HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992.10.13 - Wetlands Reconnaissance Water Pipeline ProjectsTECHNICAL MEMORANDUM NAVAL
PREPARED FOR: City of Port Townsend
PREPARED BY: Gregg Miller
COPIES: Art Storbo /CH2M HILL
Teri Liberator /CH2M HILL
DATE: October 13, 1992
SUBJECT: City of Port Townsend
Wetlands Reconnaissance
Water Pipeline Projects
PROJECT: SEA31815.RS.30
Summary
D-1 On:.July 9th, 13th, August 26, and September 2, 1992 reconnaissance level surveys were
conducted to identify the presence of jurisdictional wetlands on the proposed sites for a
chlorination facility, proposed filtration plant, future filtration plant, and routes for three
pipelines. The sites are characterized by second growth Douglas -fir forest, brush plant
communities, grazed pasture, and residential and commercial development. Eight areas
of potential jurisdictional wetland were found within the sites and along the proposed
pipeline routes. It is recommended that the City perform further assessment and
delineation of these sites.
Jurisdictional wetlands are those that fall under the regulation of federal, state, or local
agencies. Wetland regulation is multi jurisdictional. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
has jurisdiction over all waters of the United States, which include wetlands, under the
Clefedean Water Act. The Washington State Department of Ecology, through SEPA
review, under the Governors Executive Order EO 90 -04, and under Section .401 of the
Clean Water Act, has jurisdiction over wetlands. Both Jefferson County and the City of
Port Townsend regulate activities in wetlands, either through interim ordinances or other
mechanisms.
Based on data collected during limited field reconnaissance for the areas described in the
following discussion, it appears that the wetlands would not prevent development of the
pipelines, filtration, or chlorination facilities. However state, local and possibly federal
permitting will be required for activities in the wetlands, and., detailecLwetland . d i
ation
is-ex ' 'n rocess. Thorough wetland investigation
is recommended prior to any property purchase.
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Introduction
The City of Port Townsend is proposing to construct a chlorination facility, and two
segments of new water pipeline to enable the City to meet the disinfection requirements
for filtration avoidance under the Surface Water Treatment Rule. The proposed new city
supply pipeline, called the City CT (contact time) pipeline, is approximately 6,300 feet in
length. The new Tri -Area supply pipeline, called the Tri-Area CT pipeline, is
approximately 7,500 feet in length.
In addition the City is evaluating sites for a potential future. slow sand filtration plant.
The city slow sand filtration site in the City, near the Howard Street reservoir, is
approximately 12 acres in size. The City is planning to purchase about 10 to 12 acres of
land about 1.3 miles south of Four Careers and east of the existing Olympic Gravity
Water Supply (OGWS) pipeline, for the future location of slow sand filtration plant for
the Tri -Area service area. In the future the City may propose to construct an additional
water pipeline that would supply water from the future slow sand filtration site to the
1MG reservoir west of Hadlock. The possible future pipeline is approximately 6,400 in
length.
Because the proposed facilities sites and pipeline routes may contain jurisdictional
wetlands, which could pose constraints to development, and add to permitting complexity,
a reconnaissance level survey was conducted of the sites and routes for the presence of
jurisdictional wetlands. Wetlands which were located were not delineated n e
ntire extent of the wetlands surve ed ar ma . The city slow sand filtration site and
the City CT pipeline route are shown in Figure 1. The chlorination facility site, the
future Tri-Area filtration site area, the Tri-Area CT pipeline, and the possible future
pipeline are shown in Figure 2.
In addition to identifying wetlands, the reconnaissance surveyed for potential habitat for
threatened and endangered species. - This was done to assist in completing the SEPA
checklist for the proposed project.
Location
The city slow sand filtration site is approximately 13 acres in size and is located west of
the Rainier Street easement, and south of 20th Street. It is in the northwest 114 of thehe
114 of Section 9, 730N, R1W.
