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Yelm Splash Park BATechnical Memorandum To: Ryan McReynolds, USF&WS From: Kara Randall, WHPacific Date: 12/28/2017 Re: City of Yelm Splash Park Biological Assessment Memorandum Introduction The City of Yelm, WA contracted WHPacific, Inc. (WHP) to conduct Mazama pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama) surveys and to write this associated biological assessment memorandum prior to the construction of a splash park at Yelm City Park. Mazama pocket gophers are potentially present at the project site and are a federally and state listed threatened sub-species of Mazama pocket gophers. Three Mazama Pocket gopher surveys were conducted by biologists from the Lacey, WA US Fish and Wildlife Service office and WHPacific environmental staff. No evidence of pocket gopher activity or presence was detected in Yelm City Park during these surveys. No effect is anticipated from the proposed Yelm City Park splash park project on Mazama pocket gophers or other listed species. Project Description Project Nexus The City of Yelm has received a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the development of a splash park in Yelm City Park through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered by Thurston County Public Health and Social Services. The proposed project activities being funded through the federal HUD grant program constitutes a federal nexus requiring compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.). WHP was contracted to perform the environmental compliance work required as part of this publicly funded grant. Project Purpose and Need The CDBG the City of Yelm received from HUD is for building an approximately 4000 square foot wet play area (splash park) located generally on the southerly portion of the existing Yelm City Park. The Splash Park will be adjacent to a new playground area and in a highly visible location adjacent to the existing Community Center and 1st Street (State Route 507). The splash park will be constructed to accommodate all physical abilities and age groups. Its central location within the City, and proximity to nearby demographically diverse residential neighborhoods provides an excellent location for access and maximized use. Project Location Yelm City Park is located east of the intersection of 1st Street and Mossman Ave. This is located in the City of Yelm in Thurston County, Washington in the Southwest Quarter of Section 19, Township 17 North, Range 2 East (see Figure 1). Project Schedule and Timeline • Complete the SEPA/NEPA phase of the project January 2018 • Begin Design of the selected facility February 2018 • Complete Design and Environmental Permitting June 2018 • Obligate and Advertise for Construction July/August 2018 • Begin Construction August 2018 • Complete this Phase of the Project October 2018 Project Elements Temporary/Construction-related Temporary elements of the project are not extensive and are associated with construction. Construction related elements include mobilization and staging of contractor equipment, temporary on-site storage of apparatus associated with the splash park construction (vehicles, equipment, and materials), and temporary park closures. Permanent Structures and Features This project consists of construction of an approximate 4000 SF splash-pad adjacent to new playground equipment. The splash-pad will consist of a concrete pad with water play appurtenances as above grade features; below grade features include a potable water collection and recirculation system. The project also includes repurposing of storage buildings for a recirculating water treatment system. Construction Sequence or Implementation Construction is planned to begin in August of 2018 and will be conducted over approximately 45 working days. The southern portion of the City Park will be closed and fenced off during construction. Anticipated construction sequencing includes: preconstruction 7 day notice to proceed and confirmation of all permit approvals prior to commencement, contractor installation of temporary ES&C, excavation and disposal of excess soils, modification to existing park sprinkler system, preparation of Splash-pad area and hard surface pathways for drainage and concrete placement, installation of drainage elements and plumbing, backfill area and pour concrete, install surface features for spray park and install recirculating water system, install splash pad above grade features, test splash-pad recirculating system, certify as needed with Department of Health (DOH) for public use, install permanent fencing, clean-up site for walk thru and close- out of physical completion. Access, Staging, Equipment, and Materials Project area for the splash park permanent features is approximately 4000 SF. Staging and equipment/materials will occupy approximately 8700 SF of area. Best Management Practices (Environmental – General) BMPs will be installed prior to construction to mitigate sediment and contaminant runoff associated with earthwork and construction activities. Housekeeping measures will be employed during construction to maintain BMPs. Work areas will be fenced during construction activity and secured during off hours. Action Area The project action area includes Yelm City Park and adjacent roads and parking areas that will be used to transport equipment and materials into the park for splash park construction. Yelm City Park is oriented in a northwest –southwest direction and is bordered to the northwest by 1st St S (SR 507), to the southwest by SE Mossman Ave, to the southeast by 2nd St SE, and to the northeast by residential and commercial development (Thurston County 2017). A gravel parking lot is located along the southwest end of the park accessible by SE Mossman Ave, and the community center with an adjacent paved parking area is located between the southeast side of the park and 2nd St SE. (Figure 2). Current Land Uses and Management Yelm City Park currently includes a small walled off playground area, covered and uncovered picnic areas, a restroom building, and a newly constructed pathway along the northwest side of the park. The rest of the park is covered by a grass lawn that is maintained by mowing. A few shade trees are within the park with more along the parks’ northwest and northeast ends (some of which are on adjacent residential and commercial properties). Currently the park hosts a variety of community events including the Car Show, Christmas in the Park, Circus, Patriot Day, Prairie Days, Prairie Street Rod Association Car Show, and the Yelm Lion’s Club Easter Egg Hunt. Baseline Environmental Conditions, Habitats and Habitat Condition Yelm City Park is within the Nisqually River Watershed (WRIA 11). Yelm Creek is located approximately 0.4 miles NNE of the park at its closest point and the headwaters for Thompson Creek are located approximately 0.7 miles SW of the park (Thurston County 2017) (Figure 3). There are no surface water connections between Yelm City Park and these waterways. Soils in Yelm City Park are mapped as Spanaway gravelly sandy loam and Spanaway stony sandy loam (NRCS 2017) (Figure 4). The Spanaway soil series consists of friable, dark, well drained, soils formed on glacial outwash terraces and plains from glacial outwash and volcanic ash (NCSS 2017). Spanaway series soils are the most common prairie associated soils in Thurston County (Hall et al.1995). Past agricultural and current managed park land use has altered the soils in Yelm City Park and a recent cultural resources survey conducted by WHPacific staff found that much of the Spanaway gravelly