24-100687-Critical Areas Determination-02.22.24CRITICAL AREAS DETERMINATION
Dash Point Palisades
Federal Way, Washington
Prepared for
JKM Holdings, LLC
Attn: Geoffrey Sherwin, P.E.
PO Box 188
Puyallup. Washington 98371
September 5, 2023
Prepared by
Ecological Land Services
1157 3rd Avenue, Suite 220A • Longview, WA 98632
(360) 578-1371 • Project Number 3185.09
Critical Areas Determination Ecological Land Services, Inc.
JKM Holdings, LLC i September 5, 2023
SIGNATURE PAGE
The information in this report was compiled and prepared under the supervision and direction of
the undersigned.
Megan Mill
Biologist
Joanne Bartlett, SPWS
Senior Biologist
Critical Areas Determination Ecological Land Services, Inc.
JKM Holdings, LLC ii September 5, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 1
SITE DESCRIPTION .......................................................................................................... 1
METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................... 1
VEGETATION .................................................................................................................... 1
SOILS ............................................................................................................................................. 2
HYDROLOGY .............................................................................................................................. 3
CRITICAL AREA INVENTORIES ........................................................................................... 3
NATIONAL WETLANDS INVENTORY ........................................................................................................................... 3
KING COUNTY CRITICAL AREA INVENTORY .............................................................................................................. 3
CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................................................................... 3
LIMITATIONS ............................................................................................................................. 3
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................. 4
FIGURES AND PHOTOPLATES
Figure 1 Vicinity Map
Figure 2 Existing Conditions
Figure 3 NRCS Soil Survey
Figure 4 USFWS National Wetlands Inventory
Figure 5 King County Critical Areas
Photoplates Site Photos
APPENDICES
Appendix A — Wetland Determination Data Form
Appendix B — Routine Determination Method and Plant Indicator Rating Definitions
Critical Areas Determination Ecological Land Services, Inc.
JKM Holdings, LLC 1 September 5, 2023
INTRODUCTION
Ecological Land Services, Inc. (ELS) was contracted by JKM Holdings, LLC to complete a critical
areas determination and report for King County Tax Parcel Nos. 1021039016, 1021039001, and
1021039040. The site is located at 5101 SW 316th Place in Federal Way, Washington, within a
portion of Section 10, Township 21, Range 3 East of the Willamette Meridian (Figure 1). This
report summarizes findings of the wetland determination according to the Federal Way Revised
Code (FWRC), Chapter 19.145 Environmentally Critical Areas (2023).
SITE DESCRIPTION
The approximate 4.11-acre site is located on SW 316th Place in Federal Way, Washington within
King County (Figure 1). The site is zoned for residential use (RS9.6). Surrounding land use
consists of single and multi-family residential zoned parcels. The site contains an existing single-
family residence and an outbuilding. Topography onsite is relatively flat and slopes down from
south to north, with slightly steeper slopes in the central portion. The northern portion of the site
where the existing structures are located consists of herbaceous vegetation and ornamental shrubs
and trees (Photoplate 1). The central and southern portions of the site consist of upland forest with
a dense understory (Photoplates 2 and 3).
METHODOLOGY
The property was evaluated for the presence of wetlands using the Routine Determination Method
according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual and the
Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers’ Wetland Delineation Manual (Environmental
Laboratory 1987); Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region (Version 2.0) (Corps 2010).
The Routine Determination Method and defining wetland criteria are discussed further in
Appendix B. Wetlands are regulated as “Waters of the United States” by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (Corps) and as “Waters of the State” by the Washington Department of Ecology
(Ecology), and locally by the City of Federal Way.
To determine the presence or absence of critical areas within the site, ELS biologists collected data
on vegetation, hydrology, and soils on August 9, 2023. Prior to conducting the site visit, ELS
reviewed current and historic aerial photographs of the site, and consulted online databases for
soil, wetland, topography, priority habitat, and habitat conservation areas. Vegetation, hydrology,
and soil data were collected at one test plot located within the northern portion of the site (Figure
2).
