HomeMy WebLinkAboutRS_Wetland_and_Stream_240419_v1
MAY CREEK TRAIL SOUTH
WETLAND AND STREAM
DELINEATION REPORT
CITY OF RENTON - PARKS PLANNING AND
DEVELOPMENT
PROJECT NO.: 30902211
DATE: APRIL 2024
WSP USA
1201 PACIFIC AVE. SUITE 550
TACOMA, WA 98402
PHONE: +1 206-431-2300
WSP.COM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION ......................... 1
1.1 Project Background ........................................................................... 1
1.2 Landscape Setting.............................................................................. 1
2 METHODS ..................................... 2
2.1 Wetland Delineation .........................................................................2
2.2 Ordinary High Water Mark Determination .............................3
2.3 Species and Habitats of Interest .................................................3
3 SITE CHARACTERISTICS ....... 4
3.1 Precipitation and Hydrology ........................................................ 4
3.2 Mapped Soils ....................................................................................... 5
3.3 Mapped Wetlands ............................................................................. 5
3.4 Vegetation ............................................................................................ 6
4 WETLAND DESCRIPTIONS .. 7
4.1 Wetland A .............................................................................................. 7
4.2 Wetland B ............................................................................................... 7
4.3 Wetland C .............................................................................................. 8
4.4 Wetland D ............................................................................................. 8
5 ORDINARY HIGH WATER
MARK DESCRIPTION .............. 9
6 REGULATORY REVIEW ........ 10
6.1 Federal and State Regulations .................................................. 10
6.2 Local Regulations ............................................................................ 10
7 CONCLUSIONS .......................... 12
8 REFERENCES ............................ 13
9 LIST OF ACRONYMS AND
ABBREVIATIONS ..................... 14
TABLES
TABLE 1. PRECIPITATION DATA FOR 14 DAYS PRIOR TO
OCTOBER 27-28/NOVEMBER 5, 2022 AND JANUARY 18,
2023 ...............................................................................................................................................4
TABLE 2. IDENTIFIED WETLAND DESCRIPTIONS ......................................... 7
TABLE 3. SUMMARY OF WETLAND CLASSIFICATION,
RATING, AND BUFFER WIDTH ................................................................................... 11
FIGURES
FIGURE 1. VICINITY MAP
FIGURE 2. TAX LOTS
FIGURE 3. NRCS SOILS
FIGURE 4. SITE TOPOGRAPHY
FIGURE 5. USFWS NWI AND CITY OF RENTON WETLANDS
FIGURE 6. REGULATED RESOURCES OVERVIEW
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A WETLAND DATA SHEETS
APPENDIX B WETLAND RATING FORMS
APPENDIX C WEATHER INFORMATION
APPENDIX D PHOTO LOG
May Creek Trail South Project WSP USA, 30902211.000
Wetland and Stream Report April 2024
King County, Washington Page 1 of 14
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND
The City of Renton (City) Parks Planning and Natural Resources Department proposes to develop a new trail and bridge
crossing of May Creek that expands upon the existing trail network within the May Creek Open Space Park (Park) in
Renton, Washington. As part of this project, the City must determine the limits of wetlands and waterbodies within the
study area. The City contracted with WSP USA to determine the existence of jurisdictional wetlands and waterbodies as
defined and regulated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Washington State Department of Ecology
(Ecology), the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and the City.
The study area is located within King County in Section 32 of Township 24N Range 05E Figure 1). The property has a
developed trail within the May Creek Open Space that spans 8.53 acres of land and water. The study area encompassed the
entirety of the property. The study area is within tax parcels 322405-9081 and 322405-9109 (Figure 2).
Brandon Stimac and Blake Knobbe, WSP environmental scientists, used the routine on-site wetland delineation method
described below for the delineation and assessment. Four wetlands were identified within the study area, and the ordinary
high water mark (OHWM) of May Creek was located.
1.2 LANDSCAPE SETTING
The project is located in WRIA 8 (Cedar-Sammamish) and specifically the HUC-12 171100120400 (Lake Washington-
Sammamish River). The Project occurs in the lower (western) reach of May Creek just upstream of its outlet to Lake
Washington. May Creek drains an area of approximately 14 square miles (King County 2001). The basin can be divided
roughly into two halves. The upper, eastern portion of the basin is characterized by R-1 to R-4 residential and agricultural
land uses and includes a significant portion of Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. Above May Canyon (the project
location) the creek lies in a formerly dredged, straightened channel at the center of a wide, very low gradient valley. The
lower, western portion of the basin is inside the Urban Growth Boundary (primarily within the jurisdiction of the City of
Renton and City of Newcastle, Washington) and is fairly dense 6 to 8 unit per acre urban residential developments. Within
the City of Renton jurisdiction, the mainstem of May Creek is in a designated park and runs through a steep, narrow,
wooded canyon before flowing into east Lake Washington (King County 2016).
May Creek Trail South Project WSP USA, 30902211.000
Wetland and Stream Report April 2024
King County, Washington Page 2 of 14
2 METHODS
2.1 WETLAND DELINEATION
Wetlands were delineated using routine methods described in:
— USACE Wetlands Delineation Manual (Environmental Laboratory 1987).
— Regional Supplement to the USACE Wetland Delineation Manual: Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast
Region (Version 2.0) (WMVC Regional Supplement) (USACE 2010).
Wetland boundaries were delineated based on on-site observations of vegetation, soils, and hydrology in
conjunction with background information listed above. Wetland boundaries were flagged by WSP biologists and
subsequently surveyed by a survey crew.
Wetlands were classified using the USFWS classification system (Cowardin 1979) and the hydrogeomorphic
classification system (HGM) (Brinson 1993). Wetlands were rated using the Washington State Wetland Rating
System for Western Washington: 2014 (Hruby 2014). The City of Renton Municipal Code references the 2014
Rating System.
City wetland buffer widths were applied to the wetlands in the project. Buffer widths were all 60 feet and were
based on the results of the wetland rating and intensity of land use impacts per RMC 4-3-090D2.d.iii. Buffers were
applied based on the category of wetland and their habitat score from the Wetland Rating System. Wetland buffer
condition within the study area was assessed using the following criteria:
— Land use (agriculture, residential, commercial, and industrial).
— Buffer vegetation structure (tree, shrub, herb, vine, and unvegetated).
— Buffer vegetation community (dominant plant species per strata, native versus non-native dominants, and
description of invasive species or noxious weeds).
In addition to the regional supplement, the scientists used the following information to develop a preliminary
indication of where potential wetlands and waterbodies might exist and aid on-site data collection.
— City of Renton COR Maps (City of Renton 2022)
— King County GIS Database iMap (King County 2022a)
— Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Practices Application Mapping Tool
(FPAMT) (DNR 2022)
— Hydric Soils List (U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA] Natural Resources Conservation Service [NRCS])
State Soil Data Access (SDA) Hydric Soils List (USDA-NRCS 2022a)
— Web Soil Survey (USDA-NRCS 2022b)
— National Wetland Plant List (Lichvar et al. 2016)
— Preliminary Monthly Climate Data: Seattle-Tacoma (National Weather Service, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration [NOAA])
— U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) Online Mapper (USFWS 2022)
— Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington—Revised (Hruby 2014) (2014 rating
system)
On October 27-28, 2022, November 8, 2022 and January 18, 2023, the two WSP wetland scientists conducted a field
investigation in the study area to determine if wetlands were present. The scientists used the methodology
discussed in the regional supplement, as well as technical guidance and documentation issued by the USACE and
Ecology, to observe any visible wetland conditions. In this case, the scientists used the routine on-site wetland
delineation method. They walked the entire site looking for visible indicators of wetland conditions. Once they
had identified the general location of a wetland area, the scientists took paired data points in areas that
represented the conditions of the uplands and wetlands. In general, each plot was chosen in a uniform
May Creek Trail South Project WSP USA, 30902211.000
Wetland and Stream Report April 2024
King County, Washington Page 3 of 14
topographic position that was representative of a single plant community. Paired points were generally located
approximately 5 to 10 feet apart to minimize the margin of error. The scientists inspected the soils at each data point to a
depth of 16 inches (or more, depending on conditions) to determine the presence or absence of hydric soil characteristics
and/or wetland hydrology. The January 18, 2023 site visit was conducted to verify the hydrology of the wetlands as drier
than normal conditions were present during the October and November site visits.
2.2 ORDINARY HIGH WATER MARK DETERMINATION
Guidance for the OHWM determination came from Determining the Ordinary High Water Mark for Shoreline Management
Act Compliance in Washington State (Ecology 2016).
During the October and November 2022 site visits, the WSP scientists marked the OHWM of May Creek that extended from
the bridge on Lake Washington Boulevard North to the west up to the bridge on I-405 to the east. The scientists used a
combination of field indicators (e.g., vegetation distribution, sediment lines on vegetation or other fixed objects, scour
lines, etc.) to determine the OHWM and marked it in the field with blue flagging that was later surveyed by a survey team.
2.3 SPECIES AND HABITATS OF INTEREST
A separate document will address impacts to Endangered Species Act (ESA) federally listed threatened or endangered
wildlife species and proposed and designated critical habitat. This report includes preliminary information regarding
potential ESA species and habitats; Washington State threatened, endangered, or sensitive species; and habitats of
interest that may occur in the project. The following data sources were reviewed for information on federally and state
listed threatened, endangered, candidate, sensitive species, and species of concern, as well as habitats of interest:
— Federally listed threatened, endangered, or candidate wildlife species (WDFW 2023a) and proposed and designated
critical habitat (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries (NNMFS) (NMFS 2023).
— Washington State threatened, endangered, and sensitive plants (DNR 2023a).
— Wetlands of High Conservation Value (DNR 2023b).WDFW Priority Habitats and Species (WDFW 2023b).
— Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC) Statewide Integrated Fish Distribution (SWIFD) Web Map. (NWIFC
2023).
May Creek Trail South Project WSP USA, 30902211.000
Wetland and Stream Report April 2024
King County, Washington Page 4 of 14
3 SITE CHARACTERISTICS
Topographically, the portion of the property north of May Creek that contains the existing trail system is
relatively flat (Figure 4). The area south of May Creek slopes east to west down to May Creek. Most of the site
consists of undeveloped forest outside of the existing trail alignment to the north of May Creek. Vegetation
species noted throughout the study area include an overstory of Douglas’ fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), western
hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum), red alder (Alnus rubra), black cottonwood (Populus
balsamifera), and western red cedar (Thuja plicata), and an understory of Pacific willow (Salix lasiandra), Sitka
willow (Salix sitchensis), evergreen huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum), western skunk cabbage (Lysichiton americanus),
lady fern (Athyrium felix-femina), western common horsetail (Equisetum arvense) and non-native Himalayan
blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) hybrid Japanese knotweed (Fallopia x bohemica), among other plant species.
3.1 PRECIPITATION AND HYDROLOGY
The typical growing season for King County (Seattle-Tacoma Station) is 257 days, starting on March 19 and ending
on December 1. According to the USACE wetland delineation manual, flooding, ponding, or saturation in the
upper 12 inches of the soil profile for a period of at least 14 consecutive days during the growing season is
indicative of wetland hydrology.
Table 1 displays precipitation data for the 14 days prior to and including the site visits on October 27-
28/November 5, 2022 and January 18, 2023. For the two weeks preceding and through the site visits, a total of 2.10
inches and 0.66 inches of precipitation was observed, respectively. The information comes from the National
Weather Service station in Renton, Washington (Renton Municipal Airport), approximately 2 miles south-
southwest of the study area. A detailed weather description is located in Appendix D.
Table 1. Precipitation Data for 14 Days Prior to October 27-28/November 5, 2022 and January 18, 2023
Date Rain (inches) Date Rain (inches) Date Rain (inches) Date Rain (inches)
October 14 0.00 October 26 Trace January 4 Trace January 12 0.04
October 15 0.00 October 27 Trace January 5 0.01 January 13 0.04
October 16 0.00 October 28 0.17 January 6 0.06 January 14 Trace
October 17 0.00 October 29 0.00 January 7 Trace January 15 0.08
October 18 0.00 October 30 0.30 January 8 0.08 January 16 Trace
October 19 0.00 October 31 0.50 January 9 0.11 January 17 Trace
October 20 Trace November 1 0.04 January 10 Trace January 18 0.24
October 21 0.11 November 2 0.04 January 11 Trace Total: 0.66
October 22 0.55 November 3 0.14
October 23 Trace November 4 Trace
October 24 0.02 November 5 Trace
October 25 0.18 Total: 2.10
In addition to the daily rainfall total for the 14 days prior to the October/November 2022 and January 2023 site
visit, the WSP wetland scientists reviewed historic precipitation data available on the NOAA website (NOAA 2022).
That data shows the following.
— During the entire month of October 2022 prior to the November 5th visit, 1.83 inches of precipitation was
observed, 1.74 inches below the historical normal of 3.57 inches.
May Creek Trail South Project WSP USA, 30902211.000
Wetland and Stream Report April 2024
King County, Washington Page 5 of 14
— As of November, 2022, the observed precipitation for the year 2022 was 11.32 inches, 11.63 inches below the historical
normal of 22.95 inches.
The site conditions were much drier than the historical normal at the time of the first site visits but were considered
appropriate for the wetland delineation. Additionally, the Palmer Drought Severity Index indicated that the Puget Sound
Lowlands were in a moderate drought in October and November of 2022. Given that the work was done near the end of the
dry-season with drier than normal conditions, the delineation could not rely on hydrology being present. The “Wetlands
that periodically lack indicators of wetland hydrology” methodology as described in the Regional Supplement was used
when necessary to make wetland calls. As part of this methodology, it is recommended that a future site visit be conducted
to verify hydrology in the early growing season. This follow-up visit was conducted in January 2023 and confirmed
hydrology within each of the wetlands.
During the site investigation, the scientists documented the presence or absence of field indicators for wetland hydrology
in each of the ten soil pits excavated in the data points. The data recorded included the depth of inundation, depth to
water table, and/or soil saturation, when found, as well as primary and secondary indicators of wetland hydrology,
including surface water, saturation, sediment deposits, drift deposits, geomorphic position, drainage patterns, and the
FAC-neutral test. Hydrologic inputs for the study area likely come from direct precipitation, overland flow from adjacent
uplands, and a permanently/seasonally high water table.
During the site visit, the presence of surface water, saturation, sediment/drift deposits, geomorphic position, drainage
patterns, and the FAC-neutral test were the most common hydrology indicators. This is typical of riverine and slope
wetlands in the Pacific Northwest that are located near streams and have seeps respectively.
3.2 MAPPED SOILS
Review of the USDA-NRCS Web Soil Survey identifies the following soil mapping unit within the study area (Figure 3). The
descriptions are excerpted from the King County Area soil survey (NRCS 2022a/2022b).
— Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes (AgC) – This soil unit formed from glacial drift and outwash
and is common in Western Washington. The unit is moderately well drained and is typically used for timber and crop
production or wildlife habitat. According to the state Soil Data Access (SDA) Hydric Soil List (USDA-NRCS 2020b), this
soil is listed as hydric in the King County Area.
— Indianola loamy sand, 5 to 15 percent slopes (InC) – This soil unit formed in sandy glacial drift and is somewhat
common in the Puget Sound lowlands. The unit is somewhat excessively well drained and is typically used for timber
and forage production or pastures. According to the state Soil Data Access (SDA) Hydric Soil List (USDA-NRCS 2020a),
this soil is listed as hydric in the King County Area.
— Norma sandy loam (No) – This soil unit formed in old alluvium in depressions on glacial till plains and drainageways.
The unit is poorly drained. No capability for timber production, but when drained can be used for row crops and
pasture. According to the state Soil Data Access (SDA) Hydric Soil List (USDA-NRCS 2020a), this soil is listed as hydric in
the King County Area.
The locations of the soil type within the study area were obtained from the USDA-NRCS Web Soil Survey (USDA-NRCS
2022b), and the hydric classification came from the SDA list of hydric soils (USDA-NRCS 2022a). The WSP scientists
examined each soil pit for hydric soil indicators and recorded its soil profile and characteristics (matrix color,
redoximorphic features, texture, and other features). Observations of soil conditions during the site visit were generally
consistent with the map units described and identified in the USDA-NRCS soil survey.
3.3 MAPPED WETLANDS
Review of the NWI online mapper identifies May Creek but does not indicate any wetland habitats mapped within the
study area (Figure 5). Similarly, King County’s iMap does not show the presence of any wetlands within the study area. The
COR Mapper identified four wetlands in the study area (Figure 5).
During the site visit, three of the four wetlands shown in the City’s COR mapper were verified to exist while the one
located to the north of May Creek did not meet all three wetland characteristics. No wetlands were identified adjacent to
the study area.
May Creek Trail South Project WSP USA, 30902211.000
Wetland and Stream Report April 2024
King County, Washington Page 6 of 14
3.4 VEGETATION
The vegetation varies between areas with native forest, shrub, and groundcover to non-forested invasive shrub
monocultures. Within the wetland areas dominant vegetation includes Himalayan blackberry (FAC),
Japanese/Bohemian knotweed (No Indicator), Pacific/Sitka willow (FACW), western skunk cabbage (OBL), lady
fern (Athyrium cyclosorum, FAC), western common horsetail (Equisetum arvense, FAC), red alder (Alnus rubra, FAC),
black cottonwood (FAC), and western red cedar (FAC), among other plant species. The upland areas dominant
vegetation includes Douglas fir (FACU), bigleaf maple (FACU), western red cedar, Himalayan blackberry, English
holly (Ilex aquifolium, FACU), portuguese laurel (Prunus lusitanica, No Indicator), vine maple (Acer circinatum, FAC),
salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis, FAC), sword fern (FACU), and trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus, FACU) among
others.
May Creek Trail South Project WSP USA, 30902211.000
Wetland and Stream Report April 2024
King County, Washington Page 7 of 14
4 WETLAND DESCRIPTIONS
During the site visit in October/November 2022 and the follow-up site hydrology verification visit in January 2023, the
scientists identified four wetlands within the study area. The on-site wetlands were classified according to the USFWS
classification system (Cowardin et al. 1979) and the hydrogeomorphic (HGM) classification system (Brinson 1993) based on
observations made in the field. In addition, the scientists recorded hydrologic conditions, soils, and vegetation at ten data
points; they used a GPS unit to record the data point locations and wetland boundaries and excavated a soil pit in each
data point. The wetlands in the study area are discussed in greater detail in Sections 4.0 to 4.4 below.
WSP’s investigation of hydrology, soils, and vegetation identified four wetland features within the study area (Wetlands A,
B, C, and D). Appendix B contains ten wetland determination forms that show the data collected during the site visit. The
numbers assigned to the data sheets correspond to the data points, which were numbered sequentially DP1 to DP10. The
wetlands were rated using the revised wetland rating form that Ecology developed in 2014 (Appendix C).
Wetlands A, B, C and D received a Category III rating with a score of 17, 18, 19 and 17 points respectively (Table 2). Figure 6
is an overview of the locations of the delineated wetlands within the study area, overlaid on an aerial image of the study
area. Appendix E consists of site photos taken during the field investigation.
Table 2. Identified Wetland Descriptions
Wetland Wetland Classification Area of Wetland
(acres) Cowardina HGMb Wetland Ratingc
Wetland A PFO/PSS Slope III 0.14
Wetland B PSS Riverine III 0.03
Wetland C PFO/PSS Slope III 0.80
Wetland D PSS Depressional III 0.03
Notes:
a Cowardin et al. (1979) class based on vegetation: PEM = palustrine emergent, PFO = freshwater forested, PSS = scrub-shrub wetland.
b HGM classification according to Brinson (1993).
c Wetland rating according to Hruby (2014).
4.1 WETLAND A
Wetland A (0.14 acres) is in the southern portion of the study area, south of May Creek. This wetland is located in the
southern portion of tax parcel 322405-9109. The wetland is entirely within the study area. This forested wetland includes
plant species such as Sitka willow, Pacific willow, red alder, Himalayan blackberry, and common horsetail. Hydrology is
supported by interflow from adjacent uplands and roads, direct precipitation, and a groundwater seep. Indicators of
hydrology within Wetland A include high water table (A2), saturation (A3), geomorphic position (D2), drainage patterns
(B10), and FAC-neutral test (D5).
Soils within Wetland A consist of a mix of a black (10YR 2/2) sandy loam to a depth of 16 inches plus with redox
concentrations of 5YR 4/6 in the matrix and a very dark brown (10YR 3/2) sandy loam to a depth of 14 inches with redox
concentrations of 10YR 5/6 in the matrix and an underlying depleted matrix of dark grey (10YR 5/2) with the same redox
concentrations. These two soil profiles meet the criteria for Redox Dark Surface (F6) hydric soil indicator. Hydrophytic
vegetation and wetland hydrology is present on site, and the wetland is located at the base of a hillslope with seeps, a
culvert, and visible drainage patterns. Wetland A was rated under the slope HGM classification and received a Category III
rating with a score of 17.
4.2 WETLAND B
Wetland B (0.03 acres) is in the southern area of the study area, along the southern floodplain of May Creek. This wetland
is located in the southern portion of tax parcel 322405-9109. The wetland is entirely within the study
May Creek Trail South Project WSP USA, 30902211.000
Wetland and Stream Report April 2024
King County, Washington Page 8 of 14
area. This scrub-shrub wetland is entirely covered in hybrid knotweed, a noxious weed. Hydrology is supported
by flood flows from May Creek and a seasonally high-water table. Indicators of hydrology within Wetland B
include saturation (A3), sediment deposits (B2), and drift deposits (B3).
Soils within Wetland B consist entirely of a very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) silt loam to a depth of 8 inches
and a depleted gray (10YR 6/1) matrix with 10YR 5/8 redox concentrations to a depth of 16 inches plus. This soil
profile meets the criteria for depleted matrix (F3) hydric soil indicator. Hydrophytic vegetation was problematic
due to the invasive nature of hybrid knotweed so vegetation is assumed and wetland hydrology is present.
Wetland B was rated under the riverine HGM classification and received a Category III rating with a score of 18.
4.3 WETLAND C
Wetland C (0.80 acres) is in the southern portion of the study area, south of May Creek. This wetland is located in
the central southern portion of tax parcel 322405-9109. The wetland may extend off-site to the south onto tax
parcels 322405-9041 and 322405-9108 but was difficult to observe due to dense vegetation cover. The wetland
boundary was delineated at the change to a dominant upland vegetation community. This forested, shrub, and
emergent wetland includes plant species such as red alder, black cottonwood, Himalayan blackberry, hybrid
knotweed, coastal hedge nettle (Stachys chamissonis), common horsetail, and skunk cabbage. Hydrology is
supported by interflow from adjacent uplands, direct precipitation, and a groundwater seep. Indicators of
hydrology within Wetland C include surface water (A1), high water table (A2), saturation (A3), geomorphic
position (D2), drainage patterns (B10), and FAC-neutral test (D5).
Soils within Wetland A consist of a black (10YR 2/1) silt loam and muck to a depth of 14 inches underlain with a
depleted matrix of 10YR 4/2 with redox concentrations of 10YR 5/6. This soil profile meets the criteria for Thick
Dark Surface (A12) hydric soil indicator. Hydrophytic vegetation and wetland hydrology is present on site, and
the wetland is located on a hillslope with seeps and visible drainage patterns. Wetland C was rated under the
slope HGM classification and received a Category III rating with a score of 17.
4.4 WETLAND D
Wetland D (0.03 acres) is in the northern portion of the study area, north of May Creek. This wetland is entirely
within the study area and is located in the central northern portion of tax parcel 322405-9109. This scrub-shrub
wetland includes plant species such as red alder, Himalayan blackberry, salmonberry, western redcedar, and red
twig dogwood (Cornus alba). Hydrology is supported by interflow from adjacent uplands, direct precipitation, and
May Creek flood flows. Indicators of hydrology within Wetland D include high water table (A2), saturation (A3),
geomorphic position (D2), and FAC-neutral test (D5).
Soils within Wetland A consist of a black (10YR 2/1) silt loam and muck to a depth of 6 inches underlain with a
gleyed matrix of 10GY 4/1. This soil profile meets the criteria for Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2) hydric soil indicator.
Hydrophytic vegetation and wetland hydrology is present on site, and the wetland is located in a depression with
a high water table. Wetland D was rated under the depressional HGM classification and received a Category III
rating with a score of 16.
May Creek Trail South Project WSP USA, 30902211.000
Wetland and Stream Report April 2024
King County, Washington Page 9 of 14
5 ORDINARY HIGH WATER MARK
DESCRIPTION
The WSP scientists used a combination of field indicators to determine the OHWM of a portion of May Creek from Lake
Washington Boulevard North up to I-405. The OHWM was delineated in the field on both the left and right banks.
The OHWM of May Creek within the study area was determined on October 27, 2022 by observing sediment bars, scour
line, bank erosion/channel scour, top of bank, relic floodplain surface, over bank deposits, and/or drainage patterns as
shown by flattened vegetation. Figure 6 shows the location of the surveyed OHWM.
May Creek Trail South Project WSP USA, 30902211.000
Wetland and Stream Report April 2024
King County, Washington Page 10 of 14
6 REGULATORY REVIEW
This section provides an overview of Federal, State, and Local regulatory requirements as they pertain to
wetlands, waterbodies, and their buffers. The project will be subject to review by USACE, Ecology, WDFW, and the
City of Renton.
