23-105061-SU-Environmentally Critical Areas Assessment- 11.15.2023HABITAT TECHNOLOGIES
wetlands, streams, fisheries, wildlife – mitigation and permitting solutions
P.O. Box 1088, Puyallup, Washington 98371
253-845-5119 contact@habitattechnologies.net
A VETERAN OWNED SMALL BUSINESS COOPERATIVE
July 28, 2023
Mr. Viktor Boychev
e- mail Statestransportation@yahoo.com
RE: Environmentally Critical Areas Assessment
Parcel 1521049153 City of Federal Way, King County
Dear Mr. Boychev,
Following your request Habitat Technologies has completed an onsite assessment of
Parcel 1521049153 (project site) located along 39th Avenue South within the City of
Federal Way, King County, Washington (Figure 1). This assessment focused on
specific environmentally critical areas (wetlands, streams, fish and wildlife habitat
conservation areas) within or immediately adjacent to the project site and was
completed following the methods and procedures defined in the Corps of Engineers
Wetland Delineation Manual (United States Army Corps of Engineers, 1987) with the
Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Western
Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region (United States Army Corps of Engineers, 2010);
the Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington: 2014 Update
Publication #14-06-029 (Hruby, 2014); the State of Washington Department of Natural
Resources (WDNR) Forest Practice Rules (WAC 222-16-030); and the City of Federal
Way Chapter 19.145.
The project site consisted of a single parcel of record, was approximately 2.0 acres in
total size, and was generally rectangular in shape. The project site exhibited a slight
slope generally from the east to the west, was vacant, and exhibited a mixed forest
plant community. The project site was located within a well-urbanized residential area
with a number of existing single-family homes intermixed with remnant vacant parcels.
Directions to Project Site: From South 320th Street east of Interstate 5 turn south onto
Military Road South. Continue south on Military Road South to South 322nd Street.
Turn west onto South 322nd Street and continue to 39th Avenue South. Turn south onto
39th Avenue South and continue to 324xx 39th Avenue South.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY MAPPING
The National Wetland Inventory (NWI) Mapping completed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service was reviewed as a part of this assessment (Figure 2). This mapping resource
did not identify any wetlands or drainage corridors within or immediately adjacent to the
project site.
STATE OF WASHINGTON PRIORITY HABITATS AND SPECIES
The State of Washington Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) Mapping was reviewed as
a part of this assessment (Figure 3). This mapping resource did not identify any priority
habitats or species within or immediately adjacent to the project site.
STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
The State of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) SalmonScape
Mapping was reviewed as a part of this assessment (Figure 4). This mapping resource
did not identify any drainage corridors within or immediately adjacent to the project site.
This mapping resource identified a potential wetland offsite to the west and southwest of
the project site.
STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
The State of Washington Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Water Type
Mapping was reviewed as a part of this assessment (Figure 5). This mapping resource
did not identify any drainage corridors or wetlands within or immediately adjacent to the
project site.
FEDERAL WAY MAPPING
The City of Federal Way Inventory Mapping was reviewed as a part of this assessment
(Figure 6). This mapping resource identified a wetland within the western portion of the
project site. This wetland was identified to extend southward into North Lake.
SOILS MAPPING
The Soil Mapping Inventory completed by the Natural Resource Conservation Service
(NRCS) was reviewed as a part of this assessment (Figure 7). This mapping resource
identified that the project site contained Alderwood (AgB) gravelly loam soils. The
Alderwood soil series is defined as moderately well drained soils and as formed in
sandy glacial outwash. This soil series is not defined as “hydric” but to potentially
exhibit inclusions of hydric soils.
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ONSITE ANALYSIS
CRITERIA FOR CRITICAL AREAS IDENTIFICATION
For the purpose of this assessment, the specific environmentally critical areas reviewed
included potential wetlands, surface water drainage corridors (natural waters), and fish
and wildlife habitats which may be located within or immediately adjacent to the project
site. This assessment did not include an assessment of potential seismic hazard areas,
potential landslide hazard areas, potential volcanic hazard areas, potential septic
suitability, potential erosion hazard areas, or potential aquifer recharge areas.
WETLANDS: Wetlands are transitional areas between aquatic and upland habitats. In
general terms, wetlands are lands where the extent and duration of saturation with water
is the primary factor determining the nature of soil development and the types of plant
and animal communities living in the soil and on its surface (Cowardin, et al., 1979).