VEGETATION
Vegetation within the site was dominated by upland trees and shrubs. save the areas of herbaceous
vegetation in the northern portion. The plant indicator status following the plant scientific name is
defined by the National Wetland Plant List Indicator Rating Definitions (Corps 2012) and can be
found in Appendix A.
Critical Areas Determination Ecological Land Services, Inc.
JKM Holdings, LLC 2 September 5, 2023
Dominant species in the canopy layer of the forested areas consisted of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga
menziesii, FACU), Western red cedar (Thuja plicata, FAC), bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum,
FACU), Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla, FACU), red alder (Alnus rubra, FAC), and bitter
cherry (Prunus emarginata, FACU). Dominant species in the shrub layer of the forested areas
consisted of salal (Gaultheria shallon, FACU), evergreen huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum,
FACU), red huckleberry (Vaccinium parvifolium, FACU), Himalayan blackberry (Rubus bifrons,
FAC), common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus, FACU), oso-berry (Oemleria cerasiformis,
FACU), beaked hazelnut (Corylus cornuta, FACU), oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor, FACU),
and red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa, FACU). Dominant species in the herbaceous layer of the
forested areas consisted of bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum, FACU), sword fern (Polystichum
munitum, FACU), and trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus, FACU) (Photoplates 2 and 3).
Dominant species in the herbaceous areas of the site consisted of common couch grass (Elymus
repens, FAC), bentgrass (Agrostis sp., FAC), red fescue (Festuca rubra, FAC), hairy cat’s ear
(Hypochaeris radicata, FACU), curly dock (Rumex crispus, FAC), lance leaf plantain (Plantago
lanceolata, FACU), velvetgrass (Holcus lanatus, FAC), and creeping buttercup (Ranunculus
repens, FAC). Invasive species within the site consisted of Himalayan blackberry (Rubus bifrons,
FAC), Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica, FACU), English holly (Ilex aquifolium, FACU),
and English ivy (Hedera helix, FACU) (Photoplate 1).
Test Plot 1 was conducted within the north central portion of the site. Dominant vegetation within
Test Plot 1 consisted of common couch grass and met hydrophytic vegetation criteria.
SOILS1
As referenced on the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS 2023A) website, the soils
mapped onsite include Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes (Figure 3).
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam is described as moderately well drained soils that are typically
found on glacially modified hills and ridges. Alderwood gravelly sandy loam soils formed in
eskers, kames, terraces. The depth to water table is about 18 to 37 inches below ground surface
(BGS). Alderwood gravelly sandy loam soils are classified as hydric (NRCS 2023B).
Soil data was collected within the northern portion of the site within an area of herbaceous
vegetation. The soil profile at Test Plot 1 consisted of dark brown (10YR 3/3) silt loam from 0 to
8 inches BGS and very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) silt loam from 8 to 11 inches BGS. There
was a restrictive layer of compact soil started at 11 inches BGS. Hydric soil indicators were not
met because the soil revealed a non-depleted matrix and there were no redoximorphic features.
1 Areas mapped as hydric soils do not necessarily mean that an area is or is not a wetland —hydrology, hydrophytic
vegetation, and hydric soils must all be present to classify an area as a wetland.
Critical Areas Determination Ecological Land Services, Inc.
JKM Holdings, LLC 3 September 5, 2023
HYDROLOGY
Hydrology was not present within the site or the test plot during the site visit. The soil profile
revealed that the test plot was dry and did not exhibit evidence of wetland hydrology. The areas
outside of the test plots were also dry and did not show any evidence to indicate wetland hydrology.
CRITICAL AREA INVENTORIES2
NATIONAL WETLANDS INVENTORY
National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) maps no wetlands on or within 300 feet of the site (Figure 4).
ELS agrees with the NWI mapping as no wetlands were observed within the site based on data
collected in the field and general site observations.
