9908 18TH AVE W 2024-12-03 - Laserfiche WebLink

Chapter 2. Conceptual Mitigation Plan The proposed compensatory mitigation actions for the project attempt to strike a balance between achieving project goals as well as a positive result in terms of ecological lift. In general, joint USACE and EPA rules have been established that require more careful mitigation planning efforts utilizing a watershed approach in site selection, establishment of enforceable performance standards, and preference for use of mitigation banks or in-lieu fees (ILF's) whenever ecologically appropriate (USACE&EPA,2008). The proposed wetland impacts and compensatory mitigation actions attempt to closely adhere to these rules while also utilizing the best available science (Granger et al., 2005; Hruby et al., 2009; Sheldon et al., 2005;WSDOE et al., 2006; and WSDOE et al., 2021) and adhering to the requirements of EMC 19.37.125.A.1. 2.1 Purpose and Need The Applicant proposes to develop high density housing within the City of Everett to help alleviate the shortage of housing in the Everett area. 2.2 Description of Unavoidable Impacts The Applicant proposes residential development of the subject property to include 23 townhomes and associated infrastructure including an internal access road, turnaround for fire and other safety access, and associated utilities. Due to the centralized location of Wetland A and Wetland B, no practical site design was identified that would result in lesser impacts to onsite critical areas while achieving the applicant's development objectives. Therefore, the unavoidable fill of Wetland A (10,253 square feet) and Wetland B (502 square feet) is required to accommodate the proposed residential development. An additional 788 square feet of Wetland A exists offsite to the west and the north of the subject property. Although these areas are not proposed to be filled,they will become isolated and non-functioning following the fill of the onsite portion of Wetland A. Therefore, the project will consider these areas as being directly impacted for calculating total impacted wetland areas, and as such are included in the compensatory mitigation accordingly. No impacts direct or indirect impacts are proposed for Offsite Wetland 1 as an existing paved road interrupts the buffer. Table 1 below summarizes the proposed impacts to Wetland A and Wetland B. Table 1. Sum ma of Wetland Impacts Impacted WSDOE Cowardin 3 Impact Area Wetland Rating' Class2 HGM Class Impact Type (sq. ft.) Wetland A III PFO/SSC Depressional Direct (Fill) 11,041 Wetland B III PEMB T—Depressional Direct (Fill) 502 Notes: 1. WSDOE rating according to Washington State wetland rating system for Western Washington—Revised(Hruby,2014). 2. Cowardin et al.(1979)or NWI Class based on vegetation:PFO=Palustrine Forested;PSS=Scrub-Shrub;PEM=Emergent;Modifiers for Water Regime:B=Seasonally Saturated;C=Seasonally Flooded 3. Brinson,M.M.(1993). 2.2.1 Impacted Wetland Functions The proposed project will directly impact two Category III wetlands (Wetland A and Wetland B) onsite. A wetland function impact analysis is provided below. 1345.0029—Benton Square 7 Soundview Consultants LLC Conceptual Mitigation Bank Use Plan April 1,2022