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Home My WebLink AboutAppendix L - Fish and Aquatics DR I-405, Renton Nickel Improvement Project, I-5 to SR 169 FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES DISCIPLINE REPORT October 2005 %&e( !"b$ AÉ !"`$ !"`$ Aæ %&e( Bothell Kirkland Bellevue Renton AÊ AÐ Aí Aô AÌ Aí Aç AÅ Lake Washington Arterial Road Freeway Municipality Lake Park M0 2 Miles I-405 Project Area Renton Nickel Improvement Project FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES DISCIPLINE REPORT I-405, Renton Nickel Improvement Project Prepared for Washington State Department of Transportation Urban Corridors Office And Federal Highway Administration Prepared by Derek Koellmann, Anchor Environmental, L.L.C. October 28, 2005 Title VI WSDOT ensures full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by prohibiting discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin or sex in the provision of benefits and services resulting from its federally assisted programs and activities. For questions regarding WSDOT's Title VI Program, you may contact the Department's Title VI Coordinator at 360. 705.7098. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information If you would like copies of this document in an alternate format—large print, Braille, cassette tape, or on computer disk, please call 360.705.7097. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, please call the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service, or Tele-Braille at 7-1-1, Voice 1.800.833.6384, and ask to be connected to 360.705.7097. Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report i T ABLE OF CONTENTS Glossary.............................................................................................................................................................................iv Acronyms and Abbreviations Used in this Report ........................................................................................................vi Introduction........................................................................................................................................................................1 What is the Renton Nickel Improvement Project? ...........................................................................................................1 What is the No Build Alternative?................................................................................................................................2 What is the Build Alternative?.....................................................................................................................................2 How will stormwater from the project be managed? .................................................................................................12 What environmental and utilities issues influenced the project design and what was done to avoid and minimize project effects?....................................................................................................................................13 What is planned for wetland and stream mitigation?.....................................................................................................16 What benefits will the project provide?......................................................................................................................17 How will the project incorporate community design preferences?.............................................................................17 How will the project be constructed?.........................................................................................................................18 Why do we consider fisheries and aquatic resources as we plan this project? .............................................................19 What are the key points of this report?..........................................................................................................................20 Existing Conditions.........................................................................................................................................................22 How and when was the information on fisheries and aquatic resources collected?......................................................22 What kind of policies and regulations exist to protect fisheries resources?...................................................................23 Is the project within a recognized tribal fishing area?....................................................................................................23 What are the general habitat characteristics of the study area?....................................................................................24 What fish and aquatic species occur in the study area?................................................................................................27 Do any federally listed aquatic species or federal aquatic species of concern occur in the study area?.......................28 Do any state-listed or other state priority aquatic species occur in or around the study area?......................................30 What are the habitat characteristics of the rivers and streams located in the study area?............................................30 Gilliam Creek.............................................................................................................................................................30 Cottage Creek...........................................................................................................................................................32 Unnamed Tributary to Gilliam Creek.........................................................................................................................32 Green River...............................................................................................................................................................33 Springbrook Creek....................................................................................................................................................35 Panther Creek and the Panther Creek Wetlands......................................................................................................37 Rolling Hills Creek and an unnamed tributary to Rolling Hills Creek.........................................................................40 Thunder Hills Creek ..................................................................................................................................................41 Cedar River...............................................................................................................................................................42 Potential Effects...............................................................................................................................................................44 What methods were used to evaluate the project’s potential effects on fisheries and aquatic resources?....................44 Will the project affect fish and aquatic habitat?..............................................................................................................44 No Build Alternative...................................................................................................................................................45 Build Alternative........................................................................................................................................................46 Will project construction affect fisheries and aquatic resources?...................................................................................53 Direct disturbance and stream diversions.................................................................................................................53 In-stream sedimentation............................................................................................................................................53 Stream buffer and riparian vegetation.......................................................................................................................55 Other potential construction effects...........................................................................................................................55 TABLE OF CONTENTS Renton Nickel Improvement Project ii Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report Will the project affect federally listed species and federal species of concern? ............................................................ 56 Does the project have other effects that could be delayed or distant from the project?................................................ 56 Measures to Avoid or Minimize Project Effects............................................................................................................ 57 What will be done to avoid or minimize potential negative effects on fish and other aquatic species or aquatic habitat?57 What will be done to minimize construction effects?..................................................................................................... 57 How will the project compensate for unavoidable negative effects to fisheries or aquatic resources?.......................... 59 References....................................................................................................................................................................... 61 Appendices A - Memo from Derek Koellmann to Multi-Agency Permitting (MAP) and I-405 Teams Summarizing Stream Survey Methodology B - Stream Survey Summaries TABLE OF CONTENTS Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report iii E XHIBITS Exhibit 1. Project Vicinity Map.............................................................................................................................................1 Exhibit 2. Project Overview Section 1.................................................................................................................................3 Exhibit 3. Project Overview Section 2.................................................................................................................................4 Exhibit 4. Project Overview Section 3.................................................................................................................................5 Exhibit 5. Project Overview Section 4.................................................................................................................................6 Exhibit 6. Project Overview Section 5.................................................................................................................................7 Exhibit 7. Project Overview Section 6.................................................................................................................................8 Exhibit 8. Project Overview Section 7.................................................................................................................................9 Exhibit 9. Project Overview Section 8...............................................................................................................................10 Exhibit 10. Map of Gilliam Creek.......................................................................................................................................30 Exhibit 11. Flap Gate at the Outlet of Gilliam Creek Into the Green River........................................................................31 Exhibit 12. Typical Open Channel Section of Gilliam Creek .............................................................................................31 Exhibit 13. Map of Cottage Creek.....................................................................................................................................32 Exhibit 14. Map of Unnamed Tributary to Gilliam Creek...................................................................................................32 Exhibit 15. Map of the Green River...................................................................................................................................33 Exhibit 16. Green River Upstream of Study Area..............................................................................................................33 Exhibit 17. Springbrook Creek Main Channel South of SW 16th Street.............................................................................35 Exhibit 18. Map of Springbrook Creek ..............................................................................................................................35 Exhibit 19. One of Five Openings in the Existing Springbrook Box Culvert......................................................................35 Exhibit 20. Upstream End of Fish Ladder at the Black River Pump Station......................................................................36 Exhibit 21. Downstream End of Fish Ladder at the Black River Pump Station.................................................................36 Exhibit 22. Panther Creek Upstream of the East and West Forks ....................................................................................37 Exhibit 23. Map of Panther Creek.....................................................................................................................................37 Exhibit 24. Panther Creek Fish Ladder.............................................................................................................................39 Exhibit 25. Typical Rolling Hills Creek Channel on the North Side of I-405......................................................................40 Exhibit 26. Map of Rolling Hills Creek...............................................................................................................................40 Exhibit 27. Map of Unnamed Tributary to Rolling Hills Creek ...........................................................................................40 Exhibit 28. Thunder Hills Creek in Concrete Flume Immediately Downstream of Confluence With Mine Runoff............................................................................................................................................41 Exhibit 29. Map of Thunder Hills Creek.............................................................................................................................41 Exhibit 30. Cedar River Looking Downstream Under I-405 Bridge...................................................................................42 Exhibit 31. Map of the Cedar River...................................................................................................................................43 Exhibit 32. Summary of Streams: Fish Use, Temporary Effects, and Permanent Effects.................................................49 Exhibit 33. Summary of Permanent Overwater, In-Stream, and Riparian Buffer Encroachment Effects ..........................50 Renton Nickel Improvement Project iv Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report GLOSSARY Amphibians A group of vertebrate animals that spend part of their time on land and part in the water; so they are considered an intermediate form between fishes and reptiles. Amphibians must return to the water to breed and they have distinct larval and adult forms. Bankfull Width The width of the stream channel between the top of the streambanks where, under high flow conditions, the water level would be even with the top of the banks, or in a floodplain river, at the point just before water would spill over onto the floodplain. Base Flow Base flow refers to the volume of flow in a stream or river during dry conditions, as opposed to conditions influenced by storm runoff. Best Management Practices A method for preventing or reducing the negative effects of an activity. For example, only allowing in-stream construction to occur during times when salmon are unlikely to be present. Critical Habitat Under the Endangered Species Act, (1) the specific areas within the geographic area occupied by a federally listed species on which are found physical and biological features essential to the conservation of the species, and that may require special management considerations or protection; and (2) specific areas outside the geographic area occupied by a listed species when it is determined that such areas are essential for the conservation of the species. Ecosystem Community of organisms interacting with each other, and the environment in which they live. Electrofishing An in-river fish sampling method that involves capturing fish using an electric shock technique. Emergent Wetlands Wetlands comprised of plants that are rooted below the water but have foliage that extends out of the water. Flap Gate An opening through which water may flow freely at low water elevations, but which closes automatically and prevents water from flowing in the opposite direction at higher water elevations. Incised A term used to describe down-cutting (downward erosion) by a stream. Incision deepens and often steepens the stream channel. Infiltration The passage of water through the soil surface into the soil. Large Woody Debris Coniferous or deciduous logs, limbs, or root wads 12 inches or larger in diameter and a length of at least 6.5 feet that intrude into or bridge above a stream channel. Levees Levees are raised embankments along the edge of a river channel often constructed by humans living in low-lying areas as protection against flooding. Management Unit A stock or group of stocks of fish which are clustered together for the purpose of achieving a desired spawning population. GLOSSARY Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report v Ordinary High Water Mark The elevation marking the highest water level which is maintained for a sufficient time to leave evidence upon the landscape, such as a clear, natural line impressed on the bank, changes in soil character, or the presence of litter and debris. Generally, it is the point where the natural vegetation changes from predominately aquatic to upland species. Peak Flow Peak flow refers to a specific period of time when the discharge of a stream or river is at its highest point. Primary Constituent Elements Physical and/or biological habitat features needed for the survival and successful reproduction of a species. Refugia Habitat An area of a stream that provides shelter or safety for aquatic species. Revetments Revetments are facings of stone, concrete, or even such materials as tires, placed on a riverbank or levee to protect them from erosion. Riffle A shallow area of a stream or river in which water flows rapidly over a rocky or gravelly stream bed. Riparian Pertaining to anything connected with or immediately adjacent to the banks of a stream, river, or other waterbody. Riparian Habitat The aquatic and terrestrial habitat adjacent to streams, lakes, estuaries, or other waterways. Riparian habitat areas are also commonly referred to as riparian buffers. River Mile The distance of a point on a river measured in miles from the river’s mouth along the low-water channel. Salmonid A fish of the fish family Salmonidae; for example, salmon, trout, and chars. Scrub-shrub Wetlands Wetlands dominated by woody vegetation less than 20 feet tall. Vegetation in scrub- shrub wetlands includes tree shrubs, young trees, and trees or shrubs that may be stunted because of environmental conditions. Scrub-shrub wetlands are flooded for extended periods during the growing season. Substrate Organic and mineral materials that form the bed of a body of water. Trapezoidal Channel A water conveyance channel such as a stream or ditch with a flat bottom and steep side slopes. Trapezoidal channels are typically used to convey high volumes of water such as flood or stormwater flows. Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report vi ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS REPORT BMPs Best Management Practices BRPS Black River Pump Station CMP Corrugated Metal Pipe CSS Context Sensitive Solutions CWA Clean Water Act CZMA Coastal Zone Management Act Ecology Washington State Department of Ecology EMAP Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ESA Endangered Species Act ESU Evolutionarily Significant Unit GP General-purpose lane HHD Howard Hansen Dam HOV High-occupancy Vehicle IDT Interdisciplinary Team LWD Large Woody Debris NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service OHWM Ordinary High Water Mark PCEs Primary Constituent Elements RM River Mile SMA Shoreline Management Act USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service WDFW Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife WRIA Water Resource Inventory Area WSDOT Washington State Department of Transportation Renton Nickel Improvement Project 1 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report INTRODUCTION What is the Renton Nickel Improvement Project? The Renton Nickel Improvement Project is a highway expansion project that will improve mobility and safety through Tukwila and Renton. On I-405, this project begins just east of the I-5/I-405 interchange in Tukwila and extends north past the Cedar River to the SR 169 (Maple Valley Highway) interchange. The project will build an additional lane both northbound and southbound between I-5 and SR 169. On SR 167, the project will extend the southbound high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane north to I-405 and add a southbound auxiliary lane from I-405 to the SW 41st Street off-ramp. These limits comprise the study area for the project. Prior to planning this specific project, WSDOT created the I-405 Corridor Program. This program provides a comprehensive strategy to reduce congestion and improve mobility throughout the I-405 corridor. The corridor begins at the I-5 interchange in the city of Tukwila and extends northward 30 miles to the I-5 interchange in the city of Lynnwood. The program’s purpose is to provide an efficient, integrated, and multimodal system of transportation solutions. Using the I-405 Corridor Program’s Selected Alternative as the Master Plan to improve I-405, WSDOT developed relatively low cost, congestion relief roadway improvements as an interim step in achieving the Master Plan. As part of this effort, WSDOT began to define the Renton Nickel Improvement Project. The Renton Nickel Improvement Project was developed as part of a first step in providing a focused strategy to improve I-405 between I-5 in Tukwila and SR 169 in Renton and SR 167 southbound from I-405 to SW 41st Street, see Exhibit 1. This discipline report analyzes two project alternatives: the No Build Alternative and the Build Alternative. Exhibit 1. Project Vicinity Map G r e en R i v e r C e d ar Riv er Interurban TrailCedar River Interpretive Trail Panther Creek Wetlands Green River TrailBlack River Riparian Forest Fort Dent Park Cedar River Park Liberty Park SW 41st St S W 3 4 t h S t S W 2 7 t h S t SW 16th St Southcenter ParkwayW Valley HwyI n t e r u r ban Ave SMa ple V alley H w yRainier Ave SS W Sun s e t B lvdS W 7 t h S t S W G r a d y W a y Lind Ave SWTUKWILA RENTON S pri n g br ook CreekBenson Rd SSW 23rd St Talbot Rd SBenson Dr SI-405 Northern Project Limit at SR 169 I-405 Southern Project Limit at I-5 !"