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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWWP272829(5) 00 bid& A D O L F S O N Environmen 1 .Sofa ons July 28, 2000 1' Dave Christiensen RECEIVED City of Renton Utility Systems Division AUG - 2 2000 1055 South Grady Way Renton, WA 98055 CITY OF RENTON UTILITY SYSTeMS SUBJECT: 80th AVENUE SOUTH SEWER MAIN EXTENSION PROJECT BIOLOGICAL REVIEW Dear Dave: A few weeks ago I sent you the Biological Evaluation (BE)for the 80th Avenue South Project. At the time we had not yet received the letter from USFWS listing the species of concern for the area. We received this letter last week and I am forwarding a copy to you. The letter does not change the conclusions of the BE; it does provide confirmation of the species we believed were of concern for the project area. Please attach this letter to the BE. Thank you. Let us know if we can provide any additional assistance with this project. Sincerely, 7z Ann L. Root, Ph.D. Adolfson Associates, Inc. ADOLFSON ASSOCIATES,INC.5309 Shilshole Avenue NW,Suite 200 Seattle,WA 98107 71 206 769 9658 1- 206 789 9684 aJofong.a Iofo,,Lbm SENT Cp Ty United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE CH 3 �s"9 North Pacific Coast Ecoregion Western Washington Office 510 Desmond Drive SE, Suite 102 Lacey, Washington 98503 Phone: (360) 753-9440 Fax: (360) 753-9518 JUL 2 1 7nnn Dear Species List Requester: You have requested a list of listed and proposed threatened and endangered species, candidate species and species of concern(Attachment A)that may be present within the area of your proposed project. This response fulfills the requirements of the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service(Service)under section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We have also enclosed a copy of the requirements for Federal agency compliance under the Act (Attachment B). Should the Federal agency determine that a listed species is likely to be affected (adversely or beneficially) by the project, you should request section 7 consultation through this office. If the Federal agency determines that the proposed action is"not likely to adversely affect"a listed species, you should request Service concurrence with that determination through the informal consultation process. Even if there is a "no effect" situation, we would appreciate receiving a copy for our information. Species of concern are those species whose conservation standing is of concern to the Service, but for which further status information is still needed. Conservation measures for species of concern are voluntary, but recommended. Protection provided to these species now may preclude possible listing in the future. There may be other federally listed species that may occur in the vicinity of your project which are under the jurisdiction of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Please contact NMFS at (360) 753-9530 to request a species list. In addition, please be advised that federal and state regulations may require permits in areas where wetlands are identified. You should contact the Seattle District of the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers for Federal permit requirements and the Washington State Department of Ecology for State permit requirements. Your interest in endangered species is appreciated. If you have additional questions regarding your responsibilities under the Act, please contact Yvonne Dettlaff(360) 753-9582 or Bobbi Barrera (360) 753-6048. Sincerely, JTA.Oackson, Manager Western Washington Office Enclosure(s) c: WDFW Region 4 FHWA ATTACHMENT A July 19, 2000 LISTED AND PROPOSED ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES, CANDIDATE SPECIES AND SPECIES OF CONCERN WHICH MAY OCCUR WITHIN THE VICINITY OF THE PROPOSED 80Tu AVENUE SOUTH SEWER INSTALLATION PROJECT IN KING COUNTY,WASHINGTON (T23N R04E S13) FWS REF: 1-3-00-SP-1493 LISTED Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) - occur in the vicinity of the project. Major concerns that should be addressed in your biological assessment of the project impacts to listed species are: 1. Level of use of the project area by listed species. 2. Effect of the project on listed species' primary food stocks, prey species, and foraging areas in all areas influenced by the project. 