HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998.11.00 - Wetlands Inventory for the Molotsky PropertyTUECOOT CLOANY
Wetland and Wildlife Consulting Services
416 S. Washington
Olympia, WA 98501
360) 352 -9897
FAX (360) 352 -9914
WETLANDS INVENTORY
FOR THE
D. MOLOTSKY PROPERTY
TAX PARCEL ID No. 0010330033
November 1998
prepared for:
Doug Mason
Port Townsend Planning Department
181 Quincy Street, Suite 201
Port Townsend, WA 98368
prepared by:
S. Shanewise, PWS
Senior Ecologist
M. Sennett
Ecologist
hastN098.inv
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CONTENTS
Figure 1: Vicinity Map
Introduction.................................................... I
Methods......................................................... I
Results........................................................... 2
2. - figure 2: Survey Map
Figure 3: Soils Map
Figure 4: National Wetlands Inventory Map
d.
Figure 5: Port Townsend Stormwater Flooding Map
Appendix L. Wetlands Descriptions
Text
Data Sheets
Category Ratings
Appendix II: Plant Species List
References
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Sec. 3, T30N, R1W
D. MOLOTSKY PROPERTY
VICINITY MAP
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All locations approximate- HE CQ UTQVM
FIGURE 1
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Sec. 3, T30N, R1W
D. MOLOTSKY PROPERTY
VICINITY MAP
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All locations approximate- HE CQ UTQVM
FIGURE 1
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INTRODUCTION
The subject property is approximately eight acres in size and located in the City of Port
Townsend, WA. The property is primarily used as pasture with one single - family
residence located on the west side of the site. For decades, this site has been grazed by
livestock. A prominent excavated ditch crosses this property along a regionally
significant drainage corridor. A mosaic of small wetlands occur immediately adjacent
to the channel where floodwaters pond during runoff events. In addition, a small
hydrologically isolated wetland occurs beyond the ditch channel on the northeastern
plateau. The primary functions of property wetlands are for stormwater detention and
flood attenuation. Due to their relatively small size and disturbed agricultural
condition, other recognized wetlands functions are limited.
METHODS
Site Inspection
r Property reconnaissance was conducted on 15 September 1998. All areas of theEpropertywereinspectedforwetlandconditions. All wetland boundaries were field
flagged for identification.
Classification
Wetland characteristics are described within this report according to the Fish and
Wildlife Service Cowardin Classification System (1989).
Delineation
Wetland delineation followed a Routine Methodology based upon the Washington
F -R State Wetland Identification and Delineation Manual (1997) requiring positive
indicators for wetland soil, hydrology, and plants:
Wetland hydrology was determined by water conditions in pits or inferred from
approved hydrology indicators if seasonally dry conditions prevailed;
Presence of hydric soil was determined by soil pits dug around suspected
wetlands. Soil was inspected for hydric conditions; inspection included
comparison with the Munsell Color Charts (1992). General soil characteristics
were derived from information contained within the Soil Conservation Service
Soil Survey for Jefferson County Area (1975);
Occurrence of wetland vegetation was determined through species identification,
estimation of dominance and then assignment of wetland indicator status;
indicator status was assigned based upon the National List ofPlant Species That
Occur In Wetlands (1989).
State Category Rating
The Washington State Wetlands Rating System for Western Washington (1993), was
used to establish Category Ratings for the wetlands.
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Confirmation
s - Wetland status depicted in this report has not been confirmed by a government
official, and therefore has no legal status. Agencies with jurisdictional authority
over wetlands at the local, state and federal level need to be consulted for their
signed agreement to our findings before there is any guarantee of no change. Our
estimation for the accuracy of the unconfirmed wetland boundaries portrayed
within this report is > 95 %.
DISCUSSION
Hydrology Data Provided by City of Port Townsend (See Figure 5)
The city provided GPS survey documentation of floodwater conditions on this site.
The surveys were performed during spring months (late February to mid April) in 1996
and 1997. The wetland boundaries generally correspond to the 1996 survey record.
Since our study was performed during the driest time of year (mid September) the
survey information provided verification that there was inundation for the duration
required for wetland hydrology in 1996 and 1997.
