Gopher Report (3)
MAZAMA POCKET GOPHER (Thomomys Mazama)
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT
Prepared for Mill Pond Development, LLC
Prepared by
Alexander Callender, M.S., PWS
Land Services Northwest
Olympia, WA
February 14, 2022
THE SUMMIT AT THOMPSON CREEK
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
This report is the result of a Mazama Pocket Gopher reconnaissance survey of the following parcels
(Figure 1)
• The 9.35-acre parcel #21724230100 located at 14444 BERRY VALLEY RD SE Yelm, WA with the
legal description of 24-17-1E SW NW COM NE COR W1320F S406F; EL1320;N312F EX S 20F &
PTN BAP 266.98F S OF NE COR SD SUB; S80-25-13W TO INT S LN ABOVE POB; S80-25-13W TO
CREEK; NWLY TO S LN STRIP; E POB in Thurston City.
• The 12.91-acre parcel #21723140000 located at 14444 BERRY VALLEY RD SE Yelm, WA with the
legal description of Section 23 Township 17 Range 1E Quarter SE NE BLA-998233TR A Document
3302942 INCLUDING 1980 SILVERCREST48/34 in Thurston City.
• The 22.33-acre parcel #21723140102 at 14504 BERRY VALLEY RD SE Yelm, WA with the legal
description of Section 23 Township 17 Range 1E SE NE PTN TR B BLA-998233 3302942 (OTHER
PTN IS 21723140101).
The Purpose of this report is to provide results of the reconnaissance conducted on December 10 and
15, 2021 and February 11, 2022, for the presence or absence of indicators of the Mazama Pocket
Gopher (Thomomys Mazama) (MPG) under City of Yelm Code (TCC) Chapter 24.
This study should allow the reader to assess whether the Mazama pocket gopher is likely to be found on
site and what the implications of its presence or absence may have with regard to permitting.
Mazama Pocket Gopher
Four subspecies of Mazama pocket gophers found in Thurston City are listed as threatened under the
Endangered Species Act (ESA). Impacts to Mazama pocket gophers should be avoided or addressed
through USFWS permitting processes. The presence of this species on a property may have regulatory
implications that may limit the amount or type of development that can occur on a property in order to
avoid “take” of the species. Take is defined under the ESA as harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound,
kill, trap, capture, or collect any threatened or endangered species.
2.0 METHODS
2.1 Review of Existing Information
Background Review
Background information on the subject property was reviewed prior to field investigations and included
the following:
• Thurston City Geodata Gopher Soils Shapefiles
• WDFW Priority Habitats and Species Information
• USFWS species list information
• WDFW species information
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2.2 Summary of Existing Information
The existing information shows:
• Spanaway gravelly sandy loam 3 to 15 percent slopes
• Spanaway stony sandy loam 3 to 15 percent slopes
• McKenna gravelly silt loam 0 to 5 percent slopes
• Nisqually loamy fine sand 3 to 15 percent slopes
• Yelm fine sandy loam 0 to 3 percent slope
• Everett very gravelly sandy loam 3 to 15 percent slopes
on and within 300 feet of the subject property, which are more and less preferred by the MPG (Figure 2)
and (Attachment A).
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The WDFW Priority Habitats and Species Map does not show the MPG i within 600 feet of the subject
property (Appendix B).
2.3 2022 Mazama Pocket Gopher Protocol
A. General Information – 2022 Approach
1. The MPG review season will run June 1-October 31, 2022.
2. The protocol described in this memorandum will only apply to properties not known to
be occupied by MPG since April 2014, the date of the federal listing.
The property was not known to be occupied by the MPG since April 2014.
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3. Negative determinations will be valid for the length of the underlying City permit or
approval, per City code.
No signs of the Mazama pocket gopher were found during the site visits.
4. Qualified consultants may perform field reviews and submit results for City evaluation, per the
CAO. Consultants must have received training from USFWS at one of the two trainings offered in
May/June 2019 and is certified to conduct these surveys.
Alex Callender is qualified as a consultant as he received training and certification during the May 2019
class conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
B. In-Office Procedures
1. Staff will review land use applications to determine if the MPG field screening
protocols described in this memorandum must be initiated for the following:
a. Within 600 feet of a site known to have positive MPG occurrence; or
The PHS does not show any occupied sites within 600 feet of the subject property.
b. On or within 300 feet of a soil type known to be associated with MPG occupancy.
