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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999.12.00 - Montana Block 15 & 16 Wetland Report for Al CairnsOlympic Wetland Resources aeattle, wti ysi:u _ . Report File Number: Report Subject: Description of Site 99 -0093 Wetland Survey Wetland Report Al Cairns Legal Description: Lots 1 -8 Block 15 Montana Addition, Lots 1 -4 Block 16 Montana Addition Port Townsend WA. Location: Between Sheridan and Wilson, 50th and 51st Street Soils: Mapped as SaB San Juan gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 8% 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. Although the roads are platted, the only assess is via Sheridan Street. Introduction At the request of Al Cairns, Dixie Llewellin of Olympic Wetland Resources, Inc. conducted a wetland reconnaissance on November 30, 1999 on property described above. The project also involved reviewing potential access routes to the property along 51' Street from Sheridan. The scope of this survey was to determine how the wetland edges and the associated buffers relate to potential building lots. This calculation will assist in determining the location of buildable areas and access routes. Development adjacent to wetlands or within wetland buffers is subject to regulation standards ofthe City of Port Townsend ESA 19.05.110 Wetlands. Al Cairns Wetland Report 99 -0093 1 Olympic Wetland Resources, Inc. 12199 Methodology Prior to fieldwork, all documents related to wetland work conducted on nearby property were reviewed. This includes the Berman project, which is a proposal of 11 home sites west of the subject property at Sherman and 51s` Street. The following maps were also consulted: National Wetland Inventory Maps U.S. Geological Survey Maps City ofPort 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 (Department of Ecology #96 -94). Currently, the Washington Administrative Code requires that all wetlands within the State of Washington be delineated using this manual. The methodology outlined in the Washingon State _Wetland _I_dentification and Delineation Manual requires examination of the three parameters for a positive wetland determination: hydric soils, hydrophytic vegetation, and hydrology. For an area to qualify as ajurisdictional wetland it must have a positive indicator from all three parameters. All wetlands that meet the above criteria may be federally regulated regardless of size. Soils A hydric soil is a soil that forms under conditions of saturation, flooding, or ponding that lasts long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic condition in the upper part. Hydric soils favor the growth and regeneration of hydrophytic vegetation. The indicators for this type of soil include low chroma, mottles, gleying, 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 to determine wetland soils. Soil colors were analyzed using the Munsell Color Charts 1992). Vegetation Wetland plant species must constitute greater than 50% of the total vegetation present to meet the qualification 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 10 -foot radius for shrubs and a 6- foot radius for the herbaceous layer at each data point. Commonly occurring plant species have been rated by the United States Fish and Wildlife (USFW), National List ofPlant Species that occur in Wetlands: Northwest (Region 9) as to their frequency of occurrence in wetlands and non - wetlands. During the fieldwork each species was recorded and given a rating according to their indicator status. 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". Areas must have seasonally inundated or saturated soil at least 12.5% of the growing AL Cairns Wetland Report 99 -0093 2 Olympic Wetland Resources, Inc. 12/99 season. ' Indicators ofhydrology include visual observation ofinundation or soil saturation, water - stained leaves, cracking ofthe soil surface, or sediment deposits. Positive signs of hydrology are often absent during the summer and fall months but can be inferred ifthere are positive indicators ofhydric soil and hydrophytic vegetation. Classification Wetland categorization was determined during this field visit using the WA State Department of Ecology Wetland Rating System (publication #91 -57 October 1991), which assigns a numerical value to any given 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. According to the City ofPort Townsend ESA Ordinance (1995) wetlands are regulated if they meet certain sizes and classifications. All Class I are regulated. All Class U and III wetlands over 5,500 square feet, and all Class IV over 10,000 square feet are regulated (19.05.110). Higher quality wetlands are assigned larger buffer associations. Findings Field work on this site identified wetland soils, hydrophytic plants, and soil moisture. According to the City of Port Townsend Sensitive Areas map (and verified by on -site findings) the wetland is extensive and connected to a drainage corridor associated with Basin 4. On -site findings reveal a slight topographic rise as well as a distinct plant community change at the wetland/upland edge Itshouldbe ,noted% es, not represent .a formal= deli neat rather it ts'an overview offiridings, to be used for general plannFng purposes only. A formal delineation would include many more:data points <and a flagged wetland edge every 25 feet. A map ofthe wetland edge and associated buffers is enclosed in the Appendix (Map #1). The wetland /drainage corridor has been delineated by Lisa Palazzi (Pacific Rim Soil and Water) in 1992/1993 and surveyed by Polaris Engineering. The results of this delineation are included in the Appendix (Map #2). The delineation has no formal report to verify findings (letter from Lisa Palazzi dated September 11, 1995). In this same letter Lisa mentioned an undelineated wetland lobe at the intersection of Cleveland and 51st Street. That area was examined closely during this wetland survey; no wetland vegetation or soils were identified. Another,:lobe;;of:the, w.etland, not included on the City wetland map, was located on the intersection; on - Wilson and <51s Street: This wetland lobe and associated buffers have been included in Map #1 since they affect the subject property. 