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Wetland Report . I .- ..,Ja Wetland Report for Nisqually Estates Division 1 & 2 y elm, Washington Decem ber 2, 1994 Prepared for: Mark Carpenter PO Box 77 McKenna, Wash. Prepared by: Swan Resources 203 4th Avenue E, SUite 204 Olympia, W A 98501 357- 380+ Wetland Report for Nisqually Estates ThIS report descrIbes wetlands occurrIng on and adjacent to property known as Nisqually Estates, DIVISIOn 1 & 2. The property IS co-owned by Mark Carpenter and Paul Steadman. The wetland delIneatIOn and report was prepared by Doug Swanson of Swan Resources The property was VIsIted on November 16 and November 29, 1994 Mr Carpenter requested a wetland delIneatIOn and report prIor to subdIVIdIng the 25-acre SIte mto approxImately 120 lots SETTING The property IS one-half a mIle southwest of the center of the CIty of Yelm m the NW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of SectIon 25, TownshIp 17 N, Range 1 E, WM The property IS roughly tnangular wIth the longest sIde frontIng on an abandoned raIlroad nght of-way and SR 507, the Yelm-Ralmer Highway (ViCInIty map, Fig 1) Most of the parcellS at elevatlOns rangmg from 340 to 360 feet. A small depreSSIon In the northeast corner IS 20 feet lower and the east sIde of the property slopes down toward a wetland complex that IS the headwaters of Thompson Creek (WRIA 11 0041), a three-mIle long tnbutary of the Nisqually RIver SOILS Four soIl map umts occur on the SIte Over 90 percent of the SIte IS mapped as gravelly sandy loams of two dIfferent sOli senes. The northern two-thIrds of the property IS mapped as Spanaway gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes (map umt 110) The south end of the property IS mapped as Everett very gravelly sandy loam 0 to 3 percent slopes (map umt 32) The slopes of the depreSSIOn In the northeast corner are mapped as Spanaway stony sandy loam 3 to 15 percent slopes (map umt 113) A small area on the west edge of the property IS part of a larger area mapped as dramed Mukllteo muck (map umt 70)(Pnngle 1990) The Spanaway and Everett map umts are somewhat excessIvely dramed soIls typIcally found m upland areas of glaCIal outwash and tIll The Mukllteo SOli IS a very deep, very poorly dramed SOli found m depreSSIOns Dramage m the Mukllteo umt has been altered by open dItches or subsurface drams to faCIlitate agncultural use (Pnngle 1990) The MukIlteo muck IS lIsted as a hydnc (wetland) soil m Thurston County WETLANDS Wetlands were delIneated USIng the Federal Method for IdentIfYIng and DelIneatIng JUrISdIctIOnal Wetlands (FICWD 1989), as reqUIred by the Thurston County CntIcal Areas Ordmance Wetland boundanes were marked USIng pInk and black stnpped plastIc flaggIng placed at Intervals of 20 to 50 feet. Flagging IS numbered consecutIvely, as IndIcated on the aenal photograph (Fig 2) and In the descnptIOns below Wetlands were rated USIng the Department of Ecology's WashIngton State Wetland RatIng System, Western WashIngton, second edItIOn, 1993 1 Two wetlands occur on the property There IS a small Category III wetland m the depreSSIOn m the northeast comer and a larger Category II wetland along the west edge of the property (ratmg forms are m Appendix A) The Category II wetland IS part of the headwaters of Thompson Creek and IS mapped as a palustnne forested wetland on the NatIOnal Wetland Inventory maps. A third small area m a depreSSIOn m the south part of the property has predommantly wetland vegetatIOn, but lacks hydnc SOlIs and wetland hydrology and IS therefor not a JunsdlctIOnal wetland. Wetland No.1 - DepreSSIOn at the northeast corner of the property This wetland IS m a small depreSSIOn about 100 feet Wide and 300 feet long About 40 percent of the wetland IS on the Nisqually Estates property With the remamder on the golf course property to the north. ThiS area appears to have been part of a larger wetland on the east Side of SR 507, known as McKenZie Lake ConstructIOn of the railroad and SR 507 Isolated thiS small area from the larger wetland on the east Side of the highway The wetland boundary was delmeated and flagged startmg at the northeast comer of the property (flag W 1-1) and contmumg clockWise to where It agam mtersects the north property lme (flag W 1-8) The wetland/upland boundary on the east, south, and west Sides of the wetland IS dlstmctly marked by an abrupt change m the plant commumty and a sharp topographiC break. Wetland classes With areas greater than 0 25 acre mclude palustnne emergent and scrub-shrub, as claSSified usmg the U S Fish and WildlIfe Service system (Cowardm et al 1979, ClaSSificatIOn of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the Umted States) ThiS wetland IS rated a Category III wetland based on ItS small Size, lack of effectIve buffers, and hydrologic IsolatIOn. The wetland scored 17 pomts usmg the Slgmficant Habitat Value sectIOn of the ratmg system (AppendiX A) WildlIfe value IS low for small numbers of amphtblans, birds and small mammals Thurston County deSignates thiS category as Class III wetlands for the purposes of the CntIcal Areas Ordmance Wetland SOlls.--The soIls on the Side slopes of the depreSSIOn appear to be typical of the Spanaway senes mapped for thIS locatIOn. SoIls in the bottom of the depreSSIOn are finer textured and had low chromas and mottlIng mdlcatmg a shallow fluctuatmg water table A SOlI profile hole, flagged and labeled as SP-l, was dug about 60 feet southwest of the north property lme near the center of the portIOn of the wetland occurnng on the Nisqually Estates property SP-l Color 0-7" - umfonnly dark 10 YR 2/2 7-16" - 10 YR 2/2 With orange mottles 75 YR 3/4 Texture gravelly sandy loam SoIl saturated to the surface OXidatIOn around hve roots at 3" ASSOCiated vegetatIOn. reed canarygrass, Douglas' spiraea, sedges, Willow 2 Wetland Plants.