HomeMy WebLinkAboutAttachment_D_Project_Narrative1
Washington Forest Stewardship Plan
I. Cover Page
Landowner Information
Name: King County Housing Authority c/o Patrick Malloy
Address: 600 Andover Park W., Tukwila, WA 98188
Phone: 206-574-1139
Email: patrickm@kcha.org
Property Information
Acreage: 45.49 acres (16.12 forested and 29.37 home site) (22.19, 1.41, .68, 11.41, 9.8)
County: King
Legal Description:
LOT 1 OF RENTON SP LUA-08-137- SHPL REC #20100111900006 SD SP LOCATED IN W 1/2 OF 32-
23-05,
TR C-2 OF CITY OF RENTON BLA# LUA17-00002 & LND30-0380 REC# 20170511900004 SD BLA
LOCATED IN W 1/2 OF STR 32-23-05,
TRACT A OF RENTON SP LUA-08-137- SHPL REC #20100111900006 SD SP LOCATED IN W 1/2 OF
32-23-05,
TR C-1 OF RENTON SP LUA-08-137- SHPL REC #20100111900006 SD SP LOCATED IN W 1/2 OF 32-
23-05,
POR OF SE 1/4 OF SE 1/4 OF NW 1/4 TGW POR OF NE 1/4 OF SW 1/4 - BEGIN SE CORNER OF NW
1/4 TH S 89-26-37 W 40.02 FT TO WLY RIGHT OF WAY FOR STATE ROUTE 515 AND POB TH N 01-
26-10 E 210.13 FT TO S LINE OF N 269.41 FT OF S 479.41 FT OF SAID NW 1/4 TH S 89-44-31 W
93.88 FT TH S 65-51-56 W 51.22 FT TH S 89-26-37 W 80 FT TH S 49-38-17 W 54.67 FT TH S 26-50-
38 W 56.39 FT TH S 89-26-37 W 20 FT TH S 01-26-10 W 105 FT TO SOUTH LINE OF NW 1/4 TH S
89-26-37 W 792.19 FT TH S 01-20-07 W 176.50 FT TH S 89-26-35 W 176.50 FT TO EAST LINE OF W
ONE FOOT OF NE 1/4 OF SW 1/4 TH S 01-20-07 W 161.25 FT TO S LINE OF N 1/2 OF N 1/2 OF NE
1/4 OF SW 1/4 TH S 89-35-01 E 400.19 FT TO E LINE OF W 401 FT OF NE 1/4 OF SW 1/4 TH N 01-
20-07 E 55.73 FT TO A POINT BEARING N 87-40-12 W 912.26 FT AND S 01-26-23 W 329 FT FROM
NE CORNER OF SW 1/4 TH S 87-40-12 E 872.66 FT TO WLY R/W FOR STATE ROUTE 515 TH N 01-
26-23 E 326.98 FT TO POB --- AKA LOT B OF K C BOUNDARY LINE ADJ APPLICATION NO S 92L0098
APPROVED JUNE 26, 1992
Parcel Numbers: 3223059361, 3223059363, 3223059020, 3223059364, 3223059070
Street Address or Location Description:
18100 107th Place SE, Renton, WA, 98055
10771 SE 184th Lane, Renton, WA 98055
2
Plan Preparer
Name: Jason Saura
Title: Forest Stewardship Program Coordinator
Affiliation: King Conservation District
Address: 800 SW 39th Street, Suite 150, Renton, WA 98057
Phone: 425-282-4814
Email: Jason.saura@kingcd.org
Plan Preparation Date: April 2024
3
II. Landowner Objectives
Long term objectives (10-20+ years)
Manage forest to ensure long-term forest, stream health.
Promote biodiversity.
Maintain a healthy and diverse wildlife habitat.
Foster cooperative stewardship with adjacent landowners and improve usability and enjoyment of
the site.
Short term objectives (0-10 years)
Remove invasive species (Scotch broom, Himalayan blackberry, English ivy, etc.).
Encourage a diversity of understory shrubs in the forest for wildlife use, invasive species control,
recreation, and aesthetics. This would include flowering plants for pollinators/aesthetics as well as
thorny plants to discourage access to certain social trails.
Plant native trees and shrubs appropriate to the conditions (full sun, sandy soil, slopes).
Attract a diversity of birdlife to the property.
Remove trash from forested areas.
Improve slope stabilization.
Create and maintain accessible trails for recreation.
Manage existing trees near residences to minimize windfall and wildfire risk.
Allow residents to organize volunteers to assist in maintenance of the forest stands.
4
III. Introductory Overview of the Property
Brief Overview of Land Uses in the Vicinity
The Vantage Glen property is a King County Housing Authority property with 164 mobile homes for people
55 years of age or older. It is about 13 acres of forest on three sides of 23 acres of home sites. Vista Heights
is also a KCHA property with 30 homes. It is 9.8 acres split between forest (Stand 7, 3.3 acres) and home
sites (6.5 acres). There is a mapped erosion hazard on the slopes leading down to Panther Creek.
Located in Renton’s Benson Hill neighborhood, the area around is very developed. The three properties just
to the west of the housing development are forested but on the north side is another housing authority
property as well as a shopping center and gas station. To the east are single family homes on .2 acre lots. To
5
the south is another housing authority property and more single family homes with wooded areas along
Panther Creek.
Vantage Glen is about 1.5 miles east of State Route 167 and 2 miles south of I-405.
Topography
The Vantage Glen homesites sit in a basin of slopes, surrounding it on all sides. The highest point is in the
southwest corner at 475 feet above sea level and the lowest is at 350 ft. The slope is relatively consistent
on all sides at approximately 35%. On either side of Panther Creek the slope is much steeper at
approximately 65%. There are two terraces that double as walking paths along most of the slope.
Access
The Vantage Glen property can be accessed from SE 180th St. The roads are paved and well-maintained. The
forested areas can be accessed between homesites. Vista Heights can be accessed from SE 184th Lane, just
off of 108th Ave SE/515. The forested area near Vista Heights is accessible through a locked gate at the end
of the lane.
