HomeMy WebLinkAboutRS_La_Fortuna_Wetland_Delineation_Report_180910_v1.pdf
September 10, 2018
Kelly Morgan
Habitat for Humanity
560 Naches Ave SW, Ste. 110
Renton, WA 98057
Email: Kelly.morgan@habitatskc.org
Phone: (206) 456-6871
Re: Renton La Fortuna Townhome Property, Wetland Delineation
Report
The Watershed Company Reference Number: 180810
Dear Kelly:
On August 21, 2018, ecologists Sam Payne and Logan Dougherty, visited the La Fortuna
Townhome Property in Renton, Washington (parcel #3956210000) to screen for
jurisdictional wetland and streams within a defined study area. This letter summarizes
the findings of the study and details applicable federal, state, and local regulations. The
following documents are enclosed:
• Wetland Delineation Sketch
• Wetland Determination Data Forms
• Ecology Rating Forms and Figures
Methods
Public-domain information on the subject properties was reviewed for this delineation
study and include the following:
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Web Soil Survey (WSS)
application
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps
• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife interactive mapping programs
(PHS on the Web, SalmonScape)
• Washington Department of Natural Resources, Forest Practices Application
Mapping Tool (FPARS)
RECEIVED
11/04/2019
amorganroth
PLANNING DIVISION
Wetland Delineation Report
Habitat for Humanity
September 10, 2018
Page 2
• Washington Department of Natural Resources, Wetlands of High
Conservation Value Map Viewer
• King County’s GIS mapping website (iMAP)
• City of Renton (COR) maps
Characterization of climatic conditions for precipitation was determined using the
WETS table methodology from the USDA NRCS document Part 650 Engineering Field
Handbook, National Engineering Handbook, Hydrology Tools for Wetland Identification and
Analysis, Chapter 19 (September 2015). The Seattle-Tacoma International AP station as
recorded by NOAA from 1981-2010 (http://agacis.rcc-acis.org/) was used as a source for
precipitation data. The WETS table methodology uses climate data from the three
months prior to the site visit month to determine if normal conditions are present.
Wetlands
The study area was evaluated for wetlands using methodology from the Regional
Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Western Mountains,
Valleys, and Coast Region Version 2.0 (Regional Supplement) (US Army Corps of
Engineers [Corps] May 2010). Wetland boundaries were determined on the basis of an
examination of vegetation, soils, and hydrology. Areas meeting the criteria set forth in
the Regional Supplement were determined to be wetland. Soil, vegetation, and
hydrologic parameters were sampled at several locations along the wetland boundary to
make the determination.
Identified wetlands within the property were classified using the 2014 Update to the
Western Washington Wetland Rating System (Publication #14-06-029) (Rating System).
Streams
The study area was evaluated for streams based on the presence or absence of an
ordinary high water mark (OHWM) as defined by the Revised Code of Washington
(RCW) 90.58.030 and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 220-660-030. The
OHWM edge was located by examining the bed and bank physical characteristics and
vegetation, using recent guidance from the Department of Ecology, Determining the
Ordinary High Water Mark for Shoreline Management Act Compliance in Washington State
(Publication no. 16-06-029).
Findings
The study area is within the Soos Creek sub-basin of the Duwamish-Green Water
Resource Inventory Area (WRIA 9); Township 23 North, Range 05 East, Section 28. The
property is along a moderate gradient sloping downhill to the southwest. The
developed area includes numerous attached townhome units, a private access road,
Wetland Delineation Report
Habitat for Humanity
September 10, 2018
Page 3
lawns, and community gardens. The site also contains a large undeveloped area along
the western side that includes numerous wetlands and forested land.
Public-domain information on the subject properties was reviewed for this study and
include the following, as summarized in Table 1.
Table 1. Summary of online mapping and inventory resources.
Resource Summary
USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service, Web Soil
Survey (WSS) application
Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes; Arents, Alderwood material, 6 to 15
percent slopes; Seattle Muck.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
National Wetland Inventory (NWI)
maps
Numerous wetlands identified on and adjacent to
the property.
Washington Department of Fish
and Wildlife, Priority Habitats and
Species (PHS on the Web)
No priority habitat or species.
Washington Department of Fish
and Wildlife, SalmonScape
No salmonids mapped within project site.
Documented presence of salmonids, approx.
1,000 feet south of project area.
Washington Department of
Natural Resources, Forest
Practices Application Mapping
Tool (FPARS)
No mapped streams. Nearest stream
approximately 1,000 south.
King County’s GIS mapping
website (iMAP)
Mapped wetlands in the subject parcel.
City of Renton Maps Mapped wetland in the subject parcel.
WETS weather conditions based
on precipitation from the prior
three months
Drier than normal.
Wetland Delineation Report
Habitat for Humanity
September 10, 2018
Page 4
Table 2. Wetland A assessment summary.
WETLAND A – Assessment Summary
Location: City of Renton Parcel #3956210000
WRIA / Sub-
basin: Soos Creek / WRIA 9
2014 Western WA
Ecology Rating: Category II
Local Jurisdiction
Buffer Width and
Buffer Setback:
100-Foot Buffer
15-Foot Setback
Wetland Size: Approx. 5 Acres
Cowardin
Classification(s): Palustrine Forested
HGM
Classification(s): Depressional
Wetland Data
Sheet(s): DP-1
Upland Data Sheet
(s): DP-2
Flag Color: Pink-and-black
striped
Flag Numbers: A-1 to A-41
Vegetation
Tree stratum: Western red cedar, red alder, black cottonwood, Oregon
ash, Pacific willow, Sitka willow
Shrub stratum: Black twinberry, red-osier dogwood, Douglas spirea, vine
maple, highbush cranberry, salmonberry
Herb stratum: Skunk cabbage, slough sedge, small-fruited bulrush, lady
fern, creeping buttercup
Soils
Soil survey: Alderwood gravelly sandy loam; Arents, Alderwood
material; Seattle Muck
Field data: Hydrogen sulfide (A4)
Hydrology
Source: Groundwater, piped and ditched runoff, precipitation
Field data: High Water Table (A2), Saturation (A3), Hydrogen Sulfide
Odor (C1)
Wetland Functions
Improving
Water Quality Hydrologic Habitat
Site Potential H M L H M L H M L
Landscape Potential H M L H M L H M L
Value H M L H M L H M L TOTAL
Score Based on Ratings 9 7 6 22
Description and Comments
Wetland A is a large forested wetland that drains to the south to an even larger wetland complex
associated with Soos creek that is located south of SE Petrovitsky Road. Numerous stormwater pipes,
culverts, and ditches flow into the wetland, likely providing much of the wetland hydrology. A ditched
stormwater outlet draining into the wetland from the southern area of the parcel was not included in the
wetland area because it is an intentionally constructed stormwater feature created from a non-wetland
site.
Wetland Delineation Report
Habitat for Humanity
September 10, 2018
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Table 3. Wetland B assessment summary.
WETLAND B – Assessment Summary
Location: City of Renton Parcel #3956210000
WRIA / Sub-
basin: Soos Creek / WRIA 9
2014 Western WA
Ecology Rating: Category III
Local Jurisdiction
Buffer Width and
Buffer Setback:
50-Foot Buffer
15-Foot Setback
Wetland Size: Approx. 4,000 SF
Cowardin
Classification(s): Palustrine Forested
HGM
Classification(s): Depressional
Wetland Data
Sheet(s): DP-3
Upland Data
Sheet (s): DP-4
Flag Color: Pink-and-black
striped
Flag Numbers: B-1 to B-10
Vegetation
Tree stratum: Red alder, Oregon ash, black cottonwood, Sitka spruce
Shrub stratum: Vine maple, red-osier dogwood, black twinberry
Herb stratum: Reed canarygrass, yellow-flag iris, giant horsetail,
creeping buttercup
Soils Soil survey: Seattle muck
Field data: Redox Dark Surface (F6)
Hydrology Source: Groundwater, precipitation
Field data: Geomorphic Position (D2), FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
Wetland Functions
Improving
Water Quality Hydrologic Habitat
Site Potential H M L H M L H M L
Landscape Potential H M L H M L H M L
Value H M L H M L H M L TOTAL
Score Based on
Ratings 7 5 4 16
Description and Comments
Wetland B is a small forested wetland depressional wetland upslope from Wetland A.
Recent mitigation projects have resulted in enhancement of Wetland A and Wetland B
buffers.
Wetland Delineation Report
Habitat for Humanity
September 10, 2018
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Table 4. Wetland C assessment summary.
WETLAND C – Assessment Summary
Location: City of Renton Parcel #0739000025
WRIA / Sub-
basin: Soos Creek / WRIA 9
2014 Western WA
Ecology Rating: Category III
Local Jurisdiction
Buffer Width and
Buffer Setback:
50-Foot Buffer
15-Foot Setback
Wetland Size: Approx. 4,000 SF
Cowardin
Classification(s): Palustrine Emergent
HGM
Classification(s): Depressional
Wetland Data
Sheet(s): N/A
Upland Data
Sheet (s): N/A
Flag Color: Not Flagged
Flag Numbers: Not Flagged
Vegetation
Tree stratum: N/A
Shrub stratum: N/A
Herb stratum: Soft rush, reed canarygrass, curly dock
Soils Soil survey: Arents, Alderwood material
Field data: N/A
Hydrology Source: Groundwater, precipitation
Field data: N/A
Wetland Functions
Improving
Water Quality Hydrologic Habitat
Site Potential H M L H M L H M L
Landscape Potential H M L H M L H M L
Value H M L H M L H M L TOTAL
Score Based on
Ratings 7 5 4 16
Description and Comments
Wetland C located entirely offsite and not confirmed. It includes an area of hydrophytic
emergent vegetation.
Wetland Delineation Report
Habitat for Humanity
September 10, 2018
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Stormwater Features
A recently excavated feature identified as a “filter / spreader” on site mitigation plans
meets wetland criteria for hydrophytic plants, hydric soils, and wetland hydrology.
However, it is clearly man-made stormwater feature and does not meet the Renton
definition of a regulated wetland. According to RMC 4-3-050(B)(1), regulated wetlands
do not include those artificial wetlands intentionally created from non-wetland sites.
Non-wetland areas
Areas outside of identified wetlands did not meet criteria for hydrophytic vegetation,
hydric soils, and wetland hydrology. A wetland buffer enhancement has resulted in the
establishment of wetland plants in the buffers of Wetland A and Wetland B, however,
these areas exhibited neither hydric soil nor wetland hydrology indicators.
