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Grove Road Gopher Evaluation (16 May 2023)) GROVE ROAD PROJECT CITY OF YELM, WASHINGTON MAZAMA POCKET GOPHER SCREENING SUMMARY Prepared By: Curtis Wambach, M.S. Senior Biologist and Principal 16 May 2023 360-790-1559 www.envirovector.com 16 May 2023 Evan Mann SoundBuilt Homes PO BOX 73790 Puyallup, WA 98373 Reference: Grove Road Subject: Mazama Pocket Gopher Evaluation Dear Mr. Mann: At your request, this report has been prepared to summarize our Mazama pocket gopher screening outside of the gopher screening window on the subject property (Table 1; Figure 1). Table 1. Parcels Comprising Subject Property No# Address Parcel Number Map Coordinates Area 1 10143 GROVE RD SE 51540302700 Section 20 Township 17 Range 2E 5.01 acres 1 Parcel Total Size 5.01 acres The permitting jurisdiction is the City of Yelm. 1.0 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether Mazama pocket gopher mounds occur on the subject property and to summarize the findings of the field evaluation. Mazama pocket gopher screenings occurred on 15 April 2023. 2.0 METHODOLOGY A Mazama pocket gopher survey was performed over the entire property. EnviroVector 1441 West Bay Drive, Suite 301 Olympia, WA 98502 Phone: (360) 790-1559 Email: curtis@envirovector.com www.envirovector.com Grove Road 16 May 2023 Page 3 of 24 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol The components of the study are as follows:: • The study has occurred outside of the Mazama pocket gopher screening window. • A qualified biologist performed the screenings that has been trained and certified by the USFWS. • The entire property was evaluated, not just the project footprint, other than densely forested areas. • The site was visited one time. • No datasheets were prepared. • 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. Insert 1. Transect Illustrations Grove Road 16 May 2023 Page 4 of 24 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol 3.0 BACKGROUND INFORMATION 3.1 Thurston County Geodatabase Soils Two (2) gopher indicator soil types have been identified on the subject property by the Thurston County Geodata Center database (Appendix B & C; Table 2). One (1) “more preferred” gopher indicator soil is mapped on the southwestern portion of the subject property. One (1) “less preferred” gopher indicator soil is mapped on majority of the property. Table 2. Summary of Soil Soil Unit Gopher Indicator Soils Preference Comments Spanaway stony sandy loam, 0-3% slopes Yes Less preferred Mapped on the eastern portion of the subject property Spanaway gravelly sandy loam, 0-3% slopes Yes More preferred Mapped on southwestern corner of subject property 3.2 WDFW Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) Database No Mazama pocket gophers have been mapped on the subject property by the WDFW Priority Habitat Species (PHS) database (Appendix D). However, the Mazama pocket gopher has been mapped offsite one thousand two hundred seventy (1,270) feet northeast of the subject property across Grove Road and Canal Road SE. 4.0 FIELD RESULTS 4.1 Mazama Pocket Gopher Site Evaluation No mound formations exhibiting characteristics created by the Mazama pocket gopher have been identified on the subject property during the Mazama pocket gopher screening. A small number of mole mounds were identified on the southern and western property lines (Appendix A, Photos 5 & 6). 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. Grove Road 16 May 2023 Page 5 of 24 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol 4.2 Mazama Pocket Gopher Habitat Evaluation Although gopher indicator soils are mapped on the entire subject property, no gopher occupancy was identified. Site vegetation primarily consists of grasslands dominated by non-native European grasses and associated non-native forbs (Appendix A, Photos 1-12). Some native grass and forb species also occur on the site. One (1) horse is active in the pasture. Soils under the surface appear to consist of a dense cobbly and rocky substrate, as seen in small patch where soils were disturbed (Appendix A, Photo 12). 5.0 CONCLUSION The subject property was evaluated for the Mazama pocket gopher. The latest version of USFWS (2018) Site Inspection Protocol and Procedures: Mazama Pocket Gopher was used as the gopher screening protocol, other than performing one (1) site screening outside of the gopher screening window. No mound formations exhibiting characteristics created by the Mazama pocket gopher have been identified on the subject property. The western portion of the property is mapped as “less preferred” gopher indicator soils which contains a wetland and stream. Grove Road 16 May 2023 Page 6 of 24 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol 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 Grove Road 16 May 2023 Page 7 of 24 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol FIGURES Grove Road 16 May 2023 Page 8 of 24 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Figure 1. Vicinity Map Subject Property Grove Road 16 May 2023 Page 9 of 24 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Figure 2. Transect Screening lines Transect lines Subject Property Grove Road 16 May 2023 Page 10 of 24 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol APPENDIX A Photo Documentation Grove Road 16 May 2023 Page 11 of 24 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Photo 1. Yard at frontage, no mounds Photo 2. Front yard at frontage Photo 3. Back yard of residence Photo 4. Pasture and barn in background Photo 5. Mole mound, central vertical tunnel, conical shape Photo 6. Mole mound, central vertical tunnel, conical shape Photo 7. Facing west across pasture Photo 8. Facing north across pasture Grove Road 16 May 2023 Page 12 of 24 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Photo 9. Pasture on the subject property Photo 10. Central portion of property facing north Photo 11. Eastern portion of subject property Photo 12. Eastern portion of subject property Grove Road 16 May 2023 Page 13 of 24 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol APPENDIX B Thurston County Geodatabase Soils Grove Road 16 May 2023 Page 14 of 24 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Subject Property Grove Road 16 May 2023 Page 15 of 24 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol APPENDIX C Thurston County Geodatabase Gopher Indicator Soils Grove Road 16 May 2023 Page 16 of 24 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Subject Property More Preferred Less Preferred Grove Road 16 May 2023 Page 17 of 24 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol APPENDIX D Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) Grove Road 16 May 2023 Page 18 of 24 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Mazama pocket gopher ( MPG) mapped occurrence Subject property Wetland System Wetland System \ Grove Road 16 May 2023 Page 19 of 24 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol APPENDIX E USFWS Site Inspection Protocol and Procedures: Mazama Pocket Gopher Grove Road 16 May 2023 Page 20 of 24 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Grove Road 16 May 2023 Page 21 of 24 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Grove Road 16 May 2023 Page 22 of 24 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Grove Road 16 May 2023 Page 23 of 24 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol Grove Road 16 May 2023 Page 24 of 24 Mazama Pocket Gopher Screening Protocol