General Forest and Property Description
The property can be divided into seven stands that range in size from .96 acres to 3.45 acres. With the
exception of Stands 2 and 6, they are forested and have a good diversity of conifer and hardwood species
appropriate to the area: Douglas fir, red alder, Big-leaf maple, and Western red-cedar. The trees have an
overall good level of health but might be considered overcrowded. The understory species in include sword
fern, salal, and Oregon grape and ranges from sparse to medium coverage. A soft layer of duff from 2-6
inches deep covers most of the forest floor.
In Stands 1,3, and 5, canopy coverage ranges from 80-90% in most stands with 30-49 year old Douglas fir of
6-10 inch DBH dominating. They have moderate presence of invasive species.
Panther Creek runs through the southwest corner of the property, crossing through Stand 4 and Stand 7.
There is a mapped erosion hazard on either side of the Creek, as the slope is about 65%. In addition, there
are two areas in Stand 4 mapped as aquatic habitat. The trees in Stands 4 and 7 are more likely 50-99 years
old and have an average DBH of 11-20 inches. The canopy cover is about 90% with variable tree spacing of
15-20 feet. Both stands have only 10% invasive coverage.
Stands 2 and 6 are unique in that they are largely unforested and have extensive (60-80%) invasive
coverage. Stand 2 (2.55 acres) is very exposed and dry. The canopy cover is 20% with Douglas-fir, big-leaf
maple, and some large Pacific madrone in patches with tree spacing that averages about 30 ft. growing
mostly along the bottom of the slope. The Douglas-firs average 30-49 years old with a DBH of 11-20 inches
and about 80% crown ratio. They seem overall healthy and the other native trees are about the same age
and size class. The middle and upper slopes are grass or moss dominated by Scotch broom and Himalayan
blackberry with small patches of English ivy, English hawthorn, English holly, European mountain ash, and
non-native cherry scattered throughout. The soil seems dry and sandy along most of the upper slope and
more compacted along the two terraces that traverse the stand.
6
Stand 6 is also very exposed and underplanted with 41-60% invasive coverage. The west section of the stand
has English ivy and non-native cherry among few big-leaf maple, Douglas-fir, and red alder. The big-leaf
maple and Douglas-fir (70% crown ratio) average 30-49 years old with a DBH of 11-20 inches. They seem
overall healthy and the other trees are younger and smaller. However, the majority of the stand is
dominated by large areas of Himalayan blackberry to the east and Scotch broom in the center. English ivy is
limited to the forested area on the west side of the stand. Like in Stand 2, there is a terrace/trail that runs
through the middle of the stand as it wraps around the hill.
The acreage for each stand is as follows: Stand 1 (.96 acres), Stand 2 (2.55 acres), Stand 3 (3.45 acres), Stand
4 (2.87 acres), Stand 5 (1.31 acres), Stand 6 (1.41 acres) and Stand 7 (3.3 acres).
(More detailed stand descriptions to follow under Resource Category 4)
Property Corners and Boundaries
There is a fence on all sides of the property. There is an additional fence (degraded in some sections)
running along the slope on the East side of Panther Creek.
Land Use/Forest Management/Timber Harvesting History
Up until the 1850s, Renton and the surrounding areas were inhabited solely by the Duwamish peoples.
Known as “The People of the Inside,” the Duwamish lived along the Black, Cedar, and Duwamish Rivers
& Elliott Bay. European settlement began in the 1850s as a farming community and expanded in the late
1870s to mining coal from Cedar Mountain. Like most of King County, the land also hosted logging
operations and was settled more robustly with the railroad in the 1890s.
Aerial photos from 1936 show that much of the land was cleared except for a small patch of forest in the
northwest corner of the property. The land was used for gravel mining which explains the bowl-shaped
property and the sandy soils remaining. Regeneration was evident as early as 1940, with another clearing
cut sometime around 1964 that has also since regenerated. The Vantage Glen property was purchased
from Burlington Northern Railroad and development started in the late 1970s – to open in 1986.
Climate/Weather
King County enjoys a mild Pacific maritime climate, which means its weather is heavily influenced by
atmospheric conditions over the Pacific Ocean. About two-thirds of the Pacific Northwest precipitation
occurs during half of the year from October through March, due to the Pacific storm track, and much of this
precipitation is captured in the mountains. Precipitation declines from late spring to early fall with high
pressure systems to the west, generally keeping the region fairly dry with pleasant summertime
temperatures. On average, King County gets about 46 inches of precipitation every year.
As the climate continues changing in King County, we expect more rain and probably more flooding from
extreme precipitation events, less snowpack in the mountains lasting into summer, rising sea level along
the Puget Sound shoreline and more severe droughts during summer. The prevailing directions of the wind
is south or southwest during the wet season and northwest in summer. The average wind velocity is less
than 10 m.p.h.
7
Renton experiences an average temperature of 51.8°F, which is higher than the Washington average
temperature of 50.47°F and is lower than the national average temperature of 54.45°F. The area where this
property is located receives on average 38.36 inches of rain annually and on average has 229 frost free days
per year.
IV. Resource Description and Management Practices
Resource Category 1: Forest Health/Wildfire/Invasive Species (Jason)
Forest Health
Resource Conditions
Insects and diseases: No major forest health problems associated with insects or diseases were observed. In
Stand 3 at least a dozen fallen smaller-diameter down Douglas-fir has some evidence of beetles and
possible laminated root rot, but the severity of the impact from the pathogen is moderate to low.
Environmental Factors: Most of these stands are on a well-drained constructed slope and will likely suffer a
little from drought in the summer especially in Stands 2 and 6 which are more exposed. Stands 1 and 3 may
benefit from some thinning of Douglas-fir, but not necessary.
Animal damage: No significant damage, but moderate woodpecker use of the dead and diseased Douglas-
fir in Stand 3 was observed. Forest vegetation, particularly seedlings and young trees are vulnerable to
damage from deer and rabbits.
Snags and downed logs: Stand 3 has a pocket of many smaller Douglas-fir snags and downed logs. The other
stands have a few snags and downed logs.
Management Practice
General health of the forested areas of the property should be monitored at least twice a year.
Monitor all stands for trees that appear unhealthy and check for evidence of insect damage,
root disease, or animal damage.
A combination of removing invasive plant species and re-planting with native conifer trees is
recommended to restore forest health resiliency and reduce future maintenance activities
needed to keep forested areas healthy.
Stand 1 is mostly medium aged Douglas-fir in relatively good health which may benefit from
thinning and understory planting.
