23-106056-SU-Wetland and Fish and Wildlife Habitat Assessment-01-19-24WETLAND AND FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT
ASSESSMENT REPORT
SAGHALIE HEIGHTS
DECEMBER 2023
WETLAND AND FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT
ASSESSMENT REPORT
SAGHALIE HEIGHTS
DECEMBER 20, 2023
PROJECT LOCATION
ADJACENT EAST OF 1605 SW 341ST PLACE
FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON 98023
PREPARED FOR
PROSPECT DEVELOPMENT
2913 5TH AVE NE
SUITE 201
PUYALLUP, WA 98372
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 December 20, 2023
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
10.56-acre site located east-adjacent to 1605 Southwest 341st Place in the City of Federal Way,
Washington. The subject property consists of five parcels situated in the Northwest ¼ of Section 19,
Township 21 North, Range 4 East, W.M. (King County Tax Parcel Numbers 1921049019,
1921049018, 1921049026, 1921049024, and 1921049028).
The subject property was previously investigated for the presence of wetlands and fish and wildlife
habitat conservation areas between the spring of 2006 and the summer of 2008 by multiple parties.
Sheldon & Associates, Inc. identified and delineated two wetlands (Wetlands A and B) on the subject
property (Sheldon & Associates, Inc., 2006). The wetlands were rated as Category III (Wetland A) and
Category II (Wetland B) wetlands based on the 2004 wetland rating system (Hruby, 2004). The wetland
boundaries and ratings were confirmed in a follow up investigation by Habitat Technologies (Habitat
Technologies, 2006). A separate fish and wildlife study was completed by Raedeke Associates, Inc., in
2008; during the study they determined that no regulated wetland and fish and wildlife habitat
conservation areas were present onsite. This report has been prepared to provide an updated
assessment of the subject property using current methodology due to the time that has lapsed since
the initial studies.
SVC investigated the subject property for the presence of potentially-regulated wetlands, waterbodies,
fish and wildlife habitat, and/or priority species in September of 2023. Using current methodology,
the site assessment identified three potentially-regulated wetlands (Wetlands A - C) and on the subject
property. Wetlands A and B are classified as Category III depressional wetlands with low habitat scores
of 5 points, and are subject to standard 80-foot buffers per Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC)
19.145.420(2). Wetland C is classified as a Category IV depressional wetland and is subject to a
standard 50-foot buffer. An additional 5-foot structure setback is required from the edge of all critical
area buffers per FWRC 19.145.160. No other potentially-regulated wetlands, waterbodies, or regulated
fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas were identified on or within 300 feet of the subject
property.
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
A 21,210 SF III Yes Yes Not Likely
B 12,195 SF III Yes Yes Not Likely
C 1,325 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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Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report December 20, 2023
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 Critical Area Inventories ......................................................................................................... 5
4.4 Precipitation ........................................................................................................................... 5
Chapter 5. Results ........................................................................................................................... 7
5.1 Upland Characterization ......................................................................................................... 7
5.2 Wetlands ................................................................................................................................ 7
5.3 Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Area ........................................................................ 12
Chapter 6. Regulatory Considerations ........................................................................................... 14
6.1 Local Considerations ............................................................................................................ 14
6.2 Federal and State Regulatory Considerations ........................................................................ 14
Chapter 7. Closure ........................................................................................................................ 17
Chapter 8. References ................................................................................................................... 18
Figures
Figure 1. Vicinity Map. ................................................................................................................ 2
Figure 2. Aerial Image of the Subject Property. ........................................................................... 4
Tables
Table 1. Precipitation Summary.................................................................................................................6
Table 2. Wetland Summary. ................................................................................................................7
Appendices
Appendix A –– Methods and Tools
Appendix B –– Background Information
Appendix C –– Existing Conditions Exhibits
Appendix D –– Data Forms
Appendix E –– Wetland Rating Forms
Appendix F –– Wetland Rating Maps
Appendix G –– Site Photographs
Appendix H –– Qualifications
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Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report December 20, 2023
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
10.56-acre site located east-adjacent to 1605 Southwest 341st Place in the City of Federal Way,
Washington. The subject property consists of five parcels situated in the Northwest ¼ of Section 19,
Township 21 North, Range 4 East, W.M. (King County Tax Parcel Numbers 1921049019,
1921049018, 1921049026, 1921049024, and 1921049028).
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 10.56-acre site located east-adjacent to 1605 Southwest 341st Place
in the City of Federal Way, Washington. The subject property consists of five parcels situated in the
Northeast ¼ of Section 19, Township 21 North, Range 4 East, W.M. (King County Tax Parcel
Numbers 1921049019, 1921049018, 1921049026, 1921049024, and 1921049028).
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. After 1.1 miles and turn left onto 12th Avenue Southwest. Proceed 0.2 mile to the traffic circle
and take the first exit onto Southwest 340th Street. Continue for 0.3 mile 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 after 200 feet.
Figure 1. Vicinity Map.
Subject Property
Location
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Chapter 3. Methods
SVC investigated, assessed, and delineated any potentially-regulated wetlands, waterbodies, and other
fish and wildlife habitat on and within 300 feet of the subject property development site during the
fall of 2023. All determinations were made using observable vegetation, hydrology, and soils in
conjunction with data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps, the Natural
Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) soil survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National
Wetland Inventory (NWI), Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Priority Habit ats
and Species (PHS) mapping tools, WDFW and Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC)
Statewide Washington Integrated Fish Distribution (SWIFD) database, Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) water typing system, Federal Way critical areas mapping tool, King County iMap
interactive mapping tool, local precipitation data, 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.
Wetland presence and boundaries were 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). Qualified wetland scientists marked
boundaries of onsite wetlands with orange surveyor’s flagging labeled alpha-numerically and tied to 3-
foot lath or vegetation along the wetland boundary. 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-6). Additional tests pits were excavated at regular
intervals throughout the site to further confirm wetland absence.
Wetlands were classified using both the hydrogeomorphic (Brinson, 1993) and Cowardin (Cowardin,
1979; Federal Geographic Data Committee, 2013) classification systems. Following classification and
assessment, wetlands were rated and categorized using the current Washington State Wetland Rating
System for Western Washington (Hruby, 2014) and guidelines established in FWRC 19.145.420.
The fish and wildlife habitat assessment was conducted during the same site visits by qualified fish
and wildlife biologists. The experienced biologists made visual and auditory observations using
stationary and walking survey methods for both aquatic and upland habitats noting any special habitat
features and direct and indirect signs of fish and wildlife activity (e.g. nesting, foraging, and
migration/movement). Special attention was given to assessing the presence of wildlife habitat areas
outlined under FWRC 19.145.260.