Mosaic of Wetland Depressions (A, B, C)
Three jurisdictional wetlands have been identified immediately adjacent to the ditch
channel. These systems correspond to slightly lower topographic elevations where
floodwaters persist during rainfall events. In addition, this soil series is known to have
a hardpan layer approximately twenty inches below the surface which perches surface
water. All wetlands drain laterally to the ditch channel.
Category IV Wetland (Wetland D) .
One hydrologically isolated wetland occurs in the northeast property vicinity. The
wetland is a Category IV system because of its size, hydrologic isolation, and
dominance of invasive pasture grass species.
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D. MOLOTSKY PROPERTY 2
Excavated Ditch along Natural Line of Fall
z r A prominent ditch crosses this site from the northwest corner to the southeast corner.
The ditch was excavated decades ago to reduce inundation for agricultural uses (1965
DNR aerial photo, soil survey, personal communication with landowner and city staff). T Adjacent soil conditions indicate this ditch was excavated in ground which was
previously upland. However, the USGS topography map does verify that this ditch
was excavated within the natural line of fall for a regionally significant drainage
corridor. The ditch drains in a southeasterly direction across this site to Kah Tai
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a Lagoon approximately .75 miles southeast of this site.
j Farmed Wetland Pasture (FWP)
With the exception of the single family residence and associated outbuildings, this
property is entirely in pasture. Property wetlands are actively grazed FWPs.
Hydrology Data Provided by City of Port Townsend (See Figure 5)
The city provided GPS survey documentation of floodwater conditions on this site.
The surveys were performed during spring months (late February to mid April) in 1996
and 1997. The wetland boundaries generally correspond to the 1996 survey record.
Since our study was performed during the driest time of year (mid September) the
survey information provided verification that there was inundation for the duration
required for wetland hydrology in 1996 and 1997.
Mosaic of Wetland Depressions (A, B, C)
Three jurisdictional wetlands have been identified immediately adjacent to the ditch
channel. These systems correspond to slightly lower topographic elevations where
floodwaters persist during rainfall events. In addition, this soil series is known to have
a hardpan layer approximately twenty inches below the surface which perches surface
water. All wetlands drain laterally to the ditch channel.
Category IV Wetland (Wetland D) .
One hydrologically isolated wetland occurs in the northeast property vicinity. The
wetland is a Category IV system because of its size, hydrologic isolation, and
dominance of invasive pasture grass species.
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D. MOLOTSKY PROPERTY 2
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Category III Wetlands
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Jurisdictional Status of Wetland D
e -a The City of Port Townsend Environmentally Sensitive Areas Ordinance does not
f regulate Category IV wetlands less than 10,000 square feet in size. A professional land
survey of the delineated wetland boundaries determined the wetland to be 6,534 square
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feet in size, and hence non - regulated. The US Army corps of Engineers (ACOE) has
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jurisdiction over all wetlands regardless of size. This wetland, however, appears to
z clearly meet the criteria for Nationwide 26 eligibility (above headwaters, isolated).
Nationwide 26 permits up to two acres of fill in eligible wetlands. Fill beyond 1/3 of
an acre, requires ACOE notification. We recommend notification for any discharges,
a even if they do not exceed the 113 acre threshold. This permit, Nationwide 26 is
slated to expire on 15 September 1999.
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Category III Wetlands
Wetlands A, B, and C, are Category III wetlands. The primary reasons for a Category
III rating are the wetlands' relatively small size and single vegetated class. Wetland
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E Category Rating forms are enclosed in Appendix I of this report.
Standard Buffer Setbacks
r The City of Port Townsend review authority has jurisdiction over determining wetland
Y' f buffer setbacks on a site specific basis. The standard buffer setback for Category IIIawetlandsis50feet. Under certain circumstances the ordinance does allow for buffer
width reductions or averaging. These wetland buffers lend themselves well to
enhancement. However, any buffer width reductions should take into account periodic
flooding beyond the ditch channel and associated wetlands.
Maintain Drainage Corridors
Because of the upland origin of the ditch, the jurisdictional status of the ditch is
undetermined. Surface water records indicate floodwater can persist well beyond the
top of bank. These stormwater conditions should be integrated into site management
a plans for this property regardless of the jurisdictional status of the ditch.
Individual Wetland Descriptions
An individual description of each wetland system is provided in Appendix I of this
report. The wetland description contains documentation of the wetland delineation
conditions, functions and values assessment, classifications, and description of
s. hydrology, soils, and plants.
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