KING COUNTY CRITICAL AREA INVENTORY
The King County (KC) GIS website does not map wetlands on or near the site (Figure 5). ELS
agrees with the KC mapping as no wetlands were observed within the site based on data collected
in the field and general site observations.
CONCLUSIONS
Online database research, reviewing aerial photographs, and test plot data collected on the site did
not indicate the presence of wetlands onsite. Vegetation within the site was dominated by upland
trees and shrubs, evaluated soils were not depleted and did not contain any redoximorphic features,
and there was no hydrology or evidence of hydrology observed onsite. The entire site is determined
to be upland.
LIMITATIONS
ELS bases this report’s determinations on standard scientific methodology and best professional
judgment. In our opinion, local, state, and federal regulatory agencies should agree with our
determinations. However, the information contained in this report should be considered
preliminary and used at your own risk until it has been approved in writing by the appropriate
regulatory agencies. ELS is not responsible for the impacts of any changes in environmental
standards, practices, or regulations after the date of this report.
2 Critical area inventory maps are typically used to gather general information about a region and due to the large
scale necessary for regional mapping, are limited in accuracy for localized analyses.
Critical Areas Determination Ecological Land Services, Inc.
JKM Holdings, LLC 4 September 5, 2023
REFERENCES
Environmental Laboratory. 1987. Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual, Technical
Report Y-87-1. U.S. Army Corps of Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg,
Mississippi.
Federal Way. 2023. Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC), Chapter 19.145 Environmentally
Critical Areas. Federal Way, Washington. June 20, 2023.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 2023A. Soil Survey of King County,
Washington. https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm. Accessed August
2023.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 2023B. Washington State Hydric Soils List.
http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx. Accessed August 2023.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 2010. Final 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-08-13. Vicksburg,
Mississippi: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 2012. National Wetland Plant List Indicator Rating Definitions,
ed. R.W. Lichvar, N.C. Melvin, M.L. Butterwick, and W.N. Kirchner. ERDC/CRREL TN-12-
1. Vicksburg, Mississippi: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2022. National Wetlands Inventory.
http://wetlandsfws.er.usgs.gov/wtlnds/launch.html. Accessed August 2023.
FIGURES AND PHOTOPLATES
51stWest side of 51st (this section
47.31802° Latitude
-122.3984° Longitude
8/22/2023 7:54 AM c:\Users\Chloe\Box\ELS\WA\King\federal way\3185-jkm holdings, llc\3185.09-dash point palisades\3185.09-figures cad only\3185.09_DT.dwg Chloe N
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: (DATE:DWN:REQ. BY:PRJ. MGR:CHK:PROJECT NO:Figure 1VICINITY MAP8/22/233185.09Dash Point PalisadesJKM Holdings, LLC.Section 10, Township 21N, Range 03E, W.M.City of Federal Way, King County, WashingtonCBMMMMSCALE IN FEET0200040001157 3rd Ave., Suite 220ALongview, WA 98632Phone: (360) 578-1371Fax: (360) 414-9305www.eco-land.comLOCATION MAP
WASHINGTON
SITE
NOTE:
Quadrangle topographic map from USGS.
PROJECT
VICINITY MAP
SCALE IN MILES
520
Mt. St.