One area between the stormwater outfall and We tland A exhibits the three-parameter
test for wetland. However, this area is not jurisdictional because it is an intentionally
constructed stormwater feature created from a non-wetland site
Streams
The property lacked any watermarks, stained leaves, algae, bed, bank, or hydraulically
sorted sediments. Based on these findings, there are no jurisdictional streams on the
property.
A stream can be seen on aerial photography connecting Wetland A, offsite to the Soos
Creek wetland complex to the south.
Local Regulations
Wetland buffers in the City of Renton are determined by a combination of the wetland
category and habitat score, as determined by the wetland rating system. Wetland A is a
Category II wetland with a habitat score of 6 and therefore requires a standard buffer of
100 feet. Wetland B rated as Category III with a habitat score of 4 and therefore requires
a standard buffer of 50 feet. Wetland C, if verified, also rated as Category III with a
habitat score of 4, and would require a buffer of 50 feet. An additional 15-foot structure
setback is required beyond the limit of each buffer.
State and Federal Regulations
Wetlands and streams are regulated by the Corps under section 404 of the Clean Water
Act. Any proposed filling or other direct impacts to Waters of the U.S., including
wetlands (except isolated wetlands), would require notification and permits from the
Corps. Unavoidable impacts are typically required to be compensated through
implementation of an approved mitigation plan.
Wetland Delineation Report
Habitat for Humanity
September 10, 2018
Page 8
Federally permitted actions that could affect endangered species may also require a
biological assessment study and consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
and/or the National Marine Fisheries Service. Compliance with the Endangered Species
Act must be demonstrated for activities within jurisdictional wetlands and the 100-year
floodplain. Application for Corps permits may also require an individual 401 Water
Quality Certification and Coastal Zone Management Consistency determination from
Ecology and a cultural resource study in accordance with Section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act.
Washington Department of Ecology
Similar to the Corps, Ecology, under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, is charged with
reviewing, conditioning, and approving or denying certain federally permitted actions
that result in discharges to state waters. However, Ecology review would only become
necessary if a Section 404 permit from the Corps was issued. Therefore, if filling
activities are avoided, authorization from Ecology would not be needed.
If filling is proposed, a JARPA could be submitted to Ecology in order to obtain a Section
401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) and Coastal Zone Management Consistency
Determination. Ecology permits are either issued concurrently with the Corps permit or
within 90 days following the Corps permit.
In general, neither the Corps nor Ecology or WDFW regulates wetland and stream
buffers, unless direct impacts are proposed. When direct impacts are proposed,
mitigated wetlands and streams may be required to employ buffers based on Corps and
Ecology joint regulatory guidance.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this letter or report is based on the application of technical
guidelines currently accepted as the best available science and in conjunction with the
manuals and criteria outlined in the methods section. All discussions, conclusions and
recommendations reflect the best professional judgment of the author(s) and are based
upon information available at the time the study was conducted. All work was
completed within the constraints of budget, scope, and timing. The findings of this
report are subject to verification and agreement by the appropriate local, state and
federal regulatory authorities. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made.
Please call if you have any questions or if we can provide you with any additional
information.
Sincerely,
Wetland Delineation Report
Habitat for Humanity
September 10, 2018
Page 9
Sam Payne
Ecologist
Page 1 of 1
Delineation Sketch – Habitat for Humanity Property
Site Address: 12710 SE 173rd St, Renton, WA Prepared for: Kelly Morgan
Parcel Number: 3956210000 TWC Ref. No.: 180810
Site Visit Date: August 21, 2018
z
DP-1
Wetland A
Flags A-1 to A-14
Note: Field sketch only. Features depicted are approximate and not to scale. Wetland boundary is marked with pink- and
black-striped flags. Data points are marked with yellow- and black-striped flags.
LEGEND
Wetland
Delineated wetland boundary
Non-delineated wetland boundary
Delineated stream ordinary high
water mark (OHWM)
Non-delineated stream OHWM
Data Point (DP)
Culvert
Study Area
Wetland A
Flags A-1 to A-41
Note: includes A-2.1, A-2.2, A-2.3;
Skip A-10 through A-15
Wetland B
Flags B-1 to B-10
Potential
Wetland C
DP-1
DP-2
DP-4
DP-3
LEGEND
Wetland
Delineated wetland boundary
Non-delineated wetland boundary
Data Point (DP)
Culvert
Study Area
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Interim Version
750 Sixth Street South
Kirkland, Washington 98033
(425) 822-5242
watershedco.com
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM
Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Supplement to the
1987 COE Wetlands Delineation Manual
Project Site: 12710 SE 173rd St, Renton, WA Sampling date: August 21, 2018
Applicant/Owner: Habitat for Humanity Sampling Point: DP-1
Investigator: Logan Dougherty, Sam Payne City/County: Renton / King
Sect., Township, Range: S 28 T 23N R 05E State: Washington
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc): Depression Slope (%): 0 Local relief (concave, convex, none): None
Subregion (LRR): A Lat: Long: Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name: Seattle Muck NWI classification: PFOC (Freshwater Forested/Shrub)
Are climatic/hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year? ☐Yes ☒ No (If no, explain in remarks.)
Are “Normal Circumstances” present on the site? ☒Yes ☐ No
(If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.) Are Vegetation☐, Soil ☐, or Hydrology ☐ significantly disturbed?
Are Vegetation☐, Soil ☐, or Hydrology ☐ naturally problematic
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present? Yes ☒ No ☐
Is the Sampling Point within a Wetland? Yes ☒ No ☐ Hydric Soils Present? Yes ☒ No ☐
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes ☒ No ☐
Remarks: Drier than normal per WETS (Seattle-Tacoma International Airport)
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Tree Stratum (Plot size: 5m diam.) Absolute %
Cover
Dominant
Species?
Indicator
Status
Dominance Test Worksheet
1. Alnus rubra 90 Y FAC Number of Dominant Species
that are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 5 (A) 2. Populus balsamifera 30 Y FAC
3. Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata: 5 (B) 4.
120 = Total Cover Percent of Dominant Species
that are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 100 (A/B)
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size: 3m diam.)
1. Cornus sericea 70 Y FACW Prevalence Index Worksheet
2. Lonicera involucrata 60 Y FAC Total % Cover of Multiply by
3. OBL species x 1 =
4. FACW species x 2 =
5. FAC species x 3 =
130 = Total Cover FACU species x 4 =
UPL species x 5 =
Herb Stratum (Plot size: 1m diam.) Column totals (A) (B)
1. Carex obnupta 70 Y OBL
2. Prevalence Index = B / A =
3.
4. Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators
5. ☒ Dominance test is > 50%
6. ☐ Prevalence test is ≤ 3.0 *
7. Morphological Adaptations * (provide supporting
8. ☐ data in remarks or on a separate sheet)
9. ☐ Wetland Non-Vascular Plants *
10. ☐ Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation * (explain)
11.
70 = Total Cover * Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must be
present, unless disturbed or problematic
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size: )
Hydrophytic Vegetation
Present? Yes ☒No ☐
1.
2.
0 = Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum: 30
Remarks:
DP- 1
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Interim Version
SOIL Sampling Point – DP- 1
HYDROLOGY
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
Depth Matrix Redox Features
(inches) Color (moist) % Color (moist) % Type1 Loc2 Texture Remarks
0-1 10YR 2/1 100 Muck High organic
matter content
1-16 10YR 2/2 100 Silt loam Abundant non-
decomposed
organic matter
1Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, CS=Covered or Coated Sand Grains 2Loc: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to all LRRs, unless otherwise noted.) Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils3
☐Histosol (A1) ☐ Sandy Redox (S5) ☐2cm Muck (A10)
☐Histic Epipedon (A2) ☐ Stripped Matrix (S6) ☐Red Parent Material (TF2)
☐Black Histic (A3) ☐ Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (except MLRA 1) ☐Other (explain in remarks)
☒Hydrogen Sulfide (A4) ☐ Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2) ☐
☐Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11) ☐ Depleted Matrix (F3)
☐Thick Dark Surface (A12) ☐ Redox Dark Surface (F6) 3 Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and wetland hydrology must
be present, unless disturbed or problematic ☐Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1) ☐ Depleted Dark Surface (F7)
☐Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4) ☐ Redox Depressions (F8)
Restrictive Layer (if present):
Hydric soil present? Yes ☒ No ☐ Type:
Depth (inches):
Remarks:
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Primary Indicators (minimum of one required: check all that apply): Secondary Indicators (2 or more required):
☐ Surface water (A1) ☐ Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8) ☒Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (MLRA 1, 2, 4A & 4B)
☒ High Water Table (A2) ☐ Water-Stained Leaves (except MLRA 1, 2, 4A & 4B) (B9) ☐Drainage Patterns (B10)
☒ Saturation (A3) ☐ Salt Crust (B11) ☐Dry-Season Water Table (C2)
☐ Water Marks (B1) ☐ Aquatic Invertebrates (B13) ☐Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
☐ Sediment Deposits (B2) ☒ Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C1) ☒Geomorphic Position (D2)
☐ Drift Deposits (B3) ☐ Oxidized Rhizospheres along Living Roots (C3) ☐Shallow Aquitard (D3)
☐ Algal Mat or Crust (B4) ☐ Presence of Reduced Iron (C4) ☒FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
☐ Iron Deposits (B5) ☐ Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6) ☐Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)
☐ Surface Soil Cracks (B6) ☐ Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A) ☐Frost-Heave Hummocks
☐ Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery
(B7) ☐ Other (explain in remarks)
Field Observations
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes ☒ No ☐
Surface Water Present? Yes ☐ No ☒ Depth (in):
Water Table Present? Yes ☒ No ☐ Depth (in): 0
Saturation Present?
(includes capillary fringe) Yes ☒ No ☐ Depth (in): 0
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Interim Version
750 Sixth Street South
Kirkland, Washington 98033
(425) 822-5242
watershedco.com
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM
Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Supplement to the
1987 COE Wetlands Delineation Manual
Project Site: 12710 SE 173rd St, Renton, WA Sampling date: August 21, 2018
Applicant/Owner: Habitat for Humanity Sampling Point: DP-2
Investigator: Logan Dougherty, Sam Payne City/County: Renton / King
Sect., Township, Range: S 28 T 23N R 05E State: Washington
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc): Hillslope Slope (%): 5-10 Local relief (concave, convex, none): None
Subregion (LRR): A Lat: Long: Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name: Seattle Muck NWI classification: PFOC (Freshwater Forested/Shrub)
Are climatic/hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year? ☐Yes ☒ No (If no, explain in remarks.)