6.1 FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATIONS
The USACE and Ecology regulate jurisdictional wetlands and streams at the federal and state levels under Sections
404 and 401 of the Clean Water Act, respectively. Any impacts to waters will also require a Hydraulic Project
Approval as defined under the Washington Administrative Code Chapter 220-660 from the WDFW. On-site
wetlands and waterbodies are considered jurisdictional waters based on the 2022 . Any direct impacts to the
wetlands and waterbodies will require notifying the USACE, Ecology, and the WDFW to obtain the appropriate
permits and approvals.
6.2 LOCAL REGULATIONS
The City of Renton regulates shorelines and their associated wetlands and buffers as part of the Shoreline
Management Act and specifically through their shoreline management program and associated regulations. The
specific regulations are detailed in the sections below.
6.2.1 SHORELINES
May Creek is identified as a shoreline of statewide significance in RMC 4-3-090B1. The study area is located within
May Creek Reach B and is therefore subject to the City’s shoreline master program regulations (RMC 4-3-090).
Development within this designation must be consistent with the provisions of the shoreline regulations
including the no net loss of ecological functions and processes.
According to RMC 4-3-090B, the shoreline jurisdiction area extends outward on a horizontal plane 200 feet from
the OHWM and regulated floodway and includes all associated wetlands. RMC 4-3-090F1.a and RMC 4-3-090F1.l.
also states that a 100-foot vegetation conservation area is designated for May Creek Reach B, this area is subject to
specific provisions of the shoreline regulations in RMC 4-3-090E and F including a limit of 5% impervious surface
in this area.
6.2.2 WETLANDS
RMC 4-3-090D2.d. establishes protection for wetlands within the City, including the use of wetland buffers, and
requires that proponents obtain certain permits or approvals for projects containing wetlands and/or their
buffers.
RMC Section 4-3-090D2.d.iii, Wetland Buffers establishes buffer requirements to protect habitat functions in
wetlands based on the habitat scores the wetlands receive and the land use intensity proposed within the
development area. The ordinance requires the use of Ecology’s revised wetland rating system to determine a
wetland’s category and its score for habitat, water quality, and hydrologic functions. Wetlands A, B, C, and D
received a Category III rating and a score of 5, 4, 5 and 4, respectively, for habitat functions. Table 3 shows the
classification, rating, habitat score, and associated buffer width based on City code.
May Creek Trail South Project WSP USA, 30902211.000
Wetland and Stream Report April 2024
King County, Washington Page 11 of 14
Table 3. Summary of Wetland Classification, Rating, and Buffer Width
Wetland HGM Wetland Rating Habitat Score Buffer Widtha
Wetland A Slope III 5 60
Wetland B Riverine III 4 60
Wetland C Slope III 5 60
Wetland D Depressional III 4 60
Source: Wetland Rating System for Western Washington, 2014
Notes: a - Based on RMC 4-3-090D2.d.iii
The wetlands and their buffers are located within the May Creek Shoreline Reach B. This reach allows for the development
of public trails within the shoreline of up to 6’ feet in width as defined under RMC Section 4-3-090D7.a.9.
Impacts to wetlands and their buffers are subject to the mitigation ratios defined under RMC Section 4-3-090D2.d.iv and
would likely require a Shoreline Substantial Development or Conditional Use Permit.
May Creek Trail South Project WSP USA, 30902211.000
Wetland and Stream Report April 2024
King County, Washington Page 12 of 14
7 CONCLUSIONS
Activities within the identified wetlands and waterbodies are subject to regulation by the City, the WDFW,
Ecology, and the USACE. Any impacts within the regulated wetlands and waterbodies would require a conditional
use permit under the Shoreline Master Program from the City, a Section 401 water quality certification through
Ecology, and a Section 404 permit through the USACE. Additionally, any impacts to regulated waters (i.e., streams)
would require a Hydraulic Permit Approval from WDFW. Any mitigation that would be required to compensate
for wetland impacts would be determined during the permitting process.
It should be noted that the wetlands and waterbodies identified and classified in this report were determined
using the most appropriate field techniques and best professional judgment of the scientists. The City, Ecology,
the WDFW, and the USACE have the final authority in the determination of the boundaries, categories, and
jurisdictional status of wetlands under their respective jurisdictions. Therefore, WSP recommends submitting this
delineation and assessment report to these agencies for their concurrence before beginning any development or
planning activities that would affect the wetlands and waterbodies within the study area.
May Creek Trail South Project WSP USA, 30902211.000
Wetland and Stream Report April 2024
King County, Washington Page 13 of 14
8 REFERENCES
— Brinson. 1993. A Hydrogeomorphic Classification for Wetlands. Accessed online at:
https://www.lrl.usace.army.mil/Portals/64/docs/regulatory/Mitigation/a%20hydrogeomorph%20classificaiton%20fo
r%20wetlands%20WRP-DE-4.pdf
— City of Renton. 2022. COR Mapper. Accessed October 2022 at:
https://maps.rentonwa.gov/Html5viewer/Index.html?viewer=cormaps
— Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the
United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC.
— [DNR] Washington State Department of Natural Resources. 2022. Forest Practices Water Typing. Available at:
https://www.dnr.wa.gov/forest-practices-water-typing. Forest Practices Application Mapping Tool. Available at:
https://fpamt.dnr.wa.gov/default.aspx.
— [DNR] Washington State Department of Natural Resources. 2023a. Washington State threatened, endangered, and
sensitive plants.
— [DNR] Washington State Department of Natural Resources. 2023b. Wetlands of high conservation value.
— [Ecology]. 2016. Determining the Ordinary High Water Mark for Shoreline Management Act Compliance in
Washington State (Publication # 16-06-029). Olympia, WA: Washington State Department of Ecology.
— Hruby, Thomas. 2014. Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington: 2014 Update (Publication
#14-06-029). Olympia, WA: Washington State Department of Ecology.
— King County. 2001. May Creek Basin Action Plan. Accessed October 2022 at:
https://your.kingcounty.gov/dnrp/library/2001/kcr726.pdf
— King County. 2016. May Creek-0440 Stream Report. Access October 2022 at:
https://green2.kingcounty.gov/streamsdata/watershedinfo.aspx?Locator=0440
— King County. 2022. GIS Database iMap. Accessed October 2022 at:
https://www.kingcounty.gov/services/gis/Maps/imap.aspx.
— Lichvar, R.W., D.L. Banks, W.N. Kirchner, and N.C. Melvin. 2016. The National Wetland Plant List: 2016 Wetland Ratings.
Phytoneuron 2016-30: 1-17. Published 28 April 2016. ISSN 2153 733X.
— [NOAA]. 2022. Preliminary Monthly Climate Data: Renton Municipal Airport. National Weather Service Forecast Office:
Seattle, Washington. Accessed October 2022 at: https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate.
— [NMFS]. 2023. ESA Critical Habitat Mapper. Accessed February 2023 at:
https://noaa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=68d8df16b39c48fe9f60640692d0e318
— [NWIFC] Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. Statewide Washington Integrated Fish Distribution (SWIFD) Web
Map. 2023. Accessed August16, 2023. Available at: https://geo.nwifc.org/swifd/
— [USACE]. 1987. Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual, Technical Report Y-87-1, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS.
— [USACE]. 2010. Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Western Mountains,
Valleys, and Coast Region. (Version 2.0). ERDC/EL TR-10-03. Vicksburg, MS. Revised October 2016.
— [USDA] Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 2022a. State Soil Data Access (SDA) Hydric Soils List –
Washington. Accessed October 2022 at:
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcseprd1316619.html#top.
— [USDA] Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 2022b. Web Soil Survey. Accessed October 2022 at:
https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx.
— [USFWS]. 2022. National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) Wetlands Mapper. Accessed October 2022 at:
https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper.html
— [WDFW] Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2023a. Threatened and endangered species. Revised May 2023.
Available at: https://wdfw.wa.gov/
— [WDFW] Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2023b. Priority Habitats and Species Program. [cited October 10,
2023]. Available at: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/at-risk/phs/list.
May Creek Trail South Project WSP USA, 30902211.000
Wetland and Stream Report April 2024
King County, Washington Page 14 of 14
9 LIST OF ACRONYMS AND
ABBREVIATIONS
RMC Renton Municipal Code
City the City of Renton (agency)
DNR Washington State Department of Natural Resources
Ecology Washington State Department of Ecology
FAC facultative species
FACU facultative upland species
FACW facultative wetland species
HGM hydrogeomorphic
NMFS National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service
NWI National Wetlands Inventory
OBL obligate wetland species
RCW Revised Code of Washington
SDA Soil Data Access
UPL obligate upland species
USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture
USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WAC Washington Administrative Code
WDFW Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
LIST OF FIGURES
Legend
Study
May CreekWatershed
City Boundaries
Newcastle
Renton
King CountyStreams
Project Name: May Creek Trail South
In: City of RentonCounty of: KingState of: WashingtonCoordinate System: NAD83 WA State Plane North (US ft)0 1 20.5 Miles
Figure 1. Vicinity Map
¯
Lake Washington
Mercer Island
Newcastle
City of Renton
Bryn Mawr-Skyway
See Inset
Cougar MountainRegional Wildland Park
Area
3224059109
3224059049
2212000000
3224059005
3224059041
3224059038
051850TR-B
3224059050
3224059039
3224059054
3224059081
3224059043
3224059108
3224059083
3224059045 32240591073224059036
3224059058 3224059046 3224059062
3224059010
3224059106
0518500630
0518500640
051850TR-H
0518500650
0518500620
3224059059
Figure 2. Tax Lots Legend
King CountyTax Lots Study Area
Project Name: May Creek Trail South
In: City of RentonCounty of: KingState of: WashingtonCoordinate System: NAD83 WA State Plane North (US ft)0 100 20050Feet¯
No
InC
AgC
Figure 3. NRCS Soils Legend
Study Area NRCS Map UnitSymbol
AgC -Alderwoodgravelly sandyloam, 8 to 15%slopes
InC - Indianolaloamy sand, 5to 15% slopes
No - Normasandy loam
Project Name: May Creek Trail South
In: City of RentonCounty of: KingState of: WashingtonCoordinate System: NAD83 WA State Plane North (US ft)0 100 20050Feet¯
54
56
52
50
48
36
46
3840
34
44
42
32
3
0
58
60
62
6
4
66 6870
72
74 7678
8 0
8
2
84
2
8
86
88
90
92 94
96
98
100
2
6
102
104
108112
56 30
40
6 4
38
58
40
34
34
36
36
36
30
68
36
102
66
26
30
62
32
30
38
26
3
2
38
40
60
34
40
60
32
32
64
38
38
36
34
36
3
2
62
40
30
40
58
36
Figure 4. Site Topography Legend
Study Area
2ft SurveyedContours
Project Name: May Creek Trail South
In: City of RentonCounty of: KingState of: WashingtonCoordinate System: NAD83 WA State Plane North (US ft)0 100 20050Feet¯
Figure 5. USFWS NWI and City Wetland Map Legend
Study Area
City of RentonWetlands
USFWS NWIType
Riverine
Project Name: May Creek Trail South
In: City of RentonCounty of: KingState of: WashingtonCoordinate System: NAD83 WA State Plane North (US ft)0 100 20050Feet¯
SP-8
WD-SP9
WC-SP6WC-SP7
WB-SP4
WA-SP3
WA-SP2
C
A
B
D
Figure 6. RegulatedResources Overview
May Creek
Lake Washington Boulevard N
Legend
Study Area
Wetland DataPoints
DelineatedWetlands
Wetland Buffers
DelineatedOHWM
RegulatedShoreline
VegetationConservationAreaFEMAFloodway
Project Name: May Creek Trail South
In: City of RentonCounty of: KingState of: WashingtonCoordinate System: NAD83 WA State Plane North (US ft)0 100 20050Feet¯
APPENDIX
A WETLAND
DATA SHEETS
Project/Site:City/County:Sampling Date:
Applicant/Owner:State:Sampling Point:
Investigator(s):Section, Township, Range:
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc.):Local relief (concave, convex, none):Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR):Lat:Long:Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name:NWI Classification:
Are climatic / hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year?(If no, explain in Remarks.)
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology significantly disturbed?Are "Normal Circumstances" present?
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology naturally problematic?(If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
Remarks:
Dominance Test worksheet:
Tree Stratum (Plot size:)
1. (A)
2.
3. (B)
4.
= Total Cover (A/B)
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size:)
2.
3.OBL species x 1 =
4.FACW species x 2 =
5.FAC species x 3 =
= Total Cover FACU species x 4 =
Herb Stratum (Plot size:)UPL species x 5 =
1.Column Totals: (A) (B)
4.Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
5.1 -Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
6.2 -Dominance Test is >50%
7.3 -Prevalence Index is ≤3.0¹
8.4 -
9.
10.5 -Wetland Non-Vascular Plants¹
11.Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation¹ (Explain)
= Total Cover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size:)
2.
Remarks:
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM – Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region
May Creek Trail Renton/King 10/27/22 & 1/15/23
City of Renton WA WA-SP1
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes upland
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present?Is the Sampled Area
within a Wetland?Hydric Soil Present?
Wetland Hydrology Present?
Brandon Stimac, Blake Knobbe S32, T24N, R05E
Terrace none 0
A 47.529515 -122.201353 NAD83HARN
Drought conditions present at the time of delineation.
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute
% Cover
Dom.
Sp.?
Relative
% Cover
Indicator
Status30ft x 30ft Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:2Salix lasiandra
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata:2
25 Y 100.0 FACW
100.0%25
15ft x 15ft
1.Prevalence Index worksheet:
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:
Total % Cover of:Multiply by:
0 0
0 0
5ft x 5ft 0 0
50
100 300
25
Prevalence Index = B/A =2.800
350
2.
Rubus armeniacus 100 Y 100.0 FAC 125
3.
Morphological Adaptations¹ (Provide supporting
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
100 ¹Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must be
present, unless disturbed or problematic.
Hydrophytic
Vegetation
Present?
= Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum 0
1.
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
US Army Corps of Engineers (WSDOT Adapted Form)Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
Sampling Point:
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
¹Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, CS=Covered or Coated Sand Grains.²Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix.
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to all LRRs, unless otherwise noted.)Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils³:
Restrictive Layer (if present):
Type:
Depth (inches):Hydric Soil Present?
Remarks:
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Primary Indicators (minimum of one required; check all that apply) Secondary Indicators (2 or more required)
MLRA 1, 2, 4A, and 4B) 4A, and 4B)
Field Observations:
Surface Water Present?Depth (inches):
Water Table Present?Depth (inches):
Saturation Present?Depth (inches):Wetland Hydrology Present?
(includes capillary fringe)
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
SOIL WA-SP1
Depth
(inches)
Matrix Redox Features
Color (moist)%Color (moist)%Type¹Loc²Texture Remarks
14-18+10YR 3/2 30 10YR 5/2 60
Sandy Loam
6-14 10YR 3/2 90 10YR 5/6
0-6 10YR 3/2 100
D M Sandy Loam
10 C M Sandy Loam
10YR 10 C M Sandy Loam5/6
³Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and
wetland hydrology must be present,
unless disturbed or problematic.
8
Drought conditions were present at the time of the delineation. A site visit on 1/18/2023 was conducted to verify hydrology and observed hydrology on
this datasheet reflects what was present during that site visit.
HYDROLOGY
10
Histosol (A1)
Histic Epipedon (A2)
Black Histic (A3)
Hydrogen Sulfide (A4)
Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11)
Thick Dark Surface (A12)
Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1)
Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4)
Sandy Redox (S5)
Stripped Matrix (S6)
Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (except MLRA 1)
Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2)
Depleted Matrix (F3)
Redox Dark Surface (F6)
Depleted Dark Surface (F7)
Redox Depressions (F8)
2 cm Muck (A10)
Red Parent Material (TF2)
Very Shallow Dark Surface (TF12)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
Surface Water (A1)
High Water Table (A2)
Saturation (A3)
Water Marks (B1)
Sediment Deposits (B2)
Drift Deposits (B3)
Algal Mat or Crust (B4)
Iron Deposits (B5)
Surface Soil Cracks (B6)
Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (B7)
Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (except
Salt Crust (B11)
Aquatic Invertebrates (B13)
Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C1)
Oxidized Rhizospheres along Living Roots (C3)
Presence of Reduced Iron (C4)
Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6)
Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (MLRA 1, 2,
Drainage Patterns (B10)
Dry-Season Water Table (C2)
Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
Geomorphic Position (D2)
Shallow Aquitard (D3)
FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)
Frost-Heave Hummocks (D7)
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
US Army Corps of Engineers (WSDOT Adapted Form)Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
Project/Site:City/County:Sampling Date:
Applicant/Owner:State:Sampling Point:
Investigator(s):Section, Township, Range:
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc.):Local relief (concave, convex, none):Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR):Lat:Long:Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name:NWI Classification:
Are climatic / hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year?(If no, explain in Remarks.)
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology significantly disturbed?Are "Normal Circumstances" present?
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology naturally problematic?(If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
Remarks:
Dominance Test worksheet:
Tree Stratum (Plot size:)
1. (A)
2.
3. (B)
4.
= Total Cover (A/B)
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size:)
2.
3.OBL species x 1 =
4.FACW species x 2 =
5.FAC species x 3 =
= Total Cover FACU species x 4 =
Herb Stratum (Plot size:)UPL species x 5 =
1.Column Totals: (A) (B)
4.Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
5.1 -Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
6.2 -Dominance Test is >50%
7.3 -Prevalence Index is ≤3.0¹
8.4 -
9.
10.5 -Wetland Non-Vascular Plants¹
11.Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation¹ (Explain)
= Total Cover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size:)
2.
Remarks:
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM – Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region
May Creek Trail Renton/King 10/27/2022
City of Renton WA WA-SP2
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes upland
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present?Is the Sampled Area
within a Wetland?Hydric Soil Present?
Wetland Hydrology Present?
Brandon Stimac, Blake Knobbe S32, T24N, R05E
hillslope none 20
A 47.529498 -122.201386 NAD83HARN
Drought conditions present at the time of delineation.
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute
% Cover
Dom.
Sp.?
Relative
% Cover
Indicator
Status30ft x 30ft Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:1
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata:1
100.0%
15ft x 15ft
1.Prevalence Index worksheet:
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:
Total % Cover of:Multiply by:
0 0
0 0
5ft x 5ft 0 0
0
100 300
0
Prevalence Index = B/A =3.000
300
2.
Rubus armeniacus 100 Y 100.0 FAC 100
3.
Morphological Adaptations¹ (Provide supporting
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
100 ¹Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must be
present, unless disturbed or problematic.
Hydrophytic
Vegetation
Present?
= Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum 0
1.
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
US Army Corps of Engineers (WSDOT Adapted Form)Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
Sampling Point:
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
¹Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, CS=Covered or Coated Sand Grains.²Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix.
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to all LRRs, unless otherwise noted.)Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils³:
Restrictive Layer (if present):
Type:
Depth (inches):Hydric Soil Present?
Remarks:
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Primary Indicators (minimum of one required; check all that apply) Secondary Indicators (2 or more required)
MLRA 1, 2, 4A, and 4B) 4A, and 4B)
Field Observations:
Surface Water Present?Depth (inches):
Water Table Present?Depth (inches):
Saturation Present?Depth (inches):Wetland Hydrology Present?
(includes capillary fringe)
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
SOIL WA-SP2
Depth
(inches)
Matrix Redox Features
Color (moist)%Color (moist)%Type¹Loc²Texture Remarks
10YR 6/4 40
Sandy Loam
7-8 10YR 4/3 30 7.5YR 5/8
0-7 10YR 3/2 100
Sandy Loam
10 C M Sandy Loam
8-16 10YR 5/4 85 10YR 15 C M Sandy Loam5/8
³Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and
wetland hydrology must be present,
unless disturbed or problematic.
Drought conditions were present at the time of the delineation.
HYDROLOGY
Histosol (A1)
Histic Epipedon (A2)
Black Histic (A3)
Hydrogen Sulfide (A4)
Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11)
Thick Dark Surface (A12)
Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1)
Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4)
Sandy Redox (S5)
Stripped Matrix (S6)
Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (except MLRA 1)
Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2)
Depleted Matrix (F3)
Redox Dark Surface (F6)
Depleted Dark Surface (F7)
Redox Depressions (F8)
2 cm Muck (A10)
Red Parent Material (TF2)
Very Shallow Dark Surface (TF12)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
Surface Water (A1)
High Water Table (A2)
Saturation (A3)
Water Marks (B1)
Sediment Deposits (B2)
Drift Deposits (B3)
Algal Mat or Crust (B4)
Iron Deposits (B5)
Surface Soil Cracks (B6)
Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (B7)
Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (except
Salt Crust (B11)
Aquatic Invertebrates (B13)
Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C1)
Oxidized Rhizospheres along Living Roots (C3)
Presence of Reduced Iron (C4)
Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6)
Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (MLRA 1, 2,
Drainage Patterns (B10)
Dry-Season Water Table (C2)
Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
Geomorphic Position (D2)
Shallow Aquitard (D3)
FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)
Frost-Heave Hummocks (D7)
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
US Army Corps of Engineers (WSDOT Adapted Form)Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
Project/Site:City/County:Sampling Date:
Applicant/Owner:State:Sampling Point:
Investigator(s):Section, Township, Range:
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc.):Local relief (concave, convex, none):Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR):Lat:Long:Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name:NWI Classification:
Are climatic / hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year?(If no, explain in Remarks.)
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology significantly disturbed?Are "Normal Circumstances" present?
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology naturally problematic?(If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
Remarks:
Dominance Test worksheet:
Tree Stratum (Plot size:)
1. (A)
2.
3. (B)
4.
= Total Cover (A/B)
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size:)
2.
3.OBL species x 1 =
4.FACW species x 2 =
5.FAC species x 3 =
= Total Cover FACU species x 4 =
Herb Stratum (Plot size:)UPL species x 5 =
1.Column Totals: (A) (B)
4.Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
5.1 -Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
6.2 -Dominance Test is >50%
7.3 -Prevalence Index is ≤3.0¹
8.4 -
9.
10.5 -Wetland Non-Vascular Plants¹
11.Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation¹ (Explain)
= Total Cover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size:)
2.
Remarks:
40 ¹Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must be
present, unless disturbed or problematic.
Hydrophytic
Vegetation
Present?
= Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum 60
1.
Morphological Adaptations¹ (Provide supporting
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
Prevalence Index = B/A =2.464
345
2.Athyrium cyclosorum 25 Y 62.5 FAC
Rubus armeniacus 15 Y 37.5 FAC 140
3.
5ft x 5ft 0 0
150
65 195
75
0 0
25 0 0
Total % Cover of:Multiply by:
100.0%75
15ft x 15ft
1.Salix lasiandra 25 Y 100.0 FACW Prevalence Index worksheet:
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata:5
50 Y 66.7 FACW
Alnus rubra 25 Y 33.3 FAC
Drought conditions present at the time of delineation.
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute
% Cover
Dom.
Sp.?
Relative
% Cover
Indicator
Status30ft x 30ft Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:5Salix sitchensis
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present?Is the Sampled Area
within a Wetland?Hydric Soil Present?
Wetland Hydrology Present?
Brandon Stimac, Blake Knobbe S32, T24N, R05E
terrace concave 2
A 47.529670 -122.201211 NAD83HARN
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM – Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region
May Creek Trail Renton/King 10/27/22 & 1/15/23
City of Renton WA WA-SP3
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes upland
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
US Army Corps of Engineers (WSDOT Adapted Form)Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
Sampling Point:
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
¹Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, CS=Covered or Coated Sand Grains.²Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix.
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to all LRRs, unless otherwise noted.)Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils³:
Restrictive Layer (if present):
Type:
Depth (inches):Hydric Soil Present?
Remarks:
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Primary Indicators (minimum of one required; check all that apply) Secondary Indicators (2 or more required)
MLRA 1, 2, 4A, and 4B) 4A, and 4B)
Field Observations:
Surface Water Present?Depth (inches):
Water Table Present?Depth (inches):
Saturation Present?Depth (inches):Wetland Hydrology Present?
(includes capillary fringe)
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
5
Drought conditions were present at the time of the delineation. A wet-season site visit was conducted on 1/15/2023 to verify hydrology and is reflected in
the hydrology section of this data sheet
HYDROLOGY
7
³Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and
wetland hydrology must be present,
unless disturbed or problematic.
C M Sandy Loam
25 C M Sandy Loam
8-16 10YR 2/2 65 5YR 4/6 35
Sandy Loam
4-8 10YR 2/2 75 5YR 4/6
0-4 10YR 2/2 100
SOIL WA-SP3
Depth
(inches)
Matrix Redox Features
Color (moist)%Color (moist)%Type¹Loc²Texture Remarks
Histosol (A1)
Histic Epipedon (A2)
Black Histic (A3)
Hydrogen Sulfide (A4)
Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11)
Thick Dark Surface (A12)
Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1)
Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4)
Sandy Redox (S5)
Stripped Matrix (S6)
Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (except MLRA 1)
Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2)
Depleted Matrix (F3)
Redox Dark Surface (F6)
Depleted Dark Surface (F7)
Redox Depressions (F8)
2 cm Muck (A10)
Red Parent Material (TF2)
Very Shallow Dark Surface (TF12)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
Surface Water (A1)
High Water Table (A2)
Saturation (A3)
Water Marks (B1)
Sediment Deposits (B2)
Drift Deposits (B3)
Algal Mat or Crust (B4)
Iron Deposits (B5)
Surface Soil Cracks (B6)
Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (B7)
Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (except
Salt Crust (B11)
Aquatic Invertebrates (B13)
Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C1)
Oxidized Rhizospheres along Living Roots (C3)
Presence of Reduced Iron (C4)
Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6)
Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (MLRA 1, 2,
Drainage Patterns (B10)
Dry-Season Water Table (C2)
Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
Geomorphic Position (D2)
Shallow Aquitard (D3)
FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)
Frost-Heave Hummocks (D7)
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
US Army Corps of Engineers (WSDOT Adapted Form)Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
Project/Site:City/County:Sampling Date:
Applicant/Owner:State:Sampling Point:
Investigator(s):Section, Township, Range:
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc.):Local relief (concave, convex, none):Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR):Lat:Long:Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name:NWI Classification:
Are climatic / hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year?(If no, explain in Remarks.)