The parcels are on and within 300 feet of soil types known to be associated with MPG occupancy.
8. Yelm landowners who know or learn that Mazama pocket gophers are present on their property
can move forward with their proposed development by: 1) proposing mitigation to the City as
directed in the City’s Critical Areas Ordinance (Title 24TCC); or 2) contacting USFWS directly to
discuss the review, assessment, and mitigation process most appropriate for their site(s) and proposed
activities,
.
C. Preliminary Assessment
As land use applications are received, properties mapped with or within 300 feet of gopher
and/or prairie soils undergo the following preliminary assessment in-office.
1. For properties or project areas that appear to meet City criteria below, an internal review is
conducted by staff biologist to determine if the project may be released from the full gopher review
process. The following criteria may release a project
from further gopher review:
• Locations west of the Black River, or on the Steamboat Island or Cooper Point
peninsulas.
N/A
• Sites submerged for 30 consecutive days or more since October 31, 2017.
There were wetlands onsite that would meet this exclusion criteria
• Sites covered with impervious surfaces (as defined in CAO Chapter 17.15 and
Title 24).
• Fully forested (>30%) sites with shrub and fern understory.
There are areas that are fully forested and would meet this exclusion criteria.
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• Sites that consist of slopes greater than 40 percent, or that contain landslide
hazard areas (per existing City regulations).
There are a couple areas of steep slopes which were surveyed even though they should meet
the exclusion criteria.
• Sites on less preferred MPG soils north of Interstate 5.
N/A
• Building to take place in the footprint of an existing structure (also mobile
home replacements in the same footprint).
There are existing structures on site that would be excluded from the requirements of a
survey
• Mobile home replacements in existing lots in an existing mobile home park.
There are mobile homes on site that may require removal. No actions are planned at this time.
• Heating oil tank removal
N/A
• Foundation repair
N/A
• Projects which lie >300 feet from mapped gopher soils.
The parcel is within 300 feet of mapped gopher soils.
2. If a property and/or project area do not meet internal review criteria, the project is put
on a list to be scheduled for full MPG review during the appropriate seasonal review
period.
D. Implementation Measures
In order to ensure the review process runs efficiently, the following measures will be
implemented as part of the 2019 screening approach. 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 screening season.
1. No soil verification will be required in conjunction with MPG field screening.
2. Site mowing or brushing will be required to initiate first site visits, where necessary and
feasible, and completed two to four weeks in advance of the site visit.
The ground was visible.
3. No further screening will be conducted in 2022 following the detection of MPG mounds
on a property. The city will notify landowners that MPG evidence has been detected
within two weeks.
4. At the end of the 2022 season, City staff will provide data regarding MPG occupancy
to USFWS.
5. No additional site visit will be required if indeterminate mounds are detected, if the full
number of required visits has been completed.
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N/A
6. The City will prioritize project specific applications over non-project applications.
This will help ensure that applicants that have projects ready for construction will receive
necessary permits and may initiate construction in a timely manner.
E. Site Visit Overview
Hired consultants will conduct field observations to determine MPG
presence on sites with potential habitat. These site visits will be conducted as follows:
1. All valid site visits must be conducted from June 1 through October 31, 2022. Site visits
outside that survey window will not be considered valid.
The reconnaissance surveys were conducted on December 10 and 15, 2021 and February 11, 2022. This
study should allow the reader to assess whether the Mazama pocket gopher is likely to be found on site
and what the implications of its presence or absence may have with regard to permitting a residence or
other structures or development.
2. A site or parcel is considered to be the entire property, not just the footprint of the
proposed project.
Portions of the parcel are forested, and the surveyors walked transects as able. Excluded areas are
shown on the transect map in Appendix C.
3. Sites with less preferred soils (see Attachment A) will be visited two (2) times, at least 30
days apart.
This was a reconnaissance so only one survey was conducted.
4. Sites with more preferred soils (see Attachment A) will be visited two (2) times, at least
30 days apart.
The reconnaissance surveys were conducted on December 10 and 15, 2021 and February 11, 2022.
This study should allow the reader to assess whether indicators for the Mazama pocket gopher were
likely to be found on site during the study period, and is a reconnaissance view so only one survey
was conducted during the study period to cover the sites, other studies may or may not be required
in order to permit any development projects.