Are “Normal Circumstances” present on the site? ☒Yes ☐ No
(If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.) Are Vegetation☐, Soil ☐, or Hydrology ☐ significantly disturbed?
Are Vegetation☐, Soil ☐, or Hydrology ☐ naturally problematic
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present? Yes ☒ No ☐
Is the Sampling Point within a Wetland? Yes ☐ No ☒ Hydric Soils Present? Yes ☐ No ☒
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes ☐ No ☒
Remarks: Drier than normal per WETS (Seattle-Tacoma International Airport)
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Tree Stratum (Plot size: 5m diam.) Absolute %
Cover
Dominant
Species?
Indicator
Status
Dominance Test Worksheet
1. Betula nigra 80 Y FACW Number of Dominant Species
that are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 5 (A) 2.
3. Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata: 6 (B) 4.
80 = Total Cover Percent of Dominant Species
that are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 83 (A/B)
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size: 3m diam.)
1. Fraxinus latifolia 15 Y FACW Prevalence Index Worksheet
2. Thuja plicata 5 N FAC Total % Cover of Multiply by
3. Corylus cornuta 20 Y FACU OBL species x 1 =
4. Rubus armeniacus 15 Y FAC FACW species x 2 =
5. FAC species x 3 =
55 = Total Cover FACU species x 4 =
UPL species x 5 =
Herb Stratum (Plot size: 1m diam.) Column totals (A) (B)
1. Ranunculus repens 50 Y FAC
2. Poaceae sp. 40 Y FAC* Prevalence Index = B / A =
3.
4. Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators
5. ☒ Dominance test is > 50%
6. ☐ Prevalence test is ≤ 3.0 *
7. Morphological Adaptations * (provide supporting
8. ☐ data in remarks or on a separate sheet)
9. ☐ Wetland Non-Vascular Plants *
10. ☐ Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation * (explain)
11.
90 = Total Cover * Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must be
present, unless disturbed or problematic
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size: )
Hydrophytic Vegetation
Present? Yes ☒No ☐
1.
2.
0 = Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum: 10
Remarks: *Presumed indicator status
DP- 2
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Interim Version
SOIL Sampling Point – DP- 2
HYDROLOGY
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
Depth Matrix Redox Features
(inches) Color (moist) % Color (moist) % Type1 Loc2 Texture Remarks
0-12 10YR 2/2 100 Sandy loam
1Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, CS=Covered or Coated Sand Grains 2Loc: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to all LRRs, unless otherwise noted.) Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils3
☐Histosol (A1) ☐ Sandy Redox (S5) ☐2cm Muck (A10)
☐Histic Epipedon (A2) ☐ Stripped Matrix (S6) ☐Red Parent Material (TF2)
☐Black Histic (A3) ☐ Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (except MLRA 1) ☐Other (explain in remarks)
☐Hydrogen Sulfide (A4) ☐ Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2) ☐
☐Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11) ☐ Depleted Matrix (F3)
☐Thick Dark Surface (A12) ☐ Redox Dark Surface (F6) 3 Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and wetland hydrology must
be present, unless disturbed or problematic ☐Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1) ☐ Depleted Dark Surface (F7)
☐Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4) ☐ Redox Depressions (F8)
Restrictive Layer (if present):
Hydric soil present? Yes ☐ No ☒ Type:
Depth (inches):
Remarks: Very hard to dig soils.
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Primary Indicators (minimum of one required: check all that apply): Secondary Indicators (2 or more required):
☐ Surface water (A1) ☐ Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8) ☐Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (MLRA 1, 2, 4A & 4B)
☐ High Water Table (A2) ☐ Water-Stained Leaves (except MLRA 1, 2, 4A & 4B) (B9) ☐Drainage Patterns (B10)
☐ Saturation (A3) ☐ Salt Crust (B11) ☐Dry-Season Water Table (C2)
☐ Water Marks (B1) ☐ Aquatic Invertebrates (B13) ☐Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
☐ Sediment Deposits (B2) ☐ Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C1) ☐Geomorphic Position (D2)
☐ Drift Deposits (B3) ☐ Oxidized Rhizospheres along Living Roots (C3) ☐Shallow Aquitard (D3)
☐ Algal Mat or Crust (B4) ☐ Presence of Reduced Iron (C4) ☐FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
☐ Iron Deposits (B5) ☐ Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6) ☐Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)
☐ Surface Soil Cracks (B6) ☐ Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A) ☐Frost-Heave Hummocks
☐ Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery
(B7) ☐ Other (explain in remarks)
Field Observations
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes ☐ No ☒
Surface Water Present? Yes ☐ No ☒ Depth (in):
Water Table Present? Yes ☐ No ☒ Depth (in):
Saturation Present?
(includes capillary fringe) Yes ☐ No ☒ Depth (in):
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks: Completely dry
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Interim Version
750 Sixth Street South
Kirkland, Washington 98033
(425) 822-5242
watershedco.com
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM
Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Supplement to the
1987 COE Wetlands Delineation Manual
Project Site: 12710 SE 173rd St, Renton, WA Sampling date: August 21, 2018
Applicant/Owner: Habitat for Humanity Sampling Point: DP-3
Investigator: Logan Dougherty, Sam Payne City/County: Renton / King
Sect., Township, Range: S 28 T 23N R 05E State: Washington
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc): Depression Slope (%): 0 Local relief (concave, convex, none): None
Subregion (LRR): A Lat: Long: Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name: Seattle Muck NWI classification: PFOC (Freshwater Forested/Shrub)
Are climatic/hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year? ☐Yes ☒ No (If no, explain in remarks.)
Are “Normal Circumstances” present on the site? ☒Yes ☐ No
(If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.) Are Vegetation☐, Soil ☐, or Hydrology ☐ significantly disturbed?
Are Vegetation☐, Soil ☐, or Hydrology ☐ naturally problematic
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present? Yes ☒ No ☐
Is the Sampling Point within a Wetland? Yes ☒ No ☐ Hydric Soils Present? Yes ☒ No ☐
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes ☒ No ☐
Remarks: Drier than normal per WETS (Seattle-Tacoma International Airport)
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Tree Stratum (Plot size: 5m diam.) Absolute %
Cover
Dominant
Species?
Indicator
Status
Dominance Test Worksheet
1. Alnus rubra 95 Y FAC Number of Dominant Species
that are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 5 (A) 2.
3. Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata: 5 (B) 4.
95 = Total Cover Percent of Dominant Species
that are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 100 (A/B)
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size: 3m diam.)
1. Cornus sericea 40 Y FACW Prevalence Index Worksheet
2. Lonicera involucrata 20 Y FAC Total % Cover of Multiply by
3. OBL species x 1 =
4. FACW species x 2 =
5. FAC species x 3 =
60 = Total Cover FACU species x 4 =
UPL species x 5 =
Herb Stratum (Plot size: 1m diam.) Column totals (A) (B)
1. Phalaris arundinacea 50 Y FACW
2. Ranunculus repens 30 Y FAC Prevalence Index = B / A =
3. Equisetum telmateia 5 N FACW
4. Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators
5. ☒ Dominance test is > 50%
6. ☐ Prevalence test is ≤ 3.0 *
7. Morphological Adaptations * (provide supporting
8. ☐ data in remarks or on a separate sheet)
9. ☐ Wetland Non-Vascular Plants *
10. ☐ Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation * (explain)
11.
85 = Total Cover * Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must be
present, unless disturbed or problematic
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size: )
Hydrophytic Vegetation
Present? Yes ☒No ☐
1.
2.
0 = Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum: 15
Remarks:
DP- 3
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Interim Version
SOIL Sampling Point – DP- 3
HYDROLOGY
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
Depth Matrix Redox Features
(inches) Color (moist) % Color (moist) % Type1 Loc2 Texture Remarks
0-6 10YR 2/2 100 Sandy loam
6-16 10YR 2/2 90 10YR 4/6
5Y 5/1
5
5
C
D M Sandy loam
1Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, CS=Covered or Coated Sand Grains 2Loc: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to all LRRs, unless otherwise noted.) Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils3
☐Histosol (A1) ☐ Sandy Redox (S5) ☐2cm Muck (A10)
☐Histic Epipedon (A2) ☐ Stripped Matrix (S6) ☐Red Parent Material (TF2)
☐Black Histic (A3) ☐ Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (except MLRA 1) ☐Other (explain in remarks)
☐Hydrogen Sulfide (A4) ☐ Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2) ☐
☐Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11) ☐ Depleted Matrix (F3)
☐Thick Dark Surface (A12) ☒ Redox Dark Surface (F6) 3 Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and wetland hydrology must
be present, unless disturbed or problematic ☐Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1) ☐ Depleted Dark Surface (F7)
☐Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4) ☐ Redox Depressions (F8)
Restrictive Layer (if present):
Hydric soil present? Yes ☒ No ☐ Type:
Depth (inches):
Remarks:
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Primary Indicators (minimum of one required: check all that apply): Secondary Indicators (2 or more required):
☐ Surface water (A1) ☐ Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8) ☐Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (MLRA 1, 2, 4A & 4B)
☐ High Water Table (A2) ☐ Water-Stained Leaves (except MLRA 1, 2, 4A & 4B) (B9) ☐Drainage Patterns (B10)
☐ Saturation (A3) ☐ Salt Crust (B11) ☐Dry-Season Water Table (C2)
☐ Water Marks (B1) ☐ Aquatic Invertebrates (B13) ☐Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
☐ Sediment Deposits (B2) ☐ Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C1) ☒Geomorphic Position (D2)
☐ Drift Deposits (B3) ☐ Oxidized Rhizospheres along Living Roots (C3) ☐Shallow Aquitard (D3)
☐ Algal Mat or Crust (B4) ☐ Presence of Reduced Iron (C4) ☒FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
☐ Iron Deposits (B5) ☐ Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6) ☐Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)
☐ Surface Soil Cracks (B6) ☐ Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A) ☐Frost-Heave Hummocks
☐ Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery
(B7) ☐ Other (explain in remarks)
Field Observations
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes ☒ No ☐
Surface Water Present? Yes ☐ No ☒ Depth (in):
Water Table Present? Yes ☐ No ☒ Depth (in):
Saturation Present?