The City CT pipeline runs east from the Howard Street reservoir, across the city slow
sand filtration site, then along the Rainier Street easement south to Discovery Road, then
south along the Howard Street easement to Sims Way. The pipeline then runs south from
Sims Way to the valve station which is part of an existing 16" water pipeline.
The Tri -Area CT pipeline runs north -south within a utility corridor which contains the
City's 30 inch OGWS pipeline and electrical transmission lines. The pipeline route runs
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from approximately the southwest corner of Section 4, T29N, RIW, to the west side of
the electrical substation east of Four Corners in Section 33, T30N, RIW. The
chlorination facility site is at the south end of the Tri-Area CT pipeline.
The future site boundaries for the Tri-Area filtration plant have not been specifically
defined. The general location is in the southwest 114 of the southwest 1/4 of Section 4,
T29N, RIW. The area is currently commercial timberland and contains numerous
unnamed dirt roads. The area surveyed is approximately 12 acres in size and lies on the
north and south of the dirt access road to the area, at the highest elevation point in the
area.
The possible future pipeline runs west from an existing 1MG reservoir off Lillian Road,
along a dirt road, then across an unnamed drainage, west to a dirt road, then west to the
future slow sand filtration plant site.
Methods
The reconnaissance survey of the City CT and possible future pipeline routes was
conducted on foot and by vehicle July 9 and 13, 1992. The slow sand filtration site, the
City CT and Tri-Area pipeline routes, chlorination site, and future filtration site area
were surveyed on foot on August 26, and September 2, 1992. The city slow sand
filtration site, and the future Tri-Area filtration site area were walked in widely spaced
21}0 to 500 feet) east -west transects. Areas which exhibited wetland characteristics were
investigated. An area approximately 100 feet wide . along the pipeline routes was
surveyed. Vegetation was noted, soil samples were taken, and evidence of soil
saturation was noted in all areas which exhibited wetland characteristics. When possible,
landmarks were used to determine wetland locations. The future filtration site arm-is
eavil wooded and lacks identifiable landmarks, thus locations of wetlands in this area
are approximate. Aerial photos of the sites and pipeline routes were not available for
field use.
Wetland definition methods are currently in a state of flux. Several technical approaches
are currently being used for defining wetlands. The two major ones are the 1989 Federal
Unified Methodology (Federal Interagency Committee, 1989), and the 1987 Federal
Methodology (Corps of Engineers 1987). Additionally, revisions to the technical
definition of jurisdictional wetlands in the 1989 manual were proposed in the summer of
1991, and are being reviewed. It is likely that a new wetland delineation methodology
will be released within a year. The definitions in the 1987 manual are more subjective,
open to wider differences of professional opinion, and generally include less land in
wetlands than the 1989 manual definitions.
The 1989 methodology was used in identifying wetlands within, the project area as this is
the most conservative definition (it defines the largest area as wetland) and it is the
method used by the Department of Ecology, Jefferson County, and the City of Port
Townsend. The Corps currently uses the 1987 methodology. Using the 1989
methodology allows the City to meet the requirements of all -the regulating agencies
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which have jurisdiction over wetlands in the project area.
The 1989 methodology uses three parameters to define wetlands:
1. Vegetation community
2. Soil type
3. Hydrology
An area is defined as a wetland when it contains: hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soil,
and the soil is saturated or flooded for at least 1 week during the growing season. The
wetland criteria for each of the three parameters must be met in order for an area to be
classified as a wetland. If an area does not meet the three parameters it is an upland
non - wetland).
The 1989 Federal Manual for Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands details
guidelines for the criteria that need to be met for each parameter in order for an area to
be classified as a wetland.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) publishes lists of plant species that occur in
wetlands, along with their wetland indicator status for each region of the United States
Reed 1988). The plant species indicator status of: obligate wetland (OBL), facultative
wetland (FACW), facultative (FAQ, facultative upland (FACU), and upland are defined
in the 1989 Manual. These categories are based on the species association with,
dependence on, and adaptation to saturated soil conditions.