--The plant communIty wlthm the wetland IS dommated by speCIes adapted to growmg m wetland condItIons The dlstmct boundary between the wetland and upland IS due to the sharp topographIc break and IS reflected IS a sImIlarly dlstmct boundary between upland and wetland plant commUnItIes The upland communIty adjacent to the wetland IS dommated by Oregon whIte oak, Douglas fir, and snow berry The wetland plants along wIth theIr mdlcator status that mdlcates theIr lIkelIhood of occumng m wetlands are lIsted below Wetland Plant LISt: Trees. black cottonwood Scouler's wIllow IndIcator Status* FAC FAC Shrubs. Douglas' spIraea PacIfic wIllow red-OSler dogwood FACW FACW FACW Herbs. reed canarygrass bentgrass slough sedge black nIghtshade FACW FAC-FACW OBL FAC *OBL - occurs In wetlands >99% FACW - occurs In wetlands 67-99o/c FA C - occurs In wetlands 34-66% FACU - occurs In wetlands <33% Wetland Hydrology.--The wetland area had saturated soIls on November 29, 1994 and mdlcators m the sOlI colors of a shallow fluctuatmg water table The wetland hydrology cntena of the federal wetland delmeatIOn method IS met at thIS sIte Wetland No.2 - West edge of the property ApprOXImately 5000 square feet of thIS 8 acre wetland IS on the Nisqually Estates sIte The maJonty of thIS wetland IS on the adjacent property to the west. Wetland boundary markers are present along the wetland boundary on the adjacent property Three boundary markers (W 2-1 to W 2-3) were attached to the west property fence and are labeled showmg an approxImate offset to the wetland edge on the adjacent property Flag N um ber W2-1 W2-2 W2-3 DISt. to wetland (feet) 80 50 25 DISt. from N, property lme 230 370 550 The wetland boundary crosses mto the Nisqually Estates sIte at flag W 2-4, about 20 feet south of W 2-3 A small lobe of the wetland, an area less than 500 square feet, extends mto the sIte from flags W 2-4 to W 2-6 A gravel road on the neighbonng 3 property has dIsturbed the wetland boundary west of the property hne and the wetland edge was marked as the edge of the road/property fence at W 2-6 and W 2-7 A second larger lobe of about 4500 square feet extends Into the sIte startIng at W 2-7 and endIng at W 2-13 South of 2-13 the topography nses sharply and the remaInder of the wetland IS all to the west of the property hne Wetland 2 has palustnne emergent, scrub-shrub, and forested classes (CowardIn et al 1979) wIth areas greater than 0.25 acres The small portIOn of the wetland on the Nisqually Estates sIte IS part of the forested class and shows few sIgns of dIsturbance The gravel road on the adjacent property appears to have Isolated thIS part of the wetland from surface water exchange wIth the remaInder of the wetland. ThIS wetland IS rated a Category II wetland based on ItS large SIze, plant commumty dIversIty, connectIOn to a perenmal fish-beanng stream, and hIgh wildlIfe value The wetland scored 34 pOInts usmg the SIgmficant HabItat Value sectIOn of the ratIng system (AppendIx A) Thurston County desIgnates thIS category as Class II wetlands for the purposes of the CntIcal Areas OrdInance Wetland SoIls --A pair of SOlI profile holes were dug In and adjacent to the larger wetland lobe The wetland soil hole was dug 6 feet north of W 2-12 and IS marked and labeled SP-2. An upland profile hole was dug 4 feet south of W 2-12 The upland hole had a profile sImIlar to the Everett very gravelly sandy loam mapped for thIS area. The wetland soIl profile IS consIstent WIth the MukIlteo soIl profile mapped for thIS area and IS shown below SP-2 Color 0-16" - 10 YR 2/0 Texture muck SoIl mOIst to the surface, saturatIOn at 3 Inches AssocIated vegetatIOn cedar, water parsley, creepmg buttercup Wetland Plants --Plants growmg m the area IdentIfied as wetland are predomInantly specIes that are adapted to hfe In saturated soIls The adjacent upland vegetatIOn IS domInated by blgleaf maple, Douglas fir, and swordfern. The boundary between the two plant commumtIes IS very dIStInct and IS cOIncIdent wIth the wetland boundary Wetland Plant LISt: Trees. western red cedar IndIcator Status FAC Shrubs. PacIfic mnebark salmonberry red-osler dogwood - FACW FAC FACW Herbs. water parsley creepIng buttercup ladyfern OBL FACW FACW 4 Wetland Hydrology --The muck soIl was saturated as a depth of 3 Inches and the sOlI charactenstIcs IndIcate prolonged saturatIOn or InUndatIOn. The wetland hydrology cntena of the federal wetland delIneatIOn method IS met at thIS sIte Site No.3 - Non-wetland A small depreSSIOn In the southern part of the property IS domInated by herbaceous vegetatIOn, pnmanly creepIng buttercup CreepIng buttercup usually occurs In dIsturbed wetland areas but It also occurs In upland areas A soIl profile hole was dug near the west end of thIS area at the lowest elevatIOn to determIne If the soIl and hydrology cntena were met. The soIl profile IS typIcal of the Spanaway senes The test hole is marked and labeled SP-3 SP-3 Color 0-9" - 10 YR 2/2 9+" - 10 YR 3/4 Texture gravelly sandy loam No sOlI saturatIOn AssocIated vegetatIOn creepIng buttercup and hazelnut SIte 3 lacks both hydnc SOlIs and wetland hydrology and IS therefor not a junSdlctIOnal wetland. Wetland and Stream Buffers Thurston County provIdes for undIsturbed buffer areas between wetlands and streams and adjacent development (Thurston County CntIcal Areas OrdInance, Chapter 17 15) Buffers are desIgned to maIntaIn water qualIty and wIldlIfe habItat values of wetlands and to ensure that adjacent development does not adversely affect wetlands. Buffer wIdths are based on the SIze and qualIty of the wetland and the IntenSIty of the planned development or land use The standard buffer wIdths adjacent to hIgh IntenSIty land use (reSIdential greater than 1 umt/5 acres) are 200 feet for a Class II wetland and 100 feet for a Class III wetland. The buffer WIdth may be reduced or averaged If the remaInIng buffer contInues to effectively protect the wetland. SpeCIfic mItIgatIOn measures and standards for redUCIng the normal buffer WIdth are IdentIfied In the CntIcal Areas OrdInance MitIgatIng measures to reduce or average buffers Include enhanCIng the wetland buffer, substantially ImproVIng WIldlIfe and fish use In the wetland, and restonng degraded areas of the wetland. 