3. Impacts from project construction(i.e.,habitat loss,increased noise levels,increased human activity) which may result in disturbance to listed species and/or their avoidance of the project area. PROPOSED None. CANDIDATE None. SPECIES OF CONCERN The following species of concern may occur in the vicinity of the project: Long-eared myotis (Myotis evotis) Long-legged myotis (Myotis volans) Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentata) River lamprey (Lampetra ayresi) ATTACHMENT B FEDERAL AGENCIES' RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER SECTIONS 7(a) AND 7(c) OF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973, AS AMENDED SECTION 7(a) - Consultation/Conference Requires: 1. Federal agencies to utilize their authorities to carry out programs to conserve endangered and threatened species; 2. Consultation with FWS when a federal action may affect a listed endangered or threatened species to ensure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out by a federal agency is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of listed species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. The process is initiated by the federal agency after it has determined if its action may affect(adversely or beneficially) a listed species; and 3. Conference with FWS when a federal action is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a proposed species or result in destruction or an adverse modification of proposed critical habitat. SECTION 7(c) - Biological Assessment for Construction Projects Requires federal agencies or their designees to prepare a Biological Assessment(BA)for construction projects only. The purpose of the BA is to identify any proposed and/or listed species which is/are likely to be affected by a construction project. The process is initiated by a federal agency in requesting a list of proposed and listed threatened and endangered species (list attached). The BA should be completed within 180 days after its initiation (or within such a time period as is mutually agreeable). If the BA is not initiated within 90 days of receipt of the species list, please verify the accuracy of the list with the Service. No irreversible commitment of resources is to be made during the BA process which would result in violation of the requirements under Section 7(a) of the Act. Planning, design, and administrative actions may be taken; however, no construction may begin. To complete the BA,your agency or its designee should: (1)conduct an onsite inspection of the area to be affected by the proposal,which may include a detailed survey of the area to determine if the species is present and whether suitable habitat exists for either expanding the existing population or potential reintroduction of the species; (2) review literature and scientific data to determine species distribution, habitat needs, and other biological requirements; (3) interview experts including those within the FWS, National Marine Fisheries Service, state conservation department, universities, and others who may have data not yet published in scientific literature; (4) review and analyze the effects of the proposal on the species in terms of individuals and populations, including consideration of cumulative effects of the proposal on the species and its habitat; (5)analyze alternative actions that may provide conservation measures; and (6) prepare a report documenting the results, including a discussion of study methods used,any problems encountered,and other relevant information. Upon completion,the report should be forwarded to our Endangered Species Division, 510 Desmond Drive SE, Suite 102, Lacey, WA 98503-1273. * "Construction project" means any major federal action which significantly affects the quality of the human environment (requiring an EIS), designed primarily to result in the building or erection of human-made structures such as dams, buildings, roads, pipelines, channels, and the like. This includes federal action such as permits, grants, licenses, or other forms of federal authorization or approval which may result in construction. LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL DATE: July 6, 2000 • o o L r s o B TO: Dave Christensen Erwirorwwntal SoLtions COMPANY: City of Renton Utility Systems Division ADDRESS: 1055 South Grady Way RECEIVED CITY/STATE/ZIP: Renton/WA/98055 JUL 7 - 2000 CC: CITY OF RENTON I!T!I_.ITV SYSTEMS FROM: Kris Jaeger PROJECT NAME/NUMBER: City of Renton Biological Evaluations 20095-2, 3, 5 FIURGENT ❑FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT ❑PLEASE REPLY EFOR YOUR INFORMATION PLEASE FIND ENCLOSED: 3 80 thAvenue South Sewer Main Extension Project Biological Evaluation 3 North Renton Sewer Replacement Phase I Biological Evaluation 3 Aberdeen Avenue NE Sewer Main Extension Project Biological Evaluation NOTES/COMMENTS: For your review. Please contact Lloyd Skinner if you have any questions or comments at (206) 789-9658. We plan to conduct a field visit for the Highgate and Thunderhill projects in the next couple of weeks. ADOLFSON ASSOCIATES, INC. 5309 Shilshole Avenue NW, Suite200 SEattle, WA 98107 Tel 206 789 9658 Fax 206 789 9684 bid" A D O L��F 5 O N �. EYWIronlYLentad So(utjonS 6 July 2000 RECEIVE[) David M. Christensen City of Renton Utility Systems Division JUL 7 — 2000 1055 South Grady