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21-103716-Response to Comments (10-25-2021)Wetland & Aquatic Sciences Wildlife Ecology Landscape Architecture 2111 N. Northgate Way, Ste. 219 Seattle, WA 98133 206-525-8122 www.raedeke.com Associates, Inc. Raedeke October 25, 2021 Mr. Brian Meister BAU Meister Studio Group 6755 Saranac Street San Diego, CA. 92115 RE: Response City Correction Letter #2 ECA Wetlands R.A.I. Project #2021-052-001 Dear Mr. Meister, The purpose of this letter is to respond to comments provided by the City of Federal Way staff dated October 13, 2021 (Federal Way 2021a) for the Meridian Court Apartment project site located at 31420 23rd Ave South in the City of Federal Way, Washington. The property is identified as King County Tax Parcel No. 0921049190. In addition to updating our wetland delineation report, we have included our responses to the comments below: Comment #1: Provide an addendum to the wetland report addressing how the proposed trail meets the standards in FWRC 19.145.440(2)(a)-(c). Pursuant to FWRC 19.145.220(2), the director may provide written approval for passive pedestrian recreation facilities designed in accordance with an approved critical area report and the following standards: (a) Trails are composed of pervious surfaces no more than five feet in width. Raised boardwalks and wildlife viewing structures composed of non-treated pilings may also be considered; (b) Trails are generally located parallel to the perimeter of the wetland and within the outer 25 percent of the buffer; and (c) Trails shall avoid the removal of mature trees. Mr. Brian Meister October 25, 2021 Page 2 Response: In lieu of an addendum, our wetland delineation report has been updated to address how the proposed trail meets the standards in FWRC 19.145.220(2)(a)-(c) (see Section 5, pgs 11-12, RAI 2021). The proposed trail would be constructed of pervious material and would be 5-feet-wide. The trail would also be located in the outermost 25 percent of the buffer and aligned parallel to the wetland. No trees would be removed as part of the trail construction. Comment #2: Update the site plan to clearly show the wetland buffer and proposed trail. Provide trail details cross section, and location in the outer 25% of the wetland buffer. Response: The updated site plan is provided as Figure 7 in the updated delineation report. The proposed trail is shown in the outer 25 percent of the wetland buffer. Standards described in FWRC 19.145.220(2)(a)-(c) (Federal Way 2021b) have been met. LIMITATIONS We have prepared this report for the exclusive use of BAU Meister Studio Group and their consultants. No other person or agency may rely upon the information, analysis, or conclusions contained herein without permission from. The determination of ecological system classifications, functions, values, and boundaries is an inexact science, and different individuals and agencies may reach different conclusions. With regard to wetlands and streams, the final determination of their boundaries for regulatory purposes is the responsibility of the various agencies that regulate development activities in wetlands. We cannot guarantee the outcome of such agency determinations. Therefore, the conclusions of this report should be reviewed by the appropriate regulatory agencies prior to any detailed site planning or construction activities. We warrant that the work performed conforms to standards generally accepted in our field, and has been prepared substantially in accordance with then-current technical guidelines and criteria. The conclusions of this report represent the results of our analysis of the information provided by the project proponent and their consultants, together with information gathered in the course of the study. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made. If you have any questions or comments, or wish to discuss this issue further, please contact me at (206) 525-8122 or at cwright@raedeke.com. Mr. Brian Meister October 25, 2021 Page 3 Sincerely, RAEDEKE ASSOCIATES, INC. Christopher W. Wright Vice President/Soil and Wetland Scientist LITERATURE CITED Federal Way, City of. 2021a. File #21-103716-UP; Technical Review Comment Letter #1 for Meridian Court Apartment, 31510 23rd Avenue South, Federal Way. Dated October 13, 2021. Federal Way, City of. 2021b. Chapter 19.145: Environmentally Critical Areas: Article IV Wetlands, updated 2021. Available at: https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/FederalWay/html/FederalWay19/FederalWay1914 5.html Raedeke Associates, Inc. 2021. Meridian Court Wetland Delineation Report for BAU Meister Studio Group. Updated October 25, 2021.