Wetlands are generally defined within land use regulations as "areas that are inundated
or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support,
and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically
adapted for life in saturated soil conditions" (United States Army Corps of Engineers
1987).
Wetlands exhibit three essential characteristics, all of which must be present for an area
to meet the established criteria (United States Army Corps of Engineers, 1987 and
United States Army Corps of Engineers, 2010). These essential characteristics are:
1. Hydrophytic Vegetation: The assemblage of macrophytes that occurs in areas
where inundation or soil saturation is either permanent or of sufficient frequency
and duration to influence plant occurrence. Hydrophytic vegetation is present
when the plant community is dominated by species that require or can tolerate
prolonged inundation or soil saturation during the growing season.
2. Hydric Soil: A soil that formed under conditions of saturation, flooding, or
ponding long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic condit ions
in the upper parts. Most hydric soils exhibit characteristic morphologies that
result from repented periods of saturation or inundation. These processes result
in distinctive characteristics that persist in the soil during both wet and dry
periods.
3. Wetland Hydrology: Permanent or periodic inundation, or surface soil
saturation, at least seasonally. Wetland hydrology indicators are used in
combination with indicators of hydric soil and hydrophytic vegetation to define the
area. Wetland hydrology indications provide evidence that the site has a
continuing wetland hydrology regime. Where hydrology has not been altered
vegetation and soils provide strong evidence that wetland hydrology is present.
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The City of Federal Way defines “wetlands” as those areas that are inundated or
saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to
support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation
typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include
swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas. Wetlands do not include those 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. Wetlands may include those artificial
wetlands intentionally created from nonwetland areas to mitigate conversion of
wetlands.
FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION AREAS: The City of Federal Way
defines “fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas” as those areas necessary for
maintaining species in suitable habitats within their natural geographic distribution so
that isolated subpopulations are not created as designated by WAC 365-190-130.
These areas include:
(1) Areas where endangered, threatened, and sensitive species have primary
association;
(2) Habitats and species of local importance, as determined locally;
(3) Commercial and recreational shellfish areas;
(4) Kelp and eelgrass beds, herring, smelt, and other forage fish spawning areas;
(5) Naturally occurring ponds under 20 acres and their submerged aquatic beds
that provide fish or wildlife habitat;
(6) Waters of the state;
(7) Lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers planted with game fish by a governmental
or tribal entity; and
(8) State natural area preserves, natural resource conservation areas, and state
wildlife areas.
STUDY METHODS
Habitat Technologies completed a series of onsite assessments during late July 2023.
In addition, Habitat Technologies has completed previous similar assessments for a
variety of parcels located within the general area of the project site. The objective of
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this onsite assessment was to define and delineate potential specific environmentally
critical areas (wetlands, streams, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas) that may
be present within or immediately adjacent to the project area. Onsite activities were
completed in accordance with criteria and procedures established in the Corps of
Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual (United States Army Corps of Engineers, 1987)
with the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual:
Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region (United States Army Corps of
Engineers, 2010); the Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western
Washington: 2014 Update Publication #14-06-029 (Hruby, 2014); the State of
Washington Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Forest Practice Rules (WAC
222-16-030); and the City of Federal Way Chapter 19.145 (field data sheets are
provided in Appendix A).
FIELD OBSERVATION
The project site was accessed along the eastern boundary from 39th Avenue South
formed to eastern boundary of the project site. The project site exhibited a slight slope
generally from the east to the west. The project site was vacant and exhibited a mixed
forest plant community. The project site was located within a well-urbanized residential
area with a number of existing single-family homes intermixed with remnant vacant
parcels. The project site was boundary to the south by existing developed parcels, to
the west and north by vacant parcels, and to the east by 39th Avenue South.
• Vegetation
The project site generally exhibited two (2) plant communities. The first plant
community was identified in the eastern portion of the project site and was dominated
by a mixed upland forest plant community. Observed species included Douglas fir
(Pseudotsuga menziesii), red alder (Alnus rubra), big leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum),
Western red cedar (Thuja plicata), black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), laurel
(Kalmia spp.), Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus), evergreen blackberry (Rubus
laciniatus), trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus), salal (Gaultheria shallon), holly (Ilex
aquifolium), rose (Rosa spp.), Indian plum (Oemleria cerasiformis), Pacific red
elderberry (Sambucus racemosa), salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), Indian plum
(Oemleria cerasiformis), hazelnut (Corylus cornuta), vine maple (Acer circinatum), salal
(Gaultheria shallon), sword fern (Polystichum munitum), nettle (Urtica dioica), English
ivy (Hedera helix), daisy (Bellis perennis), clover (Trifolium spp.), and buttercup
(Ranunculus repens). This plant community was identified as non-hydrophytic in
character (typical of uplands).