`$ %&e( Aæ Aç Aí SR 167 Southern Project Limit at SW 41st St 0 0.25 0.5 Miles M AÅ Arterial Road Freeway Trail Stream Lake Park Municipality INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project 2 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report What is the No Build Alternative? The No Build Alternative assumes that only routine activities such as road maintenance, repair, and safety improvements would take place over the next 20 years. This alternative does not include improvements to increase roadway capacity or reduce congestion. For these reasons, it does not satisfy the project’s purpose—improve I-405 between I-5 in Tukwila and SR 169 in Renton and SR 167 southbound from I-405 to SW 41st Street. The No Build Alternative has been evaluated in this discipline report to establish a baseline for comparing the effects associated with the Build Alternative. What is the Build Alternative? The new lanes that will be built under this project are: An I-405 northbound general-purpose (GP) lane from I-5 to the SR 167 off-ramp. An I-405 northbound auxiliary lane from the SR 167 to I-405 on-ramp to the SR 169 off-ramp. An I-405 southbound auxiliary lane from the SR 169 to I-405 on-ramp to the SR 167 off-ramp. An I-405 southbound GP lane from the SR 167 to I-405 on-ramp to the I-5 off-ramp. A SR 167 southbound auxiliary lane from I-405 to the SW 41st Street off-ramp. Also, the existing inside HOV lane will be extended north to I-405 from its present starting point in the vicinity of SW 21st Street. See Exhibits 2 through 9 show the project features. In addition to adding lanes to I-405 and SR 167, this project will provide the following improvements. Improve Interchanges Minor modifications will be made to the ramps at the SR 167 interchange: The one-lane ramp from northbound I-405 to SR 167 will be widened to a 2-lane off connection, which provides a dedicated lane to southbound SR 167 and a dedicated lane to northbound Rainer Avenue. See Exhibit 5. Traffic from two consecutive single-lane on- ramps from southbound I-405 to SR 167 will be separated by a concrete barrier. This will provide a smoother transition to the mainline and reduce congestion on the on-ramps. What is an auxiliary lane? An auxiliary lane is a lane added between interchanges—from one on-ramp to the next off-ramp. It is dedicated to traffic entering and leaving the freeway and provides motorists with more time and extra room to accelerate or decelerate and merge when getting on and off the freeway. 89:P 89:T Existing On-ramp On-ramp with proposed auxiliary lane INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 3 T u k w i l a P a r k w a y I-405 Southern Project Limit at I-5 Gilliam Creek Cottage Creek Westfield Shoppingtown MallSouthcenter ParkwaySouthcenter Blvd 65th Ave STUKWILA RENTON!"`$ %&e( Sec. 1 Sec. 2 Sec. 3 Sec. 4 Sec. 5 Sec. 6 Sec. 7 Aæ Aç Sec. 8 Aí I-405 Northboundbound Improvements: A general-purpose lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 15 feet to the outside at some locations. I-405 Southbound Improvements: A general-purpose lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 15 feet to the outside at some locations. M0250500 Feet I-405 NORTHBOUND Existing Proposed I-405 SOUTHBOUND Existing Proposed Renton Renton Piped River/Creek Channel Open River/Creek Channel Ecology EmbankmentÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ Retaining Wall Stormwater Flow Control Facility New Pavement Easement Acquisition Parcel Acquisition Existing ROW Areas of Construction New ROW Exhibit 2. Project Overview Section 1 INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project 4 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃInterurban TrailFort Dent Park W Valley HwyInterurban Ave S RENT ONT UKWI L AG r e en RiverSouthcenter B lv d65th Ave SAí %&e( %&e(UP RRBNSF RRBridge Restripe Only Bridge Rail Replacement Bridge Rail Replacement M o n s t e r R d S WTUKWILA RENTON!"`$ %&e( Sec. 1 Sec. 2 Sec. 3 Sec. 4 Sec. 5 Sec. 6 Sec. 7 Aæ Aç Sec. 8 Aí I-405 Northbound Improvements: A general-purpose lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 15 feet to the outside at some locations. I-405 Southbound Improvements: A general-purpose lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 15 feet to the outside at some locations. M0250500 Feet I-405 SOUTHBOUND Existing Proposed Renton Renton I-405 NORTHBOUND Existing Proposed %&e( Retaining Wall Piped River/Creek Channel Open River/Creek Channel ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ Ecology Embankment Stormwater Flow Control Facility New Pavement Areas of Construction Easement Acquisition Parcel Acquisition Existing ROW New ROW Exhibit 3. Project Overview Section 2 INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 5 ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ SW 16th St S W G r a d y W a y SW G ra d y W a y Oakesdale Ave SWSW 16th St %&e( Potential Staging Area Bridge Replacement S prin g br o o k Cr eekBridge Replacement TUKWILA RENTON!"`$ %&e( Sec. 1 Sec. 2 Sec. 3 Sec. 4 Sec. 5 Sec. 6 Sec. 7 Aæ Aç Sec. 8 Aí I-405 Northbound Improvements: A general-purpose lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 15 feet to the outside at some locations. The existing Springbrook Creek and Oakesdale Avenue bridges will be replaced and the existing culvert will be removed. I-405 Southbound Improvements: A general-purpose lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 70 feet to the outside at some locations. The existing Springbrook Creek and Oakesdale Avenue bridges will be replaced and the existing culvert will be removed.M0250500 Feet I-405 SOUTHBOUND Existing Proposed Renton Renton I-405 NORTHBOUND Existing Proposed Piped River/Creek Channel Open River/Creek Channel ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ Ecology Embankment Retaining Wall Stormwater Flow Control Facility New Pavement Areas of Construction Easement Acquisition Parcel Acquisition Existing ROW New ROW Exhibit 4. Project Overview Section 3 INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project 6 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ SW 19th StLind Ave SWS G r a d y W a y Aæ %&e( Potential Staging Area Noise Wall Renton CinemaRolling Hills Creek Panther Creek Wetlands SW 16th St Lake AveSouthRainier Ave STUKWILA RENTON!"`$ %&e( Sec. 1 Sec. 2 Sec. 3 Sec. 4 Sec. 5 Sec. 6 Sec. 7 Aæ Aç Sec. 8 Aí I-405 Northbound Improvements: A general-purpose lane will be added up to the SR 167 interchange and an auxiliary lane will be added from the SR 167 to I-405 on-ramp north. These lanes will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 15 feet to the outside at some locations. I-405 Southbound Improvements: An auxiliary lane will be added up to the I-405 to SR 167 on-ramp and a general-purpose lane will be added south of the interchange. These lanes will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 15 feet to the outside at some locations. SR 167 Southbound Improvements: An auxiliary lane will be added by restriping existing pavement and adding up to 19 feet of pavement at the outside at some locations. The existing HOV lane will be extended north from SW 21st Street to the interchange with I-405.M0250500 Feet I-405 SOUTHBOUND Existing Proposed Renton Renton I-405 NORTHBOUND Existing Proposed SR 167 SOUTHBOUND Existing Proposed Renton ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ Piped River/Creek Channel Open River/Creek Channel Proposed Noise Wall ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ Ecology Embankment Retaining Wall Stormwater Flow Control Facility New Pavement Areas of Construction Easement Acquisition Parcel Acquisition Existing ROW New ROW Exhibit 5. Project Overview Section 4 INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 7 ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃPanther Creek Wetlands S W 2 7 t h S t Talbot Rd SEast Valley RdTalbot Rd SPotential Staging Area SW 23rd St TUKWILA RENTON!"`$ %&e( Sec. 1 Sec. 2 Sec. 3 Sec. 4 Sec. 5 Sec. 6 Sec. 7 Aæ Aç Sec. 8 Aí SR 167 Improvements: In addition to extending the HOV lane north from SW 21st Street, an auxiliary lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 19 feet to the outside at some locations. M0250500 Feet SR 167 SOUTHBOUND Existing Proposed Renton RentonÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ Piped River/Creek Channel Open River/Creek Channel ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ Ecology Embankment Retaining Wall Stormwater Flow Control Facility New Pavement Areas of Construction Easement Acquisition Parcel Acquisition Existing ROW New ROW Exhibit 6. Project Overview Section 5 INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project 8 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃSW 41st St S W 3 3 r d S t Panther CreekEast Valley RdTalbot Rd SLind Ave SWAæ SR 167 Southern Project Limit at SW 41st St TUKWILA RENTON!"`$ %&e( Sec. 1 Sec. 2 Sec. 3 Sec. 4 Sec. 5 Sec. 6 Sec. 7 Aæ Aç Sec. 8 Aí SR 167 Improvements: An auxiliary lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 19 feet to the outside at some locations. The new lane will tie into the existing ramp connection to SW 41st Street. M0250500 Feet SR 167 SOUTHBOUND Existing Proposed Renton Renton Piped River/Creek Channel Open River/Creek Channel ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ Ecology Embankment Retaining Wall Stormwater Flow Control Facility New Pavement Areas of Construction Easement Acquisition Parcel Acquisition Existing ROW New ROW Exhibit 7. Project Overview Section 6 INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 9 ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃS G rady W ayB e a c o n S 7 t h S tWilliams %&e( Potential Staging Area Replace Bridge Bridge Widening Existing Bridge to be Demolished Thunder Hills Creek Rolling Hills Creek Noise Wall Benson Rd STalbot Rd STUKWILA RENTON!"`$ %&e( Sec, 1 Sec. 2 Sec. 3 Sec. 4 Sec. 5 Sec. 6 Sec. 7 Aæ Aç Sec. 8 Aí I-405 Northbound Improvements: An auxiliary lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 15 feet to the outside at some locations. I-405 Southbound Improvements: An auxiliary lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 24 feet to the outside at some locations. Benson Rd S Improvements: The Benson Rd S overpass will be replaced and realigned to the west of its current location. The new overpass will have 2 lanes with 5-foot bike lanes on both sides and a 6-foot sidewalk on the west side.M0250500 Feet I-405 NORTHBOUND Existing Proposed I-405 SOUTHBOUND Existing Proposed Renton Renton Parcel Acquisition New ROW Existing ROW Easement Acquisition Areas of Construction New Pavement Stormwater Flow Control Facility Retaining Wall ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ Ecology Embankment Proposed Noise Wall Piped River/Creek Channel Open River/Creek Channel Exhibit 8. Project Overview Section 7 INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project 10 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report C edar River Cedar River Interpretive Trail Cedar River Park Liberty Park Ma p l e V a ll e y H w y H o u s e r W a y S N 3 r d S t Bronson Wa y N%&e( I-405 Northern Project Limit at SR 169 Aç Restripe Only Main AvenueCedar Ave SRenton Ave STUKWILA RENTON!"`$ %&e( Sec. 1 Sec. 2 Sec. 3 Sec. 4 Sec. 5 Sec. 6 Sec. 7 Aæ Aç Sec. 8 Aí I-405 Northbound Improvements: An auxiliary lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 15 feet to the outside at some locations. I-405 Southbound Improvements: An auxiliary lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 15 feet to the outside at some locations. M0250500 Feet I-405 NORTHBOUND Existing Proposed I-405 SOUTHBOUND Existing Proposed Renton Renton Piped River/Creek Channel Open River/Creek Channel ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ Ecology Embankment Retaining Wall Stormwater Flow Control Facility New Pavement Areas of Construction Easement Acquisition Parcel Acquisition Existing ROW New ROW Exhibit 9. Project Overview Section 8 INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 11 Improve Benson Road The Benson Road overpass will be replaced and realigned to accommodate the southbound auxiliary lane on I-405 as well as future improvements to I-405 as shown on Exhibit 8. Improvements on Benson Road include a 6-foot sidewalk on the west side and 5-foot bike lanes on both sides. Widen and replace bridges Several bridges within the study area will be widened or replaced based on present location, cost, and existing soil conditions. To construct the new lanes, the project will: Widen Talbot Road Bridge on both the northbound and the southbound sides. See Exhibit 8. Replace Springbrook Creek Side Channel Bridge and Oakesdale Avenue Bridge with new southbound and northbound structures and remove the Springbrook Creek box culvert. See Exhibit 4. Replace the rail on the I-405 bridges over SR 181 and the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroads. The project will not affect the I-405 bridges over the Green River, Lind Avenue, or the Cedar River. The project will also not affect the Cedar Avenue or Renton Avenue overpasses. The roadway will be restriped in these areas to accommodate the new lanes. Use retaining walls Widening I-405 and SR 167 will require retaining walls to minimize the construction footprint and right-of-way acquisition. Retaining walls will also help avoid and minimize effects to wetlands and other sensitive areas. Improve culverts WSDOT anticipates that construction will affect some existing stormwater cross culverts and one stream culvert. Associated culvert improvements include extending the existing structures due to widening the roadway and stabilizing culvert ends with rock or retaining walls. The I-405 Team will conduct a hydraulic analysis of the culverts to ensure that the modifications will have no effect on the base flood elevations. See the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report for detailed discussion on fish passage. Why rebuild Benson Road on a new alignment over I-405? By building the new overpass to the west on a new alignment, the new structure can be constructed while the existing structure remains open to traffic. Traffic can then be shifted onto the new structure, while the old overpass is demolished. What does a “rail” replacement involve? Typically, a bridge rail replacement project consists of making minor adjustments to the width of the bridge deck and replacing the guard rail or barrier. This type of project does not include adding new bridge columns or footings. INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project 12 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report Build a noise wall One noise wall will be built on the northbound side of the freeway as shown on Exhibits 5 and 8. The wall will begin at the intersection of South 14th Street and South 15th Street and follow South 14th Street east to Talbot Road. This wall will be approximately 2,150 feet long and 18 feet tall. How will stormwater from the project be managed? Stormwater from the project will be managed for both quality and peak flows using currently accepted best management practices (BMPs). The I-405 Team has designed the stormwater management facilities to comply with the following guidelines and procedures: WSDOT Highway Runoff Manual M 31-16 WSDOT Hydraulics Manual M 23-03 Stormwater treatment facilities The project will add new impervious surface within the study area, most of which will be within the Springbrook Creek basin. This project will treat runoff for an area equal to 100 percent of these new surfaces. The project will use BMPs that the HRM lists as enhanced treatment facilities. The I-405 Team has proposed that stormwater be treated using a combination of these facilities. In most of the study area, ecology embankments will be used to capture runoff from the edge of the pavement and provide water quality treatment. Ecology embankments also serve to convey treated runoff to receiving waters or to flow control facilities as required. The project also includes a combined stormwater quality wetland and detention facility that addresses water quality and flow control in one facility. Exhibits 2 through 9 show the location of stormwater facilities that will be built for this project. Ecology Embankment Cross-Section What are the guidelines for stormwater management facilities? Water quality treatment will be provided for an area equal to the new impervious surfaces created on the project. Impervious surfaces, such as pavement, are those that do not allow water to penetrate into the ground. Stormwater from new impervious surfaces or an equal area will be controlled in detention facilities. This process allows water to be held (detained) and thus released at rates that are equal to existing conditions. INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 13 Drainage Collection and Conveyance Some changes to existing drainage will be necessary to provide flow control and water quality treatment to address the new impervious area added by the project. However, existing storm drainage systems will be kept to the greatest extent possible and existing flow patterns will be maintained. Where roadway widening affects drainage ditches that convey water from adjacent private properties, the project design will assure that existing conveyance capacities are maintained. What environmental and utilities issues influenced the project design and what was done to avoid and minimize project effects? Throughout the development of the Renton Nickel Improvement Project design, environmental elements were reviewed and design features were modified to avoid or minimize negative effects to the environment. Influence on the project design came from: Soil Conditions: the soils in the project area are highly prone to accentuate earthquake shaking, which influences how bridges can be widened or replaced. Noise: highway noise in the project area already exceeds acceptable levels, which means that including noise walls as part of the project had to be considered. Wetland Locations: many wetlands are located along the edges of the highway, which influence whether the widened sections will use retaining walls or fill slopes. Historical Sites: some historic sites exist within the study area, so the project design was coordinated to avoid these properties. Because the I-405 Team planned for these environmental considerations, several design features have the benefit of avoiding or minimizing potential effects due to the project. These design features are described from south to north below. I-405, I-5 to SR 167 WSDOT will construct a retaining wall from west of the 68th Avenue structure over I-405 at Tukwila Parkway What are detention facilities? These facilities control stormwater runoff so that it can be released at a controlled rate. Two types are commonly used: Ponds. Vaults. Similar to a pond, but with a hard-sided construction. These concrete structures function like a pond but also provide detention storage. INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project 14 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report The proposed design modifications allow the additional lanes to be added over the Green River by restriping instead of bridge widening. This avoids effects on the river, stream habitat, floodplain, and Interurban Trail. to the Green River. This wall avoids the need to construct a fill slope that would extend into Gilliam Creek. See Exhibit 2. WSDOT will provide a narrower outside shoulder on northbound I-405 at the Green River Bridge. The shoulder will vary from 10 to just over 3 feet at the west abutment of the existing bridge. Narrowing the shoulder avoids modifications to the existing bridge. As a result, the design also avoids effects to the river, the 100-year floodplain, the ordinary high water level, and adjacent riparian zones. At the SR 181 interchange, the bridge and ramp will be restriped to provide the new general-purpose lane and ramp improvements. This approach minimizes the need to widen the existing SR 181 Bridge, reconstruct the SR 181 interchange, or modify the Southcenter Boulevard crossing of the Green River. This in turn avoids relocating or diverting the Interurban Trail, which goes under the bridge. See Exhibit 3. Near the Westfield Shoppingtown Mall, a large Seattle Public Utilities water transmission line parallels I-405. WSDOT will line this pipe so that is can support the loads from the new roadway embankment. This approach allows the line to stay in its present location. WSDOT will remove the existing I-405 bridges over the Springbrook Creek side channel and Oakesdale Avenue and replace them with a single northbound and a single southbound bridge. This approach will allow for the removal of the Springbrook Creek box culvert. Construction of the new bridges will be phased with the southbound bridge built slightly to the north of the existing roadway. This phasing minimizes the need to construct temporary roadway to maintain traffic operations. WSDOT also evaluated the location of the new bridge piers and selected locations that will minimize the effect on the existing stream, stream buffer, and trail that crosses under the bridge. WSDOT will construct a narrower exit gore from I-405 to the northbound ramp at the SR 167 interchange as shown in Exhibit 5. By building a narrower exit gore, the project can be constructed within the existing right- of-way. This has the benefit of avoiding right-of-way acquisition, avoiding effects to the wetland outside the right-of-way, and avoiding effects to the existing Lind Avenue Bridge. What is an exit gore? An exit gore is a roadway feature that separates an exiting lane from the main lanes. An exit gore can be defined either by paint stripes, raised buttons, physical barriers, or a combination of these. INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 15 Retaining walls will help to avoid and minimize effects on the Panther Creek wetlands along SR 167 SR 167, southbound from I-405 to SW 41st Street WSDOT will build a retaining wall along a large portion of the west edge of SR 167 southbound instead of an earth fill slope. See Exhibits 6 and 7. The retaining wall minimizes effects on three wetlands. The retaining wall has the added benefit of minimizing right-of-way needs and reduces the effect on existing utility crossings, in particular, the City of Seattle’s 60- inch water line and Olympic Petroleum’s two high pressure pipelines, which all cross under SR 167. I-405, SR 167 to SR 169 WSDOT will add a lane by restriping I-405 northbound next to the Talbot Hill retaining wall immediately east of the SR 167 interchange. Restriping instead of widening avoids the need to reconstruct the existing Talbot Hill retaining wall and avoids effects on properties south of I-405 in this area. Between Talbot Road and the “S-Curves”, northbound I-405 will be widened to achieve standard lane and shoulder widths. Most of this length will be supported by retaining walls to minimize effects to Thunder Hills Creek, adjacent properties, and the existing cut slope south of I-405. To support the fill required to widen the roadway on the north side of I-405 next to the outfall for the original Rolling Hills Creek culvert, the design uses a retaining wall. By using the retaining wall, the project improvements at this location can be constructed without affecting the existing culvert. WSDOT will use a non-standard design for the I-405 to SR 167 exit ramp. The changes from the design standards include not providing a recovery lane, narrowing the distance between the through lane and ramp, and providing narrower shoulders. While these changes deviate from WSDOT design standards they are an improvement over existing conditions. These features will avoid effects to the existing Rolling Hills Creek/Thunder Hills Creek channel located between I-405 and the Renton Cinema complex as shown in Exhibit 5. Using retaining walls along the west side of Benson Road avoids effects to Rolling Hills Creek and the wetlands east of Talbot Road. WSDOT will use retaining walls to support widening southbound I-405 south of the Cedar Avenue overpass. Using retaining walls versus a fill slope, avoids encroaching on Cedar Avenue and Main Avenue in Renton. What is a recovery lane? A recovery lane is a paved area adjacent to an off-ramp. This area gives drivers, who find themselves exiting the freeway unintentionally, room to maneuver back onto the freeway. INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project 16 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report WSDOT also plans to replace the existing Benson Road overpass on a new alignment. The new bridge will be located slightly to the west of the existing bridge. This will allow traffic to continue to use the existing overpass until the new one is completed. This will minimize disruption for local traffic and to emergency response vehicles. Where northbound and southbound I-405 passes under the Renton Avenue and Cedar Avenue overpasses, WSDOT will add lanes by restriping. This design avoids replacing the two overpasses; however, the available area does not allow the standard shoulder and lane widths. WSDOT shifted a proposed stormwater facility to