Yelm HS Soccer Field & Tennis Court Conversion SEPA Checklist
SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 1 of 13
SEPA ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST Purpose of checklist: Governmental agencies use this checklist to help determine whether the environmental impacts of your
proposal are significant. This information is also helpful to determine if available avoidance, minimization
or compensatory mitigation measures will address the probable significant impacts or if an environmental
impact statement will be prepared to further analyze the proposal.
Instructions for applicants: This environmental checklist asks you to describe some basic information about your proposal. Please
answer each question accurately and carefully, to the best of your knowledge. You may need to consult
with an agency specialist or private consultant for some questions. You may use “not applicable” or
"does not apply" only when you can explain why it does not apply and not when the answer is unknown.
You may also attach or incorporate by reference additional studies reports. Complete and accurate
answers to these questions often avoid delays with the SEPA process as well as later in the decision-
making process.
The checklist questions apply to all parts of your proposal, even if you plan to do them over a period of
time or on different parcels of land. Attach any additional information that will help describe your proposal
or its environmental effects. The agency to which you submit this checklist may ask you to explain your
answers or provide additional information reasonably related to determining if there may be significant
adverse impact.
Instructions for Lead Agencies:
Please adjust the format of this template as needed. Additional information may be necessary to
evaluate the existing environment, all interrelated aspects of the proposal and an analysis of adverse
impacts. The checklist is considered the first but not necessarily the only source of information needed to
make an adequate threshold determination. Once a threshold determination is made, the lead agency is
responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the checklist and other supporting documents.
Use of checklist for nonproject proposals: [help] For nonproject proposals (such as ordinances, regulations, plans and programs), complete the applicable
parts of sections A and B plus the SUPPLEMENTAL SHEET FOR NONPROJECT ACTIONS (part D). Please
completely answer all questions that apply and note that the words "project," "applicant," and "property or
site" should be read as "proposal," "proponent," and "affected geographic area," respectively. The lead
agency may exclude (for non-projects) questions in Part B - Environmental Elements –that do not
contribute meaningfully to the analysis of the proposal.
SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) July 2016 Page 2 of 13
CITY OF YELM CITY USE ONLY
Environmental Checklist FEE: $150.00
DATE REC’D___________
BY:___________________
File No.________________
A. Background
1. Name of proposed project, if applicable: Yelm High School Soccer Field Conversion &
Tennis Courts Reconstruction
2. Name of applicant: Yelm Community Schools
3. Address and phone number of applicant and contact person: Attn: Chris Hansen, Facilities
Director., Ph. 360.458.6128, P.O. Box 476, Yelm, WA 98597
4. Date checklist prepared: 12/29/22
5. Agency requesting checklist: City of Yelm
6. Proposed timing or schedule (including phasing, if applicable): Construction will
commence in March, 2023 and will be complete in the second week of August, 2023 or
sooner.
7. Do you have any plans for future additions, expansion, or further activity related to or
connected with this proposal? If yes, explain. No future activity is expected for the Yelm
High School Soccer Field and Tennis Courts. This project is a Maintenance Upgrade.
8. List any environmental information you know about that has been prepared, or will be
prepared, directly related to this proposal. No environmental information is needed for this
project as any impacts have already been incurred and the land use will remain as is.
The Disposal site contains Prairie Soils and was reviewed for Prairie Species, including
the Mazama Pocket Gopher. Key Environmental Solutions (KES) reviewed WDFW PHS
Species on December 31, 2016, September 15, 2017 and October 30, 2017 and no PHS
species were found on or immediately adjacent to the parcels. Across SR 510 to the NE
Mazama Pocket Gophers have been found according to WDFW. At this time a Habitat
Management Plan (HMP) is not needed.
9. Do you know whether applications are pending for governmental approvals of other
proposals directly affecting the property covered by your proposal? If yes, explain. No.
10. List any government approvals or permits that will be needed for your proposal, if known.
City of Yelm grade and fill permit.
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11. Give brief, complete description of your proposal, including the proposed uses and the size
of the project and site. There are several questions later in this checklist that ask you to
describe certain aspects of your proposal. You do not need to repeat those answers on this
page. (Lead agencies may modify this form to include additional specific information on project
description.) The intended use of the project is to increase the versatility and competitive
quality of the Yelm Soccer by converting the natural grass field to synthetic turf and to
rebuild the Tennis Court as is, where is but with post tensioned concrete surfacing. The
Yelm Soccer Field and Tennis Court’s disturbed area totals 153,554+/- square feet. The
Disposal site area to receive fill totals 48,000+/- square feet.
