Exhibit F Wetland and Fish and Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report, dated 4-19-22WETLAND AND FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT
ASSESSMENT REPORT
TWIN TRAILS
APRIL 2022
SEPTEMBER 2021
WETLAND AND FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT
ASSESSMENT REPORT
TWIN TRAILS
REVISED APRIL 14, 2022
SEPTEMBER 28, 2021
PROJECT LOCATION
1605 SOUTHWEST 341ST PLACE
FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON 98023
PREPARED FOR
JUSTIN HOLLAND
PROSPECT DEVELOPMENT
19410 HIGHWAY 99, SUITE A #135
LYNNWOOD, WASHINGTON 98036
PREPARED BY
SOUNDVIEW CONSULTANTS LLC
2907 HARBORVIEW DRIVE
GIG HARBOR, WASHINGTON 98335
(253) 514-8952
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Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
Executive Summary
Soundview Consultants LLC (SVC) has been assisting Prospect Development (Applicant) with a
Wetland and Fish and Wildlife Habitat Assessment for the proposed residential redevelopment of a
17.33-acre site located at 1605 Southwest 341st Place in the City of Federal Way, King County,
Washington. The subject property consists of two parcels situated in the Northeast ¼ of Section 24,
Township 21 North, Range 3 East, W.M. (King County Tax Parcel Numbers 2421039008 and
2421039051).
SVC investigated the subject property for the presence of potentially-regulated wetlands, waterbodies,
fish and wildlife habitat, and/or priority species in December of 2020 and May and July of 2021. Using
current wetland delineation methodology, no potentially regulated wetlands or fish and wildlife habitat
conservation areas were identified on the subject property. However, three wetlands (Wetlands 1-3)
were identified offsite to the east that were previously delineated and assessed by Wetland Resources
in 2020 associated with the Saghalie Heights project. Wetlands 1 and 2 are classified as Category III
depressional wetlands with low habitat scores of 5 points, which are subject to standard 80-foot
buffers per Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC) 19.145.420(2). Wetland 3 is classified as a Category
IV depressional wetland which are typically subject to a standard 50-foot buffer regardless of the
habitat score. However, due to the small size of Wetland 3 (less than 1,000 square feet), no buffer is
required per 19.145.420(3). However, none of the wetland buffers project on the subject property.
No other potentially-regulated wetlands, waterbodies, fish and wildlife habitat, or priority species were
identified within 225 feet of the subject property.
SVC has revised this report to address review comments provided on January 14, 2022 by the City of
Federal Way’s (City) third-party reviewer (Landau Associates, 2022). The revised report includes site
photographs, updated Existing Conditions Exhibit, wetland rating forms for offsite Wetlands 1-3, and
additional clarification.
The table below summarizes the wetlands and identifies the potential regulatory status of local, state,
and federal agencies.
Wetland
Name Size onsite Category1 Regulated Under
FWRC Chapter 19.145
Regulated Under
RCW 90.48
Regulated Under
Clean Water Act
1 N/A - Offsite III Yes Yes Not Likely
2 N/A - Offsite III Yes Yes Not Likely
3 N/A - Offsite IV Yes Yes Not Likely
Note:
1. Current Washington State Department of Ecology (Hruby, 2014) wetland rating methods per FWRC 19.145.420(1).
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Site Map
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1
Chapter 2. Proposed Project Location .......................................................................................................... 2
2.1 Project Location ...................................................................................................................................... 2
Chapter 3. Methods .......................................................................................................................................... 3
Chapter 4. Background and Existing Conditions ........................................................................................ 4
4.1 Landscape Setting ................................................................................................................................... 4
4.2 Soils ........................................................................................................................................................... 4
4.3 Vegetation ................................................................................................................................................ 5
4.4 Critical Area Inventories ........................................................................................................................ 5
4.5 Precipitation ............................................................................................................................................. 5
4.6 Previous Critical Area Studies ............................................................................................................... 6
Chapter 5. Results ............................................................................................................................................. 7
5.1 Onsite Wetland Absence ....................................................................................................................... 7
5.2 Offsite Wetland Findings ....................................................................................................................... 8
Chapter 6. Regulatory Considerations ......................................................................................................... 10
6.1 Local Considerations ............................................................................................................................ 10
Chapter 7. Closure .......................................................................................................................................... 11
Chapter 8. References .................................................................................................................................... 12
Figures
Figure 1. Vicinity Map. ................................................................................................................ 2
Figure 2. Aerial Image of the Subject Property. ........................................................................... 4
Tables
Table 1. Precipitation Summary1 .................................................................................................. 6
Table 2. Wetland Summary. ......................................................................................................... 8
Appendices
Appendix A –– Methods and Tools
Appendix B –– Background Information
Appendix C –– Site Photographs
Appendix D –– Existing Conditions Exhibit
Appendix E –– Non-Wetland Data Forms
Appendix F –– Offsite Wetland Rating Forms
Appendix G –– Qualifications
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Chapter 1. Introduction
Soundview Consultants LLC (SVC) has been assisting Prospect Development (Applicant) with a
Wetland and Fish and Wildlife Habitat Assessment for the proposed residential redevelopment of a
17.33-acre site located at 1605 Southwest 341st Place in the City of Federal Way, King County,
Washington. The subject property consists of two parcels situated in the Northeast ¼ of Section 24,
Township 21 North, Range 3 East, W.M. (King County Tax Parcel Numbers 2421039008 and
2421039051).
The purpose of this wetland and fish and wildlife habitat assessment is to identify the presence of
potentially regulated wetlands, waterbodies, fish and wildlife habitat, and/or priority species on or
near the subject site.
This report provides conclusions and recommendations regarding:
• Site description and area of assessment;
• Background research and identification of potentially-regulated critical areas within the vicinity
of the proposed project;
• Identification and assessment of potentially-regulated wetlands and other aquatic features;
• Identification and assessment of potentially-regulated fish and wildlife habitat;
• Existing site map detailing data plot locations; and
• Supplemental information necessary for regulatory review.
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Chapter 2. Proposed Project Location
2.1 Project Location
The subject property consists of a 17.33-acre site located at 1605 Southwest 341st Place in the City of
Federal Way, King County, Washington. The subject property consists of two parcels situated in the
Northeast ¼ of Section 31, Township 21 North, Range 3 East, W.M. (King County Tax Parcel
Numbers 2421039008 and 2421039051).
To access the subject site from I-5 North, take exit 142B to merge onto Washington-18 West from
the Milton area and continue onto South 348th Street. After 0.8 mile, continue onto Southwest Campus
drive for 1.1 miles and turn left onto 12th Avenue Southwest. At the traffic circle, take the first exit
onto Southwest 340th Street and turn left on 19th Avenue Southwest. Proceed for 400 feet and turn
left at the first cross street onto Southwest 341st Place, where the subject property will be located on
the right.
Figure 1. Vicinity Map.
Subject Property
Location
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Chapter 3. Methods
SVC investigated and assessed any potentially regulated wetlands, drainages, and other fish and wildlife
habitat on and within 225 feet of the subject property in December of 2020 and May and July of 2021.
All wetland determinations were made using observable vegetation, hydrology, and soils in
conjunction with data from the U.S. Geographic Survey (USGS) topographic map, the Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
National Wetlands Inventory (NWI), Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR),
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) SalmonScape and Priority Habitats and
Species (PHS) maps and data, City of Federal Way Geographic Information System (GIS) data, King
County GIS data, local precipitation data (NOAA), and various orthophotographic resources.
Appendix A contains further details for the methods and tools used to prepare this report.
Wetlands, streams, and select fish and wildlife habitats and species are regulated features per Federal
Way Revised Code (FWRC) Chapter 19.145 - Environmentally Critical Areas and subject to restricted
uses/activities under the same title. In accordance with FWRC 19.145.410, wetland presence/absence
was determined using the routine approach described in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
Wetlands Delineation Manual (Environmental Laboratory, 1987) and modified according to the
guidelines established in the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual:
Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region (Version 2.0) (USACE, 2010) and Field Indicators of Hydric
Soils in the United States (NRCS, 2018). Pink surveyor’s flagging was labeled alphanumerically and tied
to 3-foot lath or vegetation at formal sampling locations to mark the points where detailed data was
collected (DP-1 to DP-7). Additional tests pits were excavated at regular intervals throughout the site
to further confirm wetland absence. Offsite wetlands were not flagged; however, boundaries were
estimated, and features labeled numerically beginning with 1.
Wetlands were classified using both the hydrogeomorphic (Brinson, 1993) and Cowardin (Cowardin,
1979; Federal Geographic Data Committee, 2013) classification systems. Following classification and
assessment, all wetlands were rated and categorized using the updated Washington State Wetlands
Rating System for Western Washington – Washington State Department of Ecology Publication No.
14-06-029, published October 2014 (Hruby, 2014) and guidelines established in Federal Way Revised
Code (FWRC) 19.145.420.
The fish and wildlife habitat assessment was conducted during the same site visit by qualified fish and
wildlife biologists. The experienced biologists made visual observations using stationary and walking
survey methods for both aquatic and upland habitats noting any special habitat features or signs of
fish and wildlife activity.
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Chapter 4. Background and Existing Conditions
4.1 Landscape Setting
The 17.33-acre subject property is located in a residential setting in the City of Federal Way (Figure
2). The northernmost parcel (2421039051) consists of a single-family residential home, gravel
driveway, and a maintained lawn. The southernmost parcel (2421039008) consists of undeveloped
forested area on the eastern portion and the Twin Lakes Park and Ride facility on the western portion.
The subject property abuts a mix of residential developments and undeveloped forested land to the
north and south, 21st Ave Southwest to the west, and is bound by forested land to the east. Topography
onsite generally slopes down approximately 60 feet from the east to the west with elevations ranging
from 410 feet above mean sea level (amsl) on the east boundary of the subject property to
approximately 350 feet amsl on the western boundary of the subject property. A King County
Contours map is provided in Appendix B1. The subject property is located in Water Resource
Inventory Area (WRIA) 10 – Puyallup-White.
Figure 2. Aerial Image of the Subject Property.
4.2 Soils
The NRCS Soil Survey of King County, Washington identifies two soil series on the subject property:
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes (AgB) and Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to
15 percent slopes (AgC). A soil map is provided in Appendix B2. Below is a detailed description of
the soil profiles.
Subject Property
Location
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Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes (AgB)
According to the NRCS soil survey, Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes is a
moderately well drained soil derived from glacial drift and/or glacial outwash over dense glaciomarine
deposits. These soils have a very low water capacity. In a typical profile, the surface layer is
approximately 7 inches thick and is a gravelly sandy loam. From 7 to 59 inches, the subsoils is very
gravelly sandy loam. Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes is listed as a partially hydric
soil but may contain as much as 10 percent hydric inclusions of McKenna, Shalcar, and Norma in
depressions and drainageways (NRCS, N.d.).
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes (AgC)
According to the NRCS survey, Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes is a moderately
well drained soil derived from glacial drift and/or glacial outwash over dense glaciomarine deposits.
These soils have a very low water capacity. In a typical profile, the surface layer is approximately 7
inches thick and is a gravelly sandy loam. From 7 to 59 inches, the subsoils is very gravelly sandy loam.
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes is listed as a partially hydric soil but may contain
as much as 5 percent hydric inclusions of Shalcar and Norma in depressions and drainageways (NRCS,
N.d.).
4.3 Vegetation
The northern parcel of the subject property consists primarily of maintained lawn/field dominated by
velvetgrass (Holcus lanatus), bluegrass (Poa sp.), creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens), hairy cat’s ear
(Hypochaeris radicata), smooth hawksbeard (Crepis capillaris), and common dandelion (Taraxacum
officinale). A small patch of western red cedar (Thuja plicata) and other ornamental plantings are present
around the single-family residence on the northern portion of the site. Vegetation within the southern
parcel is primarily facultative (FAC) and facultative-upland (FACU) species consisting of Douglas fir
(Pseudotsuga menziesii), osoberry (Oemleria cerasiformis), stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), and non-native
invasive Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus).
4.4 Critical Area Inventories
The King County Sensitive Areas map (Appendix B3), WDFW PHS map (Appendix B4), USFWS
NWI map (Appendix B5), DNR Stream Typing map (Appendix B6), and WDFW SalmonScape map
(Appendix B7) and do not identify any potentially regulated wetlands, waterbodies, or priority habitats
or species on the subject property. However, the City of Federal Way wetland inventory (Appendix
B8) identifies a potentially wetland on the south-central portion of the subject property as well as two
potential offsite wetlands east of the subject property. No other potential wetlands, waterbodies, or
fish and wildlife habitat are mapped within 225 feet of the subject property.
4.5 Precipitation
Precipitation data was acquired from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
station at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) in order to obtain percent of normal
precipitation for the general Puget Sound region during and preceding the investigations. A summary
of data collected is provided in Table 1.
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Table 1. Precipitation Summary1
Date Day
Of
Day
Before
1 Week
Prior
2 Weeks
Prior 30 Days Prior
(Observed/Normal)
Year to Date
(Observed/Normal)2
Percent of
Normal3
12/09/2020 0.17 0.73 0.93 1.41 5.10/6.44 9.09/11.92 79/76
5/04/2021 0.03 0.25 0.42 1.07 1.34/3.10 32.19/33.11 43/97
7/14/2021 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.04/1.06 20.10/20.54 4/98
Notes:
1.Precipitation levels provided in inches. Data obtained from NOAA (http://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=sew)
for Sea-Tac International Airport.
2.Year-to-date precipitation for the December and May site visits is the 2020/2021 water year from October 1; year-to-date
precipitation for the July site visit is the 2021 calendar year from January 1 to the onsite date.
3.Percent of normal is shown for the last 30 days and 2020/2021 water year to date.
Precipitation levels during the site reconnaissance in December of 2020 were within the lower range
of statistical normal for both the prior 30 days and the 2020/2021 water year (79 and 76 percent of
normal, respectively). Precipitation levels during the site reconnaissance in May of 2021 were below
the statistical normal range for the prior 30 days (43 percent of normal) and within the normal range
for the 2020/2021 water year (97 percent of normal). During the formal site investigation in July of
2021, precipitation levels were below the statistical normal range for the prior 30 days (4 percent of
normal) and within the statistical normal for the 2021 calendar year (98 percent of normal). This
precipitation data suggest that hydrologic conditions encountered at the time of site investigations
were relatively normal during the December 2020 site visit but may have been slightly drier during the
May and July 2021 site visits. However, it is important to note that July is one of the driest summer
months and typically observes very little precipitation. Therefore, low precipitation levels during the
time of the July 2021 site visit are considered normal and were likely not affecting wetland hydrology.
Such conditions were considered in making professional wetland determinations.
4.6 Previous Critical Area Studies
The western portion of the southernmost parcel (2421039008) is developed with the Twin Lakes Park
and Ride facility. The City of Federal Way (1996) provided a Site Plan Review- Findings of Fact (SPR 95-
0026) for the proposed construction of the park and ride, which documented a 10,732-square-foot (or
0.2 acre) wetland to the southeast of the facility. However, the rationale for the determination is
written as “man-made wetland due to routing of water,” which does not meet the current definition
of a wetland. Per FWRC 15.05.030, a wetland does not include “artificial wetlands intentionally created
from nonwetland sites, including, but not limited to, irrigation and drainage ditches, grass-lined swales, canals,
detention facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, farm ponds, and landscape amenities, or those wetlands created
after July 1, 1990, that were unintentionally created as a result of the construction of a road, street, or highway.” In
addition, the identified area did not meet any hydric soil indicators. These artificial, non-wetland
conditions were again observed during SVC’s site investigations; as such, this area does not meet
wetland criteria, as described in S ection 5.1 (Onsite Wetland Absence) of this report.
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Chapter 5. Results
During the site reconnaissance in December of 2020 and May of 2021 and the site investigation in
July of 2021, no wetlands or fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas were identified on the subject
property. However, three wetlands (Wetlands 1-3) were identified offsite to the east that were
previously delineated and assessed by Wetland Resources in 2020 associated with the Saghalie Heights
project. No other potentially regulated wetlands, waterbodies, fish and wildlife habitat, or priority
species were identified within 225 feet of the subject property during the site investigation.
5.1 Onsite Wetland Absence
The western portion of the southernmost parcel (2421039008) is developed with the Twin Lakes Park
and Ride facility. The City of Federal Way (1996) provided a Site Plan Review- Findings of Fact (SPR 95-
0026) for the proposed construction of the park and ride, which documented a 10,732-square-foot (or
0.2 acre) wetland to the southeast of the facility. However, the current site investigations confirmed
onsite wetland absence as no areas met all three wetland delineation criteria (a predominance of
hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and wetland hydrology) according to current wetland delineation
methodology. Seven representative data plots (DP-1 to DP-7) were collected to document the non-
wetland conditions in the subject property. Please refer to Appendix C for site photographs, Appendix
D for the Existing Conditions Exhibit which depicts the data plot locations, and Appendix E for the
non-wetland data forms. Specifically, data plots DP-1 to DP-4 document non-wetland conditions in
an area on the southwest portion of the site and data plots DP-5 to DP-7 document general upland
conditions throughout the remaining areas of the subject property.
Data plots DP-1 to DP-4 are representative of non-wetland conditions in a depression on the
southwestern portion of the subject property. The area appears to receive hydrology from a city
stormwater line discharging into the area from a large culvert on the south end of the site, which
converges into a manmade ditch lined with rip rap further north. The area met wetland hydrology
criteria indirectly through a combination of secondary indicators B9 (Water-Stained Leaves) and D2
(Geomorphic Position). This area contained a predominance of hydrophytic vegetation due to the
presence of facultative (FAC) species including red alder (Alnus rubra), black cottonwood (Populus
balsamifera), redosier dogwood (Cornus alba), creeping buttercup, lady fern (Athyrium cyclosorum) and
non-native invasive Himalayan blackberry. No facultative-wetland (FACW) or obligate (OBL) plant
species were observed with the exception of non-native invasive reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea)
which is typical to colonize disturbed areas. While the depression met wetland hydrology and
hydrophytic vegetation criteria, no hydric soils were observed. Soils in this location were generally
too bright to meet for indicators A11 (Depleted Below Dark Surface) or F3 (Depleted Matrix) and/or
did not contain any or enough redoximorphic concentrations to meet indicator F6 (Redox Dark
Surface). As such, the depression on the southwestern portion of the subject property does not meet
all three required wetland criteria.
Data plots DP-5 to DP-7 are representative of general upland conditions throughout the remaining
areas of the subject property. Data plot DP-6 exhibited hydrophytic vegetation due to a dominance
of FAC vegetation typical of upland areas, including non-native invasive Himalayan blackberry and
stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). However, DP-5 and DP-7, as well as the surrounding upland areas,
exhibited primarily FACU vegetation species including Douglas fir, bitter cherry, scotch broom
(Cytisus scoparius), hairy cat’s ear, and smooth hawksbeard. The soils at all three data plots did not meet
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for any hydric soil indicators. Additionally, no primary or secondary indicators of wetland hydrology
were observed. As such, the remainder of the site was determined to not meet wetland criteria. As
none of the seven data plots met all three wetland criteria, the subject property was determined to be
unencumbered by potentially regulated wetlands. In addition, it should be noted the prior wetland
report and data indicates the area did not meet for wetland criteria based on the obsolete or current
wetland delineation methodology.
5.2 Offsite Wetland Findings
Three wetlands (Wetlands 1-3) were identified offsite to the east that were previously delineated and
assessed by Wetland Resources in 2020 associated with the Saghalie Heights project. The identified
wetlands contained indirect indicators of wetland hydrology, hydric soils, and a predominance of
hydrophytic vegetation according to current wetland delineation methodology. Due to the offsite
locations of the identified wetlands, no formal data was collected. The following descriptions are
summarized results of Wetland Resources (2020) findings and SVC’s observations on May 5, 2021.
The location of these wetlands and their associated buffers are depicted on the revised Existing
Conditions Exhibit in Appendix D, corresponding wetland rating forms are provided in Appendix F,
and wetland rating maps are provided in Appendix G. Table 2 summarizes the identified offsite
wetlands identified during the site investigations.
Table 2. Wetland Summary.
