700 52ND ST SE 2016-01-01 MF Import

Site�Specific Investigation During the sit�spec�c investigations in July, 2006, by GECCO, wetlands were identified on the basis of hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and observed hydrology as described in the Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation M.anual (Tech. Report Y-87-1, 1987) and in the 1997 WDOE manual (Washington State Wet/ands /dentification and Delineation ManuaQ. The ACOE assisted in the development of this manual and currently uses this methodology for wetland determination. Streams were identified based on the definition contained in ;3CC 30.62 and classified according to WAC 222- 16-031, EMC 19.37.130 and City of Everett Ordinancc: 2909-06. Hydrophytic vegetation is adapted to life in saturated soil conditions. It should normally present if a site is to be considered a wetland. A number of indicators may be present in an area that could be used to determine if criteria for hydrophytic vegetation can be met. The most reliable indicator for hydrophytic vegetation is when greater than 50°� of the dominant vegetation within a plant community is comprised of species having an indicator status of obligate wetlan,i (OBL), facuRative wetland (FACV1n, or facultative (FAC) according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1997) wetland indicator status list. Other hydrophytic indicators include visual observation of plants growing in areas of prolonged inundation and/or saturation, morphological adaptations, and physiological adaptations. Wetland and adjacent upland plant species are described as being dominant, common, or scattered in the overstory, shrub or herbaceous layer, when applicable. Hydric soils, which must be present in order for an area to be considered wetland, are formed under conditions of saturation, flooding, or ponding long enough during the growing sesson to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper part of the soil profile (USDA-NRCS, 1995). Soil profiles are examined to determine the evidence of hydric soil indicators irnmediately below the A-horizon, or at 10 inches, whichever is shallower. Hydric soil indicators for non-sandy soils include organic soils (histosols), histic epipedons, sulfidic material, aquic or periaquic moisture regimes, raducing soil conditions, and soil color (gleyed soils, or non-gleyed soils with matrix chroma <2 containing mottles or matrix chroma = 1 containing no mottles). Soil colors were detertnined using a Munsell soil color bonk (GretaglAacbeth 2000) and described by a number indicating the hue, value, and chroma (e.g. 10YR 4��j in that order. Wetland hydrology is often the most di�cult of the criteria to determine in the field. It is defined by the presence of inundated or saturated soil conditions for a sufficient amount of time during the growing season. Indicators of wetland hyCrology include recorded data, visual observations of inundation or saturation, watermarks, drift lines, sediment deposits, drainage pattems and oxidized root channels. Growing season is defined as the portion of the year that soil temperature is greater than 41 [7F at 19.7 inches below the soil surface. It is approximated by the last day in spring that air temperature reaches 28�F, to the first day in autumn that air temperature drops to 28f7F. The criterion for the Pacific Northwest is that >12.5°h of the growing season must exhibit inundation or saturation to the surface. The Seatile district of the U.S Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) requires at least 14 consecutive days of inundation or saturation during the growing season. Method U�ed �he methods used for the on-site investigation conformed to the routine detemtination method as outlined in the Coips o/ Engineers 6t/etland Celineation Manual (Tech. Report Y-87-1, 1987). For areas greater than 5 acres, one project boundary is selected as a baseline, preferably parallel to the main hydrologic feature or perpendicular to the hydrologic gradient. Transects are then selected, and observation points determined along transects. A determination of an existing atypical situation (numan-induced alterations) is also necessary at this point. For sites less than 5 acres in size, the routine method involves locating the project area, and determining whether an atypical sftuation exists. If atypical situations exist in either case the specific tests, pr�cedures, and determinations 5 U