1600 121ST ST SE 2016-01-01 MF Import

ATTACHMENT2 CASPER CREEK MDNS (SEPA #92-89) MONITORING ELEMENT OF THE WETLAND MITIGATION PLAN The following provides a suggested framework for monitonng of the Casper Creek wetlands. A cort�monly overlooked component of a restoration project is monitonng, which provides invaluable feedback on: 1) Compliance of the restoration plan with the stated restoration goals; 2) Creation of habitet values that are equivalent to those lost dunng construction or those that wete once present in the Palustrine, scrub/shrub wetlands; 3) Major problems in the restoration program that can be corrected with revised planting, and watering or buHering measures; and 4) Ways in which the restoration design and techniques can be modified to improve success. This type of infortnation will aid in the planning and design of other restoration efforts. Without data on the four areas listed above, there is no way to evaluate the success of the restoration within the Casper Creek PalusUine scrub/shrub wetlands. To detertnine if compliance has occuRed with the stated goals oi the restoration, it is necessary to develop a hypothesis and peAortnance cnteria. The hypothesis establishes a series cf well defined statements, based on the observation of other Palustnne suublshrub wetland ecosystems in the area, that assert what rype of environmental conditions will occur in the restoration area within a ceRain period of time. To provide "proof' that these environmental wnditions have been achieved, suentlf : measurement of various parameters for specific cntical components oi the Palustnne scrub/shrub habitat ecosystem must be made over time. These components inGude, but are not limited to, the flora, fauna, water quality, and soil chemistry. PeAortnance cnteria set measurement levels for each component, based on observation of other similar relatively pristine PalusUine scrub/shrub wetland ecosystems, at which the statements within the hypothesis would be "proven." Hypofheala Hypothesis: Degraded wetland areas within the Casper C�eek property (Sihrer Lake watershed) can be rostored to: (1) exhibit physical a:�d biological attributes that occur within the natural vanability ol monitored relativ�ly pristine Pa/ustrine scrub/shrub weHand ecosystems wNhin fhe Si/ver Lake watershed and the adjoining watersheds; (2) provide obsenred lundiona/ values (e.g. food chain support) o/ these natural habifats; and (3) resuM in a seH-sustaining ecosystem, at the end ol a 5 year monitoring period, taking into consideration any ecosystem decline that has been o6senred within monRored natu�a/ habitats.