12. Location of the proposal. Give sufficient information for a person to understand the precise
location of your proposed project, including a street address, if any, and section, township, and
range, if known. If a proposal would occur over a range of area, provide the range or
boundaries of the site(s). Provide a legal description, site plan, vicinity map, and topographic
map, if reasonably available. While you should submit any plans required by the agency, you
are not required to duplicate maps or detailed plans submitted with any permit applications
related to this checklist. Please see submitted plan set.
Sec. 24, T 17 N, R,1E
B. ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
1. Earth a. General description of the site:
(circle one): Flat, rolling, hilly, steep slopes, mountainous, other _____________ b. What is the steepest slope on the site (approximate percent slope)? 10.0%
c. What general types of soils are found on the site (for example, clay, sand, gravel, peat,
muck)? If you know the classification of agricultural soils, specify them and note any
agricultural land of long-term commercial significance and whether the proposal results in
removing any of these soils. Refer to Geotechnical Memo.
d. Are there surface indications or history of unstable soils in the immediate vicinity? If so,
describe. No
e. Describe the purpose, type, total area, and approximate quantities and total affected area of
any filling, excavation, and grading proposed. Indicate source of fill.
Removal of the existing field soil is to facilitate the installation of permeable
aggregate required to accommodate positive drainage. Cut volumes to be hauled
from the existing field and graded at the Disposal site totals 90,541+/- square feet
and totals 2240+/- cubic yards. Permeable aggregate from an approved quarry site
and to be backfilled into the Soccer Field totals 1680+/- cubic yards. Fill for the
Tennis Courts total 1050 cy.
f. Could erosion occur as a result of clearing, construction, or use? If so, generally describe.
No.
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g. About what percent of the site will be covered with impervious surfaces after project
construction (for example, asphalt or buildings)?
Total = 42 Acres
Impervious = 28 Acres 66.67%
h. Proposed measures to reduce or control erosion, or other impacts to the earth, if any:
Implement Best Management Practices will be followed during construction.
2. Air a. What types of emissions to the air would result from the proposal during construction,
operation, and maintenance when the project is completed? If any, generally describe and
give approximate quantities if known. Typical construction emissions.
b. Are there any off-site sources of emissions or odor that may affect your proposal? If so,
generally describe. N/A
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control emissions or other impacts to air, if any:
Implementation of Best Management Practices will be followed during construction.
3. Water a. Surface Water: 1) Is there any surface water body on or in the immediate vicinity of the site (including
year-round and seasonal streams, saltwater, lakes, ponds, wetlands)? If yes, describe
type and provide names. If appropriate, state what stream or river it flows into.
There is a drainage course approximately 1200 feet west of the project location.
2) Will the project require any work over, in, or adjacent to (within 200 feet) the described
waters? If yes, please describe and attach available plans. No.
3) Estimate the amount of fill and dredge material that would be placed in or removed
from surface water or wetlands and indicate the area of the site that would be affected.
Indicate the source of fill material. N/A
4) Will the proposal require surface water withdrawals or diversions? Give general
description, purpose, and approximate quantities if known. No.
5) Does the proposal lie within a 100-year floodplain? If so, note location on the site plan.
No.
6) Does the proposal involve any discharges of waste materials to surface waters? If so,
describe the type of waste and anticipated volume of discharge. No.
b. Ground Water: 1) Will groundwater be withdrawn from a well for drinking water or other purposes? If so,
give a general description of the well, proposed uses and approximate quantities
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withdrawn from the well. Will water be discharged to groundwater? Give general
description, purpose, and approximate quantities if known. N/A
2) Describe waste material that will be discharged into the ground from septic tanks or
other sources, if any (for example: Domestic sewage; industrial, containing the
following chemicals. . . ; agricultural; etc.). Describe the general size of the system, the
number of such systems, the number of houses to be served (if applicable), or the
number of animals or humans the system(s) are expected to serve. N/A
c. Water runoff (including stormwater): 1) Describe the source of runoff (including storm water) and method of collection
and disposal, if any (include quantities, if known). Where will this water flow?
Will this water flow into other waters? If so, describe. It is not anticipated that there
would be any runoff coming from this site. The intent is to infiltrate 100 percent of
the runoff from the proposed improvements on site.