sandy loam has been removed by modern landscape modification but the underlying glacial outwash was encountered during subsurface sampling (WHPacific 2017). Vegetation in the park consists of mostly non-native lawn grasses and non-native herbaceous species commonly found in lawns in Western Washington including narrowleaf plantain (Plantago lanceolata), broadleaf plantain (Plantago major) clover species (Trifolium spp.), and hairy cat’s ear (Hypochoeris radicata). Tree species include Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and unidentified deciduous trees. Status and Critical Habitat for Listed and Proposed Listed Species The USFWS Official Species List for the Yelm Splash Park project area, issued Oct. 13, 2017, lists ten federally listed threatened, endangered, or candidate species potentially occurring within or near the project boundary (USFWS 2017a) (Appendix A). Federally listed threatened Puget Sound Chinook and/or Puget Sound Steelhead, managed by NOAA Fisheries, are documented in Yelm Creek, Thompson Creek, and the Nisqually River (WDFW 2017a). No critical habitat is designated in or adjacent to Yelm City Park (USFWS 2017a, USFWS 2017b, NMFS 2017a). A species list with information on each species’ federal and state status, general habitat requirements, closest designated critical habitat and likelihood of occurring in or near the project area is included in Table 1. Based upon the online research compiled in Table 1 six of the twelve listed species/sub-species (the three fish species and three Mazama pocket gopher sub-species) are known to occur within two-miles of Yelm City Park. The following sections include the results from field surveys and desktop research on the potential presence and habitat suitability of the action area for these species, and potential impacts of the proposed action. Fish There are three federally listed threatened fish species/Evolutionary Significant Units (ESU) in the vicinity of Yelm City Park: bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), Puget Sound ESU Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), and Puget Sound ESU steelhead trout (Oncrhychus mykiss) (USFWS 2017a, NMFS 2017a). Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s SalmonScape online mapping website lists bull trout as documented present in the Nisqually River; Puget Sound Chinook documented spawning in the Nisqually River, documented rearing and present in Yelm Creek, and presumed present in Thompson Creek; and Puget Sound steelhead documented present in all three waterbodies (WDFW 2017a). The Nisqually River is designated as critical habitat for all three species (excluding the portion running through Joint Base Lewis McCord). Additional Puget Sound Chinook critical habitat is designated in Yelm Creek from the confluence with the Nisqually River to just north of Mountain View Rd. SE (1.7 miles NNW of Yelm City Park) and for Puget Sound Steelhead in Yelm Creek from the Nisqually River confluence to Crystal Springs St. NW (0.5 miles N of the park) and in Thompson Creek from the Nisqually River confluence to before 93 Ave SE (1.5 miles NNW of the park) (NMFS 2017a). The Nisqually River, Yelm Creek, and Thompson Creek included in the Nisqually River Hydrologic Unit (HU 17110015) and are considered Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for Chinook salmon (NMFS 2014). There are no surface water connections between Yelm City Park and Yelm and Thompson Creeks or the Nisqually River. The Splash Park project area is topographically lower than the surrounding area and below nearby structures (community center) and roads (1st St. SE, SE 2nd St. and SE Mosman Ave) resulting in runoff remaining within the boundary of the park. The Splash Park will use a recirculating potable water system and all additional runoff from new non-permeable surfaces and construction will run off into and be absorbed by surrounding grasslands. The proposed project will not directly or indirectly impact creeks and rivers in the area and so should have no effect on listed fish species or EFH in the surrounding area. Mazama Pocket Gophers Habitat requirements and regulatory setting Mazama pocket gophers (pocket gophers) are endemic to western Washington, western Oregon, and a portion of northern California. In south Puget Sound pocket gophers are primarily associated with open upland prairie and savannah grasslands, and somewhat with agricultural fields and pastures (Stinson 2013, WDFW 2013a). Pocket gophers seem to prefer open habitats with well- drained loamy sand or sandy loam soils with low clay content that occur on glacial outwash plains in the area (Stinson 2013, WDFW 2013a). Research on pocket gopher activity in Thurston and Pierce Counties have found pocket gopher occurrence to be positively associated with sandy loam soils and negatively associated with increasing amounts of Scot’s broom (Cytisus scoparius), shrub cover, and percent course gravel (Olson 2011). While pocket gopher density has been found to be higher in sandy loam soils, they are also known occur in gravelly sandy loams, like those in the Yelm City Park area (Stinson 2013, WDFW 2013a). Pocket gophers were once widespread in south Puget Sound prairies but their populations have declined with the loss of suitable habitats to development, invasion by Scot’s broom, and forest succession on lands once maintained as prairie by Native American populations prior to European settlement in the 1850’s (Stinson 2013). A 1995 Washington State Natural Heritage Program (WSNHP) study found at least 80% of prairie soils in south Puget Sound have been converted into urban areas, agricultural lands, or invaded by forests (Hall et al. 1995). In 2001 USFWS listed eight Washington State Mazama pocket gophers as candidates for listings under the federal ESA followed by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission listing the Mazama pocket gopher as state threatened in 2006 (RCW 77.15.130) (Stinson 2013). Due to continuing habitat loss and declining pocket gopher populations in Thurston and Pierce Counties the USFWS listed four Thurston and Pierce County Mazama pocket gopher sub-species as threatened in 2014 (USFWS 2014a). These include the Olympia pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama pugetensis), Roy Prairie pocket gopher (T. m. glacialis), Tenino pocket gopher (T. m. tumuli), and Yelm pocket gopher (T. m. yelmensis). Critical habitat for these sub-species was designated in Thurston and Pierce Counties at the same time (USFWS 2014b). Mazama pocket gophers and prairie habitats are also protected under Washington State’s Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70a) as species and habitats of local importance in Thurston County’s Critical Areas Ordinances (TCC 24.25). In order to ensure compliance with the ESA and local ordinances the USFWS and Thurston County have developed Mazama pocket gopher mound survey protocols for those areas with soils likely to support pocket gophers. These protocols takes into consideration pocket gopher soil preferences, seasonality of burrowing/mound building activity, and current site conditions in determining the need and timing of surveys. Pocket gopher mounds can easily be confused with mole mounds, especially as they weather over time, so specialized training is needed to correctly identify the animal creating each mound. Potential for Mazama pocket gopher habitat and occupancy in Yelm City Park The 2017 USFWS guidance letter list the Spanaway gravelly sandy loam and Spanaway stony sandy loam soils found in Yelm City Park as More Preferred and Less Preferred pocket gopher soils