Wetland or hydrophytic plant communities are indicated by:
1. Obligate wetland species dominating the plant community; or
2. Obligate, facultative wetland, or facultative species comprising more than
50 percent of the dominant species; or
3. Obligate and facultative wetland species exceeding the percent cover of
facultative upland and upland species
Wetland or hydric soils may be indicated by any one of the following conditions:
1. The presence of a greenish or bluish -gray stratum caused by prolonged
saturation of the soil (called a gley layer)
2. Dark coloration, defined as having a chroma of two or less on the Munsell
soil color charts combined with spots of contrasting colors referred to as
mottles; or
3. A chroma of one or less without mottles; or
4. The presence of small (pin -head sized) accumulations of iron or .:manganese
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called concretions)
The occurrence of any or all of these conditions are characteristic of hydric soils.
Wetland hydrology is indicated by the following conditions:
1. Standing water on the ground surface for at.least 1 week during the
growing season or,
2. Saturated soil for at least 1 week during the growing season or,
3. Evidence of saturated soil or flooding during the growing season, such as
flood lines and drift lines on vegetation, or black, matted leaf litter.
Under the 1989 criteria for hydrology the presence of wetland hydrology can be inferred
from hydric soil indicators.
During the reconnaissance information was gathered on the plant communities, wildlife
habitats, and potential occurrence of special status species. This was done to assist in
completing the SEPA checklist for the proposed project.
Results
Eight areas of potential jurisdictional wetlands were found during the reconnaissance. One
is on the City slow d_ftiter sike, two are in the future filtration site for the Tri-Area,
and the others are along the pipeline routes. These are shown on Figures 3 and 4.
Wetland
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just nort h of Discovery Road, at the southern end of Howard Road,
where an unnamed dirt track runs east. See Figure 3. Howard Road is a narrow dirt
road at this point. This wetland is dominated by Douglas; spiraea. (Spiraea douglasii)_and
soft rush (Juncus effusus), with 1willows Salix.,sp_). also .present. These species are
classified as FACW, thus this is a wetland plant community. The soils at 14 inch depth
were very dark brown (10YR 212 and 10YR 312 on the Munsell charts) and contained
bright orange mottles. These characters indicate wetland soils. The soil was saturated at
a depth of 12 inches, implying the presence of wetland hydrology. The presence of these
parameters indicate that this area may be a jurisdictional wetland. Several dead Douglas -
fir trees in the area provide evidence that the area previously was an upland, subsequently
became regularly saturated, creating a . wetland, and causing the death of the firs. This
may have occurred due to a blocked culvert along Discovery Road. The wetland may be
several acres in size, although this has not been determined.
Wetland,2 n the southeast corner of the slow sand-filtration site and in the City CT
pipeline route. See Figure 3. It contains Douglas spiraea, soft,,rush;,.sedge: (Sci asp.),
and water parsley Oenanthe sarmentosa . These species are classified FAC or wetter,
and thus constitute a wetland plant community. The soils at 10 inch depth were very
dark brown (10YR 3l2) and contained orange mottles. These characters indicate wetland
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soils. Wetland hydrology was inferred from soil characters and the low lying position of
the area. Although the full extent of the wetland was not mapped, the portion on the site
appears to be about 4/4 acre -:in size. The -- northern pipeline is proposed to cross about
c =.150 feet of 7thisarea.
Wetland: 3 ors °at the• intersection Hof ; Rainier Streetind ,Discovery- :Road. See Figure 3. It
is on the east side of Rainier and on the north side of Discovery. The wetland is
dominated by Oouglas . spiraear soft+ .,,-rush;, and ° willow, making this a wetland plant
community. At the time of the survey the soils were ' too compact to sample with hand
tools. Thus the assessment of the area as a jurisdictional wetland is based solely on the
vegetation. The proposed City,CT- --pipeline would cross about 1004eet of this wetland.
his wetland maybe connected with wetland , - which.dies.about 900 feet northeast.
