Loading...
05 23 2006 Fish and WildlifeMailing Address: 502 High Ave. Suite 112, Port Orchard WA 98366, (360) 895-3965, Fax (360) 876-1894 May 23, 2006 City of Yelm Dept. of Community Development Attention: Tami Merriman 105 Yelm Avenue West P.O. Box 479 Yelm, Washington 98597 Dear Ms. Merriman: SUBJECT: Thurston Highlands Master Planned Community; Environmental Impact Statement Scoping Notice; Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Comment Letter; Yelm, Washington. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) appreciates this opportunity to provide comments and suggestions regarding the Thurston Highlands Master Planned Community EIS Scoping Notice. We have reviewed the scoping notice and have the following comments. WDFW is concerned over water availability and potential impacts to instream flows,kettle wetland hydrology, and removal of wildlife habitat. WDFW understands that the draft EIS will explore the 4 proposed alternatives. The final alternative will be based upon the input and potential impacts identified within the draft EIS process. It will be important to integrate adequate environmental review on each component of the final alternative to ensure that individual impacts from the various alternatives do not create larger cumulative adverse impacts when added together. Thompson Creek originates downstream from the subject property. According to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Stream Typing Maps, Thompson Creek is a Type F stream up to the eastern property boundary. WDFW will likely verify the stream location and typing during the June 13th or 14th site visit. We will also investigate the seasonal flow segment just upstream of Highway 510 and the presence of a 40-foot waterfall located downstream of Highway 510. The upper segment of this stream is a Type N stream. WDFW strongly recommends investigating any potential impacts to downstream fish resources, instream flows, and water quality and quantity (using reclaimed water to augment instream flows and wetland hydrology etc.). The WDFW Heritage and Priority Habitats and Species databases show the presence of Western blue birds and Western gray squirrels within and adjacent to the subject property. Western blue birds are listed as a state monitored species, while Western gray squirrels are a state threatened species. WDFW has recently released the “draft Washington State Recovery Plan for the Western Gray Squirrel” (May 2006). Habitat loss, fragmentation and road construction have been identified as important impacts to avoid. The proposed access road off of S.R. 507 may have adverse impacts to the W. gray squirrel. WDFW has reviewed the aerial photograph of the subject property and discusses the site with the applicant’s wildlife consultant and determined that open areas onsite may be meadow/prairie habitats. This will be verified during the June site visit. If the open areas are determined to be prairie habitat it will be necessary to investigate these areas for Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly, mazama pocket gophers, and streaked horned lark. These species have recently been listed as state endangered species. Additional human, traffic and other project-associated impacts to these species and other species currently utilizing the subject property should be investigated. WDFW is also concerned with the wildlife consultants desire to limit certain wildlife species from the site and do not support providing a wildlife corridor. The impacts of this should be investigated. WDFW also recommends that the applicant perform a detailed fish and wildlife survey for the property this should include terrestrial, riparian, freshwater (streams and wetlands). It is important to note the importance of connected habitats between uplands, wetlands andstreams. It may be necessary to provide over-land connections of native habitat between kettle wetlands to ensure amphibian populations are allowed to persist. Amphibian surveys are strongly recommended to determine species use and ultimately determine buffer width needs around the onsite wetlands. Overall, WDFW recommends that the applicant avoid impacts to the freshwater habitats (instream flows downstream of the subject property, water quantity and water quality, wetland hydrology), and wildlife habitats and species (terrestrial, freshwater) to the greatest extent practicable and minimize and provide compensatory mitigation for impacts that cannot be avoided. WDFW would like to thank you for the opportunity to provide these comments. If you have any questions, please contact me at 360-895-3965 or davisjpd@dfw.wa.gov . Sincerely,  Jeff Davis Habitat Program JD:jd cc: Vicki Morris, Vicki Morris Consulting Services Anne Fritzel, CTED Senior Planner, GMA Services Gretchen Lux, WDOE Southwest Regional Office Stuart Glasoe, Puget Sound Action Team Kelly McAllister, WDFW Wildlife Program Mary Linders, WDFW Wildlife Program