MackieMPGRPT10.18.22
Prepared for Richard Mackie
Prepared by
Land Services Northwest
Alexander Callender, M.S., PWS
Land Services Northwest
Olympia, WA
MACKIE
MAZAMA POCKET GOPHER (Thomomys Mazama) AND
REGULATED PRAIRIE ABSENCE REPORT
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
This report is the result of a Mazama Pocket Gopher and regulated prairie survey the on 4.89 acre parcel
#64300700501 at 16314 SE Railway Road Yelm, WA with the legal description of MC KENNA IRIG TRS
LOT 5 BLK 7 LESS SWLY 245.18F (Figure 1):
The Purpose of this report is to provide a study of the presence or absence of indicators of the Mazama
Pocket Gopher (Thomomys Mazama) (MPG) and Regulated Prairie Under City of Yelm Code (TCC).
Mazama Pocket Gopher
Four subspecies of Mazama pocket gophers found in Thurston County 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.
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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.
Regulated Prairie, Garry Oaks and Mima Mounds
The parcel contains soil types associated with prairies as defined in the Thurston County Critical Areas
Ordinance (CAO 24.25). Transects were walked throughout the parcel (or at least throughout the
building envelope and 50-foot buffer area). A list of plant species encountered during the survey was
recorded and CAO target prairie plants were noted. Regulated prairie can be either wet or dry outwash
prairie and is critical habitat for the Taylors checkerspot butterfly and the Mardon skipper butterfly.
Prairie habitat is regulated if three indictor species are found within 5 meters (15 feet) of each other
with 25 or more of each species in the plot.
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 County Geodata Gopher Soils Shapefiles
• WDFW Priority Habitats and Species Information
• USFWS species list information
• WDFW species information
2.2 Summary of Existing Information
The existing information shows Spanaway gravelly sandy loam 0 to 3 percent slopes and Spanaway
gravelly sandy loam 3 to 15 percent slopes, within 300 feet of the subject property, which are less
preferred by the MPG (Figure 2) and (Attachment A).
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The WDFW Priority Habitats and Species Map does not show occurrences of the MPG in the vicinity of
the subject property within 600 feet in 2016. (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.
The determination is negative.
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 2022 and is certified to conduct these surveys.
Alex Callender is qualified as a consultant as he received training and certification during the May 2022
cclass 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 site is not within 600 feet of a site that was known to have a positive occurrence in 2016. (Appendix
B).
b. On or within 300 feet of a soil type known to be associated with MPG occupancy.
The existing information shows Spanaway gravelly sandy loam 0 to 3 percent slopes and Spanaway
gravelly sandy loam, which are more preferred by the MPG, within 300 feet of the subject property
(Figure 2).
2. City staff will determine if other factors preclude the need for field screening. See
Preliminary assessment below.
3. City staff will notify applicants if their application cannot be excluded from further
review.
4. Applicants may hire a consultant to perform field review, or may request that field review
be conducted by City staff according to the protocol described in this memorandum.
5. City staff will review critical area reports submitted by consultants.
6. For sites to be screened by the City, staff will coordinate site visits with
landowners/applicants, ensure advance notification and property access, and develop site visit
schedules.
7. For sites where no MPG activity is observed, the City will provide applicants with a
project condition that requires them to stop construction activity and alert the Cityand
USFWS if evidence of MPG occupancy is observed.
N/A - No activity observed
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8. City of 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 2) contacting USFWS
directly to discuss the review, assessment, and mitigation
process most appropriate for their site(s) and proposed activities; or 3) waiting to
participate in the yet to be completed Thurston County HCP.
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.
N/A
• Sites covered with impervious surfaces (as defined in CAO Chapter 17.15 and
Title 24).
• Fully forested (>30%) sites with shrub and fern understory.
N/A
• Sites that consist of slopes greater than 40 percent, or that contain landslide
hazard areas (per existing City regulations).
N/A
• 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).
N/A
• Mobile home replacements in existing lots in an existing mobile home park.
N/A
• 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.
3. In addition to the in-office preliminary assessment, the City HCP biologist may, if
time allows, visit properties prior to the first gopher review in order to screen for
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prairie habitat. This screening process focuses on the presence or absence of native
prairie plants, Oregon white oak trees (Quercus garryana), or Mima mounds protected
under the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO).