Helens
SKAMANIA
N. Bonneville
Stevenson
Carson
14
WashougalCamas
Vancouver
Battle
Ground
Woodland
Ridgefield
CLARK
5
500
503
205
Kalama
Longview
ToutleCastle
Rock
COWLITZ
504
4Cathlamet
WAHKIAKUM
6
101
401
103
105
PACIFIC
Ilwaco
Long Beach
Ocean Park
South
Bend
Raymond
101Westport
Ocean Shores
Copalis Beach
Pacific Beach
Taholah
Quinalt
Aberdeen
Montesano
Elma
Oakville
12
8
105
109
101
GRAYS
HARBOR
Queets
101
Kalaloch
Port
Townsend
Port Ludlow
Quilcene
Brinnon
101
19
104
20
JEFFERSON
CLALLAMForks110
101
113 112
101
112
Port
Angeles
Sequim
Neah Bay
Clallam Bay
Friday Harbor
Blaine
Ferndale
Bellingham
542
542
9
Lynden5
539
SAN
JUAN
WHATCOM
ConcreteAnacortes
Mount Vernon
Sedro-Woolley
5
20
11
530
SKAGIT
Lynnwood
Mulkiteo
Everett
Marysville
Monroe
Arlington
Darrington
5
9
2522
SNOHOMISH
Mt St Helens
KING
Seattle
Shoreline
90
Carnation
North Bend
Redmond
Enumclaw
Auburn
Issaquah
Burien
Kent
Renton
405
18
169
410
169
202
Mt. Rainier
Eatonville
4
Puyallup
Tacoma
Gig Harbor
165
162
164
161
7
702
507
Roy
DuPont Carbonado
5
5 Olympia
Shelton
Yelm
Tenino
508
Centralia
Chehalis
Pe Ell Morton 12
Toledo
7
505
Winlock
PIERCE
LEWIS
THURSTON
5
5
KITSAP
Poulsbo
3
16
Bremerton
SITE
SITE
51stWest side of 51st (this section2
TP-1
1SW 316th Place51st Avenue SWTurns to
Gravel
Existing
House
Existing
Outbuilding
NOTE(S):
1. Aerial from Google Earth™ (2022).
2. Test plot located using handheld GPS capable of submeter accuracy.
3. Parcel data from King County GIS.8/22/2023 7:54 AM c:\Users\Chloe\Box\ELS\WA\King\federal way\3185-jkm holdings, llc\3185.09-dash point palisades\3185.09-figures cad only\3185.09_DT.dwg Chloe N
6
: (DATE:DWN:REQ. BY:PRJ. MGR:CHK:PROJECT NO:Figure 2EXISTING CONDITIONS8/22/233185.09Dash Point PalisadesJKM Holdings, LLC.Section 10, Township 21N, Range 03E, W.M.City of Federal Way, King County, WashingtonCBMMMMSCALE IN FEET01503001157 3rd Ave., Suite 220ALongview, WA 98632Phone: (360) 578-1371Fax: (360) 414-9305www.eco-land.comLEGEND:
Site Boundary
Parcel Boundary
Test Plot Location
Photo Point Location1
TP-1
NOTE(S):
1. Map provided on-line by NRCS at web address:
http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/8/22/2023 7:54 AM c:\Users\Chloe\Box\ELS\WA\King\federal way\3185-jkm holdings, llc\3185.09-dash point palisades\3185.09-figures cad only\3185.09_DT.dwg Chloe N
6
: (DATE:DWN:REQ. BY:PRJ. MGR:CHK:PROJECT NO:Figure 3NRCS SOIL SURVEY8/22/233185.09Dash Point PalisadesJKM Holdings, LLC.Section 10, Township 21N, Range 03E, W.M.City of Federal Way, King County, WashingtonCBMMMMSCALE IN FEET03006001157 3rd Ave., Suite 220ALongview, WA 98632Phone: (360) 578-1371Fax: (360) 414-9305www.eco-land.comLEGEND:
Site Boundary
NRCS Soil Boundary
AgC Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes. Not hydric.
