11625 AIRPORT RD SONRISE CHRISTIAN CENTER 2022-08-25

3.0 BUFFER ENHANCEMENT PLAN Pursuant to EMC 19.37.110(A)(6), standard buffer widths presume the existence of a relatively intact native vegetated community including native tree cover, shrub understory, and ground cover. If the existing buffer is unvegetated, sparsely vegetated, or vegetated with invasive species, the buffer vegetation shall be enhanced or restored. A majority of the onsite buffer consists of a combination of sparsely vegetated area and invasive plant cover. Vegetation directly adjacent to Wetland A is dominated by dense Himalayan blackberry. East of that, vegetation is dominated by reed canarygrass and other common pasture grasses, with inteliiiittent trees and thickets of Himalayan blackberry. The photo provided in Figure 4 of section 2.3.3 above provides a good representation of plant cover in the buffer area. The buffer enhancement plan outlined below consists of an invasive plant and litter removal plan, and native planting plan. These enhancement measures are designed to improve the functions of the onsite buffer by replacing degraded buffer vegetation with diverse and complex native plantings. After project installation, the mitigation site will be monitored for a period of 5 years pursuant to City of Everett standards and the monitoring program outlined in this mitigation plan. 3.1 INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL PLAN Before buffer planting occurs within the averaged Wetland A buffer, all invasive species, including but not limited to Himalayan blackberry, shall be removed. Himalayan blackberry shall be removed by hand and all underground root balls and fragments shall be dug up and removed. If native plants are present near blackberry, care shall be taken in leaving the above- and below-ground native plants undisturbed. All blackberry debris, including roots, stems, and foliage, shall be hauled off site after removal. Throughout the 5-year monitoring period, any blackberry that re-sprouts shall be promptly and carefully removed. Any debris/litter found in the buffer during invasive plant removal or planting activities shall be removed from site. 3.2 BUFFER PLANTING PLAN After invasive plant removal, native trees and shrubs will be installed within approximately 80 percent of the buffer area. Three tree species will be installed on 10-foot centers and seven shrub species will be installed on 5-foot centers. The placement of individual plants shall mimic natural, asymmetric vegetation patterns, and shall be planted individually or in clusters, depending upon species growth behavior. After plant installation, all tree and shrub species shall be mulched to the specifications found in the Project and Planting Notes section, below. Sonrise Christian Center 8 Critical Areas Study,Buffer Averaging, March 2,2018 &Buffer Enhancement Plan