2) Could waste materials enter ground or surface waters? If so, generally describe. No
3) Does the proposal alter or otherwise affect drainage patterns in the vicinity of the site? If
so, describe. No
d. Proposed measures to reduce or control surface, ground, and runoff water, and drainage
pattern impacts, if any: No measures will be taken at the Yelm High School Tennis Court
and Soccer Field site as the entire project is has an infilation rate ranging from 2.9 to 20
inches per hour and will therefore infiltrate all stormwater before it has an opportunity to
drain off site.. Erosion control measures such as Silt Fence will be deployed at the
Disposal site.
4. Plants a. Check the types of vegetation found on the site (both Yelm Stadium Field and the Disposal
site):
__X_deciduous tree: alder, maple, aspen, other
__X evergreen tree: fir, cedar, pine, other
__X_shrubs
__X_grass
__X_pasture
____crop or grain
____ Orchards, vineyards or other permanent crops.
____ wet soil plants: cattail, buttercup, bullrush, skunk cabbage, other
____water plants: water lily, eelgrass, milfoil, other
__X__other types of vegetation Scotch Broom
b. What kind and amount of vegetation will be removed or altered?
All vegetation will be removed in the footprint of the proposed field and Disposal site.
Dominant vegetation to be removed will be turfgrass, Scotch broom, orchard grass,
tall oat-grass Common Velvetgrass colonial bentgrass Himalayan blackberry, black
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hawthorn, thistle, common dandelion, Hairy’s Cat ear, Hazelnut, snowberry, and
moss.
c. List threatened and endangered species known to be on or near the site.
1, Common Name: Mazama (Western) Pocket Gopher
Scientifica Name: Thomomys Mazama
Federal Status: Threatened
State Status: Threatened
Found near project site: 770’, 0.15 miles to the NE across SR 510 and 1175’, .37
miles to the NW across field and 93rd Ave
2. Common name: Streaked Horned Lark
Scientifica Name: Eremophila alpestris strigata
Federal Status: Threatened
State Status: Endangered
No know locations were found near the project vicinity (WDFW, PHS October
2017).
3. Common Name: Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly
Scientifica Name: Euphydryas editha taylori
Federal Status: Endangered
State Status: Endangered
No know locations were found near the project vicinity (WDFW, PHS October
2017).
d. Proposed landscaping, use of native plants, or other measures to preserve or enhance
vegetation on the site, if any: None are proposed at this time other than to hydroseed
disturbed areas at the Disposal site with meadow grass.
e. List all noxious weeds and invasive species known to be on or near the site.
Himalyan Blackberry, Scotch Broom
5. Animals a. List any birds and other animals which have been observed on or near the site or are known
to be on or near the site.
Examples include: birds: hawk, heron, eagle, songbirds, other:
mammals: deer, bear, elk, beaver, other: coyote voles, moles
fish: bass, salmon, trout, herring, shellfish, other ________
b. List any threatened and endangered species known to be on or near the site.
Didn’t see any, but Golden Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) has been found in the
Yelm area.
c. Is the site part of a migration route? If so, explain.
No
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d. Proposed measures to preserve or enhance wildlife, if any: None proposed at this time.
e. List any invasive animal species known to be on or near the site.
N/A
6. Energy and Natural Resources a. What kinds of energy (electric, natural gas, oil, wood stove, solar) will be used to meet
the completed project's energy needs? Describe whether it will be used for heating,
manufacturing, etc.
Electric energy will be used to power the duplex outlets in the Tennis Courts.
b. Would your project affect the potential use of solar energy by adjacent properties?
If so, generally describe. No
c. What kinds of energy conservation features are included in the plans of this proposal?
List other proposed measures to reduce or control energy impacts, if any:
None.
7. Environmental Health a. Are there any environmental health hazards, including exposure to toxic chemicals, risk
of fire and explosion, spill, or hazardous waste, that could occur as a result of this proposal?
If so, describe.
1) Describe any known or possible contamination at the site from present or past uses.
None known.
2) Describe existing hazardous chemicals/conditions that might affect project development
and design. This includes underground hazardous liquid and gas transmission pipelines
located within the project area and in the vicinity. None anticipated.
3) Describe any toxic or hazardous chemicals that might be stored, used, or produced
during the project's development or construction, or at any time during the operating
life of the project. Hazardous chemicals will not be allowed to be stored on-site during
construction. None anticipated for the life of the project.
4) Describe special emergency services that might be required. Fire and Life Safey and
Law Enforcement could be notified during an emergency event.
