2725 32ND AVE NE 2018-01-02 MF Import

WEYERNAMRCOWANY -� SWTH SLAM LAM M BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT Introduction This Biological Assessment L submitted in accordance with City of Everett requirements under section 19.33D.080 of the Everett Municipal Code. Because the City defines the area in w�.Lich the proposed project is located as being within the Snohomish Estuary Wetland Integration Program (SEWIP), development requires a Biological Assessment as described in the code. Although the project wotild not adversely affect any wetland or habitat areas within the City, this document is intended to satisfy the City's requirements by describing Characteristics of such areas in the project vicinity and the ways in which Weyerhaeuser proposes to manage the site to protect wetland and habitat values. Project Background Weyerhaeuser Company (Weyerhaeuser) owns and operates several facilities on Smith Island that are associated with its former Kraft pulp mill operations located south of the Snohomish River. These facilities include a closed landfill, a wastewater treatment system with an outfall to Steamboat Slough (Outfall 001), and a ditch system conveying stormwater around the perimeter of the landfill to an outfall into the Snohomish River (Outfall 005). (The easternmost portion of the landfill and the ditch are located within Everett City limits, while the remainder is in unincorporated Snohomish County.) The two outfalls are permitted under NPDES Permit No. W A-003197-6, and the landfill is permitted by the Snohomish Health District under the Washington State Minimum Functional Standards for Landfill Design (WAC 173-304). Weyerhaeuser is currently in the process of improving the landfill closure to provide enhanced drainage and reduced infiltration by precipitation. In conjunction with landfill closure improvements and as required by NPDES Permit No. WA-003197-6, Weyerhaeuser proposes to close Outfall 005. The NPDES permit requires Weyerhaeuser to seal Outfall 005 and reroute water previously discharged from Outfall 005 to Outfall 001. This change will generally improve water quality by providing runoff detention and settling of solids contained in the storm water runoff. Description of Critical Areas Wetlands The general project area includes several wetlands, including an emergent wetland north of the woodwaste landfill access road and an estuarine wetland south and east of the treatment lagoons. Some wetland vegetation (along with nonnative invasive vegetation) occurs in the drainage ditch. No development is proposed within any City -regulated wetlands. Fish and Wildlife Habitat Outfall 005 discharges into the Snohomish River, which provides habitat for salmon species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. In its current state, Outfall 005 offers limited passage opportunity for resident and anadromous fish. Outfall 005 consists of a 24- inch diameter outfall pipe that is 105 feet long. On the Snohomish River side, the outfall is fitted with a hinged tide gate. During high tide periods, the tide gate seals the opening EVERETT BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT.DOC