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology significantly disturbed?Are "Normal Circumstances" present?
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology naturally problematic?(If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
Remarks:
Dominance Test worksheet:
Tree Stratum (Plot size:)
1. (A)
2.
3. (B)
4.
= Total Cover (A/B)
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size:)
2.
3.OBL species x 1 =
4.FACW species x 2 =
5.FAC species x 3 =
= Total Cover FACU species x 4 =
Herb Stratum (Plot size:)UPL species x 5 =
1.Column Totals: (A) (B)
4.Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
5.1 -Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
6.2 -Dominance Test is >50%
7.3 -Prevalence Index is ≤3.0¹
8.4 -
9.
10.5 -Wetland Non-Vascular Plants¹
11.Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation¹ (Explain)
= Total Cover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size:)
2.
Remarks:
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM – Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region
May Creek Trail Renton/King 10/28/2022
City of Renton WA WB-SP4
Norma Sandy Loam upland
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present?Is the Sampled Area
within a Wetland?Hydric Soil Present?
Wetland Hydrology Present?
Brandon Stimac, Blake Knobbe S32, T24N, R05E
hillslope none 15
A 47.528645 -122.199153 NAD83HARN
Drought conditions present at the time of delineation.
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute
% Cover
Dom.
Sp.?
Relative
% Cover
Indicator
Status30ft x 30ft Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:2Acer macrophyllum
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata:5
60 Y 80.0 FACU
Alnus rubra 15 Y 20.0 FAC
40.0%75
15ft x 15ft
1.Reynoutria japonica 10 N 13.3 FACU Prevalence Index worksheet:
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:
Rubus spectabilis 60 Y 80.0 FAC Total % Cover of:Multiply by:
Ilex aquifolium 5 N 6.7 FACU 0 0
75 90 360
5ft x 5ft 0 0
0
75 225
0
Prevalence Index = B/A =3.545
585
2.Moss 5 Y 25.0 #N/A
Polystichum munitum 15 Y 75.0 FACU 165
3.
Morphological Adaptations¹ (Provide supporting
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
20 ¹Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must be
present, unless disturbed or problematic.
Hydrophytic
Vegetation
Present?
= Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum 60
1.
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
US Army Corps of Engineers (WSDOT Adapted Form)Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
Sampling Point:
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
¹Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, CS=Covered or Coated Sand Grains.²Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix.
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to all LRRs, unless otherwise noted.)Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils³:
Restrictive Layer (if present):
Type:
Depth (inches):Hydric Soil Present?
Remarks:
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Primary Indicators (minimum of one required; check all that apply) Secondary Indicators (2 or more required)
MLRA 1, 2, 4A, and 4B) 4A, and 4B)
Field Observations:
Surface Water Present?Depth (inches):
Water Table Present?Depth (inches):
Saturation Present?Depth (inches):Wetland Hydrology Present?
(includes capillary fringe)
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
SOIL WB-SP4
Depth
(inches)
Matrix Redox Features
Color (moist)%Color (moist)%Type¹Loc²Texture Remarks
Silt Loam
6-14 10YR 3/3 100
0-6 10YR 3/2 100
Silt Loam
³Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and
wetland hydrology must be present,
unless disturbed or problematic.
Drought conditions were present at the time of the delineation.
HYDROLOGY
Histosol (A1)
Histic Epipedon (A2)
Black Histic (A3)
Hydrogen Sulfide (A4)
Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11)
Thick Dark Surface (A12)
Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1)
Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4)
Sandy Redox (S5)
Stripped Matrix (S6)
Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (except MLRA 1)
Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2)
Depleted Matrix (F3)
Redox Dark Surface (F6)
Depleted Dark Surface (F7)
Redox Depressions (F8)
2 cm Muck (A10)
Red Parent Material (TF2)
Very Shallow Dark Surface (TF12)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
Surface Water (A1)
High Water Table (A2)
Saturation (A3)
Water Marks (B1)
Sediment Deposits (B2)
Drift Deposits (B3)
Algal Mat or Crust (B4)
Iron Deposits (B5)
Surface Soil Cracks (B6)
Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (B7)
Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (except
Salt Crust (B11)
Aquatic Invertebrates (B13)
Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C1)
Oxidized Rhizospheres along Living Roots (C3)
Presence of Reduced Iron (C4)
Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6)
Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (MLRA 1, 2,
Drainage Patterns (B10)
Dry-Season Water Table (C2)
Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
Geomorphic Position (D2)
Shallow Aquitard (D3)
FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)
Frost-Heave Hummocks (D7)
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
US Army Corps of Engineers (WSDOT Adapted Form)Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
Project/Site:City/County:Sampling Date:
Applicant/Owner:State:Sampling Point:
Investigator(s):Section, Township, Range:
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc.):Local relief (concave, convex, none):Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR):Lat:Long:Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name:NWI Classification:
Are climatic / hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year?(If no, explain in Remarks.)
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology significantly disturbed?Are "Normal Circumstances" present?
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology naturally problematic?(If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
Remarks:
Dominance Test worksheet:
Tree Stratum (Plot size:)
1. (A)
2.
3. (B)
4.
= Total Cover (A/B)
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size:)
2.
3.OBL species x 1 =
4.FACW species x 2 =
5.FAC species x 3 =
= Total Cover FACU species x 4 =
Herb Stratum (Plot size:)UPL species x 5 =
1.Column Totals: (A) (B)
4.Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
5.1 -Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
6.2 -Dominance Test is >50%
7.3 -Prevalence Index is ≤3.0¹
8.4 -
9.
10.5 -Wetland Non-Vascular Plants¹
11.Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation¹ (Explain)
= Total Cover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size:)
2.
Remarks:
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM – Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region
May Creek Trail Renton/King 10/28/2022
City of Renton WA WB-SP5
Norma Sandy Loam upland
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present?Is the Sampled Area
within a Wetland?Hydric Soil Present?
Wetland Hydrology Present?
Brandon Stimac, Blake Knobbe S32, T24N, R05E
floodplain concave 5
A 47.528638 -122.199085 NAD83HARN
Drought conditions present at the time of delineation.
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute
% Cover
Dom.
Sp.?
Relative
% Cover
Indicator
Status30ft x 30ft Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:0
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata:1
0.0%
15ft x 15ft
1.Reynoutria japonica 100 Y 95.2 FACU Prevalence Index worksheet:
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:
Rubus armeniacus 5 N 4.8 FAC Total % Cover of:Multiply by:
0 0
105 100 400
5ft x 5ft 0 0
0
5 15
0
Prevalence Index = B/A =3.952
415
2.
105
3.
Morphological Adaptations¹ (Provide supporting
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
¹Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must be
present, unless disturbed or problematic.
Hydrophytic
Vegetation
Present?
= Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum 60
1.
Aggressive Invasive Species. Knotweed is nearly a monoculture in the wetland. Based on professional judgement, FACU WIS is not considered to be
representative of natural wetland conditions. Nearby reference sites were unavailable due to similar knotweed infestations and undercut banks present
throughout the study area.
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
US Army Corps of Engineers (WSDOT Adapted Form)Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
Sampling Point:
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
¹Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, CS=Covered or Coated Sand Grains.²Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix.
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to all LRRs, unless otherwise noted.)Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils³:
Restrictive Layer (if present):
Type:
Depth (inches):Hydric Soil Present?
Remarks:
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Primary Indicators (minimum of one required; check all that apply) Secondary Indicators (2 or more required)
MLRA 1, 2, 4A, and 4B) 4A, and 4B)
Field Observations:
Surface Water Present?Depth (inches):
Water Table Present?Depth (inches):
Saturation Present?Depth (inches):Wetland Hydrology Present?
(includes capillary fringe)
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
SOIL WB-SP5
Depth
(inches)
Matrix Redox Features
Color (moist)%Color (moist)%Type¹Loc²Texture Remarks
Silt Loam
8-16 10YR 6/1 60 10YR 5/8
0-8 10YR 3/2 100
40 C M Clay Loam
³Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and
wetland hydrology must be present,
unless disturbed or problematic.
0
Drought conditions were present at the time of the delineation. Recent rainfall contributed to saturation present at the surface though other primary
indicators are present.
HYDROLOGY
Histosol (A1)
Histic Epipedon (A2)
Black Histic (A3)
Hydrogen Sulfide (A4)
Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11)
Thick Dark Surface (A12)
Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1)
Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4)
Sandy Redox (S5)
Stripped Matrix (S6)
Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (except MLRA 1)
Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2)
Depleted Matrix (F3)
Redox Dark Surface (F6)
Depleted Dark Surface (F7)
Redox Depressions (F8)
2 cm Muck (A10)
Red Parent Material (TF2)
Very Shallow Dark Surface (TF12)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
Surface Water (A1)
High Water Table (A2)
Saturation (A3)
Water Marks (B1)
Sediment Deposits (B2)
Drift Deposits (B3)
Algal Mat or Crust (B4)
Iron Deposits (B5)
Surface Soil Cracks (B6)
Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (B7)
Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (except
Salt Crust (B11)
Aquatic Invertebrates (B13)
Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C1)
Oxidized Rhizospheres along Living Roots (C3)
Presence of Reduced Iron (C4)
Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6)
Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (MLRA 1, 2,
Drainage Patterns (B10)
Dry-Season Water Table (C2)
Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
Geomorphic Position (D2)
Shallow Aquitard (D3)
FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)
Frost-Heave Hummocks (D7)
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
US Army Corps of Engineers (WSDOT Adapted Form)Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
Project/Site:City/County:Sampling Date:
Applicant/Owner:State:Sampling Point:
Investigator(s):Section, Township, Range:
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc.):Local relief (concave, convex, none):Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR):Lat:Long:Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name:NWI Classification:
Are climatic / hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year?(If no, explain in Remarks.)
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology significantly disturbed?Are "Normal Circumstances" present?
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology naturally problematic?(If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
Remarks:
Dominance Test worksheet:
Tree Stratum (Plot size:)
1. (A)
2.
3. (B)
4.
= Total Cover (A/B)
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size:)
2.
3.OBL species x 1 =
4.FACW species x 2 =
5.FAC species x 3 =
= Total Cover FACU species x 4 =
Herb Stratum (Plot size:)UPL species x 5 =
1.Column Totals: (A) (B)
4.Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
5.1 -Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
6.2 -Dominance Test is >50%
7.3 -Prevalence Index is ≤3.0¹
8.4 -
9.
10.5 -Wetland Non-Vascular Plants¹
11.Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation¹ (Explain)
= Total Cover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size:)
2.
Remarks:
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM – Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region
May Creek Trail Renton/King 10/28/2022
City of Renton WA WC-SP6
Norma Sandy Loam upland
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present?Is the Sampled Area
within a Wetland?Hydric Soil Present?
Wetland Hydrology Present?
Brandon Stimac, Blake Knobbe S32, T24N, R05E
hillslope none 20
A 47.528637 -122.199293 NAD83HARN
Drought conditions present at the time of delineation.
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute
% Cover
Dom.
Sp.?
Relative
% Cover
Indicator
Status30ft x 30ft Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:2Acer macrophyllum
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata:5
20 Y 50.0 FACU
Alnus rubra 20 Y 50.0 FAC
40.0%40
15ft x 15ft
1.Oemleria cerasiformis 20 Y 21.1 FACU Prevalence Index worksheet:
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:
Rubus spectabilis 70 Y 73.7 FAC Total % Cover of:Multiply by:
Ilex aquifolium 5 N 5.3 FACU 0 0
95 50 200
5ft x 5ft 0 0
0
90 270
0
Prevalence Index = B/A =3.357
470
2.
Polystichum munitum 5 Y 100.0 FACU 140
3.
Morphological Adaptations¹ (Provide supporting
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
5 ¹Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must be
present, unless disturbed or problematic.
Hydrophytic
Vegetation
Present?
= Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum 95
1.
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
US Army Corps of Engineers (WSDOT Adapted Form)Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
Sampling Point:
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
¹Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, CS=Covered or Coated Sand Grains.²Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix.
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to all LRRs, unless otherwise noted.)Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils³:
Restrictive Layer (if present):
Type:
Depth (inches):Hydric Soil Present?
Remarks:
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Primary Indicators (minimum of one required; check all that apply) Secondary Indicators (2 or more required)
MLRA 1, 2, 4A, and 4B) 4A, and 4B)
Field Observations:
Surface Water Present?Depth (inches):
Water Table Present?Depth (inches):
Saturation Present?Depth (inches):Wetland Hydrology Present?
(includes capillary fringe)
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
SOIL WC-SP6
Depth
(inches)
Matrix Redox Features
Color (moist)%Color (moist)%Type¹Loc²Texture Remarks
Silt Loam
16-20+10YR 4/2 97 10YR 5/6
0-16 10YR 3/2 100
3 C M Sandy Loam
³Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and
wetland hydrology must be present,
unless disturbed or problematic.
Drought conditions were present at the time of the delineation.
HYDROLOGY
Histosol (A1)
Histic Epipedon (A2)
Black Histic (A3)
Hydrogen Sulfide (A4)
Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11)
Thick Dark Surface (A12)
Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1)
Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4)
Sandy Redox (S5)
Stripped Matrix (S6)
Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (except MLRA 1)
Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2)
Depleted Matrix (F3)
Redox Dark Surface (F6)
Depleted Dark Surface (F7)
Redox Depressions (F8)
2 cm Muck (A10)
Red Parent Material (TF2)
Very Shallow Dark Surface (TF12)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
Surface Water (A1)
High Water Table (A2)
Saturation (A3)
Water Marks (B1)
Sediment Deposits (B2)
Drift Deposits (B3)
Algal Mat or Crust (B4)
Iron Deposits (B5)
Surface Soil Cracks (B6)
Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (B7)
Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (except
Salt Crust (B11)
Aquatic Invertebrates (B13)
Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C1)
Oxidized Rhizospheres along Living Roots (C3)
Presence of Reduced Iron (C4)
Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6)
Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (MLRA 1, 2,
Drainage Patterns (B10)
Dry-Season Water Table (C2)
Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
Geomorphic Position (D2)
Shallow Aquitard (D3)
FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)
Frost-Heave Hummocks (D7)
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
US Army Corps of Engineers (WSDOT Adapted Form)Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
Project/Site:City/County:Sampling Date:
Applicant/Owner:State:Sampling Point:
Investigator(s):Section, Township, Range:
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc.):Local relief (concave, convex, none):Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR):Lat:Long:Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name:NWI Classification:
Are climatic / hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year?(If no, explain in Remarks.)
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology significantly disturbed?Are "Normal Circumstances" present?
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology naturally problematic?(If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
Remarks:
Dominance Test worksheet:
Tree Stratum (Plot size:)
1. (A)
2.
3. (B)
4.
= Total Cover (A/B)
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size:)
2.
3.OBL species x 1 =
4.FACW species x 2 =
5.FAC species x 3 =
= Total Cover FACU species x 4 =
Herb Stratum (Plot size:)UPL species x 5 =
1.Column Totals: (A) (B)
4.Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
5.1 -Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
6.2 -Dominance Test is >50%
7.3 -Prevalence Index is ≤3.0¹
8.4 -
9.
10.5 -Wetland Non-Vascular Plants¹
11.Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation¹ (Explain)
= Total Cover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size:)
2.
Remarks:
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM – Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region
May Creek Trail Renton/King 10/28/2022
City of Renton WA WC-SP7
Norma Sandy Loam upland
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present?Is the Sampled Area
within a Wetland?Hydric Soil Present?
Wetland Hydrology Present?
Brandon Stimac, Blake Knobbe S32, T24N, R05E
terrace concave 0
A 47.528689 -122.199322 NAD83HARN
Drought conditions present at the time of delineation.
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute
% Cover
Dom.
Sp.?
Relative
% Cover
Indicator
Status30ft x 30ft Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:2Alnus Rubra
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata:3
10 Y 100.0 FAC
66.7%10
15ft x 15ft
1.Rubus spectabilis 25 Y 100.0 FAC Prevalence Index worksheet:
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:
Total % Cover of:Multiply by:
0 0
25 75 300
5ft x 5ft 0 0
30
45 135
15
Prevalence Index = B/A =3.444
465
2.Stachys chamissonis 15 N 15.0 FACW
Reynoutria japonica 75 Y 75.0 FACU 135
3.Ranunculus repens 5 N
Athyrium cyclosorum 5 N 5.0 FAC
5.0 FAC
Morphological Adaptations¹ (Provide supporting
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
100 ¹Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must be
present, unless disturbed or problematic.
Hydrophytic
Vegetation
Present?
= Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum 10
1.
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
US Army Corps of Engineers (WSDOT Adapted Form)Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
Sampling Point:
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
¹Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, CS=Covered or Coated Sand Grains.²Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix.
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to all LRRs, unless otherwise noted.)Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils³:
Restrictive Layer (if present):
Type:
Depth (inches):Hydric Soil Present?
Remarks:
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Primary Indicators (minimum of one required; check all that apply) Secondary Indicators (2 or more required)
MLRA 1, 2, 4A, and 4B) 4A, and 4B)
Field Observations:
Surface Water Present?Depth (inches):
Water Table Present?Depth (inches):
Saturation Present?Depth (inches):Wetland Hydrology Present?
(includes capillary fringe)
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
SOIL WC-SP7
Depth
(inches)
Matrix Redox Features
Color (moist)%Color (moist)%Type¹Loc²Texture Remarks
Silt Loam Muck Present
14-18+10YR 4/2 90 10YR 5/6
0-14 10YR 2/1 100
10 C M Sandy Loam
³Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and
wetland hydrology must be present,
unless disturbed or problematic.
0
Drought conditions were present at the time of the delineation. Upgradient seeps contributed to the surface water present.
HYDROLOGY
0.5
Histosol (A1)
Histic Epipedon (A2)
Black Histic (A3)
Hydrogen Sulfide (A4)
Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11)
Thick Dark Surface (A12)
Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1)
Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4)
Sandy Redox (S5)
Stripped Matrix (S6)
Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (except MLRA 1)
Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2)
Depleted Matrix (F3)
Redox Dark Surface (F6)
Depleted Dark Surface (F7)
Redox Depressions (F8)
2 cm Muck (A10)
Red Parent Material (TF2)
Very Shallow Dark Surface (TF12)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
Surface Water (A1)
High Water Table (A2)
Saturation (A3)
Water Marks (B1)
Sediment Deposits (B2)
Drift Deposits (B3)
Algal Mat or Crust (B4)
Iron Deposits (B5)
Surface Soil Cracks (B6)
Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (B7)
Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (except
Salt Crust (B11)
Aquatic Invertebrates (B13)
Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C1)
Oxidized Rhizospheres along Living Roots (C3)
Presence of Reduced Iron (C4)
Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6)
Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (MLRA 1, 2,
Drainage Patterns (B10)
Dry-Season Water Table (C2)
Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
Geomorphic Position (D2)
Shallow Aquitard (D3)
FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)
Frost-Heave Hummocks (D7)
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
US Army Corps of Engineers (WSDOT Adapted Form)Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
Project/Site:City/County:Sampling Date:
Applicant/Owner:State:Sampling Point:
Investigator(s):Section, Township, Range:
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc.):Local relief (concave, convex, none):Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR):Lat:Long:Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name:NWI Classification:
Are climatic / hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year?(If no, explain in Remarks.)
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology significantly disturbed?Are "Normal Circumstances" present?
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology naturally problematic?(If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
Remarks:
Dominance Test worksheet:
Tree Stratum (Plot size:)
1. (A)
2.
3. (B)
4.
= Total Cover (A/B)
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size:)
2.
3.OBL species x 1 =
4.FACW species x 2 =
5.FAC species x 3 =
= Total Cover FACU species x 4 =
Herb Stratum (Plot size:)UPL species x 5 =
1.Column Totals: (A) (B)
4.Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
5.1 -Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
6.2 -Dominance Test is >50%
7.3 -Prevalence Index is ≤3.0¹
8.4 -
9.
10.5 -Wetland Non-Vascular Plants¹
11.Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation¹ (Explain)
= Total Cover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size:)
2.
Remarks:
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM – Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region
May Creek Trail Renton/King 11/8/2022
City of Renton WA SP8
Norma Sandy Loam upland
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present?Is the Sampled Area
within a Wetland?Hydric Soil Present?
Wetland Hydrology Present?
Brandon Stimac, Blake Knobbe S32, T24N, R05E
floodplain concave 10
A 47.529101 -122.199936 NAD83HARN
Drought conditions present at the time of delineation.
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute
% Cover
Dom.
Sp.?
Relative
% Cover
Indicator
Status30ft x 30ft Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:2Acer macrophyllum
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata:5
20 Y 100.0 FACU
40.0%20
15ft x 15ft
1.Corylus cornuta 30 Y 60.0 FACU Prevalence Index worksheet:
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:
Rubus spectabilis 10 Y 20.0 FAC Total % Cover of:Multiply by:
Ribes bracteosum 5 N 10.0 FAC 0 0
50 85 340
5ft x 5ft 0 0
44
20 60
Fraxinus latifolia 5 N 10.0 FACW 22
Prevalence Index = B/A =3.496
444
2.Rubus armeniacus 5 N 8.8 FAC
Reynoutria japonica 10 N 17.5 FACU 127
3.Rubus ursinus 20 Y
Phalaris arundinacea 2 N 3.5 FACW
Equisetum hyemale 15 Y 26.3 FACW
Polystichum munitum 3 N 5.3 FACU
Ilex aquifolium 2 N 3.5 FACU
35.1 FACU
Morphological Adaptations¹ (Provide supporting
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
57 ¹Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must be
present, unless disturbed or problematic.
Hydrophytic
Vegetation
Present?
= Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum 43
1.
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
US Army Corps of Engineers (WSDOT Adapted Form)Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
Sampling Point:
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
¹Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, CS=Covered or Coated Sand Grains.²Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix.
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to all LRRs, unless otherwise noted.)Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils³:
Restrictive Layer (if present):
Type:
Depth (inches):Hydric Soil Present?
Remarks:
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Primary Indicators (minimum of one required; check all that apply) Secondary Indicators (2 or more required)
MLRA 1, 2, 4A, and 4B) 4A, and 4B)
Field Observations:
Surface Water Present?Depth (inches):
Water Table Present?Depth (inches):
Saturation Present?Depth (inches):Wetland Hydrology Present?
(includes capillary fringe)
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
SOIL SP8
Depth
(inches)
Matrix Redox Features
Color (moist)%Color (moist)%Type¹Loc²Texture Remarks
Sandy Loam
8-20+10YR 4/3 100
0-8 10YR 3/2 100
Sandy Loam
³Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and
wetland hydrology must be present,
unless disturbed or problematic.
0
Drought conditions were present at the time of the delineation. Recent rainfall likely the reason for saturation at surface.
HYDROLOGY
Histosol (A1)
Histic Epipedon (A2)
Black Histic (A3)
Hydrogen Sulfide (A4)
Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11)
Thick Dark Surface (A12)
Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1)
Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4)
Sandy Redox (S5)
Stripped Matrix (S6)
Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (except MLRA 1)
Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2)
Depleted Matrix (F3)
Redox Dark Surface (F6)
Depleted Dark Surface (F7)
Redox Depressions (F8)
2 cm Muck (A10)
Red Parent Material (TF2)
Very Shallow Dark Surface (TF12)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
Surface Water (A1)
High Water Table (A2)
Saturation (A3)
Water Marks (B1)
Sediment Deposits (B2)
Drift Deposits (B3)
Algal Mat or Crust (B4)
Iron Deposits (B5)
Surface Soil Cracks (B6)
Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (B7)
Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (except
Salt Crust (B11)
Aquatic Invertebrates (B13)
Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C1)
Oxidized Rhizospheres along Living Roots (C3)
Presence of Reduced Iron (C4)
Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6)
Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (MLRA 1, 2,
Drainage Patterns (B10)
Dry-Season Water Table (C2)
Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
Geomorphic Position (D2)
Shallow Aquitard (D3)
FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)
Frost-Heave Hummocks (D7)
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
US Army Corps of Engineers (WSDOT Adapted Form)Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
Project/Site:City/County:Sampling Date:
Applicant/Owner:State:Sampling Point:
Investigator(s):Section, Township, Range:
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc.):Local relief (concave, convex, none):Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR):Lat:Long:Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name:NWI Classification:
Are climatic / hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year?(If no, explain in Remarks.)
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology significantly disturbed?Are "Normal Circumstances" present?
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology naturally problematic?(If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
Remarks:
Dominance Test worksheet:
Tree Stratum (Plot size:)
1. (A)
2.
3. (B)
4.
= Total Cover (A/B)
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size:)
2.
3.OBL species x 1 =
4.FACW species x 2 =
5.FAC species x 3 =
= Total Cover FACU species x 4 =
Herb Stratum (Plot size:)UPL species x 5 =
1.Column Totals: (A) (B)
4.Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
5.1 -Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
6.2 -Dominance Test is >50%
7.3 -Prevalence Index is ≤3.0¹
8.4 -
9.
10.5 -Wetland Non-Vascular Plants¹
11.Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation¹ (Explain)
= Total Cover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size:)
2.
Remarks:
15 ¹Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must be
present, unless disturbed or problematic.
Hydrophytic
Vegetation
Present?
= Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum 85
1.