Way CITY OF RENTON Renton, WA 98055 UTILITY SYSTEMS SUBJECT: 80T' AVENUE SOUTH SEWER MAIN EXTENSION PROJECT BIOLOGICAL REVIEW Dear Dave: Adolfson Associates, Inc. (Adolfson) has prepared this Biological Evaluation (BE)to facilitate discussion of the proposed 80th Avenue South Sewer Main Extension project, related to potential effects on species listed or proposed to be listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). A field review of the project was conducted by a biologist and planner from Adolfson in June 2000. This letter report includes an analysis of the potential impacts of the proposed project on species that are federally-listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA and which may occur in the project area or be affected by the proposed action. You have indicated that there is currently no federal nexus for this project. Lacking a federal nexus, the proposed project does not appear to require the completion of a Biological Assessment (BA) as required under section 7(c) of the ESA. Should a BA be necessary, this BE will facilitate future coordination with federal and state agencies pertaining to ESA issues, but would not meet all regulatory requirements of the BA process. The project area is located within the range of the Puget Sound Evolutionary Significant Unit(ESU)chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), listed as threatened under the ESA. Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)also occur in the vicinity of the project area and are a candidate species under the ESA. Chinook and coho salmon and other anadromous fish are under the jurisdiction of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)which regulates marine fish and wildlife species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service(USFWS) regulates terrestrial wildlife and inland fish species. The project appears to occur within the range of the following listed species under USFWS jurisdiction: bald eagle(Haliaeetus leucocephalus), and bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus). The following table summarizes the species listed under the ESA that are addressed in this report. Common Name Scientific Name ESA Status Jurisdiction Bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Threatened USFWS Coastal/Puget Sound Bull Trout Salvelinus confluentus Threatened USFWS Puget Sound ESU Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tsawytscha Threatened NMFS Puget Sound/Strait of Georgia ESU Oncorhynchus kisutch Candidate NMFS Coho Salmon ADOLFSON ASSOCIATES,INC.5309 Shilshole Avenue NW,Suite 200 Seattle,WA 98107 'T( 206 789 9658 1— 206 789 9684 aclo son�°ado�son�om David M. Christensen City of Renton Utility Systems Division July 6, 2000 Page 2 HABITAT DESCRIPTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE The project area is located within King County Washington's Urban Growth Boundary, west and outside of the City of Renton. The project area is a developed urban area located in the greater Seattle metropolitan area. The proposed construction site is a residential street, 80th Avenue South. Most of the native vegetation within the project vicinity has been converted to streets, housing areas, and maintained lawns. The landscaping consists of lawn and mature trees and shrubs. The land use in the vicinity is medium density suburban with all lots along the street developed. The project area is within the Cedar River drainage basin (WRIA 8). There is an unclassified, unnamed creek that begins just south of the project area, at the intersection of 80th Avenue South, South Langston Road, and South 132nd Street. The drainage flows east toward the Cedar River. At approximately the intersection of Taylor Avenue NW and Renton Avenue, the creek is piped into Renton's Black River box culvert that drains into Lake Washington. The project area is not currently served by a stormwater system. Surface runoff is collected by ditches adjacent to the street and flows toward the unnamed creek. The 80th Avenue South project does not cross any water body or drainage course(Photo 1). The project is located approximately 1.25 miles from the shoreline of Lake Washington. PROPOSED ACTION The 80th Avenue South area is currently serviced by septic systems. Many of those systems are failing, contaminating ground water in the area. The City of Renton proposes to extend its sewer lines into the area to replace the failing septic systems. The proposed action consists of installation of 2,100 feet of 8- inch diameter sewer main along 80th Avenue South between South 132"d Street and South 130th Street (See Figure 1; Photos 2 and 3). The project will involve excavation of a trench in the existing roadway or along the roadway shoulder. Side sewer stubs will extend from the main sewer line to the property line of each lot. Heavy