respectively, prompting the need for surveys (USFWS 2017d) (Appendix B). Soils in Yelm City Park have been altered by past agricultural and current city park land uses. Test pits dug during a recent National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Sec. 106 compliance survey of the park found that much of the Spanaway gravelly sandy loam soil has been removed by modern landscape modification (WHPacific 2017). The park contains a mix of human made structures, trees, and a managed lawn of mostly introduced grass species that is maintained by mowing. While pocket gophers are known to eat and cache some of the plant species present in the park (e.g. hairy cat’s ear and clover species) (Stinson 2013) the park’s vegetation is frequently disturbed by human use and as a whole does not appear to be high quality pocket gopher habitat. Yelm City Park is located in the northern half of Yelm Prairie. The WDFW Draft Mazama Pocket Gopher Recovery Plan Appendix F (Stinson 2013) notes Yelm Prairie pocket gopher populations as being modest and scattered in the northern portion of the prairie and no records of pocket gophers occurring in the southern portion of the prairie, though this could be partially due to difficulties accessing private properties in the southern half of Yelm Prairie (WDFW 2013a). A review of WDFW’s Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) on the Web shows the closest pocket gopher location to Yelm City Park is 0.3 miles SW near Mill Rd SE and located on 10/9/2013 (WDFW 2017b). Several other populations have been located a mile or more north and northwest of Yelm City Park near and north of SR 510 and also near 93 Ave SE. Populations were also identified in 2013 approximately 1.3 miles east of Yelm City Park near the 103 Rd Right of Way and Canal St Right of Way. Based upon the pocket gopher location data available in the WDFW PHS interactive mapping program and in the 2013 recovery plan pocket gophers are not known to occur in or adjacent to Yelm City Park. 2017 Yelm City Park Mazama pocket gopher surveys Following the 2017 USFWS guidance letter protocol (USFWS 2017d), three Mazama pocket gopher surveys were conducted in Yelm City Park between August and October, 2017. Surveys were conducted by biologists from the Lacey, WA USFWS office accompanied by a WHPacific environmental staff member. A biologist from WSDOT assisted with the September 1st survey. Survey forms and a map of the survey route are attached in Appendix C. Results from the surveys are summarized in Table 2. Surveys were conducted by walking transects across all of Yelm City Park’s grasslands and along the slope below 1st St during all three surveys. One intermediate (unidentifiable) mound was found on the west side of the park on August 1st and four mole mounds were found on October 11th. No definite or likely pocket gopher mounds were observed during any of the surveys. Survey conditions were good for the Aug. 1st and Sept. 1st surveys but only fair on Oct. 11th. Survey conditions were somewhat limited by the installation of a new park irrigation system on Aug. 1st, re-seeding park grasslands on Oct. 11th, and the building of a new cement pathway along the northwest side of the park earlier in the summer. None of these other park projects had federal funding or nexus and so did not require Mazama pocket gopher compliance surveys beforehand. In addition to the three USFWS surveys, the WHPacific environmental staff member conducted an additional pocket gopher mound survey on June 30th, 2017. Transects were walked across most of the park except for the northwest side due to new pathway construction. No pocket gopher or mole mounds were observed during this survey. No Mazama pocket gopher activity was detected in Yelm City Park during the three ESA compliance surveys. In addition the park’s degraded prairie soils, maintained lawns, and fairly high amount of human activity are not typical of pocket gopher habitat in Thurston County. Because of this it is extremely unlikely Mazama pocket gophers occur in Yelm City Park. Effects of the Proposed Action No listed species were found to occur in or adjacent to Yelm City Park and the splash park project area. The use of standard best practices to mitigate sediment and contaminant runoff associated with earthwork and construction activities and the splash park’s recirculating potable water system will help ensure that listed species known to occur within a couple miles of the park (bull trout, Chinook, steelhead, and Mazama pocket gopher subspecies) will not be directly or indirectly effected by the splash park’s construction. Effects of the proposed action to the physical, chemical, and biological environment in general are minor and consistent with current land use practices. Beneficial effects of the proposed action are not anticipated. Temporary effects and exposures from construction related implementation are minor. Effects to habitat and habitat conditions from implementation and adaptive management are minor and consistent with current land use. Indirect effects occurring later in time are not anticipated. Effects of interrelated or interdependent actions are minor and generally also consistent with current land use practices (playground equipment). Discountable exposures and effects are extremely unlikely for listed or proposed species. Insignificant exposures and effects are not measurable for listed or proposed species. Significant and potentially adverse exposures and effects are not anticipated for listed or proposed species. Beneficial effects are not anticipated for listed or proposed species. Effects to critical habitat and condition of the PCEs are not anticipated. The proposed federal action will have ‘no effect’ for all listed species and designated critical habitat that occur in Thurston County. Figures Figure 1: City of Yelm Splash Park project location. Figure 2: Yelm City Park action area. Splash Park is to be built in the area of the existing playground. Orange outline demarks park grassland area surveyed for Mazama pocket gophers.Picnic Structures Play Ground Restrooms Figure 3. Hillshade topography map of streams and ponds in the Yelm City Park area. Park outlined in red. (Source: Thurston County 2017) Figure 4: Yelm City Park Soil Map (NCSS 2017). Tables Table 1: Listing Status, habitat requirements, nearest designated critical habitat, and likelihood of occurring in the Yelm Splash Park project area Common Name Scientific Name Federal Status1 WA State Status2 General Habitat Requirements Critical Habitat and Additional Notes Olympia Pocket Gopher Thomomys mazama pugetensis Threatened Threatened See main text for details Nearest critical habitat 13.2 miles WNW (Bush Prairie/Olympia Airport) (USFWS 2017b). See main text for more detail. Tenino Pocket Gopher Thomomys mazama tumuli Threatened Threatened See main text for details Nearest critical habitat 11.4 miles WSW (Rocky Prairie) (USFWS 2017b). See main text for more detail. Yelm Pocket Gopher Thomomys mazama yelmensis Threatened Threatened See main text for details Nearest critical habitat 6.5 miles SW (Tenalquot Prairie) (USFWS 2017b). Range includes Yelm City Park. See main text for more detail. Marbled Murrelet Brachyramphus marmoratus Threatened Endangered Inhabit shallow coastal marine areas where they primarily feed on near shore forage fish. Travel inland to nest in mature and old growth forest, mostly building nests on large branches or other suitable platforms in large trees (WDFW 2013b). Closest designated critical habitat is approximately 18 miles southeast of Yelm City Park (Near Alder Lake) and 20 