AgC
SITE
NOTE(S):
1. Map provided on-line by US Fish & Wildlife Service at web address:
https://www.fws.gov/program/national-wetlands-inventory/wetlands-mapper
No mapped wetlands indicated onsite by US Fish & Wildlife Service.8/22/2023 7:54 AM c:\Users\Chloe\Box\ELS\WA\King\federal way\3185-jkm holdings, llc\3185.09-dash point palisades\3185.09-figures cad only\3185.09_DT.dwg Chloe N
6
: (DATE:DWN:REQ. BY:PRJ. MGR:CHK:PROJECT NO:Figure 4USFWS NATIONAL WETLANDS INVENTORY8/22/233185.09Dash Point PalisadesJKM Holdings, LLC.Section 10, Township 21N, Range 03E, W.M.City of Federal Way, King County, WashingtonCBMMMMSCALE IN FEET03006001157 3rd Ave., Suite 220ALongview, WA 98632Phone: (360) 578-1371Fax: (360) 414-9305www.eco-land.comEstuarine and Marine Deepwater
Estuarine and Marine Wetland
Freshwater Emergent Wetland
Freshwater Forested/Shrub Wetland
Freshwater Pond
Lake
Other
Riverine
LEGEND:
Site Boundary
Wetlands
SITE
8/22/2023 7:54 AM c:\Users\Chloe\Box\ELS\WA\King\federal way\3185-jkm holdings, llc\3185.09-dash point palisades\3185.09-figures cad only\3185.09_DT.dwg Chloe N
6
:(DATE:DWN:REQ. BY:PRJ. MGR:CHK:PROJECT NO:Figure 5KING COUNTY CRITICAL AREAS8/22/233185.09Dash Point PalisadesJKM Holdings, LLC.Section 10, Township 21N, Range 03E, W.M.City of Federal Way, King County, WashingtonCBMMMMSCALE IN FEET03006001157 3rd Ave., Suite 220ALongview, WA 98632Phone: (360) 578-1371Fax: (360) 414-9305www.eco-land.comSITE
NOTE(S):
1. Map provided on-line by King County at web address: https://gismaps.kingcounty.gov/iMap/
LEGEND:
Site Boundary
Environmentally Sensitive Areas
Wetland (1990 SAO)
1157 3rd Ave., Suite 220A
Longview, WA 98632
Phone: (360) 578-1371
Fax: (360) 414-9305
DATE: 9.4.23
DWN: MAM
PRJ. MGR: MAM
PROJ.#: 3185.09
Photoplate 1
Site Photos
Dash Point Palisades
City of Federal Way, Washington
Section 10, Township 21 North, Range 3 East, W.M.
Photo 1. Facing north from Test Plot 1 showing the herbaceous areas in the north-
ern portion of the site. August 2023.
Photo 3. Facing south from Test Plot 1 showing the herbaceous areas in the north-
ern portion of the site. August 2023.
Photo 2. Facing east from Test Plot 1 showing the herbaceous areas in the north-
ern portion of the site. August 2023.
Photo 4. Facing west from Test Plot 1 showing the herbaceous areas in the north-
ern portion of the site. An offsite residence is in the background. August 2023.
1157 3rd Ave., Suite 220A
Longview, WA 98632
Phone: (360) 578-1371
Fax: (360) 414-9305
DATE: 9.4.23
DWN: MAM
PRJ. MGR: MAM
PROJ.#: 3185.09
Photoplate 2
Site Photos
Dash Point Palisades
City of Federal Way, Washington
Section 10, Township 21 North, Range 3 East, W.M.
Photo 5. Facing north from Photo Point 1 showing the upland vegetation in the
central portion of the site. August 2023.
Photo 7. Facing south from Photo Point 1 showing the upland vegetation in the
central portion of the site. August 2023.
Photo 6. Facing east from Photo Point 1 showing the upland vegetation in the
central portion of the site. August 2023.
Photo 8. Facing west from Photo Point 1 showing the upland vegetation in the
central portion of the site. August 2023.
1157 3rd Ave., Suite 220A
Longview, WA 98632
Phone: (360) 578-1371
Fax: (360) 414-9305
DATE: 9.4.23
DWN: MAM
PRJ. MGR: MAM
PROJ.#: 3185.09
Photoplate 3
Site Photos
Dash Point Palisades
City of Federal Way, Washington
Section 10, Township 21 North, Range 3 East, W.M.