5) Proposed measures to reduce or control environmental health hazards, if any: Employ
BMP’s in accordance with the proposed improvements. Contractor to have spill
containment materials on-hand in the case of a minor fuel or oil spills.
b. Noise 1) What types of noise exist in the area which may affect your project (for example:
traffic, equipment, operation, other)? During construction there will be noise
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generated from machinery. Post construction there will be pedestrian and
vehicular traffic.
2) What types and levels of noise would be created by or associated with the project on a
short-term or a long-term basis (for example: traffic, construction, operation, other)?
Indicate what hours noise would come from the site. During the construction phase
noise levels will be elevated due to the types of machinery employed ot construct
the improvements. Vibratory Compaction Equipment and banging of dump truck
beds will have periods of intermittent elevated sounds. After construction there
will be normal passenger vehicle traffic noises. Normal hours of operation will be
consistent with school schedules and activities.
3) Proposed measures to reduce or control noise impacts, if any: During construction limit
the contractors hours of operation will be Mon. – Fri. 6:00 am to 5:00 pm. After
construction vehicle noise will be mostly during school operating hours and
special school events.
8. Land and Shoreline Use a. What is the current use of the site and adjacent properties? Will the proposal affect current
land uses on nearby or adjacent properties? If so, describe. There are residential
neighborhoods on the south and west sides of the project, and commercial
properties to the east of the project. The current site use is the same as the proposed
site use, tennis courts and a soccer field. No affect to adjacent properties.
b. Has the project site been used as working farmlands or working forest lands? If so, describe.
How much agricultural or forest land of long-term commercial significance will be converted to
other uses as a result of the proposal, if any? If resource lands have not been designated,
how many acres in farmland or forest land tax status will be converted to nonfarm or
nonforest use? No, this site is currently a high school sports court/field and will remain
so after project completion.
1) Will the proposal affect or be affected by surrounding working farm or forest land normal
business operations, such as oversize equipment access, the application of pesticides,
tilling, and harvesting? If so, how: The project is not anticipated to impact adjacent
properties or the uses of those properties.
c. Describe any structures on the site. Yelm High School and all of its associated
structures are present on site and will not be expanded or modified in any manner
whatsoever.
d. Will any structures be demolished? If so, what? No
e. What is the current zoning classification of the site? R-4 Residential and R-14
f. What is the current comprehensive plan designation of the site? Split between High Density
Residential and Low Density Residential
g. If applicable, what is the current shoreline master program designation of the site? N/A
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h. Has any part of the site been classified as a critical area by the city or county? If so, specify.
No, with the exception that the parcels have prarie soils.
i. Approximately how many people would reside or work in the completed project? None
j. Approximately how many people would the completed project displace? Zero
k. Proposed measures to avoid or reduce displacement impacts, if any: N/A
L. Proposed measures to ensure the proposal is compatible with existing and projected land
uses and plans, if any: No measures are proposed because this project is simply a
change of sport field surfacing from natural grass to synthetic turf and the Tennis
Court surface will still be a hard court surface (concrete). No modification of Land-
uses are proposed.
m. Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts to agricultural and forest lands of long-term
commercial significance, if any: None proposed.
9. Housing a. Approximately how many units would be provided, if any? Indicate whether high, mid-
dle, or low-income housing. N/A
b. Approximately how many units, if any, would be eliminated? Indicate whether high,
middle, or low-income housing. N/A
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control housing impacts, if any: N/A
10. Aesthetics a. What is the tallest height of any proposed structure(s), not including antennas; what is
the principal exterior building material(s) proposed? No structures are proposed.
b. What views in the immediate vicinity would be altered or obstructed? None
d. Proposed measures to reduce or control aesthetic impacts, if any: Removal and clearing
to be contained in the areas designated on the contract documents.
11. Light and Glare a. What type of light or glare will the proposal produce? What time of day would it mainly
occur?
Not applicable.
b. Could light or glare from the finished project be a safety hazard or interfere with views? No
c. What existing off-site sources of light or glare may affect your proposal? Not applicable.
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d. Proposed measures to reduce or control light and glare impacts, if any: Not applicable.
12. Recreation a. What designated and informal recreational opportunities are in the immediate vicinity? City
Parks.
b. Would the proposed project displace any existing recreational uses? If so, describe. No
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts on recreation, including recreation
opportunities to be provided by the project or applicant, if any: None
13. Historic and cultural preservation a. Are there any buildings, structures, or sites, located on or near the site that are over 45 years
old listed in or eligible for listing in national, state, or local preservation registers ? If so,
specifically describe. N/A
b. Are there any landmarks, features, or other evidence of Indian or historic use or occupation?