Wetland 4 is) a small wetland on the south = side W -Sims Way, and immediately west of the
Gateway Plaza business development. See Figure 3. The wetland.:contains ..cattail - Uypha
latifolia),. ..water.parsley;,and;red.44der (Alnus =rubra). These species are classified FAC
or wetter, and thus constitute a wetland plant community. The soils are very dark grey
10YR 311), indicating wetland soils. Wetland hydrology was inferred from vegetation
and soil characters. The` wetland. -is.in:a „small drainage and appears to. be less than 0.1
acre in. size. As the precise route of the City CT pipeline in this area has not been
determined, it is not known whether- this wetland will be impacted by the pipeline.
Wetland 5 lies within an unnamed drainage, west of the water tank on Lillian Road. See
Figure 4. The drainage is within a second growth Douglas-fir forest. The narrow flat
area at the bottom of the drainage contains bare ground and is sparsely vegetated with
skunk cabbage (Lvsichitum americanum). This species is an obligate (OBL) wetland
species, making this a wetland plant community. Soilsat-ffd - bottom of ih age ;ofa
depth of 16 inches, were very dark gray in color, (10YR3/1) indicating wetland soils.
Wetland hydrology was indicated by the area's position in the landscape at the bottom of
the drainage, the presence of a flow channel (scouring), and by saturated soil. The
presence of these parameters determine this area to be a jurisdictional ,wetland. The
wetland is about 50 feet wide in the area where the possible future pipeline is proposed .to
cross. The possible future pipeline would cross the drainage at approximately right
angles and would thus cross about 50 feet of wetland.
Wetland 6 is Iocated in the future Tri -Area slow sand filtration site survey area, along the
approximate southern boundary of Section 4, T29N, R1W, and approximately 700 feet
east of an unnamed north -south dirt road. See Figure 4. This wetland is forested,
containing an overstory of red alder, red cedar (Thuja plicata), and a shrub understory of
salmbnberry (Rubus =tabilis), and sedge. These species are classified FAC or wetter,
and thus constitute a wetland plant community. The soils are dark grayish -brown wetland
soils (10YR 412) with orange mottles. Wetland hydrology was inferred based on
vegetation and soils. This wetland extends south of the approximate section line and is
likely connected to a larger wetland about 800 feet to the southeast. The larger wetland
is outside the area under consideration for the Tri -Area filtration site.
Wetland 7 is in the future Tri-Area filtration site survey area. it is a small wetland on
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the south side of the east -west dirt road which bisects the filtration site area. See Figure
4. The wetland is next to an old road marker with " 112" painted on it. The wetland has
an overstory of red alder, and an understory of salmonberry, sedge, and a few red
elderberry (Sambucus racemosa). The dominant plants are classified FAC or wetter, and
thus constitute a wetland plant community. The soils are light gray (10YR 711), with
many bright orange mottles. There is matted vegetation on unvegetated areas of ground
indicating wetland hydrology. The wetland appears to be less than 400 square feet in size
and isolated from other wetlands.
Although it is not considered likely, it is important to note that additional wetlands may
be present in the area of the future Tri-Area filtration site. The site boundaries have not
been specifically determined, aerial photos were not available for field use, and more
thorough surveys may locate additional wetlands.
Wetland 8 lies within the utilities corridor, underneath the transmission lines,
approximately where the corridor crosses the northern section line of Section 4, T29N,
R1W. See Figure 4. The wetland contains cattails, willow, sedges, and Douglas spiraea.
Soil samples were not taken as the wetland does not appear to be within the construction
area for the Tri-Area CT pipeline. The wetland is in a topographic low which appears to
collect water, as shown by the presence of cattails and the bowl shaped topography. The
wetland is about 100 feet by 100 feet in size. No impacts to this wetland are expected
from construction of the Tri-Area CT pipeline, provided that the new pipeline is
constructed within 50 feet of the existing OGWS pipeline. This will provide for a 50
foot wide buffer around the wetland. The wetland appears to be about 100 feet east of
the existing OGWS pipeline.