The site was evaluated for Regulated prairie plants during the two gopher studies on June 6 and August
15, 2022. None the target prairie plant species identified in the Thurston County CAO were detected in
species number our quantity to meet the criteria on the parcel.
D. Implementation Measures
In order to ensure the review process runs efficiently, the following measures will be
implemented as part of the 2022 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 C will itynotify landowners that MPG evidence has been detected
within two weeks.
The Mazama pocket gopher mounds were not found.
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.
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
City field personnel or 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.
• Site visit one: June 6, 2022
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• Site visit two: August 15, 2022
• Site visit three: October 17, 2022
2. A site or parcel is considered to be the entire property, not just the footprint of the
proposed project.
The entire parcel was surveyed.
3. Sites with less preferred soils (see Attachment A) will be visited two (2) times, at least 30
days apart.
The existing information shows Spanaway gravelly sandy loam 0 to 3 percent slopes and Spanaway
gravelly sandy loam 3 to 15 percent slopes within 300 feet of the subject property, which are less
preferred by the MPG.
The site was visited to two times during the proper study period 30 days apart.
4. Sites with more preferred soils (see Attachment A) will be visited two (2) times, at least
30 days apart.
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 County 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.
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.
The ground was visible.
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.
4. If the survey is performed by a team, walk together in parallel lines approximately 5
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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 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 City.
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.
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.
No MPG mounds found.
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.
N/A
• 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.
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The entire parcel was surveys.
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.
No mounds were found, the information was submitted in an acceptable format.
2.4 Regulated Prairie Survey Protocol
1. Prairie Review Method
The parcel contains soil types associated with prairies as defined in the Thurston County Critical Areas
Ordinance (CAO 24.25). Transects were walked throughout the parcel (or at least throughout the
building envelope and 50-foot buffer area).
2. A list of plant species encountered during the survey was recorded and CAO target prairie plants were
noted.
Plants encountered are listed on the CAO plant list (Appendix D).
3. Confirmation that CAO prairie plants were surveyed for and either found or not found, prairie criteria
met or not met, etc. An example statement of your findings could be:
None of the target prairie plant species identified in the Thurston County CAO were detected on the
parcel.
4. If prairie habitat is identified onsite it is regulated pursuant to Chapter 24.25 of the CAO. Provide
either a GPS map or hand-drawn aerial map indicating location of prairie plants on the parcel in relation
to the proposed building area.
N/A
5. A full species list of plants (prairie and non-prairie) found at the time of survey. Attached is a blank
checklist and data sheet if you choose to use. Even if no CAO prairie plants were detected, a complete
species list of vegetation observed helps characterize site conditions.
The full plant list is in Appendix D.
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6. Color photos of plant species encountered.
See Appendix A.
7. Transect map. If done concurrently with gopher review, you can use the same transect map.
Transect maps are shown in Appendix C.
8. Oregon white oak trees, if observed onsite, must also be documented, mapped, and included in the
prairie plant survey. As with prairie plants, provide either a GPS map or hand-drawn aerial map
indicating location of oaks on the parcel in relation to the proposed building area.
N/A
9. Mima mounds, if observed onsite, must also be documented, mapped, and included in the prairie
plant survey. Provide either a GPS map or hand-drawn aerial map indicating location of Mima mounds
on the parcel in relation to the proposed building area.
N/A
3.0 CURRENT CONDITIONS AND METHODS
Land Services Northwest conducted a survey on June 6 and August 15, and October 17 2022, walking the
area and looking for signs of the MPG and regulated prairie in accordance with the protocol.
This parcel is a large field with a single-family residence and small outbuilding are located on the subject
parcel. The property is in an area with single family residences on similar size parcels. There is a power
station to the southwest of the property.
4.0 RESULTS
No Mazama pocket gophers were found on site. Only Mole mounds were found.
No CAO prairie plants, Garry oaks or Mima mounds were found.
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Appendix A
Photos
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Appendix B
WDFW Priority Habitats and Species Map
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Appendix C
MPG Survey Form and Transect Maps
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Appendix D
CAO Prairie Data Sheet
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