HomeMy WebLinkAboutPN_Quendall_Project_Narrative_220617_v1Puget Sound Energy
P.O. Box 97034
Bellevue, WA 98009-9734
PSE.com
June 10, 2022
Community & Economic Development - Permits
1055 South Grady Way
6th Floor
(425) 430-7200
permittech@rentonwa.gov
RE: Boring for Subterranean Cable Thermal Testing – Shoreline Exemption
To Whom It May Concern:
PSE is seeking a shoreline exemption for our proposal to conduct on-land exploratory boring to test the thermal
properties of the soil at the Quendall Cable Station. The bore would be located within the shoreline jurisdiction of
Lake Washington, and is necessary to support the future design of a replacement subterranean cable at this
location.
The scope of work for this project is classified as information collection, research, site exploration and investigation
activities. The location of the bore must be in the vicinity of the existing cable to appropriately gauge the thermal
properties of the underlying soil ahead of cable replacement. Because this activity is related to a study associated
with a future proposal, this project is exempt from SEPA review pursuant to WAC 197-11-800(17). Because the
proposed activity meets the criteria listed below, this project is also exempt from the substantial shoreline
development permit requirement of Renton’s Shoreline Master Program (RMC 4-9-190(C)(l)).
• The activity does not interfere with normal public use of surface waters.
• The activity will have no significant adverse impact on the environment, including but not limited to fish,
wildlife, fish or wildlife habitat, water quality, and aesthetic values.
• The activity does not involve the installation of any structure, and upon completion of the activity the
vegetation and land configuration of the site will be restored to conditions existing before the activity.
• The activity is not subject to the permit requirements of RCW 90.58.550, as the project does not relate to oil
or natural gas exploration in marine waters.
The proposed bore location is roughly 15 feet east of the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) for Lake Washington,
just west of the Quendall Field. This proposal does not involve any in-water work, and the project area is outside of
all critical areas. Potential wetland habitat was identified during a site visit, located northeast and west of the
substation fence. The area is composed of lake fringe wetland habitat vegetation, including cattail (Typha spp.),
hardhack (Spirea douglasii), red alder (Alnus rubra), and knotweed (Polygonum spp.). The surrounding upland
area includes Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa). The proposed
boring location should have no impact on the wetland or shoreline habitats, as impact area will remain within the
developed footprint of the cable station and outside the critical area buffer. This information was obtained using
publicly available GIS resources including those provided by King County and the City of Bellevue, and confirmed
through a site visit to the project area.
For this project PSE and its subcontractor will use a soil drill rig to bore roughly 10 feet into the ground at the
proposed bore location. After a sample has been collected, the bore location will be restored to its original surface
condition. Boring will utilize a hollow-stem auger with a 6-8 inch diameter outer casing, resulting in a surface
disturbance of about 0.35 square feet and excavation volume of about 0.13 cubic yards.
Best management practices (BMPs) will be used to protect the land from erosion and nearby waterbodies from
sedimentation. Erosion and sediment control measures will be applied and maintained on an as needed basis,
depending on the site conditions at the time of construction. Disturbed surfaces will be restored to their original
condition or better upon completion of construction. All work will occur during reasonable hours and construction
limits clearly marked.
Below are the required site photos as part of the shoreline exemption application. Note that no vegetation/tree
removal is required and PSE will work to address any impacts that may occur during construction.
Potential lake
fringe wetland
Proposed
bore location
(out of frame)
Existing
access for
boring
equipment
Proposed
bore location
(out of frame)
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at dylan.marcus@pse.com.
Sincerely,
Dylan Marcus (He/Him)
Associate Municipal Land Planner
(206) 716-2754 | Dylan.Marcus@pse.com
Approximate
bore location
Potential lake
fringe wetland
(out of frame)