construction equipment and increased truck traffic will be required for the project. The excavated material will be replaced in the trench after the sewer line has been laid. Areas disturbed during construction will be restored to existing conditions upon completion. ANTICIPATED PROJECT IMPACTS Erosion and stormwater runoff could result from project construction. Contractors will be required to follow the City's standards that include best management practices to control and manage runoff and erosion. Traffic patterns likely will be disrupted during the project and may be rerouted onto adjacent roads. Heavy construction equipment and increased truck traffic in the area will generate additional noise. Construction will take place only between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. to minimize noise impacts to the neighborhood. These impacts will cease when the project is complete. Replacement of the septic systems in the area will eliminate the groundwater contamination occurring as a result of system failures. This should result in a positive benefit to water quality in the area. The sewer line is being extended into an area not currently served by sewers. The extension of sewers David M. Christensen City of Renton Utility Systems Division July 6, 2000 Page 3 will not facilitate new growth in the area; the area is already fully developed with residential housing. No new growth is expected in the project area with or without the proposed sewer line project. LISTED AND CANDIDATE SPECIES WITHIIN THE PROJECT VICINITY Threatened Species Bald Ea__Ice Bald eagles generally perch, roost, and build nests in mature trees close to open water, near available prey. Eagles primarily feed on fish, but their diet will occasionally include waterfowl, small mammals, and carrion. Bald eagles breed in mid-to late-winter in this area. The eagles typically return to one of several nests located within an established nesting territory (Matthews, 1988; Stalmaster, 1987). Eggs laid in March or April hatch within one and a half months. Young eagles hatched in June will generally fledge in mid-summer(August). As bald eagles are primarily fish eaters, they usually nest within one mile of open water. Their home range generally extends up to eight miles from the nest. Bald eagle sightings in the Puget Sound area are not uncommon and eagles are known to nest in the region. However, the WDFW Priority Habitats and Species database documents that there are no known nest sites within one mile of the project action area (WDFW, 2000). The closest eagle nest is located on Mercer Island, over two miles from the project area. Eagle nests are also found along the Cedar River to the south of the project area. A transient eagle may occasionally occur within the project area. Coastal/Puget Sound Bull Trout There are two life history forms among bull trout: a resident form and a migratory form. The individuals of the migratory form may be stream dwelling (fluvial), lake-dwelling (adfluvial), or ocean-or estuarine- dwelling (anadromous) (USFWS, 1998). Most migratory coastal bull trout are anadromous, migrating to the ocean in the spring and returning in the late summer and early fall (Wydoski and Whitney, 1979). Bull trout are most commonly associated with pristine or only slightly disturbed basins and spawn in streams with clean gravel substrates and cold (less than 490 F)water temperatures. Coastal bull trout are present in the Lake Washington basin within the upper Cedar River(Chester Morse Lake); however, bull trout use has not been documented below Cedar Falls, a complete barrier to anadromous fish located just below Chester Morse Lake (WDFW, 1998). The lower Cedar River appears not to provide habitat preferred by bull trout. Puget Sound ESU Chinook Salmon Chinook salmon are anadromous. They require varied habitats during different phases of their life. Chinook typically spawn in the mainstem of larger rivers and tributaries. Juvenile chinook rear in the lower mainstem of rivers before entering the estuary. Chinook generally migrate to salt water in the summer and fall and spend from two to four years rearing in Puget Sound and/or the North Pacific before returning to spawn. Native stocks of fall chinook salmon are known to exist in the mainstem of the Cedar River(WDFW, 1994). NMFS has designated critical habitat for the chinook salmon. That habitat includes Lake Washington and the Cedar River. David M. Christensen City of Renton Utility Systems Division July 6, 2000 Page 4 Candidate Species Puget Sound/Strait of Georgia Coho Salmon Coho salmon, like chinook, are anadromous. Adults spawn in freshwater streams in the late fall and early winter. Juvenile coho rear in freshwater for 12 to 18 months. Rearing juveniles prefer off-channel pools with complex cover including both