(includes capillary fringe) Yes ☐ No ☒ Depth (in):
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Interim Version
750 Sixth Street South
Kirkland, Washington 98033
(425) 822-5242
watershedco.com
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM
Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Supplement to the
1987 COE Wetlands Delineation Manual
Project Site: 12710 SE 173rd St, Renton, WA Sampling date: August 21, 2018
Applicant/Owner: Habitat for Humanity Sampling Point: DP -4
Investigator: Logan Dougherty, Sam Payne City/County: Renton / King
Sect., Township, Range: S 28 T 23N R 05E State: Washington
Landform (hillslope, terrace, etc): Hillslope Slope (%): 2 Local relief (concave, convex, none): None
Subregion (LRR): A Lat: Long: Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name: Seattle Muck NWI classification: PFOC (Freshwater Forested/Shrub)
Are climatic/hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year? ☐Yes ☒ No (If no, explain in remarks.)
Are “Normal Circumstances” present on the site? ☒Yes ☐ No
(If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.) Are Vegetation☐, Soil ☐, or Hydrology ☐ significantly disturbed?
Are Vegetation☐, Soil ☐, or Hydrology ☐ naturally problematic
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present? Yes ☒ No ☐
Is the Sampling Point within a Wetland? Yes ☐ No ☒ Hydric Soils Present? Yes ☐ No ☒
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes ☐ No ☒
Remarks: Drier than normal per WETS (Seattle-Tacoma International Airport)
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
Tree Stratum (Plot size: 5m diam.) Absolute %
Cover
Dominant
Species?
Indicator
Status
Dominance Test Worksheet
1. Betula nigra 40 Y FACW Number of Dominant Species
that are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 3 (A) 2.
3. Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata: 3 (B) 4.
40 = Total Cover Percent of Dominant Species
that are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 100 (A/B)
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size: 3m diam.)
1. Cornus sericea 40 Y FACW Prevalence Index Worksheet
2. Populus balsamifera 5 N FAC Total % Cover of Multiply by
3. OBL species x 1 =
4. FACW species x 2 =
5. FAC species x 3 =
45 = Total Cover FACU species x 4 =
UPL species x 5 =
Herb Stratum (Plot size: 1m diam.) Column totals (A) (B)
1. Poaceae sp. 60 Y FAC*
2. Ranunculus repens 20 N FAC Prevalence Index = B / A =
3. Phalaris arundinacea 20 N FACW
4. Geranium robertianum 5 N FACU Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators
5. ☒ Dominance test is > 50%
6. ☐ Prevalence test is ≤ 3.0 *
7. Morphological Adaptations * (provide supporting
8. ☐ data in remarks or on a separate sheet)
9. ☐ Wetland Non-Vascular Plants *
10. ☐ Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation * (explain)
11.
105 = Total Cover * Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must be
present, unless disturbed or problematic
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size: )
Hydrophytic Vegetation
Present? Yes ☒No ☐
1.
2.
0 = Total Cover
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum: 0
Remarks: *Presumed indicator status
DP- 4
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Interim Version
SOIL Sampling Point – DP- 4
HYDROLOGY
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
Depth Matrix Redox Features
(inches) Color (moist) % Color (moist) % Type1 Loc2 Texture Remarks
0-10 10YR 2/2 Sandy loam
10-14 10YR 2/2 Gravelly sandy loam
1Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, CS=Covered or Coated Sand Grains 2Loc: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to all LRRs, unless otherwise noted.) Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils3
☐Histosol (A1) ☐ Sandy Redox (S5) ☐2cm Muck (A10)
☐Histic Epipedon (A2) ☐ Stripped Matrix (S6) ☐Red Parent Material (TF2)
☐Black Histic (A3) ☐ Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (except MLRA 1) ☐Other (explain in remarks)
☐Hydrogen Sulfide (A4) ☐ Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2) ☐
☐Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11) ☐ Depleted Matrix (F3)
☐Thick Dark Surface (A12) ☐ Redox Dark Surface (F6) 3 Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and wetland hydrology must
be present, unless disturbed or problematic ☐Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1) ☐ Depleted Dark Surface (F7)
☐Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4) ☐ Redox Depressions (F8)
Restrictive Layer (if present):
Hydric soil present? Yes ☐ No ☒ Type:
Depth (inches):
Remarks:
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Primary Indicators (minimum of one required: check all that apply): Secondary Indicators (2 or more required):
☐ Surface water (A1) ☐ Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8) ☐Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (MLRA 1, 2, 4A & 4B)
☐ High Water Table (A2) ☐ Water-Stained Leaves (except MLRA 1, 2, 4A & 4B) (B9) ☐Drainage Patterns (B10)
☐ Saturation (A3) ☐ Salt Crust (B11) ☐Dry-Season Water Table (C2)
☐ Water Marks (B1) ☐ Aquatic Invertebrates (B13) ☐Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
☐ Sediment Deposits (B2) ☐ Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C1) ☐Geomorphic Position (D2)
☐ Drift Deposits (B3) ☐ Oxidized Rhizospheres along Living Roots (C3) ☐Shallow Aquitard (D3)
☐ Algal Mat or Crust (B4) ☐ Presence of Reduced Iron (C4) ☐FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
☐ Iron Deposits (B5) ☐ Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6) ☐Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)
☐ Surface Soil Cracks (B6) ☐ Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A) ☐Frost-Heave Hummocks
☐ Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery
(B7) ☐ Other (explain in remarks)
Field Observations
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes ☐ No ☒
Surface Water Present? Yes ☐ No ☐ Depth (in):
Water Table Present? Yes ☐ No ☐ Depth (in):
Saturation Present?
(includes capillary fringe) Yes ☐ No ☐ Depth (in):
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
Wetland Rating System forWestern WA: 2014Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
1
Wetland name or number: Wetland A
RATING SUMMARY – Western Washington
Name of wetland (or ID #): Wetland A Date of site visit: August 21, 2018
Rated by: Sam Payne, Logan Dougherty Trained by Ecology? ☒Y ☐N Date of training: June 2017
HGM Class used for rating: Depressional Wetland has multiple HGM classes? ☐Y ☒N
NOTE: Form is not complete without the figures requested (figures can be combined).
Source of base aerial photo/map: King County iMap, Bing Maps
OVERALL WETLAND CATEGORY (based on functions ☒ or special characteristics ☐)
1. Category of wetland based on FUNCTIONS
☐ Category I – Total score = 23 ‐ 27
☒ Category II – Total score = 20 ‐ 22
☐ Category III – Total score = 16 ‐ 19
☐ Category IV – Total score = 9 ‐ 15
FUNCTION Improving
Water Quality
Hydrologic Habitat
Circle the appropriate ratings
Site Potential H M L H M L H M L
Landscape Potential H M L H M L H M L
Value H M L H M L H M L TOTAL
Score Based
on Ratings 9 7 6 22
2. Category based on SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS of wetland
CHARACTERISTIC CATEGORY
Estuarine I II
Wetland of High Conservation Value I
Bog I
Mature Forest I
Old Growth Forest I
Coastal Lagoon I II
Interdunal I II III IV
None of the above ☒
Score for each
function based
on three
ratings
(order of ratings
is not
important)
9 = H,H,H
8 = H,H,M
7 = H,H,L
7 = H,M,M
6 = H,M,L
6 = M,M,M
5 = H,L,L
5 = M,M,L
4 = M,L,L
3 = L,L,L
Wetland Rating System forWestern WA: 2014Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
2
Wetland name or number: Wetland A
Maps and figures required to answer questions correctly for
Western Washington
Depressional Wetlands
Map of: To answer questions:Figure #
Cowardin plant classes D 1.3, H 1.1, H 1.4 1
Hydroperiods D 1.4, H 1.2 2
Location of outlet (can be added to map of hydroperiods)D 1.1, D 4.1 2
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure)D 2.2, D 5.2 2
Map of the contributing basin D 4.3, D 5.3 3
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge ‐including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3 6
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website)D 3.1, D 3.2 7
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web)D 3.3 8
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
3
Wetland name or number: Wetland A
HGM Classification of Wetlands in Western Washington
1. Are the water levels in the entire unit usually controlled by tides except during floods?
☒NO – go to 2 ☐YES – the wetland class is Tidal Fringe – go to 1.1
1.1 Is the salinity of the water during periods of annual low flow below 0.5 ppt (parts per thousand)?
NO – Saltwater Tidal Fringe (Estuarine) YES – Freshwater Tidal Fringe
If your wetland can be classified as a Freshwater Tidal Fringe use the forms for Riverine wetlands. If it
is Saltwater Tidal Fringe it is an Estuarine wetland and is not scored. This method cannot be used to
score functions for estuarine wetlands.
2. The entire wetland unit is flat and precipitation is the only source (>90%) of water to it. Groundwater
and surface water runoff are NOT sources of water to the unit.
☒NO – go to 3 ☐YES – The wetland class is Flats
If your wetland can be classified as a Flats wetland, use the form for Depressional wetlands.
3. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
☐The vegetated part of the wetland is on the shores of a body of permanent open water (without any
plants on the surface at any time of the year) at least 20 ac (8 ha) in size;
☐At least 30% of the open water area is deeper than 6.6 ft (2 m).
☒NO – go to 4 ☐YES – The wetland class is Lake Fringe (Lacustrine Fringe)
4. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
☐The wetland is on a slope (slope can be very gradual),
☐The water flows through the wetland in one direction (unidirectional) and usually comes from
seeps. It may flow subsurface, as sheetflow, or in a swale without distinct banks,
☐The water leaves the wetland without being impounded.
☒NO – go to 5 ☐YES – The wetland class is Slope
NOTE: Surface water does not pond in these type of wetlands except occasionally in very small and
shallow depressions or behind hummocks (depressions are usually <3 ft diameter and less than 1 ft
deep).
5. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
☐The unit is in a valley, or stream channel, where it gets inundated by overbank flooding from that
stream or river,
☐The overbank flooding occurs at least once every 2 years.
For questions 1‐7, the criteria described must apply to the entire unit being rated.
If the hydrologic criteria listed in each question do not apply to the entire unit being rated, you
probably have a unit with multiple HGM classes. In this case, identify which hydrologic criteria in
questions 1‐7 apply, and go to Question 8.
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
4
Wetland name or number: Wetland A
☒NO – go to 6 ☐YES – The wetland class is Riverine
NOTE: The Riverine unit can contain depressions that are filled with water when the river is not
flooding
6. Is the entire wetland unit in a topographic depression in which water ponds, or is saturated to the
surface, at some time during the year? This means that any outlet, if present, is higher than the interior
of the wetland.
