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

Physical Barriers Japanese Gulch Creek downstream of project site has recently undergone restorative actions that Lhave removed the physical barriers downstream of W. Mukilteo Boulevard. However, downstream of the project site, the culvert passing under W. Mukilteo Boulevard has been classified as non -fish passable due to a vertical standpipe draining a sedimentation pond which sources it. The action area is therefore considered not properly functioning for this element. No in -stream or near -stream work is proposed, so the proposed action will maintain the baseline condition of this element. Substrate Substrate is rated as poor for approximately 150 feet upstream of W. Mukilteo Boulevard, and fair above that to where the stream becomes adjacent to the project site (Cherry Creek, 2010). Downstream of W. Mukilteo Boulevard, restoration actions have created conditions suitable for salmonid spawning behavior, which has been observed in coho salmon. Given the substrate requirements for spawning by this species, it is assumed that the restorative measures have been successful in creating quality substrate within these reaches of the stream. Based on these considerations, the overall status of Japanese Gulch Creek within the action area is considered properly functioning for this element. . While no work is proposed within Japanese Gulch Creek channel, grading and clearing could potentially mobilize sediment that could affect this element. As a result, this project may temporarily degrade this habitat parameter. The long-term effect of this project will be to maintain this parameter. Large Woody Debris (LWD The recent restorative actions on Japanese Gulch Creek have installed large woody debris, adding to that which was already present within the stream channel. Given the adjacent forested steep slopes existing upstream of W. Mukilteo Boulevard, the area outside of the restoration area has a high potential for recruitment, and is known to have large woody debris present (Cherry Creek, 2010). Based on these conditions, Japanese Gulch Creek is considered to be properly functioning for this parameter. LWD recruitment potential for a stream typically occurs within 200 feet of the OHWM. The subject development site is more than 500 feet from Japanese Gulch Creek, and that reach is inaccessible to salmonids. The trees to be removed from the project site would not result in an impact on LWD recruitment potential for Japanese Gulch Creek due to its distance from the creek. The proposed project will therefore maintain the parameter for LWD. Biological Evaluation 9 WRI #14109 Soundview Business Campus Revision #2: October 2, 2015