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Chapter 4. Background and Existing Conditions
4.1 Landscape Setting
The 10.56-acre subject property is located in a residential setting in the City of Federal Way (Figure
2). The property is currently undeveloped and forested. To the north, east, and west, the subject
property abuts a mix of residential developments and undeveloped forest. To the south, the subject
property is bound by Southwest 344th Street with residential developments beyond. Topography onsite
generally slopes from southeast to northwest with elevations ranging from 395 feet above mean sea
level (amsl) to 350 feet amsl. 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 one soil series on the subject property:
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 profile.
Subject Property
Location
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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 non-hydric on the King County
hydric soils list, but as much as 5 percent of mapped areas may contain inclusions of hydric Shalcar
and Norma soils (NRCS, N.d.).
4.3 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 and NWIFC SWIFD
map (Appendix B7) do not identify any potentially regulated wetlands, waterbodies, or priority habitats
or species on the subject property. However, the City of Federal Way critical areas map (Appendix
B8) identifies two potentially-regulated wetlands on the northeast and central portions of the subject
property. No other potential wetlands, waterbodies, or fish and wildlife habitat are mapped within 300
feet of the subject property.
4.4 Prior Studies
The subject property was previously investigated for the presence of wetlands and fish and wildlife
habitat areas between the spring of 2006 and the summer of 2008. The results of the wetland
investigations are documented in a 2006 report titled Wetland Delineation Report for Fulcer Property –
Federal Way, Washington (Sheldon & Associates, Inc., 2006), and the results of the fish and wildlife study
are documented in a 2009 report titled Saghalie Heights Cluster Subdivision – Wildlife Reconnaissance (R.A.I
Project #2007-077-004) (Raedeke Associates, Inc., 2008). Wetland presence and boundaries were based
on the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual (Environmental Laboratory, 1987) and the
Washington State Wetlands Identification and Delineation Manual (Washington Department of Ecology,
1997).
The results of the assessments identified two wetlands (Wetlands A and B) totaling 0.49 -acre onsite.
Wetland A was classified as a Category III wetland with a score of 32 points using the 2004 Washington
State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington (Hruby, 2004), and Wetland B was classified as a
Category II wetland with a score of 55 points. The results of the fish and wildlife study identified
habitat for wildlife species typical of urban environments; however, determined that no endangered,
threatened, or sensitive species were known or likely to occur onsite and that no habitats or species
of local importance were designated onsite. As such, it was determined that the subject property did
not meet the criteria to be a regulated fish and wildlife habitat conservation are by the City of Federal
Way.
Habitat Technologies reviewed the initial wetland delineations completed by Sheldon & Associates,
Inc. The results of the review are documented in a 2006 report titled Protective Wetland Buffer
Establishment Program – Fulcer Property (Habitat Technologies, 2006). Habitat Technologies generally
agreed with the findings of Sheldon & Associates, and established protective buffers based on the
recommendations of FWRC that were current in 2006.
4.5 Precipitation
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Precipitation data was acquired from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
station at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) in order to acquire precipitation values
during and preceding the field investigation. A summary of data collected is provided in Table 1.
Table 1. Precipitation Table1
Date Day
Of
Day
Before
1 Week
Prior
2 Weeks
Prior
Last 30 days
(Observed/Normal)
Year-to-Date2
(Observed/Normal)
Percent of
Normal3
(month/year)
09/06/2023 0.00 0.00 0.16 0.34 0.38/1.10 14.51/22.05 35/66
Notes:
1. Precipitation level provided in inches. Data obtained from the NOAA (http://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=sew) for Bellingham
International airport.
2. Year-to-date precipitation is the total for the 2023 calendar year from January 1st to the onsite date.
3. Percent of normal is shown for the prior 30 days and the 2023 calendar year from January 1st to the onsite date.
Precipitation levels during the September 2023 site visits were below the statistical normal range (70
to 130 percent of normal) for both the prior 30 days (35 percent of statistical normal) and the 2023
calendar year (66 percent of normal). However, the site investigation was conducted in early
September. Given the month of August is typically one of the driest times of year in the Pacific
Northwest region, this precipitation data suggests that hydrologic conditions encountered during the
site investigation were relatively normal for the time of year. Such conditions were considered in
making professional wetland boundary determinations.
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Chapter 5. Results
The site investigations in the fall of 2023 identified three potentially-regulated wetlands (Wetlands A
– C) on the subject property. No other potentially regulated wetlands, waterbodies, fish and wildlife
habitat, or priority species were identified within 300 feet of the subject property during the site
investigation.
5.1 Upland Characterization
Upland vegetation on the subject property consists of undeveloped forest areas dominated by a
canopy of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum), bitter cherry (Prunus
emarginata), and red alder (Alnus rubra) with an understory of vine maple (Acer circinatum), , salmonberry
(Rubus spectabilis), osoberry (Oemleria cerasiformis), non-native invasive Himalayan blackberry (Rubus
armeniacus), trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus), and western swordfern (Polystichum munitum).
5.2 Wetlands
Three wetlands (Wetlands A – C) were identified and delineated on the subject property. The
delineated wetlands contained indicators of wetland hydrology, hydric soils (presumed for offsite
wetlands), and a predominance of hydrophytic vegetation according to current wetland delineation
methodology. Maps depicting the location and size of the wetlands are presented in Appendix C. Data
forms are provided in Appendix D, wetland rating forms are provided in Appendix E, and wetland
rating maps are provided in Appendix F. Table 2 below summarizes the wetlands identified during the
site investigation.
Table 2. Wetland Summary
Wetland
Predominant Wetland Classification / Rating Wetland Size
Onsite (SF) Cowardin1 HGM City of Federal
Way2
A PFO/SSBC Depression III 21,210
B PFO/SSABC Depression III 12,195
C PSSBC Depression IV 1,325
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. FWRC 19.145.420 wetland classification Federal Way rating according to Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western
Washington (Hruby, 2014).
Wetland A
Wetland A is approximately 21,210 square feet (0.49 acre) in size and is located on the northwest
portion of the subject property, extending north and east offsite. Hydrology for Wetland A is provided
by direct precipitation, surface runoff from adjacent uplands, a seasonally high groundwater table, and
upland drainage conveyed through an excavated ditch. Wetland vegetation is dominated by red alder,
western red cedar (Thuja plicata), salmonberry, twinberry honeysuckle (Lonicera involucrata), yellow
skunk cabbage, common ladyfern (Athyrium cyclosorum), and field horsetail (Equisetum arvense). The
buffer surrounding Wetland A onsite consists of forest areas partially degraded due to the
encroachment of non-native invasive Himalayan blackberry. Hydric soil indicators F1 (Loamy Mucky
Mineral) and A12 (Thick Dark Surface) were observed. Wetland boundaries were determined by a
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topographic drop and transition to hydrophytic vegetation and hydric soil indicators. Wetland A is a
Palustrine Forested/Scrub-Shrub, Seasonally Saturated, and Seasonally Flooded wetland
(PFO/SSBC). Table 3 provides a summary of Wetland A.