Stand 2 is very exposed and dry with little forest currently and will require significant planting
after invasive species are removed.
Stand 3 is dry and stressed on the eastern side, may benefit from thinning and planting of
drought resistant trees other than Douglas-firs and understory plants.
8
Stand 4 is mature evergreen forest on steep slope with a stream running through it and will
only need to be monitored for now.
Stand 5 is mixed conifer and deciduous with some invasives and may need some more conifer
and understory plants installed on the upper slope.
Stand 6 is very exposed and dry with little forest currently and will require significant planting
after invasive species are removed.
Stand 7 is mixed conifer and mostly deciduous with some invasive species and could use the
addition of some more conifers on the slopes going up to the developed area.
Wildfire
Resource Conditions
The annual frequency and risk of wildfires in western Washington is low compared with eastern
Washington. Instead western Washington’s moist conifer forests have historically been
confronted with rare, very intense, large, stand replacing wildfires occurring around every 200
years.
In western Washington the risk of wildfires starting and damaging structures is closely tied to
human activity. Our activities -- such as using gas powered equipment in the woods, having a
campfire in our backyard, or lighting off fireworks -- creates many potential ignition sources for
a wildfire to start carrying with it a risk of damage to our built infrastructure – homes, sheds,
wood fences.
The risk of a wildfire spreading once it’s started in western WA is a factor of weather conditions
and how built infrastructure and forest vegetation is managed. While we cannot control the
weather, we can manage our infrastructure and surrounding vegetation to mitigate the risk of
ignition and rate of spread. By actively managing our forests and woods for health we can not
only enhance the benefits provided by a healthy forest but also reduce the risk of wildfire and
its associated damage.
Management Practices
The community of Vantage Glen does not fall within the Wildland Urban Interface zone
between built infrastructure and forest or natural vegetation as mapped by the WA
Department of Natural Resources. As such, this property would not be considered high-risk for
wildfire damage. The community falls within the service area of Renton Regional Fire Authority
13.
Management practices to protect, enhance, or restore resources:
Recommendations to improve wildfire protection and prevention for this property include the
following for each zone around the home:
9
Immediate Zone: 0-5 feet from structure
Keep roofs clear of debris, especially in gutters, remove dead vegetation consistently,
including needles and leaves
Replace flammable roofing material with fire resistant material such as clay, composite,
or metal roofing if possible
Metal and other fire-resistant window frame materials are recommended, since
intense conductive and radiated heat can melt vinyl and plastic window frames, providing
entry of embers and flames inside. Double-pane windows are recommended
Install 1/8” metal wire mesh screens on vents along the foundation, eaves, and
crawlspace, is preferred to prevent embers from entering home
Fireplace chimney screen should be no larger than 1/2” mesh
Keep decks and porches clear of flammable materials, especially underneath (e.g. pine
needles, dead leaves, scrap lumber, and firewood)
Create a ‘fire-free’ area within five feet of home or other buildings that has no
flammable landscaping materials such as bark mulch or flammable plants that contain
resins, oils, or waxes
Trim back tree branches that overhang, touch, or reach close to the house or other
outbuildings at least 10 feet back from structures
Consider fire-resistant material for patio furniture and other materials on and under
decks and patios
Where there are flammable structures like decks or fences in contact with buildings,
consider installing metal flashing or another nonflammable material at the connection
point
Intermediate Zone 1: 5-30 feet
Mow any lawn areas regularly to 4inches or shorter, especially during fire weather
conditions
Within 30 feet of homes, plants should be carefully spaced, low-growing and free of
resins, oils and waxes that burn easily
Remove heavy accumulation of woody debris including firewood piles from within this
zone if possible
Break continuity of fuels with trails or paths
If fuel tanks are located within this zone, maintain a 5-foot buffer around them with
short grass, dirt, or gravel
Prune trees up six to ten feet from the ground (leave at least 2/3 of tree height with
live crown)
Extended Zone 2: 30-100 feet
Using blue address signs with white reflective numbering and lettering are highly
recommended so fire department personnel can more easily find location at night
Remove or redistribute heavy accumulations of woody debris so fuel continuity is
broken
10
Prune trees up six to ten feet from the ground while maintaining at least 2/3 of tree
height in live crown to create separation between crowns and ground fuels
Monitor and manage forest to improve forest health and resilience to disturbance
Retain large trees
Manage forest for variability of sizes and species
By actively managing the forest – removing invasive plants, planting a diversity of trees and
shrubs, and thinning as necessary - the health of the forest is improved and the small risk of
wildfire and its associated damage is made even smaller.
Invasive Species
Resource Conditions
Stand 1 has less than 20% invasive coverage. There are small patches of English ivy, Himalayan
blackberry, Scotch broom, and English hawthorn mostly on the west side of the stand.
Stand 2 has 61-80% invasive coverage. There are very few natives here mostly along the
bottom of the slope. The middle and upper slopes are dominated by Scotch broom and
Himalayan blackberry with small patches of spotted knapweed, tansy ragwort, common tansy,
creeping thistle, English ivy, English hawthorn, English holly, European mountain ash, and non-
native cherry scattered throughout.
Stand 3 has 21-30% invasive coverage which is a moderate amount. There are small patches of
Scotch broom, Himalayan blackberry, English ivy, tansy ragwort, creeping thistle, periwinkle,
English hawthorn, and English holly mostly on the east side of the stand.
Stand 4 has less than 10% invasive coverage with only small patches of Himalayan blackberry
scattered throughout.
Stand 5 has 21-30% invasive coverage which is a moderate amount. There are small patches of
Himalayan blackberry, Scotch broom, English hawthorn, English holly, and non-native cherry
scattered throughout. There is also English ivy limited only to the northern part of the stand.
Stand 6 has 41-60% invasive coverage which is moderate to high. There are large sections of
Himalayan blackberry mostly on the east to middle section of the stand. There is another
section that is mostly Scotch broom where the Himalayan blackberry starts to thin out in the
middle of the stand. The west section of the stand has English ivy and there are small patches
of butterfly bush and non-native cherry.
Stand 7 has 10-20% invasive coverage with only small patches of Himalayan blackberry mostly
along the north near Stand 3. There is also Himalayan blackberry, English holly, and English
laurel in the eastern section behind the locked gate near the roundabout.