avoid effects to the existing Renton Coal Mine Hoist Foundation site south of Benson Road. This site is on the Washington Historic Register. What is planned for wetland and stream mitigation? WSDOT will compensate for unavoidable effects to wetlands with credits from the Springbrook Creek Wetland and Habitat Mitigation Bank. Mitigation is needed for 1.66 acres of wetlands. The Springbrook Creek Wetland and Habitat Mitigation Bank is being developed as a joint effort between WSDOT and the City of Renton. This ‘bank’ will construct a new high quality wetland complex that will serve to replace other wetlands that are filled in by projects such as the Renton Nickel Improvement Project. The location of the bank is shown to the left. In addition to wetland mitigation, the site will also provide flood storage mitigation. The Springbrook Creek Wetland and Habitat Mitigation Bank will be one of the first urban mitigation banks to be certified in Washington. To mitigate project effects on streams, WSDOT will remove the existing Springbrook Creek box culvert. With the new I-405 southbound and northbound bridges that will span both Springbrook Creek and Oakesdale Avenue, the box culvert is no longer needed. After the new bridges are in place, the box culvert will be removed and the streambed in that area will be restored. This will improve fish habitat within Springbrook Creek. Any additional stream mitigation required to offset project effects will be accommodated within the project vicinity. Renton Coal Mine Hoist Foundation site looking west r Interurban TrailPanther Creek Wetlands Green River TrailFort Dent Park SW 41st St S W 3 4 t h S t S W 2 7 t h S t SW 16th St W Valley HwyS W 7 t h S t S W G r a d y W a y Lind Ave SWS pri n g br ook CreekSW 23rd St Aæ Aí M 0 0.25 0.5 Miles 100 Year Floodplain 500 Year Floodplain Park Renton Tukwila Springbrook Creek Wetland & Habitat Mitigation Bank Wetlands Local Road Legend Trail Arterial Road Freeway River/Creek Channel Study Area Limits Springbrook Creek Wetland and Habitat Mitigation Bank INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 17 What benefits will the project provide? The Build Alternative will benefit the area by reducing congestion at chokepoints, reducing the duration of congestion during peak commuter travel hours, and improving freight movement. This section of I-405, from the I-5 interchange to SR 169, is congested due to large traffic volumes and merging and diverging traffic. The new lanes will help relieve congestion by adding roadway capacity. This in turn will improve safety by providing drivers with more time and extra room to accelerate or decelerate and move into and out of the stream of traffic when getting on and off the freeway. This provides a smoother transition for motorists as they get on and off I-405 in Tukwila and Renton and helps decrease rear- end and sideswipe collisions. The project reduces congestion approaching the SR 167 interchange, and it complements the completed southbound I-405 to southbound SR 167 flyover ramp. This project will construct one noise wall along northbound I-405 from the intersection of South 14th Street and South 15th Street east to Talbot Road. This wall will benefit residents in that area by lowering the overall noise levels. Another benefit of this project is that it continues the application of the Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) design choices made by the communities within the I-405 corridor. The Benson Road realignment will reflect the most comprehensive application of these design choices as explained further in the next section. How will the project incorporate community design preferences? The Renton Nickel Improvement Project is being planned, developed, and designed according to CSS guidelines. These guidelines establish the community design preferences used to design the project features. Working within the framework for the overall I-405 corridor, the Urban Design Guidelines will be adapted to incorporate the communities’ design preferences. These preferences will be included in the contract documents prepared for the Renton Nickel Improvement Project. The selected I-405 theme of “Culture, Nature, and Progress,” with nature This rendering shows the new Benson Road overpass with the CSS Guidelines applied INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project 18 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report being the dominant theme, will be carried into corridor- wide and local I-405 designs. The new Benson Road overpass is the main project feature that will receive CSS treatment. The new southbound and northbound bridges over Springbrook Creek and Oakesdale Avenue will also receive CSS treatments. The rest of the project elements will be designed to match in color and vegetation type only, as many of these elements will be affected by construction of future Master Plan projects. During future Master Plan phases for the overall I-405 corridor, the approved CSS guidelines will be applied throughout. How will the project be constructed? Construction of the entire Renton Nickel Improvement Project is expected to take two years, beginning in early 2008 and being completed in late 2010. However, construction activity will not be constant for the entire study area throughout this time, and in some locations, the work will take substantially less time than two years. Construction will pose some minor inconveniences because of localized travel delays due to temporary lane closures and narrowed lanes and shoulders. At-grade construction At-grade construction, which occurs on the same elevation as the existing lanes, will be staged to minimize traffic delays and detours. Typically, lanes are shifted toward the median. WSDOT then places a concrete barrier to close off the shoulder. Staging allows construction to occur safely without closing lanes for the duration of construction. Access to construction areas will occur from the roadway side to minimize property effects. Bridge construction Construction of the I-405 bridges will occur in multiple stages to minimize traffic delays and detours. The following describes typical staging for bridge construction. As the first stage, traffic is shifted toward the I-405 median and the existing lanes and shoulders are narrowed slightly to allow widening of the existing structure or construction of the new bridge depending on the design. In the next stage, traffic is shifted onto the new bridge area. If the bridge is being replaced rather than simply widened, the old structure is demolished after traffic is shifted to the new bridge. At-grade construction for this project will likely be staged similar what is shown above. Here, the southbound lanes of I-5 were shifted toward the median and a concrete barrier closed off the shoulder to provide crews a safe work area. INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 19 The new Benson Road overpass will also be staged. The new structure will be built to the west, while the existing overpass remains in service. After traffic has been shifted onto the new overpass, the existing structure will be demolished. Staging areas Construction staging areas along I-405 and SR 167 will be within the WSDOT right-of-way. Potential staging areas have been identified as shown on Exhibits 2 through 9. Traffic control Detour agreements with the local agencies will be obtained after WSDOT awards the contract. A traffic control plan will be approved by WSDOT prior to starting construction. The plan’s primary objectives will be to provide a safe facility, to streamline the construction schedule, and to minimize reductions to existing traffic capacity. To lessen effects on traffic, the duration of activities will be minimized and reductions in capacity will be limited and will be targeted to a period when they will have the least effect. Why do we consider fisheries and aquatic resources as we plan this project? Understanding how the Renton Nickel Improvement Project will affect fisheries and aquatic resources is an integral part of the environmental review process. Various federal, state, and local regulations exist to ensure protection and long-term preservation of these resources, and the regulations help to guide development of various project elements. This report quantifies the effects to fisheries and aquatic resources, both beneficial and negative, stemming from the Renton Nickel Improvement Project. Potential effects to fisheries and aquatic resources from the project include altering water quality and quantity conditions, modifying aquatic and riparian habitats, and changing the amount of habitat accessible by fish and other aquatic species. Fisheries and aquatic resources are defined as aquatic environments, such as streams, rivers, and lakes, and the aquatic-dependant organisms that inhabit those environments. These resources are What is an ecosystem? An ecosystem is a community of organisms interacting with each other, and the environment in which they live. INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project 20 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report important elements of the ecosystem in which we live and the significance of these resources for food, livelihood, employment, income, and cultural value is widely recognized. The habitats in which fish and other aquatic organisms live also provide valuable habitat and food sources for various terrestrial species. What are the key points of this report? The Renton Nickel Improvement Project study area contains a variety of important fisheries and aquatic resources that are integral to the long-term viability and sustainability of the ecosystems in the study area. The No Build Alternative would have few direct effects on the fisheries and aquatic resources in the study area. This is because no streams would be removed, filled, culverted, shaded, or otherwise directly disturbed. Riparian buffers would be minimally disturbed through routine maintenance such as mowing or brushing; however, existing roadway- related stormwater runoff patterns could result in continued negative effects to aquatic resources from poor water quality from untreated stormwater and large quantities of water stemming due to a lack of stormwater volume controls (e.g., stormwater retention ponds). Water quality and quantity impairment can lead to the harm or mortality (death) of a variety of aquatic organisms and can reduce the overall health of an ecosystem over time. The Build Alternative would have direct permanent effects on the fisheries and aquatic resources in the study area. Some of these effects would be beneficial (e.g., providing stormwater treatment facilities and providing mitigation for impacted areas that will leave the environment in a more natural state than present conditions) and some negative (e.g., encroachment into riparian buffers and culverting of sections of certain streams). A key effect to fisheries and aquatic resources from the project is overwater and/or in- stream construction in Springbrook Creek, its associated side channel, and Panther Creek. Also, an additional effect is encroachment into the riparian buffers of Gilliam Creek, the Green River, Springbrook Creek, Rolling Hills Creek, an unnamed tributary to Rolling Hills Creek, Thunder Hills Creek, Panther Creek, and a wetland on the west side of SR 167 that is associated with Panther Creek. In total, 15,908 square feet of in-stream habitat and 49,552 square INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 21 feet of riparian buffers will be either temporarily or permanently affected by the project. These effects will be mitigated in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. The Build Alternative also involves construction activities that could temporarily affect fisheries and aquatic resources in the study area. These effects are primarily related to construction-related in-water disturbances and stream diversions, in-stream sedimentation, and stream buffer and riparian vegetation modifications. Appropriate and available construction best management practices (BMPs), such as only allowing in-stream construction to occur during times when salmon are unlikely to be present, will be employed to minimize effects from construction. In all cases where direct temporary or permanent effects on fisheries and aquatic resources are unavoidable, mitigation actions will be implemented to compensate for affected resources. Mitigation will also help to offset any construction-related negative effects on fisheries resources. Mitigation related to the project will occur either within the Springbrook Creek Wetland and Habitat Mitigation Bank (Springbrook Bank), on one or more waterbodies in the immediate vicinity of the project footprint (on-site mitigation), or through a combination of the Springbrook Bank and on-site mitigation sites. What is the Springbrook Creek Wetland and Habitat Mitigation Bank? The Springbrook Creek Wetland and Habitat Mitigation Bank (Springbrook Bank) will re-establish, rehabilitate, enhance, and preserve approximately 130 acres of wetland, wetland buffer, and riparian areas on five parcels located in the southwest portion of Renton, Washington. This bank will provide compensation for unavoidable impacts to wetlands and other aquatic resources resulting from the Renton Nickel Improvement Project and other WSDOT projects. Renton Nickel Improvement Project 22 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report EXISTING CONDITIONS How and when was the information on fisheries and aquatic resources collected? Biologists on the I-405 Team collected existing information on fisheries and aquatic resources in the study area by reviewing available literature; performing internet searches; and conducting interviews with various state, county, and local agencies and tribal interests. The biologists collected additional information in the field by conducting surveys on the streams and rivers in the study area to determine the quantity and quality of existing riparian habitat and also through attending a series of Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) site visits where experts in the fields of fisheries, wetlands, road design, drainage design, and permitting reviewed the natural and manmade features located in the study area. During March, April, and May of 2005, biologists surveyed and characterized the in-stream and riparian habitats of the 10 streams and rivers where they crossed or flowed within the proximity of the study area: Gilliam Creek An unnamed tributary to Gilliam Creek Cottage Creek The Green River Springbrook Creek Panther Creek Rolling Hills Creek An unnamed tributary to Rolling Hills Creek Thunder Hills Creek The Cedar River Habitat features measured or described in the surveys included general stream characteristics such as length, width, and depth of the waterbody, the quantity and quality of in-stream habitat, the nature and type of riparian vegetation, substrate composition, presence and size of large woody debris (LWD), and any observed fish use. The habitat surveys were conducted from 300 feet upstream to 1/4 mile What is riparian habitat? Riparian habitat is defined as the aquatic and terrestrial habitat adjacent to streams, lakes, estuaries, or other waterways. Riparian habitat areas are also commonly referred to as riparian buffers. EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 23 downstream of the project footprint for each stream or river. The stream surveys followed specific methodologies, which are summarized in Appendix A. The !-405 Team also identified existing fish passage barriers in the study area. Based on the results of the fish passage barrier investigation, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will determine which fish passage barriers will require retrofitting or replacement. What kind of policies and regulations exist to protect fisheries resources? Fisheries and aquatic resources are protected by federal, state, and local laws because of their ecological functions and social value. The main federal regulations or statutes regulating activities that could affect fisheries and aquatic resources in the study area are the Clean Water Act (CWA) Sections 401 (water quality) and 404 (discharge of materials to waters of the US including wetlands), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Rivers and Harbors Act (Section 10), and the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA). State laws that regulate these resources include the State Hydraulic Code, Water Quality Standards For Surface Waters Of The State Of Washington, and the Shoreline Management Act (SMA) implemented through Washington Administrative Code (Chapters 77.55, 90.48, and 90.58 RCW, respectively). Local critical area ordinances are also in place to regulate effects to these resources. In general, these regulations protect aquatic habitats and the species, both aquatic and terrestrial, that depend on these areas. Is the project within a recognized tribal fishing area? The Renton Nickel Improvement Project is located within the tribal treaty rights for usual and accustomed fishing areas of the Muckleshoot and Yakama Tribes. The Muckleshoot Tribes usual and accustomed fishing areas in the study area include the White, Green, Cedar, and Black Rivers, and the tributaries to these rivers. The Yakama Tribes usual and accustomed fishing areas include the White, Green, and Black Rivers, and the tributaries to these rivers. These fishing areas were described in a judicial decision: EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project 24 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report Before the Lake Washington ship canal was constructed in 1916, Lake Washington extended farther south and had its outlet through the Black and Duwamish Rivers. The Cedar River did not empty into the lake, but rather into the Black River. At the junction of the Cedar and Black Rivers were several winter villages and an important tribal fishery. The Black River joined the White River to form the Duwamish River and there was another important tribal settlement and fishery at this junction. Farther upstream, the White River and the Green River met and on the land between the forks was the most important and largest up-river settlement and fishery.1 The Muckleshoot and Yakama Tribes and other tribes harvest adult salmon from the study area pursuant to judicially recognized treaty rights, as interpreted by the Boldt Decision of 1974. Over the years, judicial decisions have affirmed that treaty tribes have a right to harvest fish free of state interference, subject to conservation principals, to co-manage the fishery resource with the state, and to harvest up to 50 percent of the harvestable fish.2 What are the general habitat characteristics of the study area? The Renton Nickel Improvement Project is primarily located in the lower Green River subwatershed of the Green/Duwamish River watershed (Water Resource Inventory Area [WRIA] 9) with the northernmost extent of the project extending into the Renton reach of the Cedar River in the Lake Washington Watershed (WRIA 8). The Green/Duwamish River watershed begins in the Cascade Mountains about 30 miles northeast of Mount Rainier and flows for over 93 miles to Puget Sound. Historically, the White, Green, and Cedar (via 1 For details on these judicial decisions, refer to United States v. Washington, 384 F. Supp. 312 (WD Wn.1974), aff’d 520 F.2d 676 (9th Cir. 1975). 2 For details on these judicial decisions, refer to United States v. Washington, 384 F. Supp. 312 (WD Wn.1974), aff’d 520 F.2d 676 (9th Cir. 1975). What are watersheds and subwatersheds? A watershed is the region of land that drains into a specified body of water, such as a river, lake, sea, or ocean. Rain that falls anywhere within a given body of water's watershed will eventually drain into that body of water. A subwatershed is a smaller watershed located within a larger watershed. What are Treaty Tribes? Any Indian tribe recognized by the United States government, with usual and accustomed fishing grounds, whose fishing rights were reserved under a treaty and have been affirmed by a federal court. EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 25 the Black) Rivers flowed into the Duwamish River, and the system drained an area of over 1,600 square miles. Because of the diversion of the White River in 1911 and the Cedar River in 1916, the Green/Duwamish drainage area has been reduced to 556 square miles.3 Of the 692 square miles in WRIA 8, 607 are in the Cedar/Sammamish watershed, which contains two major river systems, the Cedar and the Sammamish, and three large lakes, Union, Washington, and Sammamish. The remainder of WRIA 8 consists of numerous small watersheds that drain directly to Puget Sound between Elliott Bay in Seattle in King County, and Mukilteo in Snohomish County. Lake Washington is the second largest natural lake in the state, with about 80 miles of shoreline and a surface area of about 35.6 square miles. Lake Washington arguably has the most highly altered watershed on the West Coast. Despite such heavy alteration, it continues to support numerous salmon runs.4 In general, the rivers and streams in the Renton Nickel Improvement Project study area have been highly altered from their natural states to accommodate residential, commercial, and industrial land uses. This alteration has included bank hardening, such as installing riprap and placing streams in concrete channels; reducing or removing streamside vegetation; straightening stream channels; and removing in-stream habitat. These alterations have also resulted in loss of the historic floodplains associated with most of these waterbodies. Significant changes have also occurred in the vegetation surrounding these waterbodies. What was once predominantly mature native vegetation has been replaced by a mix of immature native vegetation and non-native invasive plant species. The lower Green River subwatershed has been dramatically transformed over the last 130 years, but it still performs a vital role for salmon. The lower Green River is the vital migration corridor used by fish 3 Kerwin and Nelson Habitat Limiting Factors and Reconnaissance Assessment Report, Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watersheds (WRIA 9 and Vashon Island) 2000. 4Kerwin, J. Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Limiting Factors Report for the Cedar – Sammamish Basin (Water Resource Inventory Area 8) 2001. What is a Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA)? Washington State is divided into 62 WRIAs for water and aquatic-resource management issues. A WRIA may include more than one watershed. However, the terms "WRIA" and "watershed" are frequently used interchangeably. What are non-native invasive plant species? Non-native invasive plant species are plant species that do not naturally grow in a particular area, but thrive once introduced to said area. These plants are characteristically adaptable, aggressive, and have a high reproductive capacity. Their vigor, combined with a lack of natural enemies, often leads to a sudden increase in non-native plant populations. EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project 26 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report moving between the middle Green River and the Duwamish estuary. It also provides limited rearing habitat for fish produced upstream.5 The reach of the lower Cedar River within the study area is entirely artificial, is completely constrained between levees and revetments, and was regularly dredged to prevent flooding from approximately 1912 until the mid-1970s. Portions of this reach were again dredged in 1999, for the first time since the mid-1970s. This reach is essentially one long riffle with little habitat complexity. Urban and residential uses along this reach contribute to local water quality problems, eliminate natural floodplain connections, prevent the establishment of a riparian buffer, and eliminate the opportunity for significant large woody debris (LWD) accumulations in the channel. This reach is where much of the river’s sediment deposits, and as a result, the substrate tends to have higher levels of fine sediment than upstream substrates. Despite its limitations, this reach of river serves as a migration route for many salmonid fishes and is used extensively for spawning and limited rearing by sockeye (Oncorhynchus nerka), chinook (O. tshawytscha), and coho (O. kisutch) salmon; steelhead (O. mykiss) and cutthroat trout (O. clarki); as well as longfin smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys).6 The rivers and streams in WRIA 9 that are crossed by I-405 or are otherwise in the vicinity of the study area include Gilliam Creek, an unnamed tributary to Gilliam Creek, Cottage Creek, the Green River, Springbrook Creek, Panther Creek, Rolling Hills Creek, an unnamed tributary to Rolling Hills Creek, and Thunder Hills Creek. The only waterbody in WRIA 8 that is crossed by I-405 within the study area is the Cedar River. Habitat conditions in these waterbodies within the study area are described in further detail below. For more information on the waterbodies themselves, see the Surface Water and Water Quality Discipline Report for this project. 