Wetland
Predominant Wetland Classification / Rating Wetland
Size
Onsite
Buffer
Width
(feet) Cowardin1 HGM2 WSDOE3 Federal Way4
1 PFO/SSBC Depressional III III N/A -
Offsite 80
2 PFO/SSABC Depressional III III N/A -
Offsite 80
3 PSSBC Depressional IV IV N/A -
Offsite N/A5
Notes:
1. Cowardin et al. (1979) or NWI Class based on vegetation: PFO = Palustrine Forested, PSS= Palustrine Scrub-Shrub; Modifier
for Water Regime: A = Temporarily Flooded, B= Seasonally Saturated, C = Seasonally Flooded.
2. Brinson, M. M. (1993).
3. Current WSDOE Wetland Rating System for Western Washington (Hruby, 2014).
4. FWRC 19.145.420 wetland definitions.
5. Due to the isolated nature and small size of Wetland 3 (less than 1,000 square feet), no buffer is required per FWRC
19.145.420(3).
Wetland 1
Wetland 1 is located approximately 150 feet offsite to the east of the subject property at its closest
point and is approximately 68,167 square feet (1.56 acres) in size. Wetland Resources identified this
wetland as Wetland A. Hydrology for Wetland 1 is provided by surface sheet flow, direct precipitation,
and a seasonally high groundwater table. Wetland vegetation is dominated by black cottonwood
(Populus balsamifera) and red alder (Alnus rubra) along the perimeter and salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis).
Wetland 1 is a Palustrine Forested/Scrub-Shrub, Seasonally Saturated and Seasonally Flooded wetland
(PFO/SSBC). Per FWRC 19.145.420(1), Wetland 1 is a Category III depressional wetland.
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Wetland 2
Wetland 2 is located approximately 210 feet offsite to the east of the subject property at its closest
point and is approximately 11,385 square feet (0.26 acre) in size. Wetland Resources identified this
wetland as Wetland B. Hydrology for Wetland 2 is provided by surface sheet flow, direct precipitation,
and a seasonally high groundwater table. Wetland vegetation is dominated by black cottonwood
(Populus balsamifera), hardhack (Spiraea douglasii), and creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens). Wetland 2
is a Palustrine Forested/Scrub-Shrub, Temporarily Flooded, Seasonally Saturated, and Seasonally
Flooded wetland (PFO/SSABC). Per FWRC 19.145.420(1), Wetland 2 is a Category III depressional
wetland.
Wetland 3
Wetland 3 is located approximately 280 feet offsite to the east of the subject property at its closest
point and is approximately 880 square feet (0.02 acre) in size. Wetland Resources identified this
wetland as a portion of Wetland B (Wetland 2 by SVC); however, SVC identified a topographic break
between the two areas (that lacked hydric soils, wetland hydrology, or a predominance of hydrophytic
vegetation) and as such identified these areas as separated wetlands. Hydrology for Wetland 3 is
provided by surface sheet flow, direct precipitation, and a seasonally high groundwater table. Wetland
vegetation is dominated by hardhack. Wetland 3 is a Palustrine Scrub-Shrub, Seasonally Saturated and
Seasonally Flooded wetland (PSSBC). Per FWRC 19.145.420(1), Wetland 3 is a Category IV
depressional wetland.
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Chapter 6. Regulatory Considerations
The site investigations in October of 2020 and May and July of 2021 identified three potentially
regulated offsite wetlands to the east of the subject property. No other wetlands, waterbodies, or
priority habitats and species were identified on or within 225 feet of the subject property.
6.1 Local Considerations
6.1.1 Wetland Buffer Standards
FWRC 19.145.420(1) has adopted the 2014 wetland rating system. Category IV wetlands generally
provide low levels of function; they are typically more disturbed, smaller, and/or more isolated in the
landscape than Category I, II, or III wetlands. Category IV wetlands provide low levels of functions
and score less than 16 out of 27 points on the Revised Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western
Washington (Hruby, 2014). Wetland 3 is classified as a Category IV wetland. Per FWRC 19.145.420(2),
Category IV wetlands typically require a standard 50-foot buffer width; however, due to the small size
of Wetland 3 (less than 1,000 square feet) and the units’ isolated nature, no buffer is required per
FWRC 19.145.420(3). Category III wetlands generally provide moderate levels of function and have
typically been disturbed in some ways and/or more isolated in the landscape than Category I or II
wetlands. Category III wetlands score between 16 and 19 points. Wetlands 1 and 2 are classified as
Category III wetlands. Per FWRC 19.145.420(2), Category III wetlands require a standard 80-foot
buffer width based on the low habitat scores of 5 points. None of the wetland buffers project on the
subject property. In addition, buildings and other structures require a 5-foot buffer setback from the
regulated buffer edges per FWRC 19.145.160.
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Chapter 7. Closure
The findings and conclusions documented in this assessment report have been prepared for specific
application to the Twin Trails site. These findings and conclusions have been developed in a manner
consistent with that level of care and skill normally exercised by members of the environmental science
profession currently practicing under similar conditions in the area. The conclusions and
recommendations presented in this assessment report are professional opinions based on an
interpretation of information currently available to us and are made within the operation scope,
budget, and schedule of this project. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made. In addition, changes
in government codes, regulations, or laws may occur. Due to such changes, our observations and
conclusions applicable to this assessment may need to be revised wholly or in part in the future.
Wetland status and boundaries identified by SVC are based on conditions present at the time of the
site visit and considered preliminary until the wetland boundaries validated by the jurisdictional
agencies. Validation of the boundaries and jurisdictional status of such features by the regulatory
agencies provides a certification, usually written, that the critical area determination and boundaries
verified are the units that will be regulated by the agencies until a specific date or until the regulations
are modified. Only the regulatory agencies can provide this certification.
As wetlands are dynamic communities affected by both natural and human activities, changes in
boundaries may be expected; therefore, delineations cannot remain valid for an indefinite period of
time. Regulatory agencies typically recognize the validity of critical area delineations for a period of 5
years after completion of an assessment report. Development activities on a site five years after the
completion of this assessment report may require reassessment of the wetland status and/or
boundaries. In addition, changes in government codes, regulations, or laws may occur. Due to such
changes, our observations and conclusions applicable to this site may need to be revised wholly or in
part.
1310.0029 – Twin Trails 12 Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
Chapter 8. References
Brinson, M. M. 1993. A hydrogeomorphic classification for wetlands, Technical Report WRP-DE-4. U.S. Army
Engineer Waterways Experiment Station. Vicksburg, Mississippi.
City of Federal Way. 1996. SPR 95-0026-Site Plan Approval, Twin Lakes Park and Ride Facility, 3422021st
Avenue SW, Federal Way, WA. Dated October 8, 1996.
Cowardin, L.M. V. Carter, F. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater
Habitats of the United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Washington D.C.
Environmental Laboratory. 1987. Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual. Technical Report Y-
87-1, US Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Federal Geographic Data Committee. 2013. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the
United States. FGDC-STD-004-2013. Second Edition. Wetlands Subcommittee, Federal
Geographic Data Committee and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC.
Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC). 2021. Chapter 19.145 – Environmentally Critical Areas. Website:
https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/FederalWay/#!/FederalWay19/FederalWay19145.html
#19.145.420. Current through July 12, 2021.
Hitchcock, C.L. & A. Cronquist, Ed. by D. Giblin, B. Ledger, P. Zika, and R. Olmstead. 2018. Flora
of the Pacific Northwest, 2nd Edition. U.W. Press and Burke Museum. Seattle, Washington.
Hruby, T. 2014. Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington: 2014 Update.
(Publication #14-06-029). Olympia, WA: Washington Department of Ecology.
Landau Associates. 2022. Peer Review, Twin Trails Subdivision — Wetland and Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Assessment 34220 21st Avenue SW, Federal Way, File No. 21-104105-SU, LAI Project No.
0238095.010. Prepared January 14, 2022 for the City of Federal Way
Munsell Color, 2000. Munsell Soil Color Charts. New Windsor, New York.
Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS). N.d. Soil Data Access Hydric Soils List (Soil Data
Access Live). Accessed May 17, 2021. Website:
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcseprd1316620.html.
NRCS. 2018. Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States, Version 8.2. L.M. Vasilas, G.W. Hurt, and
J.F. Berkowitz (eds.). USDA, NRCS, in cooperation with the National Technical Committee for
Hydric Soils
Sheldon, D., T. Hruby, P. Johnson, K. Harper, A. McMillan, T. Granger, S. Stanley, and E. Stockdale.
2005. Wetlands in Washington State - Volume 1: A Synthesis of the Science. Washington State
Department of Ecology. Publication #05-06-006. March, 2005. Olympia, Washington.
Snyder, D., Gale, P., and Pringle, R. 1973. Soil survey of King County Area, Washington. United States
Department of Agriculture. Website:
1310.0029 – Twin Trails 13 Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/washington/KingWA1973/King
WA_1974.pdf
USACE. 2010. Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Western Mountains,
Valleys, and Coast Region (Ver2.0), ed. J.S. Wakeley, R.W. Lichvar, and C.V. Noble. ERDC/EL TR-
10-3. U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center. Vicksburg, Mississippi.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2018. National Wetland Plant List, version 3.4.
http://wetland-plants.usace.army.mil/.
1310.0029 – Twin Trails Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
Appendix A –– Methods and Tools
Table A1. Methods and tools used to prepare the report.
Parameter Method or Tool Website Reference
Wetland
Presence/
Absence
USACE 1987
Wetland
Delineation
Manual
http://el.erdc.usace.army.mi
l/elpubs/pdf/wlman87.pdf
Environmental Laboratory. 1987. Corps of
Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual.
Technical Report Y-87-1, US Army Engineer
Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg,
Mississippi.
Western
Mountains,
Valleys, and Coast
Region Regional
Supplement
http://www.usace.army.mil
/Portals/2/docs/civilworks
/regulatory/reg_supp/west
_mt_finalsupp.pdf
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 2010. Regional
Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland
Delineation Manual: Western Mountains, Valleys, and
Coast Region (Version 2.0), ed. J. S. Wakeley, R.
W. Lichvar, and C. V. Noble. ERDC/EL TR-
10-3. Vicksburg, MS: U.S. Army Engineer
Research and Development Center.
Wetland
Indicator
Status
2018 National
Wetland Plant List http://wetland-
plants.usace.army.mil/
USACE. 2018. National Wetland Plant List,
version 3.4. Website.
Plant Names
and
Identification
USDA Plant
Database
http://plants.usda.gov/ Website.
Flora of the Pacific
Northwest
http://www.pnwherbaria.or
g/florapnw.php
Hitchcock, C.L. & A. Cronquist, Ed. by D.
Giblin, B. Ledger, P. Zika, and R. Olmstead.
2018. Flora of the Pacific Northwest, 2nd
Edition. U.W. Press and Burke Museum.
Seattle, Washington.
Soils Data
NRCS Soil Survey http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.u
sda.gov/app/
Website GIS data based upon:
Debose, Alfonso and M. W. Klungland. 1983.
Soil Survey of Snohomish County Area, Washington.
Soil Conservation Service United States
Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation
Service, in cooperation with the Washington
Agricultural Experiment Station. Natural
Resource Conservation Service.
Soil Color Charts Munsell Color. 2000. Munsell Soil Color
Charts. New Windsor, New York.
Soil Data Access
Hydric Soils List
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov
/Internet/FSE_DOCUME
NTS/nrcseprd1316620.html
Natural Resources Conservation Service.
N.d. Soil Data Access Hydric Soils List (Soil
Data Access Live).
Field Indicators of
Hydric Soils
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov
/Internet/FSE_DOCUME
NTS/nrcs142p2_053171.pd
f
NRCS. 2018. Field Indictors of Hydric Soils in the
United States, Version 8.2. L.M. Vasialas, G.W.
Hurt, and C.V. Noble (eds.). USDA, NRCS, in
cooperation with the National Technical
Committee for Hydric Soils.
Threatened
and
Endangered
Species
Washington
Natural Heritage
Program
http://data-
wadnr.opendata.arcgis.com/
datasets/wnhp-current-
element-occurrences
Washington Natural Heritage Program.
Endangered, threatened, and sensitive plants of
Washington. Washington State Department of
Natural Resources, Washington Natural
Heritage Program, Olympia, WA
1310.0029 – Twin Trails Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
Parameter Method or Tool Website Reference
Washington
Priority Habitats
and Species
http://wdfw.wa.gov/hab/p
hspage.htm
Priority Habitats and Species (PHS)
Program Map of priority habitats and species
in project vicinity. Washington Department of
Fish and Wildlife.
Species of
Local
Importance
WDFW GIS Data http://wdfw.wa.gov/mappi
ng/salmonscape/
Website
Report
Preparation
Federal Way
Revised Code
(FWRC)
https://www.codepublishin
g.com/WA/FederalWay/#!
/FederalWay19/FederalWa
y19145.html
Chapter 19.145 – Environmentally Critical
Areas
1310.0029 – Twin Trails Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
Appendix B –– Background Information
This appendix includes a King County Contours Map (B1); NRCS Soil Survey Map (B2); King County
Sensitive Areas Map (B3); WDFW PHS Map (B4); USFWS NWI Map (B5); DNR Stream Typing Map
(B6); WDFW SalmonScape Map (B7); and City of Federal Way Wetland Inventory (B8).
1310.0029 – Twin Trails Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
Appendix B1 –– King County Contours Map
Subject Property
Location
1310.0029 – Twin Trails Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
Appendix B2 –– NRCS Soil Survey Map
Subject Property
Location
1310.0029 – Twin Trails Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
Appendix B3 –– King County Sensitive Areas Map
Subject Property
Location
1310.0029 – Twin Trails Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
Appendix B4 –– WDFW PHS Map
Subject Property
Location
1310.0029 – Twin Trails Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
Appendix B5 –– USFWS NWI Map
Subject Property
Location
1310.0029 – Twin Trails Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
Appendix B6 –– DNR Stream Typing Map
Subject Property
Location
1310.0029 – Twin Trails Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
Appendix B7 – WDFW SalmonScape Map
Subject Property
Location
1310.0029 – Twin Trails Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
Appendix B8 – City of Federal Way Wetland Inventory
Subject Property
Location
1310.0029 – Twin Trails Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
Appendix C –– Site Photographs
General Upland Site Conditions at DP-1
Soil Profile at DP-1
General Upland Conditions at DP-2
Soil Profile at DP-2
1310.0029 – Twin Trails Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
General Upland Conditions at DP-3
Soil Profile at DP-3
General Upland Site Conditions at DP-4
Soil Profile at DP-4
1310.0029 – Twin Trails Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
General Upland Site Conditions at DP-5
Soil Profile at DP-5
General Upland Conditions at DP 6
Soil Profile at DP-6
1310.0029 – Twin Trails Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
General Upland Site Conditions at DP-7
Soil Profile at DP-7
Typical Wetland 1 Conditions
Typical Wetland 2 Conditions
1310.0029 – Twin Trails Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
Typical Wetland 3 Conditions
1310.0029 – Twin Trails Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
Appendix D –– Existing Conditions Exhibit
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Offsite Wetland 3Category IV
Offsite Wetland 2Category III
Offsite Wetland 1Category III
DP-2
DP-3 DP-4
DP-5
DP-6
DP-7
TWIN TRAILS - EXISTING CONDITIONS
¢
PRELIMINARYINFORMATION ONLYNOT FOR CONSTRUCTION
SOUNDVIEW CONSULTANTS LLC ASSUMESNO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FORCONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENTS, ORESTIMATES BASED ON THIS PLAN SETRECONNAISSANCE LEVEL ONLYNOT BASED ON SURVEY
www.soundviewconsultants.com
2907 Harborview Dr., Suite D, Gig Harbor, WA 98335Phone: (253) 514-8952 Fax: (253) 514-8954
Soundview ConsultantsEnvironmental Assessment • Planning • Land Use Solutions LLC 1605 SW 341ST PLFEDERAL WAY, WA 98023
KING COUNTY PARCEL NUMBERS:2421039008 & 2421039051
TWIN TRAILS DATE:
JOB:
BY:
SCALE:
FIGURE NO.
2/7/2022
1310.0029
DDS
1
1 " = 170 '
'&Data Point
XY Culvert
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Offsite Wetlands
Non RegulatedStormwater Pond
Site Boundary 0 170 34085 Feet
DP-1
1310.0029 – Twin Trails Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
Appendix E –– Non-Wetland Data Forms
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM – Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region
Project/Site: City/County: Sampling Date:
Applicant/Owner: State: Sampling Point:
Investigator(s): Section, Township, Range:
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc.): Local relief (concave, convex, none): Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR): Lat: Long: Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name: NWI classification:
Are climatic / hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year? Yes No (If no, explain in Remarks.)
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology significantly disturbed? Are “Normal Circumstances” present? Yes No
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology naturally problematic? (If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present? Yes No
Hydric Soil Present? Yes No
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes No
Is the Sampled Area
within a Wetland? Yes No
Remarks:
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute Dominant Indicator
Tree Stratum (Plot size: 30 ft) % Cover Species? Status
1.
2.
3.
4.
= Total Cover
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size: 30 ft)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
= Total Cover
Herb Stratum (Plot size: 10 ft)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
= Total Cover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size: 30 ft)
1.
2.
= Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum
Dominance Test worksheet:
Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: (A)
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata: (B)
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: (A/B)
Prevalence Index worksheet:
Total % Cover of: Multiply by:
OBL species x 1 =
FACW species x 2 =
FAC species x 3 =
FACU species x 4 =
UPL species x 5 =
Column Totals: (A) (B)
Prevalence Index = B/A =
Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
Dominance Test is >50%
Prevalence Index is ≤3.01
Morphological Adaptations1 (Provide supporting
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
Wetland Non-Vascular Plants1
Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation1 (Explain)
1Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must
be present, unless disturbed or problematic.
Hydrophytic
Vegetation
Present? Yes No
Remarks:
1310.0029 Twin Trails Federal Way, King 7/14/2021
Propsect Development - Justin Holland WA DP-1
Ryan Krapp and Mae Ancheta 24/21N/3E
Swale Concave 2
A2 47.294150 122.35863273 WGS 84
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes N/A
Not all three wetland criteria met; lacking hydric soils. Data collected on southwestern portion of the subject property.
Alnus rubra 25 Yes FAC 3
Populus balsamifera 5 No FAC
Acer macrophyllum 5 No FACU 3
35 100%
Rubus armeniacus 20 Yes FAC
20
Ranunculus repens 80 Yes FAC
Athyrium cyclosorum 7 No FACW
87
0
13
Hydrophytic vegetation met through the dominance test.
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
SOIL
Sampling Point:
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
Depth Matrix Redox Features
(inches) Color (moist) % Color (moist) % Type1 Loc2 Texture Remarks
1Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, CS=Covered or Coated Sand Grains. 2Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix.
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to all LRRs, unless otherwise noted.) Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils3:
Histosol (A1) Sandy Redox (S5) 2 cm Muck (A10)
Histic Epipedon (A2) Stripped Matrix (S6) Red Parent Material (TF2)
Black Histic (A3) Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (except MLRA 1) Very Shallow Dark Surface (TF12)
Hydrogen Sulfide (A4) Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2) Other (Explain in Remarks)
Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11) Depleted Matrix (F3)
Thick Dark Surface (A12) Redox Dark Surface (F6) 3Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and
Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1) Depleted Dark Surface (F7) wetland hydrology must be present,
Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4) Redox Depressions (F8) unless disturbed or problematic.
Restrictive Layer (if present):
Type:________________________________
Depth (inches):________________________ Hydric Soil Present? Yes No
Remarks:
HYDROLOGY
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Primary Indicators (minimum of one required; check all that apply) Secondary Indicators (2 or more required)
Surface Water (A1) Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (except MLRA Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (MLRA 1, 2,
High Water Table (A2) 1, 2, 4A, and 4B) 4A, and 4B)
Saturation (A3) Salt Crust (B11) Drainage Patterns (B10)
Water Marks (B1) Aquatic Invertebrates (B13) Dry-Season Water Table (C2)
Sediment Deposits (B2) Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C1) Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
Drift Deposits (B3) Oxidized Rhizospheres along Living Roots (C3) Geomorphic Position (D2)
Algal Mat or Crust (B4) Presence of Reduced Iron (C4) Shallow Aquitard (D3)
Iron Deposits (B5) Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6) FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
Surface Soil Cracks (B6) Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A) Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)
Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (B7) Other (Explain in Remarks) Frost-Heave Hummocks (D7)
Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8)
Field Observations:
Surface Water Present? Yes No Depth (inches):
Water Table Present? Yes No Depth (inches):
Saturation Present? Yes No Depth (inches):
(includes capillary fringe)
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes No
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
DP-1
0 - 5 10YR 2/2 100 ----MedLo Medium loam
5 - 9 10YR 2/2 99 7.5YR 4/4 1 C M MedLo Medium loam
9 - 16 10YR 3/4 99 7.5YR 4/6 1 C M SaGrLo Sandy gravelly loam
None
--
No hydric soil criteria met.