Management Practices
11
Control invasive species in stand using the best management practices for each species
while maintaining adequate ground cover for erosion control.
After removing invasive species, replant the area with native tree seedlings or native
shrubs in areas with adequate growing conditions.
Protect vulnerable plantings, like western redcedar or Douglas-fir, from wildlife damage
after planting.
12
Resource Category 2: Soils
Resource Conditions
Table 1: Soil physical properties
Soil Type Soil
Symbol Parent material
Depth
to
water
table
Drainage
class
Depth to
hardpan
Hardpan
drainage
rate
Water
storage
Site
index
and
species
Soil
productivity
(ft3 per acre
per year)
Alderwood gravelly
sandy loam, 8-15%
slopes
AgC
Glacial drift and/or outwash
over dense glaciomarine
deposits
18-37
inches
Moderately
well-
drained
20-39 inches Low: 0-
0.06"/hour
Very
low
(2.7
inches)
111,
PSME 157
Alderwood gravelly
sandy loam, 15-30%
slopes
AgD
Glacial drift and/or outwash
over dense glaciomarine
deposits
18-37
inches
Moderately
well-
drained
20-39 inches Low: 0-
0.06"/hour
Very
low
(2.7
inches)
111,
PSME 157
Table 2: Soil properties related to forest management
Soil Type
Symbol
Seedling
mortality
potential
Suitability-hand
planting
Suitability-mechanical
planting
Suitability-
harvesting
equipment
Suitability-
surface site
preparation
Suitability-
deep site
preparation
Off-road/off-trail
erosion potential
AgC
High:
Available
water - 1.00
Moderately suited:
Rock fragments - 0.50
Moderately suited:
Slope/Rock fragments -
0.50
Well suited:
Dusty - 0.01
Poorly suited:
Rock
fragments -
0.50
Well suited Slight
AgD
Moderate:
Available
water - 0.50
Moderately suited:
Rock fragments - 0.50
Poorly suited:
Slope - 0.75, Rock
fragments - 0.50
Moderately
suited:
Slope - 0.50,
Dusty - 0.01
Poorly suited:
Slope/rock
fragments -
0.50
Poorly suited:
Slope - 0.50
Moderate:
Slope/erodibility -
0.50
Note: The numbers in these tables range from 0.01 to 1.00, indicating the degree of suitability or potentially likelihood. 0.01 indicates that the
potential is low or the soil is well-suited for that management activity, while a value of 1.00 means that potential is high or the soil type is unsuited
for that management activity.
13
Site Productivity
Potential productivity of merchantable or common trees on a site is expressed as a site index
and as a volume number. The site index is the average height, in feet, that dominant and
codominant trees of a given species attain in a specified number of years. The volume
number is the total potential wood fiber volume production on a given site expressed in cubic
feet per acre per year. These measures apply to fully stocked, even-aged, unmanaged stands.
For this property, site index and volume number are:
Site Index: Douglas-fir 111 at age 50
Volume Number: 157 cu ft./acre/year at age 50
This means that Douglas-fir trees on this site are expected to reach a height of 111 feet by age
50 and produce approximately 157 cubic feet of wood fiber per acre per year. The
productivity information for this location comes from the NRCS web soil survey forest
productivity report.
14
Site class is an expression of forest site quality based on its potential for growing trees. Each
site class is a grouping of site indexes. Douglas-fir sites are broken into five site classes, with
class 1 being best for growth. The table below lists the site index ranges for the 5 site classes
in western WA. Based on this location’s site index numbers for Douglas-fir, it is a class 3 site, a
moderate quality site for growing trees.
Site Class Site Index Ranges
1 136 and higher
2 116-135
3 96-115
4 76-95
5 75 and lower
Management Practices To protect and enhance forest soil resources, management activities
will avoid and limit soil compaction, leave down woody debris after thinning or site
preparation, and promptly replant areas that have been site prepped for planting. Equipment
use will be avoided when soils are wet in order to minimize soil compaction.
Resource Category 3: Water Quality1/ Riparian and Fish Habitat2/Wetlands
Resource Conditions
Panther Creek runs through the southwest corner of the property through Stands 4 and 7. A
fish-bearing stream, it is part of the Black River basin and the Duwamish-Green River
watershed. The stream connects to Panther Lake about 1.25 miles to the southeast. There is a
mapped erosion hazard on either side of the Creek, as the slope is about 65%. The occurrence
of Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarki) and Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) has been
documented in the Creek according to WDFW’s Priority Habitat and Species Map. In addition,
in Stand 4 there are two areas mapped as aquatic habitat.
Management Practices
Stands 4 and 7 have less than 10% invasive coverage with only small patches of Himalayan
blackberry scattered throughout. Any invasive removal would necessitate erosion controls
being installed, such as coir logs and jute netting, to avoid landslide and sediment falling into
the Creek.
The identified wetland areas, while small, are very valuable wildlife habitat features that will
be protected and managed carefully. Soils in the stream and wetland areas are more sensitive
to damage so access to these areas for forest management activities will be limited to outside
the wet season when soils are less saturated and at lower risk of damage caused by
management activities.
15
Any invasive species control and removal will be performed in the stream and wetland areas
outside of the wet season when soils are not saturated.
Resource Category 4: Forest Inventory/Timber/Wood Products (Jason)
Resource Conditions
Copies of the Forest Rapid Assessment Tool (FRAT) data sheets for all stands are in the
Appendix and include a complete species list.
The NRCS Web Soil Survey provided additional soil information for all stands:
16
A high seedling mortality rating.
A site index of 111 feet on the Alderwood soil based on a 50 year old Douglas-fir tree:
correlates to a Site Class III.
Stand 1:
Stand 1 from parking lot looking south
17
On the west side of Stand 1 looking east
This stand is a long strip along a slope of about 30 degrees with a northern aspect. The trees
are mostly mature Douglas-fir with a few red alder, Pacific madrone, western red-cedar, and
English hawthorn. The understory is fairly sparse with a mix of native and invasive species
present. There are two former roads that start behind the Vantage Glen community center
and continue through Stand 2 to the west.
The canopy cover is 90% with tree spacing that is clumpy but averages about 15 ft. The
Douglas-firs average 30-49 years old with a DBH of 6-10 inches and about 60% crown ratio.