☐NO – go to 7 ☒YES – The wetland class is Depressional
7. Is the entire wetland unit located in a very flat area with no obvious depression and no overbank
flooding? The unit does not pond surface water more than a few inches. The unit seems to be
maintained by high groundwater in the area. The wetland may be ditched, but has no obvious natural
outlet.
☐NO – go to 8 ☐YES – The wetland class is Depressional
8. Your wetland unit seems to be difficult to classify and probably contains several different HGM
classes. For example, seeps at the base of a slope may grade into a riverine floodplain, or a small
stream within a Depressional wetland has a zone of flooding along its sides. GO BACK AND IDENTIFY
WHICH OF THE HYDROLOGIC REGIMES DESCRIBED IN QUESTIONS 1‐7 APPLY TO DIFFERENT
AREAS IN THE UNIT (make a rough sketch to help you decide). Use the following table to identify the
appropriate class to use for the rating system if you have several HGM classes present within the
wetland unit being scored.
NOTE: Use this table only if the class that is recommended in the second column represents 10% or
more of the total area of the wetland unit being rated. If the area of the HGM class listed in column 2
is less than 10% of the unit; classify the wetland using the class that represents more than 90% of the
total area.
HGM classes within the wetland unit
being rated
HGM class to
use in rating
Slope + Riverine Riverine
Slope + Depressional Depressional
Slope + Lake Fringe Lake Fringe
Depressional + Riverine along stream
within boundary of depression
Depressional
Depressional + Lake Fringe Depressional
Riverine + Lake Fringe Riverine
Salt Water Tidal Fringe and any other
class of freshwater wetland
Treat as
ESTUARINE
If you are still unable to determine which of the above criteria apply to your wetland, or if you have
more than 2 HGM classes within a wetland boundary, classify the wetland as Depressional for the
rating.
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
5
Wetland name or number: Wetland A
DEPRESSIONAL AND FLATS WETLANDS
Water Quality Functions ‐ Indicators that the site functions to improve water quality
D 1.0. Does the site have the potential to improve water quality?
D 1.1. Characteristics of surface water outflows from the wetland:
☐ Wetland is a depression or flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key) with no surface water leaving it (no outlet).
points = 3
☐ Wetland has an intermittently flowing stream or ditch, OR highly constricted permanently flowing outlet.
points = 2
☒ Wetland has an unconstricted, or slightly constricted, surface outlet that is permanently flowing. points = 1
☐ Wetland is a flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key), whose outlet is a permanently flowing ditch. points = 1
1
D 1.2. The soil 2 in below the surface (or duff layer) is true clay or true organic (use NRCS definitions).☒Yes = 4 ☐No = 0 4
D 1.3. Characteristics and distribution of persistent plants (Emergent, Scrub‐shrub, and/or Forested Cowardin classes):
☒ Wetland has persistent, ungrazed, plants > 95% of area points = 5
☐ Wetland has persistent, ungrazed, plants > 1/2 of area points = 3
☐ Wetland has persistent, ungrazed plants > 1/10 of area points = 1
☐ Wetland has persistent, ungrazed plants < 1/10 of area points = 0
5
D 1.4. Characteristics of seasonal ponding or inundation:
This is the area that is ponded for at least 2 months. See description in manual.
☒ Area seasonally ponded is > ½ total area of wetland points = 4
☐ Area seasonally ponded is > ¼ total area of wetland points = 2
☐ Area seasonally ponded is < ¼ total area of wetland points = 0
4
Total for D 1 Add the points in the boxes above 14
Rating of Site Potential If score is: ☒12‐16 = H ☐6‐11 = M ☐0‐5 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the water quality function of the site?
D 2.1. Does the wetland unit receive stormwater discharges? ☒Yes = 1 ☐No = 0 1
D 2.2. Is > 10% of the area within 150 ft of the wetland in land uses that generate pollutants? ☒Yes = 1 ☐No = 0 1
D 2.3. Are there septic systems within 250 ft of the wetland? ☒Yes = 1 ☐No = 0 1
D 2.4. Are there other sources of pollutants coming into the wetland that are not listed in
questions D 2.1‐D 2.3? Source: Click here to enter text.☐Yes = 1 ☒No =0 0
Total for D 2 Add the points in the boxes above 3
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: ☒3 or 4 = H ☐1 or 2 = M ☐0 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 3.0. Is the water quality improvement provided by the site valuable to society?
D 3.1. Does the wetland discharge directly (i.e., within 1 mi) to a stream, river, lake, or marine
water that is on the 303(d) list? ☐Yes = 1 ☒No = 0 0
D 3.2. Is the wetland in a basin or sub‐basin where an aquatic resource is on the 303(d) list? ☒Yes = 1 ☐No = 0 1
D 3.3. Has the site been identified in a watershed or local plan as important for maintaining water quality
(answer YES if there is a TMDL for the basin in which the unit is found)? ☒Yes = 2 ☐No = 0 2
Total for D 3 Add the points in the boxes above 3
Rating of Value If score is: ☒2‐4 = H ☐1 = M ☐0 = L Record the rating on the first page
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
6
Wetland name or number: Wetland A
DEPRESSIONAL AND FLATS WETLANDS
Hydrologic Functions ‐ Indicators that the site functions to reduce flooding and stream degradation
D 4.0. Does the site have the potential to reduce flooding and erosion?
D 4.1. Characteristics of surface water outflows from the wetland:
☐ Wetland is a depression or flat depression with no surface water leaving it (no outlet). points = 4
☐ Wetland has an intermittently flowing stream or ditch, OR highly constricted permanently
flowing outlet. points = 2
☐ Wetland is a flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key), whose outlet is a permanently flowing ditch. points = 1
☒ Wetland has an unconstricted, or slightly constricted, surface outlet that is permanently flowing. points = 0
0
D 4.2. Depth of storage during wet periods: Estimate the height of ponding above the bottom of the outlet. For wetlands
with no outlet, measure from the surface of permanent water or if dry, the deepest part.
☐ Marks of ponding are 3 ft or more above the surface or bottom of outlet. points = 7
☐ Marks of ponding between 2 ft to < 3 ft from surface or bottom of outlet. points = 5
☒ Marks are at least 0.5 ft to < 2 ft from surface or bottom of outlet. points = 3
☐ The wetland is a “headwater” wetland. points = 3
☐ Wetland is flat but has small depressions on the surface that trap water. points = 1
☐ Marks of ponding less than 0.5 ft (6 in). points = 0
3
D 4.3. Contribution of the wetland to storage in the watershed: Estimate the ratio of the area of upstream basin
contributing surface water to the wetland to the area of the wetland unit itself.
☐ The area of the basin is less than 10 times the area of the unit. points = 5
☒ The area of the basin is 10 to 100 times the area of the unit. points = 3
☐ The area of the basin is more than 100 times the area of the unit. points = 0
☐ Entire wetland is in the Flats class. points = 5
3
Total for D 4 Add the points in the boxes above 6
Rating of Site Potential If score is: ☐12‐16 = H ☒6‐11 = M ☐0‐5 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 5.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support hydrologic functions of the site?
D 5.1. Does the wetland receive stormwater discharges? ☒Yes = 1 ☐No = 0 1
D 5.2. Is >10% of the area within 150 ft of the wetland in land uses that generate excess runoff? ☒Yes = 1 ☐No = 0 1
D 5.3. Is more than 25% of the contributing basin of the wetland covered with intensive human land uses (residential at
>1 residence/ac, urban, commercial, agriculture,etc.)?☒Yes = 1 ☐No =0 1
Total for D 5 Add the points in the boxes above 3
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: ☒3 = H ☐1 or 2 = M ☐0 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 6.0. Are the hydrologic functions provided by the site valuable to society?
D 6.1. The unit is in a landscape that has flooding problems. Choose the description that best matches conditions around
the wetland unit being rated. Do not add points. Choose the highest score if more than one condition is met.
The wetland captures surface water that would otherwise flow down‐gradient into areas where flooding has
damaged human or natural resources (e.g., houses or salmon redds):
☐ Flooding occurs in a sub‐basin that is immediately down‐gradient of unit. points = 2
☒ Surface flooding problems are in a sub‐basin farther down‐gradient. points = 1
☐ Flooding from groundwater is an issue in the sub‐basin. points = 1
☐ The existing or potential outflow from the wetland is so constrained by human or natural conditions that
the water stored by the wetland cannot reach areas that flood.
Explain why: …. points = 0
☐There are no problems with flooding downstream of the wetland. points = 0
1
D 6.2. Has the site been identified as important for flood storage or flood conveyance in a regional flood control plan?
☐Yes = 2 ☒No =0 0
Total for D 6 Add the points in the boxes above 1
Rating of Value If score is: ☐2‐4 = H ☒1 = M ☐0 = L Record the rating on the first page
Wetland name or number: Wetland A
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
7
These questions apply to wetlands of all HGM classes.
HABITAT FUNCTIONS ‐ Indicators that site functions to provide important habitat
H 1.0. Does the site have the potential to provide habitat?
H 1.1. Structure of plant community: Indicators are Cowardin classes and strata within the Forested class. Check the
Cowardin plant classes in the wetland. Up to 10 patches may be combined for each class to meet the threshold
of ¼ ac or more than 10% of the unit if it is smaller than 2.5 ac. Add the number of structures checked.
☐ Aquatic bed 4 structures or more: points = 4
☐ Emergent 3 structures: points = 2
☐ Scrub‐shrub (areas where shrubs have > 30% cover) 2 structures: points = 1
☒ Forested (areas where trees have > 30% cover) 1 structure: points = 0
If the unit has a Forested class, check if:
☒ The Forested class has 3 out of 5 strata (canopy, sub‐canopy, shrubs, herbaceous, moss/ground‐cover)
that each cover 20% within the Forested polygon
1
H 1.2. Hydroperiods
Check the types of water regimes (hydroperiods) present within the wetland. The water regime has to cover
more than 10% of the wetland or ¼ ac to count (see text for descriptions of hydroperiods).
