HomeMy WebLinkAboutC_Hold_Letter_180717.pdf
July 17, 2018
Stephanie Modjeski
Otak, Inc.
2731 Westmore Ave, Ste. #300
Everett, WA 98201
SUBJECT: "On Hold" Notice
May Creek Trestle Project, LUA18-000421, ECF, SMC
Dear Ms. Modjeski:
The Planning Division of the City of Renton accepted the above master application for review on
June 25, 2018. During our review, staff has determined that additional information is necessary in
order to proceed further.
The following information will need to be submitted before October 11, 2018 so that we may
continue the review of the above subject application:
1. On July 9, 2018, Karen Walter with the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Fisheries Division
provided agency comments and questions regarding the subject application. These
comments and questions have been modified slightly to give you an opportunity to
comment on each question.
a. The proposed project’s limited repair work misses an opportunity to provide
significance environmental and salmon habitat benefits by removing the creosote
piles from the stream channel and associated floodplain. The retrofitting of the
existing bridge would maintain the current degraded environmental condition and
may have further impacts if the bridge piles experience scour, which would result
in the addition of scour protection, generally in the form of rip-rap which would
further degrade salmon habitat. By keeping the pile bents as shown, there is also
the potential for any wood from upstream and adjacent streambank sources that
threaten the bridge piles to be removed to ensure protection of the bridge and
trail. May Creek currently lacks wood and the lack of high quality wood was noted
as a reason for continued streambed downcutting and sediment deposition at the
mouth (King County; May Creek Basin Action Plan 2001), which has resulted in
dredging of the May Creek delta to the detriment of juvenile Chinook and other
salmon in Lake Washington. These existing and continued impacts could be
avoided if the bridge were replaced with a structure that eliminates piling within
the ordinary high-water mark (OWHM) and floodplain areas of May Creek. If not
now, when would this bridge structure be replaced with a more fish habitat-
friendly structure?
b. The May Creek trestle new bridge decking is proposed to have a solid concrete deck
surface and would create 840 square feet of solid surface overwater coverage to
May Creek. There is no assessment or consideration that the bridge would create
shade conditions such to affect juvenile salmon migration behaviors and potential
increases in predation. This is an important consideration because juvenile Chinook
are documented in this stretch of May Creek per WDFW’s Salmonscape. Please
provide an assessment addressing this matter.
2. Show and label the 100-year flood plain elevation in a cross section of the plans. Also,
identify the clearance between the bottom low point of the bridge and the 100-year water
elevation.
3. Upon further review of the submitted documents, a drainage report (Technical
Information Report (TIR)) must be provided to complete land use review. The drainage
report must mention the core requirements and the special requirements, especially Core
Requirement #5: Erosion and Sediment Control, Section 1.2.5 and Special Requirement #2:
Flood Hazard Area Delineation, Section 1.3.2. Plus, any non-applicable core requirement
and special requirement must be mentioned accordingly in the report.
At this time, your project has been placed “on hold” pending receipt of the requested information.
Please contact me at (425) 430-7289 if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Clark H. Close
Senior Planner
cc: Chris Erickson / Owner
Walter / Party of Record