Wetland B
Wetland B is approximately 12,195 square feet (0.28 acre) in size and is located on the centrally on the
subject property. Hydrology for Wetland B is provided by direct precipitation, surface runoff from
adjacent uplands, a seasonally high groundwater table, and upland drainage conveyed through an
excavated ditch. Wetland vegetation is dominated by black cottonwood (Populus balsamifera), red
elderberry (Sambucus racemosa), salmonberry, hardhack (Spiraea douglasii), and yellow skunk cabbage. The
buffer surrounding Wetland B onsite consists of forest areas partially degraded due to the
encroachment of non-native invasive Himalayan blackberry. Hydric soil indicators A11 (Depleted
Below Dark Surface) and F3 (Depleted Matrix) were observed. Wetland boundaries were determined
by a topographic drop and transition to hydrophytic vegetation and hydric soil indicators. Wetland B
is a Palustrine Forested/Scrub-Shrub, Occasionally Flooded and Seasonally Saturated and Flooded
wetland (PFO/SSABC). Table 4 provides a summary of Wetland B.
Wetland C
Wetland C is approximately 1,325 square feet (0.03 acre) in size and is located on the south-central
portion of the subject property. Hydrology for Wetland C is provided by direct precipitation, surface
runoff from adjacent uplands, and a seasonally high groundwater table. Wetland vegetation is
dominated by hardhack and climbing nightshade (Solanum dulcamara). The buffer surrounding Wetland
C consists onsite consists of forest areas partially degraded due to the encroachment of non-native
invasive Himalayan blackberry. Hydric soil indicator F3 (Depleted Matrix) was observed. Wetland
boundaries were determined by a topographic drop and transition to hydrophytic vegetation and
hydric soil indicators. Wetland C is a Palustrine Scrub-Shrub, Seasonally Saturated and Flooded
wetland (PFOBC). Table 5 provides a summary of Wetland C.
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Table 3. Wetland A Summary
WETLAND A
Local Jurisdiction City of Federal Way
City of Federal Way Rating III
Wetland Size (Onsite) 21,210 SF
Cowardin Classification PFO/SSBC
HGM Classification Depressional
Wetland Data Sheet(s) DP-1
Upland Data Sheet(s) DP-2, DP-6
Wetland Functions Summary
Water Quality
(Scores 6 out of
9 points)
• Moderate site potential to improve water quality due the presence of persistent,
ungrazed plants in >95% of the unit and seasonal ponding in >1/4 of the unit.
• Moderate landscape potential to receive sediment and pollutants due to the presence
of land uses that generate pollutants within 150 feet and septic systems within 250 feet.
• Moderate societal value for water quality functions due to the presence of degraded
waters within the sub-basin.
Hydrologic
(Scores 6 out of
9 points)
• Moderate site potential to reduce flooding and erosion due to presence of an
intermittent outlet and the wetland’s moderate storage depth and size relative to the
contributing basin.
• Moderate landscape potential to support hydrologic functions due the presence of
land uses that generate excess runoff within 150 feet of the wetland and intensive land
uses in >25% of the contributing basin.
• Moderate societal value for hydrologic functions due to surface flooding problems in
a sub-basin down-gradient.
Habitat
(Scores 5 out of
9 points)
• Moderate site potential to provide habitat as the wetland due to the presence of
multiple Cowardin classes and hydroperiods, moderate species richness and habitat
interspersion, and multiple special habitat features.
• Low landscape potential to support habitat use due to the presence of high intensity
land uses in the landscape that limit accessibility.
• Moderate societal value for habitat functions due to presence of priority snags and
logs within 100 meters of the wetland.
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Table 1. Wetland B Summary.
WETLAND B
Local Jurisdiction City of Federal
Way
City of Federal Way
Rating III
Wetland Size (Onsite) 12,195 SF
Cowardin Classification PFO/SSABC
HGM Classification Depressional
Wetland Data Sheet(s) DP-3
Upland Data Sheet(s) DP-2, DP-4
Wetland Functions Summary
Water Quality
(Scores 5 out of 9
points)
• Moderate site potential to improve water quality due the presence of a persistent
ungrazed plants in >1/2 and seasonal ponding in >1/4 of the unit.
• Low landscape potential to receive sediment and pollutants due to lack of
stormwater discharges, land uses that generate excess pollutants within 150 feet of
the unit, and septic systems within 250 feet of the unit.
• Moderate societal value for water quality functions due to the presence of degraded
waters within the sub-basin.
Hydrologic
(Scores 6 out of 9
points)
• Moderate site potential to reduce flooding and erosion due to the presence of an
intermittent outlet and the wetland’s moderate storage depth and size relative to
the contributing basin.
• Moderate landscape potential to support hydrologic functions due to the presence
of intensive land uses within 25% the contributing basin.
• Moderate societal value for hydrologic functions due to surface flooding problems
in a sub-basin down-gradient.
Habitat
(Scores 5 out of 9
points)
• Moderate site potential to provide habitat due to the presence of multiple Cowardin
classes and hydroperiods, moderate species richness and habitat interspersion, and
multiple special habitat features.
• Low landscape potential to support habitat use due to the presence of high intensity
land uses in the landscape that limit accessibility.
• Moderate societal value for habitat functions due to presence of priority snags and
logs within 100 meters of the wetland.
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Table 2. Wetland C Summary.
WETLAND C
Local Jurisdiction City of Federal
Way
City of Federal Way
Rating IV
Wetland Size (Onsite) 1,325 SF
Cowardin Classification PSSBC
HGM Classification Depressional
Wetland Data Sheet(s) DP-5
Upland Data Sheet(s) DP-4
Wetland Functions Summary
Water Quality
(Scores 5 out
of 9 points)
• Moderate site potential to improve water quality due the lack of an outlet and the
presence of persistent ungrazed vegetation in >1/2 of the unit.
• Low landscape potential to receive sediment and pollutants due to lack of stormwater
discharges, land uses that generate excess runoff within 150 feet of the unit, and septic
systems within 250 feet of the unit.
• Moderate societal value for water quality functions due to the presence of degraded
waters within the sub-basin.