None
None
None
Wetland hydrology criteria met indirectly through secondary indicators B9 and D2; soil pit dug to 24 inches.
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM – Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region
Project/Site: City/County: Sampling Date:
Applicant/Owner: State: Sampling Point:
Investigator(s): Section, Township, Range:
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc.): Local relief (concave, convex, none): Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR): Lat: Long: Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name: NWI classification:
Are climatic / hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year? Yes No (If no, explain in Remarks.)
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology significantly disturbed? Are “Normal Circumstances” present? Yes No
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology naturally problematic? (If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present? Yes No
Hydric Soil Present? Yes No
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes No
Is the Sampled Area
within a Wetland? Yes No
Remarks:
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute Dominant Indicator
Tree Stratum (Plot size: 30 ft) % Cover Species? Status
1.
2.
3.
4.
= Total Cover
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size: 30 ft)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
= Total Cover
Herb Stratum (Plot size: 10 ft)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
= Total Cover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size: 30 ft)
1.
2.
= Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum
Dominance Test worksheet:
Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: (A)
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata: (B)
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: (A/B)
Prevalence Index worksheet:
Total % Cover of: Multiply by:
OBL species x 1 =
FACW species x 2 =
FAC species x 3 =
FACU species x 4 =
UPL species x 5 =
Column Totals: (A) (B)
Prevalence Index = B/A =
Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
Dominance Test is >50%
Prevalence Index is ≤3.01
Morphological Adaptations1 (Provide supporting
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
Wetland Non-Vascular Plants1
Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation1 (Explain)
1Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must
be present, unless disturbed or problematic.
Hydrophytic
Vegetation
Present? Yes No
Remarks:
1310.0029 Twin Trails Federal Way, King 7/14/2021
Propsect Development - Justin Holland WA DP-2
Ryan Krapp and Mae Ancheta 24/21N/3E
Swale Concave 2
A2 47.293872 -122.35856126 WGS 84
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes N/A
Not all three wetland criteria met; lacking hydric soils. Data collected on southwestern portion of the subject property.
Malus sp.*25 Yes FAC 4
Alnus rubra 10 Yes FAC
4
35 100%
Rubus armeniacus 40 Yes FAC
40
Ranunculus repens 40 Yes FAC
Athyrium cyclosorum 5 No FACW
Geum macrophyllum 1 No FAC
46
0
54
Hydrophytic vegetation met through the dominance test. *Malus species assumed FAC for scoring purposes.
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
SOIL
Sampling Point:
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
Depth Matrix Redox Features
(inches) Color (moist) % Color (moist) % Type1 Loc2 Texture Remarks
1Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, CS=Covered or Coated Sand Grains. 2Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix.
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to all LRRs, unless otherwise noted.) Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils3:
Histosol (A1) Sandy Redox (S5) 2 cm Muck (A10)
Histic Epipedon (A2) Stripped Matrix (S6) Red Parent Material (TF2)
Black Histic (A3) Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (except MLRA 1) Very Shallow Dark Surface (TF12)
Hydrogen Sulfide (A4) Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2) Other (Explain in Remarks)
Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11) Depleted Matrix (F3)
Thick Dark Surface (A12) Redox Dark Surface (F6) 3Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and
Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1) Depleted Dark Surface (F7) wetland hydrology must be present,
Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4) Redox Depressions (F8) unless disturbed or problematic.
Restrictive Layer (if present):
Type:________________________________
Depth (inches):________________________ Hydric Soil Present? Yes No
Remarks:
HYDROLOGY
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Primary Indicators (minimum of one required; check all that apply) Secondary Indicators (2 or more required)
Surface Water (A1) Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (except MLRA Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (MLRA 1, 2,
High Water Table (A2) 1, 2, 4A, and 4B) 4A, and 4B)
Saturation (A3) Salt Crust (B11) Drainage Patterns (B10)
Water Marks (B1) Aquatic Invertebrates (B13) Dry-Season Water Table (C2)
Sediment Deposits (B2) Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C1) Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
Drift Deposits (B3) Oxidized Rhizospheres along Living Roots (C3) Geomorphic Position (D2)
Algal Mat or Crust (B4) Presence of Reduced Iron (C4) Shallow Aquitard (D3)
Iron Deposits (B5) Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6) FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
Surface Soil Cracks (B6) Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A) Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)
Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (B7) Other (Explain in Remarks) Frost-Heave Hummocks (D7)
Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8)
Field Observations:
Surface Water Present? Yes No Depth (inches):
Water Table Present? Yes No Depth (inches):
Saturation Present? Yes No Depth (inches):
(includes capillary fringe)
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes No
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
DP-2
0 - 4 10YR 2/2 100 ----MedLo Medium loam
4 - 16+10YR 3/4 100 ----SaGrLo Sandy gravelly loam
None
--
No hydric soil criteria met.
None
None
None
Wetland hydrology criteria met indirectly through secondary indicators B9 and D2; soil pit dug to 20 inches.
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM – Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region
Project/Site: City/County: Sampling Date:
Applicant/Owner: State: Sampling Point:
Investigator(s): Section, Township, Range:
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc.): Local relief (concave, convex, none): Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR): Lat: Long: Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name: NWI classification:
Are climatic / hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year? Yes No (If no, explain in Remarks.)
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology significantly disturbed? Are “Normal Circumstances” present? Yes No
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology naturally problematic? (If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present? Yes No
Hydric Soil Present? Yes No
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes No
Is the Sampled Area
within a Wetland? Yes No
Remarks:
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute Dominant Indicator
Tree Stratum (Plot size: 30 ft) % Cover Species? Status
1.
2.
3.
4.
= Total Cover
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size: 30 ft)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
= Total Cover
Herb Stratum (Plot size: 10 ft)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
= Total Cover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size: 30 ft)
1.
2.
= Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum
Dominance Test worksheet:
Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: (A)
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata: (B)
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: (A/B)
Prevalence Index worksheet:
Total % Cover of: Multiply by:
OBL species x 1 =
FACW species x 2 =
FAC species x 3 =
FACU species x 4 =
UPL species x 5 =
Column Totals: (A) (B)
Prevalence Index = B/A =
Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
Dominance Test is >50%
Prevalence Index is ≤3.01
Morphological Adaptations1 (Provide supporting
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
Wetland Non-Vascular Plants1
Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation1 (Explain)
1Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must
be present, unless disturbed or problematic.
Hydrophytic
Vegetation
Present? Yes No
Remarks:
1310.0029 Twin Trails Federal Way, King 7/14/2021
Propsect Development - Justin Holland WA DP-3
Ryan Krapp and Mae Ancheta 24/21N/3E
Swale Concave 2
A2 47.293656 -122.35858239 WGS 84
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes N/A
Not all three wetland criteria met; lacking hydric soils. Data collected on southwestern portion of the subject property.
Alnus rubra 60 Yes FAC 3
Populus balsamifera 7 No FAC
3
67 100%
Cornus alba 80 Yes FACW
Rubus armeniacus 2 No FAC
82
Ranunculus repens 40 Yes FAC
40
0
60
Hydrophytic vegetation met through the dominance test.
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
SOIL
Sampling Point:
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
Depth Matrix Redox Features
(inches) Color (moist) % Color (moist) % Type1 Loc2 Texture Remarks
1Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, CS=Covered or Coated Sand Grains. 2Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix.
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to all LRRs, unless otherwise noted.) Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils3:
Histosol (A1) Sandy Redox (S5) 2 cm Muck (A10)
Histic Epipedon (A2) Stripped Matrix (S6) Red Parent Material (TF2)
Black Histic (A3) Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (except MLRA 1) Very Shallow Dark Surface (TF12)
Hydrogen Sulfide (A4) Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2) Other (Explain in Remarks)
Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11) Depleted Matrix (F3)
Thick Dark Surface (A12) Redox Dark Surface (F6) 3Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and
Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1) Depleted Dark Surface (F7) wetland hydrology must be present,
Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4) Redox Depressions (F8) unless disturbed or problematic.
Restrictive Layer (if present):
Type:________________________________
Depth (inches):________________________ Hydric Soil Present? Yes No
Remarks:
HYDROLOGY
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Primary Indicators (minimum of one required; check all that apply) Secondary Indicators (2 or more required)
Surface Water (A1) Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (except MLRA Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (MLRA 1, 2,
High Water Table (A2) 1, 2, 4A, and 4B) 4A, and 4B)
Saturation (A3) Salt Crust (B11) Drainage Patterns (B10)
Water Marks (B1) Aquatic Invertebrates (B13) Dry-Season Water Table (C2)
Sediment Deposits (B2) Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C1) Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
Drift Deposits (B3) Oxidized Rhizospheres along Living Roots (C3) Geomorphic Position (D2)
Algal Mat or Crust (B4) Presence of Reduced Iron (C4) Shallow Aquitard (D3)
Iron Deposits (B5) Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6) FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
Surface Soil Cracks (B6) Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A) Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)
Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (B7) Other (Explain in Remarks) Frost-Heave Hummocks (D7)
Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8)
Field Observations:
Surface Water Present? Yes No Depth (inches):
Water Table Present? Yes No Depth (inches):
Saturation Present? Yes No Depth (inches):
(includes capillary fringe)
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes No
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
DP-3
0 - 5 10YR 2/2 100 ----MedLo Medium loam
5 - 16+10YR 3/4 97 7.5YR 4/6 3 C M MedLo Medium loam
None
--
No hydric soil criteria met.
None
None
None
Wetland hydrology criteria met indirectly through secondary indicators D2 and D5. Soil pit dug to 24 inches.
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM – Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region
Project/Site: City/County: Sampling Date:
Applicant/Owner: State: Sampling Point:
Investigator(s): Section, Township, Range:
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc.): Local relief (concave, convex, none): Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR): Lat: Long: Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name: NWI classification:
Are climatic / hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year? Yes No (If no, explain in Remarks.)
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology significantly disturbed? Are “Normal Circumstances” present? Yes No
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology naturally problematic? (If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present? Yes No
Hydric Soil Present? Yes No
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes No
Is the Sampled Area
within a Wetland? Yes No
Remarks:
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute Dominant Indicator
Tree Stratum (Plot size: 30 ft) % Cover Species? Status
1.
2.
3.
4.
= Total Cover
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size: 30 ft)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
= Total Cover
Herb Stratum (Plot size: 10 ft)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
= Total Cover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size: 30 ft)
1.
2.
= Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum
Dominance Test worksheet:
Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: (A)
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata: (B)
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: (A/B)
Prevalence Index worksheet:
Total % Cover of: Multiply by:
OBL species x 1 =
FACW species x 2 =
FAC species x 3 =
FACU species x 4 =
UPL species x 5 =
Column Totals: (A) (B)
Prevalence Index = B/A =
Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
Dominance Test is >50%
Prevalence Index is ≤3.01
Morphological Adaptations1 (Provide supporting
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
Wetland Non-Vascular Plants1
Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation1 (Explain)
1Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must
be present, unless disturbed or problematic.
Hydrophytic
Vegetation
Present? Yes No
Remarks:
1310.0029 Twin Trails Federal Way, King 7/14/2021
Propsect Development - Justin Holland WA DP-4
Ryan Krapp and Mae Ancheta 24/21N/3E
Swale Concave 1
A2 47.293670 -122.35834580 WGS 84
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes N/A
Not all three wetland criteria met; lacking hydric soils. Data collected ion southwestern portion of the subject property.
2
2
0 100%
Populus balsamifera 5 Yes FAC
5
Phalaris arundinacea 100 Yes FACW
100
0
0
Hydrophytic vegetation met through the dominance test.
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
SOIL
Sampling Point:
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
Depth Matrix Redox Features
(inches) Color (moist) % Color (moist) % Type1 Loc2 Texture Remarks
1Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, CS=Covered or Coated Sand Grains. 2Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix.
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to all LRRs, unless otherwise noted.) Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils3:
Histosol (A1) Sandy Redox (S5) 2 cm Muck (A10)
Histic Epipedon (A2) Stripped Matrix (S6) Red Parent Material (TF2)
Black Histic (A3) Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (except MLRA 1) Very Shallow Dark Surface (TF12)
Hydrogen Sulfide (A4) Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2) Other (Explain in Remarks)
Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11) Depleted Matrix (F3)
Thick Dark Surface (A12) Redox Dark Surface (F6) 3Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and
Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1) Depleted Dark Surface (F7) wetland hydrology must be present,
Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4) Redox Depressions (F8) unless disturbed or problematic.
Restrictive Layer (if present):
Type:________________________________
Depth (inches):________________________ Hydric Soil Present? Yes No
Remarks:
HYDROLOGY
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Primary Indicators (minimum of one required; check all that apply) Secondary Indicators (2 or more required)
Surface Water (A1) Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (except MLRA Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (MLRA 1, 2,
High Water Table (A2) 1, 2, 4A, and 4B) 4A, and 4B)
Saturation (A3) Salt Crust (B11) Drainage Patterns (B10)
Water Marks (B1) Aquatic Invertebrates (B13) Dry-Season Water Table (C2)
Sediment Deposits (B2) Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C1) Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
Drift Deposits (B3) Oxidized Rhizospheres along Living Roots (C3) Geomorphic Position (D2)
Algal Mat or Crust (B4) Presence of Reduced Iron (C4) Shallow Aquitard (D3)
Iron Deposits (B5) Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6) FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
Surface Soil Cracks (B6) Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A) Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)
Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (B7) Other (Explain in Remarks) Frost-Heave Hummocks (D7)
Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8)
Field Observations:
Surface Water Present? Yes No Depth (inches):
Water Table Present? Yes No Depth (inches):
Saturation Present? Yes No Depth (inches):
(includes capillary fringe)
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes No
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
DP-4
0 - 11 10YR 2/2 100 ----MedLo Medium loam
11 - 16+10YR 3/4 98 7.5YR 4/6 2 C M SaGrLo Sandy gravelly loam
None
--
No hydric soil criteria met.
None
None
None
Wetland hydrology criteria met indirectly through secondary indicators D2 and D5; soil pit dug to 20 inches.
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM – Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region
Project/Site: City/County: Sampling Date:
Applicant/Owner: State: Sampling Point:
Investigator(s): Section, Township, Range:
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc.): Local relief (concave, convex, none): Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR): Lat: Long: Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name: NWI classification:
Are climatic / hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year? Yes No (If no, explain in Remarks.)
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology significantly disturbed? Are “Normal Circumstances” present? Yes No
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology naturally problematic? (If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present? Yes No
Hydric Soil Present? Yes No
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes No
Is the Sampled Area
within a Wetland? Yes No
Remarks:
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute Dominant Indicator
Tree Stratum (Plot size: 30 ft) % Cover Species? Status
1.
2.
3.
4.
= Total Cover
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size: 30 ft)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
= Total Cover
Herb Stratum (Plot size: 10 ft)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
= Total Cover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size: 30 ft)
1.
2.
= Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum
Dominance Test worksheet:
Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: (A)
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata: (B)
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: (A/B)
Prevalence Index worksheet:
Total % Cover of: Multiply by:
OBL species x 1 =
FACW species x 2 =
FAC species x 3 =
FACU species x 4 =
UPL species x 5 =
Column Totals: (A) (B)
Prevalence Index = B/A =
Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
Dominance Test is >50%
Prevalence Index is ≤3.01
Morphological Adaptations1 (Provide supporting
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
Wetland Non-Vascular Plants1
Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation1 (Explain)
1Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must
be present, unless disturbed or problematic.
Hydrophytic
Vegetation
Present? Yes No
Remarks:
0
1310.0029 Twin Trails Federal Way, King 7/14/2021
Propsect Development - Justin Holland WA DP-5
Ryan Krapp and Mae Ancheta 24/21N/3E
Rolling Convex 1
A2 47.294348 -122.35730185 WGS 84
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes N/A
No wetland criteria met. Data collected in upland area on the central portion of the subject property.
Pseudotsuga menziesii 10 Yes FACU 1
Prunus emarginata 5 Yes FACU
Frangula purshiana 2 No FAC 5
17 20%
Populus balsamifera 5 Yes FAC
Cytisus scoparius 5 Yes UPL
10
Rubus ursinus 100 Yes FACU
Athyrium cyclosorum 5 No FAC
Poa sp.*2 No FAC
Cirsium arvense 2 No FAC
109
0
No hydrophytic vegetation criteria met; prevalence index not warranted due to lack of hydric soils or wetland
hydrology.
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
SOIL
Sampling Point:
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
Depth Matrix Redox Features
(inches) Color (moist) % Color (moist) % Type1 Loc2 Texture Remarks
1Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, CS=Covered or Coated Sand Grains. 2Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix.
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to all LRRs, unless otherwise noted.) Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils3:
Histosol (A1) Sandy Redox (S5) 2 cm Muck (A10)
Histic Epipedon (A2) Stripped Matrix (S6) Red Parent Material (TF2)
Black Histic (A3) Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (except MLRA 1) Very Shallow Dark Surface (TF12)
Hydrogen Sulfide (A4) Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2) Other (Explain in Remarks)
Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11) Depleted Matrix (F3)
Thick Dark Surface (A12) Redox Dark Surface (F6) 3Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and
Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1) Depleted Dark Surface (F7) wetland hydrology must be present,
Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4) Redox Depressions (F8) unless disturbed or problematic.
Restrictive Layer (if present):
Type:________________________________
Depth (inches):________________________ Hydric Soil Present? Yes No
Remarks:
HYDROLOGY
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Primary Indicators (minimum of one required; check all that apply) Secondary Indicators (2 or more required)
Surface Water (A1) Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (except MLRA Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (MLRA 1, 2,
High Water Table (A2) 1, 2, 4A, and 4B) 4A, and 4B)
Saturation (A3) Salt Crust (B11) Drainage Patterns (B10)
Water Marks (B1) Aquatic Invertebrates (B13) Dry-Season Water Table (C2)
Sediment Deposits (B2) Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C1) Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
Drift Deposits (B3) Oxidized Rhizospheres along Living Roots (C3) Geomorphic Position (D2)
Algal Mat or Crust (B4) Presence of Reduced Iron (C4) Shallow Aquitard (D3)
Iron Deposits (B5) Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6) FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
Surface Soil Cracks (B6) Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A) Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)
Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (B7) Other (Explain in Remarks) Frost-Heave Hummocks (D7)
Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8)
Field Observations:
Surface Water Present? Yes No Depth (inches):
Water Table Present? Yes No Depth (inches):
Saturation Present? Yes No Depth (inches):
(includes capillary fringe)
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes No
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
DP-5
0 - 9 10YR 3/2 70 ----SaGrLo Sandy gravelly loam; mixed matrix
10YR 4/3 30 ----SaGrLo Very fine material
9 - 16+10YR 4/4 80 7.5YR 4/6 20 C M SaGrLo Sandy gravelly loam
None
--
No hydric soil criteria met.
None
None
None
No wetland hydrology criteria met; soil pit dug to 20 inches.
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM – Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region
Project/Site: City/County: Sampling Date:
Applicant/Owner: State: Sampling Point:
Investigator(s): Section, Township, Range:
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc.): Local relief (concave, convex, none): Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR): Lat: Long: Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name: NWI classification:
Are climatic / hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year? Yes No (If no, explain in Remarks.)
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology significantly disturbed? Are “Normal Circumstances” present? Yes No
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology naturally problematic? (If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present? Yes No
Hydric Soil Present? Yes No
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes No
Is the Sampled Area
within a Wetland? Yes No
Remarks:
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute Dominant Indicator
Tree Stratum (Plot size: 30 ft) % Cover Species? Status
1.
2.
3.
4.
= Total Cover
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size: 30 ft)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
= Total Cover
Herb Stratum (Plot size: 10 ft)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
= Total Cover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size: 30 ft)
1.
2.
= Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum
Dominance Test worksheet:
Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: (A)
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata: (B)
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: (A/B)
Prevalence Index worksheet:
Total % Cover of: Multiply by:
OBL species x 1 =
FACW species x 2 =
FAC species x 3 =
FACU species x 4 =
UPL species x 5 =
Column Totals: (A) (B)
Prevalence Index = B/A =
Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
Dominance Test is >50%
Prevalence Index is ≤3.01
Morphological Adaptations1 (Provide supporting
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
Wetland Non-Vascular Plants1
Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation1 (Explain)
1Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must
be present, unless disturbed or problematic.
