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Report_Gopher(30 August 2021) 24 August 2021 Evan Mann Soundbuilt Homes PO BOX 73790 Puyallup, WA 98373 Reference: 714 Crystal Springs Road Subject: Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening to Satisfy the City of Yelm Permitting Requirements Dear, Evan Mann: At your request, this report has been prepared to satisfy the City of Yelm requirements for Mazama pocket gopher screenings on the subject property (Table 1; Figure 1). Table 1. Parcels Comprising Subject Property No# Property Address Parcel Number Map Coordinates Property Size (Acres) 1 714 Crystal Springs Rd SE, Yelm, WA 22719210403 Section 19 Township 17 Range 2E 4.89 1 Parcel Total Size 4.89 acres The permitting jurisdiction is the City of Yelm. 1.0 INTRODUCTION The Mazama pocket gopher is a Federally Threatened species protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the City of Yelm requirements. Mazama pocket gopher screenings were performed by a qualified biologist certified by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for the purpose of satisfying City of Yelm requirements for a Mazama pocket gopher screening. The City has determined that a Mazama pocket gopher screening is necessary to comply with the City of Yelm requirements and the ESA. 1.2 Screening Date The Mazama pocket gopher screening was performed on 16 June 2021. EnviroVector 1441 West Bay Drive, Suite 301 Olympia, WA 98502 Phone: (360) 790-1559 Email: curtis@envirovector.com www.envirovector.com Evan Mann 24 August 2021 Page 2 of 22 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol 2.0 METHODOLOGY The screening was performed within the USFWS prescribed survey window (June 1 through October 31) also in compliance with Thurston County (2021) Site Inspection Protocol and Procedures: Mazama Pocket Gopher. In compliance with the Thurston County (2021) Site Inspection Protocol and Procedures: Mazama Pocket Gopher: • The study has occurred during the prescribed work window of June 1 to October 31. • A qualified biologist performed the screenings that has been trained and certified by the USFWS. • The entire property was evaluated. • The areas of the property covered under the screening survey is illustrated in Figure 2. • The ground was easily visible. The site evaluation was performed utilizing USFWS recommended protocol for one (1) surveyor (Insert 1). The search pattern had been performed along five (5) meter transects, including brushy and treed areas, examined for any evidence of mounding activity created by the Mazama pocket gopher. The site evaluation was conducted utilizing USFWS recommended protocol for one (1) surveyor (Insert 1). The search pattern had been performed along five (5) meter transects, including brushy and treed areas, examined for any evidence of mounding activity created by the Mazama pocket gopher. Insert 1. Transect Illustrations Evan Mann 24 August 2021 Page 3 of 22 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol The detailed field methodology follows the Thurston County (2021) Site Inspection Protocol and Procedures: Mazama Pocket Gopher as follows: 1. The survey crew orients themselves with the layout of the property using aerial maps and strategizes their route for walking through the property. 2. Start GPS to record survey route. 3. Walk the survey transects methodically, slowly walking a straight line and scanning an area approximately 2-3 meters to the left and right as you walk, looking for mounds. Transects should be no more than five (5) meters apart when conducted by a single individual. 4. If the survey is performed by a team, walk together in parallel lines approximately five (5) meters apart while you are scanning left to right for mounds. 5. At each mound found, stop and identify it as a MPG or mole mound. If it is a MPG mound, identify it as a singular mound or a group (3 mounds or more) on a data sheet to be submitted to the County. 6. Record all positive MPG mounds, likely MPG mounds, and MPG mound groups in a GPS unit that provides a date, time, georeferenced point, and other required information in County GPS data instruction for each MPG mound. Submit GPS data in a form acceptable to the County. 7. Photograph all MPG mounds or MPG mound groups. At a minimum, photograph MPG mounds or MPG mound groups representative of MPG detections on site. 8. Photos of mounds should include one that has identifiable landscape features for reference. In order to accurately depict the presence of gopher activity on a specific property, the following series of photos should be submitted to the County: a. At least one up-close photo to depict mound characteristics b. At least one photo depicting groups of mounds as a whole (when groups are encountered). c. At least one photo depicting gopher mounds with recognizable landscape features in the background, at each location where mounds are detected on a property d. Photos can be taken with the GPS unit or a separate, camera, preferably a camera with locational features (latitude, longitude) e. Photo point description or noteworthy landscape or other features to aid in relocation. Additional photos to be considered f. The approximate building footprint location from at least two cardinal directions. g. Landscape photos to depict habitat type and in some cases to indicate why not all portions of a property require gopher screening. 