miles west in Capitol State Forest (USFWS 2017b). No suitable habitat in or near Yelm City Park. Project should have no effect on Marbled Murrelet populations. Common Name Scientific Name Federal Status1 WA State Status2 General Habitat Requirements Critical Habitat and Additional Notes Streaked Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris strigata Threatened Endangered Breeding habitat includes relatively sparsely vegetated grasslands, beaches, agricultural fields, and airports; prefer bare ground to vegetation more than several inches high (Stinson 2015, Anderson and Pearson 2015, Pearson and Altman 2005). Wintering areas are usually mostly large, bare, treeless and shrubless expanses (Stinson 2015). Nearest designated critical habitat is along the WA coast 68 miles WSW of Yelm City Park. (USFWS 2017b). Streaked horned larks are known breed in prairies and near airfields at Joint Base Lewis McCord (< 5 mi north of Yelm City Park) and at the Olympia Airport (13 miles WNW of the park) (Person and Altman 2005). Yelm city park is a developed park with densely vegetated lawns and a high level of human disturbance and is not suitable streaked horned lark habitat. Project should have no effect on streaked horned larks. Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus Threatened Candidate Species Prefer open lowland deciduous woodlands with clearing and shrubby vegetation, with a strong preference in western North America for large continuous riparian zones with cottonwoods and willows. Has experienced a major decline in breeding range since 1800’s, were once abundant along the lower Columbia River (WDFW 2013b). No designated critical habitat in Washington State (USFWS 2014c). Yellow billed cuckoos have not bred in Washington since the 1930’s and only sited 4 times in Western WA State between 1950 and 2000 (WDFW 2013b). Habitat for this species is not present within the project area. Project should have no effect on Yellow-billed Cuckoos. Common Name Scientific Name Federal Status1 WA State Status2 General Habitat Requirements Critical Habitat and Additional Notes Bald Eagle Species of Concern –Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act Removed from WA State Sensitive Species List in 2017 Populations increasing since banning of DDT. Build nests in large trees with open branching usually within a ½ mile of water primarily in undeveloped areas with little human activity. (USFWS 2017g) No bald eagle nest seen in the vicinity of Yelm City Park. Oregon Spotted Frog Rana pretiosa Threatened Endangered Found in wetland habitats with large expanses of shallow water and abundant emergent or floating aquatic plants. Need access to water for reproduction and shelter. (USFWS 2017f). 13.3 miles SW of Yelm City Park in Beaver Creek (USFWS 2017b). No Oregon spotted frog habitat available in Yelm City Park. Project should have no effect on Oregon spotted frogs. Bull Trout Salvelinus confluentus Threatened Candidate Prefer cold, clean, complex and connected stream habitats. While bull trout will migrate through warmer water, spawning and rearing habitats are associated with very cold water (USFWS 2015). Bull Trout designated critical habitat in Nisqually River (WDFW 2017a). The Nisqually River is 2 miles west of Yelm City Park at its closest point (USFWS 2017b). Project should have no effect on bull trout. See main text for more information. Common Name Scientific Name Federal Status1 WA State Status2 General Habitat Requirements Critical Habitat and Additional Notes Puget Sound Chinook ESU Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Threatened Candidate Prefer streams that are deeper and larger, and spawning sites with larger gravel and more water flow up through the gravel than sites used by other Pacific salmon. Juveniles may spend 3 months to 2 years in freshwater before migrating to estuaries and later marine environments (NMFS 2017d). Documented presence and rearing in Yelm Creek and Nisqually River, modeled presence in Thompson Creek (WDFW 2017a). Designated critical habitat in Yelm Creek from confluence with Nisqually River to 0.7 miles upstream. (NMFS 2005, NMFS 2017a). Project should have no effect on Puget Sound ESU Chinook or Chinook EFH. See main text for more information. Puget Sound Steelhead ESU Oncrhychus mykiss Threatened No Current WA State Status Steelhead are capable of surviving in a wide range of temperature conditions. They do best where dissolved oxygen concentration is at least 7 parts per million. In streams, deep low-velocity pools are important wintering habitats. Spawning habitat consists of gravel substrates free of excessive silt (NMFS 2017b). Documented presence in Yelm and Thompson creeks and Nisqually River (WDFW 2017a) Designated critical habitat in Yelm Creek from confluence with Nisqually River to Crystal Springs St. culvert (~0.5 miles N), and in Thompson Creek from Confluence with Nisqually River to before 93rd Ave. SE (~1.6 miles NW) (NMFS 2016, NMFS 2017a) Project should have no effect on Puget Sound ESU steelhead. See text for more information. Common Name Scientific Name Federal Status1 WA State Status2 General Habitat Requirements Critical Habitat and Additional Notes Golden Paintbrush Castilleja levisecta Threatened Threatened In WA usually occurs on loamy sand or sandy loam soils in gravelly, glacial outwash prairies (USFWS 2010b). Blooms Feb. into summer, plants senesce by mid-summer, fruit capsules mature in August and persist on plant into the winter (USFWS 2010b). No designated critical habitat (USFWS 2017d). Natural and reintroduced Castilleja levisecta populations occur Thurston County (USFWS 2007, Dunwiddie and Martin 2017). Yelm City Park is a developed grassland and not typical C. levisecta habitat and it was not seen during pedestrian surveys. Water Howellia Howellia aquatilis Threatened Threatened Found in low elevation wetlands in western WA. Requires seasonally inundated wetlands for growth (wet periods) and reproduction (dry periods). Soils rich in organic matter (WNHP 2017). No designated critical habitat (USFWS 2017e). Yelm City Park is within the species’ range (USFWS 2017e). Project area is upland and does not meet species’ wetland habitat requirement. 1 Sources: USFWS Official Species List (Issued Oct. 13, 2017); NOAA Fisheries Wet Coast Region, ESA-Listed Pacific Salmon map (website: http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/publications/gis_maps/maps/salmon_steelhead/critical_habitat/wcr_salmonid_ch_esa_july2016.pdf ) and Endangered Species Act Critical Habitat KML map data (website: http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/maps_data/endangered_species_act_critical_habitat.html ) 2 Source: WDFW State Listed Species, Revised February 2017 (available at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/endangered/state_listed_species.pdf ) and Washington Natural Heritage Program (WNHP) 2017 Endangered, Threatened, and Sensitive Vascular Plant List (available at: https://www.dnr.wa.gov/publications/amp_nh_vascular_ets.pdf ) Table 2: Yelm City Park Mazama pocket gopher mound survey results. Date # of Pocket Gopher Mounds Observed # of Intermediate Mounds Observed # of Mole Mounds Observed Comments 8/1/2017 0 1 0 1 intermediate mound found in the park’s west corner near 1st St. 9/1/2017 0 0 0 Substantial recent earthwork has been done for sidewalks and a new irrigation system. This work has no federal nexus. 10/11/2017 0 0 4 Recent placement of topsoil & seed throughout most of park. Sources Anderson, H.E. and S.F. Pearson. 