Hydrophytic
Vegetation
Present? Yes No
Remarks:
1310.0029 Twin Trails Federal Way, King 7/14/2021
Propsect Development - Justin Holland WA DP-6
Ryan Krapp and Mae Ancheta 24/21N/3E
Swale Concave 2
A2 47.293739 -122.35605960 WGS 84
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes N/A
Not all three wetland criteria met; only hydrophytic vegetation present. Data collected in upland area on the southeastern portion of
the subject property.
2
2
0 100%
Rubus armeniacus 100 Yes FAC
100
Urtica dioica 20 Yes FAC
20
0
80
Hydrophytic vegetation criteria met through the dominance test.
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
SOIL
Sampling Point:
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
Depth Matrix Redox Features
(inches) Color (moist) % Color (moist) % Type1 Loc2 Texture Remarks
1Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, CS=Covered or Coated Sand Grains. 2Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix.
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to all LRRs, unless otherwise noted.) Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils3:
Histosol (A1) Sandy Redox (S5) 2 cm Muck (A10)
Histic Epipedon (A2) Stripped Matrix (S6) Red Parent Material (TF2)
Black Histic (A3) Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (except MLRA 1) Very Shallow Dark Surface (TF12)
Hydrogen Sulfide (A4) Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2) Other (Explain in Remarks)
Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11) Depleted Matrix (F3)
Thick Dark Surface (A12) Redox Dark Surface (F6) 3Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and
Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1) Depleted Dark Surface (F7) wetland hydrology must be present,
Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4) Redox Depressions (F8) unless disturbed or problematic.
Restrictive Layer (if present):
Type:________________________________
Depth (inches):________________________ Hydric Soil Present? Yes No
Remarks:
HYDROLOGY
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Primary Indicators (minimum of one required; check all that apply) Secondary Indicators (2 or more required)
Surface Water (A1) Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (except MLRA Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (MLRA 1, 2,
High Water Table (A2) 1, 2, 4A, and 4B) 4A, and 4B)
Saturation (A3) Salt Crust (B11) Drainage Patterns (B10)
Water Marks (B1) Aquatic Invertebrates (B13) Dry-Season Water Table (C2)
Sediment Deposits (B2) Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C1) Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
Drift Deposits (B3) Oxidized Rhizospheres along Living Roots (C3) Geomorphic Position (D2)
Algal Mat or Crust (B4) Presence of Reduced Iron (C4) Shallow Aquitard (D3)
Iron Deposits (B5) Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6) FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
Surface Soil Cracks (B6) Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A) Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)
Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (B7) Other (Explain in Remarks) Frost-Heave Hummocks (D7)
Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8)
Field Observations:
Surface Water Present? Yes No Depth (inches):
Water Table Present? Yes No Depth (inches):
Saturation Present? Yes No Depth (inches):
(includes capillary fringe)
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes No
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
DP-6
0 - 4 10YR 3/2 100 ----MedLo Medium loam
4 - 9 10YR 3/4 97 10YR 4/6 3 C M MedLo Medium loam
9 - 16+2.5Y 5/3 95 10YR 4/6 5 C M MedLo Medium loam
None
--
No hydric soil criteria met.
None
None
None
No wetland hydrology criteria met; soil pit dug to 20 inches.
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM – Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region
Project/Site: City/County: Sampling Date:
Applicant/Owner: State: Sampling Point:
Investigator(s): Section, Township, Range:
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc.): Local relief (concave, convex, none): Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR): Lat: Long: Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name: NWI classification:
Are climatic / hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year? Yes No (If no, explain in Remarks.)
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology significantly disturbed? Are “Normal Circumstances” present? Yes No
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology naturally problematic? (If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present? Yes No
Hydric Soil Present? Yes No
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes No
Is the Sampled Area
within a Wetland? Yes No
Remarks:
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute Dominant Indicator
Tree Stratum (Plot size: 30 ft) % Cover Species? Status
1.
2.
3.
4.
= Total Cover
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size: 30 ft)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
= Total Cover
Herb Stratum (Plot size: 10 ft)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
= Total Cover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size: 30 ft)
1.
2.
= Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum
Dominance Test worksheet:
Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: (A)
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata: (B)
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: (A/B)
Prevalence Index worksheet:
Total % Cover of: Multiply by:
OBL species x 1 =
FACW species x 2 =
FAC species x 3 =
FACU species x 4 =
UPL species x 5 =
Column Totals: (A) (B)
Prevalence Index = B/A =
Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
Dominance Test is >50%
Prevalence Index is ≤3.01
Morphological Adaptations1 (Provide supporting
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
Wetland Non-Vascular Plants1
Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation1 (Explain)
1Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must
be present, unless disturbed or problematic.
Hydrophytic
Vegetation
Present? Yes No
Remarks:
0
1310.0029 Twin Trails Federal Way, King 7/14/2021
Propsect Development - Justin Holland WA DP-7
Ryan Krapp and Mae Ancheta 24/21N/3E
Toe of slope Concave 1
A2 47.294973 -122.35597452 WGS 84
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes N/A
Not all three wetland criteria met; only hydrophytic vegetation present. Data collected on the northern portion of the subject
property.
2
2
0 100%
0
Holcus lanatus 40 Yes FAC
Poa sp.*40 Yes FAC
Ranunculus repens 20 No FAC
Hypochaeris radicata 5 No FACU
Crepis capillaris 5 No FACU
110
0
Hydrophytic vegetation criteria met through the dominance test.
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
SOIL
Sampling Point:
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
Depth Matrix Redox Features
(inches) Color (moist) % Color (moist) % Type1 Loc2 Texture Remarks
1Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, CS=Covered or Coated Sand Grains. 2Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix.
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to all LRRs, unless otherwise noted.) Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils3:
Histosol (A1) Sandy Redox (S5) 2 cm Muck (A10)
Histic Epipedon (A2) Stripped Matrix (S6) Red Parent Material (TF2)
Black Histic (A3) Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (except MLRA 1) Very Shallow Dark Surface (TF12)
Hydrogen Sulfide (A4) Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2) Other (Explain in Remarks)
Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11) Depleted Matrix (F3)
Thick Dark Surface (A12) Redox Dark Surface (F6) 3Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and
Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1) Depleted Dark Surface (F7) wetland hydrology must be present,
Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4) Redox Depressions (F8) unless disturbed or problematic.
Restrictive Layer (if present):
Type:________________________________
Depth (inches):________________________ Hydric Soil Present? Yes No
Remarks:
HYDROLOGY
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Primary Indicators (minimum of one required; check all that apply) Secondary Indicators (2 or more required)
Surface Water (A1) Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (except MLRA Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (MLRA 1, 2,
High Water Table (A2) 1, 2, 4A, and 4B) 4A, and 4B)
Saturation (A3) Salt Crust (B11) Drainage Patterns (B10)
Water Marks (B1) Aquatic Invertebrates (B13) Dry-Season Water Table (C2)
Sediment Deposits (B2) Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C1) Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
Drift Deposits (B3) Oxidized Rhizospheres along Living Roots (C3) Geomorphic Position (D2)
Algal Mat or Crust (B4) Presence of Reduced Iron (C4) Shallow Aquitard (D3)
Iron Deposits (B5) Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6) FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
Surface Soil Cracks (B6) Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A) Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)
Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (B7) Other (Explain in Remarks) Frost-Heave Hummocks (D7)
Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8)
Field Observations:
Surface Water Present? Yes No Depth (inches):
Water Table Present? Yes No Depth (inches):
Saturation Present? Yes No Depth (inches):
(includes capillary fringe)
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes No
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
DP-7
0 - 5 10YR 3/2 100 ----SaLo Sandy loam
5 - 8 10YR 3/2 100 ----SaLo Sandy loam with 2% concretions in matrix
8 - 16+10YR 3/4 95 7/5YR 4/4 5 C M SaLo Sandy loam
None
--
No hydric soil criteria met.
None
None
None
No wetland hydrology criteria met; soil pit dug to 20 inches.
1310.0029 – Twin Trails Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
Appendix F –– Offsite Wetland Rating Forms
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 1
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
Score for each
function based
on three
ratings
(order of ratings
is not
important)
9 = H,H,H
8 = H,H,M
7 = H,H,L
7 = H,M,M
6 = H,M,L
6 = M,M,M
5 = H,L,L
5 = M,M,L
4 = M,L,L
3 = L,L,L
RATING SUMMARY – Western Washington
Name of wetland (or ID #): _________________________________ Date of site visit: _____
Rated by____________________________ Trained by Ecology?__ Yes ___No Date of training______
HGM Class used for rating_________________ Wetland has multiple HGM classes?___Y ____N
NOTE: Form is not complete without the figures requested (figures can be combined).
Source of base aerial photo/map ______________________________________
OVERALL WETLAND CATEGORY ____ (based on functions___ or special characteristics___)
1.Category of wetland based on FUNCTIONS
_______Category I – Total score = 23 - 27
_______Category II – Total score = 20 - 22
_______Category III – Total score = 16 - 19
_______Category IV – Total score = 9 - 15
FUNCTION Improving
Water Quality
Hydrologic Habitat
Circle the appropriate ratings
Site Potential
Landscape Potential
Value TOTAL
Score Based on
Ratings
2.Category based on SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS of wetland
CHARACTERISTIC CATEGORY
Estuarine I II
Wetland of High Conservation Value I
Bog I
Mature Forest I
Old Growth Forest I
Coastal Lagoon I II
Interdunal I II III IV
None of the above
A
A 5/5/21
RK 4
Depressional 4
ESRI ArcGIS
III 4
M M M
M M L
M M M
6 6 5 17
N/A
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 2
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
Maps and figures required to answer questions correctly for
Western Washington
Depressional Wetlands
Map of: To answer questions: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes D 1.3, H 1.1, H 1.4
Hydroperiods D 1.4, H 1.2
Location of outlet (can be added to map of hydroperiods) D 1.1, D 4.1
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure) D 2.2, D 5.2
Map of the contributing basin D 4.3, D 5.3
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website) D 3.1, D 3.2
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web) D 3.3
Riverine Wetlands
Map of: To answer questions: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes H 1.1, H 1.4
Hydroperiods H 1.2
Ponded depressions R 1.1
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure) R 2.4
Plant cover of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants R 1.2, R 4.2
Width of unit vs. width of stream (can be added to another figure) R 4.1
Map of the contributing basin R 2.2, R 2.3, R 5.2
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website) R 3.1
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web) R 3.2, R 3.3
Lake Fringe Wetlands
Map of: To answer questions: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes L 1.1, L 4.1, H 1.1, H 1.4
Plant cover of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants L 1.2
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure) L 2.2
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website) L 3.1, L 3.2
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web) L 3.3
Slope Wetlands
Map of: To answer questions: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes H 1.1, H 1.4
Hydroperiods H 1.2
Plant cover of dense trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants S 1.3
Plant cover of dense, rigid trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants
(can be added to figure above)
S 4.1
Boundary of 150 ft buffer (can be added to another figure) S 2.1, S 5.1
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website) S 3.1, S 3.2
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web) S 3.3
A
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 3
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
HGM Classification of Wetlands in Western Washington
1. Are the water levels in the entire unit usually controlled by tides except during floods?
NO – go to 2 YES – the wetland class is Tidal Fringe – go to 1.1
1.1 Is the salinity of the water during periods of annual low flow below 0.5 ppt (parts per thousand)?
NO – Saltwater Tidal Fringe (Estuarine) YES – Freshwater Tidal Fringe
If your wetland can be classified as a Freshwater Tidal Fringe use the forms for Riverine wetlands. If it
is Saltwater Tidal Fringe it is an Estuarine wetland and is not scored. This method cannot be used to
score functions for estuarine wetlands.
2. The entire wetland unit is flat and precipitation is the only source (>90%) of water to it. Groundwater
and surface water runoff are NOT sources of water to the unit.
NO – go to 3 YES – The wetland class is Flats
If your wetland can be classified as a Flats wetland, use the form for Depressional wetlands.
3. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
___The vegetated part of the wetland is on the shores of a body of permanent open water (without any
plants on the surface at any time of the year) at least 20 ac (8 ha) in size;
___At least 30% of the open water area is deeper than 6.6 ft (2 m).
NO – go to 4 YES – The wetland class is Lake Fringe (Lacustrine Fringe)
4. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
____The wetland is on a slope (slope can be very gradual),
____The water flows through the wetland in one direction (unidirectional) and usually comes from
seeps. It may flow subsurface, as sheetflow, or in a swale without distinct banks,
____The water leaves the wetland without being impounded.
NO – go to 5 YES – The wetland class is Slope
NOTE: Surface water does not pond in these type of wetlands except occasionally in very small and
shallow depressions or behind hummocks (depressions are usually <3 ft diameter and less than 1 ft
deep).
5. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
____The unit is in a valley, or stream channel, where it gets inundated by overbank flooding from that
stream or river,
____The overbank flooding occurs at least once every 2 years.
For questions 1-7, the criteria described must apply to the entire unit being rated.
If the hydrologic criteria listed in each question do not apply to the entire unit being rated, you
probably have a unit with multiple HGM classes. In this case, identify which hydrologic criteria in
questions 1-7 apply, and go to Question 8.
A
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 4
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
NO – go to 6 YES – The wetland class is Riverine
NOTE: The Riverine unit can contain depressions that are filled with water when the river is not
flooding
6. Is the entire wetland unit in a topographic depression in which water ponds, or is saturated to the
surface, at some time during the year? This means that any outlet, if present, is higher than the interior
of the wetland.
NO – go to 7 YES – The wetland class is Depressional
7. Is the entire wetland unit located in a very flat area with no obvious depression and no overbank
flooding? The unit does not pond surface water more than a few inches. The unit seems to be
maintained by high groundwater in the area. The wetland may be ditched, but has no obvious natural
outlet.
NO – go to 8 YES – The wetland class is Depressional
8. Your wetland unit seems to be difficult to classify and probably contains several different HGM
classes. For example, seeps at the base of a slope may grade into a riverine floodplain, or a small
stream within a Depressional wetland has a zone of flooding along its sides. GO BACK AND IDENTIFY
WHICH OF THE HYDROLOGIC REGIMES DESCRIBED IN QUESTIONS 1-7 APPLY TO DIFFERENT
AREAS IN THE UNIT (make a rough sketch to help you decide). Use the following table to identify the
appropriate class to use for the rating system if you have several HGM classes present within the
wetland unit being scored.
NOTE: Use this table only if the class that is recommended in the second column represents 10% or
more of the total area of the wetland unit being rated. If the area of the HGM class listed in column 2
is less than 10% of the unit; classify the wetland using the class that represents more than 90% of the
total area.
HGM classes within the wetland unit
being rated
HGM class to
use in rating
Slope + Riverine Riverine
Slope + Depressional Depressional
Slope + Lake Fringe Lake Fringe
Depressional + Riverine along stream
within boundary of depression
Depressional
Depressional + Lake Fringe Depressional
Riverine + Lake Fringe Riverine
Salt Water Tidal Fringe and any other
class of freshwater wetland
Treat as
ESTUARINE
If you are still unable to determine which of the above criteria apply to your wetland, or if you have
more than 2 HGM classes within a wetland boundary, classify the wetland as Depressional for the
rating.
A
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 5
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
DEPRESSIONAL AND FLATS WETLANDS
Water Quality Functions - Indicators that the site functions to improve water quality
D 1.0. Does the site have the potential to improve water quality?
D 1.1. Characteristics of surface water outflows from the wetland:
Wetland is a depression or flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key) with no surface water leaving it (no outlet).
points = 3
Wetland has an intermittently flowing stream or ditch, OR highly constricted permanently flowing outlet.
points = 2
Wetland has an unconstricted, or slightly constricted, surface outlet that is permanently flowing points = 1
Wetland is a flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key), whose outlet is a permanently flowing ditch. points = 1
D 1.2. The soil 2 in below the surface (or duff layer) is true clay or true organic (use NRCS definitions).Yes = 4 No = 0
D 1.3. Characteristics and distribution of persistent plants (Emergent, Scrub-shrub, and/or Forested Cowardin classes):
Wetland has persistent, ungrazed, plants > 95% of area points = 5
Wetland has persistent, ungrazed, plants > ½ of area points = 3
Wetland has persistent, ungrazed plants > 1/10 of area points = 1
Wetland has persistent, ungrazed plants <1/10 of area points = 0
D 1.4. Characteristics of seasonal ponding or inundation :
This is the area that is ponded for at least 2 months. See description in manual.
Area seasonally ponded is > ½ total area of wetland points = 4
Area seasonally ponded is > ¼ total area of wetland points = 2
Area seasonally ponded is < ¼ total area of wetland points = 0
Total for D 1 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Site Potential If score is: 12-16 = H 6-11 = M 0-5 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the water quality function of the site?
D 2.1. Does the wetland unit receive stormwater discharges? Yes = 1 No = 0
D 2.2. Is > 10% of the area within 150 ft of the wetland in land uses that generate pollutants? Yes = 1 No = 0
D 2.3. Are there septic systems within 250 ft of the wetland? Yes = 1 No = 0
D 2.4. Are there other sources of pollutants coming into the wetland that are not listed in questions D 2.1 -D 2.3?
Source_______________ Yes = 1 No = 0
Total for D 2 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 3 or 4 = H 1 or 2 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 3.0. Is the water quality improvement provided by the site valuable to society?
D 3.1. Does the wetland discharge directly (i.e., within 1 mi) to a stream, river, lake, or marine water that is on the
303(d) list? Yes = 1 No = 0
D 3.2. Is the wetland in a basin or sub-basin where an aquatic resource is on the 303(d) list? Yes = 1 No = 0
D 3.3. Has the site been identified in a watershed or local plan as important for maintaining water quality (answer YES
if there is a TMDL for the basin in which the unit is found)? Yes = 2 No = 0
Total for D 3 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Value If score is: 2-4 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
NOTES and FIELD OBSERVATIONS:
A
2
0
5
4
11
0
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
1
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 6
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
DEPRESSIONAL AND FLATS WETLANDS
Hydrologic Functions - Indicators that the site functions to reduce flooding and stream degradation
D 4.0. Does the site have the potential to reduce flooding and erosion?
D 4.1. Characteristics of surface water outflows from the wetland:
Wetland is a depression or flat depression with no surface water leaving it (no outlet) points = 4
Wetland has an intermittently flowing stream or ditch, OR highly constricted permanently flowing outletpoints = 2
Wetland is a flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key), whose outlet is a permanently flowing ditch points = 1
Wetland has an unconstricted, or slightly constricted, surface outlet that is permanently flowing points = 0
D 4.2. Depth of storage during wet periods: Estimate the height of ponding above the bottom of the outlet. For wetlands
with no outlet, measure from the surface of permanent water or if dry, the deepest part.
Marks of ponding are 3 ft or more above the surface or bottom of outlet points = 7
Marks of ponding between 2 ft to < 3 ft from surface or bottom of outlet points = 5
Marks are at least 0.5 ft to < 2 ft from surface or bottom of outlet points = 3
The wetland is a “headwater” wetland points = 3
Wetland is flat but has small depressions on the surface that trap water points = 1
Marks of ponding less than 0.5 ft (6 in) points = 0
D 4.3. Contribution of the wetland to storage in the watershed: Estimate the ratio of the area of upstream basin
contributing surface water to the wetland to the area of the wetland unit itself.
The area of the basin is less than 10 times the area of the unit points = 5
The area of the basin is 10 to 100 times the area of the unit points = 3
The area of the basin is more than 100 times the area of the unit points = 0
Entire wetland is in the Flats class points = 5
Total for D 4 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Site Potential If score is: 12-16 = H 6-11 = M 0-5 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 5.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support hydrologic functions of the site?
D 5.1. Does the wetland receive stormwater discharges? Yes = 1 No = 0
D 5.2. Is >10% of the area within 150 ft of the wetland in land uses that generate excess runoff? Yes = 1 No = 0
D 5.3. Is more than 25% of the contributing basin of the wetland covered with intensive human land uses (residential at
>1 residence/ac, urban, commercial, agriculture, etc.)? Yes = 1 No = 0
Total for D 5 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 3 = H 1 or 2 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 6.0. Are the hydrologic functions provided by the site valuable to society?
D 6.1. The unit is in a landscape that has flooding problems. Choose the description that best matches conditions around
the wetland unit being rated. Do not add points. Choose the highest score if more than one condition is met .