The plant community in the very western portion of the project site appeared dominated
by a forest/shrub plant community more typically associated with seasonally saturated
to damp soil conditions. Observed species included Western red cedar, Oregon ash
(Fraxinus latifolia), red alder, black cottonwood, Pacific willow (Salix lasiandra), Sitka
willow (Salix sitchensis), crab apple (Pyrus fusca), salmonberry, Douglas spiraea
(Spiraea douglasii), red osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), skunk cabbage (Lysichitum
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americanum), reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), nettle, and buttercup. This
plant community was identified as hydrophytic in character (typical of wetlands) and to
generally extend offsite to the north, west, and south.
• Soils
As documented at representative sample plots throughout the eastern portion of the
project site the soil exhibited a gravelly sandy loam to gravelly loam texture and
coloration typical of the Alderwood soil series. The surface soil typically exhibited a very
dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) coloration and a gravelly sandy loam to gravelly loam
texture. The subsoil to a depth of approximately 24 inches also exhibited a dark brown
(10YR 3/3) to brown (10YR 4/3) coloration, and gravelly sandy loam to gravelly loam
texture. This soil was identified as non-hydric and mineral character.
The soil identified within the depression (noted as Wetland A below) within the western
portion of the project site exhibited a surface soil coloration from four (4) to eleven (11)
inches of very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) to black (10YR 2/1). The subsoil to a
depth of 24 inches varied from black (10YR 2/1) to very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2)
and exhibited prominent redoximorphic features (depleted matrix and redox
concentrations). Oxidized root channels were also very evident. The soil ranged from
gravelly loam, to silt loam, to muck in texture. The soils identified within this
depressional swale exhibited field characteristics typical of hydric soil.
• Hydrology
Onsite hydrology appeared to be the result of seasonal stormwater runoff from onsite,
seasonal stormwater runoff from adjacent parcels, and the movement of surface water
within the project site. The eastern portion of the project site appeared to drain
moderately well to well and did not exhibit field indicators typically associated with
wetland hydrology.
A depression (noted as Wetland A below) was identified within the very western portion
of the project site. Onsite this depression exhibited field indicators of seasonal ponding
and soil saturation well into the growing season. An area of ponding was identified
adjacent to the northwest corner of the project site during the July assessment. Water
stained leaves were also noted within the western portion of the project site.
• Wildlife Species
The project site was located within an area of existing single-family development and
remnant vacant parcels. Species observed, that would be reasonably expected onsite,
or that would be reasonably expected within the immediate vicinity of the project site
based on habitat types would include American crow (Corvus brachynchos), Steller’s
jay (Cyanocitta stelleri), Western screech owl (Otus kennicotti), mourning dove (Zenaida
macroura), Northern flicker (Colaptes auratus), pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus
pileatus), hairy woodpecker (Picoides villosus), song sparrow (Melospiza melodia), dark
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eyed junco (Junco hyemalis), starling (Sturnus vulgaris), American robin (Turdus
migratorius), golden crown kinglet (Regulus satrapa), bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus),
house finch (Passer domesticus), black-capped chickadee (Parus atricapillus), brown
creeper (Certhia americana), rufous sided towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus), American
goldfinch (Carduelis tristis), purple finch (Carpodacus purpureus), evening grosbeak
(Coccothraustes vespertina), rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus), Anna’s
hummingbird (Calypte anna), black tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus), coyote (Canis
latrans), opossum (Didelphis virginianus), eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis),
striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), raccoon (Procyon lotor), eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus
floridanus), deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), shrew (Sorex spp.), bats (Myotis
spp.), Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), mole (Scapanus spp.), Pacific treefrog (Hyla
regilla), and common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis).
As observed onsite and as presently documented, the project site does not provide
direct habitats for fish species.