Photo 9. Facing north from Photo Point 2 showing the upland vegetation in the
central portion of the site. August 2023.
Photo 11. Facing south from Photo Point 2 showing the upland vegetation in the
central portion of the site. August 2023.
Photo 10. Facing east from Photo Point 2 showing the upland vegetation in the
central portion of the site. August 2023.
Photo 12. Facing west from Photo Point 2 showing the upland vegetation in the
central portion of the site. August 2023.
APPENDIX A
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM
Applicant/Owner:State:
Investigator(s):
Landform (hillside, terrace, etc.): 8-15
Subregion (LRR): Lat:
Soil Map Unit Name:
X
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology Are “Normal Circumstances” present? Yes X No
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Yes X No
Yes No X Yes X
Yes No X
)
1.
2. (A)
3.
4. (B)
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (A/B)
1.
2.
3.
4. x 1 =
5. x 2 =
x 3 =
x 4 =
1. x 5 =
2. Column Totals: (A) (B)
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. X
8.
9.
10.
11.
Woody Vine Stratum
1.
2.
Yes X
Tree Stratum
Is the Sampled Area
within a Wetland? No
100
5 No
15'
Remarks:
Indicator
Status
1
1
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
(If no, explain in Remarks.)
Hydric Soil Present?
Wetland Hydrology Present?
30'
naturally problematic? (If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
(Plot size:
Yes
Number of Dominant Species That
Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:
(Plot size:
Remarks:
FACU species
FAC species
OBL species
FAC
5
2 - Dominance Test is >50%
Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation1 (Explain)
0
5 - Wetland Non-Vacular Plants1
4 - Morphological Adaptations1(Provide supporting
=Total Cover
)
Hydrophytic
Vegetation
Present?No
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
(Plot size:
No
Agrostis sp.
No
FACU
FAC
Herb Stratum
15 No
Elymus repens
Ranunculus repens FAC
10
Total % Cover of:
=Total Cover
1 - Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
Multiply by:
Prevalence Index = B/A =
3 - Prevalence Index is ≤3.01
FACU Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
Datum:-122.398603
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes none
Long:
UPL species
FACW species
100.0%
)
20' )
60
Prevalence Index worksheet:
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM – Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region
S10, T21, R3E
WA TP1
none
Section, Township, Range:
Sampling Date:
Sampling Point:
Slope (%):Local relief (concave, convex, none):
8/9/23
JKM Holdings, LLC
Mill, Megan
Terrace
City of Federal WayCity/County:
NoAre climatic / hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year?
Project/Site: Dash Point Palisades
LRR A
NWI classification:
Dominant
Species?
47.318935 NAD83
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present?
significantly disturbed?
The site is located in Federal Way, Washington. Vegetation onsite was dominated by upland trees and shrubs save the areas of herbaceous
vegetation in the northern portion. Test Plot 1 was conducted in the northern portion in an area dominated by herbaceous vegetation.
(Plot size:
=Total Cover
5
No
FAC
Yes
10'
Agrostis species assumed to be facultative. The hydrophytic vegetation criterion is met due to greater than 50% of the dominant vegetation within the test plot having FAC indicator statuses.
Percent of Dominant Species That
Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:
Total Number of Dominant Species
Across All Strata:
Dominance Test worksheet:
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum
Absolute
% Cover
=Total Cover
Rumex crispus
Plantago lanceolata
Trifolium pratense
1Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must
be present, unless disturbed or problematic.
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
Sampling Point:
% %
Type1 Loc2
100
100
Type:
Depth (inches):Hydric Soil Present? Yes No X
Primary Indicators (minimum of one is required; check all that apply)
Surface Water Present? Yes X
Water Table Present? Yes X
Saturation Present? Yes X Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes No X
TP1SOIL
Si Lo; no redox
Si Lo; no redox
Remarks
Loamy/Clayey
Drainage Patterns (B10)
Dry-Season Water Table (C2)
Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
Aquatic Invertebrates (B13)
Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C1)
Oxidized Rhizospheres on Living Roots (C3)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (except
Presence of Reduced Iron (C4)
Remarks:
HYDROLOGY
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to all LRRs, unless otherwise noted.) Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils
3:
Hydric soil indicators were not met as the matrix was not depleted and there were no redoximorphic features within the soil profile.