They seem overall healthy but a little crowded in some areas. The other trees are younger and
smaller. The invasive species cover is about 20% and thickest on the west side near Stand 2
and along the old roads. A soft layer of duff from 2-6 inches deep covers most of the forest
floor except along the old roads where it is more compacted.
Stand 2:
18
North end of Stand 2 looking south
Middle of Stand 2 looking north
19
South end of Stand 2 looking north
This stand is a long strip along an artificially constructed slope of about 30 degrees with a
western aspect and very exposed. The trees are sparse and mostly along the bottom of the
slope consisting of Douglas-fir, big-leaf maple, Pacific madrone, English hawthorn, English
holly, European mountain ash, and non-native cherry. The majority of the stand is dominated
by large areas of Scotch broom and Himalayan blackberry. There are two former roads that
pass parallel from Stand 1 and continue through Stand 3 to the west.
The canopy cover is 20% with tree spacing that is patchy but averages about 30 ft. The
Douglas-firs average 30-49 years old with a DBH of 11-20 inches and about 80% crown ratio.
They seem overall healthy and the other native trees are about the same age and size class.
The invasive species cover is about 61-80% and thickest on the upper slopes. The soil seems
dry and sandy along most of the upper slope and more compacted along the roads.
Stand 3:
20
East side of Stand 3 looking north
This stand is a long strip along a slope of about 20 degrees with a northern aspect. The trees
are mostly Douglas-fir especially to the east with more big-leaf maple, black cottonwood,
western red-cedar, red alder, English hawthorn, and English holly. The understory is fairly
sparse with a mix of native and invasive species present. There are two former roads that pass
through from Stand 2 and a third former road that starts at the top of the slope and parallels
the others.
The canopy cover is 80% with tree spacing that averages about 10 ft. The Douglas-firs average
30-49 years old with a DBH of 6-10 inches and about 40% crown ratio. The other native trees
are similar age and size class. The upper slope near the southern end of this stand looks like it
was restored at some point with mostly hardwoods and shrubs. There is a section where there
are a bunch of wind-thrown Douglas-fir with signs of beetle and root rot infestations. The
invasive species cover is 21-40% and mostly Scotch broom on the west side near Stand 2 and
along the old roads. The invasive species cover transitions to more Himalayan blackberry to
the east. A soft layer of duff from 2-6 inches deep covers most of the forest floor except along
the old roads where it is more compacted.
Stand 4:
21
East side of Stand 4 looking south
East side of Stand 4 looking west
This stand is a long strip along a slope of about 30 degrees on either side of Panther creek with
a mostly eastern aspect. The trees are mostly mature Douglas-fir, big-leaf maple, and western
red-cedar. The understory is mostly native shrubs and ferns with only a few invasive species
present.
The canopy cover is 90% with tree spacing that averages about 20 ft. The Douglas-firs look
healthy, average 50-99 years old with a DBH of 11-20 inches and about 70% crown ratio. The
other native trees look healthy and are similar age and size class. The invasive species cover is
about 10% and mostly Himalayan blackberry near Stand 3. A soft layer of duff from 2-6 inches
deep covers most of the forest floor.
22
Stand 5:
Middle of Stand 5 looking north
This stand is a long strip along a slope of about 20 degrees with an eastern aspect. The trees
are a mix of mature Douglas-fir, big-leaf maple, western red-cedar, red alder, English
hawthorn, English holly, and non-native cherry. The upper slope is mostly hardwoods and the
lower slope is mostly conifers. The understory is a mix of native and invasive species. There is a
former road that passes through the stand from north to south.
The canopy cover is 90% with tree spacing that is clumpy but averages about 15 ft. The
Douglas-firs average 30-49 years old with a DBH of 11-20 inches and about 60% crown ratio.
They seem overall healthy but a little crowded in some areas. The big-leaf maple is about the
same age and size while the other trees are younger and smaller. The invasive species cover is
21-40% and thickest on the north with English ivy and along the old roads with Himalayan
blackberry and the non-native trees. A soft layer of duff from 2-6 inches deep covers most of
the forest floor except along the old road where it is more compacted.
Stand 6:
23
Middle-west side of Stand 6 looking north
Middle-west side of Stand 6 looking east
24
East end of Stand 6 looking west
This stand is a long arc along an artificially constructed slope of about 30 degrees with a mostly
southern aspect and very exposed. The trees are sparse and mostly along the western end of
the stand consisting of big-leaf maple, Douglas-fir, red alder, and non-native cherry. The
majority of the stand is dominated by large areas of Himalayan blackberry to the east and
Scotch broom in the center. English ivy is limited to the forested area on the west side of the
stand. There is a trail that runs through the middle of the stand as it wraps around the hill, but
the eastern end of the trail is covered by Himalayan blackberry.
The canopy cover is 50% with tree spacing that is patchy but averages about 20 ft. The big-leaf
maple and Douglas-fir (70% crown ratio) average 30-49 years old with a DBH of 11-20 inches.
They seem overall healthy and the other trees are younger and smaller. The invasive species
cover is about 41-60% and thickest to the east of the stand. The soil seems dry and well
drained.
Stand 7
25
This stand consists of the relatively recently restored slope adjacent to Stand 3 and the
housing circle through a flattened area and down a steep slope to Panther Creek and Stand 4.
The restored area is mostly deciduous trees consisting of big-leaf maple and black cottonwood
and transitions to a more mixed mature deciduous and conifer forest as the stand goes down
the slope toward Panther Creek and Stand 4. There is also an open grassy area outside of the
fence in the southeast corner that has older Douglas-fir and western red-cedar. There are
some invasive species such as Himalayan blackberry, English holly, and English laurel in the
southeastern corner of the stand and a patch of Himalayan blackberry in the north of the
stand along Stand 3.
The canopy cover is about 90% with variable tree spacing of 15-20 feet. The Douglas-fir and
western red-cedar look healthy, average 50-99 years old with a DBH of 11-20 inches and 70-
80% crown ratio. The other native trees look healthy and are slightly smaller age and size class.
The invasive species cover is about 10% and mostly Himalayan blackberry near Stand 3. A soft
layer of duff from 2-6 inches deep covers most of the forest floor.