Hydrologic
(Scores 6 out
of 9 points)
• Moderate site potential to reduce flooding and erosion due to the lack of an outlet
and the wetland’s moderate storage depth.
• Moderate landscape potential to support hydrologic functions due to the presence of
intensive land uses in >25% of the contributing basin.
• Moderate societal value for hydrologic functions due to surface flooding problems in
a sub-basin down-gradient.
Habitat
(Scores 4 out
of 9 points)
• Low site potential to provide habitat due to the presence of only one Cowardin class
and low habitat interspersion, and limited special habitat features.
• Low landscape potential to support habitat use due to the presence of high intensity
land uses in the landscape that limit accessibility.
• Moderate societal value for habitat functions due to presence of priority snags and
logs within 100 meters of the wetland.
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5.2 Non-Regulated Ditches
Two non-regulated, artificially excavated drainage ditches were identified on the subject property
during the site investigation. Both drainages originate in uplands. One drainage is located on the
northern portion of the subject property and conveys upland drainage south for approximately 200
feet to Wetland A. The other ditch originates on the western portion of the subject property and
conveys drainage west approximately 145 feet to Wetland B. The drainages appear to have been
artificially and intentionally constructed from uplands to facilitate site drainage. The City of Federal
Way, DNR, and WDFW do not identify any potential streams on the subject property. In addition,
no streams were identified during prior investigations of the subject property (Sheldon & Associated,
Inc., 2006; Habitat Technologies, 2006; Raedeke Associates, Inc., 2008).
Per FWRC 19.05.190, streams “do not include irrigation ditches, stormwater facilities or other artificial
watercourses unless they are used by resident or anadromous salmonid fish, or the feature was
constructed to convey a natural stream which existed prior to construction of the watercourse ”, and
per FWRC 19.06.230, 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 landsca pe 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”. As the identified drainage ditches were artificially
constructed from uplands they do not mee the criteria to be regulated as streams or wetlands by the
City of Federal Way.
5.3 Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas
Per FWRC 19.145.260, fish and wildlife habitat areas are areas within the city meeting one or more of
the following criteria:
A. Streams;
B. Regulated Lakes;
C. Areas with state or federally designated endangered, threatened, and sensitive species have a primary association;
D. State priority habitats and areas associated with state priority species; and
E. Habitats and species of local importance;
No streams or regulated lakes are documented on or within 300 feet of the subject property, and no
such areas were identified on or within 300 feet of the subject property during the site investigations.
Habitat onsite consists of a small patch of undeveloped forest that is degraded due to the
encroachment of non-native invasive species and situated in an urban landscape surrounded by high
density residential and commercial development. As such, the onsite habitat areas are not easily
accessible and primarily support typical urban wildlife species such as songbirds, tree frogs, deer, etc…
No state or federally designated endangered, threatened, or sensitive species have been identified or
documented on or within 300 feet of the subject property, and the habitat onsite is not suitable for
sensitive wildlife populations. In addition, no state priority habitat or areas associated with priority
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Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report December 20, 2023
species and no habitats or species of local importance have been identified or documented on or
within 300 feet of the subject property.
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Chapter 6. Regulatory Considerations
The site investigations in the fall of 2023 identified three potentially-regulated wetlands (Wetlands A
– C) on the subject property. No other potentially regulated wetlands, waterbodies, fish and wildlife
habitat, or priority species were identified within 300 feet of the subject property during the site
investigation.
6.1 Local Considerations
6.1.1 Wetland Buffers
FWRC 19.145.420(1) has adopted the current wetland rating system for western Washington (Hruby,
2014). Category IV wetlands have the lowest level of functions (scoring less than 16 points for
functions) and are often heavily disturbed. Category III wetlands are wetlands with a moderate level
of functions that score between 16 and 19 points. These wetlands have often been disturbed in some
ways and are less diverse or more isolated from other natural resources in the landscape than Category
II wetlands. Wetlands A and B are classified as Category III wetlands with low habitat scores of 5
points. Wetland C is classified as a Category IV wetland with a low habitat score of 4 points.
Per FWRC 19.145.420(2), wetland buffers are based on wetland category and the level of habitat
functions. Category III wetlands with low habitat scores ranging from 3-5 points are subject to a
standard 80 foot buffer. Category IV wetlands are subject to a standard 50-foot buffer. Table 6
summarizes the buffer required for the identified wetlands.
Table 6. Wetland Buffer Summary
Wetland Category Habitat Score Standard Buffer Width1
A III 5 80
B III 5 80
C IV 4 50
1. Standard buffer width per FWRC 19.145.420(2).
An additional 5-foot structure setback is required from the edge of all critical area buffers per FWRC
19.145.160.
6.2 Federal and State Regulatory Considerations
On January 18, 2023, USACE and EPA published a revised definition of “Waters of the United States”
(USACE and EPA, 2023a). The revised rule became effective on March 20, 2023. On May 25, 2023,
the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision affecting the definition of Waters of the United States, or
“WOTUS”, in Sackett Et Ux. V Environmental Protection Agency Et Al. On August 29, 2023, the US EPA
and USACE issued a final rule to amend the final “Revised Definition of ‘Waters of the United States’”
rule. The amendment conforms the definition of “Waters of the United States” to the U.S. Supreme
Court’s decision in the Sackett Et Ux. V Environmental Protection Agency Et Al case. The revised
and amended definition of “Waters of the United States” is as follows:
(a) Waters of the United States means:
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(1) Waters which are: (i) Currently used, or were used in the past, or may be susceptible to use in interstate or
foreign commerce, including all waters which are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide; (ii) The territorial seas; or
(iii) Interstate waters;
(2) Impoundments of waters otherwise defined as waters of the United States under this definition, other than
impoundments of waters identified under paragraph (a)(5) of this section;
(3) Tributaries of waters identified in paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section: that are relatively permanent, standing
or continuously flowing bodies of water;
(4) Wetlands adjacent to the following waters: (i) Waters identified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section; or (ii)
Relatively permanent, standing or continuously flowing bodies of water identified in paragraph (a)(2) or (a)(3) of
this section and with a continuous surface connection to those waters;
(5) Intrastate lakes and ponds not identified in paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) of this section that are relatively
permanent, standing or continuously flowing bodies of water with a continuous surface connection to the waters
identified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(3) of this section;
(b) The following are not “waters of the United States” even where they otherwise meet the terms of paragraphs (a)(2)
through (5) of this section:
(1) Waste treatment systems, including treatment ponds or lagoons, designed to meet the requirements of the Clean
Water Act;
(2) Prior converted cropland designated by the Secretary of Agriculture. The exclusion would cease upon a change
of use, which means that the area is no longer available for the production of agricultural commodities.