9. Describe and/or quantify what portion and proportion of the property was screened, and record your survey route and any MPG mounds found on either an aerial or parcel map. 10. If MPG mounds are observed on a site, that day’s survey effort should continue until the entire site is screened and all mounds present identified, but additional site visits are not required. Evan Mann 24 August 2021 Page 4 of 22 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Soils known to be associated with the Mazama pocket gopher are listed in Insert 2. Insert 2. Mazama pocket gopher soils Evan Mann 24 August 2021 Page 5 of 22 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol 3.0 BACKGROUND INFORMATION 3.1 Thurston County Geodatabase Soils Two (2) soil types are mapped on the subject property, Spanaway gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 3% slopes% (More preferred gopher soil) and Spanaway gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15% (More preferred gopher soil), by the Thurston County Geodatabase (Appendix B & C, Table 1). Table 1. Summary of Soil Preference Soil Unit Gopher Soil Preference Comments Spanaway gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 3% slopes Yes More preferred Along on eastern and western portions of the property Spanaway gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15% slopes Yes More preferred Located in north-south strip on property 3.2 WDFW PHS Database No Mazama pocket gopher occurrences are mapped on or within six hundred (600) feet of subject property by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) database (Appendix D). Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), Chum (Oncorhynchus keta), Cutthroat (Oncorhynchus clarki), Coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch), Sockeye (Oncorhynchus nerka), Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) are mapped in a stream approximately three hundred (300) feet southwest of the subject property. Big eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) and Yuma myotis (Myotis yumanensis) have been mapped in the Township where the subject property is located. 4.0 FIELD RESULTS 4.1 Mazama Pocket Gopher Site Evaluation No mounds characteristic of that created by the Mazama pocket gopher have been identified on the subject property during the 16 June 2021 site screening. The entire site consists of a flat, open mowed field of lawn grasses, non-native lawn weeds. The northern portion of the subject property consists of unmaintained sheds and a barn. The southern portion of the subject property includes a gravel driveway, two (2) unmaintained barns, manmade pond, and a single-family residence (Figure 2; Appendix A). Evan Mann 24 August 2021 Page 6 of 22 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol The subject property is surrounded by high intensity land uses, discouraging Mazama pocket gopher migration onto the property from surrounding land (Figure 3). Neighboring properties to the north and west of the subject property consist of high-intensity residential development (Figure 3; Appendix A, Photos 1, 21, & 22). High-intensity commercial development occurs south and east of the subject property (Figure 3; Appendix A, Photos 2, 12, & 19). Mole mounds were identified on the northern property boundary (Appendix A, Photos 14-17). Mounds created by the Mazama pocket gopher: 1) are crescent or oddly-shaped, 2) contain a plugged tunnel opening that extends diagonally underground from the mound edge, 3) exhibit a fine texture, and are 4) typically in a scattered distribution. Mole mounds have centrally-located tunnel entrances that extend vertically below the surface, blocky texture, an in-line distribution pattern, and have a conical shape. Table 2. Summary of Results Site Visit Date of Visit Gopher Occurrence Observed Comments 1 16 June 2021 No No mounds characteristic of that created by the Mazama pocket gopher have been identified on the subject property 4.2 Mazama Pocket Gopher Habitat Evaluation The subject property consists of flat grassy areas dominated by European pasture grasses and “More Preferred” soils, which are mapped throughout the entire subject property. However, the property is isolated by surrounding high intensity land uses. Neighboring properties to the north and west of the subject property consist of high-intensity residential development, and a daily use gravel road extending through the property (Figure 3; Appendix A, Photos 1, 21, & 22). High-intensity commercial development occurs south and east of the subject property (Figure 3; Appendix A, Photos 2, 12, & 19) Evan Mann 24 August 2021 Page 7 of 22 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol 5.0 CONCLUSION