Management Practices
In stands 1, 3, 5, and 7, invasive plant control and eradication may be implemented as
previously described in the forest health section. In addition to removing invasive plant
species in these stands, new native conifer tree seedlings may be re-planted where canopy
cover is low or where deciduous trees are declining. If thinning is a possibility in some of the
denser areas, that may help the overall health of the forest stand with the large woody
material being maintained on site as snags or on the ground for wildlife habitat. Supplemental
planting of deciduous native tree seedlings, native shrubs and groundcovers may also be
implemented to enhance the understory habitat and in some areas long-term slope stability.
Since there may be root rot or bark beetle issues in the Douglas-fir in Stand 3, it is
recommended that trees resistant to those be planted in that area.
In stands 2 and 6, the same management activities planned for stand 1, 3, 5, and 7 may be
implemented where existing forest cover is present. In areas where Himalayan blackberry and
English ivy are the dominant vegetation, chemical control is recommended if allowed. Re-
forestation activities may then be implemented to re-establish native forest vegetation. These
re-forestation activities may include, planting native drought-resistant tree seedlings,
maintaining newly planted tree seedlings, amending the soil with mulch, and eventual planting
of other trees, native shrubs, and groundcovers.
Due to the very small amount of invasive species cover and proximity to Panther Creek in
Stand 4, invasive removal work will only be done on the upper slopes.
KCHA’s land managers plan on seeking the help of King Conservation District through their
Working Lands Initiative to plan, implement, and off-set the cost of some of these
management practices.
26
Resource Category 5: Property Access/Roads and Trails
Resource Conditions
The property can be accessed via SE 181 St off of SE Carr Rd on the northwest and from SE 180
St on the northeast. The roads running through the property are paved and include a parking
lot behind the main office at 18100 107th Pl SE. Stand 1 is accessed via a trail behind the
office. The trail follows the upper terrace (of two) that was likely formed during earth-moving
when the property was developed. The terraces are about 5ft wide, vegetated, and run
through Stands 1-3. A similar land-use pattern is in Stand 6 and there is road access through a
couple of dead ends road sections or from behind the large KCHA building above the slope.
Management Practices
It is recommended that the existing terraces be maintained as trails and for access to the
forested areas. This will require some invasive plant removal and potentially reseeding and
periodic mowing. During forest restoration, the key protection measure will be to avoid soil
27
destabilization on the slopes outside of the existing trails by minimizing access points and
replanting after.
Resource Category 6: Wildlife
Resource Conditions
Common Wildlife Species: Only a sample of the 460+ species known to occur in this area
Amphibians Birds Mammals Reptiles
Western toad N pygmy owl Virginia opossum NW garter snake
Pacific giant
salamander Great-horned owl Coast mole N. Alligator lizard
Pacific tree frog N saw-whet, screech Coyote
Western pond
turtle
W red-backed
salamander Barred owl Black bear W. fence lizard
Long-toed salamander Dark-eyed junco Cougar
Common garter
snake
Red-legged frog Varied thrush Raccoon
American robin Striped skunk
Rufous hummingbird Black-tailed deer
Anna's hummingbird Porcupine
Pileated woodpecker Townsends chipmunk
Northern flicker Douglas squirrel
Red-breasted
sapsucker Bushy-tailed woodrat
Hairy & downy
woodpecker Deer mouse
Cooper’s hawk Mountain beaver
American goldfinch Vagrant shrew
Black-capped
chickadee
Richardson's water
shrew
Chestnut-backed
chickadee Hoary bat
Common raven Big brown bat
Winter wren Little brown bat
Red-breasted nuthatch Keen's myotis
Crow Silver-haired bat
Spotted towhee Hairy-winged myotis
House finch Snowshoe hare
Golden-crowned
kinglet Long-tailed weasel
Ruby-crowned kinglet Bobcat
28
Barn swallow Mtn.
cottontail
Tree swallow Northern flying squirrel
Evening grosbeak River Otter
Bald eagle Beaver
Vaux’s swift
Song sparrow
Invasive species
Bull Frog European starling Norway rat
Specific species or evidence of species observed:
Amphibians Birds Mammals Reptiles
Pacific tree frog Rufous hummingbird Black-tailed deer
Pacific giant salamander Chestnut-backed chickadee Racoon
Northern flicker Eastern cottontail
American robin Coyote
American crow Bobcat
Pileated woodpecker Eastern grey squirrel
Downy woodpecker Townsend mole
Barred owl Red fox
Dark-eyed junco
Red-tailed hawk
Forest Habitat Elements Present:
Stand 1: This stand contains a mix of mostly taller conifer trees and smaller deciduous trees
with an understory of few native and invasive shrubs which provide little wildlife food and
cover. Stand 1 contains few dead snags and some coarse woody material.
Stand 2: This stand is mostly covered by Scotch broom and Himalayan blackberry and very
open with a few non-native trees on the middle to upper slope. The bottom of the slope
contains a mix of larger deciduous and conifer trees with an understory of few native and
invasive shrubs which provide little wildlife food and cover. There are some smaller snags and
downed woody material.
Stand 3: This stand is a mix of mostly single-aged conifer on the east side with few native and
invasive shrubs. On the west side, the stand is mostly deciduous trees of various ages with a
more complex understory of native and invasive shrubs. There are many snags and downed
Douglas-fir showing woodpecker use especially on the east side of the stand.
Stand 4: This stand is a mix of conifer and deciduous trees of various ages with a dense,
complex understory of mostly native shrubs and ferns. There are a moderate amount of snags
29
and downed woody material. Panther creek runs through the middle of this stand which is a
fish-bearing stream.
Stand 5: This stand is a mix of conifer and deciduous trees of various ages with an understory
of a few native and invasive shrubs. There are some dead snags and a small amount of coarse
woody material.
Stand 6: This stand is mostly covered by Himalayan blackberry and Scotch broom and very
open with a few trees on the eastern slope. The west end of the stand contains a mix of
deciduous and conifer trees with an understory of few native and invasive shrubs which
provide little wildlife food and cover. There are a few snags and a small amount of downed
woody material in the forested area to the west.
Stand 7: This stand is a mix of conifer and deciduous trees of various ages with a dense,
complex understory of mostly native shrubs and ferns. There are a moderate amount of snags
and downed woody material. Panther creek runs through the western section of this stand
which is a fish-bearing stream.
Animal Damage:
Deer and rabbit may damage tree seedling plantings, although no evidence of activity have
been noted yet.
