202003455_ECYCommentLetter
STATE OF WASHINGTON
DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY
Northwest Regional Office 3190 160th Avenue SE Bellevue, Washington 98008-5452 (425) 649-7000
711 for Washington Relay Service Persons with a speech disability can call (877) 833-6341
July 15, 2020
Becky Chapin, Senior Planner
Department of Community Development
City of Federal Way
33325 8th Ave S
Federal Way, WA 98003
Re: The Woodlands at Redondo Creek Preliminary Plat
File# 19-105073-00-SE, Ecology SEPA# 202003455
Dear Becky Chapin:
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on The Woodlands at Redondo Creek Project.
Based on review of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) checklist associated with this Project, the
Department of Ecology (Ecology) has the following comments:
The proposed project does not directly impact waters of the state, but will reduce the width of much of an
existing wetland buffer. Reviewing the project plans, it appears that the buffer reduction is needed in
order to construct a retaining wall.
Buffer enhancement/restoration activity is proposed on other portions of the project area, but not in the
graded area adjacent to the retaining wall which requires the buffer reduction. If this area is not stabilized
and replanted the function of the adjacent intact buffer may degrade.
Ecology recommends that the graded area adjacent to the proposed retaining wall be stabilized and
replanted with native shrubs and trees to help preserve the functionality of the remaining intact wetland
buffer.
Thank you for considering these comments from Ecology. If you have any questions or would like to
respond to these comments, please contact Neil Molstad from the Shorelands and Environmental
Assistance Program at (425) 649-7007 or by email at neil.molstad@ecy.wa.gov.
Sincerely,
Katelynn Piazza
SEPA Coordinator
Sent by email: Becky Chapin, becky.chapin@cityoffederalway.com
ecc: Neil Molstad, Ecology