• State Priority Species
A few species identified by the State of Washington as “Priority Species” were observed
onsite or potentially may utilize the project site. Priority species requ ire protective
measures for their survival because of their population status, sensitivity to habitat
alteration, and/or recreational, commercial, or tribal importance.
Game Species: “Game species” are regulated by the State of Washington
through recreational hunting bag limits, harvest seasons, and harvest area
restrictions. Observed or documented “game species” within and adjacent to the
project site included black-tailed deer and mourning dove.
State Candidate: State Candidate species are presently under review by the
State of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) for possible listing
as endangered, threatened, or sensitive. The project site was not observed and
has not been documented to provide critical habitats for State Candidate species.
State Sensitive: State Sensitive species are native to Washington, are
vulnerable to decline, and are likely to become endangered or threatened
throughout a significant portion of its range without cooperative management or
removal of threats. The project site was not observed and has not been
documented to provide critical habitats for State Sensitive species.
State Threatened: State Threatened species are species native to the state of
Washington and are likely to become an endangered species within the
foreseeable future throughout a significant portion of its range within the state
without cooperative management or removal of threats. The project site was not
observed and has not been documented to provide critical habitats for State
Threatened species.
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State Endangered: State endangered species are species native to the state of
Washington and are seriously threatened with extinction throughout all or a
significant portion of its range within the state. The project site was not observed
and has not been documented to provide critical habitats for State Endangered
species.
• Federal Priority Species
The project site has not been documented to provide critical habitats for federally listed
endangered, threatened, or sensitive species. A single federally listed species of
concern – bald eagle – has also been documented to use habitats associated with the
shoreline of Puget Sound, the habitats of larger rivers and area lakes, and may
occasionally overfly the project site.
CRITICAL AREAS DETERMINATION
WETLANDS
Wetland determination was based on sample plots which contained hydrophytic
vegetation, hydric soils, and wetland hydrology in accordance with the Corps of
Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual (United States Army Corps of Engineers, 1987)
with the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual:
Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region (United States Army Corps of
Engineers, 2010);. Based on these methods one (1) area within the very western
portion of the project site was identified to exhibit all three of the established wetland
criteria (Figure 8).
WETLAND CLASSIFICATION
(USFWS)
CITY OF
FEDERAL WAY
CATEGORY
WDOE
RATING
SCORE
WDOE
HABITAT
SCORE
BUFFER WIDTH
A PFOE III 19 6 150 feet
Wetland A: Wetland A was identified as a depressional wetland and exhibited a forest
plant community. Wetland hydrology appeared provided by seasonal stormwater
sheetflow, stormwater discharged into the wetland, the associated with North Lake, the
general topographic character of the area, and soils characteristics.
Wetland A was identified to meet the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) criteria for
classification of palustrine, forested, seasonally flooded/saturated (PFOE). Wetland A
was also identified to meet the criteria for designation as a City of Federal Way
Category III Wetland. Wetland A achieved a total functions score of 19 points utilizing
the 2014 Washington State Department of Ecology Wetland Rating Form for Western
Washington (Hruby 2014) (Appendix B). The standard buffer for a City of Federal Way
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Category III Wetland with six (6) habitat points is 150 feet as measured perpendicular
from the wetland boundary.
FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION AREAS
Onsite assessment identified that no portion of the project site or area immediately
adjacent to the project site met the criteria for designation as an area where
endangered, threatened, and sensitive species have a primary association; as a
commercial or recreational shellfish area; as a kelp or eelgrass bed; as herring, smelt,
or other forage fish spawning area; as a naturally occurring pond; as an aquatic area
planted with game fish; or as a state natural area preserve, a natural resource
conservation area, or a state wildlife area.
Onsite assessment identified a City of Federal Way Category III Wetland within the very
western portion of the project site. This wetland would also be identified as a “water of
the state” and as a City of Federal Way “priority habitat.”
SELECTED DEVELOPMENT ACTION
The Selected Development Action for Parcel 1521049053 has not yet been fully
identified. However, potential future development would be consistent with the City of
Federal Way Comprehensive Plan, local zoning, the character of the neighborhood, and
Chapter 19.145.
STANDARD OF CARE
This Environmentally Critical Areas Assessment has been completed by Habitat
Technologies for use by Mr. Viktor Boychev. Prior to extensive site planning the
findings documented in this document should be reviewed and verified by the City of
Federal Way resource personnel. Habitat Technologies has provided professional
services that are in accordance with the degree of care and skill generally accepted in
the nature of the work accomplished. No other warranties are expressed or implied.