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). -- - -. - - -.- bA nl* The growing season is defined by the Jefferson County soil survey as March 12 to November 25 in or near Port Townsend. Hydrology must be present for 12.5% (20 days) of these 258 days for an area to qualify as a wetland. Al Cairns Wetland Report. 99 -0093 3 Olympic Wetland Resources, Inc. 12199 Classification A very high quality Clas "s °I:wetland''(30 points) was identified south and east of the subject property. Plant species diversity is high and is found within a variety of forested, shrub and herbaceous layers. The entire wetland is large in size and is surrounded by undisturbed forest for well over 100 feet in most locations. Continuity ofwetlands with large forested buffers benefits amphibians, birds, and wildlife. According to the City ofPort Townsend ESA Ordinance, all Class II wetlands have associated 100 -foot buffers. The buffer line on the subject property is shown in red, and the wetland edge is shown in green on Map #1. Department of Ecology Wetland Rating Forms 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 absent. Since the property has been recently surveyed both Lot and Block comers were clearly marked and the wetland edge could be accurately measured. Soils Soils are mapped by the Jefferson County Soil Survey as SaB San Juan gravelly sandy loam, with 0% to S% 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 #2 and 93 with top layers of deep brown (IOYR 3/1) above layers of sandy colored soil (2.5Y 4/2) with orange mottling. All soil colors identified meet the requirements of hydric soil. An upland test pit, Data Point #1, was dug to a depth of 14" at the southeasterly corner of Block 15. Soil colors at this location did not qualify as hydric (1 OYR 3/2 without mottles to 4" and 2.5Y 4/3). All Data Points are indicated on Map #1. Vegetation Vegetation present in the wetland areas included a mixed deciduous tree layer of alder, willows, and hawthorn with an under story ofNootka rose, spirea, and salmonberry. Sedges and ferns were identified in the herbaceous layer. Several ofthe species listed above thrive with regular inundation. The wetland vegetation is of very high habitat value due to the variety ofcommunity types: dense shrub, dead standing trees, and open under story with a bramble ofhawthorn branches above. Generally, the vegetation clearly defines the wetland edge throughout the wetland, with the exception of upland vegetation growing on hummocks or elevated logs. The upland plant community consists of an evergreen tree layer ofDouglas fir, grand fir, and red cedar with a dense under story of ocean spray, rose, and sword ferns. Al Cairns Wetland Report 99 -0093 4 Olympic Wetland Resources, Inc. 12199 There are several large cedars on the site. Several trees measuring from 10' to 12' in diameter at 5' in height were observed on the road easements of Cleveland and along 5TO Street. Future street planning should preserve these large trees within the City Iimits. Hydrology Hydrology was not observed on site at this time since we are at the end of the dry season. Water - stained leaves and elevated roots indicate that water levels are present during winter and spring. Hydrology can be assumed this time of year when positive indicators of soil and plants are observed. Summary A Class 1T wetland was identified to the south and within 25 feet of Block 15 Montana addition. Associated buffer requirements apply to all development near this high quality wetland. Road and utility access should be carefully planned to avoid wetland buffers and the disturbance of large red cedars on site. The majority of the southern half of Block 15 is within the buffers of this wetland. Final authority over this wetland determination and classification 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. AI Cairms Wetland Report 99 -0093 5 Olympic Wetland Resources, Inc. 12199 Montana Addition Block 15 Lots 1-8 and Block 16 Lots 1-4 Port Townsend, MA R 5 1 st Street 50th Street Mapped Wetlands (City of Port Townsend Wetland Map 1995) Lines indicated on this map are for general planning purposes only and do not represent a formal delineation- Olympic Welland Resources, Inc. Wetland Edges Scale I =100' Slieef fi and Buffers Dafe Dec. 1, 1999 0 8.5.6 50th Sheet'. PA. Townsend, WA 98368 16A Al CansN36038542P.O. Box 17449 lob 99-0093L—A: Seattle, MA 98107 q Olympic Wetland Resources Dear Al, This letter is to summarize the wetland and drainage corridor impact from equipment accessing the property between Wilson and Cleveland, 51't and 52nd Streets in Port Townsend, WA. On November 2e 1999, a tractor dug perk holes within Block 15, Montana addition and on the east half of Block 16, Montana Addition. ,Since the majority of the site is forested access was attained from the south and west. Machine tracks indicate that entry was along street easements associated with 51 st Street, which runs adjacent to a nearby wetland /drainage corridor. This high quality wetland is several acres in size and part of a larger drainage corridor. Although not officially rated at this time, the wetland will most likely qualify as a Class 11 wetland and have associated 100 -foot buffers. The machine tracks were observed within the 100 -foot buffer but outside the actual wetland edge. Impact from the passage was to the shrub layer, consisting primarily of salal and rose. Actual damage was minimal, vegetation was pushed over and a few shrubs were uprooted. No live trees were destroyed. The site will probably recover next season. Soil disturbance was observed on Lot 1, Block 15, within the buffer, where the tractor turned around. Damage was minimal since no perk holes were dug at this location. If you need any further information please don't hesitate to call. 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