☒ Permanently flooded or inundated 4 or more types present: points = 3
☒ Seasonally flooded or inundated 3 types present: points = 2
☐ Occasionally flooded or inundated 2 types present: points = 1
☒ Saturated only 1 type present: points = 0
☐ Permanently flowing stream or river in, or adjacent to, the wetland
☐ Seasonally flowing stream in, or adjacent to, the wetland
☐ Lake Fringe wetland 2 points
☐ Freshwater tidal wetland 2 points
2
H 1.3. Richness of plant species
Count the number of plant species in the wetland that cover at least 10 ft2.
Different patches of the same species can be combined to meet the size threshold and you do not have to name
the species. Do not include Eurasian milfoil, reed canarygrass, purple loosestrife, Canadian thistle
If you counted: ☒ > 19 species points = 2
☐ 5 ‐ 19 species points = 1
☐ < 5 species points = 0
2
H 1.4. Interspersion of habitats
Decide from the diagrams below whether interspersion among Cowardin plants classes (described in H 1.1), or
the classes and unvegetated areas (can include open water or mudflats) is high, moderate, low, or none. If you
have four or more plant classes or three classes and open water, the rating is always high.
☒ None = 0 points ☐ Low = 1 point ☐ Moderate = 2 points
All three diagrams in
this row are
☐ HIGH = 3points
0
Wetland name or number: Wetland A
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
8
H 1.5. Special habitat features:
Check the habitat features that are present in the wetland. The number of checks is the number of points.
☒ Large, downed, woody debris within the wetland (> 4 in diameter and 6 ft long).
☒ Standing snags (dbh > 4 in) within the wetland.
☒ Undercut banks are present for at least 6.6 ft (2 m) AND/OR overhanging plants extends at least 3.3 ft (1 m)
over a stream (or ditch) in, or contiguous with the wetland, for at least 33 ft (10 m).
☐ Stable steep banks of fine material that might be used by beaver or muskrat for denning (> 30 degree
slope) OR signs of recent beaver activity are present (cut shrubs or trees that have not yet weathered
where wood is exposed).
☒ At least ¼ ac of thin‐stemmed persistent plants or woody branches are present in areas that are
permanently or seasonally inundated (structures for egg‐laying by amphibians).
☒ Invasive plants cover less than 25% of the wetland area in every stratum of plants (see H 1.1 for list of
strata).
5
Total for H 1 Add the points in the boxes above 10
Rating of Site Potential If score is: ☐15‐18 = H ☒7‐14 = M ☐0‐6 = L Record the rating on the first page
H 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the habitat functions of the site?
H 2.1. Accessible habitat (include only habitat that directly abuts wetland unit).
Calculate: % undisturbed habitat + [(%moderate and low intensity land uses)/2] = 1% + (0%/2) = 0.5%
If total accessible habitat is:
☐ > 1/3 (33.3%) of 1 km Polygon points = 3
☐ 20‐33% of 1 km Polygon points = 2
☐ 10‐19% of 1 km Polygon points = 1
☐ < 10% of 1 km Polygon points = 0
0
H 2.2. Undisturbed habitat in 1 km Polygon around the wetland.
Calculate: % undisturbed habitat + [(%moderate and low intensity land uses)/2 = 35% + (4%/2) = 37%
☐ Undisturbed habitat > 50% of Polygon points = 3
☐ Undisturbed habitat 10‐50% and in 1‐3 patches points = 2
☐ Undisturbed habitat 10‐50% and > 3 patches points = 1
☐ Undisturbed habitat < 10% of 1 km Polygon points = 0
2
H 2.3. Land use intensity in 1 km Polygon: If
☒ > 50% of 1 km Polygon is high intensity land use points = (‐ 2)
☐ ≤ 50% of 1 km Polygon is high intensity points =0
‐2
Total for H 2 Add the points in the boxes above 0
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: ☐4‐6 = H ☐1‐3 = M ☒< 1 = L Record the rating on the first page
H 3.0. Is the habitat provided by the site valuable to society?
H 3.1. Does the site provide habitat for species valued in laws, regulations, or policies? Choose only the highest score
that applies to the wetland being rated.
Site meets ANY of the following criteria: points = 2
☒ It has 3 or more priority habitats within 100 m (see next page)
☐ It provides habitat for Threatened or Endangered species (any plant or animal on the state or federal lists)
☐ It is mapped as a location for an individual WDFW priority species
☐ It is a Wetland of High Conservation Value as determined by the Department of Natural Resources
☐ It has been categorized as an important habitat site in a local or regional comprehensive plan,
in a Shoreline Master Plan, or in a watershed plan
☐ Site has 1 or 2 priority habitats (listed on next page) within 100 m points = 1
☐ Site does not meet any of the criteria above points = 0
2
Rating of Value If score is: ☒2 = H ☐1 = M ☐0 = L Record the rating on the first page
Wetland name or number: Wetland A
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
9
WDFW Priority Habitats
Priority habitats listed by WDFW (see complete descriptions of WDFW priority habitats, and the counties in which they can
be found, in: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2008. Priority Habitat and Species List. Olympia, Washington.
177 pp. http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00165/wdfw00165.pdf or access the list from here:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/phs/list/)
Count how many of the following priority habitats are within 330 ft (100 m) of the wetland unit: NOTE: This question is
independent of the land use between the wetland unit and the priority habitat.
☐ Aspen Stands: Pure or mixed stands of aspen greater than 1 ac (0.4 ha).
☐ Biodiversity Areas and Corridors: Areas of habitat that are relatively important to various species of native fish
and wildlife (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report).
☐ Herbaceous Balds: Variable size patches of grass and forbs on shallow soils over bedrock.
☐ Old‐growth/Mature forests: Old‐growth west of Cascade crest – Stands of at least 2 tree species, forming a
multi‐ layered canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac (20 trees/ha ) > 32 in (81 cm) dbh
or > 200 years of age. Mature forests – Stands with average diameters exceeding 21 in (53 cm) dbh; crown cover
may be less than 100%; decay, decadence, numbers of snags, and quantity of large downed material is generally
less than that found in old‐growth; 80‐200 years old west of the Cascade crest.
☐ Oregon White Oak: Woodland stands of pure oak or oak/conifer associations where canopy coverage of the
oak component is important (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 158 – see web link above).
☒ Riparian: The area adjacent to aquatic systems with flowing water that contains elements of both aquatic
and terrestrial ecosystems which mutually influence each other.
☐ Westside Prairies: Herbaceous, non‐forested plant communities that can either take the form of a dry prairie or a
wet prairie (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 161 – see web link above).
☒ Instream: The combination of physical, biological, and chemical processes and conditions that interact to
provide functional life history requirements for instream fish and wildlife resources.
☐ Nearshore: Relatively undisturbed nearshore habitats. These include Coastal Nearshore, Open Coast Nearshore,
and Puget Sound Nearshore. (full descriptions of habitats and the definition of relatively undisturbed are in WDFW
report – see web link on previous page).
☐ Caves: A naturally occurring cavity, recess, void, or system of interconnected passages under the earth in soils,
rock, ice, or other geological formations and is large enough to contain a human.
☐ Cliffs: Greater than 25 ft (7.6 m) high and occurring below 5000 ft elevation.
☐ Talus: Homogenous areas of rock rubble ranging in average size 0.5 ‐ 6.5 ft (0.15 ‐ 2.0 m), composed of basalt,
andesite, and/or sedimentary rock, including riprap slides and mine tailings. May be associated with cliffs.
☒ Snags and Logs: Trees are considered snags if they are dead or dying and exhibit sufficient decay characteristics to
enable cavity excavation/use by wildlife. Priority snags have a diameter at breast height of > 20 in (51 cm) in western
Washington and are > 6.5 ft (2 m) in height. Priority logs are > 12 in (30 cm) in diameter at the largest end, and > 20 ft
(6 m) long.
Note: All vegetated wetlands are by definition a priority habitat but are not included in this list because they are addressed
elsewhere.
Wetland name or number: Wetland A
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
10
CATEGORIZATION BASED ON SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
Wetland Type
Check off any criteria that apply to the wetland. Circle the category when the appropriate criteria are met.
Category
SC 1.0. Estuarine wetlands
Does the wetland meet the following criteria for Estuarine wetlands?
☐ The dominant water regime is tidal,
☐ Vegetated, and
☐ With a salinity greater than 0.5 ppt ☐Yes –Go to SC 1.1 ☒No=Not an estuarine wetland
SC 1.1. Is the wetland within a National Wildlife Refuge, National Park, National Estuary Reserve, Natural Area
Preserve, State Park or Educational, Environmental, or Scientific Reserve designated under WAC 332‐30‐151?
☐Yes = Category I ☐No ‐ Go to SC 1.2
Cat. I
SC 1.2. Is the wetland unit at least 1 ac in size and meets at least two of the following three conditions?
☐ The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing, and has
less than 10% cover of non‐native plant species. (If non‐native species are Spartina, see page 25)
☐ At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un‐grazed or
un‐ mowed grassland.
☐ The wetland has at least two of the following features: tidal channels, depressions with open water,
or contiguous freshwater wetlands. ☐Yes = Category I ☐No= Category II
Cat. I
Cat. II
SC 2.0. Wetlands of High Conservation Value (WHCV)
SC 2.1. Has the WA Department of Natural Resources updated their website to include the list of Wetlands of High
Conservation Value? ☒Yes – Go to SC 2.2 ☐No – Go to SC 2.3
SC 2.2. Is the wetland listed on the WDNR database as a Wetland of High Conservation Value?
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/NHPwetlandviewer ☐Yes = Category I ☒No = Not a WHCV
SC 2.3. Is the wetland in a Section/Township/Range that contains a Natural Heritage wetland?
http://file.dnr.wa.gov/publications/amp_nh_wetlands_trs.pdf
☐Yes – Contact WNHP/WDNR and go to SC 2.4 ☐No = Not a WHCV
SC 2.4. Has WDNR identified the wetland within the S/T/R as a Wetland of High Conservation Value and listed it on
their website? ☐Yes = Category I ☐No = Not a WHCV
Cat. I
SC 3.0. Bogs
Does the wetland (or any part of the unit) meet both the criteria for soils and vegetation in bogs? Use the key
below. If you answer YES you will still need to rate the wetland based on its functions.