Habitat Technologies is not responsible for design costs incurred before this document
is approved by the appropriate resource and permitting agencies.
Bryan W. Peck
Senior Wetland Biologist
Thomas D. Deming, SPWS
Habitat Technologies
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FIGURES
K in g
Date : 7/28/20 23 Notes:
±The informati on included on this map has been c ompil ed by King County s taff from a variety of sources and issubject to change without notice. King County makes no repr esentations or warr anties, ex press or implied,as to accurac y, completeness, timel iness, or rights to the us e of such information. T hi s doc ument i s not intendedfor use as a s urvey product. Ki ng County shall not be l iable for any general , special, indirect, incidental, orconsequential damages i ncl uding, but not li mited to, lost revenues or los t profits resulting from the us e or mi sus eof the information contained on this map. Any sale of thi s map or informati on on this map is prohi bited exc ept bywritten permi ss i on of Ki ng County.
Figure 1 Site Vici nity
Figure 2 NWI Mapping
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Standards and Support Team,wetlands_team@fws.gov
Wetlands
Estuarine and Marine Deepwater
Estuarine and Marine Wetland
Freshwater Emergent Wetland
Freshwater Forested/Shrub Wetland
Freshwater Pond
Lake
Other
Riverine
July 28, 2023
0 0.1 0.20.05 mi
0 0.2 0.40.1 km
1:7,530
This page was produced by the NWI mapperNational Wetlands Inventory (NWI)
This map is for general reference only. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is not responsible for the accuracy or currentness of the base data shown on this map. All wetlands related data should be used in accordance with the layer metadata found on the Wetlands Mapper web site.
Figure 4 WDFW Salmonscape Mapping
USGS/NHD, Dale Gombert (WDFW), WDFW, Maxar
All SalmonScape Species
July 28, 2023
0 0.1 0.20.05 mi
0 0.15 0.30.07 km
1:9,028
Esri, HERE, Garmin, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS user
community, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Forest Practices Division,
Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Engineering Division
Map Symbols
Forest Practices Water Type Map
¯
End of Fish or
Last Fish
!?
"Manmade Barrier#*Natural Fish Barrier
Start and End
Point of Surveyed
Reach[[New Stream
F Proposed Water Type
Stream Removalxxx
Break between
water types
F N
Extreme care was used during the compilation of this map to ensure
its accuracy. However, due to changes in data and the need to
rely on outside information, the Department of Natural Resources
cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions, and therefore,
there are no warranties that accompany this material.Date: 7/28/2023 Time: 10:03 AM
Additional Information Legal Description
Approximate Scale :1:4,800
S10 T21.0N R04.0E, S15 T21.0N
R04.0E, S16 T21.0N R04.0E, S09 T21.0N
R04.0E
0 400 800200
Feet
HABITAT Figure 6
TECHNOLOGIES City of Sumner Mapping
Soil Map—King County Area, Washington
(Figure 7 Soils Mapping)
Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Web Soil Survey
National Cooperative Soil Survey
7/28/2023
Page 1 of 3
47° 18' 42'' N 122° 17' 11'' W47° 18' 42'' N122° 17' 3'' W47° 18' 38'' N
122° 17' 11'' W47° 18' 38'' N
122° 17' 3'' WN
Map projection: Web Mercator Corner coordinates: WGS84
0 35 70 140 210
Feet
0 10 20 40 60
Meters
Map Scale: 1:805 if printed on A landscape (11" x 8.5") sheet.
Soil Map may not be valid at this scale.
MAP LEGEND MAP INFORMATION
Area of Interest (AOI)
Area of Interest (AOI)
Soils
Soil Map Unit Polygons
Soil Map Unit Lines
Soil Map Unit Points
Special Point Features
Blowout
Borrow Pit
Clay Spot
Closed Depression
Gravel Pit
Gravelly Spot
Landfill
Lava Flow
Marsh or swamp
Mine or Quarry
Miscellaneous Water
Perennial Water
Rock Outcrop
Saline Spot
Sandy Spot
Severely Eroded Spot
Sinkhole
Slide or Slip
Sodic Spot
Spoil Area
Stony Spot
Very Stony Spot
Wet Spot
Other
Special Line Features
Water Features
Streams and Canals
Transportation
Rails
Interstate Highways
US Routes
Major Roads
Local Roads
Background
Aerial Photography
The soil surveys that comprise your AOI were mapped at
1:24,000.