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
8-11
Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8)
Geomorphic Position (D2)
Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)Surface Soil Cracks (B6)
Sediment Deposits (B2)
Drift Deposits (B3)
Water Marks (B1)
Algal Mat or Crust (B4)
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Salt Crust (B11)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (MLRA 1, 2
Frost-Heave Hummocks (D7)Other (Explain in Remarks)
FAC-Neutral Test (D5)Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6)
Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A)
Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (B7)
Iron Deposits (B5)
Saturation (A3)
Secondary Indicators (2 or more required)
Shallow Aquitard (D3)
Color (moist)
0-8
Surface Water (A1)
Loamy/Clayey
11
Matrix
Texture
Redox FeaturesDepth
(inches) Color (moist)
10YR 3/2
10YR 3/3
Redox Dark Surface (F6)
Depleted Dark Surface (F7)
Redox Depressions (F8)
3Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and
wetland hydrology must be present,
unless disturbed or problematic.Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4)
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
Field Observations:
(includes capillary fringe)
Hydrology was not present and there was no evidence of wetland hydrology.
No
No
No
Depth (inches):
Depth (inches):
Depth (inches):
High Water Table (A2) MLRA 1, 2, 4A, and 4B) 4A, and 4B)
2Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix.
Restrictive Layer (if observed):
compact soil
2 cm Muck (A10)
Red Parent Material (F21)
Very Shallow Dark Surface (F22)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
Histosol (A1)
Histic Epipedon (A2)
Black Histic (A3)
Hydrogen Sulfide (A4)
Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11)
Thick Dark Surface (A12)
Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1)
2.5 cm Mucky Peat or Peat (S2) (LRR G)
Sandy Redox (S5)
Stripped Matrix (S6)
Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (except MLRA 1)
Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2)
Depleted Matrix (F3)
1Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, CS=Covered or Coated Sand Grains.
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
APPENDIX B
ROUTINE DETERMINATION METHOD AND PLANT INDICATOR RATING DEFINITIONS
ROUTINE DETERMINATION METHOD
The Routine Determination Method is defined according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’
1987 Wetland Delineation Manual and the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers’
Wetland Delineation Manual (Environmental Laboratory 1987); Western Mountains, Valleys, and
Coast Region (Version 2.0) (Corps 2010). The Routine Determination Method examines three
parameters – vegetation, soils, and hydrology – to determine if wetlands exist in a given area.
Hydrology is critical in determining what is a wetland, but if often difficult to assess because
hydrologic conditions can change periodically (hourly, daily, or seasonally). Consequently, it is
necessary to determine if hydrophytic vegetation and hydric soils are present, which would
indicate that water is present for a long enough duration to support a wetland plant community. By
definition, wetlands are those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a
frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a
prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.
VEGETATION INDICATOR STATUS
The indicator status, following the scientific names of plant species, indicates the likelihood of the
species to be found in wetlands according to the National Wetland Plant List Indicator Rating
Definitions (Corps 2012). Listed from most likely to least likely to be found in wetlands, the
indicator status categories are:
▪ OBL (obligate wetland) - occur almost always under natural conditions in wetlands.
▪ FACW (facultative wetland) - usually occur in wetlands, but occasionally found in non-
wetlands.
▪ FAC (facultative) - equally likely to occur in wetlands or non-wetlands.
▪ FACU (facultative upland) - usually occur in non-wetlands, but occasionally found in
wetlands.
▪ UPL (obligate upland) - occur almost always under natural conditions in non-wetlands.
▪ NI (no indicator) - insufficient data to assign to an indicator category.