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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRS_Stream_Study_220627_v1 WSP USA Suite 300 33301 Ninth Avenue South Federal Way, WA 98003-2600 +1 206-431-2300 wsp.com MEMORANDUM Date: 16 June 2022 Subject: City of Renton Bocce Court Improvements Cedar River Stream Study WSP Job No. 30901520 From: Grace Roberts, Senior Scientist To: Alan Wyatt, City of Renton, Parks Division INTRODUCTION The City of Renton (City) Parks Planning & Natural Resources Department is proposing improvements to the Renton Senior Activity Center fitness area adjacent to the Cedar River. The Cedar River is a shoreline of the state and subject to permit authorization under the City’s Shoreline Master Program (SMP) as described in Renton Municipal Code (RMC) 4-3-090. This stream study has been prepared to establish that the project will cause no net loss of ecological function by meeting the requirements in RMC 4-8-120 (Stream or Lake Study, Standard). PROPOSED PROJECT As stated, the project will take place at the Renton Senior Activity Center fitness area, which is located at 211 Burnett Avenue N, Renton, King County, Washington 98057. The project area is within the Township 23N, Range 5E, Section 18 and is just northeast of the Cedar River. The project includes the removal of existing synthetic turf comprising the bocce court area. The gravel underlaying the bocce court area will be lowered several inches and rubberized surfacing will be poured in place to bring the rubberized surface level with the existing surrounding surface. A corn hole court, ping pong table, pour-in-place checkerboard, and exercise equipment including a cardio stepper, health hand beat cycler, balance steps, assisted row/push up, and stretch equipment will be added to the new rubberized surface area. Additional proposed improvements include the removal and replacement of existing shrubs, new concrete pads for benches, and the replacement of existing benches. EXISTING CONDITIONS Stream Classification The City of Renton Maps and SMP (RMC 4-3-090) indicates the Cedar River is classified as a Type S (Shoreline) water, which flows north and empties into Lake Washington. MEMO: COR Bocce Court Improvements Stream Study 16 June 2022 Page 2 Ecological Functions The project area includes two primary habitats; aquatic and riparian. Ecological functions provided by these habitats are summarized below. Aquatic Habitat The Cedar River provides aquatic habitat for a variety of species of fish and wildlife. The river provides cool, clear water, and substrate for fish rearing, spawning, migration, and foraging. The Cedar River is an unblocked passage for fish migrating to Lake Washington. Waterfowl also use the low-elevation coniferous forest on the banks of the river for foraging. Riparian Habitat Riparian habitat along the Cedar River generally consists of deciduous trees and some shrubs. The nearby vegetation contributes organic matter input to the river system providing a forage base for benthic invertebrates and, consequently, a greater source of food for predatory fish. The Cedar River riparian habitat also provides foraging, roosting, and breeding habitat for migratory birds. Fish and Wildlife The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) online mapper (accessed 5 May 2022) indicates the presence of Chinook salmon (Oncorynchus tshawytscha), coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch), bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), kokanee (Oncorynchus nerka), sockeye, and steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Additionally, bird species identified by the WDFW PHS map include marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus), streaked horned lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata), and yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service critical habitat map (accessed 5 May 2022) indicates that the Cedar River is designated final critical habitat for Chinook salmon, steelhead, bull trout, marbled murrelet, streaked horned lark, and yellow-billed cuckoo. However, no critical habitat for any of these species is Work will be conducted out of the water within the footprint of the existing senior activity center and appropriate best management practices for work near water will be implemented. The project will not impact fish or wildlife species within the project area. For more information on how the project will not impact fish and wildlife, see the project no effect memorandum (WSP 2022). PROJECT IMPACTS The proposed project will be confined to the limits of the existing Senior Activity Center. The proposed improvements will not expand the footprint of the existing fitness center and there is no work proposed below the OHWM of the Cedar River. Similarly, the shoreline’s existing condition will not deteriorate due to proposed project actions. The purpose is to update the features already present at the fitness center, and as such, construction will occur near the shoreline but not on the shore or in the water. MEMO: COR Bocce Court Improvements Stream Study 16 June 2022 Page 3 The project will not impact the river’s surrounding vegetation or require the removal of shrubs or trees on the shore. Measures to protect trees and vegetation, as defined in RMC 4-11-200, are, therefore, not proposed. The proposed project will not result in a loss of riparian habitat, or a loss of waters of the state and, thus, will have no effect on the surrounding riparian or aquatic habitat. Temporary impacts for construction noise may affect migratory bird foraging and roosting, but these impacts are short term and localized. The project will not result in permanent impacts to migratory birds. CONCLUSION The Cedar River is a Type S (Shoreline) water for the City of Renton Water Class and, as such, is protected by the SMP and the Shoreline Management Act. Due to the reasons given above, it has been determined that the proposed project will result in no net loss of shoreline ecological functions as described in RMC 4-3-090D2. REFERENCES WSP USA Inc. 2022. City of Renton Bocce Court Improvements Endangered Species Act (ESA) No Effect Letter (memo). 26 May 2022. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2022. U.S. Critical Habitat for Threatened and Endangered Species. https://fws.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=9d8de5e265ad4fe0989 3cf75b8dbfb77. Accessed May 5, 2022. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). 2022. Priority Habitats and Species List—PHS on the Web. http://wdfw.wa.gov/mapping/phs/ Accessed May 5, 2022. GR:KM:nb 16 June 2022