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Sullivan Park Fire Station Conversion Draft Environmental Assessment The Conversion Site's pre-conversion habitats and likely associated species were not sensitive or rare,and had no special state or federal status or protections. The proximity to residential and park uses, and traffic noise further limit the habitat's prior value. As part of the two-part conversion,about half of the 1.6 acres was cleared to install the fire station,the roadway, and associated improvements. Additional clearing has occurred since the conversion on the east side of the fire station, apparently as part of a Himalayan blackberry removal effort. 4.9.2 Replacement Site The Replacement Site is part of a larger forested corridor that extends north of 100th Street SE. The Category I wetland on the site continues north into the forested corridor as well, and is mapped by WDFW as a PHS habitat area (WDFW 2012). Appendix A,Figure 4.9-1,shows the approximate boundaries of the wetland and its regulatory buffer. The wetland is dominated by native vegetation,including western red cedar,Oregon ash,willows, salmonberry, Douglas spirea, and a variety of sedges and rushes, among others. It contains a mix of permanently and seasonally ponded and saturated areas. The on-site stream does not contain anadromous fish due to the presence of significant downstream barriers,but it is in the headwaters of an important salmon-bearing stream system,North Creek. The wetland buffer and remaining upland on the Replacement Site is native, conifer-dominated forest,similar in species composition to what was likely present on the Conversion Site. An additional species noted on the Replacement Site is red elderberry. The uplands and wetland also contain a few snags and downed logs and branches, providing additional habitat structure for wildlife. Like the Conversion Site,the Replacement Site is adjacent to single-family residential use and is affected by road noise, particularly I-5. The Replacement Site also has an informal trail network used by area residents and the site shows signs of human use,such as garbage. These factors lower the habitat value of the Replacement Site slightly. Proposed impacts to Replacement Site biological resources are limited to the placement of approximately three benches,two picnic tables, a kiosk,and 1,600 linear feet of trails in primarily wetland buffer,with one short section of trail crossing a narrow wetland area. This section would be elevated to avoid wetland impacts. The kiosk,benches, and picnic tables would be located outside of or near the outer edges of the 75-foot regulatory wetland buffer,in the south and west portions of the site. The wetland was delineated in 2003, and assessed and rated in March 2012 (Appendix C). The most recent survey of the wetland was completed in 2003 as part of the original delineation. Wetland boundaries Page 26