5900 36TH AVE W SEPA 015 - 034 - SOUNDVIEW BUSINESS CAMPUS - VERITAS Land Use Decision Documents 2025-04-22

9.0 ESSENTIAL RSH HABITAT ASSESSMENT The Magnuson -Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires that Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) must be identified by NMFS for federally managed marine fish. In addition, federal agencies must consult with NMFS on all proposed actions undertaken or funded by the agency that may affect EFH. The Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC) has designated EFH for the Pacific salmon fishery, for federally managed groundfish, and for coastal pelagic fisheries. For this project, only species of the Pacific salmon fishery could potentially be affected, as only freshwater systems are located in the action area. The EFH designation for the Pacific salmon fishery includes all streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands, and other water bodies currently or historically accessible to salmon in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and California, except above the impassable barriers identified by PFMC. The Pacific salmon management unit includes Chinook, coho, and pink salmon. Within the vicinity of the project area, EFH occurs for Puget Sound Chinook, colic, and pink salmon. Chinook and coho are known to occur in Japanese Gulch Creek and likely to occur in Edgewater Creek. These species are known to use Japanese Gulch Creek for adult migration, juvenile out -migration, and rearing where suitable habitat is present. Fish habitat in Japanese Gulch Creek is approximately 0.02 miles from the project site, and 0.015 miles to Edgewater. The proposed project may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect essential fish habitat. A may affect determination is warranted based on the following rationale. • Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) occurs in the vicinity of the proposed development site. A not likely to adversely affect determination for this action is warranted based on the following rationale. • No direct in -water work is proposed. Sedimentation resulting from construction activities will be minimized by the implementation of BMP erosion control measures. Any sediment that does enter the water is expected to be minimal and of short duration. • Earth work will occur during the drier months when fish are less likely to be present in the system. • The on -site stormwater system will protect water quality. Biological Evaluation 30 WRI #14109 Soundview Business Campus Revision #2: October 2, 2015