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Year 2 Monitoring Report--Lewis Edmonds.pdf CAR RITICAL REAS EPORT MPMRY2 ITIGATION LAN ONITORING EPORTEAR KCTP#262607-9082 ING OUNTY AX ARCEL LP(18910SVP) EWIS ROPERTY OUND IEW LACE CE,WA(P#00498400000400) ITY OF DMONDS ARCEL PF: REPARED OR Jeff and Maureen Lewis P.O. box 1133 Edmonds, WA 98020 ________________________________________________ PB: REPARED Y Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. 7721--153 Street SE rd Snohomish, WA 98296 (425) 337-6450 June 9, 2017 TC ABLE OF ONTENTS ISBPH 1 NTRODUCTION OF ITE AND RIEF ROJECT ISTORY SQCCAE 1 TATEMENT OF UALIFICATIONS TO ONDUCT THIS RITICAL REAS VALUATION PSSACAR 2 ERFORMANCE TANDARDS HOWN IN THE PPROVED RITICAL REAS EPORT MMPM 2 ETHODOLOGIES OF ITIGATION LAN ONITORING RFMPM 3 ESULTS AND INDINGS OF ITIGATION LAN ONITORING CRMPM 4 ONCLUSIONS ELATED TO THE ITIGATION LAN ONITORING PRRMPM 4 ROFESSIONAL ECOMMENDATIONS ELATED TO THE ITIGATION LAN ONITORING LUR 5 IMITATIONS AND SE OF THIS EPORT PDCMA 6 HOTOGRAPHS TO OCUMENT ONDITIONS OF ITIGATION REAS A: TTACHMENT 1.PPLM(MPM) MSPP1.00 HOTO OINT OCATIONS AP ITIGATION LAN ONITORINGAP HEET ISBPH NTRODUCTION OF ITE AND RIEF ROJECT ISTORY The subject property is located at 18910 Sound View Place in the incorporated City of Edmonds, Washington (located in the NW Quarter of Section 13, Township 27N, Range 03E, W.M.). The tax parcel number for the project site follows: 00498400000400 property encompasses approximately 0.31 acres and is currently owned by Jeff and Maureen Lewis. A single- family residence exists on the property. Vehicular site access is gained from travelling west from Sound View Place, a public asphalt roadway. The property owners implemented a stream buffer mitigation plan in 2015 in association with additions to an existing single-family residence on the subject parcel. As part of the 2015 building permit application, a Critical Areas Report and Mitigation Plan was reviewed and approved by City of Edmonds. The property owners planted 1,167 square feet of native plants to enhance the on-site stream buffer and mitigate for impacts to the stream buffer adjacent the residence. Per the approved Critical Areas Report and Mitigation Plan and City of Edmonds code, annual monitoring reports are to be submitted to the City documenting the success and survival of the proposed enhancement plantings for a minimum of three (3) years from the date of plant installation to ensure that the performance standards outlined in the approved mitigation plan have been met. Although a Year 1 monitoring report was not submitted to the City, the property owners have completed Year 2 monitoring. Per the City of Edmonds code and May 9, 2017 email correspondence from Michael Clugston (Associate Planner, City of Edmonds) to Jeff Lewis, the Year 3 report will be submitted in 2018 and will lead to release of the performance bond if the performance standards for the mitigation planting have been met. This report is intended to be submitted to the City of Edmonds on behalf of Jeff and Maureen Lewis and is intended as the second annual monitoring report (Year 2) related to the approved mitigation plan on the subject project. SQCCAE TATEMENT OF UALIFICATIONS TO ONDUCT THIS RITICAL REAS VALUATION The following provides a brief overview of my experience and credentials to conduct the detailed evaluations on the subject property. I am the Founder, Owner, and Principal Wetland and Wildlife Ecologist of Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. I attended the University of Montana where I graduated cum laude with a degree in Wildlife Biology. As of 2017, I have 16 years of direct experience as a professional Biologist/Ecologist in western Washington and 20 years of overall experience completing natural resource assessments among many different ecosystems across the western United States. I have worked as a professional Biologist/Ecologist for federal, state, and county environmental agencies, as well as several private environmental consulting firms with specialties in wetlands, streams, rivers, lakes, and wildlife habitat. In my 20 years of experience, I have specialized in review of proposed land use and building development permit applications as they pertain to Critical Areas (wetlands, rivers, streams, lakes, and habitats of protected fish and wildlife species), including several years of experience as a Senior Reviewing Ecologist for King County DDES and a Regulatory Biologist for Snohomish County PDS. I am listed on several Preferred / Qualified Consultant Rosters throughout western Washington. I am highly Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. June 9, 2017 Mitigation Plan Monitoring ReportYear 2 19810 Sound View Place (Incorporated City of Edmonds, WA) Page 1 experienced with the required U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Washington State wetland delineation methods. In addition to the wetland delineation certification, I am trained by the Washington Department of Ecology and have 11 years of experience in the use of the required Wetland Rating Form for western Washington (since its inception). I am trained by the Washington Department of Ecology to determine Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) locations for rivers, streams, and lakes. In addition to my expertise related to wetlands and streams, I have many years of experience conducting surveys of special-status wildlife species in the western U.S. I received certifications from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for terrestrial wildlife habitat assessments and surveys of special-status wildlife species. Over the past 20 years, I have conducted over 1,600 biological / ecological assessments in different capacities on properties with many habitat types and zoning designations, from