Morphological Adaptations¹ (Provide supporting
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
Prevalence Index = B/A =3.591
395
2.Moss 10 Y 66.7 #N/A
Polystichum munitum 5 Y 33.3 FACU 110
3.
5ft x 5ft 0 0
0
45 135
0
Rubus armeniacus 5 N 11.1 FAC 0 0
45 65 260
Rubus spectabilis 30 Y 66.7 FAC Total % Cover of:Multiply by:
20.0%60
15ft x 15ft
1.Acer macrophyllum 10 Y 22.2 FACU Prevalence Index worksheet:
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata:5Tsuga heterophylla 10 N 16.7 FACU
40 Y 66.7 FACU
Alnus rubra 10 N 16.7 FAC
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute
% Cover
Dom.
Sp.?
Relative
% Cover
Indicator
Status30ft x 30ft Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:1Corylus cornuta
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present?Is the Sampled Area
within a Wetland?Hydric Soil Present?
Wetland Hydrology Present?
Brandon Stimac, Blake Knobbe S32, T24N, R05E
terrace none 5
A 47.52892 -122.198739 NAD83HARN
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM – Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region
May Creek Trail Renton/King 1/18/2023
City of Renton WA WD-SP9
Norma Sandy Loam upland
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
US Army Corps of Engineers (WSDOT Adapted Form)Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
Sampling Point:
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
¹Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, CS=Covered or Coated Sand Grains.²Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix.
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to all LRRs, unless otherwise noted.)Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils³:
Restrictive Layer (if present):
Type:
Depth (inches):Hydric Soil Present?
Remarks:
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Primary Indicators (minimum of one required; check all that apply) Secondary Indicators (2 or more required)
MLRA 1, 2, 4A, and 4B) 4A, and 4B)
Field Observations:
Surface Water Present?Depth (inches):
Water Table Present?Depth (inches):
Saturation Present?Depth (inches):Wetland Hydrology Present?
(includes capillary fringe)
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
HYDROLOGY
³Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and
wetland hydrology must be present,
unless disturbed or problematic.
5 C M Silt Loam
Silt Loam
4-16 10YR 5/2 95 10YR 4/6
0-4 10YR 3/2 100
SOIL WD-SP9
Depth
(inches)
Matrix Redox Features
Color (moist)%Color (moist)%Type¹Loc²Texture Remarks
Histosol (A1)
Histic Epipedon (A2)
Black Histic (A3)
Hydrogen Sulfide (A4)
Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11)
Thick Dark Surface (A12)
Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1)
Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4)
Sandy Redox (S5)
Stripped Matrix (S6)
Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (except MLRA 1)
Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2)
Depleted Matrix (F3)
Redox Dark Surface (F6)
Depleted Dark Surface (F7)
Redox Depressions (F8)
2 cm Muck (A10)
Red Parent Material (TF2)
Very Shallow Dark Surface (TF12)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
Surface Water (A1)
High Water Table (A2)
Saturation (A3)
Water Marks (B1)
Sediment Deposits (B2)
Drift Deposits (B3)
Algal Mat or Crust (B4)
Iron Deposits (B5)
Surface Soil Cracks (B6)
Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (B7)
Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (except
Salt Crust (B11)
Aquatic Invertebrates (B13)
Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C1)
Oxidized Rhizospheres along Living Roots (C3)
Presence of Reduced Iron (C4)
Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6)
Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (MLRA 1, 2,
Drainage Patterns (B10)
Dry-Season Water Table (C2)
Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
Geomorphic Position (D2)
Shallow Aquitard (D3)
FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)
Frost-Heave Hummocks (D7)
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
US Army Corps of Engineers (WSDOT Adapted Form)Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
Project/Site:City/County:Sampling Date:
Applicant/Owner:State:Sampling Point:
Investigator(s):Section, Township, Range:
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc.):Local relief (concave, convex, none):Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR):Lat:Long:Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name:NWI Classification:
Are climatic / hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year?(If no, explain in Remarks.)
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology significantly disturbed?Are "Normal Circumstances" present?
Are Vegetation , Soil , or Hydrology naturally problematic?(If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
Remarks:
Dominance Test worksheet:
Tree Stratum (Plot size:)
1. (A)
2.
3. (B)
4.
= Total Cover (A/B)
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size:)
2.
3.OBL species x 1 =
4.FACW species x 2 =
5.FAC species x 3 =
= Total Cover FACU species x 4 =
Herb Stratum (Plot size:)UPL species x 5 =
1.Column Totals: (A) (B)
4.Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
5.1 -Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
6.2 -Dominance Test is >50%
7.3 -Prevalence Index is ≤3.0¹
8.4 -
9.
10.5 -Wetland Non-Vascular Plants¹
11.Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation¹ (Explain)
= Total Cover
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size:)
2.
Remarks:
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM – Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region
May Creek Trail Renton/King 1/18/2023
City of Renton WA WD-SP10
Norma Sandy Loam upland
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present?Is the Sampled Area
within a Wetland?Hydric Soil Present?
Wetland Hydrology Present?
Brandon Stimac, Blake Knobbe S32, T24N, R05E
flat concave 0
A 47.528916 -122.198722 NAD83HARN
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Absolute
% Cover
Dom.
Sp.?
Relative
% Cover
Indicator
Status30ft x 30ft Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:2Alnus rubra
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata:2
30 Y 100.0 FAC
100.0%30
15ft x 15ft
1.Rubus spectabilis 65 Y 72.2 FAC Prevalence Index worksheet:
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:
Rubus armeniacus 10 N 11.1 FAC Total % Cover of:Multiply by:
Cornus alba 10 N 11.1 FACW 0 0
90 0 0
5ft x 5ft 0 0
20
110 330
Thuja plicata 5 N 5.6 FAC 10
Prevalence Index = B/A =2.917
350
2.
120
3.
Morphological Adaptations¹ (Provide supporting
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
¹Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must be
present, unless disturbed or problematic.15ft x 15ft
Hydrophytic
Vegetation
Present?
= Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum 100
1.
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
US Army Corps of Engineers (WSDOT Adapted Form)Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
Sampling Point:
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
¹Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, CS=Covered or Coated Sand Grains.²Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix.
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to all LRRs, unless otherwise noted.)Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils³:
Restrictive Layer (if present):
Type:
Depth (inches):Hydric Soil Present?
Remarks:
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Primary Indicators (minimum of one required; check all that apply) Secondary Indicators (2 or more required)
MLRA 1, 2, 4A, and 4B) 4A, and 4B)
Field Observations:
Surface Water Present?Depth (inches):
Water Table Present?Depth (inches):
Saturation Present?Depth (inches):Wetland Hydrology Present?
(includes capillary fringe)
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
SOIL WD-SP10
Depth
(inches)
Matrix Redox Features
Color (moist)%Color (moist)%Type¹Loc²Texture Remarks
Silt Loam Muck Present
6-16 N 4/0 100
0-6 10YR 2/1 100
Clay Loam
³Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and
wetland hydrology must be present,
unless disturbed or problematic.
0
HYDROLOGY
1.5
Histosol (A1)
Histic Epipedon (A2)
Black Histic (A3)
Hydrogen Sulfide (A4)
Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11)
Thick Dark Surface (A12)
Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1)
Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4)
Sandy Redox (S5)
Stripped Matrix (S6)
Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (except MLRA 1)
Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2)
Depleted Matrix (F3)
Redox Dark Surface (F6)
Depleted Dark Surface (F7)
Redox Depressions (F8)
2 cm Muck (A10)
Red Parent Material (TF2)
Very Shallow Dark Surface (TF12)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
Surface Water (A1)
High Water Table (A2)
Saturation (A3)
Water Marks (B1)
Sediment Deposits (B2)
Drift Deposits (B3)
Algal Mat or Crust (B4)
Iron Deposits (B5)
Surface Soil Cracks (B6)
Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (B7)
Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (except
Salt Crust (B11)
Aquatic Invertebrates (B13)
Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C1)
Oxidized Rhizospheres along Living Roots (C3)
Presence of Reduced Iron (C4)
Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6)
Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (MLRA 1, 2,
Drainage Patterns (B10)
Dry-Season Water Table (C2)
Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
Geomorphic Position (D2)
Shallow Aquitard (D3)
FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)
Frost-Heave Hummocks (D7)
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
US Army Corps of Engineers (WSDOT Adapted Form)Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
4/110GY
APPENDIX
B WETLAND
RATING FORMS
Wetland name or number A
Name of wetland (or ID #):Date of site visit:10/28/2022
Rated by Trained by Ecology? Yes No Date of training 10/20-6/22
HGM Class used for rating Wetland has multiple HGM classes? Yes No
NOTE: Form is not complete with out the figures requested (figures can be combined).
Source of base aerial photo/map
OVERALL WETLAND CATEGORY III (based on functions or special characteristics )
1. Category of wetland based on FUNCTIONS
Category I - Total score = 23 - 27 Score for each
Category II - Total score = 20 - 22 function based
X Category III - Total score = 16 - 19 on three
Category IV - Total score = 9 - 15 ratings
(order of ratings
is not
important )
L L 9 = H, H, H
M M 8 = H, H, M
H M Total 7 = H, H, L
7 = H, M, M
6 = H, M, L
6 = M, M, M
5 = H, L, L
5 = M, M, L
4 = M, L, L
3 = L, L, L
2. Category based on SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS of wetland
X
King County
A
Brandon Stimac & Blake Knobbe
Coastal Lagoon
Interdunal
Value
Score Based on
Ratings 6 6 5 17
H
Improving
Water Quality
LSite Potential
Landscape Potential M
FUNCTION
None of the above
CHARACTERISTIC Category
Estuarine
Wetland of High Conservation Value
Bog
Mature Forest
Old Growth Forest
Habitat
Slope
RATING SUMMARY – Western Washington
List appropriate rating (H, M, L)
Hydrologic
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 1 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number A
Maps and Figures required to answer questions correctly for
Western Washington
Depressional Wetlands
Map of: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes
Hydroperiods
Location of outlet (can be added to map of hydroperiods )
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure )
Map of the contributing basin
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website)
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web)
Riverine Wetlands
Map of: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes
Hydroperiods
Ponded depressions
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure )
Plant cover of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants
Width of unit vs. width of stream (can be added to another figure )
Map of the contributing basin
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website)
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web)
Lake Fringe Wetlands
Map of: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes
Plant cover of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure )
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website)
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web)
Slope Wetlands
Map of: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes 1
Hydroperiods 2
Plant cover of dense trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants 3
Plant cover of dense, rigid trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants
(can be added to another figure)
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure )1
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website)5
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web)6
3
4
To answer questions:
D 1.3, H 1.1, H 1.4
D 1.4, H 1.2
D 1.1, D 4.1
D 2.2, D 5.2
D 4.3, D 5.3
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
D 3.1, D 3.2
D 3.3
To answer questions:
H 1.1, H 1.4
H 1.2
R 1.1
R 2.4
R 1.2, R 4.2
R 4.1
R 2.2, R 2.3, R 5.2
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
L 1.2
L 2.2
L 3.1, L 3.2
L 3.3
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
R 3.1
R 3.2, R 3.3
To answer questions:
L 1.1, L 4.1, H 1.1, H 1.4
S 3.1, S 3.2
S 3.3
S 4.1
S 2.1, S 5.1
To answer questions:
H 1.1, H 1.4
H 1.2
S 1.3
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 2 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number A
For questions 1 -7, the criteria described must apply to the entire unit being rated.
1. Are the water levels in the entire unit usually controlled by tides except during floods?
NO - go to 2 YES - the wetland class is Tidal Fringe - go to 1.1
1.1 Is the salinity of the water during periods of annual low flow below 0.5 ppt (parts per thousand)?
NO - Saltwater Tidal Fringe (Estuarine)YES - Freshwater Tidal Fringe
NO - go to 3 YES - The wetland class is Flats
If your wetland can be classified as a Flats wetland, use the form for Depressional wetlands.
3. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
NO - go to 4 YES - The wetland class is Lake Fringe (Lacustrine Fringe)
4. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
The wetland is on a slope (slope can be very gradual ),
The water leaves the wetland without being impounded.
NO - go to 5 YES - The wetland class is Slope
5. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
The overbank flooding occurs at least once every 2 years.
NO - go to 6 YES - The wetland class is Riverine
NOTE: The Riverine unit can contain depressions that are filled with water when the river is not flooding.
If hydrologic criteria listed in each question do not apply to the entire unit being rated, you probably have a unit
with multiple HGM classes. In this case, identify which hydrologic criteria in questions 1 - 7 apply, and go to
Question 8.
HGM Classification of Wetland in Western Washington
If your wetland can be classified as a Freshwater Tidal Fringe use the forms for Riverine wetlands.
If it is Saltwater Tidal Fringe it is an Estuarine wetland and is not scored. This method cannot be
used to score functions for estuarine wetlands.
The vegetated part of the wetland is on the shores of a body of permanent open water (without any
plants on the surface at any time of the year) at least 20 ac (8 ha) in size;
The water flows through the wetland in one direction (unidirectional) and usually comes from seeps.
It may flow subsurface, as sheetflow, or in a swale without distinct banks.
NOTE: Surface water does not pond in these type of wetlands except occasionally in very small and shallow
depressions or behind hummocks (depressions are usually <3 ft diameter and less than 1 ft deep).
The unit is in a valley, or stream channel, where it gets inundated by overbank flooding
from that stream or river,
2. The entire wetland unit is flat and precipitation is the only source (>90%) of water to it.
Groundwater and surface water runoff are NOT sources of water to the unit.
At least 30% of the open water area is deeper than 6.6 ft (2 m).
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 3 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number A
NO - go to 7 YES - The wetland class is Depressional
NO - go to 8 YES - The wetland class is Depressional
Riverine
ESTUARINE
NOTE: Use this table only if the class that is recommended in the second column represents 10% or more of
the total area of the wetland unit being rated. If the area of the HGM class listed in column 2 is less than 10%
of the unit; classify the wetland using the class that represents more than 90% of the total area.
HGM classes within the wetland unit
being rated
Slope + Riverine
Slope + Depressional
If you are still unable to determine which of the above criteria apply to your wetland, or if you have more than
2 HGM classes within a wetland boundary, classify the wetland as Depressional for the rating.
Salt Water Tidal Fringe and any other
class of freshwater wetland
HGM class to
use in rating
Riverine
Depressional
Lake Fringe
Depressional
Depressional
7. Is the entire wetland unit located in a very flat area with no obvious depression and no overbank flooding?
The unit does not pond surface water more than a few inches. The unit seems to be maintained by high
groundwater in the area. The wetland may be ditched, but has no obvious natural outlet.
8. Your wetland unit seems to be difficult to classify and probably contains several different HGM classes. For
example, seeps at the base of a slope may grade into a riverine floodplain, or a small stream within a
Depressional wetland has a zone of flooding along its sides. GO BACK AND IDENTIFY WHICH OF THE
HYDROLOGIC REGIMES DESCRIBED IN QUESTIONS 1-7 APPLY TO DIFFERENT AREAS IN THE UNIT
(make a rough sketch to help you decide). Use the following table to identify the appropriate class to use for
the rating system if you have several HGM classes present within the wetland unit being scored.
6. Is the entire wetland unit in a topographic depression in which water ponds, or is saturated to the surface, at
some time during the year? This means that any outlet, if present, is higher than the interior of the wetland.
Treat as
Slope + Lake Fringe
Depressional + Riverine along stream
within boundary of depression
Depressional + Lake Fringe
Riverine + Lake Fringe
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 4 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number A
Slope is 1% or less points = 3
Slope is > 1% - 2%points = 2
Slope is > 2% - 5%points = 1
Slope is greater than 5%points = 0
Yes = 3 No = 0
Dense, uncut, herbaceous plants > 90% of the wetland area points = 6
Dense, uncut, herbaceous plants > ½ of area points = 3
Dense, woody, plants > ½ of area points = 2
Dense, uncut, herbaceous plants > ¼ of area points = 1
Does not meet any of the criteria above for plants points = 0
Total for S 1 Add the points in the boxes above 3
Rating of Site Potential If score is: 12 = H 6 - 11 = M 0 - 5 = L Record the rating on the first page
Yes = 1 No = 0
Other Sources Yes = 1 No = 0
Total for S 2 Add the points in the boxes above 1
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 1 - 2 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
Yes = 1 No = 0
Yes = 1 No = 0
Yes = 2 No = 0
Total for S 3 Add the points in the boxes above 2
Rating of Value If score is: 2 - 4 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
SLOPE WETLANDS
S 2.2. Are there other sources of pollutants coming into the wetland that are
not listed in question S 2.1?0
S 1.0. Does the site have the potential to improve water quality?
S 1.1. Characteristics of the average slope of the wetland: (a 1% slope has a 1 ft vertical drop in
elevation for every 100 ft of horizontal distance )
0
S 1.2. The soil 2 in below the surface (or duff layer) is true clay or true organic
(use NRCS definitions ):0
S 1.3. Characteristics of the plants in the wetland that trap sediments and pollutants:
Choose the points appropriate for the description that best fits the plants in the wetland. Dense
means you have trouble seeing the soil surface (>75% cover), and uncut means not grazed or
mowed and plants are higher than 6 in.
3
S 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the water quality function of the site?
S 2.1. Is > 10% of the area within 150 ft on the uphill side of the wetland in
land uses that generate pollutants?1
Water Quality Functions - Indicators that the site functions to improve water quality
S 3.0. Is the water quality improvement provided by the site valuable to society?
S 3.1. Does the wetland discharge directly (i.e., within 1 mi) to a stream, river,
lake, or marine water that is on the 303(d) list?1
1
0
S 3.2. Is the wetland in a basin or sub-basin where water quality is an issue?
At least one aquatic resource in the basin is on the 303(d) list.
S 3.3. Has the site been identified in a watershed or local plan as important for
maintaining water quality? Answer YES if there is a TMDL for the basin in
which the unit is found ?
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 5 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number A
Dense, uncut, rigid plants cover > 90% of the area of the wetland points = 1
All other conditions points = 0
Rating of Site Potential If score is: 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
Yes = 1 No = 0
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
S 6.1. Distance to the nearest areas downstream that have flooding problems:
points = 2
Surface flooding problems are in a sub-basin farther down-gradient points = 1
No flooding problems anywhere downstream points = 0
Yes = 2 No = 0
Total for S 6 Add the points in the boxes above 2
Rating of Value If score is: 2 - 4 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
NOTES and FIELD OBSERVATIONS:
SLOPE WETLANDS
The sub-basin immediately down-gradient of site has flooding
problems that result in damage to human or natural resources (e.g.,
houses or salmon redds)2
S 6.0. Are the hydrologic functions provided by the site valuable to society?
1
The Slope HGM is over 90% of the wetland unit, so the slope form was used. The wetland is also dominated
by Himalayan Blackberry, which aerially covers over some of the wetland, but the stems are not dense enough
at ground level to meet a 90% cover definition.
S 6.2. Has the site been identified as important for flood storage or flood
conveyance in a regional flood control plan?0
Hydrologic Functions - Indicators that the site functions to reduce flooding and stream erosion
S 4.0. Does the site have the potential to reduce flooding and stream erosion?
S 4.1. Characteristics of plants that reduce the velocity of surface flows during storms: Choose
the points appropriate for the description that best fits conditions in the wetland. Stems of plants
should be thick enough (usually > 1 /8 in), or dense enough, to remain erect during surface flows.0
S 5.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support hydrologic functions of the site?
S 5.1. Is more than 25% of the area within 150 ft upslope of wetland in land
uses or cover that generate excess surface runoff?
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 6 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number A
HABITAT FUNCTIONS - Indicators that site functions to provide important habitat
H 1.0. Does the site have the potential to provide habitat?
Aquatic bed 4 structures or more: points = 4
Emergent 3 structures: points = 2
Scrub-shrub (areas where shrubs have > 30% cover)2 structures: points - 1
Forested (areas where trees have > 30% cover)1 structure: points = 0
If the unit has a Forested class, check if :
H 1.2. Hydroperiods
Permanently flooded or inundated 4 or more types present: points = 3
Seasonally flooded or inundated 3 types present: points = 2
Occasionally flooded or inundated 2 types present: points = 1
Saturated only 1 types present: points = 0
Permanently flowing stream or river in, or adjacent to, the wetland
Seasonally flowing stream in, or adjacent to, the wetland
Lake Fringe wetland 2 points
Freshwater tidal wetland 2 points
H 1.3. Richness of plant species
If you counted:> 19 species points = 2
5 - 19 species points = 1
< 5 species points = 0
H 1.4. Interspersion of habitats
These questions apply to wetlands of all HGM classes.
The Forested class has 3 out of 5 strata (canopy, sub-canopy, shrubs, herbaceous,
moss/ground-cover) that each cover 20% within the Forested polygon
1
H 1.1. Structure of plant community: Indicators are Cowardin classes and strata within the
Forested class. Check the Cowardin plant classes in the wetland. Up to 10 patches may be
combined for each class to meet the threshold of ¼ ac or more than 10% of the unit if it is smaller
than 2.5 ac. Add the number of structures checked.
None = 0 points Low = 1 point Moderate = 2 points
All three diagrams
in this row are
HIGH = 3 points
1
Check the types of water regimes (hydroperiods) present within the wetland. The water regime
has to cover more than 10% of the wetland or ¼ ac to count (see text for descriptions of
hydroperiods ).
1
Count the number of plant species in the wetland that cover at least 10 ft2.Different patches of the same species can be combined to meet the size threshold and you do
not have to name the species. Do not include Eurasian milfoil, reed canarygrass, purple
loosestrife, Canadian thistle 1
Decide from the diagrams below whether interspersion among Cowardin plants classes
(described in H 1.1), or the classes and unvegetated areas (can include open water or mudflats)
is high, moderate, low, or none. If you have four or more plant classes or three classes and open
water, the rating is always high.
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 7 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number A
H 1.5. Special habitat features:
Large, downed, woody debris within the wetland (> 4 in diameter and 6 ft long)
Standing snags (dbh > 4 in) within the wetland
Total for H 1 Add the points in the boxes above 5
Rating of Site Potential If Score is: 15 - 18 = H 7 - 14 = M 0 - 6 = L Record the rating on the first page
H 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the habitat function of the site?
H 2.1 Accessible habitat (include only habitat that directly abuts wetland unit ).
Calculate:
0 % undisturbed habitat + (1.4 % moderate & low intensity land uses / 2 ) = 0.7%
If total accessible habitat is:
> 1/3 (33.3%) of 1 km Polygon points = 3
20 - 33% of 1 km Polygon points = 2
10 - 19% of 1 km Polygon points = 1
< 10 % of 1 km Polygon points = 0
H 2.2. Undisturbed habitat in 1 km Polygon around the wetland.
Calculate:
0 % undisturbed habitat + (56 % moderate & low intensity land uses / 2 ) = 28%
Undisturbed habitat > 50% of Polygon points = 3
Undisturbed habitat 10 - 50% and in 1-3 patches points = 2
Undisturbed habitat 10 - 50% and > 3 patches points = 1
Undisturbed habitat < 10% of 1 km Polygon points = 0
H 2.3 Land use intensity in 1 km Polygon: If
> 50% of 1 km Polygon is high intensity land use points = (-2)
≤ 50% of 1km Polygon is high intensity points = 0
Total for H 2 Add the points in the boxes above 1
Rating of Landscape Potential If Score is: 4 - 6 = H 1 - 3 = M < 1 = L Record the rating on the first page
Site meets ANY of the following criteria:points = 2
It has 3 or more priority habitats within 100 m (see next page)
It is mapped as a location for an individual WDFW priority species
Site has 1 or 2 priority habitats (listed on next page) with in 100m points = 1
Site does not meet any of the criteria above points = 0
Rating of Value If Score is: 2 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
Invasive plants cover less than 25% of the wetland area in every stratum of plants (see
H 1.1 for list of strata )
1
It is a Wetland of High Conservation Value as determined by the
Department of Natural Resources
1
0
1
0
H 3.0. Is the habitat provided by the site valuable to society?
H 3.1. Does the site provide habitat for species valued in laws, regulations, or policies? Choose
only the highest score that applies to the wetland being rated .
It provides habitat for Threatened or Endangered species (any plant
or animal on the state or federal lists)
Undercut banks are present for at least 6.6 ft (2 m) and/or overhanging plants extends
at least 3.3 ft (1 m) over a stream (or ditch) in, or contiguous with the wetland, for at
least 33 ft (10 m)
Stable steep banks of fine material that might be used by beaver or muskrat for denning
(> 30 degree slope) OR signs of recent beaver activity are present (cut shrubs or trees
that have not yet weathered where wood is exposed )
At least ¼ ac of thin-stemmed persistent plants or woody branches are present in areas
that are permanently or seasonally inundated (structures for egg-laying by amphibians )
It has been categorized as an important habitat site in a local or
regional comprehensive plan, in a Shoreline Master Plan, or in a
watershed plan
Check the habitat features that are present in the wetland. The number of checks is the number
of points.
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 8 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number A
Aspen Stands: Pure or mixed stands of aspen greater than 1 ac (0.4 ha).
Herbaceous Balds: Variable size patches of grass and forbs on shallow soils over bedrock.
Cliffs: Greater than 25 ft (7.6 m) high and occurring below 5000 ft elevation.
Oregon White Oak: Woodland stands of pure oak or oak/conifer associations where canopy
coverage of the oak component is important (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 158 – see
web link above ).
Riparian: The area adjacent to aquatic systems with flowing water that contains elements of both
aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems which mutually influence each other.
Westside Prairies: Herbaceous, non-forested plant communities that can either take the form of a
dry prairie or a wet prairie (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 161 – see web link above ).