5 REFERENCES Cowardm, L. M., V Carter, F C. Golet, and E. T LaRoe 1979 ClaSSIficatIOn of Wetlands and Deepwater HabItats of the Umted States FWS/OBS-79/31 US Department of the InterIor, Fish and WildlIfe ServIce, Washmgton, D C. 103 pp Federal Interagency CommIttee for Wetland DelIneatIOn. 1989 Federal Manual for IdentIfymg and Delmeatmg JUrISdIctIOnal Wetlands CooperatIve techmcal publIcatIOn. US Army Corps of Engmeers, US EnvIronmental ProtectIOn Agency, US Fish and Wildlife SerVIce, and USDA SoIl ConservatIOn SerVIce, Washmgton, D C 76 pp plus appendIces PrIngle, R. F 1990 SoIl Survey of Thurston County, Washmgton. USDA SoIl ConservatIOn SerVIce, Washmgton, D C 283 pp plus 49 sheets Washmgton State Department of Ecology 1993 Washmgton State Wetlands RatIng System, Western Washmgton, second ed. PublIcatIOn #93-74 WSDOE, OlympIa. 61 pp Washmgton State Department of Fish and WildlIfe 1994 PrIOrIty HabItats and SpeCIes database, McKenna 7 5 mmute quadrangle WillIams, R. W , R. M. LaramIe, and J JAmes 1975 A catalog ofWashmgton streams and salmon utIlIzatIOn, Volume 1, Puget Sound RegIOn. Washington Department of FisherIes, OlympIa. 6 ,.-" \' ' Thomp.on (r.e~ -- , -J ''''-",.{ ~ Figure 1. Vicinity map, Nisqually Estates, Yelm, Washington. Appendix A Wetland Rating Forms . ' Wetlands Rating Office Data Form Background Information: Affiliation. Sa...JA,.) K.E5t>LI. (U S S Date: 12-2.-91 Name of Rater' j), SwAN 56,J Name of wetland (if known) ;J1~GIl-lALLY E'>IAIES :1:1:.[ Government Jurisdiction of wetland tHL-\I<STo.J Co. J c..',~1 of ..../eLM Location. 1/4 S /1 vJ of 1/4 S ;V E SEC 2S TWNSHP' 11;J RNGE, I E. SOURCES OF INFORMATION (Check all sources that apply) Site visit. ~ USGS Topa Map' -JL: NWI map' Aerial Photo Other' Describe V Soils survey' ~ When office and/or tield data t()fms are completed enter Category here III ANI;)WER ALL QU!--I;)TlONS BElOW Hlhe source agency identilks the wetland as satisfying any of the questions below, circle the category in "CATEGORY" column, Category I Questions A. Is the wetland in a 'lection and Subsection that has been docu- mcnled as a habitat that performs a life support function for any I;)tate or Federally listed Threatened or Endangered plant or animal species? For the purposes of thi" rating system, "documentlXl" Illeans the wetland is on the appropriate state database. NOTE. The rating of a wetland is incomplete in most cases without this documentation. B Does the wetland contain individuals of Federal or State-listed Threatened or Endangered plant species, OR Does the wetland contain documented occurences of federal or state-listed Threatened or Endangered wildlife and species managed by the Wa.<;hington Department of Wildlife? C Does the wetland LOntain documented occurences of State or fedcrally listcd l1lfcatcncd or Endangcrcd lish species, OR races of /ish, managed hy the Washington Departmenl of WildlifL or the Washington Department of Hsherics? 10 Data Source DNR- Natural Heritage, and WDW DNR- Natural Heritage WOW WDW, WDF Catagory (the highest qualities) Yes Next ~estion No Go to urstion D ~ Category I No' Next uestion ~ Category I ~Next Question Wetlands Rating Office Data Form (continued) D Is Ihe wetland already on record wilh Ihe Washington Natural DNR- Yes Category I Heritage Program as a high quality native wetland? Natural @Next Heritage Question E. Does Ihe wetland contain documented regionally signilkanl wnw ~ Caleg"'y I waterfowl or <;horehird concentralion areas? No' Nexl uestion f Is Ihe weiland documented as a Category I Weiland of Local Local Yes Category I SignHicance') Government ~Ne~t uesUon Category II Questions G Is Ihe wetland in a Township. Section and Suhsection that has DNR- Yes Next been documented as a habitat for any State listed Sensitive plant Natural ~estion or animal species? Heritage NO Go to Program. ueslion K and WDW H. Does Ihe wetland contain individuals of State-lisled '1ensilive DNR Yes Cat II plant species? Natural No Next Heritage Question I Docs Ihe wetland contain documented occurences or federally or WOW Yes Cat II state-listed sensitive wildlife species? No Next Question J Does the wetland contain documented occurences of state or WDF Yes Cat II federally listed Sensitive tlsh species! WDW No Next Question K. Does Ihe wetland contain priority species or hahitats documented WDW Yes Cat. II by Washington Department of Wildlife's Priority Hahitats and @ Next Species Program? Question L. Is the wetland documented a'i a Category II Weiland of Local Local Yes Cat II Signil1cance? Government ~Next uestion Category III Questions M b the wetland documented as a Category III wetland of local I "()Lal ~ Cat III significance Government ~ go to ating Field Data Form 11 Wetlands Rating Field Data Form Background Information: Name of Rater' u SWAN 5MJ AfI1liation. S WA"J I?.c~lllA R..( ES Date I L. - L. - '1 '-f Name of wetland (if known) NlSa.l.A!l.LLY ESTATE-S .1::1; Government Jurisdiction of wetland ll-hA lZ- $. TO rJ C v j ell! of' 'iEU1 Location. 1/4 Section N vJ of 1/4 ~ f\! 6. Section "2 S Township I/;J Range I E Sources of Information: (Check all sources that apply) Site visit: ~ USGS Tapa Map ........-- NWI map _ Aerial Photo ........... Soils survey' ......