This may include human burials or old cemeteries. Are there any material evidence, artifacts,
or areas of cultural importance on or near the site? Please list any professional studies
conducted at the site to identify such resources. None known.
c. Describe the methods used to assess the potential impacts to cultural and historic resources
on or near the project site. Examples include consultation with tribes and the department of
archeology and historic preservation, archaeological surveys, historic maps, GIS data, etc.
N/A
d. Proposed measures to avoid, minimize, or compensate for loss, changes to, and disturbance
to resources. Please include plans for the above and any permits that may be required. N/A
14. Transportation a. Identify public streets and highways serving the site or affected geographic area and
describe proposed access to the existing street system. Show on site plans, if any.
Yelm Highway and Tornado Alley
b. Is the site or affected geographic area currently served by public transit? If so, generally
describe. If not, what is the approximate distance to the nearest transit stop? Approximately
2000 feet east of the project at the intersection of Tahoma Blvd. and Yelm Ave.
c. How many additional parking spaces would the completed project or non-project proposal
have? How many would the project or proposal eliminate? None.
d. Will the proposal require any new or improvements to existing roads, streets, pedestrian,
bicycle or state transportation facilities, not including driveways? If so, generally describe
(indicate whether public or private). No
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e. Will the project or proposal use (or occur in the immediate vicinity of) water, rail, or air
transportation? If so, generally describe. No
f. How many vehicular trips per day would be generated by the completed project or proposal?
If known, indicate when peak volumes would occur and what percentage of the volume would
be trucks (such as commercial and nonpassenger vehicles). What data or transportation
models were used to make these estimates? Whereas this project is simply a change in
sports field/court surfacing, the use of this facility will not be altered.
g. Will the proposal interfere with, affect or be affected by the movement of agricultural and
forest products on roads or streets in the area? If so, generally describe. No.
h. Proposed measures to reduce or control transportation impacts, if any: None proposed.
15. Public Services a. Would the project result in an increased need for public services (for example: fire protection,
police protection, public transit, health care, schools, other)? If so, generally describe. No
b. Proposed measures to reduce or control direct impacts on public services, if any. None
anticipated.
16. Utilities a. Circle utilities currently available at the site:
electricity, natural gas, water, refuse service, telephone, sanitary sewer, septic system,
other Reclaim Water; all of these utilities are available to the site and no modifications
will occur to these utilities as a result of this project.
b. Describe the utilities that are proposed for the project, the utility providing the service,
and the general construction activities on the site or in the immediate vicinity which might
be needed. None
C. Signature The above answers are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that the
lead agency is relying on them to make its decision.
Signature: ________________________________
Name of signee _Bob Droll, ASLA_________________________________________________
Position and Agency/Organization: Robert W. Droll, Landscape Architect, PS representing
Yelm Community Schools
Date Submitted: _______12/29/22______
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D. supplemental sheet for nonproject actions [help]
(IT IS NOT NECESSARY to use this sheet for project actions) Because these questions are very general, it may be helpful to read them in conjunction
with the list of the elements of the environment. When answering these questions, be aware of the extent the proposal, or the types of
activities likely to result from the proposal, would affect the item at a greater intensity or
at a faster rate than if the proposal were not implemented. Respond briefly and in
general terms.
1. How would the proposal be likely to increase discharge to water; emissions to air; pro-
duction, storage, or release of toxic or hazardous substances; or production of noise?
Proposed measures to avoid or reduce such increases are:
2. How would the proposal be likely to affect plants, animals, fish, or marine life?
Proposed measures to protect or conserve plants, animals, fish, or marine life are:
3. How would the proposal be likely to deplete energy or natural resources?
Proposed measures to protect or conserve energy and natural resources are:
4. How would the proposal be likely to use or affect environmentally sensitive areas or
areas designated (or eligible or under study) for governmental protection; such as parks,
wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, threatened or endangered species habitat, historic or
cultural sites, wetlands, floodplains, or prime farmlands?
Proposed measures to protect such resources or to avoid or reduce impacts are:
5. How would the proposal be likely to affect land and shoreline use, including whether it
would allow or encourage land or shoreline uses incompatible with existing plans?
Proposed measures to avoid or reduce shoreline and land use impacts are:
6. How would the proposal be likely to increase demands on transportation or public
services and utilities?
Proposed measures to reduce or respond to such demand(s) are:
7. Identify, if possible, whether the proposal may conflict with local, state, or federal laws or
requirements for the protection of the environment.