Instream: The combination of physical, biological, and chemical processes and conditions that
interact to provide functional life history requirements for instream fish and wildlife resources.
Nearshore: Relatively undisturbed nearshore habitats. These include Coastal Nearshore, Open
Coast Nearshore, and Puget Sound Nearshore. (full descriptions of habitats and the definition of
relatively undisturbed are in WDFW report – see web link on previous page ).
Snags and Logs: Trees are considered snags if they are dead or dying and exhibit sufficient decay
characteristics to enable cavity excavation/use by wildlife. Priority snags have a diameter at breast
height of > 20 in (51 cm) in western Washington and are > 6.5 ft (2 m) in height. Priority logs are > 12
in (30 cm) in diameter at the largest end, and > 20 ft (6 m) long.
Talus: Homogenous areas of rock rubble ranging in average size 0.5 - 6.5 ft (0.15 - 2.0 m),
composed of basalt, andesite, and/or sedimentary rock, including riprap slides and mine tailings. May
be associated with cliffs.
Caves: A naturally occurring cavity, recess, void, or system of interconnected passages under the
earth in soils, rock, ice, or other geological formations and is large enough to contain a human.
Note: All vegetated wetlands are by definition a priority habitat but are not included in this list because they are
addressed elsewhere.
Old-growth/Mature forests: Old-growth west of Cascade crest – Stands of at least 2 tree species,
forming a multi-layered canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac (20 trees/ha)
> 32 in (81 cm) dbh or > 200 years of age. Mature forests – Stands with average diameters
exceeding 21 in (53 cm) dbh; crown cover may be less than 100%; decay, decadence, numbers of
snags, and quantity of large downed material is generally less than that found in old-growth; 80-200
years old west of the Cascade crest.
WDFW Priority Habitats
Count how many of the following priority habitats are within 330 ft (100 m) of the wetland unit: NOTE : This
question is independent of the land use between the wetland unit and the priority habitat.
Biodiversity Areas and Corridors: Areas of habitat that are relatively important to various species
of native fish and wildlife (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report ).
http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00165/wdfw00165.pdf or access the list from here:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/phs/list/
Priority habitats listed by WDFW (see complete descriptions of WDFW priority habitats, and the counties in
which they can be found, in: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2008. Priority Habitat and Species
List. Olympia, Washington. 177 pp.
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 9 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number A
Wetland Type Category
Check off any criteria that apply to the wetland. List the category when the appropriate criteria are met.
SC 1.0. Estuarine Wetlands
Does the wetland meet the following criteria for Estuarine wetlands?
The dominant water regime is tidal,
Vegetated, and
With a salinity greater than 0.5 ppt
Yes - Go to SC 1.1 No = Not an estuarine wetland
SC 1.1.
Yes = Category I No - Go to SC 1.2
SC 1.2.Is the wetland unit at least 1 ac in size and meets at least two of the following three conditions?
Yes = Category I No = Category II
SC 2.0. Wetlands of High Conservation Value (WHCV)
SC 2.1.
Yes - Go to SC 2.2 No - Go to SC 2.3
SC 2.2.Is the wetland listed on the WDNR database as a Wetland of High Conservation Value?
Yes = Category I No = Not WHCV
SC 2.3.Is the wetland in a Section/Township/Range that contains a Natural Heritage wetland?
http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/datasearch/wnhpwetlands.pdf
Yes - Contact WNHP/WDNR and to SC 2.4 No = Not WHCV
SC 2.4.
Yes = Category I No = Not WHCV
SC 3.0. Bogs
SC 3.1.
Yes - Go to SC 3.3 No - Go to SC 3.2
SC 3.2.
Yes - Go to SC 3.3 No = Is not a bog
SC 3.3.
Yes = Is a Category I bog No - Go to SC 3.4
SC 3.4.
Yes = Is a Category I bog No = Is not a bog
CATEGORIZATION BASED ON SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
Is the wetland within a National Wildlife Refuge, National Park, National Estuary
Reserve, Natural Area Preserve, State Park or Educational, Environmental, or Scientific
Reserve designated under WAC 332-30-151?
The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing,
and has less than 10% cover of non-native plant species. (If non-native species are
Spartina , see page 25)
At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un-
grazed or un-mowed grassland.
The wetland has at least two of the following features: tidal channels, depressions with
open water, or contiguous freshwater wetlands.
Has WDNR identified the wetland within the S/T/R as a Wetland of High Conservation
Value and listed it on their website?
Has the WA Department of Natural Resources updated their website to include the list
of Wetlands of High Conservation Value?
Does the wetland (or any part of the unit) meet both the criteria for soils and vegetation
in bogs? Use the key below. If you answer YES you will still need to rate the
wetland based on its functions .
Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soil horizons, either peats or mucks,
that compose 16 in or more of the first 32 in of the soil profile?
Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soils, either peats or mucks, that are
less than 16 in deep over bedrock, or an impermeable hardpan such as clay or volcanic
ash, or that are floating on top of a lake or pond?
Does an area with peats or mucks have more than 70% cover of mosses at ground
level, AND at least a 30% cover of plant species listed in Table 4?
NOTE: If you are uncertain about the extent of mosses in the understory, you may
substitute that criterion by measuring the pH of the water that seeps into a hole dug at
least 16 in deep. If the pH is less than 5.0 and the plant species in Table 4 are present,
the wetland is a bog.
Is an area with peats or mucks forested (> 30% cover) with Sitka spruce, subalpine fir,
western red cedar, western hemlock, lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, Engelmann
spruce, or western white pine, AND any of the species (or combination of species) listed
in Table 4 provide more than 30% of the cover under the canopy?
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 10 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number A
SC 4.0. Forested Wetlands
Yes = Category I No = Not a forested wetland for this section
SC 5.0. Wetlands in Coastal Lagoons
Does the wetland meet all of the following criteria of a wetland in a coastal lagoon?
Yes - Go to SC 5.1 No = Not a wetland in a coastal lagoon
SC 5.1. Does the wetland meet all of the following three conditions?
The wetland is larger than 1/10 ac (4350 ft2)
Yes = Category I No = Category II
SC 6.0. Interdunal Wetlands
In practical terms that means the following geographic areas:
Long Beach Peninsula: Lands west of SR 103
Grayland-Westport: Lands west of SR 105
Ocean Shores-Copalis: Lands west of SR 115 and SR 109
Yes - Go to SC 6.1 No = Not an interdunal wetland for rating
SC 6.1.
Yes = Category I No - Go to SC 6.2
SC 6.2.Is the wetland 1 ac or larger, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is 1 ac or larger?
Yes = Category II No - Go to SC 6.3
SC 6.3.
Yes = Category III No = Category IV
Category of wetland based on Special Characteristics
If you answered No for all types, enter “Not Applicable” on Summary Form
Old-growth forests (west of Cascade crest): Stands of at least two tree species,
forming a multi-layered canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac
(20 trees/ha) that are at least 200 years of age OR have a diameter at breast height
(dbh) of 32 in (81 cm) or more.Mature forests (west of the Cascade Crest): Stands where the largest trees are 80-
200 years old OR the species that make up the canopy have an average diameter (dbh)
exceeding 21 in (53 cm).
The wetland lies in a depression adjacent to marine waters that is wholly or partially
separated from marine waters by sandbanks, gravel banks, shingle, or, less frequently,
rocks
The lagoon in which the wetland is located contains ponded water that is saline or
brackish (> 0.5 ppt) during most of the year in at least a portion of the lagoon (needs to
be measured near the bottom )
Does the wetland have at least 1 contiguous acre of forest that meets one of these
criteria for the WA Department of Fish and Wildlife’s forests as priority habitats? If you
answer YES you will still need to rate the wetland based on its functions.
At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un-
grazed or un-mowed grassland.
Is the wetland west of the 1889 line (also called the Western Boundary of Upland
Ownership or WBUO)? If you answer yes you will still need to rate the wetland
based on its habitat functions.
Is the wetland 1 ac or larger and scores an 8 or 9 for the habitat functions on the form
(rates H,H,H or H,H,M for the three aspects of function)?
Is the unit between 0.1 and 1 ac, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is between 0.1 and
1 ac?
The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing),
and has less than 20% cover of aggressive, opportunistic plant species (see list of
species on p. 100).
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 11 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
May Creek
C
A
0 50 100Feet¯
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Ratings April 2023
Legend
Delineated Wetlands150 ft BufferDelineated OHWM
Cowardin ClassForestedScrub-ShrubEmergent
Figure 1. Wetland A Cowardin Classification
May Creek
C
A
0 50 100Feet¯
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Rating April 2023
LegendDelineated WetlandsDelineated OHWM
'N Outlet LocationHydroperiod
Saturated OnlyOccasionally Flooded or InundatedSeasonally Flooded or Inundated
Figure 2. Wetland A Hydroperiods
May Creek
A
C
0 50 100Feet¯
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Ratings April 2023
LegendDense Rigid CoverDense CoverDelineated OHWMDelineated Wetlands
Figure 3. Wetland A Dense and Rigid Cover
C
A
BD
0 0.25 0.5Miles¯
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Ratings April 2023
LegendLand UseIntensity
HighModerateLow
Figure 4. Wetland A Land Use Intensity
C
A
B
D
May Creek
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Ratings April 2023
Figure 5. Ecology 303(d) Listed Waters Map
0 200 400Feet¯
LegendKing County StreamsDelineated WetlandsEcology 303(d) Listing
Puget Sound Nutrient Source Reduction Project
Issaquah Creek Basin Bacteria TMDL
Bear Evans Watershed Bacteria TMDL
Bear Evans Watershed Temperature and DO TMDL
Duwamish Waterway Ammonia-N TMDL
Sammamish River and Tribs Multi-parameter TMDL
Snoqualmie River Watershed Temperature TMDL
Puget Sound Nutrient Source Reduction Project
Fauntleroy Creek Bacteria TMDL
Snoqualmie River Watershed Temperature TMDL
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Ratings April 2023
Figure 6. TMDL's King County
0 1 2Miles¯
Legend
Project SiteTMDL's - Water Quality Improvement ProjectsApproved
In Development
Wetland name or number B
Name of wetland (or ID #):Date of site visit:10/28/2022
Rated by Trained by Ecology? Yes No Date of training 10/20-6/22
HGM Class used for rating Wetland has multiple HGM classes? Yes No
NOTE: Form is not complete with out the figures requested (figures can be combined).
Source of base aerial photo/map
OVERALL WETLAND CATEGORY III (based on functions or special characteristics )
1. Category of wetland based on FUNCTIONS
Category I - Total score = 23 - 27 Score for each
Category II - Total score = 20 - 22 function based
X Category III - Total score = 16 - 19 on three
Category IV - Total score = 9 - 15 ratings
(order of ratings
is not
important )
L L 9 = H, H, H
H M 8 = H, H, M
H M Total 7 = H, H, L
7 = H, M, M
6 = H, M, L
6 = M, M, M
5 = H, L, L
5 = M, M, L
4 = M, L, L
3 = L, L, L
2. Category based on SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS of wetland
X
RATING SUMMARY – Western Washington
List appropriate rating (H, M, L)
Hydrologic
B
B. Stimac & B. Knobbe
Riverine & Fresh Water Tidal
Coastal Lagoon
Interdunal
Value
Score Based on
Ratings 7 7 4 18
M
Improving
Water Quality
MSite Potential
Landscape Potential
Habitat
H
FUNCTION
CHARACTERISTIC Category
Estuarine
Wetland of High Conservation Value
Bog
Mature Forest
Old Growth Forest
King County
None of the above
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 1 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number B
Maps and Figures required to answer questions correctly for
Western Washington
Depressional Wetlands
Map of: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes
Hydroperiods
Location of outlet (can be added to map of hydroperiods )
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure )
Map of the contributing basin
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website)
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web)
Riverine Wetlands
Map of: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes 1
Hydroperiods 2
Ponded depressions 2
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure )1
Plant cover of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants
Width of unit vs. width of stream (can be added to another figure )2
Map of the contributing basin 3
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website)5
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web)6
Lake Fringe Wetlands
Map of: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes
Plant cover of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure )
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website)
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web)
Slope Wetlands
Map of:Figure #
Cowardin plant classes
Hydroperiods
Plant cover of dense trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants
Plant cover of dense, rigid trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants
(can be added to another figure)
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure )
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website)
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web)
S 4.1
S 2.1, S 5.1
4
L 2.2
L 3.1, L 3.2
L 3.3
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
R 3.1
R 2.2, R 2.3, R 5.2
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
L 1.2
To answer questions:
H 1.1, H 1.4
H 1.2
S 1.3
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
To answer questions:
D 1.3, H 1.1, H 1.4
D 1.4, H 1.2
D 1.1, D 4.1
D 2.2, D 5.2
D 4.3, D 5.3
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
D 3.1, D 3.2
D 3.3
To answer questions:
H 1.1, H 1.4
H 1.2
R 1.1
R 2.4
R 1.2, R 4.2
R 4.1
To answer questions:
L 1.1, L 4.1, H 1.1, H 1.4
R 3.2, R 3.3
S 3.1, S 3.2
S 3.3
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 2 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number B
For questions 1 -7, the criteria described must apply to the entire unit being rated.
1. Are the water levels in the entire unit usually controlled by tides except during floods?
NO - go to 2 YES - the wetland class is Tidal Fringe - go to 1.1
1.1 Is the salinity of the water during periods of annual low flow below 0.5 ppt (parts per thousand)?
NO - Saltwater Tidal Fringe (Estuarine)YES - Freshwater Tidal Fringe
NO - go to 3 YES - The wetland class is Flats
If your wetland can be classified as a Flats wetland, use the form for Depressional wetlands.
3. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
NO - go to 4 YES - The wetland class is Lake Fringe (Lacustrine Fringe)
4. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
The wetland is on a slope (slope can be very gradual ),
The water leaves the wetland without being impounded.
NO - go to 5 YES - The wetland class is Slope
5. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
The overbank flooding occurs at least once every 2 years.
NO - go to 6 YES - The wetland class is Riverine
NOTE: The Riverine unit can contain depressions that are filled with water when the river is not flooding.
2. The entire wetland unit is flat and precipitation is the only source (>90%) of water to it.
Groundwater and surface water runoff are NOT sources of water to the unit.
At least 30% of the open water area is deeper than 6.6 ft (2 m).
If your wetland can be classified as a Freshwater Tidal Fringe use the forms for Riverine wetlands.
If it is Saltwater Tidal Fringe it is an Estuarine wetland and is not scored. This method cannot be
used to score functions for estuarine wetlands.
If hydrologic criteria listed in each question do not apply to the entire unit being rated, you probably have a unit
with multiple HGM classes. In this case, identify which hydrologic criteria in questions 1 - 7 apply, and go to
Question 8.
The unit is in a valley, or stream channel, where it gets inundated by overbank flooding
from that stream or river,
HGM Classification of Wetland in Western Washington
The vegetated part of the wetland is on the shores of a body of permanent open water (without any
plants on the surface at any time of the year) at least 20 ac (8 ha) in size;
The water flows through the wetland in one direction (unidirectional) and usually comes from seeps.
It may flow subsurface, as sheetflow, or in a swale without distinct banks.
NOTE: Surface water does not pond in these type of wetlands except occasionally in very small and shallow
depressions or behind hummocks (depressions are usually <3 ft diameter and less than 1 ft deep).
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 3 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number B
NO - go to 7 YES - The wetland class is Depressional
NO - go to 8 YES - The wetland class is Depressional
NOTES and FIELD OBSERVATIONS:
NOTE: Use this table only if the class that is recommended in the second column represents 10% or more of
the total area of the wetland unit being rated. If the area of the HGM class listed in column 2 is less than 10%
of the unit; classify the wetland using the class that represents more than 90% of the total area.
being rated
Slope + Riverine
Slope + Depressional
Depressional + Riverine along stream
within boundary of depression
Depressional + Lake Fringe
Riverine + Lake Fringe
7. Is the entire wetland unit located in a very flat area with no obvious depression and no overbank flooding?
The unit does not pond surface water more than a few inches. The unit seems to be maintained by high
groundwater in the area. The wetland may be ditched, but has no obvious natural outlet.
8. Your wetland unit seems to be difficult to classify and probably contains several different HGM classes. For
example, seeps at the base of a slope may grade into a riverine floodplain, or a small stream within a
Depressional wetland has a zone of flooding along its sides. GO BACK AND IDENTIFY WHICH OF THE
HYDROLOGIC REGIMES DESCRIBED IN QUESTIONS 1-7 APPLY TO DIFFERENT AREAS IN THE UNIT
(make a rough sketch to help you decide). Use the following table to identify the appropriate class to use for
the rating system if you have several HGM classes present within the wetland unit being scored.
6. Is the entire wetland unit in a topographic depression in which water ponds, or is saturated to the surface, at
some time during the year? This means that any outlet, if present, is higher than the interior of the wetland.
HGM classes within the wetland unit
The wetland is entirely covered by Japanese/Bohemian Knotweed. This aggressive invasive species has been
shown based on scientific literature to result in increased erosion risk to streams. With this, the vegetation
questions on the rating form do not reflect the lack of functions that Knotweed provides. Questions R 1.2 and R
4.2 are marked as "0" due to the fact that knotweed will likely degrade the water quality and increase erosion
risks along May Creek. Scientific article for citation on this finding:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/620c6af512e6030fb65fcf50/t/62119cbf4ea705639a00145b/1645321409
375/Colleran+Lacy+%26+Retamal+2020.pdf
If you are still unable to determine which of the above criteria apply to your wetland, or if you have more than
2 HGM classes within a wetland boundary, classify the wetland as Depressional for the rating.
Salt Water Tidal Fringe and any other
class of freshwater wetland
HGM class to
use in rating
Riverine
Depressional
Lake Fringe
Depressional
Depressional
Riverine
Treat as
ESTUARINE
Slope + Lake Fringe
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 4 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number B
Depressions cover > 3/4 area of wetland points = 8
Depressions cover > ½ area of wetland points = 4
Depressions present but cover < ½ area of wetland points = 2
No depressions present points = 0
Trees or shrubs > 2/3 area of the wetland points = 8
Trees or shrubs > 1/3 area of the wetland points = 6
Herbaceous plants (> 6 in high) > 2/3 area of the wetland points = 6
Herbaceous plants (> 6 in high) > 1/3 area of the wetland points = 3
Trees, shrubs, and ungrazed herbaceous < 1/3 area of the wetland points = 0
Total for R 1 Add the points in the boxes above 2
Rating of Site Potential If score is: 12 - 16 = H 6 - 11 = M 0 - 5 = L Record the rating on the first page
R 2.1. Is the wetland within an incorporated city or within its UGA?Yes = 2 No = 0 2
Yes = 1 No = 0
Yes = 1 No = 0
Yes = 1 No = 0
Other Sources Yes = 1 No = 0
Total for R 2 Add the points in the boxes above 4
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 3 - 6 = H 1 or 2 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
Yes = 1 No = 0
Yes = 1 No = 0
Yes = 2 No = 0
Total for R 3 Add the points in the boxes above 1
Rating of Value If score is: 2 - 4 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
Water Quality Functions - Indicators that the site functions to improve water quality
R 1.0. Does the site have the potential to improve water quality?
RIVERINE AND FRESHWATER TIDAL FRINGE WETLANDS
0
R 3.1. Is the wetland along a stream or river that is on the 303(d) list or on a
tributary that drains to one within 1 mi?1
R 3.3. Has the site been identified in a watershed or local plan as important
for maintaining water quality? (answer YES if there is a TMDL for the
drainage in which the unit is found )
0
R 3.0. Is the water quality improvement provided by the site valuable to society?
R 1.1. Area of surface depressions within the Riverine wetland that can trap sediments during a
flooding event:
R 1.2. Structure of plants in the wetland (areas with >90% cover at person height, not Cowardin
classes)
R 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the water quality function of the site?
R 2.2. Does the contributing basin to the wetland include a UGA or
incorporated area?
0
1
2
0
R 3.2. Is the wetland along a stream or river that has TMDL limits for
nutrients, toxics, or pathogens?
R 2.3. Does at least 10% of the contributing basin contain tilled fields,
pastures, or forests that have been clearcut within the last 5 years?
R 2.5. Are there other sources of pollutants coming into the wetland that are
not listed in questions R 2.1 - R 2.4?
1
R 2.4. Is > 10% of the area within 150 ft of the wetland in land uses that
generate pollutants?0
Stormwater Runoff From I-405
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 5 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number B
R 4.1. Characteristics of the overbank storage the wetland provides:
If the ratio is more than 20 points = 9
If the ratio is 10 - 20 points = 6
If the ratio is 5 - < 10 points = 4
If the ratio is 1 - < 5 points = 2
If the ratio is < 1 points = 1
Forest or shrub for > 1/3 area OR emergent plants > 2/3 area points = 7
Forest or shrub for > 1/10 area OR emergent plants > 1/3 area points = 4
Plants do not meet above criteria points = 0
Total for R 4 Add the points in the boxes above 1
Rating of Site Potential If score is: 12 - 16 = H 6 - 11 = M 0 - 5 = L Record the rating on the first page
R 5.1. Is the stream or river adjacent to the wetland downcut?Yes = 0 No = 1 1
R 5.2. Does the up-gradient watershed include a UGA or incorporated area?Yes = 1 No = 0 1
R 5.3 Is the up-gradient stream or river controlled by dams?Yes = 0 No = 1 1
Total for R 5 Add the points in the boxes above 3
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 3 = H 1 or 2 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
R 6.1. Distance to the nearest areas downstream that have flooding problems?
Choose the description that best fits the site.
points = 2
Surface flooding problems are in a sub-basin farther down-gradient points = 1
No flooding problems anywhere downstream points = 0
Yes = 2 No = 0
Total for R 6 Add the points in the boxes above 2
Rating of Value If score is: 2 - 4 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
R 6.2. Has the site been identified as important for flood storage or flood
conveyance in a regional flood control plan?
R 5.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the hydrologic functions of the site?
R 6.0. Are the hydrologic functions provided by the site valuable to society?
The sub-basin immediately down-gradient of the wetland has
flooding problems that result in damage to human or natural
resources (e.g., houses or salmon redds)
2
Hydrologic Functions - Indicators that site functions to reduce flooding and stream erosion
R 4.0. Does the site have the potential to reduce flooding and erosion?
1
R 4.2. Characteristics of plants that slow down water velocities during floods: Treat large woody
debris as forest or shrub. Choose the points appropriate for the best description (polygons need
to have >90% cover at person height. These are NOT Cowardin classes ).0
RIVERINE AND FRESHWATER TIDAL FRINGE WETLANDS
Estimate the average width of the wetland perpendicular to the direction of the flow and the width
of the stream or river channel (distance between banks). Calculate the ratio: (average width of
wetland)/(average width of stream between banks).
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 6 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number B
HABITAT FUNCTIONS - Indicators that site functions to provide important habitat
H 1.0. Does the site have the potential to provide habitat?
Aquatic bed 4 structures or more: points = 4
Emergent 3 structures: points = 2
Scrub-shrub (areas where shrubs have > 30% cover)2 structures: points - 1
Forested (areas where trees have > 30% cover)1 structure: points = 0
If the unit has a Forested class, check if :
H 1.2. Hydroperiods
Permanently flooded or inundated 4 or more types present: points = 3
Seasonally flooded or inundated 3 types present: points = 2
Occasionally flooded or inundated 2 types present: points = 1
Saturated only 1 types present: points = 0
Permanently flowing stream or river in, or adjacent to, the wetland
Seasonally flowing stream in, or adjacent to, the wetland
Lake Fringe wetland 2 points
Freshwater tidal wetland 2 points
H 1.3. Richness of plant species
If you counted:> 19 species points = 2
5 - 19 species points = 1
< 5 species points = 0
H 1.4. Interspersion of habitats
None = 0 points Low = 1 point
Check the types of water regimes (hydroperiods) present within the wetland. The water regime
has to cover more than 10% of the wetland or ¼ ac to count (see text for descriptions of
hydroperiods ).
1
Count the number of plant species in the wetland that cover at least 10 ft2.
These questions apply to wetlands of all HGM classes.
The Forested class has 3 out of 5 strata (canopy, sub-canopy, shrubs, herbaceous,
moss/ground-cover) that each cover 20% within the Forested polygon
0
H 1.1. Structure of plant community: Indicators are Cowardin classes and strata within the
Forested class. Check the Cowardin plant classes in the wetland. Up to 10 patches may be
combined for each class to meet the threshold of ¼ ac or more than 10% of the unit if it is smaller
than 2.5 ac. Add the number of structures checked.
Moderate = 2 points
All three diagrams
in this row are
HIGH = 3 points
0
Different patches of the same species can be combined to meet the size threshold and you do
not have to name the species. Do not include Eurasian milfoil, reed canarygrass, purple
loosestrife, Canadian thistle 0
Decide from the diagrams below whether interspersion among Cowardin plants classes
(described in H 1.1), or the classes and unvegetated areas (can include open water or mudflats)
is high, moderate, low, or none. If you have four or more plant classes or three classes and open
water, the rating is always high.
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 7 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number B
H 1.5. Special habitat features:
Large, downed, woody debris within the wetland (> 4 in diameter and 6 ft long)
Standing snags (dbh > 4 in) within the wetland
Total for H 1 Add the points in the boxes above 1
Rating of Site Potential If Score is: 15 - 18 = H 7 - 14 = M 0 - 6 = L Record the rating on the first page
H 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the habitat function of the site?
H 2.1 Accessible habitat (include only habitat that directly abuts wetland unit ).