-- Other' Descrihe When The Field Data form is complete enter Category here. etA + III. Ii f"'n+S Q.1. High Quality Natural Wetland Circle Answers Answer this question if you have adequate information or experience to do so If not tind someone with the expertise to answer the questions. Then, if the answer to questions I a, I h and I c are all NO, contact the Natural Heritage program of DNR. 1a. Human caused disturbances, Is there significant evidence of human-caused changes to topography or hydrology of the wetland as indicated hy any of the following conditions'l Consider only changes that may have taken place in the la<;t 5 decades The impacts of changes done earlier have prohahly heen stahilized and the wetland ecosystem will he close to reaching some new equilihrium that may represent a high quality wetland. lal Upstream watershed> 12% impervious. I a2 Wetland is ditched and water now is not ohstructed. la3 Wetland has he en graded, tilled, logged. la4 Water in wetland is controlled hy dikes, weirs, dc la5 Wetland is grazed. la6 Other indicators of disturhance (list helow) Yes go to Q 2 Yes go to Q 2 ~go to Q.2 YesgotoQ2 Yes go to Q.2 Yes go to Q.2 No go to 1 h 25 1 b Are there populalions of non-native plants which are currently present, cover more than 10% of the wetland, and appear to be invading native populations? Briefly describe any non-native plant populations and Information source(s) I c Is there evidence of human-caused disturbances which have visibly degraded water quality Evidence of the degradation of water quality include direct (untreated) runoff from roads or parking lots, presence, or historic evidence, of waste dumps, oily sheens, the smell of organic chemicals, or lifestock use. Briefly describe 0.2. Irreplaceable Ecological Functions: Does the wetland. EB have at least 1/4 acre or organic <;oils deeper than 16 inches and the wetland is relatively undisturbed, OR (I1f the answer is NO because the wetland is disturhed brietly describe. Indicators of disturbance may include - Wetland has been graded, tilled, logged, - Organic "oils on the surface are dried-out for more than half of the year; - Wetland receives direct stormwatcr runotl from urban or agricultural areas.]. OR EB have a forested cla<;s greater than I acre, OR EB have characteristics of an estuarine system, OR e have eel grass Boating or non-Boating kelp beds'! 2a. Bogs and Fens Are any of the three following conditions met for the area of organic soil? 2a.1 Are Sphagnum mosses a common ground cover (>30%) and the cover of invasive species (see Table 1) is less than 10%'1 Is the area of sphagnum mosses and deep organic soils> 1/2 acre? Is the area of sphagnum mosses and deep organic soils 1/4-1/2 acre! 2a.2 Is there an area of organic soil which has an emergent class with at lea'lt one species from Table 2, and cover of invasive species is < 10% (see Table W' Is the area of herbaLeous plants and deep organic soils> 1/2 acre! Is the area of herbaceous plants and deep organic soib 1/4-1/2 acre? 26 YES go to Q.2 No go to lc YES go to Q 2 NO Possible Cat. I contact DNR ~~ all go to Q 3) ~~o 10 2a YES Go to 2b YES Go to 2c YES Go to 2d YES YES Category I Category II NO Go to 2a.3 YES YES Category I Calegory II NO Go to 2a.1 .. 2a.1 Is the vegetation a mixture of only herhaceous plants and ';phagnum mosses with no scruh/shruh or forested classes! Is the area of herhaceous plants, Sphagnum, and deep organic soils> 1/2 acre? Is the area of herbaceous plants, Sphagnum, and deep organic soils 1/4-1/2 acre? Q,2b. Mature forested wetland. 2b 1 Does 50% of the cover of upper forest canopy consist of evergreen trees older than 80 years or deciduous trees older than 50 years? Note The size of trees is often not a measure of age, and size cannot be used as a surrogate for age (see guidance) 2b.2. Does 50% of the cover of forest canopy consist of evergreen trees older than 50 years, AND is the structural diversity of the forest high as characterized by an additional layer of trees 20'-49' tall, shrubs 6' - 20', tall, and a herbaceous groundcover"I 2b 3 Does < 25% of the areal cover in the herhaccous/groundcover or the shruh layer consist of invasivclexotic plant species from the list on p 19! Q.2c Estuarine wetlands. 2cl Is the wetland listed as National Wildlife Refuge, National Park, National Estuary Reserve, Natural Area Preserve, State Park, or Educational, Environmental or Scientific Reserves designated under WAC 132-3()-151? 2c 2 Is the wetland> 5 acres, Note If an area contains patches of salt tolerant vegetation that are 1) less than 6CXl feet apart and that are separated hy mudt1ats that go dry on a Mean Low Tide, or 2) separated hy tidal channels that are less than I ()() feet wide, all the vegetated areas are to he considered together in calculating the wetland area. or is the wetland 1-5 acres, or is the wetland < I acre? YES Category I YES Category II NO Go to Q 3 YES Category I NO Go to 2h.2 YES Go to 2b 3 NO Go to Q 3 YES Category I NO Go to Q 1 YES Category I NO Go to 2l 2 YES Category I YES Go to 2c 1 YES Go to 2c 4 27 2c.3 Does the wetland meet at least 3 of the following 4 criteria. - minimum existing evidence of human related disturbance such as diking, ditching, filling. cultivation, grazing or the presence of non- native plant species (see guidance for del1nilion), - surface water connection with tidal saltwater or tidal freshwater; - at least 75% of the wetland has a 100' buffer of ungrazed pasture, open water, shrub or forest, - ha<; at least 3 of the following features low marsh, high marsh, tidal channels; lagoon(s),woody debris, or contiguous freshwater wetland. 2c.4 Does the wetland meet all of Ihe four criteria under 2c3 (above)? Q.2d, Eel Grass and Kelp Beds, 2d.l Are eel grass beds present? 2d.2. Are Ihere floating or non-floating kelp bed(s) present with greater than 50% macro algal cover in the month of August or September'! a 3. Category IV wetlands. 3a. Is the wetland less than I acre alli1. hydrologically isolated .alli1. comprised of one vegetated class that is dominated (> XO% areal cover) by one species from Table 3 (page 19) or Table 4 (page 20 ) 3b Is the wetland: less than two acres and, hydrologically isolated, with one vegetated cla<;s, and> 90% of areal cover is any combination of species from Table 3 (page 19) 3c. Is the wetland excavated from upland .and a pond smaller than I acre without a surface water connection to streams. lakes. rivers, or other wetland. and ha<; < () 1 acre of vegetation. 2X YES Category I NO Category II YES Category II NO Category III YES Category I NO go to 2d.2 YES Category I NO Category II trYE.~ Category IV ~o to 1b YES Category IV @)gO to 3c YES Category IV @ go to Q 4 .. Q.4. Significant habitat value. Answer all questions and enter data requested. 4a. Total wetland area Estimate area, select from choices in the ncar-right column, and score in the far column. Enter acreage of wetland here 0 15acres, and source e s.fl"",,,,-k ~ a.