The wetland captures surface water that would otherwise flow down -gradient into areas where flooding has
damaged human or natural resources (e.g., houses or salmon redds):
Flooding occurs in a sub-basin that is immediately down-gradient of unit. points = 2
Surface flooding problems are in a sub-basin farther down-gradient. points = 1
Flooding from groundwater is an issue in the sub-basin. points = 1
The existing or potential outflow from the wetland is so constrained by human or natural conditions that the
points = 0 water stored by the wetland cannot reach areas that flood. Explain why __________________
There are no problems with flooding downstream of the wetland. points = 0
D 6.2. Has the site been identified as important for flood storage or flood conveyance in a regional flood control plan?
Yes = 2 No = 0
Total for D 6 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Value If score is: 2-4 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
_____________________________________________________________________________
A
2
3
3
8
0
1
1
2
1
0
1
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 13
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
These questions apply to wetlands of all HGM classes.
HABITAT FUNCTIONS - Indicators that site functions to provide important habitat
H 1.0. Does the site have the potential to provide habitat?
H 1.1. Structure of plant community: Indicators are Cowardin classes and strata within the Forested class. Check the
Cowardin plant classes in the wetland. Up to 10 patches may be combined for each class to meet the threshold
of ¼ ac or more than 10% of the unit if it is smaller than 2.5 ac. Add the number of structures checked.
____Aquatic bed 4 structures or more: points = 4
____Emergent 3 structures: points = 2
____Scrub-shrub (areas where shrubs have > 30% cover) 2 structures: points = 1
____Forested (areas where trees have > 30% cover) 1 structure: points = 0
If the unit has a Forested class, check if:
____The Forested class has 3 out of 5 strata (canopy, sub-canopy, shrubs, herbaceous, moss/ground-cover)
that each cover 20% within the Forested polygon
H 1.2. Hydroperiods
Check the types of water regimes (hydroperiods) present within the wetland. The water regime has to cover
more than 10% of the wetland or ¼ ac to count (see text for descriptions of hydroperiods).
____Permanently flooded or inundated 4 or more types present: points = 3
____Seasonally flooded or inundated 3 types present: points = 2
____Occasionally flooded or inundated 2 types present: points = 1
____Saturated only 1 type present: points = 0
____Permanently flowing stream or river in, or adjacent to, the wetland
____Seasonally flowing stream in, or adjacent to, the wetland
____Lake Fringe wetland 2 points
____Freshwater tidal wetland 2 points
H 1.3. Richness of plant species
Count the number of plant species in the wetland that cover at least 10 ft 2.
Different patches of the same species can be combined to meet the size threshold and you do not have to name
the species. Do not include Eurasian milfoil, reed canarygrass, purple loosestrife, Canadian thistle
If you counted: > 19 species points = 2
5 - 19 species points = 1
< 5 species points = 0
H 1.4. Interspersion of habitats
Decide from the diagrams below whether interspersion among Cowardin plants classes (described in H 1.1), or
the classes and unvegetated areas (can include open water or mudflats) is high, moderate, low, or none. If you
have four or more plant classes or three classes and open water, the rating is always high.
None = 0 points Low = 1 point Moderate = 2 points
All three diagrams
in this row
are HIGH = 3points
A
2
1
1
2
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 14
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
H 1.5. Special habitat features:
Check the habitat features that are present in the wetland. The number of checks is the number of points.
____Large, downed, woody debris within the wetland (> 4 in diameter and 6 ft long).
____Standing snags (dbh > 4 in) within the wetland
____Undercut banks are present for at least 6.6 ft (2 m) and/or overhanging plants extends at least 3.3 ft (1 m)
over a stream (or ditch) in, or contiguous with the wetland, for at least 33 ft (10 m)
____Stable steep banks of fine material that might be used by beaver or muskrat for denning (> 30 degree
slope) OR signs of recent beaver activity are present (cut shrubs or trees that have not yet weathered
where wood is exposed)
____At least ¼ ac of thin-stemmed persistent plants or woody branches are present in areas that are
permanently or seasonally inundated (structures for egg-laying by amphibians)
____Invasive plants cover less than 25% of the wetland area in every stratum of plants (see H 1.1 for list of
strata)
Total for H 1 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Site Potential If score is: 15-18 = H 7-14 = M 0-6 = L Record the rating on the first page
H 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the habitat functions of the site?
H 2.1. Accessible habitat (include only habitat that directly abuts wetland unit).
[(% moderate and low intensity land uses)/2] = _______% Calculate: % undisturbed habitat +
If total accessible habitat is:
> 1/3 (33.3%) of 1 km Polygon points = 3
20-33% of 1 km Polygon points = 2
10-19% of 1 km Polygon points = 1
< 10% of 1 km Polygon points = 0
H 2.2. Undisturbed habitat in 1 km Polygon around the wetland.
[(% moderate and low intensity land uses) /2] = _______%
points = 3
points = 2
points = 1
Calculate: % undisturbed habitat +
Undisturbed habitat > 50% of Polygon
Undisturbed habitat 10-50% and in 1-3 patches
Undisturbed habitat 10-50% and > 3 patches
Undisturbed habitat < 10% of 1 km Polygon points = 0
H 2.3. Land use intensity in 1 km Polygon: If
> 50% of 1 km Polygon is high intensity land use points = (- 2)
≤ 50% of 1 km Polygon is high intensity points = 0
Total for H 2 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 4-6 = H 1-3 = M < 1 = L Record the rating on the first page
H 3.0. Is the habitat provided by the site valuable to society?
H 3.1. Does the site provide habitat for species valued in laws, regulations, or policies? Choose only the highest score
that applies to the wetland being rated.
Site meets ANY of the following criteria: points = 2
It has 3 or more priority habitats within 100 m (see next page)
It provides habitat for Threatened or Endangered species (any plant or animal on the state or federal lists)
It is mapped as a location for an individual WDFW priority species
It is a Wetland of High Conservation Value as determined by the Department of Natural Resources
It has been categorized as an important habitat site in a local or regional comprehensive plan, in a
Shoreline Master Plan, or in a watershed plan
Site has 1 or 2 priority habitats (listed on next page) within 100 m points = 1
Site does not meet any of the criteria above points = 0
Rating of Value If score is: 2 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
A
4
10
1.29 1.14 1.8599999999999999
0
4.01 9.12 8.57
0
-2
-2
1
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 15
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
WDFW Priority Habitats
Priority habitats listed by WDFW (see complete descriptions of WDFW priority habitats, and the counties in which they can
be found, in: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2008. Priority Habitat and Species List. Olympia, Washington.
177 pp. http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00165/wdfw00165.pdf or access the list from here:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/phs/list/)
Count how many of the following priority habitats are within 330 ft (100 m) of the wetland unit: NOTE: This question is
independent of the land use between the wetland unit and the priority habitat.
Aspen Stands: Pure or mixed stands of aspen greater than 1 ac (0.4 ha).
Biodiversity Areas and Corridors: Areas of habitat that are relatively important to various species of native fish and
wildlife (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report).
Herbaceous Balds: Variable size patches of grass and forbs on shallow soils over bedrock.
Old-growth/Mature forests: Old-growth west of Cascade crest – Stands of at least 2 tree species, forming a multi-
layered canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac (20 trees/ha ) > 32 in (81 cm) dbh or > 200
years of age. Mature forests – Stands with average diameters exceeding 21 in (53 cm) dbh; crown cover may be less
than 100%; decay, decadence, numbers of snags, and quantity of large downed material is generally less than that
found in old-growth; 80-200 years old west of the Cascade crest.
Oregon White Oak: Woodland stands of pure oak or oak/conifer associations where canopy coverage of the oak
component is important (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 158 – see web link above).
Riparian: The area adjacent to aquatic systems with flowing water that contains elements of both aquatic and
terrestrial ecosystems which mutually influence each other.
Westside Prairies: Herbaceous, non-forested plant communities that can either take the form of a dry prairie or a wet
prairie (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 161 – see web link above).
Instream: The combination of physical, biological, and chemical processes and conditions that interact to provide
functional life history requirements for instream fish and wildlife resources.
Nearshore: Relatively undisturbed nearshore habitats. These include Coastal Nearshore, Open Coast Nearshore, and
Puget Sound Nearshore. (full descriptions of habitats and the definition of relatively undisturbed are in WDFW report –
see web link on previous page).
Caves: A naturally occurring cavity, recess, void, or system of interconnected passages under the earth in soils, rock,
ice, or other geological formations and is large enough to contain a human.
Cliffs: Greater than 25 ft (7.6 m) high and occurring below 5000 ft elevation.
Talus: Homogenous areas of rock rubble ranging in average size 0.5 - 6.5 ft (0.15 - 2.0 m), composed of basalt, andesite,
and/or sedimentary rock, including riprap slides and mine tailings. May be associated with cliffs.
Snags and Logs: Trees are considered snags if they are dead or dying and exhibit sufficient decay characteristics to
enable cavity excavation/use by wildlife. Priority snags have a diameter at breast height of > 20 in (51 cm) in western
Washington and are > 6.5 ft (2 m) in height. Priority logs are > 12 in (30 cm) in diameter at the largest end, and > 20 ft
(6 m) long.
Note: All vegetated wetlands are by definition a priority habitat but are not included in this list because they are addressed
elsewhere.
A
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 16
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
CATEGORIZATION BASED ON SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
Wetland Type
Check off any criteria that apply to the wetland. Circle the category when the appropriate criteria are met.
Category
SC 1.0. Estuarine wetlands
Does the wetland meet the following criteria for Estuarine wetlands?
The dominant water regime is tidal,
Vegetated, and
With a salinity greater than 0.5 ppt Yes –Go to SC 1.1 No= Not an estuarine wetland
SC 1.1. Is the wetland within a National Wildlife Refuge, National Park, National Estuary Reserve, Natural Area
Preserve, State Park or Educational, Environmental, or Scientific Reserve designated under WAC 332 -30-151?
Yes = Category I No - Go to SC 1.2
SC 1.2. Is the wetland unit at least 1 ac in size and meets at least two of the following three conditions?
The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing, and has less
than 10% cover of non-native plant species. (If non-native species are Spartina, see page 25)
At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un-grazed or un-
mowed grassland.
The wetland has at least two of the following features: tidal channels, depressions with open water, or
contiguous freshwater wetlands. Yes = Category I No = Category II
SC 2.0. Wetlands of High Conservation Value (WHCV)
SC 2.1. Has the WA Department of Natural Resources updated their website to include the list of Wetlands of High
Conservation Value? Yes – Go to SC 2.2 No – Go to SC 2.3
SC 2.2. Is the wetland listed on the WDNR database as a Wetland of High Conservation Value?
Yes = Category I No = Not a WHCV
SC 2.3. Is the wetland in a Section/Township/Range that contains a Natural Heritage wetland?
http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/datasearch/wnhpwetlands.pdf
Yes – Contact WNHP/WDNR and go to SC 2.4 No = Not a WHCV
SC 2.4. Has WDNR identified the wetland within the S/T/R as a Wetland of High Conservation Value and listed it on
their website? Yes = Category I No = Not a WHCV
SC 3.0. Bogs
Does the wetland (or any part of the unit) meet both the criteria for soils and vegetation in bogs? Use the key
below. If you answer YES you will still need to rate the wetland based on its functions.
SC 3.1. Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soil horizons, either peats or mucks, that compose 16 in or
more of the first 32 in of the soil profile? Yes – Go to SC 3.3 No – Go to SC 3.2
SC 3.2. Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soils, either peats or mucks, that are less than 16 in deep
over bedrock, or an impermeable hardpan such as clay or volcanic ash, or that are floating on top of a lake or
pond? Yes – Go to SC 3.3 No = Is not a bog
SC 3.3. Does an area with peats or mucks have more than 70% cover of mosses at ground level, AND at least a 30%
cover of plant species listed in Table 4? Yes = Is a Category I bog No – Go to SC 3.4
NOTE: If you are uncertain about the extent of mosses in the understory , you may substitute that criterion by
measuring the pH of the water that seeps into a hole dug at least 16 in deep. If the pH is less than 5.0 and the
plant species in Table 4 are present, the wetland is a bog.
SC 3.4. Is an area with peats or mucks forested (> 30% cover) with Sitka spruce, subalpine fir, western red cedar,
western hemlock, lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, Engelmann spruce, or western white pine, AND any of the
species (or combination of species) listed in Table 4 provide more than 30% of the cover under the canopy?
Yes = Is a Category I bog No = Is not a bog
A
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 17
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
SC 4.0. Forested Wetlands
Does the wetland have at least 1 contiguous acre of forest that meets one of these criteria for the WA
Department of Fish and Wildlife’s forests as priority habitats? If you answer YES you will still need to rate
the wetland based on its functions.
Old-growth forests (west of Cascade crest): Stands of at least two tree species, forming a multi-layered
canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac (20 trees/ha) that are at least 200 years of
age OR have a diameter at breast height (dbh) of 32 in (81 cm) or more.
Mature forests (west of the Cascade Crest): Stands where the largest trees are 80- 200 years old OR the
species that make up the canopy have an average diameter (dbh) exceeding 21 in (53 cm).
Yes = Category I No = Not a forested wetland for this section
SC 5.0. Wetlands in Coastal Lagoons
Does the wetland meet all of the following criteria of a wetland in a coastal lagoon?
The wetland lies in a depression adjacent to marine waters that is wholly or partially separated from
marine waters by sandbanks, gravel banks, shingle, or, less frequently, rocks
The lagoon in which the wetland is located contains ponded water that is saline or brackish (> 0.5 ppt)
during most of the year in at least a portion of the lagoon (needs to be measured near the bottom)
Yes – Go to SC 5.1 No = Not a wetland in a coastal lagoon
SC 5.1. Does the wetland meet all of the following three conditions?
The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing), and has less
than 20% cover of aggressive, opportunistic plant species (see list of species on p. 100).
At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un -grazed or un-
mowed grassland.
The wetland is larger than 1/10 ac (4350 ft2)
Yes = Category I No = Category II
SC 6.0. Interdunal Wetlands
Is the wetland west of the 1889 line (also called the Western Boundary of Upland Ownership or WBUO)? If
you answer yes you will still need to rate the wetland based on its habitat functions.
In practical terms that means the following geographic areas:
Long Beach Peninsula: Lands west of SR 103
Grayland-Westport: Lands west of SR 105
Ocean Shores-Copalis: Lands west of SR 115 and SR 109
Yes – Go to SC 6.1 No = not an interdunal wetland for rating
SC 6.1. Is the wetland 1 ac or larger and scores an 8 or 9 for the habitat functions on the form (rates H,H,H or H,H,M
for the three aspects of function)? Yes = Category I No – Go to SC 6.2
SC 6.2. Is the wetland 1 ac or larger, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is 1 ac or larger?
Yes = Category II No – Go to SC 6.3
SC 6.3. Is the unit between 0.1 and 1 ac, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is between 0.1 and 1 ac?
Yes = Category III No = Category IV
Category of wetland based on Special Characteristics
If you answered No for all types, enter “Not Applicable” on Summary Form
A
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 18
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
This page left blank intentionally
A
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 1
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
Score for each
function based
on three
ratings
(order of ratings
is not
important)
9 = H,H,H
8 = H,H,M
7 = H,H,L
7 = H,M,M
6 = H,M,L
6 = M,M,M
5 = H,L,L
5 = M,M,L
4 = M,L,L
3 = L,L,L
RATING SUMMARY – Western Washington
Name of wetland (or ID #): _________________________________ Date of site visit: _____
Rated by____________________________ Trained by Ecology?__ Yes ___No Date of training______
HGM Class used for rating_________________ Wetland has multiple HGM classes?___Y ____N
NOTE: Form is not complete without the figures requested (figures can be combined).
Source of base aerial photo/map ______________________________________
OVERALL WETLAND CATEGORY ____ (based on functions___ or special characteristics___)
1.Category of wetland based on FUNCTIONS
_______Category I – Total score = 23 - 27
_______Category II – Total score = 20 - 22
_______Category III – Total score = 16 - 19
_______Category IV – Total score = 9 - 15
FUNCTION Improving
Water Quality
Hydrologic Habitat
Circle the appropriate ratings
Site Potential
Landscape Potential
Value TOTAL
Score Based on
Ratings
2.Category based on SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS of wetland
CHARACTERISTIC CATEGORY
Estuarine I II
Wetland of High Conservation Value I
Bog I
Mature Forest I
Old Growth Forest I
Coastal Lagoon I II
Interdunal I II III IV
None of the above
B
B 5/5/21
RK 4
Depressional 4
ESRI ArcGIS
III 4
M M M
L M L
M M M
5 6 5 16
N/A
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 2
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
Maps and figures required to answer questions correctly for
Western Washington
Depressional Wetlands
Map of: To answer questions: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes D 1.3, H 1.1, H 1.4
Hydroperiods D 1.4, H 1.2
Location of outlet (can be added to map of hydroperiods) D 1.1, D 4.1
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure) D 2.2, D 5.2
Map of the contributing basin D 4.3, D 5.3
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website) D 3.1, D 3.2
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web) D 3.3
Riverine Wetlands
Map of: To answer questions: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes H 1.1, H 1.4
Hydroperiods H 1.2
Ponded depressions R 1.1
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure) R 2.4
Plant cover of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants R 1.2, R 4.2
Width of unit vs. width of stream (can be added to another figure) R 4.1
Map of the contributing basin R 2.2, R 2.3, R 5.2
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website) R 3.1
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web) R 3.2, R 3.3
Lake Fringe Wetlands
Map of: To answer questions: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes L 1.1, L 4.1, H 1.1, H 1.4
Plant cover of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants L 1.2
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure) L 2.2
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website) L 3.1, L 3.2
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web) L 3.3
Slope Wetlands
Map of: To answer questions: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes H 1.1, H 1.4
Hydroperiods H 1.2
Plant cover of dense trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants S 1.3
Plant cover of dense, rigid trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants
(can be added to figure above)
S 4.1
Boundary of 150 ft buffer (can be added to another figure) S 2.1, S 5.1
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website) S 3.1, S 3.2
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web) S 3.3
B
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 3
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
HGM Classification of Wetlands in Western Washington
1. Are the water levels in the entire unit usually controlled by tides except during floods?
NO – go to 2 YES – the wetland class is Tidal Fringe – go to 1.1
1.1 Is the salinity of the water during periods of annual low flow below 0.5 ppt (parts per thousand)?
NO – Saltwater Tidal Fringe (Estuarine) YES – Freshwater Tidal Fringe
If your wetland can be classified as a Freshwater Tidal Fringe use the forms for Riverine wetlands. If it
is Saltwater Tidal Fringe it is an Estuarine wetland and is not scored. This method cannot be used to
score functions for estuarine wetlands.
2. The entire wetland unit is flat and precipitation is the only source (>90%) of water to it. Groundwater
and surface water runoff are NOT sources of water to the unit.
NO – go to 3 YES – The wetland class is Flats
If your wetland can be classified as a Flats wetland, use the form for Depressional wetlands.
3. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
___The vegetated part of the wetland is on the shores of a body of permanent open water (without any
plants on the surface at any time of the year) at least 20 ac (8 ha) in size;
___At least 30% of the open water area is deeper than 6.6 ft (2 m).
NO – go to 4 YES – The wetland class is Lake Fringe (Lacustrine Fringe)
4. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
____The wetland is on a slope (slope can be very gradual),
____The water flows through the wetland in one direction (unidirectional) and usually comes from
seeps. It may flow subsurface, as sheetflow, or in a swale without distinct banks,
____The water leaves the wetland without being impounded.
NO – go to 5 YES – The wetland class is Slope
NOTE: Surface water does not pond in these type of wetlands except occasionally in very small and
shallow depressions or behind hummocks (depressions are usually <3 ft diameter and less than 1 ft
deep).
5. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
____The unit is in a valley, or stream channel, where it gets inundated by overbank flooding from that
stream or river,
____The overbank flooding occurs at least once every 2 years.
For questions 1-7, the criteria described must apply to the entire unit being rated.
If the hydrologic criteria listed in each question do not apply to the entire unit being rated, you
probably have a unit with multiple HGM classes. In this case, identify which hydrologic criteria in
questions 1-7 apply, and go to Question 8.
B
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 4
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
NO – go to 6 YES – The wetland class is Riverine
NOTE: The Riverine unit can contain depressions that are filled with water when the river is not
flooding
6. Is the entire wetland unit in a topographic depression in which water ponds, or is saturated to the
surface, at some time during the year? This means that any outlet, if present, is higher than the interior
of the wetland.