Calculate:
0 % undisturbed habitat + (1.5 % moderate & low intensity land uses / 2 ) = 0.75%
If total accessible habitat is:
> 1/3 (33.3%) of 1 km Polygon points = 3
20 - 33% of 1 km Polygon points = 2
10 - 19% of 1 km Polygon points = 1
< 10 % of 1 km Polygon points = 0
H 2.2. Undisturbed habitat in 1 km Polygon around the wetland.
Calculate:
0 % undisturbed habitat + (47 % moderate & low intensity land uses / 2 ) = 23.5%
Undisturbed habitat > 50% of Polygon points = 3
Undisturbed habitat 10 - 50% and in 1-3 patches points = 2
Undisturbed habitat 10 - 50% and > 3 patches points = 1
Undisturbed habitat < 10% of 1 km Polygon points = 0
H 2.3 Land use intensity in 1 km Polygon: If
> 50% of 1 km Polygon is high intensity land use points = (-2)
≤ 50% of 1km Polygon is high intensity points = 0
Total for H 2 Add the points in the boxes above 1
Rating of Landscape Potential If Score is: 4 - 6 = H 1 - 3 = M < 1 = L Record the rating on the first page
Site meets ANY of the following criteria:points = 2
It has 3 or more priority habitats within 100 m (see next page)
It is mapped as a location for an individual WDFW priority species
Site has 1 or 2 priority habitats (listed on next page) with in 100m points = 1
Site does not meet any of the criteria above points = 0
Rating of Value If Score is: 2 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
It is a Wetland of High Conservation Value as determined by the
Department of Natural Resources
1
Invasive plants cover less than 25% of the wetland area in every stratum of plants (see
H 1.1 for list of strata )
0
It has been categorized as an important habitat site in a local or
regional comprehensive plan, in a Shoreline Master Plan, or in a
watershed plan
H 3.0. Is the habitat provided by the site valuable to society?
H 3.1. Does the site provide habitat for species valued in laws, regulations, or policies? Choose
only the highest score that applies to the wetland being rated .
It provides habitat for Threatened or Endangered species (any plant
or animal on the state or federal lists)
0
1
0
Check the habitat features that are present in the wetland. The number of checks is the number
of points.
Undercut banks are present for at least 6.6 ft (2 m) and/or overhanging plants extends
at least 3.3 ft (1 m) over a stream (or ditch) in, or contiguous with the wetland, for at
least 33 ft (10 m)
Stable steep banks of fine material that might be used by beaver or muskrat for denning
(> 30 degree slope) OR signs of recent beaver activity are present (cut shrubs or trees
that have not yet weathered where wood is exposed )
At least ¼ ac of thin-stemmed persistent plants or woody branches are present in areas
that are permanently or seasonally inundated (structures for egg-laying by amphibians )
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 8 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number B
Aspen Stands: Pure or mixed stands of aspen greater than 1 ac (0.4 ha).
Herbaceous Balds: Variable size patches of grass and forbs on shallow soils over bedrock.
Cliffs: Greater than 25 ft (7.6 m) high and occurring below 5000 ft elevation.
Oregon White Oak: Woodland stands of pure oak or oak/conifer associations where canopy
coverage of the oak component is important (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 158 – see
web link above ).
Riparian: The area adjacent to aquatic systems with flowing water that contains elements of both
aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems which mutually influence each other.
Westside Prairies: Herbaceous, non-forested plant communities that can either take the form of a
dry prairie or a wet prairie (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 161 – see web link above ).
Instream: The combination of physical, biological, and chemical processes and conditions that
interact to provide functional life history requirements for instream fish and wildlife resources.
Nearshore: Relatively undisturbed nearshore habitats. These include Coastal Nearshore, Open
Coast Nearshore, and Puget Sound Nearshore. (full descriptions of habitats and the definition of
relatively undisturbed are in WDFW report – see web link on previous page ).
Snags and Logs: Trees are considered snags if they are dead or dying and exhibit sufficient decay
characteristics to enable cavity excavation/use by wildlife. Priority snags have a diameter at breast
height of > 20 in (51 cm) in western Washington and are > 6.5 ft (2 m) in height. Priority logs are > 12
in (30 cm) in diameter at the largest end, and > 20 ft (6 m) long.
Talus: Homogenous areas of rock rubble ranging in average size 0.5 - 6.5 ft (0.15 - 2.0 m),
composed of basalt, andesite, and/or sedimentary rock, including riprap slides and mine tailings. May
be associated with cliffs.
Note: All vegetated wetlands are by definition a priority habitat but are not included in this list because they are
addressed elsewhere.
Caves: A naturally occurring cavity, recess, void, or system of interconnected passages under the
earth in soils, rock, ice, or other geological formations and is large enough to contain a human.
WDFW Priority Habitats
Count how many of the following priority habitats are within 330 ft (100 m) of the wetland unit: NOTE : This
question is independent of the land use between the wetland unit and the priority habitat.
Biodiversity Areas and Corridors: Areas of habitat that are relatively important to various species
of native fish and wildlife (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report ).
Old-growth/Mature forests: Old-growth west of Cascade crest – Stands of at least 2 tree species,
forming a multi-layered canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac (20 trees/ha)
> 32 in (81 cm) dbh or > 200 years of age. Mature forests – Stands with average diameters
exceeding 21 in (53 cm) dbh; crown cover may be less than 100%; decay, decadence, numbers of
snags, and quantity of large downed material is generally less than that found in old-growth; 80-200
years old west of the Cascade crest.
Priority habitats listed by WDFW (see complete descriptions of WDFW priority habitats, and the counties in
which they can be found, in: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2008. Priority Habitat and Species
List. Olympia, Washington. 177 pp.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00165/wdfw00165.pdf or access the list from here:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/phs/list/
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 9 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number B
Wetland Type Category
Check off any criteria that apply to the wetland. List the category when the appropriate criteria are met.
SC 1.0. Estuarine Wetlands
Does the wetland meet the following criteria for Estuarine wetlands?
The dominant water regime is tidal,
Vegetated, and
With a salinity greater than 0.5 ppt
Yes - Go to SC 1.1 No = Not an estuarine wetland
SC 1.1.
Yes = Category I No - Go to SC 1.2
SC 1.2.Is the wetland unit at least 1 ac in size and meets at least two of the following three conditions?
Yes = Category I No = Category II
SC 2.0. Wetlands of High Conservation Value (WHCV)
SC 2.1.
Yes - Go to SC 2.2 No - Go to SC 2.3
SC 2.2.Is the wetland listed on the WDNR database as a Wetland of High Conservation Value?
Yes = Category I No = Not WHCV
SC 2.3.Is the wetland in a Section/Township/Range that contains a Natural Heritage wetland?
http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/datasearch/wnhpwetlands.pdf
Yes - Contact WNHP/WDNR and to SC 2.4 No = Not WHCV
SC 2.4.
Yes = Category I No = Not WHCV
SC 3.0. Bogs
SC 3.1.
Yes - Go to SC 3.3 No - Go to SC 3.2
SC 3.2.
Yes - Go to SC 3.3 No = Is not a bog
SC 3.3.
Yes = Is a Category I bog No - Go to SC 3.4
SC 3.4.
Yes = Is a Category I bog No = Is not a bog
CATEGORIZATION BASED ON SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
Is the wetland within a National Wildlife Refuge, National Park, National Estuary
Reserve, Natural Area Preserve, State Park or Educational, Environmental, or Scientific
Reserve designated under WAC 332-30-151?
The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing,
and has less than 10% cover of non-native plant species. (If non-native species are
Spartina , see page 25)
At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un-
grazed or un-mowed grassland.
The wetland has at least two of the following features: tidal channels, depressions with
open water, or contiguous freshwater wetlands.
Has WDNR identified the wetland within the S/T/R as a Wetland of High Conservation
Value and listed it on their website?
Has the WA Department of Natural Resources updated their website to include the list
of Wetlands of High Conservation Value?
Does the wetland (or any part of the unit) meet both the criteria for soils and vegetation
in bogs? Use the key below. If you answer YES you will still need to rate the
wetland based on its functions .
Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soil horizons, either peats or mucks,
that compose 16 in or more of the first 32 in of the soil profile?
Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soils, either peats or mucks, that are
less than 16 in deep over bedrock, or an impermeable hardpan such as clay or volcanic
ash, or that are floating on top of a lake or pond?
Does an area with peats or mucks have more than 70% cover of mosses at ground
level, AND at least a 30% cover of plant species listed in Table 4?
NOTE: If you are uncertain about the extent of mosses in the understory, you may
substitute that criterion by measuring the pH of the water that seeps into a hole dug at
least 16 in deep. If the pH is less than 5.0 and the plant species in Table 4 are present,
the wetland is a bog.
Is an area with peats or mucks forested (> 30% cover) with Sitka spruce, subalpine fir,
western red cedar, western hemlock, lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, Engelmann
spruce, or western white pine, AND any of the species (or combination of species) listed
in Table 4 provide more than 30% of the cover under the canopy?
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 10 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number B
SC 4.0. Forested Wetlands
Yes = Category I No = Not a forested wetland for this section
SC 5.0. Wetlands in Coastal Lagoons
Does the wetland meet all of the following criteria of a wetland in a coastal lagoon?
Yes - Go to SC 5.1 No = Not a wetland in a coastal lagoon
SC 5.1. Does the wetland meet all of the following three conditions?
The wetland is larger than 1/10 ac (4350 ft2)
Yes = Category I No = Category II
SC 6.0. Interdunal Wetlands
In practical terms that means the following geographic areas:
Long Beach Peninsula: Lands west of SR 103
Grayland-Westport: Lands west of SR 105
Ocean Shores-Copalis: Lands west of SR 115 and SR 109
Yes - Go to SC 6.1 No = Not an interdunal wetland for rating
SC 6.1.
Yes = Category I No - Go to SC 6.2
SC 6.2.Is the wetland 1 ac or larger, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is 1 ac or larger?
Yes = Category II No - Go to SC 6.3
SC 6.3.
Yes = Category III No = Category IV
Category of wetland based on Special Characteristics
If you answered No for all types, enter “Not Applicable” on Summary Form
Does the wetland have at least 1 contiguous acre of forest that meets one of these
criteria for the WA Department of Fish and Wildlife’s forests as priority habitats? If you
answer YES you will still need to rate the wetland based on its functions.
Old-growth forests (west of Cascade crest): Stands of at least two tree species,
forming a multi-layered canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac
(20 trees/ha) that are at least 200 years of age OR have a diameter at breast height
(dbh) of 32 in (81 cm) or more.
The wetland lies in a depression adjacent to marine waters that is wholly or partially
separated from marine waters by sandbanks, gravel banks, shingle, or, less frequently,
rocks
The lagoon in which the wetland is located contains ponded water that is saline or
brackish (> 0.5 ppt) during most of the year in at least a portion of the lagoon (needs to
be measured near the bottom )
The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing),
and has less than 20% cover of aggressive, opportunistic plant species (see list of
species on p. 100).
Mature forests (west of the Cascade Crest): Stands where the largest trees are 80-
200 years old OR the species that make up the canopy have an average diameter (dbh)
exceeding 21 in (53 cm).
Is the wetland west of the 1889 line (also called the Western Boundary of Upland
Ownership or WBUO)? If you answer yes you will still need to rate the wetland
based on its habitat functions.
Is the wetland 1 ac or larger and scores an 8 or 9 for the habitat functions on the form
(rates H,H,H or H,H,M for the three aspects of function)?
Is the unit between 0.1 and 1 ac, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is between 0.1 and
1 ac?
At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un-
grazed or un-mowed grassland.
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 11 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
May Creek
C
B
D
0 50 100Feet¯
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Ratings April 2023
Legend
Delineated Wetlands150 ft BufferDelineated OHWM
Cowardin ClassForestedScrub-ShrubEmergent
Figure 1. Wetland B Cowardin Classification
May Creek
C
B
D
0 50 100Feet¯
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Rating April 2023
LegendDelineated WetlandsDelineated OHWM
'N Outlet LocationHydroperiod
Saturated OnlyOccasionally Flooded or InundatedSeasonally Flooded or Inundated
Figure 2. Wetland B Hydroperiods
May Creek
Tibbetts Creek
C
o
a
l
C
r
e
e
k
McDonald Creek
0 2 7 6 A -5
0276 C-1
0 0.5 1Miles¯
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Ratings April 2023
LegendKing County StreamsContributing Basin
Figure 3. Wetland B Contributing Basin
Wetland B
City of Renton
C
A
BD
0 0.25 0.5Miles¯
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Ratings April 2023
LegendLand UseIntensity
HighModerateLow
Figure 4. Wetland B Land Use Intensity
C
A
B
D
May Creek
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Ratings April 2023
Figure 5. Ecology 303(d) Listed Waters Map
0 200 400Feet¯
LegendKing County StreamsDelineated WetlandsEcology 303(d) Listing
Puget Sound Nutrient Source Reduction Project
Issaquah Creek Basin Bacteria TMDL
Bear Evans Watershed Bacteria TMDL
Bear Evans Watershed Temperature and DO TMDL
Duwamish Waterway Ammonia-N TMDL
Sammamish River and Tribs Multi-parameter TMDL
Snoqualmie River Watershed Temperature TMDL
Puget Sound Nutrient Source Reduction Project
Fauntleroy Creek Bacteria TMDL
Snoqualmie River Watershed Temperature TMDL
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Ratings April 2023
Figure 6. TMDL's King County
0 1 2Miles¯
Legend
Project SiteTMDL's - Water Quality Improvement ProjectsApproved
In Development
Wetland name or number C
Name of wetland (or ID #):Date of site visit:10/28/2022
Rated by Trained by Ecology? Yes No Date of training 10/20-6/22
HGM Class used for rating Wetland has multiple HGM classes? Yes No
NOTE: Form is not complete with out the figures requested (figures can be combined).
Source of base aerial photo/map
OVERALL WETLAND CATEGORY III (based on functions or special characteristics )
1. Category of wetland based on FUNCTIONS
Category I - Total score = 23 - 27 Score for each
Category II - Total score = 20 - 22 function based
X Category III - Total score = 16 - 19 on three
Category IV - Total score = 9 - 15 ratings
(order of ratings
is not
important )
L M 9 = H, H, H
M L 8 = H, H, M
H M Total 7 = H, H, L
7 = H, M, M
6 = H, M, L
6 = M, M, M
5 = H, L, L
5 = M, M, L
4 = M, L, L
3 = L, L, L
2. Category based on SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS of wetland
X
King County
C
B. Stimac & B. Knobbe
Coastal Lagoon
Interdunal
Value
Score Based on
Ratings 6 6 5 17
H
Improving
Water Quality
LSite Potential
Landscape Potential M
FUNCTION
None of the above
CHARACTERISTIC Category
Estuarine
Wetland of High Conservation Value
Bog
Mature Forest
Old Growth Forest
Habitat
Slope
RATING SUMMARY – Western Washington
List appropriate rating (H, M, L)
Hydrologic
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 1 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number C
Maps and Figures required to answer questions correctly for
Western Washington
Depressional Wetlands
Map of: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes
Hydroperiods
Location of outlet (can be added to map of hydroperiods )
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure )
Map of the contributing basin
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website)
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web)
Riverine Wetlands
Map of: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes
Hydroperiods
Ponded depressions
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure )
Plant cover of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants
Width of unit vs. width of stream (can be added to another figure )
Map of the contributing basin
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website)
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web)
Lake Fringe Wetlands
Map of: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes
Plant cover of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure )
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website)
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web)
Slope Wetlands
Map of: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes 1
Hydroperiods 2
Plant cover of dense trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants 3
Plant cover of dense, rigid trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants
(can be added to another figure)
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure )1
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website)5
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web)6
3
4
To answer questions:
D 1.3, H 1.1, H 1.4
D 1.4, H 1.2
D 1.1, D 4.1
D 2.2, D 5.2
D 4.3, D 5.3
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
D 3.1, D 3.2
D 3.3
To answer questions:
H 1.1, H 1.4
H 1.2
R 1.1
R 2.4
R 1.2, R 4.2
R 4.1
R 2.2, R 2.3, R 5.2
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
L 1.2
L 2.2
L 3.1, L 3.2
L 3.3
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
R 3.1
R 3.2, R 3.3
To answer questions:
L 1.1, L 4.1, H 1.1, H 1.4
S 3.1, S 3.2
S 3.3
S 4.1
S 2.1, S 5.1
To answer questions:
H 1.1, H 1.4
H 1.2
S 1.3
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 2 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number C
For questions 1 -7, the criteria described must apply to the entire unit being rated.
1. Are the water levels in the entire unit usually controlled by tides except during floods?
NO - go to 2 YES - the wetland class is Tidal Fringe - go to 1.1
1.1 Is the salinity of the water during periods of annual low flow below 0.5 ppt (parts per thousand)?
NO - Saltwater Tidal Fringe (Estuarine)YES - Freshwater Tidal Fringe
NO - go to 3 YES - The wetland class is Flats
If your wetland can be classified as a Flats wetland, use the form for Depressional wetlands.
3. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
NO - go to 4 YES - The wetland class is Lake Fringe (Lacustrine Fringe)
4. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
The wetland is on a slope (slope can be very gradual ),
The water leaves the wetland without being impounded.
NO - go to 5 YES - The wetland class is Slope
5. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
The overbank flooding occurs at least once every 2 years.
NO - go to 6 YES - The wetland class is Riverine
NOTE: The Riverine unit can contain depressions that are filled with water when the river is not flooding.
If hydrologic criteria listed in each question do not apply to the entire unit being rated, you probably have a unit
with multiple HGM classes. In this case, identify which hydrologic criteria in questions 1 - 7 apply, and go to
Question 8.
HGM Classification of Wetland in Western Washington
If your wetland can be classified as a Freshwater Tidal Fringe use the forms for Riverine wetlands.
If it is Saltwater Tidal Fringe it is an Estuarine wetland and is not scored. This method cannot be
used to score functions for estuarine wetlands.
The vegetated part of the wetland is on the shores of a body of permanent open water (without any
plants on the surface at any time of the year) at least 20 ac (8 ha) in size;
The water flows through the wetland in one direction (unidirectional) and usually comes from seeps.
It may flow subsurface, as sheetflow, or in a swale without distinct banks.
NOTE: Surface water does not pond in these type of wetlands except occasionally in very small and shallow
depressions or behind hummocks (depressions are usually <3 ft diameter and less than 1 ft deep).
The unit is in a valley, or stream channel, where it gets inundated by overbank flooding
from that stream or river,
2. The entire wetland unit is flat and precipitation is the only source (>90%) of water to it.
Groundwater and surface water runoff are NOT sources of water to the unit.
At least 30% of the open water area is deeper than 6.6 ft (2 m).
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 3 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number C
NO - go to 7 YES - The wetland class is Depressional
NO - go to 8 YES - The wetland class is Depressional
Riverine
ESTUARINE
NOTE: Use this table only if the class that is recommended in the second column represents 10% or more of
the total area of the wetland unit being rated. If the area of the HGM class listed in column 2 is less than 10%
of the unit; classify the wetland using the class that represents more than 90% of the total area.
HGM classes within the wetland unit
being rated
Slope + Riverine
Slope + Depressional
If you are still unable to determine which of the above criteria apply to your wetland, or if you have more than
2 HGM classes within a wetland boundary, classify the wetland as Depressional for the rating.
Salt Water Tidal Fringe and any other
class of freshwater wetland
HGM class to
use in rating
Riverine
Depressional
Lake Fringe
Depressional
Depressional
7. Is the entire wetland unit located in a very flat area with no obvious depression and no overbank flooding?
The unit does not pond surface water more than a few inches. The unit seems to be maintained by high
groundwater in the area. The wetland may be ditched, but has no obvious natural outlet.
8. Your wetland unit seems to be difficult to classify and probably contains several different HGM classes. For
example, seeps at the base of a slope may grade into a riverine floodplain, or a small stream within a
Depressional wetland has a zone of flooding along its sides. GO BACK AND IDENTIFY WHICH OF THE
HYDROLOGIC REGIMES DESCRIBED IN QUESTIONS 1-7 APPLY TO DIFFERENT AREAS IN THE UNIT
(make a rough sketch to help you decide). Use the following table to identify the appropriate class to use for
the rating system if you have several HGM classes present within the wetland unit being scored.
6. Is the entire wetland unit in a topographic depression in which water ponds, or is saturated to the surface, at
some time during the year? This means that any outlet, if present, is higher than the interior of the wetland.
Treat as
Slope + Lake Fringe
Depressional + Riverine along stream
within boundary of depression
Depressional + Lake Fringe
Riverine + Lake Fringe
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 4 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number C
Slope is 1% or less points = 3
Slope is > 1% - 2%points = 2
Slope is > 2% - 5%points = 1
Slope is greater than 5%points = 0
Yes = 3 No = 0
Dense, uncut, herbaceous plants > 90% of the wetland area points = 6
Dense, uncut, herbaceous plants > ½ of area points = 3
Dense, woody, plants > ½ of area points = 2
Dense, uncut, herbaceous plants > ¼ of area points = 1
Does not meet any of the criteria above for plants points = 0
Total for S 1 Add the points in the boxes above 3
Rating of Site Potential If score is: 12 = H 6 - 11 = M 0 - 5 = L Record the rating on the first page
Yes = 1 No = 0
Other Sources Yes = 1 No = 0
Total for S 2 Add the points in the boxes above 1
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 1 - 2 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
Yes = 1 No = 0
Yes = 1 No = 0
Yes = 2 No = 0
Total for S 3 Add the points in the boxes above 2
Rating of Value If score is: 2 - 4 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
SLOPE WETLANDS
S 2.2. Are there other sources of pollutants coming into the wetland that are
not listed in question S 2.1?0
S 1.0. Does the site have the potential to improve water quality?
S 1.1. Characteristics of the average slope of the wetland: (a 1% slope has a 1 ft vertical drop in
elevation for every 100 ft of horizontal distance )
0
S 1.2. The soil 2 in below the surface (or duff layer) is true clay or true organic
(use NRCS definitions ):0
S 1.3. Characteristics of the plants in the wetland that trap sediments and pollutants:
Choose the points appropriate for the description that best fits the plants in the wetland. Dense
means you have trouble seeing the soil surface (>75% cover), and uncut means not grazed or
mowed and plants are higher than 6 in.
3
S 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the water quality function of the site?
S 2.1. Is > 10% of the area within 150 ft on the uphill side of the wetland in
land uses that generate pollutants?1
Water Quality Functions - Indicators that the site functions to improve water quality
S 3.0. Is the water quality improvement provided by the site valuable to society?
S 3.1. Does the wetland discharge directly (i.e., within 1 mi) to a stream, river,
lake, or marine water that is on the 303(d) list?1
1
0
S 3.2. Is the wetland in a basin or sub-basin where water quality is an issue?
At least one aquatic resource in the basin is on the 303(d) list.
S 3.3. Has the site been identified in a watershed or local plan as important for
maintaining water quality? Answer YES if there is a TMDL for the basin in
which the unit is found ?
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 5 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number C
Dense, uncut, rigid plants cover > 90% of the area of the wetland points = 1
All other conditions points = 0
Rating of Site Potential If score is: 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
Yes = 1 No = 0
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
S 6.1. Distance to the nearest areas downstream that have flooding problems:
points = 2
Surface flooding problems are in a sub-basin farther down-gradient points = 1
No flooding problems anywhere downstream points = 0
Yes = 2 No = 0
Total for S 6 Add the points in the boxes above 2
Rating of Value If score is: 2 - 4 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
NOTES and FIELD OBSERVATIONS:
SLOPE WETLANDS
The sub-basin immediately down-gradient of site has flooding
problems that result in damage to human or natural resources (e.g.,
houses or salmon redds)2
S 6.0. Are the hydrologic functions provided by the site valuable to society?
1
The Slope HGM is over 90% of the wetland unit, so the slope form was used. The wetland is also dominated
by Himalayan Blackberry, which aerially covers over 90% of the wetland, but the stems are not dense enough
at ground level to meet a 90% cover definition.
S 6.2. Has the site been identified as important for flood storage or flood
conveyance in a regional flood control plan?0
Hydrologic Functions - Indicators that the site functions to reduce flooding and stream erosion
S 4.0. Does the site have the potential to reduce flooding and stream erosion?
S 4.1. Characteristics of plants that reduce the velocity of surface flows during storms: Choose
the points appropriate for the description that best fits conditions in the wetland. Stems of plants
should be thick enough (usually > 1 /8 in), or dense enough, to remain erect during surface flows.0
S 5.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support hydrologic functions of the site?
S 5.1. Is more than 25% of the area within 150 ft upslope of wetland in land
uses or cover that generate excess surface runoff?
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 6 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number C
HABITAT FUNCTIONS - Indicators that site functions to provide important habitat
H 1.0. Does the site have the potential to provide habitat?
Aquatic bed 4 structures or more: points = 4
Emergent 3 structures: points = 2
Scrub-shrub (areas where shrubs have > 30% cover)2 structures: points - 1
Forested (areas where trees have > 30% cover)1 structure: points = 0
If the unit has a Forested class, check if :
H 1.2. Hydroperiods
Permanently flooded or inundated 4 or more types present: points = 3
Seasonally flooded or inundated 3 types present: points = 2
Occasionally flooded or inundated 2 types present: points = 1
Saturated only 1 types present: points = 0
Permanently flowing stream or river in, or adjacent to, the wetland
Seasonally flowing stream in, or adjacent to, the wetland
Lake Fringe wetland 2 points
Freshwater tidal wetland 2 points
H 1.3. Richness of plant species
If you counted:> 19 species points = 2
5 - 19 species points = 1
< 5 species points = 0
H 1.4. Interspersion of habitats
These questions apply to wetlands of all HGM classes.