2015. Streaked horned lark habitat characteristics. Unpublished paper. Available at: http://cascadiaprairieoak.org/wp- content/uploads/2015/04/Streaked-horned-lark-habitat-characteristics_April-2015.pdf Dunwiddie, PW and RA Martin. 2016. Microsites Matter: Improving the Success of Rare Species Reintroductions. PLoS ONE 11(3): e0150417. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0150417. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4773064/pdf/pone.0150417.pdf Hall, H.L., R. Crawford, B. Stephens. 1995. Regional Inventory of Prairies in the Soutern Puget Trough: Phase One. Technical Report. Washington Department of Natural Resources Natural Heritage Program. Available at: https://www.dnr.wa.gov/publications/amp_nh_prairie_inventories.pdf National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 2017a. West Coast Region, Maps and Data, Endangered Species Act Critical Habitat website: http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/maps_data/endangered_species_act_critical_habitat.ht ml (last viewed 12/8/17). NMFS. 2017b. Steelhead trout species information page. Available at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/steelhead-trout NMFS. 2017c. Essential Fish Habitat Mapper v3.0 website: http://www.habitat.noaa.gov/protection/efh/habitatmapper.html (last viewed 12/15/17). NMFS 2017d. Chinook species information. Available at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/fish/chinook-salmon.html#habitat NMFS. 2016a. Designation of critical habitat for Columbia River coho salmon and Puget Sound steelhead. Federal Register 81 (9251 – 9325). Available at: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/02/24/2016-03409/endangered-and-threatened- species-designation-of-critical-habitat-for-lower-columbia-river-coho NMFS. 2014. Environmental Assessment and Regulatory Impact Review. Pacific Coast Salmon Plan Amendment 18: Incorporating Revisions to Pacific Salmon Essential Fish Habitat. Prepared by The Pacific Fishery Management Council and National Marine Fisheries Service. Regulatory Identifier Number 0648-BC95. Available at: http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/publications/habitat/essential_fish_habitat/bc95_final_e a_rir_am_18_fonsi___appendices.pdf NMFS. 2005. Designation of Critical Habitat for 12 Evolutionarily Significant Units of West Coast Salmon and Steelhead in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Federal Register 70 (52630 – 52858). Available at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/fr/fr70-52630.pdf Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 2017. Web Soil Survey Website: https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm (last visited 12/12/2017). National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS). 2017. Spanaway Series. Available at: https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/S/SPANAWAY.html Olson, G.S. 2011. Mazama pocket gopher occupancy modeling. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, Washington. Available at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01352/ Pearson, S.F. and B. Altman. 2005. Range-wide Streaked Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata) Assessment and Preliminary Conservation Strategy. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA. 25pp. Available at: https://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/StreakedHornedLark/Documents/SHL- assessment_strategy.pdf Stinson, D. W. 2015. Draft periodic status review for the Streaked Horned Lark in Washington. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, Washington. Available at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01774/ Stinson, D. W. 2013. Draft Mazama Pocket Gopher Status Update and Washington State Recovery Plan. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia. Available at: https://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01449/ Thurston County. 2017. Thurston County GeoData Center website: http://www.geodata.org/ (last viewed 12/15/2017). Washington Natural Heritage Program (WNHP) 2017. Howellia aquatilis species information page. Available at: https://www.dnr.wa.gov/publications/amp_nh_hoaq.pdf (last viewed 12/7/2017). U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2017a. Official species list for Yelm City Park Splash Park. Generated October 13, 2017. Consultation Code: 01EWFW00-2018-SLI-0061. Generated by the USFWS Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) website: https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/ (last viewed 12/8/2017). (Attached as Appendix A). USFWS 2017b. Environmental Conservation Online System (ECOS), Critical Habitat Report, interactive mapper. Available at: https://fws.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=9d8de5e265ad4fe09893cf75b 8dbfb77 (last viewed 12/7/17). USFWS 2017 c. Guidance for Assessing Potential Take of Mazama Pocket Gophers in Thurston County in 2017. March 6, 2017. Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, Lacey, Washington. (Attached as Appendix B). USFWS. 2017d. Species fact sheet, golden paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta). Available at: https://www.fws.gov/wafwo/species/Fact%20sheets/GPaintbrush_factsheet.pdf USFWS. 2017e. Environmental Conservation Online System (ECOS) page for Water howellia (Howellia aquatilis). Available at: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=Q2RM (last viewed 12/7/2017). USFWS. 2017f. Oregon spotted frog species information webpage. Available at: https://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/articles.cfm?id=149489458 USFWS. 2017g. Bald Eagle. Species information webpage. Available at: https://www.fws.gov/wafwo/articles.cfm?id=149489583 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2015. Recovery plan for the coterminous United States population of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus). Portland, Oregon. Available at: https://www.fws.gov/pacific/bulltrout/pdf/Final_Bull_Trout_Recovery_Plan_092915.pdf USFWS 2014a. Threatened Species Status for the Olympia pocket gopher, Roy Prairie pocket gopher, Tenino pocket gopher, and Yelm pocket gopher, with special rule. Final Rule. Federal Register 79: 19760 – 19796. Available at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-04- 09/pdf/2014-07414.pdf USFWS 2014b. Designation of Critical Habitat for Mazama Pocket Gophers. Final rule. Federal Register 79: 19712-19757. Available at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-04- 09/pdf/2014-07415.pdf USFWS. 2014c. Designation of critical habitat for the western distinct population segment of the yellow-billed cuckoo. Proposed Rule. Federal Register 79 (48548 – 48652). Available at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-08-15/pdf/2014-19178.pdf USFWS. 2010a. Revised Designation of Critical Habitat for Bull Trout in the coterminous United States. Final Rule. Federal Register 75 (63898 – 64070). Available at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2010-10-18/pdf/2010-25028.pdf USFWS. 2010b. Recovery plan for the prairie species of western Oregon and southwestern Washington. Available at: http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/100629.pdf Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). 2017a. SalmonScape Website: http://apps.wdfw.wa.gov/salmonscape/ (last viewed 12/15/2017). WDFW. 2017b. Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) on the Web – interactive mapping website: http://wdfw.wa.gov/mapping/phs/ WDFW. 2013a. Mazama Pocket Gopher distributions and Habitat survey in Western Washington -2012. Summary Report. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Olympia, WA. Available at: https://cascadiaprairieoak.org/wp- content/uploads/2014/03/MazamaPocketGopher2012SurveysReportFINAL_WDFW.pdf WDFW. 2013b. Threatened and Endangered Wildlife in Washington: 2012 Annual Report. Listing and Recovery Section, Wildlife Program, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia. 251 pp. Available at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01542/wdfw01542.pdf WHPacific. 2017. Cultural Resources Inventory Report for the Proposed Splash Park, Yelm, Thurston County, WA. Prepared for the City of Yelm by WHPacific, Inc. Portland, OR. Photo Log Proposed Yelm Splash Park Photo Log Photo 1: Yelm City Park splash park project area looking northeast towards project area. Splash park is to be built in the area currently occupied by the playground. Photo taken during 10/11/17 survey while park was being re-seeded. Photo 2: Close view of Yelm City Park splash park project area looking northwest. Photo taken 7/18/2017 during cultural resources survey and prior to installation of new irrigation system. Photo 3: North end of Yelm City Park splash park project area looking northwest towards new pathway construction site. 6/1/2017. Photo 4: Mixed vegetation and gravelly soil seen in Yelm City Park. 8/1/2017. Photo shows hairy cat’s ear and clover species known to be consumed by pocket gophers. Appendix A Species List October 13, 2017 United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Washington Fish And Wildlife Office 510 Desmond Drive Se, Suite 102 Lacey, WA 98503-1263 Phone: (360) 753-9440 Fax: (360) 753-9405 http://www.fws.gov/wafwo/ In Reply Refer To: Consultation Code: 01EWFW00-2018-SLI-0061 Event Code: 01EWFW00-2018-E-00112 Project Name: Yelm City Park Splash Park Subject:List of threatened and endangered species that may occur in your proposed project location, and/or may be affected by your proposed project To Whom It May Concern: The enclosed species list identifies threatened, endangered, and proposed species, designated and proposed critical habitat, and candidate species that may occur within the boundary of your proposed project and/or may be affected by your proposed project. The species list fulfills the requirements of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) under section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). New information based on updated surveys, changes in the abundance and distribution of species, changed habitat conditions, or other factors could change this list. The species list is currently compiled at the county level. Additional information is available from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Priority Habitats and Species website: or at our office website: http://wdfw.wa.gov/mapping/phs/ . Please note that under 50 CFR 402.12(e) of thehttp://www.fws.gov/wafwo/species_new.html regulations implementing section 7 of the Act, the accuracy of this species list should be verified after 90 days. This verification can be completed formally or informally as desired. The Service recommends that verification be completed by visiting the ECOS-IPaC website at regular intervals during project planning and implementation for updates to species lists and information. An updated list may be requested through the ECOS-IPaC system by completing the same process used to receive the enclosed list. The purpose of the Act is to provide a means whereby threatened and endangered species and the ecosystems upon which they depend may be conserved. Under sections 7(a)(1) and 7(a)(2) of the Act and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 402 et seq.), Federal agencies are required to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the conservation of threatened and endangered species and to determine whether projects may affect threatened and endangered species and/or designated critical habitat. 10/13/2017 Event Code: 01EWFW00-2018-E-00112 2 A Biological Assessment is required for construction projects (or other undertakings having similar physical impacts) that are major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment as defined in the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2) (c)). For projects other than major construction activities, the Service suggests that a biological evaluation similar to a Biological Assessment be prepared to determine whether or not the project may affect listed or proposed species and/or designated or proposed critical habitat. Recommended contents of a Biological Assessment are described at 50 CFR 402.12. If a Federal agency determines, based on the Biological Assessment or biological evaluation, that listed species and/or designated critical habitat may be affected by the proposed project, the agency is required to consult with the Service pursuant to 50 CFR 402. In addition, the Service recommends that candidate species, proposed species, and proposed critical habitat be addressed within the consultation. More information on the regulations and procedures for section 7 consultation, including the role of permit or license applicants, can be found in the "Endangered Species Consultation Handbook" at: http://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/TOC-GLOS.PDF Please be aware that bald and golden eagles are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668 et seq.). You may visit our website at information on disturbance or take of the species andhttp://www.fws.gov/pacific/eagle/for information on how to get a permit and what current guidelines and regulations are. Some projects affecting these species may require development of an eagle conservation plan: ( ). Additionally, wind energy projectshttp://www.fws.gov/windenergy/eagle_guidance.html should follow the wind energy guidelines () for minimizinghttp://www.fws.gov/windenergy/ impacts to migratory birds and bats. Also be aware that all marine mammals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The MMPA prohibits, with certain exceptions, the "take" of marine mammals in U.S. waters and by U.S. citizens on the high seas. The importation of marine mammals and marine mammal products into the U.S. is also prohibited. More information can be found on the MMPA website: .http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/laws/mmpa/ We appreciate your concern for threatened and endangered species. The Service encourages Federal agencies to include conservation of threatened and endangered species into their project planning to further the purposes of the Act. Please include the Consultation Tracking Number in the header of this letter with any request for consultation or correspondence about your project that you submit to our office. Related website: National Marine Fisheries Service: http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/protected_species/species_list/species_lists.html Attachment(s): Official Species List 10/13/2017 Event Code: 01EWFW00-2018-E-00112 1 Official Species List This list is provided pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and fulfills the requirement for Federal agencies to "request of the Secretary of the Interior information whether any species which is listed or proposed to be listed may be present in the area of a proposed action". This species list is provided by: Washington Fish And Wildlife Office 510 Desmond Drive Se, Suite 102 Lacey, WA 98503-1263 (360) 753-9440 10/13/2017 Event Code: 01EWFW00-2018-E-00112 2 Project Summary Consultation Code:01EWFW00-2018-SLI-0061 Event Code:01EWFW00-2018-E-00112 Project Name:Yelm City Park Splash Park Project Type:DEVELOPMENT Project Description:The City of Yelm has received a HUD Community Development Block Grant for the construction of a splash park