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Delineation / Mitigation / Restoration / Habitat Creation / Permit Assistance 9505 19th Avenue S.E.
Suite 106
Everett, Washington 98208
(425) 337-3174
Fax (425) 337-3045
June 27, 2018
Don Berger
693 Melody Lane
Edmonds, WA 98020
RE: Site Assessment and Functional Analysis: Snohomish County Tax ID
#27031300308200
On June 14, 2018, Wetland Resources, Inc. (NW) conducted an on -site assessment and functional
analysis for the above referenced parcel, located at 693 Melody Lane in Edmonds, WA. The
purpose of this investigation was to evaluate an off -site wetland identified by the City of
Edmonds, the associated wetland buffer, and potential buffer impacts associated with the
proposed addition to the existing single-family residence on the property. The site is located
within a portion of Section 13, Township 27N, Range 03E, W.M.
SITE DESCRIPTION
The subject property is accessed from the west via Melody Lane. It contains a single-family
residence, associated access drive, and maintained lawn and landscaping. The site is moderately
sloped with a west -facing aspect. Soils on the site are mapped by the NRCS web soil survey as
Everett very gravelly sandy loam, 0-8 percent slopes. Surrounding land use consists of single-
family residential use. A wetland associated with the mouth of Shell Creek is located west of
Melody Lane.
SITE ASSESSMENT AND FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS
Wetland and Buffer Assessment
The wetland located to the west of Melody Lane is approximately 60 feet west of the western
boundary of the subject parcel. The wetland was evaluated from the right-of-way of Melody
Lane. It contains an emergent area, dominated by broadleaf cattail (Ty ha latifolia), with a scrub -
shrub area upslope, dominated by Pacific willow (Salix lasiandra) and Sitka willow (Salix sitchensis).
Further upstream the wetland becomes forested and contains Western red cedar (Thuja plicata)
and black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa). Redwing blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) were observed
and other songbird activity was detected in the wetland during the site investigation. A wetland
rating was not completed, but based on a general assessment of wetland functions and values
WRI expects that it would receive a 165 to 225-foot protective buffer. Therefore, the prescribed
buffer would extend approximately 105 to 165 feet onto the subject property.
Wetland Resources, Inc.
June 27, 2018
1 693,Mc1ody Lane
CITY COPY JUN 2 9 2J E3
CITY OF E1)fVidN1J5
Functional Analysis
Pursuant to Edmonds Community Development Code (ECDC), adjacent areas that are
physically separated from a stream or wetland may be exempted from the prescribed buffer
widths.
ECDC 23.40.220.C.4
`Development Proposal within Interrupted Stream or Wetland Buffers. Adjacent areas that may be physicaly
separated from a stream or wetland due to existing, lqolyestablished structures or paved areas may be exempted
from the prescribed buffer widths if proven scientifirally to be functionally isolated from the stream or wetland. The
director will require the applicant to provide a site assessment and functional analysis documentation report by a
qualfized critical area consultant that demonstrates the interrupted buffer area is functionally isolated. The director
shall consider the hydrologic, geologic, and/or biological habitat connection potential and the extent and permanence
of the physical separation. "
The subject property is physically separated from the wetland and stream by an existing paved
roadway (Melody Lane). Any portion of the wetland buffer that would extend west of Melody
Lane onto the subject property would not provide significant protection to wetland functions.
The basis of this assessment comes from review and analysis of Best Available Science on the
topic of buffer functions. Chapter 5 of the Washington State Department of Ecology Guidance
Document entitled "Freshwater Wetlands in Washington State Volume 1: A Synthesis of the Science"
provides a comprehensive analysis of buffer functions. The following, taken directly from the
aforementioned document, is a list of the functions provided by buffers. 1.) removing sediment;
2.) removing excess nutrients; 3.) removing toxics; 4.) influencing microclimate, 5.) maintaining
adjacent habitat; 6.) screening adjacent disturbances; and 7.) maintaining habitat connectivity.
Functions numbered 1-3 relate to water quality improvement. Stormwater from the subject
property flows west into catch basins in Melody Lane and is then piped to the north and
discharges directly into Puget Sound (see Figure 1). Therefore, the property is hydrologically
disconnected from the wetland and provides no water quality contribution or improvement for
the wetland.
Wetland Resources, Inc. 2 693 Melody Lane
June 27, 2018 WRI #18156
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Figure 1: Stormwater from the property flows to Puget Sound via the piped stormwater system.
(Source: City of Edmonds GIS interactive online map)
Function 4 relates to the influence of the buffer on microclimate. The presence of Melody Lane
interrupts the microclimate created by vegetation adjacent to the wetland, disconnecting it from
the microclimate occurring across the road from the wetland. Therefore, any portion of the
buffer that may occur west of the road does not influence the microclimate of the subject
wetland.
Functions numbered 5-7 relate to wildlife habitat. Buffer isolation created by the road and a
chain link fence that runs along the eastern side of Melody Lane eliminates connectivity of the
subject property to the wetland for all but avian species (see Figure 2). Due to the disconnection,
any portion of the buffer that may occur east of the road does not provide a significant influence
on wildlife habitat functions of the wetland.
Wetland Resources, Inc. 3 693 Melody Lane
June 27, 2018 WRI #18156
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SUBJECT PROPERTY
OFF -SITE WETLAND
Figure 2: Melody Lane and chain link fencing physically separate potential wildlife habitat
connectivity between the wetland and the subject property (looking north).
(Source: Google Maps)
The existing paved roadway of Melody Lane is a permanent feature and functionally isolates the
wetland west of the road from the subject property. Therefore, the buffer of the wetland should
not extend beyond the limits of the western edge of Melody Lane.
CONCLUSION
A wetland lies west of Melody Lane, west of the subject property. The wetland buffer is
interrupted by Melody Lane and should not cast onto the subject property. No other wetlands or
streams occur in the vicinity of the subject property. Therefore no buffer impacts will result from
the proposed project.
Wetland Resources, Inc. 4 693 Melody Lane
June 27, 2018 WRI #18156
USE OF THIS REPORT
This Site Assessment and Functional Analysis is supplied to Don Berger as a means of evaluating
the off -site wetland and associated buffer as required by the City of Edmonds during the
permitting process. This report is based largely on readily observable conditions and, to a lesser
extent, on readily ascertainable conditions. No attempt has been made to determine hidden or
concealed conditions.
The laws applicable to critical areas are subject to varying interpretations and may be changed at
any time by the courts or legislative bodies. This report is intended to provide information
deemed relevant in the applicant's attempt to comply with the laws now in effect.
This report conforms to the standard of care employed by ecologists. No other representation or
warranty is made concerning the work or this report and any implied representation or warranty
is disclaimed.
Wetland Resources, Inc.
Joie Goodman
Associate Ecologist
Wetland Resources, Inc. 5 693 Melody Lane
June 27, 2018 WRI #18156