Environmental Science Associates 2/6/2020

Lowell Riverfront Trail Off-Leash Dog Area Biological Assessment ESA Scope of Work December 9, 2019 On behalf of the City of Everett Parks Department, Environmental Science Associates (ESA) will prepare a Biological Assessment (BA)for the proposed development of an Off-Leash Dog Area located along the Snohomish River at 5325 Lowell-Snohomish River Road, Everett, Washington. The BA will be prepared to satisfy the City's response to FEMA under the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Biological Opinion for new construction proposed within the floodplain. ESA will start work immediately upon notice-to-proceed and be completed by January 31, 2020. Task 1 - Endangered Species Act Compliance ESA understands that the trigger for preparation of a Biological Assessment (BA) is to assist the City with its response to NFIP for new development within the City's floodplain. The site proposed for the new off-leash dog park area is south of Riverfront Development, near Lowell Park, on the bank of the Snohomish River. We understand that no fill is anticipated in "waters of the U.S." and that federal permits will not be required. However,the development will involve construction of perimeter fencing within the floodplain and FEMA floodway,thereby triggering review under Everett Municipal Code (EMC)Section 19.30, Floodplain Overlay Districts and Regulations. ESA will review the current list of federally-listed species and prepare a BA for the new off-leash development area. The BA will be brief and is anticipated to be no longer that 10 pages. The BA will include an evaluation of potential direct and indirect effects of the project on federally listed threatened, endangered, and proposed species and critical habitat. ESA will also analyze the environmental baseline, interrelated and interdependent actions, cumulative effects, and address Essential Fish Habitat (EFH), as necessary. The BA will be prepared following guidance from FEMA,the Corps and National Marine Fisheries Service. Based on the presence of listed species and habitats within the project vicinity (including Chinook salmon, steelhead, and bull trout) but the absence of in-water work proposed,the assumption for this scope is that an effects finding of"Not Likely to Adversely Affect" is appropriate for listed fish species. Based on review of preliminary data, it appears as if the appropriate effects determination for other listed species that are shown as potentially present in the project vicinity-yellow billed cuckoo, streaked horned lark, marbled murrelet, gray wolf, and North American Wolverine (proposed threatened),would likely be "No Effect" based on lack of distribution and lack of suitable habitat in the Action Area. Deliverables: • Draft BA in Word and digital PDF format for internal team review and comment. • Final BA in Word and digital PDF format for submittal to the City.