5 KCDNR Lower Green River Subwatershed. http://dnr.metrokc.gov/Wrias/9/LowerGreen.htm 2004. 6Kerwin, J. Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Limiting Factors Report for the Cedar – Sammamish Basin (Water Resource Inventory Area 8) 2001. What is a salmonid? A fish of the fish family Salmonidae; for example, salmon, trout, and chars. What is a Riffle? A shallow area of a stream or river in which water flows rapidly over a rocky or gravelly stream bed. What are levees and revetments? Levees are raised embankments along the edge of a river channel, often constructed by humans living in low-lying areas as protection against flooding. Revetments are facings of stone, concrete, or even such materials as tires, placed on a riverbank or levee to protect them from erosion EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 27 What fish and aquatic species occur in the study area? Many fish and other aquatic species inhabit the rivers, streams, and wetlands in the study area. The types of species found in these different waterbodies vary greatly depending on the type, size, and quality of the waterbody, and its connectivity to other waterbodies. Fish species found in the area include both anadromous and resident salmonids and a variety of other resident fish. Other aquatic species found in the area include macro and microinvertebrates, lampreys, crayfish, amphibians, and freshwater mussels and clams. All native species of salmonids can be found in the study area, including chinook, coho, chum (O. keta), pink (O. gorbuscha), and sockeye salmon, steelhead trout, and sea-run cutthroat (O. clarki clarki). In addition, bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma), and resident cutthroat trout are known to use the waterbodies in the study area. Anadromous salmonid species primarily use the rivers and streams in the study area for upstream and downstream migration and rearing. The study area also contains limited spawning habitat for chinook, coho, pink, sockeye, and chum salmon, and steelhead. Resident cutthroat trout use the study area for all life stages. Other fish species likely to be found in the study area include three spine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus),longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae), speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus), longfin smelt, prickly sculpin (Cottus asper), riffle sculpin (Cottus gulosus), reticulated sculpin (Cottus perplexus), shorthead sculpin (Cottus confuses), torrent sculpin (Cottus rhotheus), largescale sucker (Catostomus macrocheilus), peamouth chub (Mylocheilus caurinus), redside shiner (Richardsonius balteatus), Pacific lamprey (Lampetra tridentate), river lamprey (Lampetra ayresi), and Western brook lamprey (Lampetra richardsoni). Other native species found in the study area include several species of crayfish, frogs, and salamanders; and freshwater clams and mussels. What are anadromous vs. resident fish? Anadromous fish are born in freshwater streams, rivers, or lakes, spend their adult phase in the ocean, and return to their natal waters to spawn. Resident fish spend their entire lives in freshwater systems and do not migrate into saltwater environments. What are macroinvertebrates vs. microinvertebrates? Macroinvertebrates are small animals without backbones, which are visible with the naked eye (insects, worms, larvae, etc.). Microinvertebrates are similar to macroinvertebrates, but are not visible to the naked eye. Water bodies have communities of aquatic macro and microinvertebrates. The species composition, species diversity, and abundance of the macro and microinvertebrates in a given water body can provide valuable information on the relative health and water quality of a waterway. EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project 28 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report Do any federally listed aquatic species or federal aquatic species of concern occur in the study area? Several of the rivers and streams in the study area contain various life stages of chinook salmon, bull trout, and Dolly Varden (hereafter referenced synonymously with bull trout), all of which are currently listed as threatened under the ESA. Waterbodies in the study area known to be used by chinook salmon include the Green River and the Cedar River, though it is likely that some smaller waterbodies in the study area also support certain chinook salmon life stages. chinook salmon use the study area primarily for upstream and downstream migration and rearing; however, streams in the study area provide some limited spawning habitat. The chinook salmon found in these waterbodies are a part of the Puget Sound evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) of chinook salmon, listed as threatened under the ESA.7 On December 14, 2004, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) published proposed rules for designating critical habitat for 13 ESUs of Pacific Salmon and steelhead in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. This designation includes the Puget Sound ESU of chinook salmon. Critical habitat is designated for areas containing the physical and biological habitat features, or primary constituent elements (PCEs), essential for the conservation of the species or which require special management considerations. PCEs include sites that are essential to supporting one or more life stages of the ESU and which contain physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the ESU. Proposed chinook salmon critical habitat within the study area includes the Green River Springbrook Creek, and the Cedar River. Historically, bull trout were reported to use the Duwamish River and lower Green River in “vast” numbers.8 However, bull trout are observed infrequently in this system today. In recent times, bull trout have been reported on the lower Green River as 7 National Marine Fisheries Service [NMFS] Endangered and threatened species 1998, Endangered and threatened species 1999. 8 Suckley and Cooper The natural history of the Washington and Oregon territory 1860. What is the Endangered Species Act (ESA)? An Act of Congress passed in 1973 that governs how animal and plant species whose populations are dangerously in decline or close to extinction will be protected and recovered. What is an Evolutionarily Significant Unit? An evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) of a fish species is the term used by NMFS for the population protected by a listing under the ESA. EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 29 far upstream as the mouth of Newaukum Creek at approximately river mile (RM) 41 and are consistently reported in the lower Duwamish River.9 In addition, the Lake Washington system (including the Cedar River), the lower Green River, and the marine areas of Puget Sound have been identified as containing important foraging, migration, and overwintering habitat necessary for bull trout recovery.10 It is not known whether the bull trout observed in the lower Green River basin are foraging individuals from other core areas, or if natural reproduction may still persist somewhere within the basin. Based on observed behavior from other systems within the management unit and based on the size of individuals typically reported, there is a strong likelihood that bull trout in the lower Green River are anadromous migrants from other core areas. Reports of historic bull trout use of the lower Green River tributaries are rare, and there have been no recent observations.11 On June 25, 2004, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) published proposed rules for designating critical habitat for the Coastal-Puget Sound population of bull trout, which was listed as a threatened species in 1999. For an area to be included as critical habitat, it must provide one or more of the following functions for bull trout: spawning, rearing, foraging, or over-wintering habitat to support essential existing bull trout local populations; movement corridors necessary for maintaining essential migratory life history forms; or suitable habitat that is considered essential for recovering existing local populations that have declined or that need to be re-established to achieve recovery. Waterbodies that are bull trout proposed critical habitat within the study area include the Green River and the Cedar River. Coho salmon and Pacific and river lamprey, all federal species of concern under the ESA, can be found in the waterbodies in the vicinity of the study area. 9 USFWS Draft Recovery Plan for the Coastal-Puget Sound Distinct Population Segment of Bull Trout 2004. 10 USFWS Draft Recovery Plan for the Coastal-Puget Sound Distinct Population Segment of Bull Trout 2004. 11 USFWS Draft Recovery Plan for the Coastal-Puget Sound Distinct Population Segment of Bull Trout 2004. EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project 30 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report Do any state-listed or other state priority aquatic species occur in or around the study area? Priority fish and aquatic species include all state endangered, threatened, sensitive, or candidate species, and species of recreational, commercial, or tribal importance that are considered vulnerable. All fish species with state candidate status that occur in the study area also hold a federal designation and have been discussed earlier in this section. No other state sensitive, threatened, or endangered fish species occur within the study area. Other fish species that are designated as Priority Species that may occur within the study area include coho, chum and sockeye salmon, steelhead and coastal cutthroat trout, and river lamprey.12 These state-listed priority species are included in this report for informational purposes only. What are the habitat characteristics of the rivers and streams located in the study area? Information on the streams and rivers in the study area was collected from a combination of existing information, including literature reviews and personal interviews, and in-stream habitat surveys preformed by I-405 Renton Nickel Improvement Project staff. Summaries of the stream information collected for this project can be found in Appendix B. The habitat characteristics for the waterbodies listed below are specific to the areas of the waterbodies located within the proximity of the study area. Gilliam Creek Gilliam Creek flows easterly, parallel to I-405, between I-405 and Tukwila Parkway, as depicted in Exhibit 10. Beginning on the east side of the I-5 right-of-way, Gilliam Creek alternately flows between open channel and culverted sections to its confluence with the Green River, through a 108-inch flap gate located at approximately Green RM 12.7. Exhibit 11 shows the 12 WDFW Priority Species List: Vertebrates http://wdfw.wa.gov/hab/phsvert.htm 2004. Exhibit 10. Map of Gilliam Creek EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 31 Exhibit 11. Flap Gate at the Outlet of Gilliam Creek into the Green River flap gate at the outlet of Gilliam Creek into the Green River. Gilliam Creek has been highly modified throughout the study area. The creek is primarily contained within a straight, concrete-lined, incised, trapezoidal channel, and contains little in-stream structure. Exhibit 12 shows a typical open channel section of the creek. It has a narrow riparian buffer with some native coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs, but the riparian buffer is dominated by non-native plant species including Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus), Scot's broom (Cytisus scoparius), and reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea). Several of the culverts located along the length of Gilliam Creek act as partial fish passage barriers. Three wetlands associated with Gilliam Creek provide limited refugia for fish during high flows and provide rearing habitat for juvenile salmonids. For additional information on these wetlands, please see the Wetlands Discipline Report for this project. The Gilliam Creek watershed has a high percentage of impervious surfacing due to the surrounding commercial, residential, and industrial land uses. Because of this heavily urbanized condition, peak runoff flow rates are high and the runoff from this area contains relatively high concentrations of a variety of pollutants.13 Anadromous fish species reported to occur in lower Gilliam Creek include chinook and coho salmon, and sea-run cutthroat trout. Other anadromous species that may occur in lower Gilliam Creek include Pacific and river lamprey.14 Resident fish species expected to occur in Gilliam Creek include cutthroat trout, Western brook lamprey, and sculpin. Resident fish species that may occur in Gilliam Creek, based on their geographic distribution and habitat requirements, include Longnose dace, speckled dace, largescale sucker, and three-spine stickleback.15 13 City of Tukwila Gilliam Creek Basin Stormwater Management Plan 2001. 14 Wydoski and Whitney Inland fishes of Washington 1979. 15 Wydoski and Whitney Inland fishes of Washington 1979. What is a flap gate? An opening through which water may flow freely at low water elevations, but which closes automatically and prevents water from flowing in the other direction at higher water elevations. Exhibit 12. Typical Open Channel Section of Gilliam Creek EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project 32 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report Exhibit 13. Map of Cottage Creek Cottage Creek Cottage Creek is a tributary to Gilliam Creek that originates from the City Hall drainage basin located to the north of I-405 in the city of Tukwila. Exhibit 13 is a map of Cottage Creek. The creek flows southerly from the hillside, under Southcenter Boulevard via a culvert, daylights for approximately 12 linear feet immediately north of I-405, flows under I-405 via another culvert, and confluences with Gilliam Creek via a stormwater outfall. In total, 80 square feet of Cottage Creek are located in the I-405 right-of-way and the upstream end of Cottage Creek (north of Southcenter Boulevard) is located approximately 200 feet to the north of the open channel section along I-405. No anadromous fish are anticipated to use Cottage Creek, as I-405 acts as a complete upstream fish passage barrier. Resident fish species anticipated to use the upper reaches of Cottage Creek include cutthroat trout, Western brook lamprey, sculpin, longnose dace, speckled dace, largescale sucker, and three spine stickleback.16 Unnamed Tributary to Gilliam Creek An unnamed tributary to Gilliam Creek flows into Gilliam Creek via a culvert immediately east of where Gilliam Creek daylights before its confluence with the Green River. Exhibit 14 is a map of the unnamed tributary. This tributary has no open channel at its confluence with Gilliam Creek. The only other portion of this stream located in the study area is an approximately 50-foot section that daylights into, and flows through, a small riparian wetland immediately north of I-405. In this area, the stream has a small riparian buffer and little in-stream habitat. I-405 acts as a total barrier to upstream fish passage from Gilliam Creek to this unnamed stream. No additional open channel habitat associated with this tributary is located within 1/4 mile of the project footprint. 16 Wydoski and Whitney Inland fishes of Washington 1979. Exhibit 14. Map of Unnamed Tributary to Gilliam Creek What is peak flow versus base flow? Peak flow refers to a specific period of time when the discharge of a stream or river is at its highest point. Base flow refers to the volume of flow in a stream or river during dry conditions, as opposed to conditions influenced by storm runoff. EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 33 Neither resident nor anadromous fish are anticipated to use this stream, as the 50 feet of open habitat is bounded downstream by complete fish passage barriers. It is assumed that this stream was historically used by coho salmon, sea-run cutthroat trout, cutthroat trout, Western brook lamprey, sculpin, longnose dace, speckled dace, largescale sucker, and three spine stickleback.17 Green River The Green River flows under I-405 at approximately Green RM 12.7, as depicted in Exhibit 15. In this area, the Green River is completely contained within a dike system maintained and regulated by the Green River Flood Control Zone District. Flow levels in this reach of the Green River are primarily dictated by controlled releases from the Howard Hansen Dam (HHD), although the river is also tidally influenced in the study area. Exhibit 16 shows the Green River upstream of the study area. Riparian vegetation within this reach of the Green River consists primarily of non-native invasive plant species including Himalayan blackberry, reed canarygrass, and Scot's broom, though some native deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs are found infrequently along the river banks. The Green River lacks in-stream habitat features including LWD. Due to the condition of riparian vegetation, it also lacks opportunities for future woody debris recruitment. None of the mainstem riparian habitat in the lower Green River subwatershed is in good condition or is considered to be functioning properly based on the NMFS criteria. Also, the Green River is listed on the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) 303(d) List in this area for temperature, fecal coliform, and mercury. For more information on the water quality of the waterbodies in the study area, see the Surface Water and Water Quality Discipline Report for this project. Several historic events and land use trends have combined to have a profound effect on the hydrology of the Green River. These include four large engineering projects: 17 Wydoski and Whitney Inland fishes of Washington 1979. Exhibit 16. Green River Upstream of Study Area Exhibit 15. Map of the Green River EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project 34 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report Diversion of the White River in 1911 Construction of Tacoma Water’s Headworks Diversion Dam in 1911 Diversion of the Cedar/Black River in 1916 Construction of the HHD in 1962 More recently, urban development in the lower basin has resulted in substantial increases in stormwater runoff from small tributary streams. This, in turn, has contributed to larger and more frequent peak flows during the winter and reduced recharge of shallow aquifers that formerly sustained flows during the late summer and fall. The overall effect of development on flows in the lower mainstem Green River is difficult to discern due to the overwhelming changes in flow resulting from the historic diversions and channelization, and the construction of the HHD.18 The lower Green River is used by all native salmonids for upstream and downstream migration and rearing. chinook, coho, pink, sockeye, and chum salmon and steelhead trout are known to spawn in this reach of the Green River, though spawning habitat is limited.19 Pacific and river lamprey are also present in the Green River, but little information is available on their present status.20 Resident fish species expected to occur in this reach of the Green River include cutthroat trout, Western brook lamprey, and sculpin. Resident fish species that may occur in the Green River, based on their geographic distribution and habitat requirements, include speckled dace, largescale sucker, and three spine stickleback.21 18 Kerwin, J. Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Limiting Factors Report for the Cedar – Sammamish Basin (Water Resource Inventory Area 8) 2001. 19 Kerwin, J. Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Limiting Factors Report for the Cedar – Sammamish Basin (Water Resource Inventory Area 8) 2001. 20 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Juvenile Salmonid Use of Lateral Stream Habitats Middle Green River, Washington 2000 Data Report 2001. 21 Wydoski and Whitney Inland fishes of Washington 1979. EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 35 Springbrook Creek Springbrook Creek is located east of the mainstem Green River, within the city of Renton. It flows into the Black River through the Black River Pump Station (BRPS), and subsequently into the Green River approximately 1,000 feet downstream of the BRPS. Exhibits 17 and 18 depict Springbrook Creek. In the immediate vicinity of I-405, Springbrook Creek is largely contained within concrete walls for flood control purposes. Springbrook Creek flows under I-405 in a five-cell box culvert that allows for full fish passage at all flow levels, due to one of the cells having been constructed at a lower elevation in relation to the streambed than the remaining four cells. One of the openings in the existing culvert is shown in Exhibit 19. Downstream of where Springbrook Creek flows under SW Grady Way, it is no longer contained in a concrete channel, but is still confined within an incised riprapped channel. Riparian vegetation surrounding Springbrook Creek is a mixture of alder (Alnus spp.) willow (Salix spp.), Himalayan blackberry, and sedges (Carex spp.). Conifers are almost non-existent and, in those areas where shade is absent, reed canarygrass is abundant. Riparian habitat within this creek does not meet the NMFS criteria for properly functioning habitat and is a limiting factor to natural salmonid production.22 Springbrook Creek is listed on Ecology’s 303(d) List for fecal coliform, chromium, mercury, dissolved oxygen, temperature, cadmium, and zinc. Though not in the immediate study area, the BRPS is a significant fish passage barrier to upstream and downstream fish migration. The purposes of this structure are to control outflows from the Black River, prevent flows on the Green River from backing up into the Black River/Springbrook Creek floodplain during floods, and to provide a means of releasing flood flows from the Black River/Springbrook Creek system when the Green River is at a high river stage. The BRPS is 22 Kerwin, J. Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Limiting Factors Report for the Cedar – Sammamish Basin (Water Resource Inventory Area 8) 2001. Exhibit 17. Springbrook Creek Main Channel South of SW 16th Street Exhibit 18. Map of Springbrook Creek Exhibit 19. One Opening in the Existing Springbrook Box Culvert EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project 36 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report currently operated and maintained by King County Surface Water Management. 23 The BRPS is a barrier to upstream fish passage. A unique fish passage system has been constructed that allows upstream and downstream fish passage around the structure. A combination of a fish ladder and fishway chute is used for upstream passage. Fish migrating downstream are diverted around the pumps using an air-lift pump to raise the fish to the downstream water levels. This fish ladder was not in operation during times when upstream coho salmon migration would have been occurring.24 Exhibits 20 and 21 show the fish ladder. The facility is not equipped to handle downstream migrating adult steelhead trout or chinook salmon. Adult steelhead and chinook salmon that move upstream past the BRPS cannot exit the Springbrook Creek subbasin, and once there are believed to experience high levels of stress or be killed outright prior to successful spawning.25 Springbrook Creek is used by coho and chinook salmon, cutthroat trout, and steelhead trout for spawning and rearing.26 Additional resident fish species expected to occur in Springbrook Creek include Western brook lamprey and sculpin. Resident fish species that may occur in Springbrook Creek, based on their geographic distribution and habitat requirements, include speckled dace, largescale sucker, and three spine stickleback.27 23 Kerwin, J. Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Limiting Factors Report for the Cedar – Sammamish Basin (Water Resource Inventory Area 8) 2001. 24 Derek Koellmann, Anchor Environmental, L.L.C. personal observation. 25 Kerwin, J. Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Limiting Factors Report for the Cedar – Sammamish Basin (Water Resource Inventory Area 8) 2001. 26 Kerwin, J. Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Limiting Factors Report for the Cedar – Sammamish Basin (Water Resource Inventory Area 8) 2001. 27 Wydoski and Whitney Inland fishes of Washington 1979. Exhibit 20. Upstream End of Fish Ladder at the Black River Pump Station Exhibit 21. Downstream End of Fish Ladder at the Black River Pump Station EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 37 Panther Creek and the Panther Creek Wetlands The Panther Creek Wetlands cover approximately 67 acres on the east side of SR 167. This wetland complex is associated with and directly connected to Panther Creek, and is located on City of Renton property. At SR 167, Panther Creek splits into two forks, hereafter referred to as the west and east forks of Panther Creek. Exhibit 22 shows Panther Creek upstream of the forks, and Exhibit 23 is a map of Panther Creek. The flow in Panther Creek past the forks is divided into the east and west forks in an approximately 2/3 to 1/3 ratio, respectively.28 The west fork of Panther Creek flows underneath SR 167, into a channel flowing northerly on the west side of SR 167. It then turns westerly between two businesses, ultimately flowing into a city stormwater system under East Valley Road to where it eventually outlets to Springbrook Creek. The west fork of Panther Creek crosses SR 167 via two culverts, one accommodating the main flow of the channel and the other acting as an overflow during higher flows. Both of these culverts are upstream fish passage barriers. The east fork of Panther Creek flows northerly along the east side of SR 167 through the Panther Creek Wetlands. Approximately one mile from where Panther Creek divides into the two forks, the east fork enters a fish ladder that directs flow under SR 167. Flow from the east fork daylights between SR 167 and East Valley Road for approximately 100 feet, flows under East Valley Road, and outlets into a large wetland complex. The east fork of Panther Creek maintains a distinct channel through the wetland complex and ultimately outlets to Springbrook Creek. There are two significant wetland complexes associated with Panther Creek: the Panther Creek Wetland, and an associated wetland located along the west side of SR 167. Both of these wetlands are discussed in this report due to their connection with Panther Creek and the associated fish use. Juvenile salmonids, especially coho salmon, use wetlands as 28 David Masters, personal communication Exhibit 22. Panther Creek Upstream of the East and West Forks Exhibit 23. Map of Panther Creek EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project 38 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report rearing and refugia habitat. Due to the size and complexity of these wetlands, they provide the largest contiguous area of wetland salmonid rearing and refugia habitat in the study area. Further information on these wetlands can be found in the Wetlands Discipline Report for this project. The Panther Creek Wetland is an approximately 67- acre wetland complex located on the east side of SR 167, which is associated with and directly connected with Panther Creek and is owned by the City of Renton. The Panther Creek Wetland contains emergent, scrub-shrub, and forested vegetation, and is considered a category II wetland per Ecology wetland definitions. For additional information on the Panther Creek Wetland, please see the Wetlands Discipline Report for this project. The second wetland complex is located immediately west of SR 167 from approximately SW 41st Street to SW 19th Street. This wetland contains emergent, scrub-shrub, and forested vegetation. This wetland complex is connected to the Panther Creek Wetland via a series of culverts under SR 167 that make the wetlands accessible by fish and other aquatic species from the Panther Creek Wetland. This wetland complex is also considered a category III wetland per Ecology wetland definitions. For additional information on this wetland, please see the Wetlands Discipline Report for this project. The reach of Panther Creek immediately upstream of the east and west forks flows through a largely native, deciduous tree-dominated forest that contains some invasive species, primarily Himalayan blackberry. The stream channel in this location is connected with its floodplain (not incised) and has a large riparian buffer, but has a limited amount of in-stream cover. The northerly flowing portion of the west fork of Panther Creek flows through a large patch of reed canarygrass with no other vegetation apparent. When this fork turns westerly, it flows into and through a managed bioswale until it flows into a city stormwater system under East Valley Road. The bioswale is completely vegetated with upland landscaping grasses. The west fork of Panther Creek is entirely channelized, has no native riparian canopy, and completely lacks in-stream structure. What is refugia habitat? An area of a stream that provides shelter or safety for aquatic species. EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 39 The east fork of Panther Creek flows northerly, between the previously mentioned deciduous forest and the east side of SR 167, for approximately 400 feet to where it flows into a patch of reed canarygrass. Once the creek enters the patch of reed canarygrass, the creek’s main channel is no longer visible. Flow continues through the reed canarygrass patch for approximately 500 feet to where the main channel of Panther Creek becomes visible once again. The east fork of Panther Creek then flows immediately alongside SR 167 in a defined channel with a narrow deciduous canopy for approximately one mile to where it enters a fish ladder, shown in Exhibit 24. The wetlands immediately east of the main channel in this area are dominated by reed canarygrass. After flowing into the fish ladder and under SR 167 and East Valley Road, Panther Creek enters a wetland containing emergent, scrub-shrub, and forested vegetation. Panther Creek continues in this wetland to where it confluences with Springbrook Creek. The east fork of Panther Creek is constrained to the west by SR 167, has a limited riparian buffer and canopy, and contains limited in-stream habitat. Because of its association with Springbrook Creek, Panther Creek is expected to be used by coho and chinook salmon, cutthroat trout, and steelhead trout as rearing habitat. There is little salmonid spawning habitat in Panther Creek throughout most of the study area, however there may be a small amount of suitable coho salmon, steelhead, or cutthroat trout spawning habitat within the study area east (upstream) of where Panther Creek divides into the east and west forks. Resident fish species expected to occur in Panther Creek include cutthroat trout, Western brook lamprey, and sculpin. Resident fish species that may occur in Panther Creek, based on their geographic distribution and habitat requirements, include longnose dace, speckled dace, largescale sucker, and three spine stickleback.29 29 Wydoski and Whitney Inland fishes of Washington 1979 Exhibit 24. Panther Creek Fish Ladder EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project 40 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report Rolling Hills Creek and an unnamed tributary to Rolling Hills Creek The headwaters of Rolling Hills Creek flow from the Rolling Hills subbasin located south of I-405. Approximately 1,000 feet south of the study area, Rolling Hills Creek flows through a series of culverts under several commercial parking lots to where it ultimately daylights on the north side of I-405 into an open channel between the parking lot associated with the Renton Cinema 8 and I-405. Exhibit 25 shows a typical portion of the channel on the north side of I-405. The creek then flows westerly under the I-405/SR 167 Interchange and outlets into the Panther Creek Wetland. Exhibit 26 is a map of Rolling Hills Creek. An unnamed tributary to Rolling Hills Creek, likely the historic main channel of Rolling Hills Creek, flows southerly from the hillside to a culvert under I-405. The unnamed tributary daylights on the north side of I-405 behind the Renton One Place building and flows westerly to where it confluences with Rolling Hills Creek in the location where Rolling Hills Creek daylights between the parking lot associated with the Renton Cinema 8 and I-405. Exhibit 27 is a map of the unnamed tributary. Rolling Hills Creek and its unnamed tributary have been highly modified throughout the study area. The creek is contained within a straight channel bounded by a commercial parking lot and I-405. The creek and its unnamed tributary have little to no in-stream structure, and have narrow riparian buffers comprised of immature deciduous trees, shrubs, and non-native plant species including Himalayan blackberry and reed canarygrass. The upstream reaches (south of I-405) of Rolling Hills Creek and its unnamed tributary have also been modified, but to a much lesser extent than the reaches within the study area. These upper reaches have a more mature riparian canopy with a greater amount of native species than the downstream reaches; however, Himalayan blackberry is still prevalent throughout both upper reaches. Both upper stream channels are incised and have limited opportunity to Exhibit 25. Typical Rolling Hills Creek channel on the north side of I-405 Exhibit 26. Map of Rolling Hills Creek Exhibit 27. Map of Unnamed Tributary to Rolling Hills Creek EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 41 meander due to the width of the floodplain in both reaches. No anadromous fish species are reported to occur in Rolling Hills Creek or its unnamed tributary.30 This is likely due to downstream fish passage barriers, including the Rolling Hills Creek culvert under I-405 that acts as a partial fish passage barrier; however, based on habitat conditions, it is likely that Rolling Hills Creek historically supported populations of coho salmon and steelhead trout. Resident fish species likely to occur in the reaches of Rolling Hills Creek and its unnamed tributary that are within the study area include sculpin and three spine stickleback.31 Thunder Hills Creek The headwaters of Thunder Hills Creek are located to the southeast of I-405. Upstream of I-405, Thunder Hills Creek is contained in an incised channel with an intact riparian buffer along the east side of the creek and a buffer of varying widths (from 0 to approximately 20 feet wide) along the west side of the creek. At the downstream end of this upper section, Thunder Hills Creek flows under I-405 and daylights into a concrete outfall located directly behind a Sam’s Club. The culvert under I-405, which connects the up and downstream sections of Thunder Hills Creek, acts as a complete upstream fish passage barrier. After daylighting at the outfall, Thunder Hills Creek confluences with water flowing from a historic, now abandoned coal mine. There is a noticeably sulfurous smell from the water originating from the coal mine at this confluence.32 From the confluence, the flow from Thunder Hills Creek and the coal mine runoff enters a three-sided concrete flume and flows along the southeast edge of the Sam’s Club parking lot. Exhibit 28 shows Thunder Hills Creek in the concrete flume. The flume outlets into a wetland complex immediately east of Talbot Road South and north of I-405. The 30 KCDNR Fish Distribution Maps and Data http://dnr.metrokc.gov/Wrias/9/FishDist.htm 2004. 31 Wydoski and Whitney Inland fishes of Washington 1979. 32 Derek Koellmann, Anchor Environmental, L.L.C., personal observation. Exhibit 28. Thunder Hills Creek in Concrete Flume Immediately Downstream of Confluence with Mine Runoff Exhibit 29. Map of Thunder Hills Creek EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project 42 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report creek then flows west under Talbot Road, into a series of culverts, under several parking lots, to where it daylights and converges with Rolling Hills Creek in the location where Rolling Hills Creek daylights between the parking lot associated with the Renton Cinema 8 and I-405. Exhibit 29 is a map of Thunder Hills Creek. As stated above, the lower portion of Thunder Hills Creek flows through a three-sided concrete flume and has no natural channel. There is almost no vegetative cover over the stream. Most of the stream bed is concrete, with sporadic patches of gravel located along the length of the stream. No anadromous fish species are reported to occur in Thunder Hills Creek, due to downstream fish passage barriers.33 However, due to habitat conditions in the upstream reaches, Thunder Hills Creek likely historically supported populations of coho salmon and steelhead trout. It is unlikely that fish occupy the lower reach of Thunder Hills Creek due to habitat and water quality considerations; however, there could be use by species more tolerant to such conditions such as three spine stickleback. Resident fish species likely to occur in the upper reaches of Thunder Hills Creek include cutthroat trout, sculpin, and three spine stickleback.34 Cedar River The Cedar River flows under I-405 at approximately Cedar RM 1.6. Exhibit 30 shows the river under the I-405 bridge, and Exhibit 31 is a map of the Cedar River. The reach of the Cedar River located in the study area is known as the Renton Reach. The Renton Reach is entirely artificial, is completely constrained between levees and revetments, and was regularly dredged to prevent flooding (from its completion in 1912 until the mid-1970s). Portions of this reach were again dredged in 1999, for the first time since the mid-1970s. This reach is essentially one long riffle with little habitat complexity.35 33 KCDNR Fish Distribution Maps and Data http://dnr.metrokc.gov/Wrias/9/FishDist.htm 2004. 34 Wydoski and Whitney Inland fishes of Washington 1979. 35 King County Department of Public Works Cedar River Current and Future Conditions Report 1993. Exhibit 30. Cedar River Looking Downstream under I-405 Bridge EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 43 The Renton Reach is affected by urban and industrial uses along the river that contribute to local water quality problems, that eliminate the potential for connection with a natural floodplain or the establishment of a riparian corridor, and that produce significant LWD accumulations in the channel. This reach is the depositional area for many of the river's sediments, and as a result, the substrates tend to have higher levels of fine sediments than upstream substrates.36 Riparian vegetation is severely lacking within this reach of the Cedar River and many areas along the river have been developed up to the edge of the dike system. In those places, virtually no riparian vegetation is present. Where development is set back from the Cedar River, vegetation consists primarily of non-native invasive plant species including Himalayan blackberry, reed canarygrass, and Scot's broom, though some native deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs are infrequently found along the banks. The Cedar River is on Ecology’s 303(d) List for fecal coliform. Anadromous fish use in the Renton Reach of the Cedar River includes spawning, upstream and downstream migration, and some limited rearing by sockeye, chinook, and coho salmon and steelhead trout. The Cedar River also has known uses by bull trout, which likely use the Renton Reach for upstream and downstream migration.37 Resident fish species expected to occur in this reach of the Cedar River include cutthroat trout, Western brook lamprey, and sculpin. Resident fish species that may occur in the Cedar River, based on their geographic distribution and habitat requirements, include speckled dace, largescale sucker, longfin smelt, and three spine stickleback.38 36 King County Department of Public Works Cedar River Current and Future Conditions Report 1993. 37 Kerwin, J. Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Limiting Factors Report for the Cedar – Sammamish Basin (Water Resource Inventory Area 8) 2001. 38 Wydoski and Whitney Inland fishes of Washington 1979. Exhibit 31. Map of the Cedar River Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 44 POTENTIAL EFFECTS What methods were used to evaluate the project’s potential effects on fisheries and aquatic resources? Biologists evaluated the effects of the Renton Nickel Improvement Project on fisheries and aquatic resources by reviewing the existing information gathered for the study area and by assessing project design data and WSDOT construction practices. This information was then analyzed to identify fisheries and aquatic resource changes that were likely to occur during and following construction of the project. Both temporary and permanent effects from the project were analyzed. For the Build Alternative, permanent and temporary effects from the project were calculated by overlaying the temporary and permanent construction areas onto a map detailing the streams and rivers in the study area. From this map, biologists determined the riparian habitat areas that would be permanently and temporarily affected by the project. In addition to permanent and temporary effects, indirect effects from the project including shading from new structures or increases in stormwater flow were evaluated. For the No Build Alternative, existing WSDOT maintenance practices and stormwater facilities were reviewed to determine existing built conditions in the study area. These existing built conditions were compared with existing fish and aquatic resource conditions in the study area to determine how existing built conditions will affect future fish and aquatic resources into the future. Will the project affect fish and aquatic habitat? As a result of the Build Alternative, new roadways and roadway structures (e.g., culverts) will be built within or near river and stream habitats that support fish and other aquatic species within the study area. In addition, maintenance of existing facilities in the study area will continue. Project effects come in two forms: permanent and temporary. Permanent effects are effects on fisheries and aquatic resources that will remain upon completion of the project, whereas temporary effects are effects POTENTIAL EFFECTS Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 45 that will affect fisheries and aquatic resources only for the duration of construction of the project. Permanent and temporary effects of the project are summarized in Exhibits 32 and 33. Project elements that will directly affect fisheries and aquatic resources include: Construction of new southbound and northbound bridges over Springbrook Creek and its associated side channel to accommodate construction of new I-405 north and southbound lanes. Encroachment into the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) of the west fork of Panther Creek to accommodate a new SR 167 southbound lane. Encroachment into the riparian buffers of Gilliam Creek, an unnamed tributary to Gilliam Creek, Cottage Creek, Springbrook Creek, Panther Creek, a wetland located on the west side of SR 167 that is associated with Panther Creek, Rolling Hills Creek, an unnamed tributary to Rolling Hills Creek, and Thunder Hills Creek to accommodate various elements of project construction. Construction of new stormwater facilities for the treatment of water quality and quantity associated with new impervious surfacing created by the project. For more information on stormwater facilities, see the Stormwater Discipline Report for this project. No Build Alternative The No Build Alternative assumes that the project will not be constructed and WSDOT will continue with ongoing maintenance activities in the study area. In this scenario, no physical changes would occur to the rivers and streams from construction activities, though some disturbance to riparian buffers may occur through routine maintenance activities such as mowing or brushing. The amount of untreated stormwater entering these waterbodies from I-405, SR 167, and Benson Road would remain unchanged. It is possible that emission-reducing improvements in automobiles or increases in traffic volumes could change the concentrations of pollutants and contaminants entering these streams; however, there is no means to accurately predict that such changes would occur. POTENTIAL EFFECTS Renton Nickel Improvement Project 46 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report The No Build Alternative would not increase impervious surface areas. Therefore, it is assumed that it would result in little change to existing water quality in, and increased flow into, the streams and rivers in the study area. As there are no construction activities associated with this alternative, there would be no effects from construction of in-water structures or removal of riparian vegetation to accommodate construction activities. Existing fish passage barriers throughout the study area would remain. This alternative will not change the existing effects on fish and other aquatic organisms and the habitats in which they live. Build Alternative The Build Alternative assumes that all of the components of the project will be constructed per the description of the Renton Nickel Improvement Project found in the beginning of this report. Effects to fish habitat from the Build Alternative stem from overwater and in-stream construction, riparian buffer encroachment, and stormwater runoff that could affect stream flow and water quality and in turn affect fisheries and proposed critical habitat. Overwater and in-stream construction Streams affected by overwater and in-stream construction associated with the project include Springbrook Creek and its associated side channel (located immediately west of the Springbrook Creek main channel) and the west fork of Panther Creek. For the streams that will be affected by new overwater or in-stream structures, the associated effects to riparian vegetation are also quantified in this section. For the streams where there are no direct overwater or in-stream effects, the effects to riparian vegetation are discussed in the next section. At present, six lanes of I-405 (three north and three southbound) cross Springbrook Creek via a five-cell box culvert, and cross its associated high flow side channel via a bridge supported by concrete piers. Under the Build Alternative, two additional lanes (one northbound and one southbound) will be added to I-405 over Springbrook Creek. To accommodate construction of the three additional lanes, new southbound and northbound bridges will be constructed that will span both Springbrook Creek and its side channel. Construction of the new bridges will result in approximately 11,960 additional square feet of the bankfull width of Springbrook Creek and its side channel (90 linear feet of stream channel) being POTENTIAL EFFECTS Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 47 permanently covered by the new structure (these numbers do not include the portions of Springbrook Creek and its side channel that are presently covered by the existing box culvert under I-405). In addition, approximately 35,810 square feet of the riparian buffer of Springbrook Creek (90 linear feet of riparian buffer) will be permanently removed. The existing Springbrook box culvert is not high enough to