Regulatory Overview - Wetlands Issues
Jurisdictional wetlands are those that fall under the regulation of federal, state, or local
agencies. They are usually defined- by the presence of wetland plants, hydric soils, and
soil saturation during part of the growing season.
Wetland regulation is multijurisdictional, and all applicable regulations of each agency
must be met in order to obtain permits to work in wetlands. The following agencies have
regulatory authority over activities in wetlands, and in some cases over wetland buffers:
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The Washington State Department of Ecology
Jefferson County
0 The City of Port Townsend
Federal Regulations
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has jurisdiction over all waters of the United States,
which include wetlands, under the federal Clean Water Act. The purpose of the Clean
Water Act is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of
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the nation's waters. All wetlands are regulated under the Clean Water Act Section 404 as
waters of the United States. Before anyc fill= may be placed; or construction done'' in a
wetland, a 404 permit must.:be,obtained..from. the Army Corp of Engineers. Because the
EPA has veto power over determinations made by the Corps, the permit might also
require approval by the EPA.
The ..appropriate Section 404 permit::for the proposed: City CT.and Tri -Area pipelines is a
Nationwide Permit-k-12. The Nationwide Permit program is designed to simplify
permitting of small projects with minor wetland impacts. .,Nationwide. #12 covers .utility
line backfill and bedding. The permit requires:
that the minimum necessary disturbance occurs in order to construct the
line;
that exposed slopes be immediately stabilized;
that the area be restored to preconstruction contours;
and that the top 6 to 12 inches of trench be backfiIled with topsoil
excavated from the trench.
The Corps may place additional conditions on the permit to minimize adverse impacts.
Either an Individual permit, or a Nationwide #26 permit would be required from the
Corps, if filling of wetlands is. unavoidable in order to develop either filtration facilities.
If the wetlands are isolated hydrologically from other wetlands and the amount of fill is
less than one acre Nationwide #26 -would be required. If the wetland is not isolated, or
the amount of fill is one acre or larger an Individual permit would be required.
State Regulations
The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) protects wetlands through SEPA
review, and under the Governors Executive Order EO 90-04,. Ecology also regulates
wetlands through its Water Quality Certification program Under Section 401 of the Clean
Water Act. Governors Executive Order EO 90-04 directs all state agencies to do all that
they are legally empowered to do in order to protect wetlands. While not a regulation,
the order's intent is that any state agency's regulatory actions over a project will
endeavor to protect wetlands through conditions on permits and other mechanisms. This
also applies to actions which are not within wetlands but may affect wetlands, such as
alterations to groundwater flow which supplies a wetland.
A federal 404 permit application .triggers a-response from .Ecology to determine whether a
project complies with state water, quality laws. A Federal Clean Water Act Section 401
water quality certification is required by Ecology for Nationwide Permit #12 when either
the top of the trench is greater than 24 inches wide, or the line crosses more than 500
feet of wetland. Ecology may place conditions on, or request denial of a 404 permit as
part of the 401 certification.
Ecology also requires a Coastal Zone Management Consistency determination for projects
in counties in the coastal zone, as part of it's 401 review.
County Regulations
Jefferson County is currently revising their draft wetlands section of the County Interim
Resource Lands and Critical Areas Ordinance, which regulates all activities within
wetlands and their buffers in the County. Thus permits required for work in wetlands
within the County are subject to change. In order to determine permits required, the
County requests a written description of the proposed project, along with maps and
locations of project features, and locations of wetlands.
City Regulations
The City of Port Townsend has developed a worldng draft Environmentally Sensitive
Area Ordinance which regulates activities in wetland and wetland buffers within the City.
The draft is in effect until replaced by permanent regulations. Under the Ordinance,
wetlands are classed as Environmentally Sensitive Areas and any development within a
wetland or its buffer requires a Sensitive Areas Permit. The Ordinance requires
minimization of impact, and mitigation for impacts in cases where impact avoidance is
not possible. The City Ordinance classifies wetlands based on size and wetland
functions, using a four -tier rating system. The rating system is based on Ecology's
wetland rating system (Dept. Ecology 1991).