Landowner Objectives for Specific Wildlife Species:
Landowners enjoy observing wildlife on and around their properties and would like that to
improve but have no objectives for specific wildlife species at this time.
Management practices to protect, enhance, or restore resources:
Trees species that are planted and are susceptible to deer and rabbit browse, like western red-
cedar, may need to be protected with tubes or cages after planting.
To protect, enhance, and restore wildlife resources in both stands, a proportion of snags and
woody debris may be retained or created in the process of completing the management
activities described in Resource Category 4: Forest Inventory/Timber/Wood Products.
Standing dead trees provide valuable habitat to the many cavity-nesting species native to
western Washington as well as serving as a food source by being home to insects and decay
fungi. Branch and brush piles also provide cover and shelter for amphibians, small mammals,
and ground-nesting birds.
Planting and retaining native fruit- and nut-producing trees and shrubs like cascara, elderberry,
salal, and beaked hazelnut may also be considered to enhance wildlife habitat throughout
forested areas.
Additional Considerations:
30
Wildlife respond to a forest’s vertical layers and horizontal distribution of vegetation (its
structure) and the food and shelter it offers (its plant composition). Forest stands that are
varied in both structure and composition provide habitat for a broader range of mammals,
birds, amphibians and insects. It is these architectural elements and qualities that provide
habitats on both coarse and fine scales. This diversity can also be provided by having stands or
patches with different structures and compositions adjacent to each other. The following lists
are examples of structural and compositional diversity that can occur over time and with
planning in all forest types and ages.
Structural diversity includes:
• Trees of different sizes, ages and shapes
• Large old trees
• Snags, especially big ones
• Large and small pieces of dead wood on the forest floor
• Irregular spacing of trees, understory plants and dead wood
Compositional diversity includes:
• A variety of tree and understory plant species
• Hardwood trees
• Shrubs, especially bigger, older ones
Resource Category 7: Protection of Special Resources & Biodiversity
Threatened, Endangered, Candidate Species of Concern and/or Priority Habitat
Resource Conditions
The occurrence of Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarki) and Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus
kisutch) has been documented in Panther Creek according to WDFW’s Priority Habitat and
Species Map. In addition, in Stand 4 there are two areas mapped as aquatic habitat.
Panther Creek, as it passes through this property, has adequate canopy cover in the riparian
area providing shade for cooler temperatures and woody debris for shelter. The water is clear
with low levels of fine sediment and diverse, abundant instream cover. This makes it ideal fish
habitat.
Bank stability might be a continued concern as the slope on both sides of the creek is
approximately 60%.
Management Practices
To maintain slope stability and good conditions for fish species, as trees decline with age they
should be replanted as density conditions allow. Invasive plants should be removed before they
31
become a larger problem. Any restoration work on the slope should include slope stabilization
best practices such as installing coir logs and jute matting. It might be worth reinstalling the
fence along the slope to prevent access to all but resource professionals.
Cultural Resources and/or Historical Sites
Resource Conditions
Based on an analysis of the property in 2023 using the Washington Information System for
Architectural and Archaeological Records Data, there are no known archeological and/or
historic resource protection issues on this property. The predictive model from the
Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation categorizes the site as moderately low
to low risk for archaeological results.
Management Practices
A formal review, to identify these resources, if any, and their potential protection
requirements, will be conducted by the State Department of Natural Resources if and when
the landowner proposes to conduct forestry activities that require a DNR-approved Forest
Practices Application/Notification.
Should cultural resources or historic sites be discovered during installation of any planned
practices, work should cease until a qualified site review is performed. If federal payments are
related to any installation, work must cease pending evaluation. Washington State laws RCW
27.53 and RCW 27.44 protect all Native American and archaeological sites. For questions
about these laws, or to report the discovery of a cultural resource, contact the Office of
Archaeology and Historic Preservation in Olympia at 360-586-3065.
Forests of Recognized Importance (FORI)
Resource Conditions
There are no known Forests of Recognized Importance on or adjacent to this property.
Management Practices
There are no state or federal regulations governing the management of a FORI, thus any
actions taken by the landowner would be voluntary. All of the management activities
described in this plan will serve to maintain or improve the health of this property and thus
contribute to the overall ecological health of the surrounding region.
32
Biodiversity
Resource Conditions
This property is home to at least seven different native tree species, ten shrub species, and
eight herb and forb species. See Appendix B for a full list of species identified by KCD resource
specialist. With the exception of Stands 2 and 6, there is good variation in species composition
and forest structure throughout the property due to the presence of variable tree spacing,
varied overstory tree species and mixed understory light conditions across the forest. Over
time this will result in a more uneven-aged and more structurally complex forest, providing
valuable habitat to a wider range of wildlife species.
Stands 2 and 6 have low diversity of species, being largely covered by invasive Scotch Brook or
Himalayan blackberry with scattered individual trees.
On the larger landscape, the land is highly fragmented forest broken up by urban
development. Vantage Glen’s forested open space is a highly valuable contiguous forest
alongside Panther Creek.
Management Practices
Removing the invasive plants throughout the property, particularly in Stands 2 and 6, and
replanting with a wide variety of native trees and shrubs will improve the diversity and health
of the forest.
Resource Category 8: Aesthetics and Recreation
Resource Conditions
There is a trail from the main office along the top terrace of the property in Stands 1-4. While
currently overgrown with invasive Himalayan blackberry, there is interest in restoring it for
access to the forest and recreation.
Management Practices
Removing the invasive plants along the path will protect, maintain, or enhance the aesthetic,
recreational, and educational values or use of the property. As restoration happens, signage
could be installed to educate Vantage Glen residents of the process and plan and future of the
site. The landowner could also consider adding a trail from the top terrace to the bottom one
in a manner that avoids erosion and maintains a safe slope for walkers.
33
Resource Category 9: Carbon Sequestration & Resilience to Climate/Weather-Related
Influences
Carbon Sequestration
Resource Conditions
While the climate has always exhibited variability and major climatic shifts have occurred
throughout geological history, warming this century is likely to occur 10 times faster than
during any climatic shift in the past 65 million years. In the coming century, average annual
temperatures in Washington are projected to rise at a rate of 0.2 and 1.0 °F per decade.