large and small woody debris (Henry, 1995). Most coho spend from 16 to 20 months rearing in the ocean and return to spawn in fresh water as three-year old adults. Coho are known to exist in the Cedar River system (WDFW, 1994). Coho salmon stocks in the Cedar River have been identified has"healthy" based on escapement levels; however, data shows a decrease in escapement that may lead to the stocks being determined "depressed" in the future (WDFW, 1994). IMPACTS TO LISTED AND CANDIDATE SPECIES Based on habitat considerations and expected species occurrence in the project area and surrounding vicinity, it is anticipated that the proposed project would have no impact on bull trout because there is no habitat in the project area to support the species. The proposed project could affect bald eagle, chinook and coho salmon. The extent of impacts to bald eagles is expected to be limited to temporary disturbances resulting from the use of heavy machinery and increased noise within the project area. Impacts to bald eagles are expected to be minimal. Long-term adverse impacts to eagles within the project vicinity are not expected to result from the proposed activity. It is expected that if a BA were prepared for this project, the resulting determination of effect would be"may affect, not likely to adversely affect'for bald eagles. The proposed project may also affect chinook and coho salmon, but these impacts are also expected to be limited. Both salmonids exist in the Cedar River and in Lake Washington. However, the project area is approximately 0.75 mile from the Cedar River and approximately 1.25 miles from Lake Washington. There is no direct drainage from the project area to the Cedar River or Lake Washington. It is possible that increased sediment could reach the Cedar River through erosion and runoff from the project. However, if appropriate management practices are employed during construction, that risk should be minimal. Any effect that might occur would be limited to the construction period. The completed sewer project is likely to benefit fish species in the area by reducing ground and surface water contamination from failing septic systems. It is expected that if a BA were prepared for this project, the resulting determination of effect would be"may affect, not likely to adversely affect'for all species addressed in this report. Although the proposed project would extend sewer facilities to a new area, it will not result in increased growth to the area. The area is already fully developed. To ensure future concurrence with the ESA, we request that Adolfson be informed of any proposed changes to this project that may involve a federal nexus such as funding or permitting. The project may need to be re-evaluated upon changes in status to these species, new listings, or significant alterations in the proposed scope of work. Sincerely, ADOLFSON ASSOCIATES, INC. U6rjA,� Too, Ann L. Root, Ph.D. Senior Planner Attachments: References, Figures, Photos David M. Christensen City of Renton Utility Systems Division July 6, 2000 Page 5 REFERENCES Henry, R. 1995. Backgrounder: Coho salmon and state endangered species Act Special Publication. Portland, Oregon: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Mathews, Daniel. 1988. Cascade, Olympic Natural History. Portland, Oregon: Raven Editions. Stalmaster, Mark V. 1987. The Bald Eagle. New York: Universe Books. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1998. A Framework to Assist in the Making of Endangered Species Act Determinations of Effect for Individual or Grouped Actions at the Bull Trout Subpopulations Watershed Scale (Draft). Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Priority Habitats and Species Database. Olympia, Washington. July 2000. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). 1998. Washington Salmonids Stock Inventory: Bull Trout/Dolly Varden Appendix. Olympia, Washington. 437 pp. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)and Western Washington Treaty Indian Tribes. 1994. 1992 Washington State Salmon and Steelhead Stock Inventory. Olympia, Washington. Wydoski, R.S. and R.R. Whitney. 1979. Inland Fishes of Washington. Seattle, Washington : University of Washington Press. LAKE WASHINGTON : a CEDAR RIVER PROJECT LOCATION — - �- 1307H ST 5 x \ 132ND STm ROUTE 169 1 -405 F, t� N FIGURE 1. 0.4 0 0.4 0.8 MII@S CEDAR RIVER DRAINAGE OVERVIEW 80TH AVENUE SOUTH SEWER MAIN Date:629/00 EXTENSION PROJECT A D o L F S o N Edits by ACT RENTON, WASHINGTON Sa ce:Kng Canty GIS r Photo 1. View from intersection of 80"' Avenue South, S. Langston Road, and S. 130th St. toward beginning of unnamed drainage. +` { � 1 . Photo 2. View of 80th Avenue South looking south to S. 132"d Street (June 2000). AL Photo 3. View of 801h Avenue South looking north toward S 1301h Street (June 2000).