Gopher reportParcel Number: 21725130200
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Subject: Results of 2024 Mazama Pocket Gopher Study
Report Date: July 2, 2024
Landowner: Garette Custom Homes
Site Address: 15036 SR 507 SE, Yelm, 98597
Consultant: West Fork Environmental (Heidy Barnett, Craig Marbet)
1.0 Study Purpose
A Mazama pocket gopher (MPG) study was requested to support the City of Yelm permitting process. On
June 1 and July 1, 2024, West Fork Environmental conducted a survey to detect activity of MPG on
parcel 21725130200 (9.71 acres) in Yelm, Washington (Figure 1).
2.0 Methods
2.1 MPG Method and Soil Type
Survey methods followed the survey guidance
provided by United States Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS, April 2018). The soil types on the parcel
were Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15% slopes
(less preferred by MPG) and Everett very gravelly
sandy loam, 0 to 3% slopes (less preferred by MPG)
(Figure 1, Table 2). The WDFW PHS database did not
show MPG detections within 600 feet of the parcel
(Figure 3). During the survey West Fork
Environmental staff surveyed all open areas of the
parcel following the methods described under the
USFWS recommended MPG survey protocol (Figure 2
and 3).
A cul-de-ac at the end of Palisades Street SE is a good
access point for the property. The parcel contains a
burned down home in the northern portion of the
property. The remainder is unmaintained with
shrubs, grasses and weedy herbaceous vegetation. A few piles of trash were strewn about the property.
Trees and shrubs line the western border of the parcel.
3.0 Results
3.1 Mazama Pocket Gopher
During the surveys, no MPG mounds were identified on the parcel (see datasheets). Many mole mounds
and likely mole mounds were observed on both surveys. Mole mounds were identified by circular shape,
clumpy soils, linear pattern across the ground and vertical entrance tunnels. Likely mole mounds were
older and weathered but had a circular shape.
Burned home
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Vegetation observed during the survey included:
Table 1. Plant species observed on the parcel.
Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name
Douglas-fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Bitter cherry Prunus emarginata
Big leaf maple Acer macrophyllum Red flowering current Ribes sanguineum
Western redcedar Thuja plicata Pacific crabapple Malus fusca
Black cottonwood Populus balsamifera Nootka rose Rosa nutkana
Snowberry Symphoricarpos albus Miners Lettuce Claytonia perfoliata
Oceanspray Holodiscus discolor Siberian miners lettuce Claytonia siberica
Indian plum Oemleria cerasiformis Woodland strawberry Fragaria vesca
Oregon grape Mahonia aquifolium Common tansy Tanacetum vulgare
Salal Gaultheria shallon Tansy ragwort Jacobaea vulgaris
Red elderberry Sambucus racemosa Herb Robert Geranium robertum
Beaked hazelnut Corylus cornuta Ribwort Plantago lanceolata
Trailing blackberry Rubus ursinus Self-heal Prunella vulgaris
Sword fern Polystichum munitum Canada thistle Cirsium arvense
Bracken fern Pteridium aquilinum Changing Forget-me-not Myosotis discolor
St. John’s wort Hypericum perforatum Black Medick Medicago lupulina
Fireweed Chamaenerion angustifolium Creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens
Common dandelion Taraxacum officinale Velvet grass Holcus lanatus
Oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare Sweet vernalgrass Anthoxanthum odoratum
Vetch Vicia spp Orchard grass Dactylis glomerata
White clover Trifolium repens Catsear Hypochaeris radicata
Sheep sorel Rumex acetosella Stinging nettle Urtica dioica
4.0 Conclusions
No MPG mounds were observed on the parcel on either site visit. The results of this survey are based on
standardized methodologies and follow guidance provided by the USFWS and the Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife provided during the June 2018 and 2023 training. All findings presented
within this report are subject to the final review and approval of City of Yelm gopher review. If you have
any questions regarding the information provided within this document, please contact our office at
(360) 753-0485.
Sincerely,
Heidy Barnett
Sr. Fish and Wildlife Biologist
Attachments: Representative site photos, survey transects, datasheets
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Site Photos
Left: Burned home on property. Right: representative conditions.
Areas of trash throughout the property and representative habitat.
Fresh mole mounds observed during the survey.
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Table 2. Pocket gopher and prairie soil list requiring survey from Thurston County review guideance. A
study is required if the parcel is within 300 feet of these soil types. Soils within 300 feet of the subject
parcel are highlighted below.
1 Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 3% slopes Less preferred
2 Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15% slopes Less preferred
5 Baldhill very stony sandy loam, 0 to 3% slopes X
6 Baldhill very stony sandy loam, 3 to 15% slopes X
7 Baldhill very stony sandy loam, 15 to 30% slopes X
8 Baldhill very stony sandy loam, 30 to 50% slopes X
20 Cagey loamy sand More preferred X
32 Everett very gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 3% slopes Less preferred X
33 Everett very gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15% slopes Less preferred X
42 Grove very gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15% slopes X
46 Indianola loamy sand, 0 to 3% slopes More preferred X
47 Indianola loamy sand, 3 to 15% slopes Less preferred X
51 Kapowsin silt loam, 3 to 15% slopes Less preferred
65 McKenna gravelly silt loam, 0 to 5% slopes Less preferred
73 Nisqually loamy fine sand, 0 to 3% slopes More preferred X
74 Nisqually loamy fine sand, 3 to 15% slopes More preferred X
75 Norma fine sandy loam Less preferred
76 Norma silt loam Less preferred
109 Spana gravelly loam Less preferred X
114 Spanaway-Nisqually complex, 2 to 10% slopes More preferred X
110 Spanaway gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 3% slopes More preferred X
111 Spanaway gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15% slopes More preferred X
112 Spanaway stony sandy loam, 0 to 3% slopes Less preferred X
113 Spanaway stony sandy loam, 3 to 15% slopes Less preferred X
126 Yelm fine sandy loam, 0 to 3% slopes Less preferred
127 Yelm fine sandy loam, 3 to 15% slopes Less preferred
117 Tenino gravelly loam, 3 to 15% slopes X
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Figure 2. Survey tracks from June 1, 2024.
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Figure 3. Survey tracks from July 1, 2024.
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Figure 4. Results of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Prioirty Habitats and Species database
report (areas withing 600 feet of the parcel).
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Datasheets
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Parcel Number: 21725130200
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