Wetlands Permits
There are two areas of concern for the project in relation to wetland regulations: the
pipeline routes, and the future filtration site area.
Pipelines
The proposed pipeline routes contain several areas of jurisdictional wetlands. Permits for
pipeline construction in wetlands will be required from the Corps of Engineers and
Ecology. Pipeline construction in wetlands in unincorporated Jefferson County is
expected to require a permit(s) from the County. Pipeline construction in wetlands within
the City limits of Port Townsend will require a permit from the City. ,Permitting_will
Tequire further wetland analysis and delineation.
The following permits will be required for pipeline construction :
Army Corps Nationwide Permit #12 for pipeline construction
Ecology Section 401 Water Quality Certification,
Ecology Coastal Zone Management Consistency determination
Sensitive Areas Permit from the City for wetlands within the City limits.
As part of the applications for these permits, a delineation of those wetlands that will be
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impacted will be needed. The wetlands will have to be classified using Ecology's rating
system (Dept. Ecology 1991). The classification will require determining total wetland
size, including offsite portions of ofsite wetlands, even though the offsite portions may
not be impacted.
Although formal application.:for, an. Army. Corps Nationwide Permit #12 for pipeline
construction is not technically :required; application is .recommended. The Corps would
prefer that separate applications be made for the City CT pipeline and the Tri-Area
pipeline, as the routes are not directly connected and are in widely separated locations.
Application will provide the Corps documentation, and will prevent possible delays
should independent parties observe and report construction in wetlands. Nationwide #12
applications are routine,. and; turnaround lime >is,generally less than thirty days.
The.Department of Ecology generally -requires one to two..months to process applications
for both Section 401 Water, Quality Certification, and Coastal Zone Management
Consistency determination. To process applications quickly Ecology requests the
application contain a description of project, a wetland report with maps, and descriptions
of construction methods, and revegetation and mitigation plans.
The Sensitive Areas Permit application process with the City of Port Townsend is new
and the City has not processed an permits. Thus the City does not have information of
time required to obtain permit. The application process may take up to six months.
Filtration Plant
The city slow sand filtration-site contains a. small area of jurisdictional wetland in the
southeast cornier of the site. It appears from preliminary design layout that the filtration
site will not impact wetlands or wetland buffers. Should the project design change and
wetland impacts are unavoidable, permitting may be required.
The Tri -Area filtration site contains jurisdictional wetlands, and more intensive surveys
may locate additional wetlands. Based on the reconnaissance survey of the area,
additional large wetland areas are not expected. Thus, given current information, it
appears possible to site a filtration plant without impacting wetlands or their buffers.
Depending upon the exact location selected for the filtration facility, its footprint, and the
precise location of the wetlands, permits for activities in wetlands and their buffers may
be required. To avoid the need for wetland permitting, the wetlands should be
delineated, surveyed, and precisely mapped, prior to siting and then the filtration facility
designed to avoid impacts to wetlands and their buffers.
It is important to reiterate that the boundaries of the future Tri -Area filtration site have
not been determined, that a reconnaissance level wetland survey was conducted of the
area, and that more intensive surveys may locate additional wetlands. Information in this
reconnaissance survey applies to the areas described in the text and figures and is based
on currently accepted methodology. Boundaries of wetland may change if new wetland
delineation methods are developed. Prior to purchasing any property a thorough wetland
survey, using methodology approved at the time of the survey, is recommended.
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REFERENCES
Department of Ecology, 1991. The Washington State Wetlands Rating System for
Western Washington. Washington State Department of Ecology, Olympia Washington.
Federal Interagency Committee for Wetland Delineation. 1989. Federal Manual for
Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S.D.A.
Soil Conservation Service, Washington, D.C. Cooperative technical publication.
Reed, P.B. 1988. National List of Plant Species That Occur in Wetlands: Northwest
Region 9). National Wetlands Inventory, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological
Report 88 (26.9).
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Location of Proposed City CT Pipeline
and Slow Sand Filtration Site