small, urban properties (0.25 acres) to large, rural properties (up to 2,000 acres in size). I have been selected by several local city jurisdictions to provide on-call 3rd-party environmental reviews of proposed development projects for compliance with local Critical Areas Ordinances and the FEMA Floodplain Habitat Assessment and Mitigation document. PSSACAR ERFORMANCE TANDARDS HOWN IN THE PPROVED RITICAL REAS EPORT The City of Edmonds approved the following performance standards, related to the planted shrub and tree survival, as outlined in the Critical Areas Report and Proposed Mitigation Plan prepared by Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. and dated March 24, 2015: Performance Standards Monitoring Year after installation Year One Year Two Year Three Shrub and Sapling Tree Cover** >20% >30% >40% Shrub and Sapling Tree Survival** 100% >90% >80% Percent Non-native, Invasive Species <20% <20% <20% **NOTE: The performance standards above include beneficial native plants in that naturally pioneer in the planted area. Also note that the percent cover performance standards shown above are related to bare ground areas that are planted with the full cover requirements and these percentages do not apply to those areas where vegetation is planted among existing vegetation (underplanted / interplanted). MMPM ETHODOLOGIES OF ITIGATION LAN ONITORING Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. conducted a site visit to the property on May 18, 2017 for the purposes of monitoring the enhancement planting areas to determine if the plantings currently meet the performance standards as outlined in the approved Critical Areas Report and Proposed Mitigation Plan dated March 24, 2015. Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. traversed the mitigation planting areas to examine each plant that was required to be planted as part of the approved mitigation planting plan as a means of determining survival and approximate cover percentages. Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. June 9, 2017 Mitigation Plan Monitoring ReportYear 2 19810 Sound View Place (Incorporated City of Edmonds, WA) Page 2 In addition to traversing the mitigation planting areas and examining each plant, Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. took photographs at a total of six (6) photo points in representative locations. Please view the Photo Point Locations Map (Map Sheet PP1.00) attached to this report to view the location of the 6 photo points, and please view the 6 dated photographs which are embedded at the end of this report. These photographs represent the vegetative conditions among the mitigation areas as of May 18, 2017. Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. also examined the ecological site conditions that may create beneficial OR adverse effects among the mitigation planting areas. Please see the sections below for information. RFMPM ESULTS AND INDINGS OF ITIGATION LAN ONITORING Please review the tables below which provide results of the Year 2 monitoring completed on May 18, 2017: Approved Buffer Enhancement Plantings Among Buffer Enhancement Area A (approx. 715 SF) Qty. Qty. Common Name Latin Name Approved Survived Yr. 2 Survival % 1. Beaked hazelnut Corylus cornuta 3 3 100 2. Snowberry Symphoricarpos albus 3 3 100 3. Salal Gaultheria shallon 6 11 183 4. Sword Fern Polystichum munitum 10 11 110 5. False lily-of-the-valley Maianthemum dilitatum 10 10 100 6. Pacific bleeding heart Dicentra formosa 8 9 113 7. Goatsbeard Aruncus dioicus 4 4 100 8. Field Horsetail Equisetum arvense 0 15 Natural Pioneers Approved Buffer Enhancement Plantings Among Buffer Enhancement Area B (approx. 452 SF) Qty. Qty. Common Name Latin Name Approved Survived Yr. 2 Survival % 1. Western red cedar Thuja plicata 2 2 100 2. Douglas fir Pseudotsuga menziesii 1 1 100 3. Beaked hazelnut Corylus cornuta 2 2 100 4. Salal Gaultheria shallon 3 22 733 5. Vine maple Acer circinatum 0 2 Natural Pioneers 6. Snowberry Symphoricarpos albus 0 20 Natural Pioneers 7. Thimbleberry Rubus parviflorus 0 10 Natural Pioneers Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. June 9, 2017 Mitigation Plan Monitoring ReportYear 2 19810 Sound View Place (Incorporated City of Edmonds, WA) Page 3 Please see the following comments regarding the mitigation plan monitoring results and findings: 1.As shown in the tables above, significantly greater than 100% of the planted native vegetation among the stream buffer enhancement areas survived the second year among the planting areas (including the species and quantities mentioned below that have naturally pioneered that the property owner gets credit for per approved plans). See actual calculations of planted species above. calculations related to naturally pioneered beneficial plants that are counted toward the total per the approved mitigation plans. 2.The vast majority of non-native weeds have been actively managed among the enhancement areas, but some very small patches of non-native, invasive vegetation do exist on the edges of the planting area (typical of enhancement planting areas). The prominent non-native, invasive species detected among the mitigation area include English ivy (Hedera helix) and bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). While small patches of these invasive species do exist, it is apparent that the property owner has completed active and on-going maintenance of these areas to reduce the vigor of these weedy species. 