The Forested class has 3 out of 5 strata (canopy, sub-canopy, shrubs, herbaceous,
moss/ground-cover) that each cover 20% within the Forested polygon
2
H 1.1. Structure of plant community: Indicators are Cowardin classes and strata within the
Forested class. Check the Cowardin plant classes in the wetland. Up to 10 patches may be
combined for each class to meet the threshold of ¼ ac or more than 10% of the unit if it is smaller
than 2.5 ac. Add the number of structures checked.
None = 0 points Low = 1 point Moderate = 2 points
All three diagrams
in this row are
HIGH = 3 points
3
Check the types of water regimes (hydroperiods) present within the wetland. The water regime
has to cover more than 10% of the wetland or ¼ ac to count (see text for descriptions of
hydroperiods ).
2
Count the number of plant species in the wetland that cover at least 10 ft2.Different patches of the same species can be combined to meet the size threshold and you do
not have to name the species. Do not include Eurasian milfoil, reed canarygrass, purple
loosestrife, Canadian thistle 1
Decide from the diagrams below whether interspersion among Cowardin plants classes
(described in H 1.1), or the classes and unvegetated areas (can include open water or mudflats)
is high, moderate, low, or none. If you have four or more plant classes or three classes and open
water, the rating is always high.
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 7 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number C
H 1.5. Special habitat features:
Large, downed, woody debris within the wetland (> 4 in diameter and 6 ft long)
Standing snags (dbh > 4 in) within the wetland
Total for H 1 Add the points in the boxes above 11
Rating of Site Potential If Score is: 15 - 18 = H 7 - 14 = M 0 - 6 = L Record the rating on the first page
H 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the habitat function of the site?
H 2.1 Accessible habitat (include only habitat that directly abuts wetland unit ).
Calculate:
0 % undisturbed habitat + (1.3 % moderate & low intensity land uses / 2 ) = 0.65%
If total accessible habitat is:
> 1/3 (33.3%) of 1 km Polygon points = 3
20 - 33% of 1 km Polygon points = 2
10 - 19% of 1 km Polygon points = 1
< 10 % of 1 km Polygon points = 0
H 2.2. Undisturbed habitat in 1 km Polygon around the wetland.
Calculate:
0 % undisturbed habitat + (48 % moderate & low intensity land uses / 2 ) = 24%
Undisturbed habitat > 50% of Polygon points = 3
Undisturbed habitat 10 - 50% and in 1-3 patches points = 2
Undisturbed habitat 10 - 50% and > 3 patches points = 1
Undisturbed habitat < 10% of 1 km Polygon points = 0
H 2.3 Land use intensity in 1 km Polygon: If
> 50% of 1 km Polygon is high intensity land use points = (-2)
≤ 50% of 1km Polygon is high intensity points = 0
Total for H 2 Add the points in the boxes above -1
Rating of Landscape Potential If Score is: 4 - 6 = H 1 - 3 = M < 1 = L Record the rating on the first page
Site meets ANY of the following criteria:points = 2
It has 3 or more priority habitats within 100 m (see next page)
It is mapped as a location for an individual WDFW priority species
Site has 1 or 2 priority habitats (listed on next page) with in 100m points = 1
Site does not meet any of the criteria above points = 0
Rating of Value If Score is: 2 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
Invasive plants cover less than 25% of the wetland area in every stratum of plants (see
H 1.1 for list of strata )
3
It is a Wetland of High Conservation Value as determined by the
Department of Natural Resources
1
0
1
-2
H 3.0. Is the habitat provided by the site valuable to society?
H 3.1. Does the site provide habitat for species valued in laws, regulations, or policies? Choose
only the highest score that applies to the wetland being rated .
It provides habitat for Threatened or Endangered species (any plant
or animal on the state or federal lists)
Undercut banks are present for at least 6.6 ft (2 m) and/or overhanging plants extends
at least 3.3 ft (1 m) over a stream (or ditch) in, or contiguous with the wetland, for at
least 33 ft (10 m)
Stable steep banks of fine material that might be used by beaver or muskrat for denning
(> 30 degree slope) OR signs of recent beaver activity are present (cut shrubs or trees
that have not yet weathered where wood is exposed )
At least ¼ ac of thin-stemmed persistent plants or woody branches are present in areas
that are permanently or seasonally inundated (structures for egg-laying by amphibians )
It has been categorized as an important habitat site in a local or
regional comprehensive plan, in a Shoreline Master Plan, or in a
watershed plan
Check the habitat features that are present in the wetland. The number of checks is the number
of points.
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 8 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number C
Aspen Stands: Pure or mixed stands of aspen greater than 1 ac (0.4 ha).
Herbaceous Balds: Variable size patches of grass and forbs on shallow soils over bedrock.
Cliffs: Greater than 25 ft (7.6 m) high and occurring below 5000 ft elevation.
Oregon White Oak: Woodland stands of pure oak or oak/conifer associations where canopy
coverage of the oak component is important (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 158 – see
web link above ).
Riparian: The area adjacent to aquatic systems with flowing water that contains elements of both
aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems which mutually influence each other.
Westside Prairies: Herbaceous, non-forested plant communities that can either take the form of a
dry prairie or a wet prairie (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 161 – see web link above ).
Instream: The combination of physical, biological, and chemical processes and conditions that
interact to provide functional life history requirements for instream fish and wildlife resources.
Nearshore: Relatively undisturbed nearshore habitats. These include Coastal Nearshore, Open
Coast Nearshore, and Puget Sound Nearshore. (full descriptions of habitats and the definition of
relatively undisturbed are in WDFW report – see web link on previous page ).
Snags and Logs: Trees are considered snags if they are dead or dying and exhibit sufficient decay
characteristics to enable cavity excavation/use by wildlife. Priority snags have a diameter at breast
height of > 20 in (51 cm) in western Washington and are > 6.5 ft (2 m) in height. Priority logs are > 12
in (30 cm) in diameter at the largest end, and > 20 ft (6 m) long.
Talus: Homogenous areas of rock rubble ranging in average size 0.5 - 6.5 ft (0.15 - 2.0 m),
composed of basalt, andesite, and/or sedimentary rock, including riprap slides and mine tailings. May
be associated with cliffs.
Caves: A naturally occurring cavity, recess, void, or system of interconnected passages under the
earth in soils, rock, ice, or other geological formations and is large enough to contain a human.
Note: All vegetated wetlands are by definition a priority habitat but are not included in this list because they are
addressed elsewhere.
Old-growth/Mature forests: Old-growth west of Cascade crest – Stands of at least 2 tree species,
forming a multi-layered canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac (20 trees/ha)
> 32 in (81 cm) dbh or > 200 years of age. Mature forests – Stands with average diameters
exceeding 21 in (53 cm) dbh; crown cover may be less than 100%; decay, decadence, numbers of
snags, and quantity of large downed material is generally less than that found in old-growth; 80-200
years old west of the Cascade crest.
WDFW Priority Habitats
Count how many of the following priority habitats are within 330 ft (100 m) of the wetland unit: NOTE : This
question is independent of the land use between the wetland unit and the priority habitat.
Biodiversity Areas and Corridors: Areas of habitat that are relatively important to various species
of native fish and wildlife (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report ).
http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00165/wdfw00165.pdf or access the list from here:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/phs/list/
Priority habitats listed by WDFW (see complete descriptions of WDFW priority habitats, and the counties in
which they can be found, in: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2008. Priority Habitat and Species
List. Olympia, Washington. 177 pp.
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 9 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number C
Wetland Type Category
Check off any criteria that apply to the wetland. List the category when the appropriate criteria are met.
SC 1.0. Estuarine Wetlands
Does the wetland meet the following criteria for Estuarine wetlands?
The dominant water regime is tidal,
Vegetated, and
With a salinity greater than 0.5 ppt
Yes - Go to SC 1.1 No = Not an estuarine wetland
SC 1.1.
Yes = Category I No - Go to SC 1.2
SC 1.2.Is the wetland unit at least 1 ac in size and meets at least two of the following three conditions?
Yes = Category I No = Category II
SC 2.0. Wetlands of High Conservation Value (WHCV)
SC 2.1.
Yes - Go to SC 2.2 No - Go to SC 2.3
SC 2.2.Is the wetland listed on the WDNR database as a Wetland of High Conservation Value?
Yes = Category I No = Not WHCV
SC 2.3.Is the wetland in a Section/Township/Range that contains a Natural Heritage wetland?
http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/datasearch/wnhpwetlands.pdf
Yes - Contact WNHP/WDNR and to SC 2.4 No = Not WHCV
SC 2.4.
Yes = Category I No = Not WHCV
SC 3.0. Bogs
SC 3.1.
Yes - Go to SC 3.3 No - Go to SC 3.2
SC 3.2.
Yes - Go to SC 3.3 No = Is not a bog
SC 3.3.
Yes = Is a Category I bog No - Go to SC 3.4
SC 3.4.
Yes = Is a Category I bog No = Is not a bog
CATEGORIZATION BASED ON SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
Is the wetland within a National Wildlife Refuge, National Park, National Estuary
Reserve, Natural Area Preserve, State Park or Educational, Environmental, or Scientific
Reserve designated under WAC 332-30-151?
The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing,
and has less than 10% cover of non-native plant species. (If non-native species are
Spartina , see page 25)
At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un-
grazed or un-mowed grassland.
The wetland has at least two of the following features: tidal channels, depressions with
open water, or contiguous freshwater wetlands.
Has WDNR identified the wetland within the S/T/R as a Wetland of High Conservation
Value and listed it on their website?
Has the WA Department of Natural Resources updated their website to include the list
of Wetlands of High Conservation Value?
Does the wetland (or any part of the unit) meet both the criteria for soils and vegetation
in bogs? Use the key below. If you answer YES you will still need to rate the
wetland based on its functions .
Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soil horizons, either peats or mucks,
that compose 16 in or more of the first 32 in of the soil profile?
Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soils, either peats or mucks, that are
less than 16 in deep over bedrock, or an impermeable hardpan such as clay or volcanic
ash, or that are floating on top of a lake or pond?
Does an area with peats or mucks have more than 70% cover of mosses at ground
level, AND at least a 30% cover of plant species listed in Table 4?
NOTE: If you are uncertain about the extent of mosses in the understory, you may
substitute that criterion by measuring the pH of the water that seeps into a hole dug at
least 16 in deep. If the pH is less than 5.0 and the plant species in Table 4 are present,
the wetland is a bog.
Is an area with peats or mucks forested (> 30% cover) with Sitka spruce, subalpine fir,
western red cedar, western hemlock, lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, Engelmann
spruce, or western white pine, AND any of the species (or combination of species) listed
in Table 4 provide more than 30% of the cover under the canopy?
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 10 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
Wetland name or number C
SC 4.0. Forested Wetlands
Yes = Category I No = Not a forested wetland for this section
SC 5.0. Wetlands in Coastal Lagoons
Does the wetland meet all of the following criteria of a wetland in a coastal lagoon?
Yes - Go to SC 5.1 No = Not a wetland in a coastal lagoon
SC 5.1. Does the wetland meet all of the following three conditions?
The wetland is larger than 1/10 ac (4350 ft2)
Yes = Category I No = Category II
SC 6.0. Interdunal Wetlands
In practical terms that means the following geographic areas:
Long Beach Peninsula: Lands west of SR 103
Grayland-Westport: Lands west of SR 105
Ocean Shores-Copalis: Lands west of SR 115 and SR 109
Yes - Go to SC 6.1 No = Not an interdunal wetland for rating
SC 6.1.
Yes = Category I No - Go to SC 6.2
SC 6.2.Is the wetland 1 ac or larger, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is 1 ac or larger?
Yes = Category II No - Go to SC 6.3
SC 6.3.
Yes = Category III No = Category IV
Category of wetland based on Special Characteristics
If you answered No for all types, enter “Not Applicable” on Summary Form
Old-growth forests (west of Cascade crest): Stands of at least two tree species,
forming a multi-layered canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac
(20 trees/ha) that are at least 200 years of age OR have a diameter at breast height
(dbh) of 32 in (81 cm) or more.Mature forests (west of the Cascade Crest): Stands where the largest trees are 80-
200 years old OR the species that make up the canopy have an average diameter (dbh)
exceeding 21 in (53 cm).
The wetland lies in a depression adjacent to marine waters that is wholly or partially
separated from marine waters by sandbanks, gravel banks, shingle, or, less frequently,
rocks
The lagoon in which the wetland is located contains ponded water that is saline or
brackish (> 0.5 ppt) during most of the year in at least a portion of the lagoon (needs to
be measured near the bottom )
Does the wetland have at least 1 contiguous acre of forest that meets one of these
criteria for the WA Department of Fish and Wildlife’s forests as priority habitats? If you
answer YES you will still need to rate the wetland based on its functions.
At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un-
grazed or un-mowed grassland.
Is the wetland west of the 1889 line (also called the Western Boundary of Upland
Ownership or WBUO)? If you answer yes you will still need to rate the wetland
based on its habitat functions.
Is the wetland 1 ac or larger and scores an 8 or 9 for the habitat functions on the form
(rates H,H,H or H,H,M for the three aspects of function)?
Is the unit between 0.1 and 1 ac, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is between 0.1 and
1 ac?
The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing),
and has less than 20% cover of aggressive, opportunistic plant species (see list of
species on p. 100).
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 11 WSDOT Adapted Form - January 14, 2015
M
a
y
C
r
e
e
k
C
A
B
D
0 50 100Feet¯
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Ratings April 2023
Legend
Delineated Wetlands150 ft BufferDelineated OHWM
Cowardin ClassForestedScrub-ShrubEmergent
Figure 1. Wetland C Cowardin Classification
M
a
y
C
r
e
e
k
C
A
B
D
0 50 100Feet¯
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Rating April 2023
LegendDelineated WetlandsDelineated OHWM
'N Outlet LocationHydroperiod
Saturated OnlyOccasionally Flooded or InundatedSeasonally Flooded or Inundated
Figure 2. Wetland C Hydroperiods
May Creek
C
B
D
0 50 100Feet¯
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Ratings April 2023
LegendDense Rigid CoverDense CoverDelineated OHWMDelineated Wetlands
Figure 3. Wetland C Dense and Rigid Cover
C
A
BD
0 0.25 0.5Miles¯
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Ratings April 2023
LegendLand UseIntensity
HighModerateLow
Figure 4. Wetland C Land Use Intensity
C
A
B
D
May Creek
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Ratings April 2023
Figure 5. Ecology 303(d) Listed Waters Map
0 200 400Feet¯
LegendKing County StreamsDelineated WetlandsEcology 303(d) Listing
Puget Sound Nutrient Source Reduction Project
Issaquah Creek Basin Bacteria TMDL
Bear Evans Watershed Bacteria TMDL
Bear Evans Watershed Temperature and DO TMDL
Duwamish Waterway Ammonia-N TMDL
Sammamish River and Tribs Multi-parameter TMDL
Snoqualmie River Watershed Temperature TMDL
Puget Sound Nutrient Source Reduction Project
Fauntleroy Creek Bacteria TMDL
Snoqualmie River Watershed Temperature TMDL
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Ratings April 2023
Figure 6. TMDL's King County
0 1 2Miles¯
Legend
Project SiteTMDL's - Water Quality Improvement ProjectsApproved
In Development
Wetland name or number D
Name of wetland (or ID #):Date of site visit:1/18/2023
Rated by Trained by Ecology? Yes No Date of training 10/20 & 6/22
HGM Class used for rating Wetland has multiple HGM classes? Yes No
NOTE: Form is not complete with out the figures requested (figures can be combined).
Source of base aerial photo/map
OVERALL WETLAND CATEGORY III (based on functions or special characteristics )
1. Category of wetland based on FUNCTIONS
Category I - Total score = 23 - 27 Score for each
Category II - Total score = 20 - 22 function based
X Category III - Total score = 16 - 19 on three
Category IV - Total score = 9 - 15 ratings
(order of ratings
is not
important )
L L 9 = H, H, H
M L 8 = H, H, M
H M Total 7 = H, H, L
7 = H, M, M
6 = H, M, L
6 = M, M, M
5 = H, L, L
5 = M, M, L
4 = M, L, L
3 = L, L, L
2. Category based on SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS of wetland
X
Depressional & Flats
RATING SUMMARY – Western Washington
List appropriate rating (H, M, L)
HydrologicImproving
Water Quality
MSite Potential
Landscape Potential
Habitat
M
FUNCTION
D
B. Stimac & B. Knobbe
King County
Coastal Lagoon
Interdunal
Value
Score Based on
Ratings 6 6 4 16
M
CHARACTERISTIC Category
Estuarine
Wetland of High Conservation Value
Bog
Mature Forest
Old Growth Forest
None of the above
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 1 WSDOT Adapted Form - March 2, 2015
Wetland name or number D
Maps and Figures required to answer questions correctly for
Western Washington
Depressional Wetlands
Map of: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes 1
Hydroperiods 2
Location of outlet (can be added to map of hydroperiods )2
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure )1
Map of the contributing basin 3
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website)5
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web)6
Riverine Wetlands
Map of: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes
Hydroperiods
Ponded depressions
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure )
Plant cover of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants
Width of unit vs. width of stream (can be added to another figure )
Map of the contributing basin
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website)
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web)
Lake Fringe Wetlands
Map of: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes
Plant cover of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure )
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website)
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web)
Slope Wetlands
Map of: Figure #
Cowardin plant classes
Hydroperiods
Plant cover of dense trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants
Plant cover of dense, rigid trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants
(can be added to another figure)
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure )
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge - including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website)
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web)
4
S 3.1, S 3.2
S 3.3
S 4.1
S 2.1, S 5.1
To answer questions:
H 1.1, H 1.4
H 1.2
S 1.3
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
L 3.1, L 3.2
L 3.3
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
R 3.1
R 3.2, R 3.3
To answer questions:
L 1.1, L 4.1, H 1.1, H 1.4
H 1.2
R 1.1
R 2.4
R 1.2, R 4.2
R 4.1
R 2.2, R 2.3, R 5.2
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
L 1.2
L 2.2
D 1.1, D 4.1
D 2.2, D 5.2
D 4.3, D 5.3
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3
D 3.1, D 3.2
D 3.3
To answer questions:
H 1.1, H 1.4
To answer questions:
D 1.3, H 1.1, H 1.4
D 1.4, H 1.2
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 2 WSDOT Adapted Form - March 2, 2015
Wetland name or number D
For questions 1 -7, the criteria described must apply to the entire unit being rated.
1. Are the water levels in the entire unit usually controlled by tides except during floods?
NO - go to 2 YES - the wetland class is Tidal Fringe - go to 1.1
1.1 Is the salinity of the water during periods of annual low flow below 0.5 ppt (parts per thousand)?
NO - Saltwater Tidal Fringe (Estuarine)YES - Freshwater Tidal Fringe
NO - go to 3 YES - The wetland class is Flats
If your wetland can be classified as a Flats wetland, use the form for Depressional wetlands.
3. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
NO - go to 4 YES - The wetland class is Lake Fringe (Lacustrine Fringe)
4. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
The wetland is on a slope (slope can be very gradual ),
The water leaves the wetland without being impounded.
NO - go to 5 YES - The wetland class is Slope
5. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
The overbank flooding occurs at least once every 2 years.
NO - go to 6 YES - The wetland class is Riverine
NOTE: The Riverine unit can contain depressions that are filled with water when the river is not flooding.
If your wetland can be classified as a Freshwater Tidal Fringe use the forms for Riverine wetlands.
If it is Saltwater Tidal Fringe it is an Estuarine wetland and is not scored. This method cannot be
used to score functions for estuarine wetlands.
The vegetated part of the wetland is on the shores of a body of permanent open water (without any
plants on the surface at any time of the year) at least 20 ac (8 ha) in size;
The water flows through the wetland in one direction (unidirectional) and usually comes from seeps.
It may flow subsurface, as sheetflow, or in a swale without distinct banks.
NOTE: Surface water does not pond in these type of wetlands except occasionally in very small and shallow
depressions or behind hummocks (depressions are usually <3 ft diameter and less than 1 ft deep).
The unit is in a valley, or stream channel, where it gets inundated by overbank flooding
from that stream or river,
2. The entire wetland unit is flat and precipitation is the only source (>90%) of water to it.
Groundwater and surface water runoff are NOT sources of water to the unit.
HGM Classification of Wetland in Western Washington
If hydrologic criteria listed in each question do not apply to the entire unit being rated, you probably have a unit
with multiple HGM classes. In this case, identify which hydrologic criteria in questions 1 - 7 apply, and go to
Question 8.
At least 30% of the open water area is deeper than 6.6 ft (2 m).
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 3 WSDOT Adapted Form - March 2, 2015
Wetland name or number D
NO - go to 7 YES - The wetland class is Depressional
NO - go to 8 YES - The wetland class is Depressional
NOTES and FIELD OBSERVATIONS:
Salt Water Tidal Fringe and any other
class of freshwater wetland
HGM class to
use in rating
Riverine
Depressional
Lake Fringe
If you are still unable to determine which of the above criteria apply to your wetland, or if you have more than
2 HGM classes within a wetland boundary, classify the wetland as Depressional for the rating.
Riverine
Treat as
ESTUARINE
Slope + Lake Fringe
Depressional + Riverine along stream
within boundary of depression
Depressional + Lake Fringe
Riverine + Lake Fringe
NOTE: Use this table only if the class that is recommended in the second column represents 10% or more of
the total area of the wetland unit being rated. If the area of the HGM class listed in column 2 is less than 10%
of the unit; classify the wetland using the class that represents more than 90% of the total area.
HGM classes within the wetland unit
being rated
Slope + Riverine
Slope + Depressional
Depressional
Depressional
7. Is the entire wetland unit located in a very flat area with no obvious depression and no overbank flooding?
The unit does not pond surface water more than a few inches. The unit seems to be maintained by high
groundwater in the area. The wetland may be ditched, but has no obvious natural outlet.
8. Your wetland unit seems to be difficult to classify and probably contains several different HGM classes. For
example, seeps at the base of a slope may grade into a riverine floodplain, or a small stream within a
Depressional wetland has a zone of flooding along its sides. GO BACK AND IDENTIFY WHICH OF THE
HYDROLOGIC REGIMES DESCRIBED IN QUESTIONS 1-7 APPLY TO DIFFERENT AREAS IN THE UNIT
(make a rough sketch to help you decide). Use the following table to identify the appropriate class to use for
the rating system if you have several HGM classes present within the wetland unit being scored.
6. Is the entire wetland unit in a topographic depression in which water ponds, or is saturated to the surface, at
some time during the year? This means that any outlet, if present, is higher than the interior of the wetland.
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 4 WSDOT Adapted Form - March 2, 2015
Wetland name or number D
D 1.1. Characteristics of surface water outflows from the wetland:
points = 3
points = 2
points = 1
points = 1
Yes = 4 No = 0
Wetland has persistent, ungrazed, plants > 95% of area points = 5
Wetland has persistent, ungrazed, plants > ½ of area points = 3
Wetland has persistent, ungrazed plants > 1/10 of area points = 1
Wetland has persistent, ungrazed plants < 1/10 of area points = 0
D 1.4. Characteristics of seasonal ponding or inundation:
This is the area that is ponded for at least 2 months. See description in manual.
Area seasonally ponded is > ½ total area of wetland points = 4
Area seasonally ponded is > ¼ total area of wetland points = 2
Area seasonally ponded is < ¼ total area of wetland points = 0
Total for D 1 Add the points in the boxes above 6
Rating of Site Potential If score is: 12 - 16 = H 6 - 11 = M 0 - 5 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 2.1. Does the wetland unit receive stormwater discharges?Yes = 1 No = 0 0
Yes = 1 No = 0
D 2.3. Are there septic systems within 250 ft of the wetland?Yes = 1 No = 0 0
Source Yes = 1 No = 0
Total for D 2 Add the points in the boxes above 1
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 3 or 4 = H 1 or 2 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
Yes = 1 No = 0
Yes = 1 No = 0
Yes = 2 No = 0
Total for D 3 Add the points in the boxes above 1
Rating of Value If score is: 2 - 4 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
Dogs use the trails.
0
1
Water Quality Functions - Indicators that the site functions to improve water quality
D 1.0. Does the site have the potential to improve water quality?
3
Wetland has an unconstricted, or slightly constricted, surface outlet
that is permanently flowing
Wetland has an intermittently flowing stream or ditch, OR highly
constricted permanently flowing outlet.
Wetland is a depression or flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key)
with no surface water leaving it (no outlet).
Wetland is a flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key), whose outlet is
a permanently flowing ditch.
0
D 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the water quality function of the site?
DEPRESSIONAL AND FLATS WETLANDS
D 3.3. Has the site been identified in a watershed or local plan as important
for maintaining water quality (answer YES if there is a TMDL for the basin in
which the unit is found )?
D 1.2. The soil 2 in below the surface (or duff layer) is true clay or true organic
(use NRCS definitions ).
D 1.3. Characteristics and distribution of persistent plants (Emergent, Scrub-shrub, and/or
Forested Cowardin classes):
D 2.4. Are there other sources of pollutants coming into the wetland that are
not listed in questions D 2.1 - D 2.3?
D 3.1. Does the wetland discharge directly (i.e., within 1 mi) to a stream, river,
lake, or marine water that is on the 303(d) list?