~ ,e..A p ",..h _J... ~ f 0 ~V"'f "'-1 L -z.. . ) 4b. Wetland classes: Circle the wetland classes below that qualify' Open Watee if the area of open water is > 1/4 acre Aquatic Beds if the area of aquatic beds> 1/4 acre, v - ---\ ( Emerg~ if the area of emergent class is > 1/4 acre, "...- " Scrub-Shrub if the area of scrub-shrub class is > 1/4 acre, "- Forested. if area of forested class is > 1/4 acre, Add the number of wetland classes, ahove, thai qualify, and lhen score according to the columns at right e.g. If there are 4 classes (aquatic beds, open water, emergent & scrub- shrub), you would circle H points in the far right column. 4c. Plant species diversity For each wetland class (at right) that qualities in 4b above, count the number of different plant species you can nnd that cover more than 5% of the ground. You do not have to name them. Cl.a.sli Aquatic fied Score in column at far right. e g If a wetland has an aquatic bed class with 3 species, an emergent class with 4 species and a scrub-shrub class with 2 species you would circle 2, 2, and \ in the far column. Note Any plant species with a cover of> 5% qualities for points within a class, even those that are not of that class. Emergent ~<.:rub- %ru h Forested Circle scores that qualify ~ Pi.lililii > 200 6 40- 200 5 10-40 4 5-10 3 1-5 2 01-1 CD <0\ 0 # of classes 1 cD 3 4 5 # species in class I 2 3 >3 I 2-3 4-5 @ I 2 ~-4 @ I 2 ~-4 >4 &n1s o CD 6 8 10 ~ o \ 2 3 o 1 2 (]) o I 2 CD o I 2 3 IC> 29 4d. Structural diversity If the wetland has a forested class, add I point if each of the following classes is present within the forested class and is larg:er than 1/4 acre -trees> 50' tall -trees 20' 49' tall -shrubs. -herbaceous ground cover Also add I pomt if there is any "open water" or "aquatic bed" class immediately next to the forested area (ie there is no scrub/shrub or emergent vegetation between them) 4e. Decide from the dIagrams below whether interspersion between wetland classes is high, moderate, low or none? If you thmk the amount of interspersion falls in between the diagrams score accordingly (i e a moderately high amount of instersperslOn would score a 4, while a moderately low amount would score a 2) none low moderate moderate 4f Habitat features. Answer questions below, circle features that apply, and score to right Is there evidence that the open or standing water was caused by beavers Is a heron rookery located within 300'? Are raptor nesl/s located within 3oo'? Are there atlcast 3 standing dead trees (snags) per acre greater than 10" m diameter at "breast height" (DB H)? Are there atlcast 3 downed logs per acre With a diameter > 6" lor atlcast 10' In length I Are there areas (vegetated or unvegetated) within the wetland that are ponded for atlcast 4 months out of the year, and the wetland has not qualItied as having an open water class in Question 4b ') 30 YES - 1 YES - 1 YES - 1 YES - 1 YES - 1 f5 HIgh - 5 Moderate (i) Low - 1 None - 0 low hIgh YES = 2 YES = 1 YES = 1 YES = YES = YES = 2 >Z 3 .. 4g. Connection to streams. (Score one answer only) 4g.l Does the wetland provide habitat for fish at any time of the year AND does it have a perennial surface watcr connection to a !ish bearing stream. 4g.2 Docs the wetland provide fish hahitat seasonally AND docs il have a seasonal surface water connection to a !ish bearing stream. 4g 3 Does the wetland function to export organic matter through a surface water connection at all times of the year to a perennial stream. 4g 4 Does the wetland function to export organic matter through a surface water connection to a stream on a seasonal basis? 4h. Buffers. Score the existing buffcrs on a scale of 1-5 based on the following four descriptions. If the condition of the buffers do not exactly match the description, score either a point higher or lower depending on whether the buffers are less or more dcgraded. Forest, scrub, native grassland or open water hurters are present for more than 100' around 95% of the circumference Forest, scrub, native grassland, or open water buffers wider than 100' for more than 1/2 of the wetland circumference, or a forest, scrub, grasslands, or open water buffers for more than 50' around 95% of the circumference. Forest, scrub, native grassland, or open water buffers wider than 100' for more than 1/4 of the wetland circumference, or a forest, scruh native grassland, or open watcr butler,; wider than 50' for more than 1/2 of the wetland circumference No roads, huildings or paved arcas withIn \()()' of the wetland for Illorl than Y5% of the wetland circumference. /No roads, buildings or paved areas within 25' or the wetland for more than 95% of the circumference, or No roads buildings or paved areas within 50' of the wetland for more than 1/2 of the wetland circumterence Paved areas, industrial areas or residenlial construction (wilh less than 50' bctween houses) are less than 25 feet from the wetland for more than Y5o/r, of the circumference of the wetland YES = () YI--,S =4 YES = 4 YES = 2 Score = 5 Score = 3 ~core = 2 ~lore = 2 Score 0 Score = 0 o - 31 4i. Connection to other hahitat areas' \;\L1ect the description which hest matches lhe -;ile heing evaluated -Is the wetland connected to, or part of, a riparian corridor at least 100' wide connecting two or more wetlands, or, is there an upland connection present> IO(), wide with good forest or shrub cover (>25% cover) connecting it with a Significant Habitat Area? YES = 5 - Is the wetland connected to any other Habitat Area with either 1) a forested/shrub corridor < 100' wide, or 2) a a corridor that is> J()()'wide, hut has a low vegetative cover less than 6 feet in height? YES =tV -Is the wetland connected to, or a part of. a riparian corridor hetwccn 50 - IO(), wide wilh scruh/shruh or forest cover connection to other wetlands'} YES = 1 - Is the wetland connected to any other Hahilat Area wilh narrow corridor (< lOOt) of low vegetation (< 6' in height)'! Yl:S = I - Is the wetland and its buller (if the hullcr is Icss than 50' wide) complctely isolatccl hy development (urhan, residential with a densily greatcr than 2/acrc, or industrial)? YES = 0 Now add the scores circled (for a.5a - a.5i above) to get a total. Is the Total greater than or equal to 22 points? YES = Category II @ Category III /7 32 ... Wetlands Rating Office Data Form Background Information: Name of Rater' n 5wA;J.5o~ Affiliation. SWAN' KESt> u..