allow natural vegetation to grow under the culvert. The new bridges will be constructed over an existing riparian buffer; however, the existing box culvert will be removed. This higher bridge elevation will allow for greater natural vegetation growth in the affected area than if the existing box culvert were expanded. The increased shading from the new bridges could have a positive effect on Springbrook Creek through limiting direct sunlight to the creek and, in turn, helping to lower temperatures in the creek. The west fork of Panther Creek flows under SR 167 via a 24-inch corrugated metal pipe (CMP) immediately north of the SW 41st Street Interchange. It then flows northerly along SR 167 until it heads westerly between two businesses. A second overflow channel flows under SR 167 via a 30-inch CMP approximately 480 feet north of the first crossing, and confluences with the main west fork channel immediately upstream of where the main west fork channel heads westerly between the two businesses. This second channel is designed to accommodate high flows from Panther Creek and does not have flow under low flow conditions. SR 167 will be widened to the west in this area. This widening will encroach into the bankfull width of the west fork of Panther Creek and will primarily affect the bankfull width, rather than the typical wetted width, of the west fork. In total, approximately 2,590 square feet of the bankfull width of Panther Creek (450 linear feet of the stream channel) will be filled to accommodate construction of the new SR 167 southbound lane. No riparian buffer impacts will occur beyond the wetland buffer impacts to wetland 25.9 as detailed in the Wetlands Discipline Report for this project. An additional approximately 1,850 square feet (450 linear feet) of the riparian buffer of the east fork of Panther Creek on the east side of SR 167 will be permanently affected by the project. In total, approximately 14,550 square feet of stream habitat (540 linear feet of stream) within or over the OHWM and approximately 65,800 square feet of riparian stream buffer (3,650 linear feet of riparian What is bankfull width? The bankfull width of a stream is defined as the width of the stream channel between the top of the streambanks where, under high flow conditions, the water level would be even with the top of the banks, or in a floodplain river, at the point just before water would spill over onto the floodplain. POTENTIAL EFFECTS Renton Nickel Improvement Project 48 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report stream buffer) will be permanently affected by this project. The quality of the streams affected by the project is generally low, due to historic modifications to the streambeds including channel straightening, removal of in-stream structure, encroachment of non- native plant species, and lack of riparian cover. The physical attributes of these streams are summarized in Appendix B of this report. The temporary and permanent effects of the project are summarized in Exhibits 32 and 33. A discussion of the riparian buffer encroachment is provided in the next section. Riparian buffer encroachment The project footprint will encroach into the riparian buffers of several of the streams in the study area. In addition to the riparian buffer effects to the streams detailed in the Overwater and In-Stream Construction section above, Gilliam Creek, Rolling Hills Creek, an unnamed tributary to Rolling Hills Creek, Thunder Hills Creek, and the wetland on the west side of SR 167 that is associated with Panther Creek will also have permanent riparian buffer effects from construction of the project. The wetland associated with Panther Creek is discussed in this section as there are fisheries functions associated with it that are not included in the Wetland Discipline Report for this project. For further information on this wetland, see the Wetland Discipline Report for this project. Effects on riparian buffers are summarized in Exhibits 32 and 33. Although existing riparian conditions vary along the streams in the study area, the majority of streams have riparian buffers that are moderately to severely degraded under existing conditions. Therefore, many of the functions that riparian vegetation provides (such as LWD recruitment, contribution of organic material, fish cover, bank stabilization, and stream temperature regulation) are already altered and will not be substantially affected as compared to existing conditions. In streams where riparian vegetation losses will be large or will involve removing trees or large shrubs that provide substantial shade, stream buffer mitigation will occur where feasible (see the Mitigation section for details). In total, approximately 104,100 square feet of riparian vegetation will be affected by this project either temporarily (38,300 square feet) or permanently (65,800 square feet). POTENTIAL EFFECTS Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 49 Exhibit 32. Summary of Streams: Fish Use, Temporary Effects, and Permanent Effects Name of Waterbody Fish Use (Known and Likely) Temporary Effects (sq ft) Permanent Effects (sq ft) Gilliam Creek Known: chinook and coho salmon, sea-run cutthroat trout, resident cutthroat trout, Western brook lamprey, and sculpin Likely: Pacific and river lamprey, longnose dace, Speckled dace, largescale sucker, and Three-Spine Stickleback 2,560a riparian buffer 10,440a riparian buffer Unnamed Tributary to Gilliam Creek Known: None Documented Likely: Unlikely to be used by fish due to the limited amount of available habitat None None b Cottage Creek Known: None Documented Likely: Cutthroat Trout, Western brook lamprey, Sculpin, longnose dace, speckled dace, largescale sucker, Three-Spine Stickleback None None Green River Known: chinook, Coho, Pink, Sockeye, and Chum Salmon, Steelhead Trout, Pacific And river lamprey Likely: Cutthroat Trout, Western brook lamprey, Sculpin, speckled dace, largescale sucker, Three-Spine Stickleback 400 riparian buffer 1,250 riparian buffer Springbrook Creek and Associated Side Channel Known: Coho and chinook Salmon, Cutthroat Trout, And Steelhead Trout Likely: Western brook lamprey And Sculpin speckled dace, largescale sucker, Three-Spine Stickleback 31,922 riparian buffer/41,800 within OHWM 35,810 riparian buffer/ 11,960 within OHWM Rolling Hills Creek Known: None Documented Likely: Sculpin, Three-Spine Stickleback 20 riparian buffer 1,400 riparian buffer Unnamed Tributary to Rolling Hills Creek Known: None Documented Likely: Sculpin, Three-Spine Stickleback 240 riparian buffer 7,000 riparian buffer Thunder Hills Creek Known: None Documented Likely: Cutthroat Trout, Sculpin, Three-Spine Stickleback 2,780 riparian buffer c 8,050 riparian buffer c Cedar River Known: Sockeye, chinook, and Coho Salmon, Steelhead Trout, Bull Trout, Dolly Varden, Cutthroat Trout Likely: Western brook lamprey, Sculpin speckled dace, largescale sucker, longfin smelt, Three-Spine Stickleback None None Panther Creek Known: Coho Salmon, Cutthroat Trout Likely: chinook Salmon, Steelhead Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Western brook lamprey, Sculpin, longnose dace, speckled dace, largescale sucker, Three-Spine Stickleback 410 riparian buffer 1,850 riparian buffer/ 2,590 within OHWM a - Approximately half of the documented riparian buffer effects to Gilliam Creek occur further than seventy-five (75) feet from the OHWM of Gilliam Creek and occur in areas where the dominant vegetation is upland grasses with no tree or shrub cover. b - This number does not include effects to the buffer of the riparian wetland (wetland 0.5L) that is associated with this stream. See the Wetlands Discipline Report for this project for more information on this wetland. c - Does not include buffer encroachment to Thunder Hills Creek west of I-405 where Thunder Hills Creek is contained within a concrete channel. POTENTIAL EFFECTS Renton Nickel Improvement Project 50 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report Exhibit 33. Summary of Permanent Overwater, In-Stream, and Riparian Buffer Encroachment Effects Name of Waterbody Overwater/ In- Stream Effects (sq ft) Linear Distance of Stream OHWM Affected (feet) Riparian Buffer Encroachment (sq ft) Linear Distance of Riparian Buffer Affected (feet) Gilliam Creek None None 10,440 a 1,450 a Unnamed Tributary to Gilliam Creek None None None b None b Cottage Creek None None None None Green River None None 1,250 100 Springbrook Creek and Associated Side Channel 11,960 90 35,810 90 Rolling Hills Creek None None 1,400 610 Unnamed Tributary to Rolling Hills Creek None None 7,000 410 Thunder Hills Creek None None 8,050 540 Cedar River None None None None Panther Creek 2,590 450 1,850 450 Total Effects (square feet) 14,550 540 65,800 3,650 a - Approximately half of the documented riparian buffer effects to Gilliam Creek occur further than 75 feet from the OHWM of Gilliam Creek and occur in areas where the dominant vegetation is upland grasses with no tree or shrub cover. b - This number does not include effects to the buffer of the riparian wetland (wetland 0.5L) that is associated with this stream. See the Wetlands Discipline Report for this project for more information on this wetland.. Stream flow The Renton Nickel Improvement Project would add approximately 15 acres of new impervious surface within the study area. This is approximately a 13 percent increase in impervious surface area over the existing impervious area associated with I-405 and SR 167. Increases in stream peak flows resulting from storm events can negatively affect fish. Peak flows and sustained high flows in streams can cause harm to, or kill, fish. Harm typically occurs when fish or other aquatic species are unable to get out of high flow areas and are swept downstream or battered against rocks or streambanks. In urbanized streams where little to no refugia habitat exists and where stormwater events can cause rapid rises in stream levels, peak or sustained high flows can be especially detrimental to fish. POTENTIAL EFFECTS Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 51 Negative effects on stream hydrology would be expected to be minimized by the following factors: WSDOT will provide flow control for runoff from new impervious area to address changes in stormwater discharge to fish-bearing streams. Stormwater flow control facilities will be designed in accordance with the WSDOT Highway Runoff Manual.39 The WSDOT Highway Runoff Manual40 mandates that the duration and magnitude of stormwater discharge into streams and rivers during storms will be generally equal to or less than that experienced under existing conditions for the full range of design, from 50 percent of the 2-year through to the 50-year recurrent storm events. The stormwater design defers flow controls being applied to existing highway surfaces until a future project. Flow controls are being deferred since the project, which adds approximately 13 percent of new impervious surfacing, is well below the 50 percent increase in impervious surfacing threshold for retrofit. Existing stormwater facilities for I-405 and SR 167 in the study area are limited. An ecology embankment exists along a portion of the west side of SR 167 in the study area and some additional stormwater facilities are located within the I-405/SR 167 interchange. Although there is potential for these facilities to increase potential for infiltration, these facilities do not generally provide stormwater flow control. The stormwater facilities that will be constructed as part of the project are intended to mitigate any flow effects that the new pavement will have on peak flows within the study area. Likewise, no negative effects to stream base flows are likely to occur from the increase in impervious surface, as the overall amount of impervious surfacing resulting from the project will only slightly increase the total percentage of impervious surfacing in the watersheds where the project is located. 39 WSDOT Highway Runoff Manual 2004. 40 WSDOT Highway Runoff Manual 2004. What is stormwater retrofit? The creation or modification of an urban stormwater runoff management system in a previously developed area. POTENTIAL EFFECTS Renton Nickel Improvement Project 52 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report Stream water quality As discussed above in the Stream Flows section, existing stormwater facilities for I-405 and SR 167 in the study area are limited. Except for the water quality treatment provided by the facilities detailed above, most stormwater from I-405 and SR 167 in the study area is not treated before it is discharged into the streams or ditches in the study area. Under the Build Alternative, new storm drainage systems will collect runoff from an area equal to all new impervious surfacing created by the project. Runoff from this area will be treated for enhanced water quality before being discharged into streams or rivers. Enhanced treatment goes beyond the basic water quality goals for suspended solids removal by targeting dissolved pollutants such as copper and zinc that could be included in the highway runoff. Stormwater discharges to the streams and rivers of the study area would comply with water quality regulations in accordance with WSDOT’s Highway Runoff Manual.41 Therefore, the water quality of stormwater discharge associated with the project is not expected to adversely affect aquatic life in the streams and rivers of the study area. For more information, see the Surface Water and Water Quality Discipline Report for this project. Fish passage All culverts affected by the project were assessed to determine if they are barriers to up or downstream fish passage. Culverts deemed to be fish passage barriers will be assessed further to determine if they will be replaced or retrofitted as part of the project. 41 WSDOT Highway Runoff Manual 2004 POTENTIAL EFFECTS Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 53 Will project construction affect fisheries and aquatic resources? Project construction will have several temporary effects on fisheries and aquatic resources. These temporary effects, discussed in the sections below, are primarily related to construction-related in-water disturbances and stream diversions, in-stream sedimentation, and stream buffer and riparian vegetation. A summary of temporary construction effects related to the project can be found in Exhibit 32. Direct disturbance and stream diversions Construction activities over, in, or near a stream can disturb fish, other aquatic species, and aquatic habitat. Except where absolutely necessary (as in the case of culvert replacements or extensions), construction equipment will not enter streams below the OHWM, and streams will be dewatered prior to replacing or lengthening culverts. Dewatering and stream diversions could strand or entrain (draw in) fish and create temporary barriers to fish migration. Fish stranding and entrainment will be minimized or eliminated by following WSDOT policy, which requires that appropriate NMFS protocols for fish exclusion and handling be applied to all projects. Prior to the commencement of in-water work, all fish will be excluded (e.g., with a coffer dam) and removed from the work area with appropriate methods (e.g., electrofishing). Dewatering will occur during the driest time of the year when salmon migration is least likely. In-water construction will be limited to approved work windows, as defined by permit conditions, and in- water work will be completed in the shortest time possible. These measures should minimize any adverse effects to fish and other aquatic species from project construction. In-stream sedimentation Constructing culvert extensions or replacements, retaining walls, and stormwater facility discharges could introduce fine sediments into the streams and rivers of the study area through runoff and erosion. Excessive fine sediment input into streams could cause salmon eggs in the gravel to become smothered (unable to receive enough oxygen to survive), decrease micro and macro invertebrate What is dewatering? Dewatering refers to using a system of pumps, pipes, or temporary holding dams to drain or divert waterways or wetlands before excavating soils and sediments or building structures. Dewatering is used to reduce direct effects from in-water or overwater construction activities. What is fish exclusion? Any method by which fish are prohibited from accessing a work site. What is a cofferdam? A temporary dam-like structure constructed around a work site to exclude water. What is a work window? A defined time within which construction can be completed. Work windows are usually enforced by various permitting agencies. POTENTIAL EFFECTS Renton Nickel Improvement Project 54 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report survival (limiting available food for fish), and create conditions where visual predators (such as coho salmon) have reduced capacity to capture prey. In addition, certain types of sediments can cause damage to the gills of fish, increasing the risk of anoxia (the absence or reduced supply of oxygen in arterial blood or tissues) and stress that can lead to fish mortality (death).42 The potential for erosion and sedimentation will be highest in areas where construction activities will occur within or directly adjacent to streams. Within the study area, these areas include streams that cross or flow adjacent to I-405 and SR 167 and where in-water (below the OHWM) or adjacent to water construction occurs. Potential effects from sedimentation will be minimized by: Avoidance and Minimization – The project will use retaining walls to minimize effects to streams, wetlands, and other critical areas. Except where absolutely necessary, construction equipment will not enter streams below the OHWM. Staging and stockpiling areas will be located well away from streams and rivers. Construction Methods – Streams will be dewatered prior to culverts being replaced or lengthened. The conditions of all applicable permits and approvals will be strictly followed. Prevention – Appropriate BMPs (as outlined in the Mitigation section) will reduce the risk of erosion and reduce or minimize opportunities for sediment to enter waterbodies in the vicinity of the project. Erosion and sediment control BMPs will be properly implemented, monitored, and maintained during construction, so no long-term water quality effects will occur. Even with BMPs, short-term effects to water quality from sediment (such as temporary increases in stream turbidity) are possible, particularly during storm events; however, these effects would be expected to be small in magnitude and not likely to cause harm to fish in the study area. 42 Lake and Hinch Acute effects of suspended sediment angularity on juvenile coho salmon 1999 POTENTIAL EFFECTS Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 55 Stream buffer and riparian vegetation The project construction footprint extends a maximum of 10 feet beyond the permanent footprint of any new structures resulting from the project. Most construction-related activities will occur within these limits, with the exception of staging areas or other related off-site construction activities. Minimal additional temporary clearing, grubbing, or construction effects to riparian vegetation are anticipated beyond the permanent effects to stream buffers and riparian vegetation described previously in this report. All temporarily cleared or disturbed areas will be replanted with appropriate native vegetation. Other potential construction effects Other potential short-term effects from the project could include hazardous materials (for example, oil and gasoline), chemical contaminants, nutrients, or other materials entering the waterbodies in the study area. Control of hazardous materials is a standard provision in construction contracts and permits, and will be addressed with BMPs and standard contract provisions. Servicing and refueling of vehicles will not be allowed within 100 feet of streams and wetlands, to reduce potential spills of petroleum and hydraulic fluids in sensitive areas. WSDOT will create a Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures Plan prior to commencing work. Construction noise that could disturb or displace fish could occur for relatively long periods (weeks to months) at any given stream crossing. For all in- stream work, the work window specified in various permits and approvals will limit the potential noise effects to fish because these windows are designed to allow work when fish will not be present. No in-stream pile driving is planned within the OHWM of the streams and rivers of the study area. Some construction will likely occur during hours of darkness or reduced light. Therefore, artificial lighting will be required for some work areas. Lighting will be directed to illuminate work areas and avoid direct illumination of the affected waterbodies to limit effects to fish behavior. POTENTIAL EFFECTS Renton Nickel Improvement Project 56 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report Will the project affect federally listed species and federal species of concern? The federally listed aquatic species known or presumed to be in the study area are chinook salmon and bull trout. Coho salmon are the only federal aquatic species of concern known to inhabit the study area. At various life stages, chinook and coho salmon are known or presumed to use Gilliam, Panther, and Springbrook Creeks, and the Green and Cedar Rivers. Though bull trout use of the study area is likely limited due to the lack of quality bull trout habitat, the Cedar and Green Rivers have been designated as bull trout critical habitat by the USFWS. Construction will occur over Springbrook Creek where chinook and coho salmon are known to occur. This work will involve constructing new southbound and northbound bridges that will span both Springbrook Creek and its associated side channel. No in-water work will occur in any waterbodies where bull trout are known to occur. In-water construction throughout the study area will be limited to approved work windows, as defined by permit conditions, and in-water work will be completed in the shortest time possible. Appropriate and available BMPs will be used to limit effects from construction. Due to the timing of construction in waterbodies containing federally listed species and the use of appropriate and available BMPs, the project will not result in negative effects to federally listed species or federal species of concern. Does the project have other effects that could be delayed or distant from the project? Effects that could be delayed or distant from the project include effects that induce growth and associated changes in land use, population density, or growth rate. Delayed or distant effects also include effects on air and water and other natural systems, including ecosystems. This project is not anticipated to have any other effects that will be delayed or distant from the project. Were cumulative effects looked at for this discipline? Cumulative effects for this discipline are evaluated in a separate Cumulative Effects Analysis Discipline Report. That report discusses cumulative effect for this project in the areas of Air Quality, Surface Water and Water Quality, Fisheries and Aquatic Habitat, and Wetlands. Cumulative effects for other disciplines were determined to be unnecessary for this project. Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 57 MEASURES TO AVOID OR MINIMIZE PROJECT EFFECTS What will be done to avoid or minimize potential negative effects on fish and other aquatic species or aquatic habitat? WSDOT designed the Build Alternative to avoid and minimize negative permanent and temporary project effects on fish and other aquatic species and aquatic habitat. Where possible, the project design located the new roadway and associated roadway structures away from existing fish habitat to prevent permanent habitat effects. In cases where avoidance was not possible, the project was designed to minimize effects to aquatic habitat. Throughout the study area, the project design includes retaining walls that will limit direct effects to streams and stream buffers. Although existing runoff from the study area is only treated at the I-405/SR 167 interchange and along a portion of the west side of SR 167, all stormwater runoff from new impervious surfacing will be treated for water flows and quality, including enhanced treatment for suspended solids and metals. What will be done to minimize construction effects? The actions detailed in this section will be taken to minimize the effects of project construction. All in-water work will be restricted to authorized construction periods when juvenile salmon are not likely to be present in substantial numbers. Adherence to designated work windows, as defined by appropriate permitting agencies (Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife [WDFW], NMFS, and the USFWS), will also eliminate or reduce in-water interference during periods when returning adult salmon are likely to be present. Throughout construction, WSDOT will use BMPs to avoid unintentional discharges of sediment from bridge, culvert, and roadway construction. MEASURES TO AVOID OR MINIMIZE PROJECT EFFECTS Renton Nickel Improvement Project 58 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report WSDOT will restore temporarily cleared areas to pre- construction grades and replant the areas with appropriate native vegetation. Additional BMPs that WSDOT could use during construction include: Developing and implementing a temporary erosion and sediment control plan for clearing, vegetation removal, grading, ditching, filling, embankment compaction, or excavation. The BMPs in the plan will be used to control sediment input from all vegetation or ground- disturbance activities. Using effective erosion control measures, such as filter-fabric fence, straw mulch, straw bales, and plastic sheeting to prevent silt and soil from entering surface waters (including wetlands). Hydroseeding bare soil areas following grading. Clearly labeling streams and stream buffers on the construction plans and in the field. Demarcating clearing limits with orange barrier fencing wherever clearing is proposed in or near critical areas. Locating staging areas and equipment storage areas away from sensitive areas (e.g., streams and wetlands). Refraining from vehicle refueling and maintenance activities within 100 feet of streams, rivers, and wetlands. Minimizing the duration of in-water work (below the OHWM) and strictly adhering to the appropriate fish work windows, as dictated by applicable permits. Prohibiting waste and excess materials from being disposed of or allowed to remain below the OHWM. Complying with Washington State’s surface water quality standards (Chapter 173-201A WAC), which specify a mixing zone beyond which water quality standards cannot be exceeded. Monitoring of water quality will occur during construction to ensure compliance with Ecology’s standards to protect fish and aquatic life. MEASURES TO AVOID OR MINIMIZE PROJECT EFFECTS Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 59 Preparing and adhering to an approved a Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures Plan for the project prior to beginning any construction, and maintaining a copy of the plan with any updates at the work site. Containing excavated sediment in tanks, or other appropriate containers, to avoid discharge to surface water, and transporting the contained sediments to an approved disposal site. Curing concrete before contact with surface water as required by WAC 110-220-070(1)(g) to avoid increased pH that can occur when fresh concrete contacts water. Regularly checking items such as fuel hoses, oil drums, and oil and fuel transfer valves and fittings for drips or leaks to prevent spills into surface water. Keeping the illuminated area and intensity of nighttime lighting to the minimum that is necessary for the intended purpose. Lights will be directed onto the work areas and away from the water. How will the project compensate for unavoidable negative effects to fisheries or aquatic resources? In cooperation with resource agencies, WSDOT will help to develop plans for habitat improvement, restoration, or construction to mitigate the effects of the roadway widening and the increased width of stream crossings. Specific mitigation plans will be included in the permit applications for construction of the Renton Nickel Improvement Project. Mitigation will take the form of on-site, in-kind mitigation (such as underplanting native trees in an area near where trees had to be removed to construct the project) or off-site mitigation to improve habitat conditions in areas away from the project where mitigation might be more beneficial. Most of the streams affected by the Build Alternative will experience limited riparian buffer effects. The effects to fish, if any, from riparian buffer effects related to this project will be small in magnitude and difficult to measure, particularly considering the already degraded condition of the existing riparian buffer. Furthermore, on-site mitigation at the affected sites likely may not substantially improve stream functions or values in those areas. What is underplanting? Underplanting involves planting trees beneath an existing canopy of larger trees or shrubs. This planting technique is often used to establish a stand of coniferous trees, which will eventually mature and become the dominant vegetation type, under an existing deciduous tree canopy. MEASURES TO AVOID OR MINIMIZE PROJECT EFFECTS Renton Nickel Improvement Project 60 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report Two of the streams in the study area will experience work within or above the OHWM. In each case, the areas affected by the project contain limited in-stream habitat. As with the riparian buffer effects, on-site mitigation at the affected sites likely may not substantially improve stream functions or values in those areas based on the existing degraded condition of these streams. WSDOT will address overwater, in-stream, and riparian buffer effects to satisfy the requirements of the local critical areas regulations, the Hydraulic Code, and the ESA, and to enhance in-stream fish habitat to the maximum extent practicable. To achieve this end, there are several possible mitigation options: Plant native riparian vegetation to improve habitat and provide stream shading along each of the streams where vegetation will be cleared. The extent of riparian planting will be dictated by the extent of the clearing effects. Plant native riparian vegetation outside of the study area in areas where restoring native riparian buffers may have a greater benefit to fish and aquatic species. Mitigation could be concentrated along streams with high fish use where important stream processes and functions related to riparian buffers (e.g., LWD recruitment levels, litter fall, and bank stabilization) are impaired. Install in-stream habitat features (e.g., boulders or LWD) in the streambed up or downstream of the project to increase the habitat complexity of the affected waterbody. Participate in an off-site mitigation opportunity, such as a mitigation bank, that will offset the effects of the project. This type of mitigation can provide watershed scale benefits that may not be realized by providing on-site mitigation. All mitigation for this project will be provided in areas where mitigation is viable in the long-term. Mitigation related to the project will occur either within the Springbrook Bank, on one or more waterbodies in the immediate vicinity of the project footprint (on-site mitigation), or through a combination of the Springbrook Bank and on-site mitigation sites. Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report 61 REFERENCES Kerwin, J. 2001 Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Limiting Factors Report for the Cedar – Sammamish Basin (Water Resource Inventory Area 8). Washington Conservation Commission. Olympia, WA. Kerwin, John and Nelson, Tom S. (Eds.) 2000 Habitat Limiting Factors and Reconnaissance Assessment Report, Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watersheds (WRIA 9 and Vashon Island). Washington Conservation Commission and the King County Department of Natural Resources. King County Department of Public Works 1993 Cedar River Current and Future Conditions Report. King County Department of Public Works, Surface Water Management Division, Seattle. King County Department of Natural Resources (KCDNR) 2004 Lower Green River Subwatershed Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed WRIA 9. [Online] Available http://dnr.metrokc.gov/Wrias/9/LowerGreen.htm, December 22, 2004. 2004 Fish Distribution Maps and Data Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed WRIA 9. [Online] Available http://dnr.metrokc.gov/Wrias/9/FishDist.htm. Lake, R.G. and S.G. Hinch 1999 Acute effects of suspended sediment angularity on juvenile coho salmon. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 56:862-867. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 2000 Guidelines for Salmonid Passage at Stream Crossings final draft. National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Region. Last Revised May 16, 2000. 1999 Endangered and threatened species: threatened status for three chinook salmon ESUs in Washington and Oregon, and Endangered status for one chinook salmon ESU in Washington. Final Rule. Federal Register 63(56):14308-14328. (National Marine Fisheries Service). March 24, 1999. 1998 Endangered and threatened species: Proposed endangered status for two chinook salmon ESUs and proposed threatened status for five chinook salmon ESUs; proposed redefinition, threatened status, and revision of critical habitat for one chinook salmon ESU; proposed designation of chinook salmon critical habitat in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho. Federal Register 63 (45): 11482-11520. (National Marine Fisheries Service). March 9, 1998. REFERENCES Renton Nickel Improvement Project 62 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report Suckley, G., and J. G. Cooper 1860 The natural history of the Washington and Oregon territory. Bailliere Brothers, New York. 399 pp. Tukwila, City of 2001 Gilliam Creek Basin Stormwater Management Plan. Consultant Report prepared for the City of Tukwila by Herrera Environmental Consultants. Tukwila Department of Public Works, Tukwila, WA. 44 p. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2001 Juvenile Salmonid Use of Lateral Stream Habitats Middle Green River, Washington 2000 Data Report. Consultant report prepared for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by R2 Resource Consultants, Inc.. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Seattle, Washington. 63 + vii pp. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 2004 Draft Recovery Plan for the Coastal-Puget Sound Distinct Population Segment of Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus). Volume I (of II): Puget Sound Management Unit. Portland, Oregon. 389 + xvii pp. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) 2004 Priority Species List: Vertebrates. [Online] Available http://wdfw.wa.gov/hab/phsvert.htm, 2004. Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) 2004 Highway Runoff Manual (M 31-16). Williams, W.R., R.M. Laramie, and J.J. Ames 1975 A catalog of Washington streams and salmon utilization. Volume 1: Puget Sound Region. Washington Department of Fisheries. Wydoski, R.S. and R.R. Whitney 1979 Inland fishes of Washington. Univ. of Wash. Press, Seattle, WA. Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report A-63 APPENDIX A Memo from Derek Koellmann to Multi-Agency Permitting (MAP) and I-405 Teams Summarizing Stream Survey Methodology Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report A-1 To: I-405 Team MAP Team From: Derek Koellmann Date: March 21, 2005 Re: Recommended Stream Survey Protocols Overview The I-405 Bellevue and Renton Improvement Project study areas cross or are located within the proximity of a variety of streams and rivers. As such, various elements of the projects have the potential to affect these waterbodies. To help determine the nature and extent of these effects, the habitat in these waterbodies must be assessed to quantitatively and qualitatively document in- stream and riparian conditions. This document describes the methodology that will be used to collect information on the physical characteristics of the streams and rivers in the study areas. The specific habitat variables to be assessed in this study include: o Existing stream geomorphology o In-stream habitat type o Riparian vegetation o Substrate composition o Abundance of large woody debris o Quality of pools The information collected will be used in conjunction with existing fisheries information (i.e., from existing reports and data, interviews, etc.) for the study areas to assess the quality and quantity of fish spawning, migration, and rearing habitat and provide information on the current and potential fish and other aquatic species use of the streams and rivers. This methodology has been developed to document existing habitat in the study area in a manner that can be repeated so that future habitat conditions can be assessed post project construction. Mercer Slough is located within the Bellevue study area, but does not fall under the definition of a stream or river per this section, nor would the protocols recommended herein be appropriate to assess the habitat values in Mercer Slough. A separate method for documenting habitat values in Mercer Slough is proposed at the end of this memo. Stream Survey Approach Stream surveys will be performed on all streams and rivers that are crossed by I-405 and SR 167 or are located within the immediate proximity of the project area. The surveys will be conducted from approximately 300 feet upstream and 1,320 feet downstream (1/4 mile) of the proposed project footprint. Up to eleven transects will be laid out perpendicular to stream flow at regularly spaced intervals along the streams to be surveyed. The minimum distance between transects will be 50 feet and the maximum distance will be 300 feet. The distance between transects will be based upon the APPENDIX A Renton Nickel Improvement Project A-2 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report bankfull width of the stream to be surveyed. For some streams that run parallel to I-405 or SR 167, such as Gilliam and Panther Creeks, two sets of transects may be established to ensure that habitat values throughout the stream reach are appropriately documented. Slightly different protocols will be used in wadeable versus non-wadeable streams and rivers. At and in-between each transect qualitative and quantitative descriptions of in-stream and riparian habitat will be collected. A summary of the protocols to be used and habitat variables to be assessed is described further below. A field training day is scheduled prior to initiating the full field effort. It is anticipated that some minor adjustments to the protocols may be needed based on this training. Protocol adjustments would be considered where applicable to improve the characterization of target parameters and/or to improve sampling efficiency. Summary of Habitat Variables and Associated Protocols The following protocols will be used to quantify the various habitat variables. Existing Stream Geomorphology Existing stream geomorphology information will be collected using protocols detailed in the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) document Quantifying Physical Habitat in Wadeable Streams by Kaufmann et al. (1999) (Quantifying Physical Habitat). Quantifying Physical Habitat details the concepts, rationale, and analytical procedures for characterizing physical habitat in wadeable streams based on raw data generated from methods similar or equal to those of Kaufmann and Robison (1998) that are used by the EPA in its Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP). Guidance is provided for calculating measures or indices of stream size and gradient, sinuosity, substrate size, habitat complexity and cover, riparian vegetation cover and structure, and anthropogenic disturbances. Two-person crews typically complete EMAP habitat measurements in 1.5 to 3.5 hours of field time per sampling reach. While this time commitment is greater than that required for more qualitative methods, these more quantitative methods are more repeatable (i.e., more precise). Variables to be surveyed using Quantifying Physical Habitat o Wetted width o Bankfull width o Bankfull height o Stream depth o Reach Length o Sinuosity of Reach o Slope of Reach o Bank angles o Existing Stream Geomorphology Metrics o Mean and standard deviation (SD) of wetted width, bankfull width, bankfull height, stream depth, reach slope, and bank angles o Reach Sinuosity APPENDIX A Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report A-3 In-Stream Habitat Type In-Stream Habitat Type will be quantified using the Timber Fish and Wildlife (TFW) Monitoring Program Method Manual for the Habitat Unit Survey by Pleus et al. (1999). (Habitat Unit Survey) and the EPA’s Rapid Bioassessment Protocols for Use in Streams and Rivers by Plafkin et al. (1989) (Bioassessment Protocols). The Habitat Unit Survey provides methods for identifying habitat units, measuring their surface area, and collecting information on residual pool depth and pool-forming factors. Other information produced includes pool: riffle ratio, length of side channels, and the frequency distribution of residual pool depths and pool-forming factors. The Bioassessment Protocols were originally developed in the 1980's to provide cost-effective, efficient biological survey techniques. The assessment is done using a visually-based approach to characterizing the physical habitat structure of the stream site. The concepts underlying the Bioassessment Protocols are: o Cost-effective, scientifically valid procedures for biological surveys, o Provisions for multiple site investigations in a field season, o Quick turn-around of results for management decisions, and o Scientific reports easily translated to management and the public. o Variables to be surveyed using the Habitat Unit Survey o Stream Discharge o Core Habitat Units (e.g. pool & riffle sequences) o Surface Area Measurements of Core Habitat Units o Residual Pool Depths o Pool Forming Factors (e.g. LWD, boulder, etc) o Variables to be surveyed using Bioassessment Protocols o Epifaunal substrate/available cover o Channel Alteration (including armoring) o In-Stream Habitat Type Metrics o Stream discharge (cfs) o % of Core Habitat Units o Habitat Units per Kilometer and Bankfull Width o Pools per Kilometer o Factors contributing to pool formation (PFF) o % of units o % of primary PFF o % of pool surface area o Mean and SD residual pool depth o Mean and SD % epifaunal substrate/available cover APPENDIX A Renton Nickel Improvement Project A-4 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report o % Altered channel o % Streambank armoring Riparian Vegetation Riparian vegetation will be quantified using a combination of protocols from Quantifying Physical Habitat and Bioassessment Protocols. Variables to be surveyed using Quantifying Physical Habitat o Canopy Cover o Riparian Vegetative Structure o Variables to be surveyed using Bioassessment Protocols o Bank Stability o Bank Vegetative Protection o Riparian Vegetative Zone Width Riparian Vegetation Metrics o Mean and SD of canopy densiometer values o % ground cover, mid layer vegetation cover, and canopy level cover, % total ground, mid layer vegetation, and canopy level cover, and % invasives o Mean and SD % Bank Stability o Mean and SD % Bank Vegetative Protection o Mean and SD % Riparian Vegetative Zone Width Substrate Composition Substrate composition information will be collected using protocols detailed in Quantifying Physical Habitat and Methods for Evaluating Riparian Habitats with Applications to Management by Platts et al. (1987) (Evaluating Riparian Habitats). For smaller stream segments where there is not adequate stream length to apply this method, a Wolman pebble count will be conducted to determine substrate composition. (Wolman 1954). Evaluating Riparian Habitats is a comprehensive compilation of methods for resource specialists to use in managing, evaluating, and monitoring riparian conditions adjacent to streams, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Variables to be surveyed using Quantifying Physical Habitat o Substrate Size o Substrate Composition Variables to be surveyed using Evaluating Riparian Habitats o Substrate Embeddedness (%) NOTE: In non-wadeable systems, such as the Green River, substrate sizes will be estimated either visually (where possible) or by using the drag method as prescribed by Lazorchak et al. (2000) in the Field Operations and Methods for Measuring the Ecological Condition of Non-Wadeable Rivers and Streams. o Substrate Composition Metrics APPENDIX A Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report A-5 o Mean and SD of substrate size class o 75th percentile of substrate size class o Substrate median size class o 25th percentile of substrate size class o % breakdown of substrate size classes o Mean and SD % embeddedness Abundance of Large Woody Debris Abundance of Large Woody Debris (LWD) will be quantified using the Level 1 survey method from the TFW Monitoring Program (LWD Method) method manual for the large woody debris survey by Schuett-Hames et al.(1999). The LWD Method provides methods for documenting the number, volume and characteristics of large woody debris pieces in stream channels. The Level 1 survey involves a rapid tally of pieces by size category and produces information on total and key LWD pieces per channel width. Variables to be surveyed using the LWD Method o Number of LWD Pieces o Identification of Key LWD Pieces o Distribution of LWD in stream corridor o LWD jam composition Large Woody Debris Metrics o % LWD pieces by size class and channel zone o % key LWD pieces o LWD pieces per channel width o LWD pieces per kilometer o LWD jam composition by % size class Quality of Pools Quality of Pools will be measured using methods described in Monitoring Protocols to Evaluate Water Quality Effects of Grazing Management on Western Rangeland Streams by Bauer and Burton (1993) (Water Quality Effects). Water Quality Effects describes a monitoring system to assess grazing impacts on water quality in streams o the western United States. The monitoring methods were selected for application by natural resource professionals with backgrounds in soils, range, hydrology, fisheries biology, and water quality. Though designed to be used in an agricultural environment, many of the protocols in this document (such as assessment of pool quality) can be applied over a broad geographic range. Variables to be surveyed using the Water Quality Effects o Pool depth (in conjunction with the Habitat Unit Survey) o Substrate o Overhead Cover o Submerged Cover APPENDIX A Renton Nickel Improvement Project A-6 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report o Bank Cover NOTE: The individual variables surveyed will be assimilated into a pool quality index that will detail habitat values for individual pools. o Quality of Pool Metrics o Mean and SD pool quality index Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) OHWM measurements will be conducted in accordance with the protocols contained in A Guide for Field Identification of Bankfull Stage in the Western United States by the USDA, Forest Service, Stream Systems Technology Center Rocky Mountain Research Station. The OHWM for each stream will be marked for 60 lineal feet along the stream from the proposed toe of slope of impact line. In instances where the OHWM is located more than 60 lineal feet from the proposed toe of slope of impact line OHWM will not be marked and it will be documented in a technical memorandum that the distance to the OHWM exceeds 60 lineal feet. Establishing Reference Points A handheld GPS unit will be used to establish reference points at the upstream and downstream end of each surveyed stream reach to allow for future surveys to be conducted within the same reach. Photographic Documentation Photographs will be taken at the upstream end, downstream end, and mid-point of each survey reach. In addition, significant features (e.g. LWD jams, culvert outlets, etc) will also be photographed. Mercer Slough Mercer Slough is a unique feature within the Bellevue study area. Several streams in the study area outlet into the slough, however the slough itself is a lacustrine (lake influenced), rather than a riverine, system. The slough is used by a variety of aquatic species and acts as a migration corridor and rearing area for salmonids in various life stages. To assess the habitat values of Mercer Slough, habitat survey crews will determine the extent of inundated vegetated areas and deeper channel areas (those with no vegetation breaking the surface of the slough). A Differential Global Position System (DGPS) will be used to collect data along the outer margin of the wetted perimeter and deeper channel areas of Mercer Slough within the study area. This approach will provide information on the extent of the two main habitat types in Mercer Slough. A discussion of how these habitats could be affected by the project and/or used by fish could be prepared as part of the Bellevue Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report. Existing information will be used to determine fish use in Mercer Slough. References A guide for field identification of bankfull stage in the western United States [videorecording] / producers, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Stream Systems Technology Center ; producer/director, Chris Frye. APPENDIX A Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report A-7 Bauer, S. B., and Burton, T. A. 1993. Monitoring protocols to evaluate water quality effects of grazing management on western rangeland streams. United States Environmental Protection Agency, Water Division, Surface Water Branch, Region 10, Seattle, Washington. pp. 145-148. Kaufmann, P.R., P. Levine, E.G. Robison, C. Seeliger, and D.V. Peck. 1999. Quantifying Physical Habitat in Wadeable Streams. EPA/620/R-99/003. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. Lazorchak, J.M., Hill, B.H., Averill, D.K., D.V. Peck, and D.J. Klemm (editors). 2000. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program -Surface Waters: Field Operations and Methods for Measuring the Ecological Condition of Non-Wadeable Rivers and Streams U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati OH. Plafkin, J.L., M.T. Barbour, K.D. Porter, S.K. Gross, and R.M. Hughes. 1989. Rapid bioassessment protocols for use in streams and rivers: Benthic macroinvertebrates and fish. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Regulations and Standards, Washington, D.C. EPA 440-4-89- 001. Platts, W. S., C. Armour, G. D. Booth, M. Bryant, J. L. Bufford, P. Cuplin, S. Jensen, G. W. Lienkaemper, G. W. Minshall, S. B. Monsen, R. L. Nelson, J. R. Sedell, and J. S. Tuhy. 1987. Methods for evaluating riparian habitats with applications to management. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report INT-221. Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 187 pp. Pleus, A.E., D. Schuett-Hames, and L. Bullchild. 1999. TFW Monitoring Program method manual for the habitat unit survey. Prepared for the Washington State Dept. of Natural Resources under the Timber, Fish, and Wildlife Agreement. TFW-AM9-99-003. DNR #105. June. J. G. Scholz and D. B. Booth, 2001, Monitoring small urban streams: Strategies and protocols for humid-region lowland systems: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 71(2), p. 143-164 Schuett-Hames, D., A.E. Pleus, J. Ward, M. Fox, and J. Light. 1999. TFW Monitoring Program method manual for the large woody debris survey. Prepared for the Washington State Dept. of Natural Resources under the Timber, Fish, and Wildlife Agreement. TFW-AM9-99-004. DNR #106. June. Wolman, M.G. 1954. A method of sampling coarse river bed material. American Geophysical Union 35:951-956. APPENDIX A Renton Nickel Improvement Project A-8 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report This page intentionally blank. APPENDIX B Stream Survey Summaries Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report Habitat Survey Summary Information Sheet Pool Quality Pool quality is rated at a value between 0 and 10, with 10 being the highest complexity (quality) and 0 the lowest quality. Pool quality, as detailed in the summaries that follow, is the average of pool quality ratings for all of the pools evaluated in that stream reach. Pool quality measurements are qualitative ratings based on a combination of measurements of pool depth, size class of pool substrate, and overhead, submerged, and streambank cover. Bank Angles Bank angles presented in the habitat survey summaries include data on undercut banks. Habitat Parameters Condition Category Habitat Parameter Optimal Suboptimal Marginal Poor Channel Alteration Channelization or dredging absent or minimal; stream with normal pattern. Some channelization present, usually in areas of bridge abutments; evidence of past channelization may be present, but recent channelization is not present. Channelization may be extensive; shoring structures present on both banks; 40-80% of stream reach channelized and disrupted. Banks shored with gabion or cement; over 80% of the stream reach channelized and disrupted. In-stream habitat greatly altered or removed entirely. Bank Stability Banks stable; evidence of erosion or bank failure absent or minimal; little potential for future problems. < 5% of bank affected. Moderately stable; infrequent, small areas of erosion mostly healed over. 5-30% of bank in reach has areas of erosion. Moderately unstable; 30-60% of bank in reach has areas of erosion; high erosion potential during floods Unstable; many eroded areas; "raw" areas frequent along straight sections and bends; obvious bank sloughing; 60-100% if bank has erosion scars. Vegetative Protection More than 90% of the streambank surfaces and immediate riparian zones covered by native vegetation, vegetative disruption minimal or not evident; almost all plants allowed to grow naturally. 70-90% of the streambank surfaces covered by native vegetation, but one class of plants is not well-represented; disruption evident but not affecting full plant growth potential to any great extent. 50-70% of the streambank surfaces covered by native vegetation; disruption obvious. Less than 50% of the streambank surfaces covered by native vegetation; disruption of streambank vegetation is very high. Riparian Vegetative Zone Width Width of riparian zone >18 meters; human activities have not impacted zone. Width of riparian zone 12-18 meters; human activities have impacted zone only minimally. Width of riparian zone 6-12 meters; human activities have impacted zone a great deal. Width of riparian zone <6 meters; little or no riparian vegetation due to human activities. APPENDIX B Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report B-2 Gilliam Creek Habitat Survey Summary Sheet Large Woody Debris Metrics In-Stream Habitat Type Metrics Channel Zone 1 - Number of LWD 6 Stream Discharge 4.436 cfs Channel Zone 1 - % of total LWD 15% HUs Per KM 46.92 Channel Zone 2 - Number of LWD 20 Pools per KM 15.18 Channel Zone 2 - % of total LWD 50% Mean Residual Pool Depth 39 cm Channel Zone 3 - Number of LWD 14 SD of Residual Pool Depth 23.49 cm Channel Zone 3 - % of total LWD 35% Mean Channel Alteration Marginal Total number of LWD 40 Mean Left Bank Stability Marginal Number of Key LWD Pieces 0 Mean Right Bank Stability Marginal % Key LWD Pieces 0% Mean Bank Stability Marginal LWD Pieces per KM 55.2 Mean Left Bank Vegetative Protection Poor Mean Right Bank Vegetative Protection Poor Existing Stream Geomorphology Metrics Mean Vegetative Protection Overall Poor Mean Wetted Width 3.19 m Mean Left Bank Riparian Zone Width Marginal Mean Bankfull Width 5.53 m Mean Right Bank Riparian Zone Width Marginal Mean Bankfull Height 0.92 m Mean Riparian Zone Width Marginal Mean Stream Depth 37.02 cm Mean Reach Slope 1% Substrate Composition Metrics Mean Left Bank Angle 64° Dominant Substrate Class Size Fine Gravel Mean Right Bank Angle 55° % Boulder (250 to 4000 MM) 3% SD of Wetted Width 0.52 m % Cobble (64 to 255 MM) 7% SD of Bankfull Width 1.03 m % Coarse Gravel (16 to 64 MM) 3% SD of Bankfull Height 0.14 m % Fine Gravel (2 to 16 MM) 20% SD of Stream Depth 17.68 cm % Sand (.06 to 2 MM) 31% SD of Left Bank Angle 28° % Silt/Sand/Muck 26% SD of Right Bank Angle 25° % Hardpan 6% Total Stream Length Surveyed (m) 724.6 m % Wood 4% Mean % Embeddedness 63% Quality of Pool Metrics SD of % Embeddedness 44% Mean Pool Quality Index 5.18 SD of Pool Quality Index 1.4 Riparian Vegetation Metrics Total Number of Pools 11 % Canopy Vegetation Cover Heavy (40-75%) % Mid Layer Vegetation Cover Very Heavy (>75%) Canopy Cover Measurements % Canopy Cover 90% APPENDIX B Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report B-3 Cottage Creek Habitat Survey Summary Sheet Large Woody Debris Metrics In-Stream Habitat Type Metrics Channel Zone 1 - Number of LWD 0 Stream Discharge N/A Channel Zone 1 - % of total LWD 0% HUs Per KM 270.27 Channel Zone 2 - Number of LWD 0 Pools per KM 0 Channel Zone 2 - % of total LWD 0% Mean Residual Pool Depth N/A Channel Zone 3 - Number of LWD 0 SD of Residual Pool Depth N/A Channel Zone 3 - % of total LWD 0% Mean Channel Alteration N/A Total number of LWD 0 Mean Left Bank Stability N/A Number of Key LWD Pieces 0 Mean Right Bank Stability N/A % Key LWD Pieces 0% Mean Bank Stability N/A LWD Pieces per KM 0 Mean Left Bank Vegetative Protection N/A Mean Right Bank Vegetative Protection N/A Existing Stream Geomorphology Metrics Mean Vegetative Protection Overall N/A Mean Wetted Width N/A Mean Left Bank Riparian Zone Width N/A Mean Bankfull Width N/A Mean Right Bank Riparian Zone Width N/A Mean Bankfull Height N/A Mean Riparian Zone Width N/A Mean Stream Depth N/A Mean Reach Slope N/A Substrate Composition Metrics Mean Left Bank Angle N/A Dominant Substrate Class Size N/A Mean Right Bank Angle N/A % Boulder (250 to 4000 MM) N/A SD of Wetted Width N/A % Cobble (64 to 255 MM) N/A SD of Bankfull Width N/A % Coarse Gravel (16 to 64 MM) N/A SD of Bankfull Height N/A % Fine Gravel (2 to 16 MM) N/A SD of Stream Depth N/A % Sand (.06 to 2 MM) N/A SD of Left Bank Angle N/A % Silt/Sand/Muck N/A SD of Right Bank Angle N/A % Hardpan N/A Total Stream Length Surveyed (m) 3.7 m % Wood N/A Mean % Embeddedness N/A Quality of Pool Metrics SD of % Embeddedness N/A Mean Pool Quality Index 0 SD of Pool Quality Index 0 Riparian Vegetation Metrics Total Number of Pools 0 % Canopy Vegetation Cover N/A % Mid Layer Vegetation Cover N/A Canopy Cover Measurements % Canopy Cover N/A APPENDIX B Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report B-4 Unnamed Tributary to Gilliam Creek Habitat Survey Summary Sheet Large Woody Debris Metrics In-Stream Habitat Type Metrics Channel Zone 1 - Number of LWD 0 Stream Discharge N/A Channel Zone 1 - % of total LWD 0% HUs Per KM 74.63 Channel Zone 2 - Number of LWD 0 Pools per KM 0 Channel Zone 2 - % of total LWD 0% Mean Residual Pool Depth N/A Channel Zone 3 - Number of LWD 0 SD of Residual Pool Depth N/A Channel Zone 3 - % of total LWD 0% Mean Channel Alteration Suboptimal Total number of LWD 0 Mean Left Bank Stability Suboptimal Number of Key LWD Pieces 0 Mean Right Bank Stability Suboptimal % Key LWD Pieces 0% Mean Bank Stability Suboptimal LWD Pieces per KM 0 Mean Left Bank Vegetative Protection Poor Mean Right Bank Vegetative Protection Poor Existing Stream Geomorphology Metrics Mean Vegetative Protection Overall Poor Mean Wetted Width 1.2 m Mean Left Bank Riparian Zone Width Poor Mean Bankfull Width 6.3 m Mean Right Bank Riparian Zone Width Poor Mean Bankfull Height 1.3 m Mean Riparian Zone Width Poor Mean Stream Depth 11.33 cm Mean Reach Slope 6% Substrate Composition Metrics Mean Left Bank Angle 39° Dominant Substrate Class Size Silt/Sand/Muck Mean Right Bank Angle 16° % Boulder (250 to 4000 MM) 0% SD of Wetted Width 0.14 m % Cobble (64 to 255 MM) 0% SD of Bankfull Width N/A % Coarse Gravel (16 to 64 MM) 10% SD of Bankfull Height 0.14 m % Fine Gravel (2 to 16 MM) 0% SD of Stream Depth 5.43 cm % Sand (.06 to 2 MM) 0% SD of Left Bank Angle 30° % Silt/Sand/Muck 90% SD of Right Bank Angle 08° % Hardpan 0% Total Stream Length Surveyed (m) 13.4 m % Wood 0% Mean % Embeddedness 90% Quality of Pool Metrics SD of % Embeddedness 32% Mean Pool Quality Index N/A SD of Pool Quality Index N/A Riparian Vegetation Metrics Total Number of Pools 0 % Canopy Vegetation Cover Moderate (10-40%) % Mid Layer Vegetation Cover Very Heavy (>75%) Canopy Cover Measurements % Canopy Cover 82% APPENDIX B Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report B-5 Green River Habitat Survey Summary Sheet Large Woody Debris Metrics In-Stream Habitat Type Metrics Channel Zone 1 - Number of LWD 3 Stream Discharge N/A Channel Zone 1 - % of total LWD 38% HUs Per KM 1 Channel Zone 2 - Number of LWD 5 Pools per KM N/A Channel Zone 2 - % of total LWD 63% Mean Residual Pool Depth N/A Channel Zone 3 - Number of LWD 0 SD of Residual Pool Depth N/A Channel Zone 3 - % of total LWD 0% Mean Channel Alteration Poor Total number of LWD 8 Mean Left Bank Stability Optimal Number of Key LWD Pieces 0 Mean Right Bank Stability Optimal % Key LWD Pieces 0% Mean Bank Stability Optimal LWD Pieces per KM 13.33 Mean Left Bank Vegetative Protection Poor Mean Right Bank Vegetative Protection Poor Existing Stream Geomorphology Metrics Mean Vegetative Protection Overall Poor Mean Wetted Width 28.31 m Mean Left Bank Riparian Zone Width Poor Mean Bankfull Width 30.38 m Mean Right Bank Riparian Zone Width Poor Mean Bankfull Height 0.77 m Mean Riparian Zone Width Poor Mean Stream Depth 71 cm Mean Reach Slope N/A Substrate Composition Metrics Mean Left Bank Angle 47° Dominant Substrate Class Size Boulder Mean Right Bank Angle 38° % Bedrock (smooth) 4% SD of Wetted Width 2.95 m % Boulder (250 to 4000 MM) 39% SD of Bankfull Width 3.09 m % Cobble (64 to 255 MM) 0% SD of Bankfull Height 0.13 m % Coarse Gravel (16 to 64 MM) 4% SD of Stream Depth 8.48 cm % Fine Gravel (2 to 16 MM) 0% SD of Left Bank Angle 11° % Sand (.06 to 2 MM) 21% SD of Right Bank Angle 15° % Silt/Sand/Muck 32% Total Stream Length Surveyed (m) 600 m % Hardpan 0% % Wood 0% Quality of Pool Metrics Mean % Embeddedness 59% Mean Pool Quality Index N/A SD of % Embeddedness 44% SD of Pool Quality Index N/A Total Number of Pools N/A Riparian Vegetation Metrics % Canopy Vegetation Cover Moderate (10-40%) Canopy Cover Measurements % Mid Layer Vegetation Cover Very Heavy (>75%) % Canopy Cover 15% APPENDIX B Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report B-6 Springbrook Creek Habitat Survey Summary Sheet Large Woody Debris Metrics In-Stream Habitat Type Metrics Channel Zone 1 - Number of LWD 0 Stream Discharge 16.907 cfs Channel Zone 1 - % of total LWD 0% HUs Per KM 21.34 Channel Zone 2 - Number of LWD 0 Pools per KM 4.27 Channel Zone 2 - % of total LWD 0% Mean Residual Pool Depth 110.5 cm Channel Zone 3 - Number of LWD 0 SD of Residual Pool Depth 4.95 cm Channel Zone 3 - % of total LWD 0% Mean Channel Alteration Marginal Total number of LWD 0 Mean Left Bank Stability Marginal Number of Key LWD Pieces 0 Mean Right Bank Stability Suboptimal % Key LWD Pieces 0% Mean Bank Stability Marginal LWD Pieces per KM 0 Mean Left Bank Vegetative Protection Marginal Mean Right Bank Vegetative Protection Marginal Existing Stream Geomorphology Metrics Mean Vegetative Protection Overall Marginal Mean Wetted Width 13.85 m Mean Left Bank Riparian Zone Width Marginal Mean Bankfull Width 17.35 m Mean Right Bank Riparian Zone Width Marginal Mean Bankfull Height 0.71 m Mean Riparian Zone Width Marginal Mean Stream Depth 36.93 cm Mean Reach Slope 1% Substrate Composition Metrics Mean Left Bank Angle 53° Dominant Substrate Class Size Silt/Sand/Muck Mean Right Bank Angle 67° % Boulder (250 to 4000 MM) 0% SD of Wetted Width 4.79 m % Cobble (64 to 255 MM) 2% SD of Bankfull Width 5.12 m % Coarse Gravel (16 to 64 MM) 9% SD of Bankfull Height 0.38 m % Fine Gravel (2 to 16 MM) 13% SD of Stream Depth 22.12 cm % Sand (.06 to 2 MM) 24% SD of Left Bank Angle 22° % Silt/Sand/Muck 46% SD of Right Bank Angle 28° % Hardpan 0% Total Stream Length Surveyed (m) 468.5 m % Wood 2% % Other 4% Quality of Pool Metrics Mean % Embeddedness 78% Mean Pool Quality Index 6.5 SD of % Embeddedness 37% SD of Pool Quality Index 0.7 Total Number of Pools 2 Riparian Vegetation Metrics % Canopy Vegetation Cover Heavy (40-75%) Canopy Cover Measurements % Mid Layer Vegetation Cover Very Heavy (>75%) % Canopy Cover 84% APPENDIX B Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report B-7 Panther Creek Habitat Survey Summary Sheet Large Woody Debris Metrics In-Stream Habitat Type Metrics Channel Zone 1 - Number of LWD 0 Stream Discharge 0.147 cfs Channel Zone 1 - % of total LWD 0% HUs Per KM 13.99 Channel Zone 2 - Number of LWD 0 Pools per KM 3.49 Channel Zone 2 - % of total LWD 0% Mean Residual Pool Depth 25 cm Channel Zone 3 - Number of LWD 0 SD of Residual Pool Depth N/A Channel Zone 3 - % of total LWD 0% Mean Channel Alteration Poor Total number of LWD 0 Mean Left Bank Stability Suboptimal Number of Key LWD Pieces 0 Mean Right Bank Stability Suboptimal % Key LWD Pieces 0% Mean Bank Stability Suboptimal LWD Pieces per KM 0 Mean Left Bank Vegetative Protection Poor Mean Right Bank Vegetative Protection Poor Existing Stream Geomorphology Metrics Mean Vegetative Protection Overall Poor Mean Wetted Width 0.98 m Mean Left Bank Riparian Zone Width Marginal Mean Bankfull Width 3.64 m Mean Right Bank Riparian Zone Width Poor Mean Bankfull Height 0.86 m Mean Riparian Zone Width Poor Mean Stream Depth 14.0 cm Mean Reach Slope 2% Substrate Composition Metrics Mean Left Bank Angle 71° Dominant Substrate Class Size Silt/Sand/Muck Mean Right Bank Angle 45° % Bedrock (smooth) 0% SD of Wetted Width 0.16 m % Boulder (250 to 4000 MM) 4% SD of Bankfull Width 1.25 m % Cobble (64 to 255 MM) 8% SD of Bankfull Height 0.21 m % Coarse Gravel (16 to 64 MM) 0% SD of Stream Depth 6.37 cm % Fine Gravel (2 to 16 MM) 8% SD of Left Bank Angle 36° % Sand (.06 to 2 MM) 12% SD of Right Bank Angle 20° % Silt/Sand/Muck 68% Total Stream Length Surveyed (m) 286 m % Hardpan 0% % Wood 0% Quality of Pool Metrics % Other 0% Mean Pool Quality Index 4 Mean % Embeddedness 87% SD of Pool Quality Index N/A SD of % Embeddedness 6% Total Number of Pools 1 Riparian Vegetation Metrics Canopy Cover Measurements % Canopy Vegetation Cover Absent % Canopy Cover 53% % Mid Layer Vegetation Cover Moderate (10-40%) APPENDIX B Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report B-8 Rolling Hills Creek Habitat Survey Summary Sheet Large Woody Debris Metrics In-Stream Habitat Type Metrics Channel Zone 1 - Number of LWD 0 Stream Discharge 1.437 cfs Channel Zone 1 - % of total LWD 0% HUs Per KM 63.26 Channel Zone 2 - Number of LWD 0 Pools per KM 36.9 Channel Zone 2 - % of total LWD 0% Mean Residual Pool Depth 29.29 cm Channel Zone 3 - Number of LWD 0 SD of Residual Pool Depth 10.70 cm Channel Zone 3 - % of total LWD 0% Mean Channel Alteration Poor Total number of LWD 0 Mean Left Bank Stability Poor Number of Key LWD Pieces 0 Mean Right Bank Stability Poor % Key LWD Pieces 0% Mean Bank Stability Poor LWD Pieces per KM 0 Mean Left Bank Vegetative Protection Poor Mean Right Bank Vegetative Protection Poor Existing Stream Geomorphology Metrics Mean Vegetative Protection Overall Poor Mean Wetted Width 2.29 m Mean Left Bank Riparian Zone Width Poor Mean Bankfull Width 3.35 m Mean Right Bank Riparian Zone Width Poor Mean Bankfull Height 0.68 m Mean Riparian Zone Width Poor Mean Stream Depth 18.25 cm Mean Reach Slope 1% Substrate Composition Metrics Mean Left Bank Angle 93° Dominant Substrate Class Size Fine Gravel Mean Right Bank Angle 47° % Bedrock (smooth) 3% SD of Wetted Width 0.31 m % Boulder (250 to 4000 MM) 0% SD of Bankfull Width 0.56 m % Cobble (64 to 255 MM) 15% SD of Bankfull Height 0.10 m % Coarse Gravel (16 to 64 MM) 5% SD of Stream Depth 11.58 cm % Fine Gravel (2 to 16 MM) 35% SD of Left Bank Angle 32° % Sand (.06 to 2 MM) 28% SD of Right Bank Angle 26° % Silt/Sand/Muck 15% Total Stream Length Surveyed (m) 189.7 m % Hardpan 0% % Wood 4% Quality of Pool Metrics Mean % Embeddedness 69% Mean Pool Quality Index 5.86 SD of % Embeddedness 34% SD of Pool Quality Index 0.69 Total Number of Pools 7 Riparian Vegetation Metrics % Canopy Vegetation Cover Sparse (<10%) Canopy Cover Measurements % Mid Layer Vegetation Cover Moderate (10-40%) % Canopy Cover 89% APPENDIX B Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report B-9 Unnamed Tributary to Rolling Hills Creek Habitat Survey Summary Sheet Large Woody Debris Metrics In-Stream Habitat Type Metrics Channel Zone 1 - Number of LWD 0 Stream Discharge N/A Channel Zone 1 - % of total LWD 0% HUs Per KM 40 Channel Zone 2 - Number of LWD 0 Pools per KM 0 Channel Zone 2 - % of total LWD 0% Mean Residual Pool Depth N/A Channel Zone 3 - Number of LWD 0 SD of Residual Pool Depth N/A Channel Zone 3 - % of total LWD 0% Mean Channel Alteration Poor Total number of LWD 0 Mean Left Bank Stability Poor Number of Key LWD Pieces 0 Mean Right Bank Stability Poor % Key LWD Pieces 0% Mean Bank Stability Poor LWD Pieces per KM 0 Mean Left Bank Vegetative Protection Poor Mean Right Bank Vegetative Protection Poor Existing Stream Geomorphology Metrics Mean Vegetative Protection Overall Poor Mean Wetted Width 2.61 m Mean Left Bank Riparian Zone Width Poor Mean Bankfull Width 3.73 m Mean Right Bank Riparian Zone Width Poor Mean Bankfull Height 0.56 m Mean Riparian Zone Width Poor Mean Stream Depth 17.5 cm Mean Reach Slope 4% Substrate Composition Metrics Mean Left Bank Angle 46° Dominant Substrate Class Size Silt/Sand/Muck Mean Right Bank Angle 57° % Bedrock (smooth) 0% SD of Wetted Width 4.32 m % Boulder (250 to 4000 MM) 0% SD of Bankfull Width 4.76 m % Cobble (64 to 255 MM) 3% SD of Bankfull Height 0.16 m % Coarse Gravel (16 to 64 MM) 10% SD of Stream Depth 11.37 cm % Fine Gravel (2 to 16 MM) 3% SD of Left Bank Angle 16° % Sand (.06 to 2 MM) 17% SD of Right Bank Angle 11° % Silt/Sand/Muck 60% Total Stream Length Surveyed (m) 125.0 m % Hardpan 7% % Wood 0% Quality of Pool Metrics Mean % Embeddedness 83% Mean Pool Quality Index N/A SD of % Embeddedness 34% SD of Pool Quality Index N/A Total Number of Pools 0 Riparian Vegetation Metrics % Canopy Vegetation Cover Sparse (<10%) Canopy Cover Measurements % Mid Layer Vegetation Cover Heavy (40-75%) % Canopy Cover 77% APPENDIX B Renton Nickel Improvement Project Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report B-10 Thunder Hills Creek Habitat Survey Summary Sheet Large Woody Debris Metrics In-Stream Habitat Type Metrics Channel Zone 1 - Number of LWD 0 Stream Discharge N/A Channel Zone 1 - % of total LWD 0% HUs Per KM 34.5 Channel Zone 2 - Number of LWD 3 Pools per KM 7.96 Channel Zone 2 - % of total LWD 60% Mean Residual Pool Depth 33.67 cm Channel Zone 3 - Number of LWD 2 SD of Residual Pool Depth 12.66 cm Channel Zone 3 - % of total LWD 40% Mean Channel Alteration Poor Total number of LWD 5 Mean Left Bank Stability Optimal Number of Key LWD Pieces 0 Mean Right Bank Stability Optimal % Key LWD Pieces 0% Mean Bank Stability Optimal LWD Pieces per KM 13.27 Mean Left Bank Vegetative Protection Poor Mean Right Bank Vegetative Protection Poor Existing Stream Geomorphology Metrics Mean Vegetative Protection Overall Poor Mean Wetted Width 1.83 m Mean Left Bank Riparian Zone Width Marginal Mean Bankfull Width 2.52 m Mean Right Bank Riparian Zone Width Marginal Mean Bankfull Height 0.52 m Mean Riparian Zone Width Marginal Mean Stream Depth 9.77 cm Mean Reach Slope 4% Substrate Composition Metrics Mean Left Bank Angle 61° Dominant Substrate Class Size Other Mean Right Bank Angle 69° % Bedrock (smooth) 8% SD of Wetted Width 0.83 m % Boulder (250 to 4000 MM) 2% SD of Bankfull Width 1.26 m % Cobble (64 to 255 MM) 10% SD of Bankfull Height 0.36 m % Coarse Gravel (16 to 64 MM) 20% SD of Stream Depth 7.45 cm % Fine Gravel (2 to 16 MM) 14% SD of Left Bank Angle 27° % Sand (.06 to 2 MM) 10% SD of Right Bank Angle 26° % Silt/Sand/Muck 2% Total Stream Length Surveyed (m) 376.8 m % Hardpan 0% % Wood 0% Quality of Pool Metrics % Other 34% Mean Pool Quality Index 5 Mean % Embeddedness 22% SD of Pool Quality Index 2.65 SD of % Embeddedness 7% Total Number of Pools 3 Riparian Vegetation Metrics Canopy Cover Measurements % Canopy Vegetation Cover Sparse (<10%) % Canopy Cover 74% % Mid Layer Vegetation Cover Heavy (40-75%)