in Yelm City Park (115 Mosman Ave SE, Yelm, WA 98597). Construction is to begin in 2018. Three Mazama pocket gopher surveys of the site where conducted at this site between August and October 2017. Surveys were conducted by USFWS biologists and WHPacific staff. No pocket gopher activity was found at the site Project Location: Approximate location of the project can be viewed in Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/46.94049131026948N122.60814213400135W Counties:Thurston, WA 10/13/2017 Event Code: 01EWFW00-2018-E-00112 3 Endangered Species Act Species There is a total of 10 threatened, endangered, or candidate species on this species list. Species on this list should be considered in an effects analysis for your project and could include species that exist in another geographic area. For example, certain fish may appear on the species list because a project could affect downstream species. See the "Critical habitats" section below for those critical habitats that lie wholly or partially within your project area under this office's jurisdiction. Please contact the designated FWS office if you have questions. Mammals NAME STATUS Olympia Pocket Gopher Thomomys mazama pugetensis There is critical habitat for this species Your location is outside the critical habitat.final . Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6713 Threatened Tenino Pocket Gopher Thomomys mazama tumuli There is critical habitat for this species Your location is outside the critical habitat.final . Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6290 Threatened Yelm Pocket Gopher Thomomys mazama yelmensis There is critical habitat for this species Your location is outside the critical habitat.final . Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/7257 Threatened Birds NAME STATUS Marbled Murrelet Brachyramphus marmoratus Population: U.S.A. (CA, OR, WA) There is critical habitat for this species Your location is outside the critical habitat.final . Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/4467 Threatened Streaked Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris strigata There is critical habitat for this species Your location is outside the critical habitat.final . Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/7268 Threatened Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus Population: Western U.S. DPS There is critical habitat for this species Your location is outside the critical habitat.proposed . Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/3911 Threatened 10/13/2017 Event Code: 01EWFW00-2018-E-00112 4 Amphibians NAME STATUS Oregon Spotted Frog Rana pretiosa There is critical habitat for this species Your location is outside the critical habitat.final . Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6633 Threatened Fishes NAME STATUS Bull Trout Salvelinus confluentus Population: U.S.A., conterminous, lower 48 states There is critical habitat for this species Your location is outside the critical habitat.final . Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8212 Threatened Flowering Plants NAME STATUS Golden Paintbrush Castilleja levisecta No critical habitat has been designated for this species. Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/7706 Threatened Water Howellia Howellia aquatilis No critical habitat has been designated for this species. Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/7090 Threatened Critical habitats There are no critical habitats within your project area under this office's jurisdiction. Appendix B 2017 USFWS Guidance for Assessing Potential Take of Mazama Pocket Gophers United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Washington Fish and Wildlife Office 510 Desmond Dr. SE, Suite 102 Lacey, Washington 98503 Brent Butler, Resource Stewardship Director Thurston County Planning Department 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW Olympia, Washington 98502 Dear Mr. Butler: Subject: Guidance for Assessing Potential Take of Mazama Pocket Gophers in Thurston County in 2017 MAR -6 2017 The Washington Fish and Wildlife Office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) recommends the following approach to assess the likelihood of take of three subspecies of Mazama pocket gophers (Thomomys mazama) protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq). Unauthorized take of Mazama pocket gopher (MPG) could result from construction activities under the permitting authorities of Thurston County (County) in the absence of an incidental take permit from the Service. The recommended screening approach will assist the County in avoiding the unauthorized take of MPG. This recommendation covers the 2017 field season that runs from June 1 to October 31, consistent with previous years (2014-2016). This approach is based on the best available science incorporating the knowledge and experience developed in previous years through our partnership with the County. Our recommendation and offer of technical assistance are based on communications with your staff regarding the current number of MPG screening requests associated with building permit applications and other administrative actions (XDs). The Service is committed to providing the County with high quality technical assistance in a timely manner so the County can make informed permit decisions that avoid the unauthorized take of listed species prior to the anticipated completion of a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). Our recommendation and offer of technical assistance for 2017 applies only to properties not known to be occupied by MPGs since April 2014, the date of the federal listing. We consider such screening to be an interim strategy prior to completion of the County HCP. A goal of the County HCP would be to eliminate the need for screening and delays associated with screening through a mitigated approach to the take of listed species and habitat losses. Brent Butler 2017 MPG Screening Determinations made during the 2017 field season will allow most land use applications to proceed with County permitting. Determinations that allow projects to move forward will be valid through October 31, 2018. Landowners seeking County permits should be aware that it is the Service's position that engaging third party surveyors (consultants, biologists, etc.) to assess MPG presence, although not prohibited, will not substitute for the 2017 screening approach described below. Site Visit Protocol 2 MPG Screening Teams will conduct field observations to determine MPG presence on sites with potential habitat. These site visits will be conducted from June 1 through October 31 as follows (See Table 1 ): 1.Sites with less preferred soils and more than 600 feet from a known occurrence will be visited two (2) times, at least 30 days apart. 2.Sites with less preferred soils and within 600 feet of a site with verified MPG occurrence will be visited three (3) times, at least 30 days apart. 3.Sites with more preferred soils will be visited three (3) times, at least 30 days apart. 4.At least one of these visits must occur in September or October. 5.Positive MPG mounds or mound clusters will be recorded via GPS. 6.Sites visits will be discontinued if pocket gopher mounds are detected. Screening T earns This year, in order to accommodate the number of screening requests for permit applications submitted to the County, the Service recommends the following (See Table 2): 1.A dedicated, two-person team will screen 3 days/week from June 1 through October 31. This team will conduct the majority of site visits, focusing on smaller parcels (typically less than 20 acres in size). 