{l.LE5. Date: J 2 - 2 - q '-f Name of wetland (if known) ItJ,.S~l--\AL..L'i ESTATES, -\:iZ- Government Jurisdiction of weiland IHVlR...STD,J La .) C IT 'I DF YELM Location. 1/4 S NW or 1/4 S N E SEC 25 lWNSHP' 11 IV RNGE. I E: SOURCES OF INFORMATION (Check all sources that apply) Site visit: v USGS Topo Map ~ NWI map _ Aerial Photo ,../ Soils survey' ,/' Other- Describe When office and/or tield data t(xms are completed enter Category here .:II- ANSWER ALL QUl:--STIONS BELOW If the source agency identifies the wetland as satisfying any of the questions below circle the category in "CATEGORY" column. Category I Questions A. Is the wetland in a Section and Subsection that has been docu- mented as a habitat that performs a life support function for any State or Federally listed Threatened or Endangered plant or animal species? For the purposes of this rating "ystem, "documentcO" means the wetland is on the appropriate state database. NOTE. The rating of a wetland is incomplete in most cases without this documentation. B Does the wetland contain individuals of Federal or State-listed 1l1reatened or Endangered plant species, OR Does the wetland contain documented occurences of federal or state-listed Threatened or Endangered wildlife and species managed by the Washington Department of Wildlifl:? C Docs the wctlano ulOtain documented occurenccs or State or rederally listed Threatened or Endangered tish species. OR races or I1sh. managed oy the Washington Department or Wildlife or the Washington lkpartment or Hsheries? lO Data Source DNR- Natural Heritage, and WOW DNR- Natural Heritage WDW WOW, WDF Catagory (the highest qualities) Yes Next .Question @Go to Question D Y~ Category I @ Next Question Y t:S Category I 6) Next Question .. '. Wetlands Rating Office Data Form (continued) D Is the wetland already on record with the Washington Natural DNR- Yes Category I Heritage Program as a high quality native wetland? Natural @ Next Herilage Question E. Does the wetland contain documented regionally signilicant wnw @ Category I waterfowl or shorehird concenlralion area,,? No. Next Queslion F Is the wetland documented as a Category I Weiland of Local Local Yes Calegory I Signiticance? Government 8Next Question Category II Questions G Is the wetland in a Township, Section and Suhsection that has DNR- Yes Next been documented as a hahitat for any State listed Sensitive plant N mural ~estion or animal species? Heritage NO Go to Program, uestion K amI WDW H. Does the wetland contain individuals of State-listed '1cnsitive DNR Yes Cat II plant species? N al ural No Next Heritage Question I Does the wetland contain documented occurences of federalIy or WOW Yes Cat II state-listed sensitive wildlife species? No Next Question J Does the wetland contain documented occurences of state or WDF Yes Cat. II federalIy listed Sensitive tish species? WOW No Next Question K. Does the wetland contain priority species or habitats documented WDW Yes Cat. II , by Washington Department of Wildlife's Priority Habitats and No Next Species Program? Question L. Is the wetland documented ac; a Category II Wetland of Local Local @ Cat II Signiticance? Government No Next Question Category III Questions , M Is the wetland documented al) a Category III weiland of local I.ocal Yes Cat III signiticance. Government ~goto ating Field Data Form II 4 .. 6 Wetlands Rating Field Data Form Background Information: Name of Rater' v S vJ .tJ. ~ ~ Q,J Affiliation. .5WPrN K.E.s61A..(UGS Date 12. - Z.-CjLf Name of wetland (if known) ;\J l SQlAAL.L.'1 ESTA.TES ~2.... Government Jurisdiction of wetland 11-+l,qZSi b ...J CD. J C. "'lop. Y E L IV\ Location. 1/4 Section j'lJw of 114 <:; ;tJ E Section. 25 Township II N Range I E Sources of Information: (Check all sources that apply) Site visit: v USGS Topo Map ~ NWI map _ Aerial Photo ~ Soils survey ...----- Other' Descrihe When The Field Data form is complete enter Category here. c.c.... + li 3Lj pD'.>'I+S Q.1. High Quality Natural Wetland Circle Answers Answer this question if you have adequate information or experience to do so If not find someone with the expertise to answer the questions Then, if the answer to questions la, Ih and lc are all NO. contact the Natural Heritage program of DNR. 1a. Human caused disturbances. Is there significant evidence of human-caused changes to topography or hydrology of the wetland as indicated by any of the following conditions' Consider only changes that may have taken place in the last 5 decades. The impacts of changes done earlier have probahly heen stahilized and the wetland ecosystem will be close to reaching some new equilihrium that may represent a high quality wetland. lal Upstream watershed> 12% impervious lal. Wetland is ditched and water How is not ohstructed. la3 Wetland has been graded. filled. logged. la4 Water in wetland is controlled hy dikes, weirs, etc. laS Wetland is grazed. la6 Other indicators of disturbance (list below) Yes go to Q 2 Yes go to Q 2 09gotoQ2 Yes go to Q.2 Yes go to Q.2 Yes go to Q.2 No go to 1 h 25 Ib Are there populalions of non-native plants which arc currently present. cover more than 10% of the wetland. and appear to be invading native populations? Briefly describe any non-native plant populations and Information source(s) Ie. Is there evidence of human-caused disturbances which have visibly degraded water quality Evidence of the degradation of water quality include: direct (untreated) runoff from roads or parking lots; presence, or historic evidence, of waste dumps. oily sheens; the smell of organic chemicals. or lifestock use. Briefly describe YES go to Q.2 No go to Ie. YES go to Q.2 NO Possible Cat. I contact DNR Q.2. Irreplaceable Ecological Functions: Docs the wetland. 