Warning: Soil Map may not be valid at this scale.
Enlargement of maps beyond the scale of mapping can cause
misunderstanding of the detail of mapping and accuracy of soil
line placement. The maps do not show the small areas of
contrasting soils that could have been shown at a more detailed
scale.
Please rely on the bar scale on each map sheet for map
measurements.
Source of Map: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Web Soil Survey URL:
Coordinate System: Web Mercator (EPSG:3857)
Maps from the Web Soil Survey are based on the Web Mercator
projection, which preserves direction and shape but distorts
distance and area. A projection that preserves area, such as the
Albers equal-area conic projection, should be used if more
accurate calculations of distance or area are required.
This product is generated from the USDA-NRCS certified data as
of the version date(s) listed below.
Soil Survey Area: King County Area, Washington
Survey Area Data: Version 18, Sep 8, 2022
Soil map units are labeled (as space allows) for map scales
1:50,000 or larger.
Date(s) aerial images were photographed: Jul 31, 2022—Aug 8,
2022
The orthophoto or other base map on which the soil lines were
compiled and digitized probably differs from the background
imagery displayed on these maps. As a result, some minor
shifting of map unit boundaries may be evident.
Soil Map—King County Area, Washington
(Figure 7 Soils Mapping)
Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Web Soil Survey
National Cooperative Soil Survey
7/28/2023
Page 2 of 3
Map Unit Legend
Map Unit Symbol Map Unit Name Acres in AOI Percent of AOI
AgB Alderwood gravelly sandy
loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes
2.0 100.0%
Totals for Area of Interest 2.0 100.0%
Soil Map—King County Area, Washington Figure 7 Soils Mapping
Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Web Soil Survey
National Cooperative Soil Survey
7/28/2023
Page 3 of 3
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REFERENCES AND BACKGROUND RESOURCES
Adamus, P.R., E.J. Clairain Jr., R.D. Smith, and R.E. Young. 1987. Wetland Evaluation
Technique (WET); Volume II: Methodology, Operational Draft Technical Report Y -87,
U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Cowardin, Lewis M. et al, 1979. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of
the United States. Office of Biological Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S.
Department of the Interior, FWS/OBS-79/31.
Hitchcock, C.L., A. Cronquist. 1977. Flora of the Pacific Northwest. University of
Washington Press. 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.
Lichvar, R.W., D.L. Banks, W.N. Kirchner, and N.C. Melvin. 2016. The National
Wetlands Plant List: 2016 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2016-30: 1-17. Published 28
April 2016. ISSN 2153 733X. http://wetland -plands. Usace.army.mil/
Reppert, R.T., W. Sigleo, E. Stakhiv, L. Messman, and C. Meyers. 1979. Wetland
Values - Concepts and Methods for Wetland Evaluation. Research Report 79 -R1, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, Institute for Water Resources, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
United States Army Corps of Engineers, 1987. Wetlands Delineation Manual. Technical
Report Y-87-1, US Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg,
Mississippi. March 1987.
United States Army Corps of Engineers. 2010. Regional Supplement to the Corps of
Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region
(Version 2.0), Environmental Laboratory ERDC/EL TR-08-13.
US Climate Data, 2015 http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/tacoma/washington
/united-states/uswa0441/0441/2014/1
USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service Plants Database, 2015 (for hydrophytic
plan classification): http://plants.usda.gov/
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Web
Soil Survey. 2016 http://vewsoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/newfeatures.2.3.htm.
US Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetland Inventory Mapper, 2016 (for NWI
wetland mapping): http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper.html.
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Washington State Department of Ecology. 1997. Washington State Wetlands
Identification and Delineation Manual. Publication Number 96 -94.
Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife Priority Habitats and Species Maps
2016 http://wdfw.wa.gov/mapping/phs/
Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife SalmonScape Mapping System,
2016 (for fish presence): http://apps.wdfw.wa.gov/salmonscape/map.html
Washington State Department of Natural Resources FPARS Mapping System, 2016 (for
stream typing): http://fortess.wa.gov/dnr/app1/fpars/viewer.htm
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APPENDIX A – Field Data
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: Parcel 152104153 City/County: Federal Way/ King County Sampling Date:26 July 2023
Applicant/Owner: State: WA. Sampling Point: SP1
Investigator(s): Habitat Technologies Section, Township, Range: S15 T21N R04E
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc.): slight slope Local relief (concave, convex, none): slight slope Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR): A Lat: Long: - Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name: Alderwood gravelly sandy loam NWI classification: Moderately well drained
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: Upland
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute Dominant Indicator
Tree Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius) % Cover Species? Status
1. Acer macrophyllum 100 yes FACU
2.
3.
4.
100 = Total Cover
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius)
1. Oemleria cerasiformis 50 yes FACU
2.
3.
4.
5.
50 = Total Cover
Herb Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius)
1. Hedera helix 75 yes FACU
2. Urtica dioica 30 yes FAC
3. Polystichum munitum 25 yes FACU
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
100 = Total Cover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius)
1.
2.
= Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum
Dominance Test worksheet:
Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 1 (A)
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata: 5 (B)
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 20 (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: Upland
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
SOIL
Sampling Point: SP1
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
0-18 10YR 3/3 100 Gsl
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: No prominent field indicators of hydric soils.
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: No prominent field indicators of wetland hydrology.
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: Parcel 152104153 City/County: Federal Way/ King County Sampling Date:26 July 2023
Applicant/Owner: State: WA. Sampling Point: SP2
Investigator(s): Habitat Technologies Section, Township, Range: S15 T21N R04E
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc.): slight slope Local relief (concave, convex, none): slight slope Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR): A Lat: Long: - Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name: Alderwood gravelly sandy loam NWI classification: Moderately well drained
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: Upland
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute Dominant Indicator
Tree Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius) % Cover Species? Status
1. Thuja plicata 90 yes FAC
2.
3.
4.
90 = Total Cover
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius)
1. Oemleria cerasiformis 20 yes FACU
2. Corylus cornuta 30 yes FACU
3. Gaultheria shallon 20 yes FACU
4.
5.
50 = Total Cover
Herb Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius)
1. Polystichum munitum 35 yes FACU
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
35 = Total Cover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius)
1. Rubus ursinus 15 yes FACU
2.
15 = Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum
Dominance Test worksheet:
Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 1 (A)
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata: 6 (B)
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 17 (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: Upland
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
SOIL
Sampling Point: SP2
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
0-18 10YR 3/2 100 Gsl
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: No prominent field indicators of hydric soils.
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: No prominent field indicators of wetland hydrology.
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: Parcel 152104153 City/County: Federal Way/ King County Sampling Date:26 July 2023
Applicant/Owner: State: WA. Sampling Point: SP3
Investigator(s): Habitat Technologies Section, Township, Range: S15 T21N R04E
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc.): slight slope Local relief (concave, convex, none): slight slope Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR): A Lat: Long: - Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name: Alderwood gravelly sandy loam NWI classification: Moderately well drained
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: Wetland
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute Dominant Indicator
Tree Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius) % Cover Species? Status
1. Fraxinus latifolia 30 yes FACW
2.
3.
4.
30 = Total Cover
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius)
1. Rubus spectabilis 50 yes FAC
2. Corylus cornuta 10 yes FACU
3.
4.
5.
60 = Total Cover
Herb Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius)
1. Polystichum munitum 20 yes FACU
2. Ranunculus repens 30 yes FAC
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
50 = Total Cover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius)
1.
2.
0 = Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum
Dominance Test worksheet:
Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 3 (A)
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata: 5 (B)
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 60 (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: Wetland
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
SOIL
Sampling Point: SP3
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
0-18 10YR 3/2 90 10YR 4/6 10 C M Gsl
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: Prominent field indicators of hydric soils.
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: Prominent field indicators of wetland hydrology.
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: Parcel 152104153 City/County: Federal Way/ King County Sampling Date:26 July 2023
Applicant/Owner: State: WA. Sampling Point: SP4
Investigator(s): Habitat Technologies Section, Township, Range: S15 T21N R04E
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc.): slight slope Local relief (concave, convex, none): slight slope Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR): A Lat: Long: - Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name: Alderwood gravelly sandy loam NWI classification: Moderately well drained
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: Wetland
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute Dominant Indicator
Tree Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius) % Cover Species? Status
1. Thuja plicata 25 yes FAC
2. Alnus rubra 30 yes FAC
3.