SC 3.1. Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soil horizons, either peats or mucks, that compose 16 in or
more of the first 32 in of the soil profile? ☐Yes – Go to SC 3.3 ☒No – Go to SC 3.2
SC 3.2. Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soils, either peats or mucks, that are less than 16 in deep
over bedrock, or an impermeable hardpan such as clay or volcanic ash, or that are floating on top of a lake or
pond? ☐Yes – Go to SC 3.3 ☒No = Is not a bog
SC 3.3. Does an area with peats or mucks have more than 70% cover of mosses at ground level, AND at least a 30%
cover of plant species listed in Table 4? ☐Yes = Is a Category I bog ☐No – Go to SC 3.4
NOTE: If you are uncertain about the extent of mosses in the understory, you may substitute that criterion by
measuring the pH of the water that seeps into a hole dug at least 16 in deep. If the pH is less than 5.0 and the
plant species in Table 4 are present, the wetland is a bog.
SC 3.4. Is an area with peats or mucks forested (> 30% cover) with Sitka spruce, subalpine fir, western red cedar,
western hemlock, lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, Engelmann spruce, or western white pine, AND any of the
species (or combination of species) listed in Table 4 provide more than 30% of the cover under the canopy?
☐Yes =Is a Category I bog ☐No = Is not a
Cat. I
Wetland name or number: Wetland A
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
11
SC 4.0. Forested Wetlands
Does the wetland have at least 1 contiguous acre of forest that meets one of these criteria for the WA
Department of Fish and Wildlife’s forests as priority habitats? If you answer YES you will still need to rate
the wetland based on its functions.
☐ Old‐growth forests (west of Cascade crest): Stands of at least two tree species, forming a multi‐layered
canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac (20 trees/ha) that are at least 200 years of
age OR have a diameter at breast height (dbh) of 32 in (81 cm) or more.
☐ Mature forests (west of the Cascade Crest): Stands where the largest trees are 80‐ 200 years old OR
the species that make up the canopy have an average diameter (dbh) exceeding 21 in (53 cm).
☐Yes = Category I ☒No = Not a forested wetland for this section
Cat. I
SC 5.0. Wetlands in Coastal Lagoons
Does the wetland meet all of the following criteria of a wetland in a coastal lagoon?
☐ The wetland lies in a depression adjacent to marine waters that is wholly or partially separated
from marine waters by sandbanks, gravel banks, shingle, or, less frequently, rocks
☐ The lagoon in which the wetland is located contains ponded water that is saline or brackish (> 0.5
ppt) during most of the year in at least a portion of the lagoon (needs to be measured near the
bottom)
☐Yes – Go to SC 5.1 ☒No = Not a wetland in a coastal lagoon
SC 5.1. Does the wetland meet all of the following three conditions?
☐ The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing), and has
less than 20% cover of aggressive, opportunistic plant species (see list of species on p. 100).
☐ At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un‐grazed or
un‐ mowed grassland.
☐ The wetland is larger than 1/10 ac (4350 ft2)
☐Yes = Category I ☐No = Category II
Cat. I
Cat. II
SC 6.0. Interdunal Wetlands
Is the wetland west of the 1889 line (also called the Western Boundary of Upland Ownership or WBUO)? If
you answer yes you will still need to rate the wetland based on its habitat functions.
In practical terms that means the following geographic areas:
☐ Long Beach Peninsula: Lands west of SR 103
☐ Grayland‐Westport: Lands west of SR 105
☐ Ocean Shores‐Copalis: Lands west of SR 115 and SR 109
☐Yes – Go to SC 6.1 ☒No = not an interdunal wetland for rating
SC 6.1. Is the wetland 1 ac or larger and scores an 8 or 9 for the habitat functions on the form (rates H,H,H or H,H,M
for the three aspects of function)? ☐Yes = Category I ☐No – Go to SC 6.2
SC 6.2. Is the wetland 1 ac or larger, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is 1 ac or larger?
☐Yes = Category II ☐No – Go to SC 6.3
SC 6.3. Is the unit between 0.1 and 1 ac, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is between 0.1 and 1 ac?
☐Yes = Category III ☐No = Category IV
Cat I
Cat. II
Cat. III
Cat. IV
Category of wetland based on Special Characteristics
If you answered No for all types, enter “Not Applicable” on Summary Form N/A
Wetland Rating System forWestern WA: 2014Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
1
Wetland name or number: Wetland B
RATING SUMMARY – Western Washington
Name of wetland (or ID #): Wetland B Date of site visit: August 21, 2018
Rated by: Sam Payne, Logan Dougherty Trained by Ecology? ☒Y ☐N Date of training: June 2017
HGM Class used for rating: Depressional Wetland has multiple HGM classes? ☐Y ☒N
NOTE: Form is not complete without the figures requested (figures can be combined).
Source of base aerial photo/map: King County iMap, Bing Maps
OVERALL WETLAND CATEGORY (based on functions ☒ or special characteristics ☐)
1. Category of wetland based on FUNCTIONS
☐ Category I – Total score = 23 ‐ 27
☐ Category II – Total score = 20 ‐ 22
☒ Category III – Total score = 16 ‐ 19
☐ Category IV – Total score = 9 ‐ 15
FUNCTION Improving
Water Quality
Hydrologic Habitat
Circle the appropriate ratings
Site Potential H M L H M L H M L
Landscape Potential H M L H M L H M L
Value H M L H M L H M L TOTAL
Score Based
on Ratings 7 5 4 16
2. Category based on SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS of wetland
CHARACTERISTIC CATEGORY
Estuarine I II
Wetland of High Conservation Value I
Bog I
Mature Forest I
Old Growth Forest I
Coastal Lagoon I II
Interdunal I II III IV
None of the above ☒
Score for each
function based
on three
ratings
(order of ratings
is not
important)
9 = H,H,H
8 = H,H,M
7 = H,H,L
7 = H,M,M
6 = H,M,L
6 = M,M,M
5 = H,L,L
5 = M,M,L
4 = M,L,L
3 = L,L,L
Wetland Rating System forWestern WA: 2014Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
2
Wetland name or number: Wetland B
Maps and figures required to answer questions correctly for
Western Washington
Depressional Wetlands
Map of: To answer questions:Figure #
Cowardin plant classes D 1.3, H 1.1, H 1.4 1
Hydroperiods D 1.4, H 1.2 2
Location of outlet (can be added to map of hydroperiods)D 1.1, D 4.1 2
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure)D 2.2, D 5.2 2
Map of the contributing basin D 4.3, D 5.3 4
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge ‐including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3 6
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website)D 3.1, D 3.2 7
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web)D 3.3 8
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
3
Wetland name or number: Wetland B
HGM Classification of Wetlands in Western Washington
1. Are the water levels in the entire unit usually controlled by tides except during floods?
☒NO – go to 2 ☐YES – the wetland class is Tidal Fringe – go to 1.1
1.1 Is the salinity of the water during periods of annual low flow below 0.5 ppt (parts per thousand)?
NO – Saltwater Tidal Fringe (Estuarine) YES – Freshwater Tidal Fringe
If your wetland can be classified as a Freshwater Tidal Fringe use the forms for Riverine wetlands. If it
is Saltwater Tidal Fringe it is an Estuarine wetland and is not scored. This method cannot be used to
score functions for estuarine wetlands.
2. The entire wetland unit is flat and precipitation is the only source (>90%) of water to it. Groundwater
and surface water runoff are NOT sources of water to the unit.
☒NO – go to 3 ☐YES – The wetland class is Flats
If your wetland can be classified as a Flats wetland, use the form for Depressional wetlands.
3. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
☐The vegetated part of the wetland is on the shores of a body of permanent open water (without any
plants on the surface at any time of the year) at least 20 ac (8 ha) in size;
☐At least 30% of the open water area is deeper than 6.6 ft (2 m).
☒NO – go to 4 ☐YES – The wetland class is Lake Fringe (Lacustrine Fringe)
4. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
☐The wetland is on a slope (slope can be very gradual),
☐The water flows through the wetland in one direction (unidirectional) and usually comes from
seeps. It may flow subsurface, as sheetflow, or in a swale without distinct banks,
☐The water leaves the wetland without being impounded.
☒NO – go to 5 ☐YES – The wetland class is Slope
NOTE: Surface water does not pond in these type of wetlands except occasionally in very small and
shallow depressions or behind hummocks (depressions are usually <3 ft diameter and less than 1 ft
deep).
5. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
☐The unit is in a valley, or stream channel, where it gets inundated by overbank flooding from that
stream or river,
☐The overbank flooding occurs at least once every 2 years.
For questions 1‐7, the criteria described must apply to the entire unit being rated.
If the hydrologic criteria listed in each question do not apply to the entire unit being rated, you
probably have a unit with multiple HGM classes. In this case, identify which hydrologic criteria in
questions 1‐7 apply, and go to Question 8.
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
4
Wetland name or number: Wetland B
☒NO – go to 6 ☐YES – The wetland class is Riverine
NOTE: The Riverine unit can contain depressions that are filled with water when the river is not
flooding
6. Is the entire wetland unit in a topographic depression in which water ponds, or is saturated to the
surface, at some time during the year? This means that any outlet, if present, is higher than the interior
of the wetland.
☐NO – go to 7 ☒YES – The wetland class is Depressional
7. Is the entire wetland unit located in a very flat area with no obvious depression and no overbank
flooding? The unit does not pond surface water more than a few inches. The unit seems to be
maintained by high groundwater in the area. The wetland may be ditched, but has no obvious natural
outlet.
☐NO – go to 8 ☐YES – The wetland class is Depressional
8. Your wetland unit seems to be difficult to classify and probably contains several different HGM
classes. For example, seeps at the base of a slope may grade into a riverine floodplain, or a small
stream within a Depressional wetland has a zone of flooding along its sides. GO BACK AND IDENTIFY
WHICH OF THE HYDROLOGIC REGIMES DESCRIBED IN QUESTIONS 1‐7 APPLY TO DIFFERENT
AREAS IN THE UNIT (make a rough sketch to help you decide). Use the following table to identify the
appropriate class to use for the rating system if you have several HGM classes present within the
wetland unit being scored.
NOTE: Use this table only if the class that is recommended in the second column represents 10% or
more of the total area of the wetland unit being rated. If the area of the HGM class listed in column 2
is less than 10% of the unit; classify the wetland using the class that represents more than 90% of the
total area.
HGM classes within the wetland unit
being rated
HGM class to
use in rating
Slope + Riverine Riverine
Slope + Depressional Depressional
Slope + Lake Fringe Lake Fringe
Depressional + Riverine along stream
within boundary of depression
Depressional
Depressional + Lake Fringe Depressional
Riverine + Lake Fringe Riverine
Salt Water Tidal Fringe and any other
class of freshwater wetland
Treat as
ESTUARINE
If you are still unable to determine which of the above criteria apply to your wetland, or if you have
more than 2 HGM classes within a wetland boundary, classify the wetland as Depressional for the
rating.