1).NQ.to all go to Q 3) 9 have at least 1/4 acre of organic <;oils dc"Cpcr than 16 inches [/YES'\o to 2a and the wetland is relatively undisturbed, OR KY' [IIfthe answer is NO because the wetland is disturhed briefly describe: Indicators of disturbance may include: - Wetland has been graded. filled. logged. - Organic soils on the surface are dried-out for more than half of the year; - Wetland receives direct stormwater runoff from urban or agricultural areas.], OR 9 have a forested c1a..<;s greater than 1 acre. OR e have characteristics of an estuarine system. OR e have eel gra.<;s Boating or non-t1oating kelp beds? 2a. Bogs and Fens Are any of the three following conditions met for the area of organic soil? 2a.1 Are Sphagnum mosses a common ground cover (>30%) and the cover of invasive species (see Table 3) is less than 10%? Is the area of sphagnum mosses and deep organic soils> 1/2 acre? Is the area of sphagnum mosses and deep organic soils 1/4-1/2 acre? 2a.2. Is there an area of organic soil which has an emergent class with at least one species from Table 2 and cover of invasive species is < 10% (see Table 3)'1 Is the area of herbaceous plants and deep organic soils> 1/2 acre? Is the area of herbaceous plants and deep organic soils 1/4-1/2 acre? I 26 I/--;::~ f'--.~" Go to 2b YES Go to 2c YES Go to 2d YES Category I YES Category II @GO to 2a.3 YES YES Category I Category II . ~ .' f) I NO Go to 2a.3 4.~ "<i 2a.3 Is the vegetation a mixture of only herbaceous plants and I;)phagnum mosses with no scrub/shrub or forested classes! Is the area of herbaceous plants. Sphagnum, and deep organic soils> In acre? Is the area of herbaceous plants, Sphagnum, and deep organic soils 1/4-1/2 acre? Q,2b, Mature forested wetland. 2b 1 Does 50% of the cover of upper forest canopy consist of evergreen trees older than 80 years or deciduous trees older than 50 years? Note The size of trees is often not a measure of age, and size cannot be used as a surrogate for age (see guidance) 2b.2. Does 50% of the cover of forest canopy consist of evergreen trees older than 50 years, AND is the structural diversity of the forest high as characterized by an additional layer of trees 20'-49' tall, shruhs 6' - 20', tall, and a herhaceous groundcover) 2b 3 Does < 25% of the areal cover in the herhaceous/groundcover or the shrub layer consist of invasive/exotic plant species from the list on p 19'! Q.2c. Estuarine wetlands. 2cl Is the wetland listed as National WildlilC Refuge, National Park. National Estuary Reserve. Natural Area Preserve. State Park. or Educational, Environmental or Scientit1c Reserves designated under WAC 332-30-151? 2c.2 Is the wetland> 5 acres. Note If an area contains patches of salt tolerant vegetation that are 1) less than 600 feet apart and that are separated hy mudnats that go dry on a Mean Low Tide. or 2) separated by tidal channels that are less than 100 feet wide, all the vegetated areas are to he considered together in l.aiL:ulaling the wetland area. or is the wetland 1-5 acres; or is the wetland < 1 acre? YES Category I YES Category II @otoQ3 YES Category I @ Go to 20.2 ~~~ Go to 2b 3 ~GotoQ3 YES Category I NO Go to Q ~ YES Calegory I NO Go to 2c.2 YES Category I YES Go to 2c 3 YES Go to 2c 4 27 2c.3 Does the wetland meet at least 3 of the following 4 criteria. - minimum existing evidence of human related disturbance such as diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing or the presence of non- native plant species (see guidance t()[ definition), - surface water connection with tidal saltwater or tidal freshwater; - at least 75% of the wetland has a 100' buffer of ungrazed pasture, open water, shrub or forest, - has at least 3 of the following features low marsh, high marsh, tidal channels; lagoon(s);woody debris, or contiguous freshwater wetland. 2cA Does the wetland meet all of the four criteria under 2c3 (above)'! Q.2d. Eel Grass and Kelp Beds. 2d.l Are eel grass beds present'! 2d.2. Are there floating or non-floating kelp bed(s) present with greater than 50% macro algal cover in the month of August or September'! 0.3. Category IV wetlands. 3a. Is the wetland. less than 1 acre and, hydrologically isolated and. comprised of one vegetated class that is dominated (> 80% areal cover) by one species from Table 3 (page 19) or Table 4 (page 20 ) 3b Is the wetland. less than two acres and, hydrologically isolated, with one vegetated class, and> 90% of areal cover is any combination of species from Table 3 (page 19) 3c. Is the wetland excavated from upland and a pond smaller than 1 acre without a surface water connection to streams, lakes, rivers, or other wetland, and has < 0.1 acre of vegetation. 28 ~ .~b YES Category I NO' Category II YES Category II NO' Category III YES Category I NO go to 2d.2 YES Category I NO Category II 7:~ Category IV ~ go to 3b YE$ Category IV ~ go to 3c YE~ Category IV ~ go to Q 4 c'"'- .... Q.4. Significant habitat value. Answer all questions and enter data requested. 4a. Total wetland area Estimate area. select from choices in the near-right column. and score in the far column. Enter acreage of wetland here:~acres, and source: es-i-Iv"'n.c~ff.. ~~ CH!A"t<..\ f \.,.+0 4b. Wetland classes: Circle the wetland classes below that qualify' Open Watee if the area of open water is > 1/4 acre Aquatic Beds if the area of aquatic beds> 1/4 acre, ([Emergent: if the area of emergent class is > 1/4 acre, I-- V&rub-Shrub. f the area of scrub-shrub class is > 1/4 acre, '- ~if area of forested class is > 1/4 acre, '--- Add the number of wetland classes, above, that qualify, and then score according to the columns at right. e.g. If there are 4 classes (aquatic beds, open water, emergent & scruh- shrub), you would circle 8 points in the far right column. 