3.Several native species have naturally pioneered in the mitigation areas including 15 field horsetail (Equisetum arvense), 2 vine maple (Acer circinatum), approximately 20 snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), and 10 thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus). The property owner intends to allow the majority of these pioneer plants to continue to grow and survive among the mitigation areas, as recommended. These pioneers increase vegetative diversity and provide increased ecological functions among the mitigation planting areas. CRMPM ONCLUSIONS ELATED TO THE ITIGATION LAN ONITORING Based upon the results and findings of the mitigation plan monitoring as described above, Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. concludes that the mitigation planting plan currently meets the ecological standards to be considered successful for Year 2. All of the planted enhancement vegetation has survived the second year (including the species and quantities mentioned above that have naturally pioneered that the property owner gets credit for per approved plans). A primary goal of ecological enhancement is to mimic natural successional patterns and processes. The enhancement area appears to be functioning similarly to naturally disturbed areas in terms of beneficial ecological succession processes, and normal succession patterns are occurring among the enhancement area. PRRMPM ROFESSIONAL ECOMMENDATIONS ELATED TO THE ITIGATION LAN ONITORING Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. provides the following recommendations regarding the enhancement plan: 1.The property owner should continue with diligent and regular maintenance of the mitigation planting areas in order to achieve plant survival and success of the enhancement throughout the second year and beyond, as outlined in the approved Critical Areas Report and Mitigation Plan. 2.All non-native, invasive vegetation among the mitigation planting areas should be regularly maintained to avoid an infestation of such vegetation among the planting areas. The non-native, invasive vegetation could create adverse ecological impacts to the mitigation areas if the mitigation Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. June 9, 2017 Mitigation Plan Monitoring ReportYear 2 19810 Sound View Place (Incorporated City of Edmonds, WA) Page 4 area is not actively maintained throughout the 3-year monitoring and maintenance period. Continue weed removal by hand only, and avoid use of any chemicals or weed killers unless prior authorization is granted by authorized City of Edmonds personnel. 3.All planting pits should be maintained and kept free of any vegetation (native or non-native), in order to reduce competition to the planted native vegetation. Maintain the planting pits among the mitigation areas to be free of any native OR non-native vegetation in order to reduce resource competition while the planted vegetation continues to mature. 4.The property owner should continue to allow any beneficial native plants that naturally pioneer among the mitigation planting areas to thrive, except for any potential future hazard trees in close proximity to the on-site structures. If any questions arise regarding which native plant species are considered beneficial and would naturally occur in similar environments, the property owner should contact Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. or the City of Edmonds. 5.The property owner should ensure the plants receive appropriate amounts of water during the dry season. 6.The property owner should re-apply mulch among the planting pits as needed to aid in water retention and weed suppression. LUR IMITATIONS AND SE OF THIS EPORT This Mitigation Plan Monitoring Report--Year 2 is supplied to Jeff and Maureen Lewis as required to monitor the success of the on-site enhancement planting areas. This report is intended to provide information deemed relevant in the applicant's attempt to comply with the regulations currently in effect and based upon prior approvals and agreements with the City of Edmonds. The laws applicable to Critical Areas are subject to varying interpretations, but 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, expressed or implied, is made concerning the work or this report. This report is based largely on readily observable conditions and 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 accordingly. While Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. upheld professional industry standards when completing this review, the information included in this report does not guarantee approval or agreement from the City of Edmonds. Therefore, the information contained in this report shall be considered preliminary until the City provides agreement of the findings and recommendations outlined. If any questions arise regarding this review, please contact me directly at (425) 337-6450. Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. Scott Spooner Owner / Principal Wetland & Wildlife Ecologist Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. June 9, 2017 Mitigation Plan Monitoring ReportYear 2 19810 Sound View Place (Incorporated City of Edmonds, WA) Page 5 Photo Point 1: Buffer Enhancement Area B (see attached map for location & orientation) Photo Point 2: Buffer Enhancement Area A (see attached map for location & orientation) Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. June 9, 2017 Mitigation Plan Monitoring ReportYear 2 19810 Sound View Place (Incorporated City of Edmonds, WA) Page 6 Photo Point 3: Wetland Enhancement Area A (see attached map for location & orientation) Photo Point 4: Wetland Enhancement Area A (see attached map for location & orientation) Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. June 9, 2017 Mitigation Plan Monitoring ReportYear 2 19810 Sound View Place (Incorporated City of Edmonds, WA) Page 7 Photo Point 5: Wetland Enhancement Area A (see attached map for location & orientation) Photo Point 6: Wetland Enhancement Area A (see attached map for location & orientation) Wetlands & Wildlife, Inc. June 9, 2017 Mitigation Plan Monitoring ReportYear 2 19810 Sound View Place (Incorporated City of Edmonds, WA) Page 8