NO – go to 7 YES – The wetland class is Depressional
7. Is the entire wetland unit located in a very flat area with no obvious depression and no overbank
flooding? The unit does not pond surface water more than a few inches. The unit seems to be
maintained by high groundwater in the area. The wetland may be ditched, but has no obvious natural
outlet.
NO – go to 8 YES – The wetland class is Depressional
8. Your wetland unit seems to be difficult to classify and probably contains several different HGM
classes. For example, seeps at the base of a slope may grade into a riverine floodplain, or a small
stream within a Depressional wetland has a zone of flooding along its sides. GO BACK AND IDENTIFY
WHICH OF THE HYDROLOGIC REGIMES DESCRIBED IN QUESTIONS 1-7 APPLY TO DIFFERENT
AREAS IN THE UNIT (make a rough sketch to help you decide). Use the following table to identify the
appropriate class to use for the rating system if you have several HGM classes present within the
wetland unit being scored.
NOTE: Use this table only if the class that is recommended in the second column represents 10% or
more of the total area of the wetland unit being rated. If the area of the HGM class listed in column 2
is less than 10% of the unit; classify the wetland using the class that represents more than 90% of the
total area.
HGM classes within the wetland unit
being rated
HGM class to
use in rating
Slope + Riverine Riverine
Slope + Depressional Depressional
Slope + Lake Fringe Lake Fringe
Depressional + Riverine along stream
within boundary of depression
Depressional
Depressional + Lake Fringe Depressional
Riverine + Lake Fringe Riverine
Salt Water Tidal Fringe and any other
class of freshwater wetland
Treat as
ESTUARINE
If you are still unable to determine which of the above criteria apply to your wetland, or if you have
more than 2 HGM classes within a wetland boundary, classify the wetland as Depressional for the
rating.
B
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 5
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
DEPRESSIONAL AND FLATS WETLANDS
Water Quality Functions - Indicators that the site functions to improve water quality
D 1.0. Does the site have the potential to improve water quality?
D 1.1. Characteristics of surface water outflows from the wetland:
Wetland is a depression or flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key) with no surface water leaving it (no outlet).
points = 3
Wetland has an intermittently flowing stream or ditch, OR highly constricted permanently flowing outlet.
points = 2
Wetland has an unconstricted, or slightly constricted, surface outlet that is permanently flowing points = 1
Wetland is a flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key), whose outlet is a permanently flowing ditch. points = 1
D 1.2. The soil 2 in below the surface (or duff layer) is true clay or true organic (use NRCS definitions).Yes = 4 No = 0
D 1.3. Characteristics and distribution of persistent plants (Emergent, Scrub-shrub, and/or Forested Cowardin classes):
Wetland has persistent, ungrazed, plants > 95% of area points = 5
Wetland has persistent, ungrazed, plants > ½ of area points = 3
Wetland has persistent, ungrazed plants > 1/10 of area points = 1
Wetland has persistent, ungrazed plants <1/10 of area points = 0
D 1.4. Characteristics of seasonal ponding or inundation :
This is the area that is ponded for at least 2 months. See description in manual.
Area seasonally ponded is > ½ total area of wetland points = 4
Area seasonally ponded is > ¼ total area of wetland points = 2
Area seasonally ponded is < ¼ total area of wetland points = 0
Total for D 1 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Site Potential If score is: 12-16 = H 6-11 = M 0-5 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the water quality function of the site?
D 2.1. Does the wetland unit receive stormwater discharges? Yes = 1 No = 0
D 2.2. Is > 10% of the area within 150 ft of the wetland in land uses that generate pollutants? Yes = 1 No = 0
D 2.3. Are there septic systems within 250 ft of the wetland? Yes = 1 No = 0
D 2.4. Are there other sources of pollutants coming into the wetland that are not listed in questions D 2.1 -D 2.3?
Source_______________ Yes = 1 No = 0
Total for D 2 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 3 or 4 = H 1 or 2 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 3.0. Is the water quality improvement provided by the site valuable to society?
D 3.1. Does the wetland discharge directly (i.e., within 1 mi) to a stream, river, lake, or marine water that is on the
303(d) list? Yes = 1 No = 0
D 3.2. Is the wetland in a basin or sub-basin where an aquatic resource is on the 303(d) list? Yes = 1 No = 0
D 3.3. Has the site been identified in a watershed or local plan as important for maintaining water quality (answer YES
if there is a TMDL for the basin in which the unit is found)? Yes = 2 No = 0
Total for D 3 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Value If score is: 2-4 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
NOTES and FIELD OBSERVATIONS:
B
3
0
3
4
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 6
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
DEPRESSIONAL AND FLATS WETLANDS
Hydrologic Functions - Indicators that the site functions to reduce flooding and stream degradation
D 4.0. Does the site have the potential to reduce flooding and erosion?
D 4.1. Characteristics of surface water outflows from the wetland:
Wetland is a depression or flat depression with no surface water leaving it (no outlet) points = 4
Wetland has an intermittently flowing stream or ditch, OR highly constricted permanently flowing outletpoints = 2
Wetland is a flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key), whose outlet is a permanently flowing ditch points = 1
Wetland has an unconstricted, or slightly constricted, surface outlet that is permanently flowing points = 0
D 4.2. Depth of storage during wet periods: Estimate the height of ponding above the bottom of the outlet. For wetlands
with no outlet, measure from the surface of permanent water or if dry, the deepest part.
Marks of ponding are 3 ft or more above the surface or bottom of outlet points = 7
Marks of ponding between 2 ft to < 3 ft from surface or bottom of outlet points = 5
Marks are at least 0.5 ft to < 2 ft from surface or bottom of outlet points = 3
The wetland is a “headwater” wetland points = 3
Wetland is flat but has small depressions on the surface that trap water points = 1
Marks of ponding less than 0.5 ft (6 in) points = 0
D 4.3. Contribution of the wetland to storage in the watershed: Estimate the ratio of the area of upstream basin
contributing surface water to the wetland to the area of the wetland unit itself.
The area of the basin is less than 10 times the area of the unit points = 5
The area of the basin is 10 to 100 times the area of the unit points = 3
The area of the basin is more than 100 times the area of the unit points = 0
Entire wetland is in the Flats class points = 5
Total for D 4 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Site Potential If score is: 12-16 = H 6-11 = M 0-5 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 5.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support hydrologic functions of the site?
D 5.1. Does the wetland receive stormwater discharges? Yes = 1 No = 0
D 5.2. Is >10% of the area within 150 ft of the wetland in land uses that generate excess runoff? Yes = 1 No = 0
D 5.3. Is more than 25% of the contributing basin of the wetland covered with intensive human land uses (residential at
>1 residence/ac, urban, commercial, agriculture, etc.)? Yes = 1 No = 0
Total for D 5 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 3 = H 1 or 2 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 6.0. Are the hydrologic functions provided by the site valuable to society?
D 6.1. The unit is in a landscape that has flooding problems. Choose the description that best matches conditions around
the wetland unit being rated. Do not add points. Choose the highest score if more than one condition is met .
The wetland captures surface water that would otherwise flow down -gradient into areas where flooding has
damaged human or natural resources (e.g., houses or salmon redds):
Flooding occurs in a sub-basin that is immediately down-gradient of unit. points = 2
Surface flooding problems are in a sub-basin farther down-gradient. points = 1
Flooding from groundwater is an issue in the sub-basin. points = 1
The existing or potential outflow from the wetland is so constrained by human or natural conditions that the
points = 0 water stored by the wetland cannot reach areas that flood. Explain why __________________
There are no problems with flooding downstream of the wetland. points = 0
D 6.2. Has the site been identified as important for flood storage or flood conveyance in a regional flood control plan?
Yes = 2 No = 0
Total for D 6 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Value If score is: 2-4 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
_____________________________________________________________________________
B
4
3
3
10
0
0
1
1
1
0
1
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 13
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
These questions apply to wetlands of all HGM classes.
HABITAT FUNCTIONS - Indicators that site functions to provide important habitat
H 1.0. Does the site have the potential to provide habitat?
H 1.1. Structure of plant community: Indicators are Cowardin classes and strata within the Forested class. Check the
Cowardin plant classes in the wetland. Up to 10 patches may be combined for each class to meet the threshold
of ¼ ac or more than 10% of the unit if it is smaller than 2.5 ac. Add the number of structures checked.
____Aquatic bed 4 structures or more: points = 4
____Emergent 3 structures: points = 2
____Scrub-shrub (areas where shrubs have > 30% cover) 2 structures: points = 1
____Forested (areas where trees have > 30% cover) 1 structure: points = 0
If the unit has a Forested class, check if:
____The Forested class has 3 out of 5 strata (canopy, sub-canopy, shrubs, herbaceous, moss/ground-cover)
that each cover 20% within the Forested polygon
H 1.2. Hydroperiods
Check the types of water regimes (hydroperiods) present within the wetland. The water regime has to cover
more than 10% of the wetland or ¼ ac to count (see text for descriptions of hydroperiods).
____Permanently flooded or inundated 4 or more types present: points = 3
____Seasonally flooded or inundated 3 types present: points = 2
____Occasionally flooded or inundated 2 types present: points = 1
____Saturated only 1 type present: points = 0
____Permanently flowing stream or river in, or adjacent to, the wetland
____Seasonally flowing stream in, or adjacent to, the wetland
____Lake Fringe wetland 2 points
____Freshwater tidal wetland 2 points
H 1.3. Richness of plant species
Count the number of plant species in the wetland that cover at least 10 ft 2.
Different patches of the same species can be combined to meet the size threshold and you do not have to name
the species. Do not include Eurasian milfoil, reed canarygrass, purple loosestrife, Canadian thistle
If you counted: > 19 species points = 2
5 - 19 species points = 1
< 5 species points = 0
H 1.4. Interspersion of habitats
Decide from the diagrams below whether interspersion among Cowardin plants classes (described in H 1.1), or
the classes and unvegetated areas (can include open water or mudflats) is high, moderate, low, or none. If you
have four or more plant classes or three classes and open water, the rating is always high.
None = 0 points Low = 1 point Moderate = 2 points
All three diagrams
in this row
are HIGH = 3points
B
1
2
1
2
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 14
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
H 1.5. Special habitat features:
Check the habitat features that are present in the wetland. The number of checks is the number of points.
____Large, downed, woody debris within the wetland (> 4 in diameter and 6 ft long).
____Standing snags (dbh > 4 in) within the wetland
____Undercut banks are present for at least 6.6 ft (2 m) and/or overhanging plants extends at least 3.3 ft (1 m)
over a stream (or ditch) in, or contiguous with the wetland, for at least 33 ft (10 m)
____Stable steep banks of fine material that might be used by beaver or muskrat for denning (> 30 degree
slope) OR signs of recent beaver activity are present (cut shrubs or trees that have not yet weathered
where wood is exposed)
____At least ¼ ac of thin-stemmed persistent plants or woody branches are present in areas that are
permanently or seasonally inundated (structures for egg-laying by amphibians)
____Invasive plants cover less than 25% of the wetland area in every stratum of plants (see H 1.1 for list of
strata)
Total for H 1 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Site Potential If score is: 15-18 = H 7-14 = M 0-6 = L Record the rating on the first page
H 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the habitat functions of the site?
H 2.1. Accessible habitat (include only habitat that directly abuts wetland unit).
[(% moderate and low intensity land uses)/2] = _______% Calculate: % undisturbed habitat +
If total accessible habitat is:
> 1/3 (33.3%) of 1 km Polygon points = 3
20-33% of 1 km Polygon points = 2
10-19% of 1 km Polygon points = 1
< 10% of 1 km Polygon points = 0
H 2.2. Undisturbed habitat in 1 km Polygon around the wetland.
[(% moderate and low intensity land uses) /2] = _______%
points = 3
points = 2
points = 1
Calculate: % undisturbed habitat +
Undisturbed habitat > 50% of Polygon
Undisturbed habitat 10-50% and in 1-3 patches
Undisturbed habitat 10-50% and > 3 patches
Undisturbed habitat < 10% of 1 km Polygon points = 0
H 2.3. Land use intensity in 1 km Polygon: If
> 50% of 1 km Polygon is high intensity land use points = (- 2)
≤ 50% of 1 km Polygon is high intensity points = 0
Total for H 2 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 4-6 = H 1-3 = M < 1 = L Record the rating on the first page
H 3.0. Is the habitat provided by the site valuable to society?
H 3.1. Does the site provide habitat for species valued in laws, regulations, or policies? Choose only the highest score
that applies to the wetland being rated.
Site meets ANY of the following criteria: points = 2
It has 3 or more priority habitats within 100 m (see next page)
It provides habitat for Threatened or Endangered species (any plant or animal on the state or federal lists)
It is mapped as a location for an individual WDFW priority species
It is a Wetland of High Conservation Value as determined by the Department of Natural Resources
It has been categorized as an important habitat site in a local or regional comprehensive plan, in a
Shoreline Master Plan, or in a watershed plan
Site has 1 or 2 priority habitats (listed on next page) within 100 m points = 1
Site does not meet any of the criteria above points = 0
Rating of Value If score is: 2 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
B
3
9
1.29 1.14 1.8599999999999999
0
4.01 9.12 8.57
0
-2
-2
1
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 15
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
WDFW Priority Habitats
Priority habitats listed by WDFW (see complete descriptions of WDFW priority habitats, and the counties in which they can
be found, in: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2008. Priority Habitat and Species List. Olympia, Washington.
177 pp. http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00165/wdfw00165.pdf or access the list from here:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/phs/list/)
Count how many of the following priority habitats are within 330 ft (100 m) of the wetland unit: NOTE: This question is
independent of the land use between the wetland unit and the priority habitat.
Aspen Stands: Pure or mixed stands of aspen greater than 1 ac (0.4 ha).
Biodiversity Areas and Corridors: Areas of habitat that are relatively important to various species of native fish and
wildlife (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report).
Herbaceous Balds: Variable size patches of grass and forbs on shallow soils over bedrock.
Old-growth/Mature forests: Old-growth west of Cascade crest – Stands of at least 2 tree species, forming a multi-
layered canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac (20 trees/ha ) > 32 in (81 cm) dbh or > 200
years of age. Mature forests – Stands with average diameters exceeding 21 in (53 cm) dbh; crown cover may be less
than 100%; decay, decadence, numbers of snags, and quantity of large downed material is generally less than that
found in old-growth; 80-200 years old west of the Cascade crest.
Oregon White Oak: Woodland stands of pure oak or oak/conifer associations where canopy coverage of the oak
component is important (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 158 – see web link above).
Riparian: The area adjacent to aquatic systems with flowing water that contains elements of both aquatic and
terrestrial ecosystems which mutually influence each other.
Westside Prairies: Herbaceous, non-forested plant communities that can either take the form of a dry prairie or a wet
prairie (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 161 – see web link above).
Instream: The combination of physical, biological, and chemical processes and conditions that interact to provide
functional life history requirements for instream fish and wildlife resources.
Nearshore: Relatively undisturbed nearshore habitats. These include Coastal Nearshore, Open Coast Nearshore, and
Puget Sound Nearshore. (full descriptions of habitats and the definition of relatively undisturbed are in WDFW report –
see web link on previous page).
Caves: A naturally occurring cavity, recess, void, or system of interconnected passages under the earth in soils, rock,
ice, or other geological formations and is large enough to contain a human.
Cliffs: Greater than 25 ft (7.6 m) high and occurring below 5000 ft elevation.
Talus: Homogenous areas of rock rubble ranging in average size 0.5 - 6.5 ft (0.15 - 2.0 m), composed of basalt, andesite,
and/or sedimentary rock, including riprap slides and mine tailings. May be associated with cliffs.
Snags and Logs: Trees are considered snags if they are dead or dying and exhibit sufficient decay characteristics to
enable cavity excavation/use by wildlife. Priority snags have a diameter at breast height of > 20 in (51 cm) in western
Washington and are > 6.5 ft (2 m) in height. Priority logs are > 12 in (30 cm) in diameter at the largest end, and > 20 ft
(6 m) long.
Note: All vegetated wetlands are by definition a priority habitat but are not included in this list because they are addressed
elsewhere.
B
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 16
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
CATEGORIZATION BASED ON SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
Wetland Type
Check off any criteria that apply to the wetland. Circle the category when the appropriate criteria are met.
Category
SC 1.0. Estuarine wetlands
Does the wetland meet the following criteria for Estuarine wetlands?
The dominant water regime is tidal,
Vegetated, and
With a salinity greater than 0.5 ppt Yes –Go to SC 1.1 No= Not an estuarine wetland
SC 1.1. Is the wetland within a National Wildlife Refuge, National Park, National Estuary Reserve, Natural Area
Preserve, State Park or Educational, Environmental, or Scientific Reserve designated under WAC 332 -30-151?
Yes = Category I No - Go to SC 1.2
SC 1.2. Is the wetland unit at least 1 ac in size and meets at least two of the following three conditions?
The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing, and has less
than 10% cover of non-native plant species. (If non-native species are Spartina, see page 25)
At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un-grazed or un-
mowed grassland.
The wetland has at least two of the following features: tidal channels, depressions with open water, or
contiguous freshwater wetlands. Yes = Category I No = Category II
SC 2.0. Wetlands of High Conservation Value (WHCV)
SC 2.1. Has the WA Department of Natural Resources updated their website to include the list of Wetlands of High
Conservation Value? Yes – Go to SC 2.2 No – Go to SC 2.3
SC 2.2. Is the wetland listed on the WDNR database as a Wetland of High Conservation Value?
Yes = Category I No = Not a WHCV
SC 2.3. Is the wetland in a Section/Township/Range that contains a Natural Heritage wetland?
http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/datasearch/wnhpwetlands.pdf
Yes – Contact WNHP/WDNR and go to SC 2.4 No = Not a WHCV
SC 2.4. Has WDNR identified the wetland within the S/T/R as a Wetland of High Conservation Value and listed it on
their website? Yes = Category I No = Not a WHCV
SC 3.0. Bogs
Does the wetland (or any part of the unit) meet both the criteria for soils and vegetation in bogs? Use the key
below. If you answer YES you will still need to rate the wetland based on its functions.
SC 3.1. Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soil horizons, either peats or mucks, that compose 16 in or
more of the first 32 in of the soil profile? Yes – Go to SC 3.3 No – Go to SC 3.2
SC 3.2. Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soils, either peats or mucks, that are less than 16 in deep
over bedrock, or an impermeable hardpan such as clay or volcanic ash, or that are floating on top of a lake or
pond? Yes – Go to SC 3.3 No = Is not a bog
SC 3.3. Does an area with peats or mucks have more than 70% cover of mosses at ground level, AND at least a 30%
cover of plant species listed in Table 4? Yes = Is a Category I bog No – Go to SC 3.4
NOTE: If you are uncertain about the extent of mosses in the understory , you may substitute that criterion by
measuring the pH of the water that seeps into a hole dug at least 16 in deep. If the pH is less than 5.0 and the
plant species in Table 4 are present, the wetland is a bog.
SC 3.4. Is an area with peats or mucks forested (> 30% cover) with Sitka spruce, subalpine fir, western red cedar,
western hemlock, lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, Engelmann spruce, or western white pine, AND any of the
species (or combination of species) listed in Table 4 provide more than 30% of the cover under the canopy?
Yes = Is a Category I bog No = Is not a bog
B
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 17
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
SC 4.0. Forested Wetlands
Does the wetland have at least 1 contiguous acre of forest that meets one of these criteria for the WA
Department of Fish and Wildlife’s forests as priority habitats? If you answer YES you will still need to rate
the wetland based on its functions.
Old-growth forests (west of Cascade crest): Stands of at least two tree species, forming a multi-layered
canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac (20 trees/ha) that are at least 200 years of
age OR have a diameter at breast height (dbh) of 32 in (81 cm) or more.
Mature forests (west of the Cascade Crest): Stands where the largest trees are 80- 200 years old OR the
species that make up the canopy have an average diameter (dbh) exceeding 21 in (53 cm).
Yes = Category I No = Not a forested wetland for this section
SC 5.0. Wetlands in Coastal Lagoons
Does the wetland meet all of the following criteria of a wetland in a coastal lagoon?