4c. Plant species diversity For each wetland class (at right) that qualities in 4b above, count the number of dilkrent plant species you can tind that cover more than 5% of the ground. You do not have to name them. ~ Aquatic Iled Score in column at far right. e.g. If a wetland has an aquatic bed class with 3 species, an emergent class with 4 species and a scrub-shrub class with 2 species you would circle 2, 2, and 1 in the far column. Note Any plant species with a cover of> 5% qualifies for points within a class, even those that are not of that cla'is. Emergent "crub-Shruh Forestt:d Circle scores that qualify aru:.s I2Q.inls > 200 6 40- 200 5 10-40 4 5-10 CD 1-5 2 o I - ! I <O! () # of classes I 2 CD 4 5 # ~pt:ck~ in class I 2 3 >3 I 2-3 4-5 6> 1 2 1-4 c8) I 2 @ >4 fllin1s. o 3 CD 8 I() lJ.2i.n.b. o 1 2 3 o 1 2 (b () I 2 CD () I W 3 ----- 29 Ij 4d, Structural diversity If the wetland has a forested class, add I pomt If each of the followmg classes IS present within the forested class and IS larger than I /4 acre -trees> 50' tall -trees 20' 49' tall -shrubs -herbaceous ground cover Also add I pomt if there is any "open water" or "aquatic bed" class immediately next to the forested area (ie there IS no scrub/shrub or emergent vegetatlOn between them) 4e. Decide from the diagrams below whether interspersion between wetland classes IS high, moderate, low or none') If you thmk the amount of mtcrsperslOn falls in between the diagrams score accordmgly (I e a moderately high amount of instersperslOn would \core a 4, while a moderately low amount would score a 2) none low moderate moderate 4f Habitat features. Answer questions below, circle features that apply, and <;core to nght. Is there evidence that the open or standing water was caused by beavers Is a heron rookery located within 300'? Are raptor nesUs located within 300'? Are there at least 3 st:mding dead trees (snags) per acre greater than 10" m diameter at "breast height" (OS H)'! Are there at least 3 downed logs per acre With a diameter > 6" lor at least 10' m length'! Are there areas (vegetated or unvegetated) withm the wetland that arc ponded for at least 4 months out of the year, and the wetland has not quail lied as havmg an open water class in Question 4b ? 30 YES .(i) YES .(i) YES d> YES{j) YES - I High - 5 Moderate -Q) Low - I None - 0 low hIgh YES = 2 YES = 1 YES = I YES = YES = CD YES = 2 pO ~.I> ~ 3 I <3 V <1 ,. "" K 4g. Connection to streams. (Score one answer only.) 4g.1 Does the wetland provide habitat for t1sh at any time of the year AND does it have a perennial surface water connection to a fish bearing stream. YES = 6 4g.2 Docs the wetland provide fish habitat seasonally AND docs it have a seasonal surface water connection to a fish bearing stream. YES = 4 4g.3 Does the wetland function to export organic matter through a surface water connection at all times of the year to a perennial stream. YES = 4 ~ ~ 4g.4 Does the wetland function to export organic matter through a surface water connection to a stream on a seasonal basis? YES = 2 {,ec= 1'\,,+ 4h. Buffers. Score the existing buffers on a scale of 1-5 based on the following four descriptions. If the condition of the buffers do not exactly match the description, score either a point higher or lower depending on whether the buffers are less or more degraded. Forest, scrub, native grassland or open water butTers are present for more than 1()()'around 95% of the circumference Score = 5 (j) , Forest, scrub, native grassland, or open water buffers wider than IOO' for more than 1/2 of the wetland circumference, or a forest, scrub, grasslands, or open water buffers for more than 50' around 95% of the circumference. Score = 3 Forest, scrub, native grassland, or open water buffers wider than IO()' for more than 1/4 of the wetland circumference, or a forest, scrub, native grassland, or open water buffer,> wider than 50' for more than 1/2 of the wetland circumference Score = 2 No roads, buildings or paved area~ within IO()' or the wetland lor l110re t11an 95% of the wetland circumference. Score = 2 No roads, buildings or paved areas within 25' of the wetland for more than 95% of the circumference. or No roads buildings or paved areas within 50' of the wetland for more than 1/2 of the wetland circumference Score = 1 Paved areas, industrial areas or residential construction (with less than 50' between houses) are less than 25 leet from the wetland t()r more than 95% of the circumference of the wetland. Score = () J.I c:: -1f ,NO,E 45 - -th<<. we-tl",--",J.; c.~V\$\Je-.;c.J. /AS c- wlA."I<:) WOLA.l&. reC",,,c. to ~C.\,,+s bu-s<?J;. "'" ds cO"">1~<:-t'd"'" -1-" ih""""rs",,, Cr<~k (W~IA II-OcJ41)) v.. +,~\.,. be,"-r.~~ l>'h~O'~ 4 ::FA V"C \ ro~J.- 0" ThC-. c....d.jc..c<>v.,.. p rv r"""+1 +0 -thc.. we;.+ I :'0\"'-+t"5 ,he.. w(.,+I""".I... 0"'- +kc... CCl-"f....,.d'cr- r -ti-\c.. we--\-l~ A.~ <- ,-,,""'\e.. Hy;:.(ra.<-<-\\(. Cd"''''lC:t/h~"" f "'''fe<+l rr""" be.t......c.e..... t-h.e.. p~h oJ iJ...<. k>e+l"-,,,,-J.. IS frel.......I.L, .5'-\.bs....,,*<-.cc Lf 31 4i. Connection to other hahitat areas. ~ekctlhc description which hcst matches Ihe -;ile heing evalualed. -Is the wetland connected to, or part of, a riparian corridor at lea,>t 100' wide connecting two or more wetlands, or, is there an upland connection present> }()()' wide with good forest or shrub cover (>25% cover) connecting it with a Significant Habitat Area? _ Is the wetland connected to any other Habitat Area with either 1) a forested/shrub corridor < 100' wide, or 2) a a corridor that is > loo'wide, but has a low vegetative cover less than 6 feet in height? -Is the wetland connected to, or a part of. a riparian corridor hctwccn 50 - WO' wide with scruh/shrub or forest covcr connection to other wctlands? _ Is the wetland conneclcd to any olher Hahilat Area with narrow corridor (< J()()') of low vegetation (< ()' in heighl)? _ Is the wetland and its hutTer (if the hutTer is less than 50' wide) compktcly isolated by development (urban, residential with a density greater than 2/acre, or industria!)? YES =cD YES=3 YES = 1 YES = I YES = () Now add the scores circled (for 0.5a - 0.5i above) to get a total. 34 Is the Total greater than or equal to 22 points? CY~ Category II NO = Category III 32 'v ,. ~--- ~ s