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Recent Projects

Wetland delineation and determination using the Atypical and Problem Areas Methodology on 80-acre site

Residential 5 Subdivision, Thurston County

Performed detailed wetland study using the Atypical and Problem Area methodology as described in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the State Department of Ecology wetland delineation manuals. Installed groundwater monitoring wells and piezometers in atypical area to determine if disturbed pastures contained wetland hydrology. Performed detailed soils study to document disturbed strata and to examine relic hydric characteristics. Large field previously delineated as a wetland by another firm was determined not to be a wetland. Disturbance features from plowing and breaking pore spaces between soil peds caused temporarily wet conditions during heavy rains that quickly drained during dry spells. No wetland plant seed bank was apparent and remaining vegetation around tree stands and on neighboring forest contained predominantly upland vegetation.

Wetland delineation and determination using the Atypical and Problem Areas Methodology on 5-acre site

Single-family Residential, Thurston County

Wildlife Study and Report on 300-acre Subdivision into 5-acre Lots

Residential Subdivision for Timber Company, Thurston County

Wildlife study as required by Thurston County to inventory wildlife species and characterize habitat in determination of possible wildlife and habitat conservation or mitigation measures. Inventoried pileated and downy woodpecker feeding stations. Flicker and sapsucker feeding stations. Cavity nests were occupied by Douglas squirrels, great horned owls, and other cavity nesters. Cataloged black-tailed deer, black bear, coyote, and other wildlife through observation of individuals or indicators, such as scats, tracks, hair samples or feathers. Performed an intensive nest survey on the forested property. Surveyed raptors and raptor nests. Prepared wildlife report satisfying the County’s request.

Habitat Management Plan on Lake Cushman Adjacent to Olympic National Park

Single-family Residential, Mason County

Wildlife reconnaissance and report on a single-family residential lot that abuts the Olympic National Park. The lot is forested and is situated on the shoreline of Lake Cushman. The lot is surrounded by marbled murrelet and spotted owl nesting habitat as identified by the WDFW Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) database and as identified in the field during the site reconnaissance. Both of these species are Federally-listed under the Endangered Species Act. No such habitat occurred in the second growth conifers located on the site and within 300 feet of the site. Potential impacts to Federally-listed chinook salmon and bull trout also were evaluated. A mitigation plan was prepared to address conservation and mitigation measures to off-set project impacts.

Forest Retention Plan to Preserve and Replace Trees on a Proposed Short Plat

Single-family Short-plat, Olympia, Thurston County

Prepare tree retention and replacement plan on 5-acre property located in the Greencove Basin tree overlay area within the City of Olympia. Calculated tree units based on number of trees and diameter at breast height. Determined number of trees to be saved and number to be planted in compliance with the tree retention ordinance. Assisted in site planning and the prepared of the site layout, including lots, septic, and stormwater management.

Oak Woodland Habitat Management Plan on 5-acre High Density Subdivision

Single-family High-density Subdivision, Thurston County

Prepared an Oak Woodland Habitat Management Plan on a 5-acre high-density subdivision in the City of Olympia urban growth area. Unavoidable impacts included the removal of 27 Native Oregon Oak trees on the high-density subdivided property. Because of limited open space for tree replacement, my plan was to incorporate Oregon oak trees and native shrubs into the existing landscape plan, replacing non-native trees and shrubs. The plan called for 130 Oregon oak trees to be planted in yards and at the margin of streets.

Mazama Pocket Gopher Habitat Management Plan on 100-acre Active Cattle Pasture

300-Acre Subdivision, Thurston County

Prepare a four-month study to determine the distribution of the Mazama Pocket Gopher on a proposed 300-acre subdivision. Sampling techniques involved identification of gopher mounds and trapping using Sherman traps. Once gopher high-use polygons were identified and mapped, a mitigation plan was formulated. Mitigation involved the plowing of hard compacted soils and the planting with native prairie plant species in a required open-space area. The mitigation area was transformed from an overgrazed pasture with compacted soils, to a prairie habitat preferred by the Mazama pocket gopher. Prepared a monitoring plan with maintenance and contingencies to insure long term success.

