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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.
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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.
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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.
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16 June 2022