Notwithstanding the determination of an area's status as prior converted cropland by any other Federal agency, for
the purposes of the Clean Water Act, the final authority regarding Clean Water Act jurisdiction remains with
EPA;
(3) Ditches (including roadside ditches) excavated wholly in and draining only dry land and that do not carry a
relatively permanent flow of water;
(4) Artificially irrigated areas that would revert to dry land if the irrigation ceased;
(5) Artificial lakes or ponds created by excavating or diking dry land to collect and retain water and which are
used exclusively for such purposes as stock watering, irrigation, settling basins, or rice growing;
(6) Artificial reflecting or swimming pools or other small ornamental bodies of water created by excavating or
diking dry land to retain water for primarily aesthetic reasons;
(7) Waterfilled depressions created in dry land incidental to construction activity and pits excavated in dry land for
the purpose of obtaining fill, sand, or gravel unless and until the construction or excavation operation is abandoned
and the resulting body of water meets the definition of waters of the United States; and
(8) Swales and erosional features (e.g., gullies, small washes) characterized by low volume, infrequent, or short
duration flow.
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The 2023 revised and amended definition of Waters of the United States defines “adjacent” as “having
a continuous surface connection.”
Wetlands A and B drain to uplands through intermittently flowing ditches, and Wetland C is an
isolated depression. As such, the wetlands identified onsite lack a continuous surface water connection
to any other waters in the landscape. Due to the lack of a continuous surface water connection to
any potential WOTUS, Wetlands A – C are not likely regulated by the USACE under Section 404 of
the CWA. An Approved Jurisdictional Determination (AJD) is required to formally confirm the
jurisdictional status of these areas.
Wetlands A – C are likely regulated as natural surface waters of the state by the Washington State
Department of Ecology (WSDOE) under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 90.48. If a future
project requires direct wetland impacts, authorization from WSDOE would be required.
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Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report December 20, 2023
Chapter 7. Closure
The findings and conclusions documented in this assessment report have been prepared for specific
application to the Saghalie Heights 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.
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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.
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). 2023. Chapter 19.05 – Zoning and Development in General.
Website:
https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/FederalWay/#!/FederalWay19/FederalWay1905.html#
19.05. Current through August 8, 2023.
Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC). 2023. Chapter 19.145 – Environmentally Critical Areas. Website:
https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/FederalWay/#!/FederalWay19/FederalWay19145.html
#19.145. Current through August 8, 2023.
Habitat Technologies. 2006. Protective Wetland Buffer Establishment Program – Fulcer Property. September
12, 2006. Puyallup, Washington.
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. 2004. Washingon State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington . Washington State
Department of Ecology Publication # 04-06-25.
Hruby, T. 2014. Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington – Revised. Washington State
Department of Ecology Publication # 14-06-29.
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 October 11, 2023. 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
Raedeke Associated, Inc. 2008. Saghalie Heights Cluster Subdivision – Wildlife Reconnaissance (R.A.I Project
#2007-077-004). June 6, 2008. Seattle, Washington.
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Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report December 20, 2023
Sheldon & Associates, Inc. 2006. Wetland Delineation Report for Fulcer Property – Federal Way, Washington.
March 31, 2006. Seattle, Washington.
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, Dale E., Philip S. Gale, Russell F. Pringle. 1973. Soil Survey of King County Area, Washington.
United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, in cooperation with the
Washington Agricultural Experiment Station.
Supreme Court of the United States. Sackett Et Ux. V Environmental Protection Agency Et Al. May
25, 2023. https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-05/Sackett%20Opinion.pdf.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2020. National Wetland Plant List, version 3.5. http://wetland-
plants.usace.army.mil/.
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.
USACE and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2023. “Revised Definition of Waters of the
United States.” 88 FR 3004. January 18, 2023.
USACE and EPA. 2023b. Revised Definition of “Waters of the United States”, Conforming Final
Rule. Federal Register. Volume 88, Number 173 (33 CFR Part 328, 40 CFR Part 120).
September 8, 2023.
Washington State Department of Ecology (WSDOE). 1997. Washington State Wetlands Identification and
Delineation Manual. Publication No. 96-94.
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Appendix A –– Methods and Tools
Table A1. Methods and tools used to prepare the report.
Parameter Method or Tool Website Reference
Wetland
Delineation
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.
Regional
Supplement to the
Core of Engineers
Wetland
Delineation
Manual: Western
Mountains,
Valleys, and Coast
Region (Version
2.0)
http://www.usace.army.mil
/CECW/Documents/cecw
o/reg/west_mt_finalsupp.p
df
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
Classification
USFWS /
Cowardin
Classification
System
http://www.fws.gov/wetlan
ds/Documents/Classificatio
n-of-Wetlands-and-
Deepwater-Habitats-of-the-
United-States.pdf
https://www.fgdc.gov/stan
dards/projects/wetlands/nv
cs-2013
Cowardin, L. M., V. Carter, F. C. Golet, E. T.
LaRoe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and
deepwater habitats of the United States.
Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
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.
Hydrogeomorphic
Classification
(HGM) System
http://el.erdc.usace.army.mi
l/wetlands/pdfs/wrpde4.pd
f
Brinson, M. M. (1993). “A hydrogeomorphic
classification for wetlands,” Technical Report
WRP-DE-4, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways
Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS.
Wetland
Rating
Washington State
Wetland Rating
System
https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy
/publications/documents/1
406029.pdf
Hruby, T. (2014). Washington State Wetland
Rating System for Western Washington: 2014 Update.
(Publication #14-06-029). Olympia, WA:
Washington Department of Ecology.
Wetland
Indicator
Status
2020 National
Wetland Plant List http://wetland-
plants.usace.army.mil/
USACE. 2020. National Wetland Plant List,
version 3.5. http://wetland-
plants.usace.army.mil/.
Plant Names USDA Plant
Database
http://plants.usda.gov/ Website
Flora of the Pacific
Northwest
http://www.washington.ed
u/uwpress/search/books/
HITFLC.html
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:
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Parameter Method or Tool Website Reference
Snyder, Dale E., Philip S. Gale, Russell F.
Pringle. 1973. Soil Survey of King County
Area, Washington. United States Department of
Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, in
cooperation with the Washington Agricultural
Experiment Station.
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).
Soil Color Charts Munsell. 2000. Munsell Soil Color Charts.
New Windsor, New York.
Field Indicators of
Hydric Soils in the
U.S. Version 8.2 https://www.nrcs.usda.gov
/Internet/FSE_DOCUME
NTS/nrcs142p2_053171.pd
f
United States Department of Agriculture,
Natural Resources Conservation Service. 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
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
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 (WDFW).
