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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007.02.09 - Howard-Rainier Corridor Study Area Wetland Level 1 Review - Alkai ConsultantsA LKA I coNsuLTANTs, LLc. Environmental Engineering . Ceotechnical Engineering . Wetland Consulting February 9,2007 ACL06W341 Page 1 City of Port Townsend Development Services Department Attn: Judy Surber Senior Planner 250 Madison Street Port Townsend, Washington 98368 Re: Howard / Rainier Corridor Study Area - Wetland Level 1 Review Dear Ms. Surber, At the request of the Development Services Department for the City of Port Townsend, Alkai Consultants LLC (ALKAI) performed a reconnaissance-level sensitive areas investigation for the Howard / Rainier Corridor Study Area located within City of Port Townsend jurisdiction. A walkthrough of the study area was conducted by me, Christy Christensen of ALKAI Consultants, LLC and you, the city's senior planner on February 1,2007. The purpose of this level 1 wetland review was to look for potential wetlands and/or inventoried wetlands found within the study area and determine the need for further investigation. I was provided an aerial photo with the study area outlined that showed existing wetland inventory and drainage basin information as v6ll as a completed wetland study prepared by Loggy Soil and Wetland Consulting. My findings are as follows and described as starting at the intersection of Howard Street and Sims Way working in a northerly direction, ending near the Eddy Street and Discovery Road intersection. See attached map for noted areas. Any area not mentioned in detail below shall signify that no wetlands were observed and/or that further analysis is not necessary: Area 1. An inventoried wetland is located south of the Howard/Sims Way intersection, east of Howard Street. The wetland depicted on the aerial photo provided appears accurate. However, because Howard Street will require a greater width than what already exists, I recommend improving the roadside ditch with the addition of native plantings post construction. Also, because this drainage ditch outfalls into the inventoried wetland, proper erosion and siltation control methods should be applied. The grass field west of Howard Street did not appear to contain any jurisdictional wetlands. Area 2. An inventoried wetland exists just south of the 6th StreeUHoward Street intersection located on the west side of Howard. The wetland inventory shown on the aerial photo appeared smaller than what is actually on the ground. I recommend a wetland delineation be completed to accurately inventory this wetland as soon as possible because the time of year and recent precipitation will provide a more precise wetland analysis. ln addition, the private ownership just north of the 6'n Street city easement had several small areas of standing water, one of which may be hydrologically connected to the inventoried wetland described above, The other ponded areas viewed from afar within this ownership, do not appear to be jurisdictionalwetlands. 9465 Provost Road NW, Suite 2O4B o Silverdale, Washington 98383 Phone: (360) 613-2407 Fax: (360) 613-2408 Howard / Rainier Corridor Review ACL06W341 February 9,2407 Page No.2 Area 3. Three inventoried wetlands exist on private ownership just north of the 7th Street city easement, west of Howard Street. These inventoried wetlands appeared accurately depicted on the aerial photo. These wetlands will need to be rated using the new rating system for Western Washington for buffers or jurisdictional status, Area 4. Near the area where the Shasta Street city easement meets Discovery Road, there is a mixture of Nootka rose and pasture type grasses within the city easement. This area should call for further analysis to confirm wetland presence or non-presence. Soil test pits will need to be dug in this area to determine if wetland hydrology and hydric soils are positive since Nootka rose is considered to grow equally inside and outside of wetlands. Area 5. ln the area where the 1Oth Street city easement and Howard Street intersect, a moderately sized ponded area was observed on private ownership. The parcel is located immediately south of the 1oth Street city easement, west of Howard Street. The ponded area is located in the northeast corner of the parcel. This ponded area may or may not meet criteria for positive wetland parameters but should be considered for further analysis due to its close proximity to the proposed Howard Street expansion. However, no jurisdictional wetlands appeared within the 1Oth and Howard Street city easements near this location. Area 6. Severaljurisdictional wetlands were assessed between the 12th Street city easement and thelffieet city easement. Wetlands were observed and verified on both sides of Howard Street. These wetlands are also identified in the Loggy Soil and Wetland Consulting study conducted in May of 2005. After reviewing the flags found in the field during my observation review, it appears that the wetland boundaries are accurate. Further study on these wetlands will be limited to updating the rating system applied as the rating system used in the Loggy Soil report is now outdated. Area 7. A large wetland system exists between the 13th and 15th Street city easements. A completed wetland study has already been provided to the city for this area. ALKAI has not reviewed this wetland report but can do so when it is available. ln summary, ALKAI identified one specific wetland located in Area 2 that should be revisited as soon as possible to conduct a full wetland delineation and analysis report. ln addition, there are several wetlands that should be categorized using the Revised Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington to establish appropriate buffers from existing wetlands. The Howard Street Expansion will likely require placement within one or more wetland buffers throughout the corridor which should be mitigated for by buffer relocation, averaging or enhancement. lf you have any questions regarding this review or if we can be of further service, please contact us at (360) 613-2407. Respectfully submitted, risty Christensen Senior Specialist ALKAI Consultants, LLC 9465 Provost Road NW, Suite 202 r Silverdale, Washington 98383 Phone: (360) 613-2407 Fax: (360) 613-2408