D 2.2. Is > 10% of the area within 150 ft of the wetland in land uses that
generate pollutants?
D 3.2. Is the wetland in a basin or sub-basin where an aquatic resource is on the 303(d) list?
D 3.0. Is the water quality improvement provided by the site valuable to society?
1
0
0
0
3
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 5 WSDOT Adapted Form - March 2, 2015
Wetland name or number D
D 4.1. Characteristics of surface water outflows from the wetland:
points = 4
points = 2
points = 1
points = 0
Marks of ponding are 3 ft or more above the surface or bottom of outlet points = 7
Marks of ponding between 2 ft to < 3 ft from surface or bottom of outlet points = 5
Marks are at least 0.5 ft to < 2 ft from surface or bottom of outlet points = 3
The wetland is a “headwater” wetland points = 3
Wetland is flat but has small depressions on the surface that trap water points = 1
Marks of ponding less than 0.5 ft (6 in)points = 0
The area of the basin is less than 10 times the area of the unit points = 5
The area of the basin is 10 to 100 times the area of the unit points = 3
The area of the basin is more than 100 times the area of the unit points = 0
Entire wetland is in the Flats class points = 5
Total for D 4 Add the points in the boxes above 4
Rating of Site Potential If score is: 12 - 16 = H 6 - 11 = M 0 - 5 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 5.1. Does the wetland unit receive stormwater discharges?Yes = 1 No = 0 0
D 5.2. Is > 10% of the area within 150 ft of the wetland in land uses that generate excess runoff?
Yes = 1 No = 0
Yes = 1 No = 0
Total for D 5 Add the points in the boxes above 2
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: 3 = H 1 or 2 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
points = 2
points = 1
Flooding from groundwater is an issue in the sub-basin.points = 1
points = 0
There are no problems with flooding downstream of the wetland.points = 0
Yes = 2 No = 0
Total for D 6 Add the points in the boxes above 2
Rating of Value If score is: 2 - 4 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
DEPRESSIONAL AND FLATS WETLANDS
D 6.0. Are the hydrologic functions provided by the site valuable to society?
The wetland captures surface water that would otherwise flow down-gradient into areas
where flooding has damaged human or natural resources (e.g., houses or salmon redds):
Flooding occurs in a sub-basin that is immediately down-
gradient of unit.
Surface flooding problems are in a sub-basin farther down-
gradient.
Hydrologic Functions - Indicators that the site functions to reduce flooding and stream degradation
D 4.0. Does the site have the potential to reduce flooding and erosion?
4
Wetland is a depression or flat depression with no surface water
leaving it (no outlet)
Wetland has an unconstricted, or slightly constricted, surface outlet
that is permanently flowing
Wetland has an intermittently flowing stream or ditch, OR highly
constricted permanently flowing outlet
Wetland is a flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key), whose outlet is
a permanently flowing ditch
0
D 5.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support hydrologic function of the site?
1
1
D 5.3. Is more than 25% of the contributing basin of the wetland covered with intensive human
land uses (residential at >1 residence/ac, urban, commercial, agriculture, etc.)?
The existing or potential outflow from the wetland is so constrained
by human or natural conditions that the water stored by the wetland
cannot reach areas that flood. Explain why
2
0
0
D 4.2. Depth of storage during wet periods: Estimate the height of ponding above the bottom of
the outlet. For wetlands with no outlet, measure from the surface of permanent water or if dry, the
deepest part.
D 4.3. Contribution of the wetland to storage in the watershed: Estimate the ratio of the area of
upstream basin contributing surface water to the wetland to the area of the wetland unit itself.
D 6.1. The unit is in a landscape that has flooding problems. Choose the description that best
matches conditions around the wetland unit being rated. Do not add points. Choose the highest
score if more than one condition is met.
D 6.2. Has the site been identified as important for flood storage or flood
conveyance in a regional flood control plan?
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 6 WSDOT Adapted Form - March 2, 2015
Wetland name or number D
HABITAT FUNCTIONS - Indicators that site functions to provide important habitat
H 1.0. Does the site have the potential to provide habitat?
Aquatic bed 4 structures or more: points = 4
Emergent 3 structures: points = 2
Scrub-shrub (areas where shrubs have > 30% cover)2 structures: points - 1
Forested (areas where trees have > 30% cover)1 structure: points = 0
If the unit has a Forested class, check if :
H 1.2. Hydroperiods
Permanently flooded or inundated 4 or more types present: points = 3
Seasonally flooded or inundated 3 types present: points = 2
Occasionally flooded or inundated 2 types present: points = 1
Saturated only 1 types present: points = 0
Permanently flowing stream or river in, or adjacent to, the wetland
Seasonally flowing stream in, or adjacent to, the wetland
Lake Fringe wetland 2 points
Freshwater tidal wetland 2 points
H 1.3. Richness of plant species
If you counted:> 19 species points = 2
5 - 19 species points = 1
< 5 species points = 0
H 1.4. Interspersion of habitats
These questions apply to wetlands of all HGM classes.
The Forested class has 3 out of 5 strata (canopy, sub-canopy, shrubs, herbaceous,
moss/ground-cover) that each cover 20% within the Forested polygon
0
H 1.1. Structure of plant community: Indicators are Cowardin classes and strata within the
Forested class. Check the Cowardin plant classes in the wetland. Up to 10 patches may be
combined for each class to meet the threshold of ¼ ac or more than 10% of the unit if it is smaller
than 2.5 ac. Add the number of structures checked.
None = 0 points Low = 1 point Moderate = 2 points
All three diagrams
in this row are
HIGH = 3 points
0
Check the types of water regimes (hydroperiods) present within the wetland. The water regime
has to cover more than 10% of the wetland or ¼ ac to count (see text for descriptions of
hydroperiods ).
0
Count the number of plant species in the wetland that cover at least 10 ft2.Different patches of the same species can be combined to meet the size threshold and you do
not have to name the species. Do not include Eurasian milfoil, reed canarygrass, purple
loosestrife, Canadian thistle 1
Decide from the diagrams below whether interspersion among Cowardin plants classes
(described in H 1.1), or the classes and unvegetated areas (can include open water or mudflats)
is high, moderate, low, or none. If you have four or more plant classes or three classes and open
water, the rating is always high.
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 7 WSDOT Adapted Form - March 2, 2015
Wetland name or number D
H 1.5. Special habitat features:
Large, downed, woody debris within the wetland (> 4 in diameter and 6 ft long)
Standing snags (dbh > 4 in) within the wetland
Total for H 1 Add the points in the boxes above 3
Rating of Site Potential If Score is: 15 - 18 = H 7 - 14 = M 0 - 6 = L Record the rating on the first page
H 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the habitat function of the site?
H 2.1 Accessible habitat (include only habitat that directly abuts wetland unit ).
Calculate:
0 % undisturbed habitat + (1.4 % moderate & low intensity land uses / 2 ) = 0.7%
If total accessible habitat is:
> 1/3 (33.3%) of 1 km Polygon points = 3
20 - 33% of 1 km Polygon points = 2
10 - 19% of 1 km Polygon points = 1
< 10 % of 1 km Polygon points = 0
H 2.2. Undisturbed habitat in 1 km Polygon around the wetland.
Calculate:
0 % undisturbed habitat + (46.1 % moderate & low intensity land uses / 2 ) = 23.05%
Undisturbed habitat > 50% of Polygon points = 3
Undisturbed habitat 10 - 50% and in 1-3 patches points = 2
Undisturbed habitat 10 - 50% and > 3 patches points = 1
Undisturbed habitat < 10% of 1 km Polygon points = 0
H 2.3 Land use intensity in 1 km Polygon: If
> 50% of 1 km Polygon is high intensity land use points = (-2)
≤ 50% of 1km Polygon is high intensity points = 0
Total for H 2 Add the points in the boxes above -1
Rating of Landscape Potential If Score is: 4 - 6 = H 1 - 3 = M < 1 = L Record the rating on the first page
Site meets ANY of the following criteria:points = 2
It has 3 or more priority habitats within 100 m (see next page)
It is mapped as a location for an individual WDFW priority species
Site has 1 or 2 priority habitats (listed on next page) with in 100m points = 1
Site does not meet any of the criteria above points = 0
Rating of Value If Score is: 2 = H 1 = M 0 = L Record the rating on the first page
0
1
-2
H 3.0. Is the habitat provided by the site valuable to society?
H 3.1. Does the site provide habitat for species valued in laws, regulations, or policies? Choose
only the highest score that applies to the wetland being rated .
It provides habitat for Threatened or Endangered species (any plant
or animal on the state or federal lists)
It is a Wetland of High Conservation Value as determined by the
Department of Natural Resources
1
Invasive plants cover less than 25% of the wetland area in every stratum of plants (see
H 1.1 for list of strata )
Undercut banks are present for at least 6.6 ft (2 m) and/or overhanging plants extends
at least 3.3 ft (1 m) over a stream (or ditch) in, or contiguous with the wetland, for at
least 33 ft (10 m)
Stable steep banks of fine material that might be used by beaver or muskrat for denning
(> 30 degree slope) OR signs of recent beaver activity are present (cut shrubs or trees
that have not yet weathered where wood is exposed )
At least ¼ ac of thin-stemmed persistent plants or woody branches are present in areas
that are permanently or seasonally inundated (structures for egg-laying by amphibians )
2
Check the habitat features that are present in the wetland. The number of checks is the number
of points.
It has been categorized as an important habitat site in a local or
regional comprehensive plan, in a Shoreline Master Plan, or in a
watershed plan
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 8 WSDOT Adapted Form - March 2, 2015
Wetland name or number D
Aspen Stands: Pure or mixed stands of aspen greater than 1 ac (0.4 ha).
Herbaceous Balds: Variable size patches of grass and forbs on shallow soils over bedrock.
Cliffs: Greater than 25 ft (7.6 m) high and occurring below 5000 ft elevation.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00165/wdfw00165.pdf or access the list from here:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/phs/list/
Caves: A naturally occurring cavity, recess, void, or system of interconnected passages under the
earth in soils, rock, ice, or other geological formations and is large enough to contain a human.
Note: All vegetated wetlands are by definition a priority habitat but are not included in this list because they are
addressed elsewhere.
WDFW Priority Habitats
Count how many of the following priority habitats are within 330 ft (100 m) of the wetland unit: NOTE : This
question is independent of the land use between the wetland unit and the priority habitat.
Biodiversity Areas and Corridors: Areas of habitat that are relatively important to various species
of native fish and wildlife (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report ).
Old-growth/Mature forests: Old-growth west of Cascade crest – Stands of at least 2 tree species,
forming a multi-layered canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac (20 trees/ha)
> 32 in (81 cm) dbh or > 200 years of age. Mature forests – Stands with average diameters
exceeding 21 in (53 cm) dbh; crown cover may be less than 100%; decay, decadence, numbers of
snags, and quantity of large downed material is generally less than that found in old-growth; 80-200
years old west of the Cascade crest.
Priority habitats listed by WDFW (see complete descriptions of WDFW priority habitats, and the counties in
which they can be found, in: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2008. Priority Habitat and Species
List. Olympia, Washington. 177 pp.
Oregon White Oak: Woodland stands of pure oak or oak/conifer associations where canopy
coverage of the oak component is important (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 158 – see
web link above ).
Riparian: The area adjacent to aquatic systems with flowing water that contains elements of both
aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems which mutually influence each other.
Westside Prairies: Herbaceous, non-forested plant communities that can either take the form of a
dry prairie or a wet prairie (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 161 – see web link above ).
Instream: The combination of physical, biological, and chemical processes and conditions that
interact to provide functional life history requirements for instream fish and wildlife resources.
Nearshore: Relatively undisturbed nearshore habitats. These include Coastal Nearshore, Open
Coast Nearshore, and Puget Sound Nearshore. (full descriptions of habitats and the definition of
relatively undisturbed are in WDFW report – see web link on previous page ).
Snags and Logs: Trees are considered snags if they are dead or dying and exhibit sufficient decay
characteristics to enable cavity excavation/use by wildlife. Priority snags have a diameter at breast
height of > 20 in (51 cm) in western Washington and are > 6.5 ft (2 m) in height. Priority logs are > 12
in (30 cm) in diameter at the largest end, and > 20 ft (6 m) long.
Talus: Homogenous areas of rock rubble ranging in average size 0.5 - 6.5 ft (0.15 - 2.0 m),
composed of basalt, andesite, and/or sedimentary rock, including riprap slides and mine tailings. May
be associated with cliffs.
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 9 WSDOT Adapted Form - March 2, 2015
Wetland name or number D
Wetland Type Category
Check off any criteria that apply to the wetland. List the category when the appropriate criteria are met.
SC 1.0. Estuarine Wetlands
Does the wetland meet the following criteria for Estuarine wetlands?
The dominant water regime is tidal,
Vegetated, and
With a salinity greater than 0.5 ppt
Yes - Go to SC 1.1 No = Not an estuarine wetland
SC 1.1.
Yes = Category I No - Go to SC 1.2
SC 1.2.Is the wetland unit at least 1 ac in size and meets at least two of the following three conditions?
Yes = Category I No = Category II
SC 2.0. Wetlands of High Conservation Value (WHCV)
SC 2.1.
Yes - Go to SC 2.2 No - Go to SC 2.3
SC 2.2.Is the wetland listed on the WDNR database as a Wetland of High Conservation Value?
Yes = Category I No = Not WHCV
SC 2.3.Is the wetland in a Section/Township/Range that contains a Natural Heritage wetland?
http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/datasearch/wnhpwetlands.pdf
Yes - Contact WNHP/WDNR and to SC 2.4 No = Not WHCV
SC 2.4.
Yes = Category I No = Not WHCV
SC 3.0. Bogs
SC 3.1.
Yes - Go to SC 3.3 No - Go to SC 3.2
SC 3.2.
Yes - Go to SC 3.3 No = Is not a bog
SC 3.3.
Yes = Is a Category I bog No - Go to SC 3.4
SC 3.4.
Yes = Is a Category I bog No = Is not a bog
Has WDNR identified the wetland within the S/T/R as a Wetland of High Conservation
Value and listed it on their website?
Has the WA Department of Natural Resources updated their website to include the list
of Wetlands of High Conservation Value?
Does the wetland (or any part of the unit) meet both the criteria for soils and vegetation
in bogs? Use the key below. If you answer YES you will still need to rate the
wetland based on its functions .
Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soil horizons, either peats or mucks,
that compose 16 in or more of the first 32 in of the soil profile?
Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soils, either peats or mucks, that are
less than 16 in deep over bedrock, or an impermeable hardpan such as clay or volcanic
ash, or that are floating on top of a lake or pond?
Does an area with peats or mucks have more than 70% cover of mosses at ground
level, AND at least a 30% cover of plant species listed in Table 4?
NOTE: If you are uncertain about the extent of mosses in the understory, you may
substitute that criterion by measuring the pH of the water that seeps into a hole dug at
least 16 in deep. If the pH is less than 5.0 and the plant species in Table 4 are present,
the wetland is a bog.
Is an area with peats or mucks forested (> 30% cover) with Sitka spruce, subalpine fir,
western red cedar, western hemlock, lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, Engelmann
spruce, or western white pine, AND any of the species (or combination of species) listed
in Table 4 provide more than 30% of the cover under the canopy?
CATEGORIZATION BASED ON SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
Is the wetland within a National Wildlife Refuge, National Park, National Estuary
Reserve, Natural Area Preserve, State Park or Educational, Environmental, or Scientific
Reserve designated under WAC 332-30-151?
The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing,
and has less than 10% cover of non-native plant species. (If non-native species are
Spartina , see page 25)
At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un-
grazed or un-mowed grassland.
The wetland has at least two of the following features: tidal channels, depressions with
open water, or contiguous freshwater wetlands.
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 10 WSDOT Adapted Form - March 2, 2015
Wetland name or number D
SC 4.0. Forested Wetlands
Yes = Category I No = Not a forested wetland for this section
SC 5.0. Wetlands in Coastal Lagoons
Does the wetland meet all of the following criteria of a wetland in a coastal lagoon?
Yes - Go to SC 5.1 No = Not a wetland in a coastal lagoon
SC 5.1. Does the wetland meet all of the following three conditions?
The wetland is larger than 1/10 ac (4350 ft2)
Yes = Category I No = Category II
SC 6.0. Interdunal Wetlands
In practical terms that means the following geographic areas:
Long Beach Peninsula: Lands west of SR 103
Grayland-Westport: Lands west of SR 105
Ocean Shores-Copalis: Lands west of SR 115 and SR 109
Yes - Go to SC 6.1 No = Not an interdunal wetland for rating
SC 6.1.
Yes = Category I No - Go to SC 6.2
SC 6.2.Is the wetland 1 ac or larger, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is 1 ac or larger?
Yes = Category II No - Go to SC 6.3
SC 6.3.
Yes = Category III No = Category IV
Category of wetland based on Special Characteristics
If you answered No for all types, enter “Not Applicable” on Summary Form
The wetland lies in a depression adjacent to marine waters that is wholly or partially
separated from marine waters by sandbanks, gravel banks, shingle, or, less frequently,
rocks
The lagoon in which the wetland is located contains ponded water that is saline or
brackish (> 0.5 ppt) during most of the year in at least a portion of the lagoon (needs to
be measured near the bottom )
Does the wetland have at least 1 contiguous acre of forest that meets one of these
criteria for the WA Department of Fish and Wildlife’s forests as priority habitats? If you
answer YES you will still need to rate the wetland based on its functions.
Old-growth forests (west of Cascade crest): Stands of at least two tree species,
forming a multi-layered canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac
(20 trees/ha) that are at least 200 years of age OR have a diameter at breast height
(dbh) of 32 in (81 cm) or more.Mature forests (west of the Cascade Crest): Stands where the largest trees are 80-
200 years old OR the species that make up the canopy have an average diameter (dbh)
exceeding 21 in (53 cm).
The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing),
and has less than 20% cover of aggressive, opportunistic plant species (see list of
species on p. 100).
At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un-
grazed or un-mowed grassland.
Is the wetland west of the 1889 line (also called the Western Boundary of Upland
Ownership or WBUO)? If you answer yes you will still need to rate the wetland
based on its habitat functions.
Is the wetland 1 ac or larger and scores an 8 or 9 for the habitat functions on the form
(rates H,H,H or H,H,M for the three aspects of function)?
Is the unit between 0.1 and 1 ac, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is between 0.1 and
1 ac?
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form - Effective January 1, 2015 11 WSDOT Adapted Form - March 2, 2015
May Creek
C
B
D
0 50 100Feet¯
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Ratings April 2023
Legend
Delineated Wetlands150 ft BufferDelineated OHWM
Cowardin ClassForestedScrub-ShrubEmergent
Figure 1. Wetland D Cowardin Classification
May Creek
C
B
D
0 50 100Feet¯
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Rating April 2023
LegendDelineated WetlandsDelineated OHWM
'N Outlet LocationHydroperiod
Saturated OnlyOccasionally Flooded or InundatedSeasonally Flooded or Inundated
Figure 2. Wetland D Hydroperiods
May Creek
Tibbetts Creek
C
o
a
l
C
r
e
e
k
McDonald Creek
0 2 7 6 A -5
0276 C-1
0 0.5 1Miles¯
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Ratings April 2023
LegendKing County StreamsContributing Basin
Figure 3. Wetland D Contributing Basin
Wetland D
City of Renton
C
A
BD
0 0.25 0.5Miles¯
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Ratings April 2023
LegendLand UseIntensity
HighModerateLow
Figure 4. Wetland D Land Use Intensity
C
A
B
D
May Creek
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Ratings April 2023
Figure 5. Ecology 303(d) Listed Waters Map
0 200 400Feet¯
LegendKing County StreamsDelineated WetlandsEcology 303(d) Listing
Puget Sound Nutrient Source Reduction Project
Issaquah Creek Basin Bacteria TMDL
Bear Evans Watershed Bacteria TMDL
Bear Evans Watershed Temperature and DO TMDL
Duwamish Waterway Ammonia-N TMDL
Sammamish River and Tribs Multi-parameter TMDL
Snoqualmie River Watershed Temperature TMDL
Puget Sound Nutrient Source Reduction Project
Fauntleroy Creek Bacteria TMDL
Snoqualmie River Watershed Temperature TMDL
City of Renton - May Creek Trail ProjectWetland Ratings April 2023
Figure 6. TMDL's King County
0 1 2Miles¯
Legend
Project SiteTMDL's - Water Quality Improvement ProjectsApproved
In Development
APPENDIX
C WEATHER
INFORMATION
Long-term rainfall recordsa
Month
3
yrs.
in 10
less
than
Average
3 yrs. in
10 more
than
Rain
falla
Condition
dry, wet,
normalb
Condition
Value
Month
weight
value
Product of
previous two
columns
Field Work October 2.50 3.57 4.23 1.83 D 1 NA NA
1st prior
month September 0.83 1.60 1.96 0.10 D 1 3 3
2nd prior August 0.24 0.85 0.95 0.02 D 1 2 2
3rd prior July 0.19 0.52 0.58 0.15 D 1 1 1
Sum 6
Note: If sum is Condition value:
6 - 9 then prior period has been drier than normal Dry (D) = 1
10 - 14 then period has been normal Normal (N) = 2
15 - 18 then period has been wetter than normal Wet (W) = 3
Conclusions: Dry precipitation conditions were present prior to the October 27 to November 8, 2022
field visit.
Long-term rainfall recordsa
Month
3
yrs.
in 10
less
than
Average
3 yrs. in
10 more
than
Rain
falla
Condition
dry, wet,
normalb
Condition
Value
Month
weight
value
Product of
previous two
columns
Field Work January 3.49 4.68 5.48 0.80 D NA NA NA
1st prior
month December 2.43 4.40 5.37 3.34 N 2 3 6
2nd prior November 3.50 5.40 6.49 3.58 N 2 2 4
3rd prior October 2.50 3.57 4.23 1.83 D 1 1 1
Sum 11
Note: If sum is Condition value:
6 - 9 then prior period has been drier than normal Dry (D) = 1
10 - 14 then period has been normal Normal (N) = 2
15 - 18 then period has been wetter than normal Wet (W) = 3
Conclusions: Normal precipitation conditions were present prior to the January 18, 2023 field visit.
APPENDIX
D PHOTO LOG
May Creek Photo Log
WSP USA Page 1 Project Photo Log
May Creek South Trail Project
Photo 1: Overview of the south side of May Creek where the trail is Proposed
Photo 2: Site photo along the edge of Lake Washington Boulevard N looking north.
May Creek Photo Log
WSP USA Page 2 Project Photo Log
May Creek South Trail Project
Photo 3: Proposed bridge crossing location over May Creek looking west.
Photo 4: Looking south from May Creek at the center of the Parcel.
May Creek Photo Log
WSP USA Page 3 Project Photo Log
May Creek South Trail Project
Photo 5: Looking north towards May Creek and the proposed trail spurs.
Photo 6: Wetland A looking south from flowing outlet to May Creek during January
hydrology verification.
May Creek Photo Log
WSP USA Page 4 Project Photo Log
May Creek South Trail Project
Photo 7: Culvert that conveys flow into Wetland A from Lake Washington Boulevard
N.
Photo 8: Wetland A looking south from outlet to May Creek.
May Creek Photo Log
WSP USA Page 5 Project Photo Log
May Creek South Trail Project
Photo 9: Southwestern boundary of Wetland A looking east from Lake Washington
Boulevard N towards May Creek and the proposed trail spurs.
Photo 10: Wetland A looking north towards May Creek from southern boundary at
proposed trail location.
May Creek Photo Log
WSP USA Page 6 Project Photo Log
May Creek South Trail Project
Photo 11: Interior of wetland A looking northeast towards May Creek.
Photo 12: Wetland B looking southeast from May Creek.
May Creek Photo Log
WSP USA Page 7 Project Photo Log
May Creek South Trail Project
Photo 13: Dead Coho Salmon (Oncorhycus kisutch) observed near Wetland B.
Photo 14: Wetland C along May Creek looking east.
May Creek Photo Log
WSP USA Page 8 Project Photo Log
May Creek South Trail Project
Photo 15: Wetland C data point location (WC-DP7) with surface water present .
Photo 16: Wetland C looking southwest (Trail alignment will be along the slope on
the left of the photo).
May Creek Photo Log
WSP USA Page 9 Project Photo Log
May Creek South Trail Project
Photo 17: Wetland C looking north towards May Creek from the toe of the southern
slope.
Photo 18: Wetland C southwestern leg looking southwest.
May Creek Photo Log
WSP USA Page 10 Project Photo Log
May Creek South Trail Project
Photo 19: Wetland C groundwater seep (flowing in October during drought
conditions) near the southern edge of the property looking south.
Photo 20: Wetland C and May Creek looking southwest with bank undercutting.
(senesced vegetation is mainly hybrid knotweed)
May Creek Photo Log
WSP USA Page 11 Project Photo Log
May Creek South Trail Project
Photo 21: Wetland D looking east.
Photo 22: Wetland D water table at surface at WD-10.
May Creek Photo Log
WSP USA Page 12 Project Photo Log
May Creek South Trail Project
Photo 23: May Creek looking south from Lake Washington Boulevard Bridge.
Photo 24: Log jam in May Creek looking east from center of parcel.
May Creek Photo Log
WSP USA Page 13 Project Photo Log
May Creek South Trail Project
Photo 25: Proposed bridge crossing location looking southwest. Wetland B is to the
left of the photo and Wetland C is to the right.
Photo 26: Recent downed tree with signs of beaver activity along the base of the
tree.