4.
55 = Total Cover
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius)
1. Rubus spectabilis 75 yes FAC
2. Gaultheria shallon 30 yes FACU
3.
4.
5.
60 = Total Cover
Herb Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
0 = Total Cover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius)
1.
2.
0 = Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum
Dominance Test worksheet:
Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 3 (A)
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata: 4 (B)
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 75 (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: Wetland
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
SOIL
Sampling Point: SP4
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
0-18 10YR 3/2 90 10YR 4/6 10 C M Sil
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: Prominent field indicators of hydric soils.
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: Prominent field indicators of wetland hydrology.
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: Parcel 152104153 City/County: Federal Way/ King County Sampling Date:26 July 2023
Applicant/Owner: State: WA. Sampling Point: SP5
Investigator(s): Habitat Technologies Section, Township, Range: S15 T21N R04E
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc.): slight slope Local relief (concave, convex, none): slight slope Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR): A Lat: Long: - Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name: Alderwood gravelly sandy loam NWI classification: Moderately well drained
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: Upland
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute Dominant Indicator
Tree Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius) % Cover Species? Status
1. Fraxinus latifolia 20 yes FACW
2.
3.
4.
80 = Total Cover
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius)
1. Rosa nutkana 20 yes FAC
2. Corylus cornuta 50 yes FACU
3. Rubus spectabilis 50 yes FAC
4.
5.
100 = Total Cover
Herb Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius)
1. Polystichum munitum 10 yes FACU
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
10 = Total Cover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius)
1.
2.
0 = Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum
Dominance Test worksheet:
Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 3 (A)
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata: 5 (B)
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 60 (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: Upland
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
SOIL
Sampling Point: SP5
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
0-18 10YR 3/2 100 Sl
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: No prominent field indicators of hydric soils.
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: No prominent field indicators of wetland hydrology.
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: Parcel 152104153 City/County: Federal Way/ King County Sampling Date:26 July 2023
Applicant/Owner: State: WA. Sampling Point: SP6
Investigator(s): Habitat Technologies Section, Township, Range: S15 T21N R04E
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc.): slight slope Local relief (concave, convex, none): slight slope Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR): A Lat: Long: - Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name: Alderwood gravelly sandy loam NWI classification: Moderately well drained
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: Upland
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute Dominant Indicator
Tree Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius) % Cover Species? Status
1. Thuja plicata 80 yes FAC
2.
3.
4.
80 = Total Cover
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius)
1. Oemleria cerasiformis 20 yes FACU
2. Corylus cornuta 50 yes FACU
3. Rubus spectabilis 10 FAC
4.
5.
80 = Total Cover
Herb Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius)
1. Polystichum munitum 35 yes FACU
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
35 = Total Cover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size: 15ft radius)
1. Rubus ursinus 30 yes FACU
2.
30 = Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum
Dominance Test worksheet:
Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 2 (A)
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata: 6 (B)
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 33 (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: Upland
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
SOIL
Sampling Point: SP6
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
0-18 10YR 3/3 100 Gsl
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: No prominent field indicators of hydric soils.
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: No prominent field indicators of wetland hydrology.
14
23115
APPENDIX B – Wetland Rating Worksheet
Figure W1
Esri, NASA, NGA, USGS, FEMA
Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS,
FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri
July 26, 2023
0 0.2 0.40.1
Miles
K
Assessed Water/Sediment
Water
Category 5 - 303d
Category 4C
Category 4B
Category 4A
Category 2
Category 1
Sediment
Category 5 - 303d
Category 4C
Category 4B
Category 4A
Category 2
Category 1
WQ Improvement Projects
Approved
In Development
Subbasins (12 digit HUCs)
HUC boundary
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 H M L H M L H M L
Landscape Potential H M L H M L H M L
Value H M L H M L H M L 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
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
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.
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.
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
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
water stored by the wetland cannot reach areas that flood. Explain why _____________ points = 0
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
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
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).
Calculate: % undisturbed habitat + [(% moderate and low intensity land uses)/2] = _______%
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.
Calculate: % undisturbed habitat + [(% moderate and low intensity land uses)/2] = _______%
Undisturbed habitat > 50% of Polygon points = 3
Undisturbed habitat 10-50% and in 1-3 patches points = 2
Undisturbed habitat 10-50% and > 3 patches points = 1
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
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.