NOAA fisheries
species list and
maps
http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/
ESA-Salmon-
Listings/Salmon-
Populations/Index.cfm
and
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov
/pr/species/
Website
USFWS species
lists by County
http://www.fws.gov/westw
afwo/se/SE_List/endanger
ed_Species.asp
Website
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
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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 and NWIFC SWIFD Map (B7); and City of Federal Way Critical Areas Map (B8).
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Appendix B1 –– King County Contours Map
Subject Property
Location
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Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report December 20, 2023
Appendix B2 –– NRCS Soil Survey Map
Subject Property
Location
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Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report December 20, 2023
Appendix B3 –– King County Sensitive Areas Map
Subject Property
Location
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Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report December 20, 2023
Appendix B4 –– WDFW PHS Map
Subject Property
Location
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Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report December 20, 2023
Appendix B5 –– USFWS NWI Map
Subject Property
Location
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Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report December 20, 2023
Appendix B6 –– DNR Stream Typing Map
Subject Property
Location
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Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report December 20, 2023
Appendix B7 – WDFW and NWIFC SWIFD Map
Subject Property
Location
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Appendix B8 – City of Federal Way Critical Areas Map
Subject Property
Location
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Appendix C –– Existing Conditions Exhibit
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ADJACENT EAST OF:1605 SW 341ST PLACEFEDERAL WAY, WA 98023
KING COUNTY PARCEL NUMBER:1921049019, 1921049018, 1921049026 & 1921049024
SAGHALIE HEIGHTS
EXISTING CONDITIONS
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PRELIMINARYINFORMATION ONLYNOT FOR CONSTRUCTIONSOUNDVIEW CONSULTANTS LLC ASSUMESNO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FORCONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENTS, ORESTIMATES BASED ON THIS PLAN SET
DATE:
JOB:
BY:
SCALE:
FIGURE NO.
9/15/2023
1310.0042
DS
1
0 150 30075 Feet
Wetland ACategory III(21,210 SF Onsite)
1 " = 150 '
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
'&Data Point
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Wetland BCategory III(12,195 SF)
Wetland CCategory IV(1,325 SF)
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Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report December 20, 2023
Appendix D –– 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:
1310.0042 - Saghalie Heights Federal Way / King 9/6/2023
Prospect Development WA DP-1
Ryan Krapp and Cody Berthiaume 19 , 21N , 04E
Toe of slope Concave 1
A2 47.294798 -122.35452976 WGS 84
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes None
All three wetland criteria met. Data collected in Wetland A on northern portion of subject property.
Alnus rubra 30 Yes FAC 5
Thuja plicata 20 Yes FAC
5
50 100%
Rubus spectabilis 70 Yes FAC
70
Athyrium cyclosorum 15 Yes FAC
Lysichiton americanus 10 Yes OBL
Equisetum arvense 5 No FAC
30
0
70
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-1
0 - 13 10YR 2/1 100 ----MuSiLo Mucky silt loam-
13 - 15+10YR 5/1 95 10YR 5/6 5 C M SaLo Sandy loam
None
--
Hydric soil criteria met through indicators A12 and F1.
None
None
None
Wetland hydrology criteria met indirectly through secondary indicators D2 and D5.
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:
1310.0042 - Saghalie Heights Federal Way / King 9/6/2023
Prospect Development WA DP-2
Ryan Krapp and Cody Berthiaume 19 , 21N , 04E
Hillslope None 5
A2 47.294679 -122.35468874 WGS 84
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes None
No wetland criteria met. Data collected on hillslope between Wetlands A and B.
Pseudotsuga menziesii 70 Yes FACU 1
Acer macrophyllum 20 Yes FACU
6
90 17%
Acer circinatum 30 Yes FAC
Oemleria cerasiformis 20 Yes FACU
50
Rubus ursinus 15 Yes FACU
Polystichum munitum 10 Yes FACU
25
0
75
No hydrophytic vegetation criteria met. Prevalence Index not warranted due to lack of both hydric soil and
wetland hydrology indicators.
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 - 6 10YR 3/3 100 ----SiLo Silt loam
6 - 14+10YR 5/5 100 ----SaLo Sandy loam
None
--
No hydric soil criteria met.
None
None
None
No wetland hydrology criteria met. No primary or secondary indicators observed.
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:
1310.0042 - Saghalie Heights Federal Way / King 9/6/2023
Prospect Development WA DP-3
Ryan Krapp and Cody Berthiaume 19 , 21N , 04E
Depression Concave 1
A2 47.294179 -122.35428942 WGS 84
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes None
All three wetland criteria met. Data collected in Wetland B on central portion of subject property.
Populus balsamifera 20 Yes FAC 2
3
20 67%
Spiraea douglasii 80 Yes FACW
Sambucus racemosa 20 Yes FACU
100
0
0
100
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-3
0 - 10 10YR 2/1 100 ----SiClLo Silty clay loam
10 - 14+10YR 7/2 30 10YR 4/4 5 C M SiLo Silt loam, mixed matrix
10YR 2/1 65 ----SiLo Silt loam, mixed matrix
None
--
Hydric soil criteria met through indicators A11 and F3.
None
None
None
Wetland hydrology criteria met indirectly through secondary indicators D2 and D5.
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:
1310.0042 - Saghalie Heights Federal Way / King 9/6/2023
Prospect Development WA DP-4
Ryan Krapp and Cody Berthiaume 19 , 21N , 04E
Swale None 5
A2 47.294012 -122.35434103 WGS 84
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes None
No wetland criteria met. Data collected in upland swale between Wetlands B and C.
Prunus emarginata 40 Yes FACU 1
Malus fusca 10 Yes FACW
7
50 14%
Oemleria cerasiformis 20 Yes FACU
Ilex aquifolium 20 Yes FACU
Sambucus racemosa 15 Yes FACU
Rubus spectabilis 10 No FAC
65
Hedera helix 40 Yes FACU
Polystichum munitum 10 Yes FACU
50
0
50
No hydrophytic vegetation criteria met. Prevalence Index not warranted due to lack of both hydric soil and
wetland hydrology indicators.
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 - 14 10YR 2/2 100 ----SiLo Silty loam
14 - 16+10YR 5/3 95 7.5YR 4/6 5 C M SaLo Sandy loam
None
--
No hydric soil criteria met.
None
14
None
No wetland hydrology criteria met. Only one secondary indicator observed; two or more required to meet criteria.
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:
1310.0042 - Saghalie Heights Federal Way / King 9/6/2023
Prospect Development WA DP-5
Ryan Krapp and Cody Berthiaume 19 , 21N , 04E
Depression Concave 1
A2 47.293944 -122.35450728 WGS 84
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes None
All three wetland criteria met. Data collected in Wetland C on south-central portion of subject property.