This Mazama pocket gopher summary report was prepared to satisfy the City of Yelm Mazama pocket gopher screening requirements and to comply with the City of Yelm requirements. The entire subject property was evaluated for the Mazama pocket gopher on 16 June 2021 following the Thurston County (2021) Site Inspection Protocol and Procedures: Mazama Pocket Gopher. The site evaluation was performed within the prescribed survey window (June 1 through October 31). The subject property is isolated by surrounding high intensity land uses. Neighboring properties to the north and west of the subject property consist of high-intensity residential development, and a daily use gravel road going through the property (Figure 3; Appendix A, Photos 1, 21, & 22). High intensity commercial development occurs south and east of the subject property (Figure 3; Appendix A, Photos 2, 12, & 19). The subject property contains two (2) soils listed by the Thurston County Geodatabase as “More preferred” by the Mazama pocket gopher;, however, no gopher occurrence is mapped within six hundred (600) feet of the subject property or found during the 16 June 2021 site visit (Appendix D). No mounds characteristic of the Mazama pocket gopher have been identified on the subject property. No gopher migration onto the property is likely because of high-intensity land uses surrounding the property. If you have any questions or require further services, you can contact me at (360) 790-1559. Sincerely, Curtis Wambach, M.S. Senior Biologist and Principal EnviroVector Evan Mann 24 August 2021 Page 8 of 22 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Figures Evan Mann 24 August 2021 Page 9 of 22 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Figure 1 Vicinity Map Subject Property Evan Mann 24 August 2021 Page 10 of 22 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Figure 2 Subject Property Transects Subject Property Evan Mann 24 August 2021 Page 11 of 22 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Figure 3 Subject Property Subject Property Evan Mann 24 August 2021 Page 12 of 22 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Appendix A Photo Documentation Evan Mann 24 August 2021 Page 13 of 22 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Photo 1. Single-family residences surrounding site Photo 2. Semi-trucks bordering subject property Photo 3. Single-family residences near subject proerty Photo 4. Abandoned car on subject property Photo 5. Old shed on subject property Photo 6. Old sturctures and maintained lawn on subject property Evan Mann 24 August 2021 Page 14 of 22 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Photo 7. Single family residence on subject property Photo 8. Open field on subject property Photo 9.Maintained lawn on subject property Photo 10. No mounds present Photo 11. Gravel and mowed lawn on-the subject property Photo 12. Fence bordering subject property Evan Mann 24 August 2021 Page 15 of 22 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Photo 13. Manmade pond on subject property Photo 14. Old mole mound evidence found on subject property Photo 15. Mole mound found on subject property Photo 16. Centrally located tunnel, clear mole indicator Photo 17. Old mole mound found on subject property Photo 18. Wildlife found on subject property during site visit Evan Mann 24 August 2021 Page 16 of 22 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Photo 19. Cluster of scotch broom was found on subject property Photo 20 Cluster of oxeye daisy located on subject property Photo 21.Orchard grass found throughout the subject property Photo 22. Meadow brome found throughout the subject property Photo 23. Cluster of tall fescue Photo 24. Forget me knot throughout the subject property Evan Mann 24 August 2021 Page 17 of 22 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Appendix B Thurston County Geodatabase Soils Evan Mann 24 August 2021 Page 18 of 22 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Spanaway gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 3% slopes Spanaway gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15% slopes Subject Property Evan Mann 24 August 2021 Page 19 of 22 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Appendix C Thurston County Geodatabase Gopher Indicator Soils Evan Mann 24 August 2021 Page 20 of 22 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Subject Property Evan Mann 24 August 2021 Page 21 of 22 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Appendix D WDFW Priority Habitat Species (PHS) Evan Mann 24 August 2021 Page 22 of 22 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Subject Property Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Chum (Oncorhynchus keta) Cutthroat (Oncorhynchus clarki) Coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) Sockeye (Oncorhynchus nerka) Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) All other polygons mapped as wetlands* *Mapped in Township: Big eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) Yuma myotis (Myotis yumanensis) ~300 feet