The wetland lies in a depression adjacent to marine waters that is wholly or partially separated from
marine waters by sandbanks, gravel banks, shingle, or, less frequently, rocks
The lagoon in which the wetland is located contains ponded water that is saline or brackish (> 0.5 ppt)
during most of the year in at least a portion of the lagoon (needs to be measured near the bottom)
Yes – Go to SC 5.1 No = Not a wetland in a coastal lagoon
SC 5.1. Does the wetland meet all of the following three conditions?
The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing), and has less
than 20% cover of aggressive, opportunistic plant species (see list of species on p. 100).
At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un -grazed or un-
mowed grassland.
The wetland is larger than 1/10 ac (4350 ft2)
Yes = Category I No = Category II
SC 6.0. Interdunal Wetlands
Is the wetland west of the 1889 line (also called the Western Boundary of Upland Ownership or WBUO)? If
you answer yes you will still need to rate the wetland based on its habitat functions.
In practical terms that means the following geographic areas:
Long Beach Peninsula: Lands west of SR 103
Grayland-Westport: Lands west of SR 105
Ocean Shores-Copalis: Lands west of SR 115 and SR 109
Yes – Go to SC 6.1 No = not an interdunal wetland for rating
SC 6.1. Is the wetland 1 ac or larger and scores an 8 or 9 for the habitat functions on the form (rates H,H,H or H,H,M
for the three aspects of function)? Yes = Category I No – Go to SC 6.2
SC 6.2. Is the wetland 1 ac or larger, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is 1 ac or larger?
Yes = Category II No – Go to SC 6.3
SC 6.3. Is the unit between 0.1 and 1 ac, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is between 0.1 and 1 ac?
Yes = Category III No = Category IV
Category of wetland based on Special Characteristics
If you answered No for all types, enter “Not Applicable” on Summary Form
B
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 18
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
This page left blank intentionally
B
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 1
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
Score for each
function based
on three
ratings
(order of ratings
is not
important)
9 = H,H,H
8 = H,H,M
7 = H,H,L
7 = H,M,M
6 = H,M,L
6 = M,M,M
5 = H,L,L
5 = M,M,L
4 = M,L,L
3 = L,L,L
RATING SUMMARY – Western Washington
Name of wetland (or ID #): _________________________________ Date of site visit: _____
Rated by____________________________ Trained by Ecology?__ Yes ___No Date of training______
HGM Class used for rating_________________ Wetland has multiple HGM classes?___Y ____N
NOTE: Form is not complete without the figures requested (figures can be combined).
Source of base aerial photo/map ______________________________________
OVERALL WETLAND CATEGORY ____ (based on functions___ or special characteristics___)
1.Category of wetland based on FUNCTIONS
_______Category I – Total score = 23 - 27
_______Category II – Total score = 20 - 22
_______Category III – Total score = 16 - 19
_______Category IV – Total score = 9 - 15
FUNCTION Improving
Water Quality
Hydrologic Habitat
Circle the appropriate ratings
Site Potential
Landscape Potential
Value TOTAL
Score Based on
Ratings
2.Category based on SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS of wetland
CHARACTERISTIC CATEGORY
Estuarine I II
Wetland of High Conservation Value I
Bog I
Mature Forest I
Old Growth Forest I
Coastal Lagoon I II
Interdunal I II III IV
None of the above
C
C 5/5/21
RK 4
Depressional 4
ESRI ArcGIS
IV 4
M M L
L M L
M M M
5 6 4 15
N/A
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 2
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
Maps and figures required to answer questions correctly for
Western Washington
Depressional Wetlands
Map of: To answer questions: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes D 1.3, H 1.1, H 1.4
Hydroperiods D 1.4, H 1.2
Location of outlet (can be added to map of hydroperiods) D 1.1, D 4.1
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure) D 2.2, D 5.2
Map of the contributing basin D 4.3, D 5.3
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website) D 3.1, D 3.2
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web) D 3.3
Riverine Wetlands
Map of: To answer questions: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes H 1.1, H 1.4
Hydroperiods H 1.2
Ponded depressions R 1.1
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure) R 2.4
Plant cover of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants R 1.2, R 4.2
Width of unit vs. width of stream (can be added to another figure) R 4.1
Map of the contributing basin R 2.2, R 2.3, R 5.2
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website) R 3.1
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web) R 3.2, R 3.3
Lake Fringe Wetlands
Map of: To answer questions: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes L 1.1, L 4.1, H 1.1, H 1.4
Plant cover of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants L 1.2
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure) L 2.2
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website) L 3.1, L 3.2
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web) L 3.3
Slope Wetlands
Map of: To answer questions: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes H 1.1, H 1.4
Hydroperiods H 1.2
Plant cover of dense trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants S 1.3
Plant cover of dense, rigid trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants
(can be added to figure above)
S 4.1
Boundary of 150 ft buffer (can be added to another figure) S 2.1, S 5.1
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website) S 3.1, S 3.2
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web) S 3.3
C
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 3
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
HGM Classification of Wetlands in Western Washington
1. Are the water levels in the entire unit usually controlled by tides except during floods?
NO – go to 2 YES – the wetland class is Tidal Fringe – go to 1.1
1.1 Is the salinity of the water during periods of annual low flow below 0.5 ppt (parts per thousand)?
NO – Saltwater Tidal Fringe (Estuarine) YES – Freshwater Tidal Fringe
If your wetland can be classified as a Freshwater Tidal Fringe use the forms for Riverine wetlands. If it
is Saltwater Tidal Fringe it is an Estuarine wetland and is not scored. This method cannot be used to
score functions for estuarine wetlands.
2. The entire wetland unit is flat and precipitation is the only source (>90%) of water to it. Groundwater
and surface water runoff are NOT sources of water to the unit.
NO – go to 3 YES – The wetland class is Flats
If your wetland can be classified as a Flats wetland, use the form for Depressional wetlands.
3. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
___The vegetated part of the wetland is on the shores of a body of permanent open water (without any
plants on the surface at any time of the year) at least 20 ac (8 ha) in size;
___At least 30% of the open water area is deeper than 6.6 ft (2 m).
NO – go to 4 YES – The wetland class is Lake Fringe (Lacustrine Fringe)
4. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
____The wetland is on a slope (slope can be very gradual),
____The water flows through the wetland in one direction (unidirectional) and usually comes from
seeps. It may flow subsurface, as sheetflow, or in a swale without distinct banks,
____The water leaves the wetland without being impounded.
NO – go to 5 YES – The wetland class is Slope
NOTE: Surface water does not pond in these type of wetlands except occasionally in very small and
shallow depressions or behind hummocks (depressions are usually <3 ft diameter and less than 1 ft
deep).
5. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
____The unit is in a valley, or stream channel, where it gets inundated by overbank flooding from that
stream or river,
____The overbank flooding occurs at least once every 2 years.
For questions 1-7, the criteria described must apply to the entire unit being rated.
If the hydrologic criteria listed in each question do not apply to the entire unit being rated, you
probably have a unit with multiple HGM classes. In this case, identify which hydrologic criteria in
questions 1-7 apply, and go to Question 8.
C
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 4
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
NO – go to 6 YES – The wetland class is Riverine
NOTE: The Riverine unit can contain depressions that are filled with water when the river is not
flooding
6. Is the entire wetland unit in a topographic depression in which water ponds, or is saturated to the
surface, at some time during the year? This means that any outlet, if present, is higher than the interior
of the wetland.
NO – go to 7 YES – The wetland class is Depressional
7. Is the entire wetland unit located in a very flat area with no obvious depression and no overbank
flooding? The unit does not pond surface water more than a few inches. The unit seems to be
maintained by high groundwater in the area. The wetland may be ditched, but has no obvious natural
outlet.
NO – go to 8 YES – The wetland class is Depressional
8. Your wetland unit seems to be difficult to classify and probably contains several different HGM
classes. For example, seeps at the base of a slope may grade into a riverine floodplain, or a small
stream within a Depressional wetland has a zone of flooding along its sides. GO BACK AND IDENTIFY
WHICH OF THE HYDROLOGIC REGIMES DESCRIBED IN QUESTIONS 1-7 APPLY TO DIFFERENT
AREAS IN THE UNIT (make a rough sketch to help you decide). Use the following table to identify the
appropriate class to use for the rating system if you have several HGM classes present within the
wetland unit being scored.
NOTE: Use this table only if the class that is recommended in the second column represents 10% or
more of the total area of the wetland unit being rated. If the area of the HGM class listed in column 2
is less than 10% of the unit; classify the wetland using the class that represents more than 90% of the
total area.
HGM classes within the wetland unit
being rated
HGM class to
use in rating
Slope + Riverine Riverine
Slope + Depressional Depressional
Slope + Lake Fringe Lake Fringe
Depressional + Riverine along stream
within boundary of depression
Depressional
Depressional + Lake Fringe Depressional
Riverine + Lake Fringe Riverine
Salt Water Tidal Fringe and any other
class of freshwater wetland
Treat as
ESTUARINE
If you are still unable to determine which of the above criteria apply to your wetland, or if you have
more than 2 HGM classes within a wetland boundary, classify the wetland as Depressional for the
rating.
C
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 5
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
DEPRESSIONAL AND FLATS WETLANDS
Water Quality Functions - Indicators that the site functions to improve water quality
D 1.0. Does the site have the potential to improve water quality?
D 1.1. Characteristics of surface water outflows from the wetland:
Wetland is a depression or flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key) with no surface water leaving it (no outlet).
points = 3
Wetland has an intermittently flowing stream or ditch, OR highly constricted permanently flowing outlet.
points = 2
Wetland has an unconstricted, or slightly constricted, surface outlet that is permanently flowing points = 1
Wetland is a flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key), whose outlet is a permanently flowing ditch. points = 1
D 1.2. The soil 2 in below the surface (or duff layer) is true clay or true organic (use NRCS definitions).Yes = 4 No = 0
D 1.3. Characteristics and distribution of persistent plants (Emergent, Scrub-shrub, and/or Forested Cowardin classes):
Wetland has persistent, ungrazed, plants > 95% of area points = 5
Wetland has persistent, ungrazed, plants > ½ of area points = 3
Wetland has persistent, ungrazed plants > 1/10 of area points = 1
Wetland has persistent, ungrazed plants <1/10 of area points = 0
D 1.4. Characteristics of seasonal ponding or inundation :
This is the area that is ponded for at least 2 months. See description in manual.
Area seasonally ponded is > ½ total area of wetland points = 4
Area seasonally ponded is > ¼ total area of wetland points = 2
Area seasonally ponded is < ¼ total area of wetland points = 0
Total for D 1 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Site Potential If score is: 12-16 = H 6-11 = M 0-5 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the water quality function of the site?
D 2.1. Does the wetland unit receive stormwater discharges? Yes = 1 No = 0
D 2.2. Is > 10% of the area within 150 ft of the wetland in land uses that generate pollutants? Yes = 1 No = 0
D 2.3. Are there septic systems within 250 ft of the wetland? Yes = 1 No = 0
D 2.4. Are there other sources of pollutants coming into the wetland that are not listed in questions D 2.1 -D 2.3?
Source_______________ Yes = 1 No = 0
Total for D 2 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 3 or 4 = H 1 or 2 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 3.0. Is the water quality improvement provided by the site valuable to society?
D 3.1. Does the wetland discharge directly (i.e., within 1 mi) to a stream, river, lake, or marine water that is on the
303(d) list? Yes = 1 No = 0
D 3.2. Is the wetland in a basin or sub-basin where an aquatic resource is on the 303(d) list? Yes = 1 No = 0
D 3.3. Has the site been identified in a watershed or local plan as important for maintaining water quality (answer YES
if there is a TMDL for the basin in which the unit is found)? Yes = 2 No = 0
Total for D 3 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Value If score is: 2-4 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
NOTES and FIELD OBSERVATIONS:
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Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 6
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
DEPRESSIONAL AND FLATS WETLANDS
Hydrologic Functions - Indicators that the site functions to reduce flooding and stream degradation
D 4.0. Does the site have the potential to reduce flooding and erosion?
D 4.1. Characteristics of surface water outflows from the wetland:
Wetland is a depression or flat depression with no surface water leaving it (no outlet) points = 4
Wetland has an intermittently flowing stream or ditch, OR highly constricted permanently flowing outletpoints = 2
Wetland is a flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key), whose outlet is a permanently flowing ditch points = 1
Wetland has an unconstricted, or slightly constricted, surface outlet that is permanently flowing points = 0
D 4.2. Depth of storage during wet periods: Estimate the height of ponding above the bottom of the outlet. For wetlands
with no outlet, measure from the surface of permanent water or if dry, the deepest part.
Marks of ponding are 3 ft or more above the surface or bottom of outlet points = 7
Marks of ponding between 2 ft to < 3 ft from surface or bottom of outlet points = 5
Marks are at least 0.5 ft to < 2 ft from surface or bottom of outlet points = 3
The wetland is a “headwater” wetland points = 3
Wetland is flat but has small depressions on the surface that trap water points = 1
Marks of ponding less than 0.5 ft (6 in) points = 0
D 4.3. Contribution of the wetland to storage in the watershed: Estimate the ratio of the area of upstream basin
contributing surface water to the wetland to the area of the wetland unit itself.
The area of the basin is less than 10 times the area of the unit points = 5
The area of the basin is 10 to 100 times the area of the unit points = 3
The area of the basin is more than 100 times the area of the unit points = 0
Entire wetland is in the Flats class points = 5
Total for D 4 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Site Potential If score is: 12-16 = H 6-11 = M 0-5 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 5.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support hydrologic functions of the site?
D 5.1. Does the wetland receive stormwater discharges? Yes = 1 No = 0
D 5.2. Is >10% of the area within 150 ft of the wetland in land uses that generate excess runoff? Yes = 1 No = 0
D 5.3. Is more than 25% of the contributing basin of the wetland covered with intensive human land uses (residential at
>1 residence/ac, urban, commercial, agriculture, etc.)? Yes = 1 No = 0
Total for D 5 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 3 = H 1 or 2 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 6.0. Are the hydrologic functions provided by the site valuable to society?
D 6.1. The unit is in a landscape that has flooding problems. Choose the description that best matches conditions around
the wetland unit being rated. Do not add points. Choose the highest score if more than one condition is met .
The wetland captures surface water that would otherwise flow down -gradient into areas where flooding has
damaged human or natural resources (e.g., houses or salmon redds):
Flooding occurs in a sub-basin that is immediately down-gradient of unit. points = 2
Surface flooding problems are in a sub-basin farther down-gradient. points = 1
Flooding from groundwater is an issue in the sub-basin. points = 1
The existing or potential outflow from the wetland is so constrained by human or natural conditions that the
points = 0 water stored by the wetland cannot reach areas that flood. Explain why __________________
There are no problems with flooding downstream of the wetland. points = 0
D 6.2. Has the site been identified as important for flood storage or flood conveyance in a regional flood control plan?
Yes = 2 No = 0
Total for D 6 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Value If score is: 2-4 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
_____________________________________________________________________________
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Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 13
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
These questions apply to wetlands of all HGM classes.
HABITAT FUNCTIONS - Indicators that site functions to provide important habitat
H 1.0. Does the site have the potential to provide habitat?
H 1.1. Structure of plant community: Indicators are Cowardin classes and strata within the Forested class. Check the
Cowardin plant classes in the wetland. Up to 10 patches may be combined for each class to meet the threshold
of ¼ ac or more than 10% of the unit if it is smaller than 2.5 ac. Add the number of structures checked.
____Aquatic bed 4 structures or more: points = 4
____Emergent 3 structures: points = 2
____Scrub-shrub (areas where shrubs have > 30% cover) 2 structures: points = 1
____Forested (areas where trees have > 30% cover) 1 structure: points = 0
If the unit has a Forested class, check if:
____The Forested class has 3 out of 5 strata (canopy, sub-canopy, shrubs, herbaceous, moss/ground-cover)
that each cover 20% within the Forested polygon
H 1.2. Hydroperiods
Check the types of water regimes (hydroperiods) present within the wetland. The water regime has to cover
more than 10% of the wetland or ¼ ac to count (see text for descriptions of hydroperiods).
____Permanently flooded or inundated 4 or more types present: points = 3
____Seasonally flooded or inundated 3 types present: points = 2
____Occasionally flooded or inundated 2 types present: points = 1
____Saturated only 1 type present: points = 0
____Permanently flowing stream or river in, or adjacent to, the wetland
____Seasonally flowing stream in, or adjacent to, the wetland
____Lake Fringe wetland 2 points
____Freshwater tidal wetland 2 points
H 1.3. Richness of plant species
Count the number of plant species in the wetland that cover at least 10 ft 2.
Different patches of the same species can be combined to meet the size threshold and you do not have to name
the species. Do not include Eurasian milfoil, reed canarygrass, purple loosestrife, Canadian thistle
If you counted: > 19 species points = 2
5 - 19 species points = 1
< 5 species points = 0
H 1.4. Interspersion of habitats
Decide from the diagrams below whether interspersion among Cowardin plants classes (described in H 1.1), or
the classes and unvegetated areas (can include open water or mudflats) is high, moderate, low, or none. If you
have four or more plant classes or three classes and open water, the rating is always high.
None = 0 points Low = 1 point Moderate = 2 points
All three diagrams
in this row
are HIGH = 3points
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Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 14
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
H 1.5. Special habitat features:
Check the habitat features that are present in the wetland. The number of checks is the number of points.
____Large, downed, woody debris within the wetland (> 4 in diameter and 6 ft long).
____Standing snags (dbh > 4 in) within the wetland
____Undercut banks are present for at least 6.6 ft (2 m) and/or overhanging plants extends at least 3.3 ft (1 m)
over a stream (or ditch) in, or contiguous with the wetland, for at least 33 ft (10 m)
____Stable steep banks of fine material that might be used by beaver or muskrat for denning (> 30 degree
slope) OR signs of recent beaver activity are present (cut shrubs or trees that have not yet weathered
where wood is exposed)
____At least ¼ ac of thin-stemmed persistent plants or woody branches are present in areas that are
permanently or seasonally inundated (structures for egg-laying by amphibians)
____Invasive plants cover less than 25% of the wetland area in every stratum of plants (see H 1.1 for list of
strata)
Total for H 1 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Site Potential If score is: 15-18 = H 7-14 = M 0-6 = L Record the rating on the first page
H 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the habitat functions of the site?
H 2.1. Accessible habitat (include only habitat that directly abuts wetland unit).
[(% moderate and low intensity land uses)/2] = _______% Calculate: % undisturbed habitat +
If total accessible habitat is:
> 1/3 (33.3%) of 1 km Polygon points = 3
20-33% of 1 km Polygon points = 2
10-19% of 1 km Polygon points = 1
< 10% of 1 km Polygon points = 0
H 2.2. Undisturbed habitat in 1 km Polygon around the wetland.
[(% moderate and low intensity land uses) /2] = _______%
points = 3
points = 2
points = 1
Calculate: % undisturbed habitat +
Undisturbed habitat > 50% of Polygon
Undisturbed habitat 10-50% and in 1-3 patches
Undisturbed habitat 10-50% and > 3 patches
Undisturbed habitat < 10% of 1 km Polygon points = 0
H 2.3. Land use intensity in 1 km Polygon: If
> 50% of 1 km Polygon is high intensity land use points = (- 2)
≤ 50% of 1 km Polygon is high intensity points = 0
Total for H 2 Add the points in the boxes above
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 4-6 = H 1-3 = M < 1 = L Record the rating on the first page
H 3.0. Is the habitat provided by the site valuable to society?
H 3.1. Does the site provide habitat for species valued in laws, regulations, or policies? Choose only the highest score
that applies to the wetland being rated.
Site meets ANY of the following criteria: points = 2
It has 3 or more priority habitats within 100 m (see next page)
It provides habitat for Threatened or Endangered species (any plant or animal on the state or federal lists)
It is mapped as a location for an individual WDFW priority species
It is a Wetland of High Conservation Value as determined by the Department of Natural Resources
It has been categorized as an important habitat site in a local or regional comprehensive plan, in a
Shoreline Master Plan, or in a watershed plan
Site has 1 or 2 priority habitats (listed on next page) within 100 m points = 1
Site does not meet any of the criteria above points = 0
Rating of Value If score is: 2 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
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Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 15
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
WDFW Priority Habitats
Priority habitats listed by WDFW (see complete descriptions of WDFW priority habitats, and the counties in which they can
be found, in: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2008. Priority Habitat and Species List. Olympia, Washington.