Although there is more uncertainty in projected changes in precipitation, in general, winters
are projected to be wetter and summers are projected to be drier. These changes will most
likely effect forest growth over time. It is expected there will be changes to the length of
growing season, species (plant and animal) composition and distribution, water availability and
duration and an increase in drought conditions during the summer/early fall months.
Forests mitigate climate change by reducing the concentration of carbon dioxide, a key
“greenhouse gas,” in the atmosphere. As trees grow, they take in carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere and, through photosynthesis, release oxygen and create sugars to feed
themselves. Through this process, the carbon that was in the atmosphere in the form of
carbon dioxide becomes part of the tree’s wood and other tissues. This conversion of carbon
dioxide to wood and other solid materials is known as carbon sequestration. Trees will
continue to sequester carbon as they grow. When trees are harvested and milled for lumber,
the carbon remains sequestered in long-lived wood products incorporated into buildings,
furniture, etc. Snags, downed logs, and soil organic matter (the “duff” layer) also provide key
long-term carbon storage.
Stands 1,3,4, 5, and 7 have canopy coverage that ranges from 80-90% with 6-10 inch diameter
Douglas fir at approximately 15ft spacing. The trees have an overall good level of health but
might be considered overcrowded.
Stands 2 and 6 have small patches of forest along the bottom of the slope and in the
northwest corner, respectively. The Douglas-firs average 11-20 inch diameter at 30 ft spacing.
The middle and upper slopes are grass or moss dominated by invasive plants.
Management Practices
Thinning might be recommended, as permitting allows, in the near future in Stands 1 and 3-5
to increase the health and diameter of existing trees for more optimal carbon storage. The
forest managers will favor native conifer tree species for any supplemental tree plantings in
stands 2 and 6 (pending soil testing) as previously described in this plan.
34
Resilience to Climate /Weather-Related Influences
Resource Conditions
Most of the forest canopy consists of bigleaf maple and Douglas fir, both trees that are
relatively drought tolerant. No signs or drought stress were observed. In the areas with much
sandier soils (Stand 2 and 6), the existing Pacific madrone is well suited to droughty conditions.
Management Practices
As the forest’s current composition is largely drought tolerant, forest managers may just
consider increasing the diversity of conifers by planting grand fir in shadier areas and shore
pine where full sun conditions exist.
Current research indicates that larger, older trees are more efficient at using soil moisture than
younger trees, so managing for fewer big trees will result in a more drought-tolerant forest
than keeping replanted areas fully-stocked with many young trees. Periodic thinning of young
planted or naturally regenerated trees may be needed and implemented by forest managers
to achieve this and to reduce potential future drought stress conditions.
Stand will be annually monitored for signs of abiotic stress, disease, and insect damage
evidence. Stewardship plan will be updated as needed to address changing conditions on site,
in region, and as best practices for coping with climate change in our region are recognized.
V. Conservation Based Estate/Legacy Planning
This property is owned and managed by King County Housing Authority.
35
VI. Management Plan Implementation Timetable
Table 3: Management Plan Implementation Timetable
Year Management Practice or
Activity
Location
(Stand #)
Extent
(#, acres,
etc.)
NRCS
Practice
Code (if
applicable)
Comments
2023 Soil testing to determine
planting possibilities
2
Complete Forest
Management Plan
all
2024 Control invasive scotch
broom, holly, Himalayan
blackberry, and English ivy
throughout property
All
Monitor forest health All
2024 Second pass at controlling
invasive scotch broom, holly,
Himalayan blackberry, and
English ivy
All
2024-
2025
Plant native trees and shrubs
in areas where invasive
removal happened,
particularly in Stands 2,5, and
6
2,5,6
Monitor forest health all
Formalize and sign soft-
impact trail on terrace for
community walking access.
1,2,3
2025-
28
Monitor forest health and
maintain as necessary with
contractor
All
2033 Review and update forest
plan
all
36
VII. Aerial Photo(s)/Property Map(s)
Attach copies of aerial photos or maps showing the following:
Required - Property boundaries, forest stand types, soil types, location of water bodies,
wetlands, and streams, location of roads and skid trails.
Optional – Location of property within sections, site class, location of existing and planned
recreational trails, topography.
37
VIII. Landowner Signature(s)
LANDOWNER SIGNATURE: I/we approve of the contents of this plan and intend to implement
the described management activities to the best of my/our ability.
_______________________________________________________5/17/2024_____________
_________
Landowner Signature(s) Date
__Mary Gonzalez-Hansen______________________________________________________
Print Landowner Name(s)
38
IX. APPROVAL SIGNATURES
DNR FOREST STEWARDSHIP PLAN APPROVAL (IF APPLICABLE)
This plan meets the requirements for a Forest Stewardship Plan.
WA State Department of Natural Resources Authorized Representative Date
Print Name
Title
Address
Phone
E-mail
39
USDA-NRCS CONSERVATION ACTIVITY PLAN APPROVAL (IF APPLICABLE)
This plan meets the requirements for a USDA-NRCS Conservation Activity Plan.
Signature of USDA-NRCS Authorized Representative Date
Print Name
Title
Address
Phone
E-mail
40
Department of Natural Resources and Parks
Water and Land Resources Division
Office of Rural and Resource Lands
201 So. Jackson St., Suite 600
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone (206) 477-4767 FAX 296-0516
FOREST STEWARDSHIP PLAN ACCEPTANCE FORM
OWNERS:
MAILING ADDRESS:
TAX PARCEL NUMBER:
LANDOWNER SIGNATURE: I intend to manage this property in a manner consistent with the
objectives specified in the Forest Stewardship Plan, and to implement this plan to the best of
my ability.
If there is any conflict between this Forest Stewardship Plan and any development regulation
applicable to the Property, the most restrictive provision shall apply. Nothing in this Forest
Stewardship Plan shall exempt the landowner from obtaining any required permit or approval
from King County for any activity or use on the Property. Property owner shall comply with all
federal, state or local laws while performing any of the activities or uses on the Property
authorized herein.
5/17/2024
Landowner: Date
Mary Gonzalez-Hansen
KING COUNTY FORESTER SIGNATURE: I have reviewed the Forest Stewardship Plan submitted
for long-term management of forestland. This Forest Stewardship Plan adequately describes
the natural resources of the site and how they will be managed while conserving forest
functions and health.
King County Forester Date
41