.
rs rhere significant evidence of huraan-caused changestotopographyorhydrologyofthewetlandasindicatedby "rryofrhefollowing_ condirions? (consider only chang"" ih"t'nay have taken place in the last 5 decades. Ttre impactsofearlierchangeshaveprobabrystabirized, and the new --albeit different -- wetland ecosystern of high quality.)
Upstre". watershed > L27, impervious.
Wetland is ditched and water flow is nor obsrrucred.
Wetland has been graded, filled, loggea.
Water in wetland is conLrolled by dikes, weirs, etc.Wetland is grazed.
ow)Other indicators of disturbance (Iist bel
Lal.
a2.
1a3.
1a4.
1a5.
t.J
Yes:go toQ2Yes:go toQ2Yes:go roQ2Yes:go toQ2gotoQ2goroQ2--
go to Ib
Yes:
Circle
Answers
lb. Are there popurations of non-native plants whicharecurrentrypresent, cover Dore than loz oi the wetland, andappeartobeinvadingnacivepopurarions? Brieflydescribeanynon-native plant populations and infornation source/s:
Yes:go to Q2
go to 1c
2c.3 Does the wetland treet at least 3 of che following 4
criteria?
oinimr:rn existing evidence of human-related
disturbance, such as diking, ditching, filling,
cultivation, grazing, or Ehe presence of non-native
plant sPecies;
surface water connection with tidal saltwater or
tidal freshwater;
at least 751 of the LtetlaFd has a 100' buffer of
ungrazed pasture, open water, shrub or foresE;
has at least 3 of the following features: low marsh;
high narsh; tidal channels; lagoon(s); woody debris;
or contiguous freshrrater Lretland.
2c.4 Does the wetland neet aII four criteria under 2c.3?
Yes: Cat. I
No: Cat - II
Yes: Cat. II
No: Gac. III
Q.2d. EeI Grass and KeIp Beds
2d.L Are eeL grass beds present?
2d.2 Are there floacing or non-floating kelp bed(s) presenr
with >502 nacro-algal cover in the nonth of August or
Septenber?
Yes:
No:
2d.2
Yes:
No:
Cat. I
go to
Cat. I
Cat. II
Q.3. CategorT IV Wetlands
3a. Is the wetland less than 1 acre AND hydrologically
isolated AND cornprised of one vegeEated class that is
doninated (>802 areal cover) by one species from Table 3 or
Table 4?
3b. Is the lretland less than 2 acres AI.ID hydrologically
isol-ated AI.ID with one vegetated class Al{D nith )902 area
cover of any cornbination of species frorn Table 3?
3c. Is the wet.Iand excavated fron upJ-and AND comprised of a
pond smaller than I acre without a surface lrater connecEion
Eo streaus, lakes, rivers, or other vetlands AIID with <0.1
acres of vegetation?
6'Cat. IV
oto3b
Yes: Cat. IV
9" to 3c
Yes: Cat. IV
oroQ4
6
rr " ;:;8-itlTt$"' ;1t- .r I
sr
rhe
fo
is
nrctural Diversier.
wetland has afoiellowingclassesis
stedclasspresentwi
ver
is any ,,open
waExtEotheforestedgentvegetationbe
add I point if eachofthintheforestedclass,
e
4Iso,
bed "
is no
trees )50, call-
trees 20'-49 ' tall-
shrubs
herbaceous groundco
add 1 point ifchereclassiruoediatelynescrub/shrub or eroer
e-rtr or ,' aguaticarea (i.e., theretweenthem).
eS-
es-
Ye
Yes-1
3
Decide from the diagrans belowwhetherwerlandclassesishigtr, ,oJ"r"t", low,
@
rcn{l low
tioCte.qte fip<raratc htgh
interspersionbeeweenornone.
4e. Class Interspersion:
Moderate-2
Lov-l
None:0
3
High-3
esE
es-l
Is there evidence that theopebvbeaver ""ii',ri"yz.:':..::'..:::"
or standing vater was caused*
Is a heron rookery locared "
i;;i;'ioo;;".....: :...*Are raptor nesr("i ro""t"J,iir.i" 3oo,? ......
fi: ;i;'iri'"1"1j1"3"::"::':g^;,:::, !::::' i;;;;;i ;;; ;;;;''
Are rhere ar leasi 3 ao*nea iog" per acre with.;.;i;;;;;;.;;.)6" for ar leasr 10, in f "r,!ttr-iir,-o, "aj."""iJ .o. .lz-rAre there areas_(vegetat"d"o. unvegegated) within thewecrandthararepondedforftt"ast i ,o'rh" of the year, ANDthei;:::":,X".::: :;":i::;i :: ::"'"' "., op"'-'ir"r "r"'s in Q4b
features that apply, and score
4f. Ilabitat Features
Answer questions be1ow, circletorighr:
Yes-2 tvo
Yes-l tl-o
Yes-2
Ye I uts
I
I 4i. Conneccion to Other Habitat Areas:
SeIect che description which best matches the site being
evaluaEed.
Is the wetland connected to or ?art of a riparian corridor at
least 100'vide connecting tlto or tnore r{tetlands; OR is there
an upland connection present >100' vide vith good forest or
shrub cover (>25f' cover) connecEing it with a Significanc
Habitac Area ()300 yds dinoension or )20 ac if OW)?
Is the wetland connected to any other Habitat Area ()50 yds
dimension) with either (1) a foresced/shnrb corridor <100'
vide OR (2) a vegetated corridor >100' wide, but rrith cover
5'ta-11?
Is the wetland connected to or part of a riparian corridor
betr'reen 50-100' wide vith scrub/shrub or forest cover
connection to other wetlands.
Is the wetland connected to any other Habitat Area (>50 yds
dinension) vith a vegetated corridor 4-0O' ride yith cover (6'
ta]-I?
Is the lretland and its buffer (if the buffer is <50'wide)
completely isolated by developrnent (urban, residential with a
density >Z/ac, or industrial)?
Yes-3
Yes-3
Yes-l
Yes-0
6
Now add ttre scores circled (for Qsa-Qsi above) togetatotal. fs the total gEeater than or equal to
22 points? 37 gr;.'+t Cat.III
10
S
p
1
TT
Ib ec
7
L
Mapped Wetlands
Flood Hazard Areas (100 year Flood Plain)
Topographic Lines
Jcole
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Map
2
0lympic llellond Rerourcer, lnc
8$ 50th lheel
Porllomrend, HA 9836S
360 385{432
orarl \il1sy E. Miller
3823 Seabeck/Holly RD hlw
Seabeck, WA 98380
City of Port Townsend Wetland,
Me
February 2000
lob t
2000-0016
Flood, and Drainage Areas
I 995
Montana Addition Block 7
Port Townsend, WA
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Hendricks Street
51st Street
7-\p a-\?-5Oth
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I - - - - - il:ffJ'.";::;':fi;ffi'Iffi, ;ff,
100' Bufler From Wetland Edge
@ Points measured on site in relationship to recent survey
NOte: All roads shown on map are gravel except Granq 50th and 5l st East of Sheridan which are only platted
Block
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on thi are onl not a
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ftdcWetlandEdges
and.Buffers
Iik
klc
February,2000
0lympic Uellond Rercurcer, lnc.
856 50lh Jlreel
Porl luwnrend, M 9836S
360 385{432',
oimt Nancy E. Miller
3823 SeabecVFlolly RD NW
Seabeck, WA 98380
10[ #
2000-0016
Map
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