HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026.02.19 - David Cohn Wetland Reconnaissance Letter
February 9, 2026
David Cohn
Jefferson County Parcel # 001093001
3057 7th Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
RE: Wetland Review for Land Use Permit Application LUP25-063
Dear Mr. Cohn,
At your request, the property located at 3057 7th Street in Port Townsend (Figure 1) was
evaluated for the presence of wetlands and/or associated wetland buffers as required by the City
of Port Townsend in a letter dated 12/9/2025. MSA’s on-site review determined that no wetlands
are present on the site, nor are any located close enough to affect or constrain the proposed site-
specific development.
Figure 1: Vicinity Map
The City’s Critical Areas Map (Figure 2) indicates the presence of wetlands in the vicinity of the
subject parcel, and aerial imagery indicates the potential for hydrophytic vegetation. However,
no wetland soils, vegetation, or hydrology were observed within 300 feet of the parcel boundary
during a site visit conducted by MSA ecologists on January 5, 2026. Access permission was
obtained from the owner of the adjacent parcel to the north (Parcel No. 001092008) to survey for
wetland indicators. Topography in the area slopes gently to the south and includes a small
depression just north of the northern boundary of the subject parcel.
Figure 2: City of Port Townsend Critical Areas Map
The fieldwork conducted by MSA ecologists followed the methodology outlined in the Regional
Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual (effective January 1987):
Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region 9 (Version 2.0; USACE, updated May 2010) in
accordance with the Growth Management Act in Washington State.
Resources reviewed prior to conducting the fieldwork included:
• 1974 National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps, United States Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS)
• Web Soil Survey: National Cooperative Soil Survey. United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA), National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
• Chapter 19.05.110 of the City of Port Townsend Municipal Code
• 2016 National Wetland Plant List (NWPL): Western Mountains, Valleys & Coast. U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
• Pocket Guide to Hydric Soil Field Indicators Based on Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in
the United States (Version 9.0; 2025)
• Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States. United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), in cooperation
with National Technical Committee of Hydric Soils (NTCHS) (Version 9.2, 2025)
To evaluate the depressional area just north of the subject parcel, a plot was established at the
lowest point in the depression to assess soils, vegetation, and hydrologic conditions (Figures 3
and 4; Attachment 1). Wetland indicator criteria were not met. The 10th Street right-of-way was
also surveyed, and no wetland indicators were observed.
Figure 3. Depression in Landscape to the North of Subject Parcel
Figure 4: Soil Pit with Red Mineral Soil – Dry Even After Recent Rain Events
Native vegetation noted on and around the site included:
• Bitter cherry (Prunus emarginata) — FACU
• Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) — FACU
• Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) — UPL
• Nootka rose (Rosa nutkana) — FAC
• Ocean spray (Holodiscus discolor) — UPL
• Pacific crabapple (Malus fusca) — FACW
• Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii) — UPL
• Pasture grass (Poaceae spp.)
• Red alder (Alnus rubra) — FAC
• Rhododendron (Rhododendron sp.) — FACU
• Salal (Gaultheria shallon) — UPL
• Sword fern (Polystichum munitum) — FAC
• Tall Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) — FACU
• Trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus) — FAC
• Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera ciliosa) — FAC
• Willow (Salix sp.)
Non-native invasive species noted on and around the site included:
• English holly (Ilex aquifolium) — UPL
• Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) — FACU
• Yellow archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon) — FACU
Definitions: OBL – Obligate Wetland Species, FACW – Facultative Wetland Species, FAC –
Facultative Species, FACU – Facultative Upland Species, UPL – Obligate Upland Species.
(Plants classified according to the Fish and Wildlife Service; 1988, 1993)
According to the City of Port Townsend Municipal Code (PTMC) Chapter 19.05.110(G)(2),
buffers are required to protect significant wildlife habitat and wetland features, values, and
functions from the adverse impacts of adjacent land uses. The maximum possible wetland buffer
width is 300 feet, measured perpendicular to the wetland boundary. A wetland to the south of the
subject parcel (on parcel # 001093002) was delineated and rated by MSA Ecologist James
Ialeggio in 2016 and was assigned a 40-foot buffer. This wetland is >300 feet from the southern
boundary of parcel 001093001. No other wetlands were identified within 300 feet of the parcel
boundaries.
It is the opinion of MSA ecologists that the proposed project will not result in impacts to
wetlands or other critical areas. Final determination of jurisdiction and permitting authority for
the project rests with the applicable local and state regulatory agencies.
Sincerely,
Meg Amos
Sr Ecologist and Project Manager
MSA Environmental
Attachment 1
Determination Data Form