177 pp. http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00165/wdfw00165.pdf or access the list from here:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/phs/list/)
Count how many of the following priority habitats are within 330 ft (100 m) of the wetland unit: NOTE: This question is
independent of the land use between the wetland unit and the priority habitat.
Aspen Stands: Pure or mixed stands of aspen greater than 1 ac (0.4 ha).
Biodiversity Areas and Corridors: Areas of habitat that are relatively important to various species of native fish and
wildlife (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report).
Herbaceous Balds: Variable size patches of grass and forbs on shallow soils over bedrock.
Old-growth/Mature forests: Old-growth west of Cascade crest – Stands of at least 2 tree species, forming a multi-
layered canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac (20 trees/ha ) > 32 in (81 cm) dbh or > 200
years of age. Mature forests – Stands with average diameters exceeding 21 in (53 cm) dbh; crown cover may be less
than 100%; decay, decadence, numbers of snags, and quantity of large downed material is generally less than that
found in old-growth; 80-200 years old west of the Cascade crest.
Oregon White Oak: Woodland stands of pure oak or oak/conifer associations where canopy coverage of the oak
component is important (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 158 – see web link above).
Riparian: The area adjacent to aquatic systems with flowing water that contains elements of both aquatic and
terrestrial ecosystems which mutually influence each other.
Westside Prairies: Herbaceous, non-forested plant communities that can either take the form of a dry prairie or a wet
prairie (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 161 – see web link above).
Instream: The combination of physical, biological, and chemical processes and conditions that interact to provide
functional life history requirements for instream fish and wildlife resources.
Nearshore: Relatively undisturbed nearshore habitats. These include Coastal Nearshore, Open Coast Nearshore, and
Puget Sound Nearshore. (full descriptions of habitats and the definition of relatively undisturbed are in WDFW report –
see web link on previous page).
Caves: A naturally occurring cavity, recess, void, or system of interconnected passages under the earth in soils, rock,
ice, or other geological formations and is large enough to contain a human.
Cliffs: Greater than 25 ft (7.6 m) high and occurring below 5000 ft elevation.
Talus: Homogenous areas of rock rubble ranging in average size 0.5 - 6.5 ft (0.15 - 2.0 m), composed of basalt, andesite,
and/or sedimentary rock, including riprap slides and mine tailings. May be associated with cliffs.
Snags and Logs: Trees are considered snags if they are dead or dying and exhibit sufficient decay characteristics to
enable cavity excavation/use by wildlife. Priority snags have a diameter at breast height of > 20 in (51 cm) in western
Washington and are > 6.5 ft (2 m) in height. Priority logs are > 12 in (30 cm) in diameter at the largest end, and > 20 ft
(6 m) long.
Note: All vegetated wetlands are by definition a priority habitat but are not included in this list because they are addressed
elsewhere.
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Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 16
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
CATEGORIZATION BASED ON SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
Wetland Type
Check off any criteria that apply to the wetland. Circle the category when the appropriate criteria are met.
Category
SC 1.0. Estuarine wetlands
Does the wetland meet the following criteria for Estuarine wetlands?
The dominant water regime is tidal,
Vegetated, and
With a salinity greater than 0.5 ppt Yes –Go to SC 1.1 No= Not an estuarine wetland
SC 1.1. Is the wetland within a National Wildlife Refuge, National Park, National Estuary Reserve, Natural Area
Preserve, State Park or Educational, Environmental, or Scientific Reserve designated under WAC 332 -30-151?
Yes = Category I No - Go to SC 1.2
SC 1.2. Is the wetland unit at least 1 ac in size and meets at least two of the following three conditions?
The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing, and has less
than 10% cover of non-native plant species. (If non-native species are Spartina, see page 25)
At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un-grazed or un-
mowed grassland.
The wetland has at least two of the following features: tidal channels, depressions with open water, or
contiguous freshwater wetlands. Yes = Category I No = Category II
SC 2.0. Wetlands of High Conservation Value (WHCV)
SC 2.1. Has the WA Department of Natural Resources updated their website to include the list of Wetlands of High
Conservation Value? Yes – Go to SC 2.2 No – Go to SC 2.3
SC 2.2. Is the wetland listed on the WDNR database as a Wetland of High Conservation Value?
Yes = Category I No = Not a WHCV
SC 2.3. Is the wetland in a Section/Township/Range that contains a Natural Heritage wetland?
http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/datasearch/wnhpwetlands.pdf
Yes – Contact WNHP/WDNR and go to SC 2.4 No = Not a WHCV
SC 2.4. Has WDNR identified the wetland within the S/T/R as a Wetland of High Conservation Value and listed it on
their website? Yes = Category I No = Not a WHCV
SC 3.0. Bogs
Does the wetland (or any part of the unit) meet both the criteria for soils and vegetation in bogs? Use the key
below. If you answer YES you will still need to rate the wetland based on its functions.
SC 3.1. Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soil horizons, either peats or mucks, that compose 16 in or
more of the first 32 in of the soil profile? Yes – Go to SC 3.3 No – Go to SC 3.2
SC 3.2. Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soils, either peats or mucks, that are less than 16 in deep
over bedrock, or an impermeable hardpan such as clay or volcanic ash, or that are floating on top of a lake or
pond? Yes – Go to SC 3.3 No = Is not a bog
SC 3.3. Does an area with peats or mucks have more than 70% cover of mosses at ground level, AND at least a 30%
cover of plant species listed in Table 4? Yes = Is a Category I bog No – Go to SC 3.4
NOTE: If you are uncertain about the extent of mosses in the understory , you may substitute that criterion by
measuring the pH of the water that seeps into a hole dug at least 16 in deep. If the pH is less than 5.0 and the
plant species in Table 4 are present, the wetland is a bog.
SC 3.4. Is an area with peats or mucks forested (> 30% cover) with Sitka spruce, subalpine fir, western red cedar,
western hemlock, lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, Engelmann spruce, or western white pine, AND any of the
species (or combination of species) listed in Table 4 provide more than 30% of the cover under the canopy?
Yes = Is a Category I bog No = Is not a bog
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Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 17
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
SC 4.0. Forested Wetlands
Does the wetland have at least 1 contiguous acre of forest that meets one of these criteria for the WA
Department of Fish and Wildlife’s forests as priority habitats? If you answer YES you will still need to rate
the wetland based on its functions.
Old-growth forests (west of Cascade crest): Stands of at least two tree species, forming a multi-layered
canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac (20 trees/ha) that are at least 200 years of
age OR have a diameter at breast height (dbh) of 32 in (81 cm) or more.
Mature forests (west of the Cascade Crest): Stands where the largest trees are 80- 200 years old OR the
species that make up the canopy have an average diameter (dbh) exceeding 21 in (53 cm).
Yes = Category I No = Not a forested wetland for this section
SC 5.0. Wetlands in Coastal Lagoons
Does the wetland meet all of the following criteria of a wetland in a coastal lagoon?
The wetland lies in a depression adjacent to marine waters that is wholly or partially separated from
marine waters by sandbanks, gravel banks, shingle, or, less frequently, rocks
The lagoon in which the wetland is located contains ponded water that is saline or brackish (> 0.5 ppt)
during most of the year in at least a portion of the lagoon (needs to be measured near the bottom)
Yes – Go to SC 5.1 No = Not a wetland in a coastal lagoon
SC 5.1. Does the wetland meet all of the following three conditions?
The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing), and has less
than 20% cover of aggressive, opportunistic plant species (see list of species on p. 100).
At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un -grazed or un-
mowed grassland.
The wetland is larger than 1/10 ac (4350 ft2)
Yes = Category I No = Category II
SC 6.0. Interdunal Wetlands
Is the wetland west of the 1889 line (also called the Western Boundary of Upland Ownership or WBUO)? If
you answer yes you will still need to rate the wetland based on its habitat functions.
In practical terms that means the following geographic areas:
Long Beach Peninsula: Lands west of SR 103
Grayland-Westport: Lands west of SR 105
Ocean Shores-Copalis: Lands west of SR 115 and SR 109
Yes – Go to SC 6.1 No = not an interdunal wetland for rating
SC 6.1. Is the wetland 1 ac or larger and scores an 8 or 9 for the habitat functions on the form (rates H,H,H or H,H,M
for the three aspects of function)? Yes = Category I No – Go to SC 6.2
SC 6.2. Is the wetland 1 ac or larger, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is 1 ac or larger?
Yes = Category II No – Go to SC 6.3
SC 6.3. Is the unit between 0.1 and 1 ac, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is between 0.1 and 1 ac?
Yes = Category III No = Category IV
Category of wetland based on Special Characteristics
If you answered No for all types, enter “Not Applicable” on Summary Form
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Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 18
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
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1310.0029 – Twin Trails Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
Appendix G –– Offsite Wetland Rating Maps
Wetland 3
Wetland 2
Wetland 1
1605 SW 341ST PLFEDERAL WAY, WA 98023 KING COUNTY PARCEL NUMBERS:2421039008 & 2421039051
TWIN TRAILS
TWIN TRAILS - COWARDIN MAP
¢
0 200 400100 Feet
www.soundviewconsultants.com
2907 Harborview Dr., Suite D, Gig Harbor, WA 98335Phone: (253) 514-8952 Fax: (253) 514-8954
Soundview ConsultantsEnvironmental Assessment • Planning • Land Use Solutions LLC
DATE:
JOB:
BY:
SCALE:
FIGURE NO. of 5
1/31/2022
1310.0029
DDS
11 " = 200 '
330' Boundary
Forested
Scrub-Shrub
Wetland 3
Wetland 2
Wetland 1
1605 SW 341ST PLFEDERAL WAY, WA 98023 KING COUNTY PARCEL NUMBERS:2421039008 & 2421039051
TWIN TRAILS
TWIN TRAILS - HYDROPERIOD MAP
¢
0 140 28070 Feet
www.soundviewconsultants.com
2907 Harborview Dr., Suite D, Gig Harbor, WA 98335Phone: (253) 514-8952 Fax: (253) 514-8954
Soundview ConsultantsEnvironmental Assessment • Planning • Land Use Solutions LLC
DATE:
JOB:
BY:
SCALE:
FIGURE NO. of 5
1/31/2022
1310.0029
DDS
21 " = 140 '
150' Boundary
OccasionallyFlooded
Saturated
SeasonallyFlooded
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Wetland 3
Wetland 2
Wetland 1
1605 SW 341ST PLFEDERAL WAY, WA 98023 KING COUNTY PARCEL NUMBERS:2421039008 & 2421039051
TWIN TRAILS
TWIN TRAILS - CONTRIBUTING BASIN MAP
¢
0 230 460115 Feet
www.soundviewconsultants.com
2907 Harborview Dr., Suite D, Gig Harbor, WA 98335Phone: (253) 514-8952 Fax: (253) 514-8954
Soundview ConsultantsEnvironmental Assessment • Planning • Land Use Solutions LLC
DATE:
JOB:
BY:
SCALE:
FIGURE NO. of 5
1/31/2022
1310.0029
DDS
31 " = 230 '
ContributingBasin
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Wetlands
High IntensityLand Use
Site Boundary
Area of Contributing Basin (SF)754,425Area of Wetland 1 (SF)68,221Percent of Wetland 1 within Contributing Basin 9.043%Is more than 25% of the contributing basin for Wetland 1 covered with intensive human land uses?YES
Area of Contributing Basin (SF)420,413Area of Wetland 2 (SF)11,444Percent of Wetland 2 within Contributing Basin 2.722%Is more than 25% of the contributing basin for Wetland 1 covered with intensive human land uses?YES
Area of Contributing Basin (SF)249,412Area of Wetland 3 (SF)889Percent of Wetland 3 within Contributing Basin 0.356%Is more than 25% of the contributing basin for Wetland 1 covered with intensive human land uses?YES
D.4.0 D.4.3
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1605 SW 341ST PLFEDERAL WAY, WA 98023 KING COUNTY PARCEL NUMBERS:2421039008 & 2421039051
TWIN TRAILS
TWIN TRAILS - HABITAT MAP
¢
0 1200 2400600 Feet
www.soundviewconsultants.com
2907 Harborview Dr., Suite D, Gig Harbor, WA 98335Phone: (253) 514-8952 Fax: (253) 514-8954
Soundview ConsultantsEnvironmental Assessment • Planning • Land Use Solutions LLC
DATE:
JOB:
BY:
SCALE:
FIGURE NO. of 5
1/31/2022
1310.0029
DDS
41 " = 1,200 '
1 KM Polygon
Accessible Habitat
High IntensityLand Use
Moderate & LowIntensity Land Use
UndisturbedHabitat
Abutting Undisturbed Habitat 1.29%Abutting Moderate & Low Intensity Land Uses 1.14%Accessible Habitat 1.86%
Undisturbed Habitat 4.01%Moderate & Low Intensity Land Uses 9.12%Undisturbed Habitat in 1 KM Polygon 8.57%
High Intensity Land Use in 1 KM Polygon 86.87%
H.2.2
H.2.3
H.2.0 All WetlandsH.2.1
SITE
1605 SW 341ST PLFEDERAL WAY, WA 98023 KING COUNTY PARCEL NUMBERS:2421039008 & 2421039051
TWIN TRAILS
TWIN TRAILS - 303 (D) MAP
¢
www.soundviewconsultants.com
2907 Harborview Dr., Suite D, Gig Harbor, WA 98335Phone: (253) 514-8952 Fax: (253) 514-8954
Soundview ConsultantsEnvironmental Assessment • Planning • Land Use Solutions LLC
DATE:
JOB:
BY:
SCALE:
FIGURE NO. of 5
1/31/2022
1310.0029
DDS
5
Sub Basin
Category 5Assessed Waters
Water QualityImprovementProjects
Name Pollutants TMDL ID WRIA Year Approved
Commencement Bay Dioxin TMDL Dioxin 2 10 1992
Fenwick Lake Total Phosphorus TMDL Total Phosphorus 8 9 1993
Fauntleroy Creek Bacteria TMDL Bacteria 80 9 2007
Green River Temperature Watershed TMDL Temperature 103 9 2011
Duwamish Waterway Ammonia-N TMDL Ammonia-N 4 9 1992
1 " = 3.5 mi
0 3.5 71.75 Miles SITE
1310.0029 – Twin Trails Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
Appendix H –– Qualifications
All field inspections, wetland determinations, habitat assessments, and supporting documentation,
including this Wetland and Fish and Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report prepared for the Twin
Trails project site were prepared by, or under the direction of, Jon Pickett of SVC. In addition, the
site investigations were performed by Ryan Krapp and Mae Ancheta, report preparation was
completed by Mae Ancheta, and additional project oversight and final quality assurance/quality
control was completed by Kyla Caddey.
Jon Pickett
Associate Principal
Professional Experience: >10 years
Jon Pickett is an Associate Principal and Senior Scientist with a diverse background in environmental
and shoreline compliance and permitting, wetland and stream ecology, fish and wildlife biology,
mitigation compliance and design, and environmental planning and land use due diligence. Jon
oversees a wide range of large-scale industrial, commercial, and multi-family residential projects
throughout Western Washington, providing environmental permitting and regulatory compliance
assistance for land use entitlement projects from feasibility through mitigation compliance. Jon
performs wetland, stream, and shoreline delineations and fish & wildlife habitat assessments; conducts
code and regulation analysis and review; prepares reports and permit applications and documents;
provides environmental compliance recommendation; and provides restoration and mitigation design.
Jon earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Sciences from Washington State
University and Bachelor of Science and Minor in Forestry from Washington State University. Jon has
received 40-hour wetland delineation training (Western Mountains, Valleys, & Coast and Arid West
Regional Supplements) and regularly performs wetland, stream, and shoreline delineations. Jon is a
Whatcom County Qualified Wetland Specialist and Wildlife Biologist and is a Pierce County Qualified
Wetland Specialist. He has been formally trained by WSDOE in the use of the Washington State
Wetland Rating System 2014, How to Determine the Ordinary High-Water Mark (Freshwater and
Marine), Using Field Indicators for Hydric Soils, and the Using the Credit-Debit Method for
Estimating Mitigation Needs.
Ryan Krapp
Environmental Scientist / Field Lead
Professional Experience: 10+ years
Ryan Krapp is an Environmental Scientist and Field Lead with a background in conducting wetland
delineations, habitat assessments, botanical surveys, avian surveys, threatened & endangered species
surveys, and fisheries studies. He has considerable experience in production of Environmental
Assessments and Biological Assessments and Evaluations under NEPA guidelines for projects
regulated by the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Bureau of Indian Affairs as
well as leading Section 7 ESA consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Project planning,
permitting, and compliance are all part of his professional experiences and practices at SVC.
1310.0029 – Twin Trails Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
Ryan has managed environmental investigation projects including wetlands, streams, and critical
habitats data collection on large pipeline corridors, overhead electrical transmission corridors, and
oil/natural gas drilling development. He has extensive experience in utilizing GIS to collect, manage,
and analyze large volumes of spatial and temporal field data to aide in project management,
monitoring, analysis, and mapping. In addition, he is a FAA trained recreational pilot and a PADI
certified SCUBA diver with fresh and saltwater diving experience.
Kyla Caddey
Environmental Scientist & Certified Ecologist
Professional Experience: 7 years
Kyla Caddey is a senior-level Environmental Scientist with a diverse background in stream and wetland
ecology, wildlife ecology and conservation, wildlife and natural resource assessments and monitoring,
and riparian habitat restoration at various public and private entities. Kyla has field experience
performing in-depth studies in both the Pacific Northwest and Central American ecosystems which
included various environmental science research and statistical analysis. Kyla has advanced expertise
in federal- and state-listed endangered, threatened, and sensitive species surveys and assessment of
aquatic and terrestrial systems throughout the Puget Sound region. She has completed hundreds of
wetland delineations and has extensive knowledge and interest in hydric soil identification. As the
senior writer, she provides informed project oversight and performs final quality assurance / quality
control on various types of scientific reports for agency submittal, including: Biological
Assessments/Evaluations; Wetland, Shoreline, and Fish and Wildlife Habitat Assessments; Mitigation
Plans, and Mitigation Monitoring Reports. She currently performs wetland, stream, and shoreline
delineations and fish and wildlife habitat assessments; prepares scientific reports; and provides
environmental permitting and regulatory compliance assistance to support a wide range of
commercial, industrial, and multi-family residential land use projects.
Kyla earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science and Resource Management from
the University of Washington, Seattle with a focus in Wildlife Conservation and a minor in
Quantitative Science. She has also completed additional coursework in Comprehensive Bird Biology
from Cornell University. Ms. Caddey is a Certified Ecologist through the Ecological Society of
America. She has received 40-hour wetland delineation training (Western Mtns, Valleys, & Coast and
Arid West Regional Supplement), is a Pierce County Qualified Wetland Specialist and Wildlife
Biologist, and is a USFWS-approved Mazama pocket gopher survey biologist. Kyla has been formally
trained through the Washington State Department of Ecology, Coastal Training Program, and the
Washington Native Plant Society in winter twig and grass, sedge, and rush identification for Western
WA; Using the Credit-Debit Method in Estimating Wetland Mitigation Needs; How to Determine the
Ordinary High Water Mark; Using Field Indicators for Hydric Soils; How to Administer Development
Permits in Washington Shorelines; Puget Sound Coastal Processes; and Forage Fish Survey
Techniques. Additionally, she has received formal training in preparing WSDOT Biological
Assessments.
Megan Mae Ancheta
Staff Scientist
Professional Experience: 2 years
Megan (Mae) Ancheta is a Staff Scientist with a background in wildlife and conservation biology in
Washington state. Mae earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science with a focus
1310.0029 – Twin Trails Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report Revised April 14, 2022
in Conservation Biology and Ecology and a certificate in Restoration Ecology from University of
Washington, Tacoma. There she gained extensive, hands-on experience working in lab and field
settings, and studying socio-ecological restoration and wildlife conservation in old growth forests,
historic Puget lowland prairies, and wetland and riparian areas. Mae has applied her studies working
in the local government at the city and county level as well as within federal entities conducting wetland
mitigation planning, stream habitat monitoring, habitat restoration for federally listed species, and
thorough site analyses for natural resource management utilizing ArcGIS and model analyses.
Mae currently assists in wetland, stream, and shoreline delineations and fish and wildlife habitat
assessments; conducts environmental code analysis; and prepares environmental assessment and
mitigation reports, biological evaluations, and permit applications to support clients through the
regulatory and planning process for various land use projects.