7533 LOWER RIDGE RD 2019-01-18 - Laserfiche WebLink

RESULTS OF THE ON-SITE HABITAT ASSESSMENT AND CRITICAL AREAS EVALUATION: Description of On-site Vegetation and Habitat Types: Please see Figure 1 for approximate boundaries of different vegetation and habitat types on the subject site. The southern portion of the site (east of the house) is dominated by non-native, invasive Himalayan blackberry (Rubus discolor). The area north of the house contains sparse mature native trees, but the understory among that area is dominated by English Ivy (Hedera helix). English Ivy is documented to be highly invasive and tends to overtake areas if not managed properly. The remaining portions of the site are primarily dominated by native trees and shrubs in good condition which provide fairly high function for wildlife habitat, water quality, and hydrologic control. However, the highest quality wildlife habitat among the immediate vicinity to the subject property exists off-site to the east. A mature and dense conifer forest exists east of the stream, as the topography changes and increases in elevation occur. This off-site forest has potential to provide excellent hiding and thermal cover for many avian and mammalian wildlife species. On-site Stream and Required Buffer: A regulated stream exists among the eastern portion of the site, approximately as shown on Figure 1. The subject stream is the East Fork Pigeon Creek 2 as shown on the City of Everett Critical Areas Map 1. This stream meets the City of Everett's definition of a regulated Type Ns stream (an intermittent stream which does not provide habitat to salmonids fish species), as outlined in section 37.160.A.4. The stream enters the property via a culvert among the southern portion of the property, and flows south to north through the site, continuing north of the property. A retention/detention pond maintained by the City of Everett Public Works Department is located south of the site, and the subject stream flows through that R/D pond before coming onto the subject site via the culvert. Per section 37.170.A.3, Type Ns streams which are vegetated with invasive species typically require a protective buffer width of 75 feet, measured from the Ordinary High Water Marks(OHWM)on each side of the stream. On-site Wetland and Required Buffer: A riparian wetland exists on both sides of the on-site stream, approximately as shown on Figure 1. The on-site wetland was rated using the Wetland Rating form for Western Washington (updated in October 2008) produced by the Washington State Department of Ecology, Publication#04-06-025. The wetland was rated as a riverine wetland, due to the fact that it is associated with the on-site stream and appears to receive overbank flooding on a regular basis during the winter months. However, there is a small slope component within the boundaries of the wetland,so multiple hydrogeomorphic(HGM)classes are present within the on-site wetland. Using that rating form,the wetland received a total of 49 points(16 points for Water Quality Functions, 16 points for Hydrologic Functions, and 17 points for Habitat Functions). Based on the scores received on this rating form, the on-site wetland is considered a Category III wetland. Per section 37.110.A.1.a of the City of Everett regulatory code, Category III wetlands scoring less than 19 points for habitat functions on the rating form shall receive a standard buffer width of 60 feet, measured from the wetland boundary. Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas: Wetlands& Wildlife, Inc. evaluated the property for presence of Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas as defined by the City of Everett code section 37.140.A. The subject property contains a stream/riparian corridor and habitats of primary association. Wetlands& Wildlife, Inc. located three red alder snags that are still standing and are in early-to-mid decay stages which exhibit significant sign of foraging use by pileated woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus). Pileated woodpeckers are listed as a Washington State Candidate Species by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Due to the foraging sign present on these alder snags, this area meets the definition of a Fish and Wildlife Wetlands& Wildlife,Inc. (located in Everett,Washington) January 11, 2011 Brief Habitat Assessment Report for Parcel#00392000001801(City of Everett jurisdiction) 4161)