5. Site conditions must be recorded on a data sheet or similar information documented in
narrative form. A template data sheet can be found on the city website at
http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/permitting/gopher-reviews/index.html
The data sheets are provided in Appendix C.
6. Document and describe which areas of the parcel cannot be screened due to limited
accessibility and/or dense understory. This should be depicted on an aerial or site plan
submitted to the city.
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Portions of the parcel are forested and some of the site was wetland. These areas are
excluded from the requirements of a survey. The surveyors walked transects as able for the
remainder of the site avoiding buildings etc.
7. The ground must be easily visible to ensure mound observation and identification.
Request mowing if necessary to ensure visibility. Wait two to three weeks after mowing
before beginning screening.
Portions of the parcel are forested or wetland, and were not surveyed. The surveyors walked
transects on the rest of the site as able. The excluded areas are shown on the transect map in Appendix
C.
http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/permitting/gopher-reviews/index.html F. Detailed Field Methodology
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.
The area was surveyed in this manner as we were able avoiding areas of dense native shrubs such as
snowberry.
4. If the survey is performed by a team, walk together in parallel lines approximately 5
meters apart while you are scanning left to right for mounds.
The survey was conducted according to the protocol.
5. At each mound found, stop and identify it as an MPG or mole mound. If it is an MPG
mound, identify it as a singular mound or a group (3 mounds or more) on a data sheet to
be submitted to the city. (City has developed data sheets for your use on
http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/permitting/gopher-reviews/index.html )
The mounds found on site were typical of moles which are round, clumpy and the show was in a linear
fashion. No MPG mounds were found.
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 City GPS data instruction for each MPG mound. Submit GPS data in a form
acceptable to the city. City GPS Data instruction can be found at
http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/permitting/gopher-reviews/index.html
N /A
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.
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No MPG mounds found during the survey.
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 City:
• At least one up-close photo to depict mound characteristics
No MPG mounds were found.
• At least one photo depicting groups of mounds as a whole (when groups are
encountered).
N/A
• At least one photo depicting gopher mounds with recognizable landscape features
in the background, at each location where mounds are detected on a property
N/A
• Photos can be taken with the GPS unit or a separate, camera, preferably a camera
with locational features (latitude, longitude)
N/A
• Photo point description or noteworthy landscape or other features to aid in
relocation. Additional photos to be considered.
Photos wee taken to show ethe general site conditions and presence of mole mounds.
• The approximate building footprint location from at least two cardinal directions.
N/A
• Landscape photos to depict habitat type and in some cases to indicate why not all
portions of a property require gopher screening.
Appendix A Photos
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.
The fully forested areas were not screened and are marked on the survey maps
The map of the site with excluded areas shows the survey transects and excluded areas on an aerial
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.
No mounds were found.
11. In order for the city to accurately review Critical Area Reports submitted in lieu of
City field inspections the information collected in the field (GPS, data sheets, field
notes, transect representations on aerial, etc.) shall be filed with the City. GPS
No mounds were found, the information was submitted in an acceptable format.
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3.0 CURRENT CONDITIONS AND METHODS
Land Services Northwest conducted a reconnaissance survey on December 10 and 15, 2021 and
February 11, 2022, walking the area and looking for signs of the MPG and regulated prairie in
accordance with the protocol.
Parcel #21724230100 is a vacant fenced field used for grazing. There site is bisected by the Thompson
Creek and the property in the south slopes to the north toward the creek and the property in the north
slopes south toward the creek. The site was walked in 15 meter transects looking for mounds and signs
of prairie species
Parcel #21723140000 consists of a single-family residence and a recreational vehicle with small
outbuildings. This parcel is predominantly forested. The northern portion of the parcel has a steep hill
that slopes to the north. The site was walked in 15 meter transects looking for mounds and signs of
prairie species.
Parcel #21723140102 has two mobile homes and various outbuildings on site. This parcel has a large
field and is partially forested. The site was walked in 15 meter transects looking for mounds and signs of
prairie species
4.0 RESULTS
No Mazama pocket gophers were found on site. Only Mole mounds were found. There were some
prairie species found on Parcel2172314000, however it was only the large leafed lupine, no other signs
of prairire were found in the species number or quantity required for regulated prairie.
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Appendix A
Photos
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Wetland A
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Parcel#2172314000
Parcel # 21723140102
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Appendix B
WDFW Priority Habitats and Species Map
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Appendix C
MPG Survey Form and Transect Map
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