2
2
0 100%
Spiraea douglasii 50 Yes FACW
50
Solanum dulcamara 80 Yes FAC
Oenanthe sarmentosa 3 No OBL
83
0
17
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-5
0 - 7 10YR 2/1 100 - ---Mu Muck
7 - 9 10YR 2/1 60 10YR 4/6 40 C M ClLo Clay loam
9 - 16+10YR 5/1 97 10YR 6/6 3 C M ClLo Clay loam
None
--
Hydric soil criteria met through indicator F3.
None
None
None
Wetland hydrology criteria met directly through primary indicators B4 and B9. Secondary indicators D2 and D5 also
observed.
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:
1310.0042 - Saghalie Heights Federal Way / King 9/6/2023
Prospect Development WA DP-6
Ryan Krapp and Cody Berthiaume 19 , 21N , 04E
Depression Concave 2
A2 47.295775 -122.35507919 WGS 84
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes None
Not all three wetland criteria met; only wetland hydrology indicators observed. Data collected in borderline depression on northwest
portion of subject property, west of Wetland A. No saturation or water table were observed to a depth of 16" below ground surface.
Acer macrophyllum 30 Yes FACU 2
Malus fusca 15 Yes FACW
Alnus rubra 10 No FAC 6
Prunus emarginata 8 No FACU
63 33%
Spiraea douglasii 30 Yes FACW
Oemleria cerasiformis 15 Yes FACU
Malus fusca 5 No FACW 0 0
Rubus armeniacus 3 No FAC 50 100
13 39
53 91 364
0 0
Rubus ursinus 20 Yes FACU 154 503
Polystichum munitum 10 Yes FACU
Hedera helix 5 No FACU 3.27
Geranium robertianum 3 No FACU
38
0
62
No hydrophytic vegetation criteria met. Prevalence Index not warranted due to lack of both hydric soil and
wetland hydrology criteria.
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 - 14 10YR 3/2 100 ----SaLo Sandy loam
14 - 16+10YR 3/2 70 10YR 5/6 5 C M SaLo Sandy loam with gravel, mixed matrix
10YR 5/2 25 ----SaLo Sandy loam with gravel, mixed matrix
None
--
No hydric soil criteria met. Redoximorphic features occur too low in the soil profile (>8" below ground surface) to qualify
for indicator F6.
None
None
None
Wetland hydrology criteria met directly through primary indicator B9. Secondary indicator D2 also observed.
1310.0042 – Saghalie Heights Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report December 20, 2023
Appendix E –– 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 9/6/23
Ryan Krapp 4 10/2018
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
1
2
2
3
4
5
5
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
2
9
0
1
1
0
2
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
1.30 1.15 1.875
0
4.05 9.16 8.629999999999999
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 9/6/23
Ryan Krapp 4 10/2018
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
1
2
2
3
4
5
5
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
2
0
3
2
7
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
2
3
3
8
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
1.30 1.15 1.875
0
4.05 9.16 8.629999999999999
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 9/6/23
Ryan Krapp 4 10/2018
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
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1
2
N/A
2
3
4
5
5
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.
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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.
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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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3
0
3
0
6
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
_____________________________________________________________________________
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4
3
0
7
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
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0
1
1
0
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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2
4
1.30 1.15 1.875
0
4.05 9.16 8.629999999999999
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.
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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
C
Wetland name or number ______
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update 18
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
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C
1310.0042 – Saghalie Heights Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report December 20, 2023
Appendix F –– Wetland Rating Maps
Wetland C
Wetland B
Wetland A
ADJACENT EAST OF 1605 SW 341ST PLACEFEDERAL WAY, WA 98023 KING COUNTY PARCEL NUMBERS:1921049019, 1921049018, 1921049026 & 1921049024
SAGHALIE HEIGHTS
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 6
10/5/2023
1310.0042
DDS
11 " = 200 '
330' Boundary
Forested
Scrub-Shrub
Wetland A Wetland B Wetland C
Scrub-Shrub 73.2% 44.8% 100.0%
Forested 26.8% 55.2% 0.0%
H.1.1 Presence Cowardin Classes
Wetland C
Wetland B
Wetland A
ADJACENT EAST OF 1605 SW 341ST PLACEFEDERAL WAY, WA 98023 KING COUNTY PARCEL NUMBERS:1921049019, 1921049018, 1921049026 & 1921049024
SAGHALIE HEIGHTS
HYDROPERIOD MAP
¢
0 150 30075 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 6
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DDS
21 " = 150 '
150' Boundary
Occasionally Flooded
Saturated
Seasonally Flooded
Wetland A Wetland B Wetland C
Seasonally Flooded or Inundated 28.0% 7.9% 15.3%
Occasionally Flooded or Inundated 0.0% 23.7% 0.0%
Saturated Only 72.0% 68.4% 84.7%
H.1.1 Presence Hydroperiod Classes
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Wetland C
Wetland B
Wetland A
ADJACENT EAST OF 1605 SW 341ST PLACEFEDERAL WAY, WA 98023 KING COUNTY PARCEL NUMBERS:1921049019, 1921049018, 1921049026 & 1921049024
SAGHALIE HEIGHTS
CONTRIBUTING BASIN MAP
¢
0 170 34085 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 6
10/5/2023
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DDS
31 " = 170 '
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ADJACENT EAST OF 1605 SW 341ST PLACEFEDERAL WAY, WA 98023
KING COUNTY PARCEL NUMBERS:1921049019, 1921049018, 1921049026 & 1921049024
SAGHALIE HEIGHTS
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 6
10/5/2023
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DDS
41 " = 1,200 '
1 KM Polygon
Accessible Habitat
High Intensity Land Use
Moderate & Low Intensity Land Use
Undisturbed Habitat
ADJACENT EAST OF 1605 SW 341ST PLACEFEDERAL WAY, WA 98023
KING COUNTY PARCEL NUMBERS:1921049019, 1921049018, 1921049026 & 1921049024
SAGHALIE HEIGHTS
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 6
10/5/2023
1310.0042
DDS
5
Sub Basin
Category 5 Assessed Waters
Water Quality Improvement Projects
1 " = 3 mi
0 3 61.5 Miles
Name Pollutants TMDL ID WRIA Status Year ApprovedFauntleroy Creek Bacteria TMDL Bacteria 80 9 Approved 2007
SITE
ADJACENT EAST OF 1605 SW 341ST PLACE
FEDERAL WAY, WA 98023
KING COUNTY PARCEL NUMBERS:
1921049019, 1921049018, 1921049026
& 1921049024
SAGHALIE HEIGHTS
CONTRIBUTING BASIN & HABITAT DATA
www.soundviewconsultants.com
2907 Harborview Dr., Suite D, Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Phone: (253) 514-8952 Fax: (253) 514-8954
Soundview ConsultantsEnvironmental Assessment • Planning • Land Use Solutions LLC
DATE:
JOB:
BY:
SCALE: NONE
FIGURE NO. of 6
10/5/2023
1310.0042
DDS
6
CONTRIBUTING BASIN DATA:
HABITAT DATA:
