2020.0003 YMS_Gopher Mound Survey Memo MLM1157 ·3rd Avenue Suite 220 • Longview, Washington 98632 • Tel (360) 578-1371 • Fax (360) 414-9305
October 2019
Lisa Klein, AICP Associate Principal AHBL
2215 North 30th Street, Suite 300
Tacoma, Washington
lklein@ahbl.com
Re:Mazama pocket gopher mound survey for Yelm Middle School on parcel numbers 22719231200,
22719231201, 75300100000, and 7530100000 in Yelm, Washington.
Dear Ms.Klein:
Ecological Land Services, Inc (ELS) was contracted by AHBL to conduct Mazama pocket gopher mound
surveys at the Yelm Middle School. The school district is proposing to construct a new middle school
within parcels numbers 22719231200, 22719231201, 75300100000, and 7530100000 ,located at 404
Yelm Avenue,Yelm,Washington (Figure 1). The Thurston County mapping shows soils less preferred
by gophers near the northwest corner of the site and more preferred soils throughout the remainder of the
site (Figure 2).ELS conducted Mazama pocket gopher (MPG)mound surveys on September 23 and
October 17, 2019.The surveys followed US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)Guidance for Assessing
Potential Take of Mazama Pocket Gophers in Thurston and Pierce Counties (April 2018).
Mazama Pocket Gopher Habitat
According to USFWS, the preferred habitat for MPG includes non-wetland sites dominated by grasses
and forbs and where preferred soils (mostly fine, loamy, sandy soils)are mapped.According to USFWS
MPG surveys are required if a site contains preferred soils. One of the preclusions to a site visit incl udes
“sites with greater than 30 percent forested cover with dense understory and no openings .”There are three
large sports fields and scattered lawn areas at the site that are mowed three times a week, Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday.MPG surveys focused on the sports fields and the lawn areas.
Site Conditions
The site consists of buildings and paved parking lots for the middle school, three large sports fields and
scattered lawn areas and is surrounded by landscape trees along the adjacent roads.The site lies north of
Yelm Avenue Southeast and is surrounded by residential development (Figure 1).
Findings
During the MPG mound surveys ELS biologists walked transects approximately six meters apart and
looked for gopher and mole mounds,gopher-like and mole-like mounds, and indeterminate mounds
(Figure 2). The first site visit was on a Monday morning, to have as much time as possible between the
MPG Mound Survey
ABHL
Page 2 of 2
mowing, no mounds of any kind were observed. The only bare/non-vegetated areas that were observed
were caused by either sprinklers or obvious disturbance from sporting events. Given that no mounds were
observed during the first site visit,a second survey was conducted, and no mounds were observed.
Conclusions
No gopher, gopher-like, mole, mole-like or indeterminate mounds were observed during the two site visits.
The only small bare areas observed were caused from either sprinklers or obvious disturbance from
sporting events.It is ELS’s opinion that the site is not used by Mazama pocket gophers.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 360-560-3008 or at michele@eco-land.com
Sincerely,
Michele McGraw,
Wildlife Biologist, Principal
2018 Thurston County Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Field Form Site Visit Date: = C) a 0 / C
Site Name and Parcel #
Parcel #: I GJ
iS30', 3D0DO
Project #:
Site/Landowner: —f/J 0 0�
How were the data collected?
Transect: Trimble ,' Garmin Aerial
(circle the method for each)
Mounds Trimble Garmin Aerial
Notes: r\ a 1^1-\ 0,.A 1-1 cis
Field Team Personnel:
Name;:: M�
(Indicate all staff present, CIRCLE
Name: C
who filled out form)
Name:
Others onsite (name/affiliation)
Site visit #
2nd Unable to screen
(CIRCLE all that apply)
Notes:
Do onsite conditions preclude the
Yes No
need for further visits?
Dense woo cover that encompasses the entire site (trees/shrubs) that
appears to preclude any potential MPG use.
Impervious Compacted Graveled Flooded
Other
Notes:
Describe visibility for mound
Poor Fair i' Goo Notes:
detection:
Request mowing?
Yes No N/A Notes: – GbUt A
(CIRCLE and DESCRIBE WHERE
MOWING IS NEEDED and SHOW
ON AERIAL PHOTO
G��
Mounds observed over the
MPG
Likely MPG
Indeterminate
Likely
Mole
whole site are characteristic of:
Mounds
Mounds
Mole
Mounds
Mounds
Quantify or describe amount of
each type and approx. # of
mounds
Group = 3 mounds or more
No MPG mounds (circle)
MPG mounds in GPS?
None
All Most Some
(CIRCLE and DESCRIBE)
Notes:
If MPG mounds present,
entered in GPS?
Yes
No N/A
Does woody vegetation onsite
Yes
No - describe differences and show on parcel map/aerial:
match aerial photo?
What portion(s) of the propertyi
All
Part - describe and show on parcel map/aerial:
was screened?
(CIRCLE and DESCRIBE)
Notes -
Describe, and show on parcel map/aerial if applicable:
Team reviewed and agreed to
Yes
No Reviewed by initials:
data recorded on form?
o es:
(CIRCLE, and EXPLAIN if "No")
2018 Thurston County Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Field Form Site Visit Date: T a) av( C'
Site Name and Parcel #
I")
Parcel #: 1 ) '�? � 2 /ri. 00 -d '� -) )� Q Z I a o)
Project #: 7 �? 00f Dob0c) — 7y- 'D06 a0
Site/Landowner:
How were the data collected?
Transect: Trimble armin Aerial
(circle the method for each)
Mounds Trimble Garmin Aerial
Notes: a rY nln
Field Team Personnel:
(Indicate all staff present, CIRCLE
who filled out form)
Name: �Y\��� (moi r (L,\J
Name:
Name:
Others onsite (name/affiliation)
Site visit #
1" 2"d Unable to screen
(CIRCLE all that apply)
Notes:
Do onsite conditions preclude the
Yes No
need for further visits?
Dense woody cover that encompasses the entire site (trees/shrubs) that
appears to preclude any potential MPG use.
Impervious Compacted Graveled Flooded
Other
Notes:
Describe visibility for mound
detection:
Poor Fair ood Notes: — f tk
�n D l" � — Y\, e f� G r-^ G
Request mowing?
Yes No N/A Notes:
(CIRCLE and DESCRIBE WHERE
MOWING IS NEEDED and SHOW
ON AERIAL PHOTO
6t
Mounds observed over the
MPG
Likely MPG
Indeterminate
Likely
Mole
whole site are characteristic of:
Mounds
Mounds
Mole
Mounds
Mounds
Quantify or describe amount of
each type and approx. # of
mounds
Group = 3 mounds or more
No MPG mounds (circle)
MPG mounds in GPS?
y
None
All Most Some
(CIRCLE and DESCRIBE)
Notes:
If MPG mounds present,
entered in GPS?
Yes
No N/A
Does woody vegetation onsite
Yes
No) describe differences and show on parcel map/aerial:
match aerial photo?
What portion(s) of the property
J All \
Part - describe and show on parcel map/aerial:
was screened?
(CIRCLE and DESCRIBE)
A��
UPGCn�
Notes -
Describe, and show on parcel map/aerial if applicable:
Team reviewed and agreed toYes
No Reviewed by initials: AL
data recorded on form?
Notes:
(CIRCLE, and EXPLAIN if "No")
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DATE: 10/30/19
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