Mitigation Plan and Stream Study for Residential Development

Residential Development, Whatcom County

Performed wetland delineation and stream study on 2-acre parcel located on the shoreline of Lake Samish in Whatcom County. Prepared Wetland and Stream Study Report and Mitigation Report. Mitigation involved the removal of invasive weeds and the planting of native vegetation.

Biological Evaluation to Assess Effects of Water Main Installation on Drayton Harbor

Birch Bay Water and Sewer District Water Main Extension, Whatcom County

Replacement of existing water main 2,800 feet along Drayton Harbor Road and 2,400 feet along Harbor View Road on Drayton Harbor, near the City of Blaine, Whatcom County. The installation of the water main is located within 50 feet of juvenile Chinook (T) rearing habitat in Drayton Harbor. Nine culverts convey water from the construction area to the Harbor. Best Management Practices (BMPs) and a maintenance & contingency plan were employed to prevent turbid runoff from entering the harbor, allowing a ‘no effect’ determination and quick turnaround time on the Corps Permit.

Biological Evaluation to Assess Effects of Sewer Line Meter Installation on Lake Ballinger

City of Edmonds Meter A Sewer Line Project, Snohomish County

Installation of sewer line meter station within 50-feet of Lake Ballinger, which contains Chinook Salmon (T), bull trout (T), and foraging bald eagles (T). The construction of a new access road required the fill of forested wetlands. Wetland mitigation off-set wetland impacts.

Biological Evaluation to Assess Effects of Condominium Development in Channel of Hoquiam River

Condominium Development, City of Hoquiam, Gray’s Harbor County

Project involved the construction of a stilt foundation condominium located in the tidally-influenced channel of the Hoquiam River, Grays Harbor County. The BE addressed impacts to Federally-listed humpback whale (E), leatherback sea turtle (E), bull trout (T), bald eagle (T), marbled murrelet (T), Steller sea lion (T), and lower Columbia/SW WA coho (C).

Biological Evaluation to Assess Effects of Subdivision on Drayton Harbor

Subdivision Project, Whatcom County

Project involved the subdivision and construction of access roads, building lots, and installation of utilities, and the filling of over one-tenth of an acre of wetlands adjacent to Drayton Harbor, Whatcom County Washington. Mitigation involved the enhancement of an existing deciduous forested wetland through the planting of conifers. The BE addressed impacts to Federally-listed humpback whale (E), leatherback sea turtle (E), Chinook salmon (T), bull trout (T), bald eagle (T), marbled murrelet (T), Steller sea lion (T), and lower Columbia/SW WA coho (C).

Biological Evaluation to Assess Effects of Sewer main Crossing for the City of Lake Stevens

Sewer Main Project, City of Lake Stevens, Snohomish County

Project involved the installation of a sewer main within the City of Lake Stevens. The proposed City sewer main was bored under Catherine Creek to avoid direct impacts to the riparian environment. However, some trenching occurred in riparian wetlands adjacent to the Creek. Because of adequate Best Management Practices (BMPs) a ‘no effect’ determination on Puget Sound Chinook salmon (T), bull trout (T), coho salmon (C), and Bald Eagle (T), allowed the Corps permitting to turn around in two weeks.

Salmonid Inventory and Stream Classification on Ditch Systems for City of Marysville

City of Marysville Comprehensive Plan, City of Marysville, Snohomish County

Inventoried salmonids and characterized and classified miles of ditches within the City of Marysville annexation area. The City of Marysville stream classification system, based on the State DNR water typing system, depends on the presence or absence of salmonid fish species. Identified spawners and reds, characterized habitat features, identified natural and human-created fish barriers, seined for juvenile salmonids, set minnow traps, and collected water quality data to determine if juvenile salmonid presence in side ditches is possible.

Winter Water Study on 5-acre Parcel to Determine Installation Criteria of Glendon Septic System

Single Family Residential, Thurston County

Performed winter water study through the installation of groundwater monitoring wells and piezometers to determine the groundwater depth during the wettest months. Identified an area suitable for the installation of the Glendon septic system on a parcel that was previously classified as unbuildable.