Area of Contributing Basin (SF)757,245
Area of Wetland A (SF)62,189
Percent of Wetland A within Contributing Basin 8.213%
Area of Intensive Human Land Uses (SF)420,051
Percent of Intensive Human Land Use
within Contributing Basin for Wetland A 55%
Area of Contributing Basin (SF)420,413
Area of Wetland B (SF)12,275
Percent of Wetland B within Contributing Basin 2.920%
Area of Intensive Human Land Uses (SF)229,954
Percent of Intensive Human Land Use
within Contributing Basin for Wetland B 55%
Area of Contributing Basin (SF)249,412
Area of Wetland C (SF)1,325
Percent of Wetland C within Contributing Basin 0.531%
Area of Intensive Human Land Uses (SF)159,316
Percent of Intensive Human Land Use
within Contributing Basin for Wetland C 64%
D.4.0 - D.5.3
All Wetlands
Abutting Undisturbed Habitat 1.30%
Abutting Moderate & Low Intensity Land Uses 1.15%
Accessible Habitat 1.88%
Undisturbed Habitat 4.05%
Moderate & Low Intensity Land Uses 9.16%
Undisturbed Habitat in 1 KM Polygon 8.62%
High Intensity Land Use in 1 KM Polygon 86.80%
H.2.2
H.2.3
H.H.2
H.2.1
1310.0042 – Saghalie Heights Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report December 20, 2023
Appendix G –– Qualifications
All field inspections, wetland determinations, habitat assessments, and supporting documentation,
including this Wetland and Fish and Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report prepared for the
Saghalie Heights 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 Cody Berthiaume, report
preparation was completed by Elisabeth Gonzalez, and additional project oversight and final quality
assurance/quality control was completed by Morgan Kentch.
Jon Pickett
Principal
Professional Experience: 15+ years
Jon Pickett is a 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.
Morgan Kentch
Environmental Scientist
Professional Experience: 5 years
Morgan Kentch is an Environmental Scientist with a background in marine and freshwater ecology,
wildlife and natural resource assessments, and monitoring wetland and riparian habitat restoration
sites in the Pacific Northwest. Morgan has field experience conducting wetland, stream, and shoreline
delineations and fish and wildlife habitat assessments in Washington State. She currently assists with
performing wetland, stream, and shoreline delineations and fish and wildlife habitat assessments,
conducting environmental code analysis, and preparing and/or providing final quality
assurance/control for various types of scientific reports and permits for agency submittal.
1310.0042 – Saghalie Heights Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report December 20, 2023
Morgan earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with Marine Emphasis from Western
Washington University, Bellingham. There she received extensive, hands -on experience working in
lab and field settings, conducting scientific background research, and performing statistical analyses.
She has also received 40-hour wetland delineation training (Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast
and Arid West Regional Supplements) and has received formal training through the Washington State
Department of Ecology and Coastal Training Program in Using the 2014 Wetland Rating System and
How to Determine the Ordinary High Water Mark.
Ryan Krapp
Senior Environmental Scientist / Field Lead
Professional Experience: 10+ years
Ryan Krapp is a Senior 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.
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. Ryan is a USFWS-approved
Mazama pocket gopher survey biologist.
Elisabeth Gonzalez
Environmental Project Manager and Scientist
Professional Experience: 3+ years
Elisabeth Gonzalez is an Environmental Project Manager and Scientist with a background in project
management, shoreline permitting, forest and marine ecology, and wetland delineations. Elisabeth
brings experience in managing bulkhead repair and replacement projects, single-family residence
planning and wetland delineations, and extensive permitting projects for marina renovations.
Previously, she has managed multiple shoreline projects in assisting clients with permitting processes
while implementing regulations within engineering designs. She completed her training in wetland
delineations with the Wetland Training Institute in October of 2021 and has since been involved in
wetland delineations all across western Washington. Elisabeth has also completed two internships with
the US Forest Service and Maui Ocean Center, where she performed a variety of research-based field
work, and worked as a research assistant with Saving the Blue collecting data on shark species and
environmental impacts on the ocean. Elisabeth graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder
with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with a concentration in Forest and Marine
Ecology and Oceanography.
1310.0042 – Saghalie Heights Soundview Consultants LLC
Wetland & Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report December 20, 2023
Cody Berthiaume
Staff Scientist
Professional Experience: 5+ years
Cody Berthiaume is a Staff Scientist with a background in wildlife research, ecological monitoring, and
natural resource management. Cody’s experience comes from a variety of seasonal positions, spanning
multiple disciplines and ecosystems. Currently, he assists with tree assessments, wetland delineations,
and report writing. Previously, he has contributed to the creation and implementation of field
protocols regarding arboreal surveys and captures of red tree voles in working timber stands. Cody
has also led remote field crews collecting standardized vegetation and soil data (AIM/IIRH), in
conjunction with the Bureau of Land Management. Additionally, as an AmeriCorps volunteer, Cody
has worked closely with NPS personnel assisting with invasive species removal and priority wildlife
and habitat monitoring. Cody graduated from the University at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Science in
Environmental Studies with a concentration in Environmental Resources & Management.
Rachael earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University
of Connecticut, with additional ecology studies at the graduate level. Rachael is a Professional Wetland
Scientist (PWS #3480) through the Society of Wetland Scientists as well as a Certified E cologist
through the Ecological Society of America. She has completed 40-hour wetland delineation training
for Western Mountains, Valleys, & Coast and Arid West Regional Supplement, in addition to formal
training for the Northcentral and Northeast supplement, and experience with the Midwest, Eastern
Mountains and Piedmont, and Atlantic and Gulf Coast supplements. She has also received formal
training from the Washington State Department of Ecology in the Using the Revised 2014 Wetland
Rating System for Western Washington, How to Determine the Ordinary High Water Mark,
Navigating SEPA, Selecting Wetland Mitigation Sites Using a Watershed Approach, and Wetland
Classification. Rachael has also received training from the Washington State Department of
Transportation in Biological Assessment Preparation for Transportation Projects and is listed by
WSDOT as a junior author for preparing Biological Assessments.