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20130331 FHA Addendum--Weber 07202017WETLANDS )LIFE Environmental Consulting ADDENDUM TO THE PREVIOUS FEMA FLOODPLAIN HABITAT ASSESSMENT REPORT CITY OF YELM, WA (PARCEL #227192403000) PREPARED FOR: Mr. Randy Weber 26550 SE 354th Place Black Diamond, WA 98010 PREPARED BY: Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. 7721 -1531d Street SE Snohomish, WA 98296 (425) 337 -6450 March 29, 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS PROJECT SITE DESCRIPTION BRIEF DISCUSSION REGARDING PERMIT HISTORY AND CITY OF YELM REQUIREMENTS METHODOLOGIES OF THIS ADDENDUM TO THE PREVIOUS FEMA FLOODPLAIN HABITAT ASSESSMENT 1 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT SUMMARY OF FINDINGS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ADDITIONAL EVALUATION LIMITATIONS AND USE OF THIS REPORT 3 REFERENCES AND LITERATURE REVIEWED 4 PROJECT SITE DESCRIPTION This report is related to real property which is located at the intersection of Rhoton Road SE and Northern Pacific Road NW in the City of Yelm, Washington (located in a portion of Section 19, Township 17N, Range 02E, W.M.). The Thurston County tax parcel number for the property follows: 22719240300. Based upon information gained from the Thurston County Assessor's Office, the site encompasses approximately 7.51 acres and is zoned for Industrial use. The property is currently owned by Randy and Linda Weber. Vehicular site access is gained from the east via Rhoton Road SE, as shown on the project plan set. The property is located within the Nisqually River Watershed and the Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 11. BRIEF DISCUSSION REGARDING PERMIT HISTORY AND CITY OF YELM REQUIREMENTS Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. was originally retained by Mr. Randy Weber (permit applicant) to conduct a FEMA Floodplain Habitat Assessment per FEMA guidelines. Our original Floodplain Habitat Assessment associated with the subject property dated June 10, 2013 was approved by the City of Yelm as part of the project plan reviews for the City of Yelm Project SPR -07- 0276 -YL. The plans were approved, in part based on information contained in the original FEMA Floodplain Habitat Assessment prepared by Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. The permit applicant has recently been made aware that the previous project approval is not vested as related to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Consequently, the City of Yelm requested that Mr. Weber provide an update to the original Floodplain Habitat Assessment to ensure that the proposed project complies with current FEMA flood hazard area guidelines. This addendum is supplied to the City of Yelm on behalf of Mr. Weber to confirm that the findings of the previous Floodplain Habitat Assessment remain consistent with and comply with current FEMA guidelines related to ESA - listed species. METHODOLOGIES OF THIS ADDENDUM TO THE PREVIOUS FEMA FLOODPLAIN HABITAT ASSESSMENT Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. conducted site visits to the subject property on February 18, 2013 and May 9, 2013 for the purpose of evaluating the proposed project for the purpose of evaluating the existing site conditions in conjunction with the specific criteria in FEMA's Floodplain Habitat Assessment and Model Ordinance related to compensatory flood storage. Subsequent to the original FEMA Floodplain Habitat Assessment which was prepared in June 2013, FEMA has updated relevant guidance documents related to preparation of Floodplain Habitat Assessments. The Floodplain Habitat Assessment and Mitigation Draft Regional Guidance document was last updated in August 2013 and the Model Ordinance for Floodplain Management under the National Flood Insurance Program and the Endangered Species Act was last updated in November 2013. This addendum to the previous FEMA Floodplain Habitat Assessment reviews the proposed project to confirm that project components comply with the current FEMA regulations and are in accordance with current FEMA guidance documents. Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. March 29, 2017 Addendum to the Previous Approved FEMA Floodplain Habitat Assessment Report City of Yelm, Washington (Tax Parcel #227192403000) Page 1 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT The applicant proposes grading the eastern portion of the property through placement of fill materials to an approximate elevation level of 335 feet above sea level. In order to provide equivalent potential flood storage capacity on the site, the applicant is proposing to remove (cut) 3,650 cubic yards of existing soil (equivalent volume to that which is proposed for fill) from 83,350 square feet of area which is located among the western portion of the property. This project will result in a balanced cut and fill volume, and the proposed cut will maintain the level of flood storage capacity that currently exists on the site, while also creating a more connected floodplain for Yelm Creek. To ensure that no net loss of ecological functions and values occurs to the FEMA Flood Hazard Areas or on -site critical areas, the applicant is proposing to restore the entire 83,350 square feet (1.91 acres) of temporarily impacted / graded areas by planting native trees and shrubs. Please note that per recent correspondence with the permit applicant, the proposed project activities are identical to the proposed project activities that we previously evaluated in early 2013. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ADDITIONAL EVALUATION As part of the 2013 updated FEMA guidance documents related to preparation of FEMA Floodplain Habitat Assessments, FEMA places strong emphasis on compensatory flood storage and restoring / replacing any potential impacts to habitat components and vegetation among Flood Hazard Areas. Therefore, Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. examined the project plans associated with this grading permit in that manner to ensure compliance with these emphases provided by the FEMA guidance documents. As previously stated, the proposed project will result in a balanced cut and fill volume, and the proposed cut of 3,650 cubic yards will provide effective compensatory flood storage in order to maintain the level of flood storage capacity that currently exists on the site. In addition, the applicant is proposing to restore the entire 83,350 square feet of temporarily impacted / graded areas by planting native trees and shrubs in close proximity to the Yelm Creek. Based on confirmation of this project proposal, the proposed project clearly adheres to the emphases by FEMA related to compensatory flood storage and habitat restoration which will aid in an increase in ecological functions among the FEMA Flood Hazard Areas. As stated in our original FEMA Floodplain Habitat Assessment, it remains the professional opinion of Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. that the project has been specifically designed to avoid adverse ecological impacts to any Critical Areas, buffers, or habitat for ESA - listed species, in accordance with industry standards and City of Yelm requirements. This project will result in a balanced cut and fill volume, and the proposed cut will increase floodplain area adjacent to Yelm Creek that will allow for effective and natural floodplain processes to occur. There is no above - ground hydrologic connection between the project's work area and fish - bearing waters, so the project will have no effect on the EFH within the Action Area. It is the professional opinion of Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. that the proposed project will not cause an adverse impact to any species that are protected under the Endangered Species Act. This professional opinion is dependent on the project applicant and all associated project proponents implementing the balanced cut and fill to achieve no reduction of compensatory flood storage on the subject property and to restore the habitat among the Flood Hazard Areas on -site following the grading activities, in accordance with the requirements Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. March 29, 2017 Addendum to the Previous Approved FEMA Floodplain Habitat Assessment Report City of Yelm, Washington (Tax Parcel #227192403000) Page 2 outlined in the FEMA Regional Guidance Document and FEMA Model Ordinance. Therefore, no additional mitigation efforts are required or proposed as related to this FEMA Floodplain Habitat Assessment. LIMITATIONS AND USE OF THIS REPORT This Addendum to the Previous Approved FEMA Floodplain Habitat Assessment Report is supplied to Randy Weber as a means of determining compliance with the Floodplain Habitat Assessment and Mitigation Regional Guidance document produced by FEMA. This addendum is intended to be reviewed in conjunction with the FEMA Floodplain Habitat Assessment report prepared by Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. dated June 10, 2013 and in conjunction with the associated permit application materials. This report is intended to provide information deemed relevant in the applicant's attempt to comply with the environmental regulations currently in effect. No attempt has been made to determine hidden or concealed conditions. If hidden or concealed conditions arise, the information contained in this report may change. This addendum is based upon review of current and pertinent background literature, familiarity with the project site and the biological conditions of the general vicinity, best professional judgment, and many years of experience as a professional ecologist in different capacities throughout the Puget Sound region. The information contained in this report only includes an assessment to determine compliance of the proposed project with the fish and wildlife habitat protection portions outlined in the FEMA Model Ordinance and supporting Regional Guidance document discussed herein. The laws applicable to this assessment and environmental regulations are subject to varying interpretations and may be changed at any time by the courts or legislative bodies. The work for this report has conformed to the standard of care employed by professional ecologists in the Puget Sound region. No other representation or warranty is made concerning our work or this report, and any implied representation or warranty is disclaimed. This report constitutes a proposal and does not guarantee approval by the federal, state, and/or local jurisdiction(s). Therefore, the proposal associated with this report shall not commence until all applicable permits have been received from all appropriate agencies. If any questions arise regarding this review or report, please contact me directly at (425) 337 -6450. Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. Scott Spooner Owner/ Principal Wetland & Wildlife Ecologist Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. Addendum to the Previous Approved FEMA Floodplain Habitat Assessment Report City of Yelm, Washington (Tax Parcel #227192403000) March 29, 2017 Page 3 REFERENCES AND LITERATURE REVIEWED FEMA Region 10. Floodplain Habitat Assessment and Mitigation Regional Guidance. August 2013. http: / /www.fema.gov /pdf/ about /regions /regionx/nfip_esa_ guidance_ docs /habitat_assessment_guide_ final. FEMA Region 10. Model Ordinance for Floodplain Management under the National Flood Insurance Program and the Endangered Species Act. November 2013. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Endangered and Threatened Species under NMFS' Jurisdiction. NOAA. Publications; Regulations Describing Critical Habitat for the Puget Sound Chinook ESU as published in the Federal Register on Sept. 2, 2005 (70FR52630 - 52858). http: / /www.westcoast.fisheries. noaa.gov/ publications /frn /2005 /70fr52685. Of. Pacific Fishery Management Council. Identification and Description of Essential Fish Habitat, Adverse Impacts, and Recommended Conservation Measures for Salmon (Appendix A). 1999. http://www.pcouncil.org/wp-contenVuploads/99efhl.pdf#paqe=l 0. Washington State Department of Transportation. Biological Assessment Preparation for Transportation Projects - Advanced Training Manual. (Version 02- 2013). http: / /www.wsdot.wa.gov /Environment /Biologv /BA/BAguidance. htm #Manual . Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. March 29, 2017 Addendum to the Previous Approved FEMA Floodplain Habitat Assessment Report City of Yelm, Washington (Tax Parcel #227192403000) Page 4