2.An additional screening team will focus on screening larger sites (typically 20 acres or larger). 3.A third screening team will screen on an as-needed basis, 1 day/week from September 4 through October 31 to facilitate required site visits during this late season period. Implementation Measures In order to make the screening schedule described above work efficiently, we recommend the following measures be implemented as part of the 2017 screening approach for the interim strategy. These are intended to reduce costs and staff time, and ensure that MPG screening requests, especially those associated with building permit applications, are screened during the screemng season. 1.No soil verification will be required in conjunction with MPG field screening. Brent Butler 2.Field work to implement the County's Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) prairie protocol will not be conducted by the dedicated MPG field screening team. 3.Site mowing or brushing will be required by the County to initiate first site visits, where necessary and feasible, and completed two to four weeks in advance of the site visit. 4.No further screening will be conducted in 2017 following the detection of MPG mounds on a property. The County and the landowner will subsequently be notified within two weeks as described below. 5.No additional site visit will be required if indeterminate mounds are detected if the full number of required visits by soil type has been completed (i.e. only 2 or 3 site visits maximum, as indicated by soil type below). 6.We recommend that the County prioritize building permit applications slated for construction before November 2018 over XD applications. This will help ensure that applicants that have projects ready for construction will receive necessary permits in a timely manner and initiate construction prior to October 31, 2018. Thurston County Responsibilities 1.County staff will continue to review land use applications for County critical areas. Further screening and field review will occur on those legal lots that are: a.Within 600 feet of a site known to have positive Mazama pocket gopher occurrence; or b.On or within 300 feet of a soil type known to be associated with Mazama pocket gopher occupancy. 2.County staff will determine if other factors preclude the need for additional screening. 3 Factors that would preclude additional screening for Mazama pocket gophers include, but are not limited to: a.Locations west of the Black River, or on Steamboat Island peninsula. b.Sites submerged for 30 consecutive days or more since October 31, 2016. c.Sites covered with impervious surfaces (as defined in CAO Chapter 17.15 and Title 24). d.Sites that consist of slopes greater than 40 percent, or that contain landslide hazard areas (per existing County regulations). e.Sites on less preferred MPG soils north of Interstate 5. 3.Land use permit applications not excluded from further review will be scheduled, by County staff, for screening according to the protocol described in the enclosed table and the recommendations in this letter. Brent Butler 4.County staff will coordinate all site visits with landowners/applicants, ensure advance notification and property access, and develop site-visit schedules. 5.County will provide the schedule to the Service at least five working days in advance ofthe intended screening date. Service Responsibilities 1.Service will initiate, populate, and share a tracking database for screening with the County for purposes of coordination and screening implementation. 2.Service will maintain screening field forms and MPG mound data. 3.Service will make determinations on the likelihood of unauthorized take of MPG basedon field screening data, and follow up with a letter and email to the County for alldeterminations and follow up with a certified letter to landowners of sites with MPG mound detections. 4.Service will coordinate with County staff to implement an effective screening schedule and resolve any associated issues in a timely manner. Thurston County landowners who know or learn that Mazama pocket gophers are present on their property and are therefore at risk of unauthorized take, can move forward with their proposed development by: 1) contacting the Service directly to discuss the review, assessment, and mitigation process most appropriate for their site(s) and proposed activities (involves development of an individual HCP); or 2) waiting to participate in the yet to be completed Thurston County HCP. Some landowners may have properties that would be of interest to conservation entities. These landowners may choose to forego development and instead seek a conservation option for their property. The Service can assist the landowner with this option. We look forward to working cooperatively with the County to help you address your potential liability for unauthorized take under the Endangered Species Act. In addition to providing high quality technical assistance, we encourage you to complete the County HCP. 4 We appreciate your continued communication and conservation planning efforts with us. Please contact Curtis Tanner (360-753-4326) of my staff for further coordination on this recommended approach for 2017. Enclosure( s) s� /) A Eric V. Rickerson, State Supervisor f.Y'-Washington Fish and Wildlife Office Table 1: Summary of Site Visits by Soil Type Needed for the 2017 Mazama Pocket Gopher Review Process for Permit Applications in Thurston County. Additional Measures Apply . .• 'M.taZa�aPocketGopher Preference More Preferred (formerly High and Medium preference soils) Less Preferred (formerly Low preference soils) Nisqually loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes Nisqually loamy fine sand, 3 to 15 percent slopes Spanaway-Nisqually complex, 2 to 10 percent slopes Cagey loamy sand Indianola loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes Spanaway gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes Spanaway gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes I Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes Everett very gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes Everett very gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes Indianola loamy sand, 3 to 15 percent slopes Kapowsin silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes McKenna gravelly silt loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes Norma fine sandy loam Norma silt loam Spana gravelly loam Spanaway stony sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes Spanaway stony sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes Yelm fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes Yelm fine sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes Enclosure to March 2017 letter. •3 site visits at least30 days apart •At least 1 visit mustoccur in September or October •To meet the above,1st visit must occur no later than the lastweek in August For property more than 600 i feet from a gopher I occurrence: •2 site visits at least30 days apart •To meet the above,1st visit must occur by September 30 For property within 600 feet of a gopher occurrence: •3 site visits at least30 days apart •To meet the above,1st visit must occur no later than the lastweek in August Table 2: Summary of Recommended Screen Team Approach for the 2017 Mazama Pocket Gopher Review Process for Permit Applications in Thurston County. 2 June thru October 3 Small (typically less than 20ac. 3-4 June thru October 1 Large (typically larger than 20 ac. 2 -3 September and October 1 Small (typically less than 20ac. Enclosure to March 2017 letter. Appendix C Data Forms