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
5
Wetland name or number: Wetland B
DEPRESSIONAL AND FLATS WETLANDS
Water Quality Functions ‐ Indicators that the site functions to improve water quality
D 1.0. Does the site have the potential to improve water quality?
D 1.1. Characteristics of surface water outflows from the wetland:
☐ Wetland is a depression or flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key) with no surface water leaving it (no outlet).
points = 3
☒ Wetland has an intermittently flowing stream or ditch, OR highly constricted permanently flowing outlet.
points = 2
☐ Wetland has an unconstricted, or slightly constricted, surface outlet that is permanently flowing. points = 1
☐ Wetland is a flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key), whose outlet is a permanently flowing ditch. points = 1
2
D 1.2. The soil 2 in below the surface (or duff layer) is true clay or true organic (use NRCS definitions).☐Yes = 4 ☒No = 0 0
D 1.3. Characteristics and distribution of persistent plants (Emergent, Scrub‐shrub, and/or Forested Cowardin classes):
☒ Wetland has persistent, ungrazed, plants > 95% of area points = 5
☐ Wetland has persistent, ungrazed, plants > 1/2 of area points = 3
☐ Wetland has persistent, ungrazed plants > 1/10 of area points = 1
☐ Wetland has persistent, ungrazed plants < 1/10 of area points = 0
5
D 1.4. Characteristics of seasonal ponding or inundation:
This is the area that is ponded for at least 2 months. See description in manual.
☐ Area seasonally ponded is > ½ total area of wetland points = 4
☐ Area seasonally ponded is > ¼ total area of wetland points = 2
☒ Area seasonally ponded is < ¼ total area of wetland points = 0
0
Total for D 1 Add the points in the boxes above 7
Rating of Site Potential If score is: ☐12‐16 = H ☒6‐11 = M ☐0‐5 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the water quality function of the site?
D 2.1. Does the wetland unit receive stormwater discharges? ☐Yes = 1 ☒No = 0 0
D 2.2. Is > 10% of the area within 150 ft of the wetland in land uses that generate pollutants? ☒Yes = 1 ☐No = 0 1
D 2.3. Are there septic systems within 250 ft of the wetland? ☒Yes = 1 ☐No = 0 1
D 2.4. Are there other sources of pollutants coming into the wetland that are not listed in
questions D 2.1‐D 2.3? Source: Click here to enter text.☐Yes = 1 ☒No =0
Total for D 2 Add the points in the boxes above 2
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: ☐3 or 4 = H ☒1 or 2 = M ☐0 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 3.0. Is the water quality improvement provided by the site valuable to society?
D 3.1. Does the wetland discharge directly (i.e., within 1 mi) to a stream, river, lake, or marine
water that is on the 303(d) list? ☐Yes = 1 ☒No = 0 0
D 3.2. Is the wetland in a basin or sub‐basin where an aquatic resource is on the 303(d) list? ☒Yes = 1 ☐No = 0 1
D 3.3. Has the site been identified in a watershed or local plan as important for maintaining water quality
(answer YES if there is a TMDL for the basin in which the unit is found)? ☒Yes = 2 ☐No = 0 2
Total for D 3 Add the points in the boxes above 3
Rating of Value If score is: ☒2‐4 = H ☐1 = M ☐0 = L Record the rating on the first page
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
6
Wetland name or number: Wetland B
DEPRESSIONAL AND FLATS WETLANDS
Hydrologic Functions ‐ Indicators that the site functions to reduce flooding and stream degradation
D 4.0. Does the site have the potential to reduce flooding and erosion?
D 4.1. Characteristics of surface water outflows from the wetland:
☐ Wetland is a depression or flat depression with no surface water leaving it (no outlet). points = 4
☒ Wetland has an intermittently flowing stream or ditch, OR highly constricted permanently
flowing outlet. points = 2
☐ Wetland is a flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key), whose outlet is a permanently flowing ditch. points = 1
☐ Wetland has an unconstricted, or slightly constricted, surface outlet that is permanently flowing. points = 0
2
D 4.2. Depth of storage during wet periods: Estimate the height of ponding above the bottom of the outlet. For wetlands
with no outlet, measure from the surface of permanent water or if dry, the deepest part.
☐ Marks of ponding are 3 ft or more above the surface or bottom of outlet. points = 7
☐ Marks of ponding between 2 ft to < 3 ft from surface or bottom of outlet. points = 5
☐ Marks are at least 0.5 ft to < 2 ft from surface or bottom of outlet. points = 3
☐ The wetland is a “headwater” wetland. points = 3
☐ Wetland is flat but has small depressions on the surface that trap water. points = 1
☒ Marks of ponding less than 0.5 ft (6 in). points = 0
0
D 4.3. Contribution of the wetland to storage in the watershed: Estimate the ratio of the area of upstream basin
contributing surface water to the wetland to the area of the wetland unit itself.
☐ The area of the basin is less than 10 times the area of the unit. points = 5
☒ The area of the basin is 10 to 100 times the area of the unit. points = 3
☐ The area of the basin is more than 100 times the area of the unit. points = 0
☐ Entire wetland is in the Flats class. points = 5
3
Total for D 4 Add the points in the boxes above 5
Rating of Site Potential If score is: ☐12‐16 = H ☐6‐11 = M ☒0‐5 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 5.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support hydrologic functions of the site?
D 5.1. Does the wetland receive stormwater discharges? ☐Yes = 1 ☒No = 0 0
D 5.2. Is >10% of the area within 150 ft of the wetland in land uses that generate excess runoff? ☒Yes = 1 ☐No = 0 1
D 5.3. Is more than 25% of the contributing basin of the wetland covered with intensive human land uses (residential at
>1 residence/ac, urban, commercial, agriculture,etc.)?☒Yes = 1 ☐No =0 1
Total for D 5 Add the points in the boxes above 2
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: ☐3 = H ☒1 or 2 = M ☐0 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 6.0. Are the hydrologic functions provided by the site valuable to society?
D 6.1. The unit is in a landscape that has flooding problems. Choose the description that best matches conditions around
the wetland unit being rated. Do not add points. Choose the highest score if more than one condition is met.
The wetland captures surface water that would otherwise flow down‐gradient into areas where flooding has
damaged human or natural resources (e.g., houses or salmon redds):
☐ Flooding occurs in a sub‐basin that is immediately down‐gradient of unit. points = 2
☒ Surface flooding problems are in a sub‐basin farther down‐gradient. points = 1
☐ Flooding from groundwater is an issue in the sub‐basin. points = 1
☐ The existing or potential outflow from the wetland is so constrained by human or natural conditions that
the water stored by the wetland cannot reach areas that flood.
Explain why: …. points = 0
☐There are no problems with flooding downstream of the wetland. points = 0
1
D 6.2. Has the site been identified as important for flood storage or flood conveyance in a regional flood control plan?
☐Yes = 2 ☒No =0 0
Total for D 6 Add the points in the boxes above 1
Rating of Value If score is: ☐2‐4 = H ☒1 = M ☐0 = L Record the rating on the first page
Wetland name or number: Wetland B
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
7
These questions apply to wetlands of all HGM classes.
HABITAT FUNCTIONS ‐ Indicators that site functions to provide important habitat
H 1.0. Does the site have the potential to provide habitat?
H 1.1. Structure of plant community: Indicators are Cowardin classes and strata within the Forested class. Check the
Cowardin plant classes in the wetland. Up to 10 patches may be combined for each class to meet the threshold
of ¼ ac or more than 10% of the unit if it is smaller than 2.5 ac. Add the number of structures checked.
☐ Aquatic bed 4 structures or more: points = 4
☐ Emergent 3 structures: points = 2
☐ Scrub‐shrub (areas where shrubs have > 30% cover) 2 structures: points = 1
☒ Forested (areas where trees have > 30% cover) 1 structure: points = 0
If the unit has a Forested class, check if:
☒ The Forested class has 3 out of 5 strata (canopy, sub‐canopy, shrubs, herbaceous, moss/ground‐cover)
that each cover 20% within the Forested polygon
1
H 1.2. Hydroperiods
Check the types of water regimes (hydroperiods) present within the wetland. The water regime has to cover
more than 10% of the wetland or ¼ ac to count (see text for descriptions of hydroperiods).
☐ Permanently flooded or inundated 4 or more types present: points = 3
☐ Seasonally flooded or inundated 3 types present: points = 2
☒ Occasionally flooded or inundated 2 types present: points = 1
☒ Saturated only 1 type present: points = 0
☐ Permanently flowing stream or river in, or adjacent to, the wetland
☐ Seasonally flowing stream in, or adjacent to, the wetland
☐ Lake Fringe wetland 2 points
☐ Freshwater tidal wetland 2 points
1
H 1.3. Richness of plant species
Count the number of plant species in the wetland that cover at least 10 ft2.
Different patches of the same species can be combined to meet the size threshold and you do not have to name
the species. Do not include Eurasian milfoil, reed canarygrass, purple loosestrife, Canadian thistle
If you counted: ☒ > 19 species points = 2
☐ 5 ‐ 19 species points = 1
☐ < 5 species points = 0
2
H 1.4. Interspersion of habitats
Decide from the diagrams below whether interspersion among Cowardin plants classes (described in H 1.1), or
the classes and unvegetated areas (can include open water or mudflats) is high, moderate, low, or none. If you
have four or more plant classes or three classes and open water, the rating is always high.
☒ None = 0 points ☐ Low = 1 point ☐ Moderate = 2 points
All three diagrams in
this row are
☐ HIGH = 3points
0
Wetland name or number: Wetland B
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
8
H 1.5. Special habitat features:
Check the habitat features that are present in the wetland. The number of checks is the number of points.
☒ Large, downed, woody debris within the wetland (> 4 in diameter and 6 ft long).
☐ Standing snags (dbh > 4 in) within the wetland.
☐ Undercut banks are present for at least 6.6 ft (2 m) AND/OR overhanging plants extends at least 3.3 ft (1 m)
over a stream (or ditch) in, or contiguous with the wetland, for at least 33 ft (10 m).
☐ Stable steep banks of fine material that might be used by beaver or muskrat for denning (> 30 degree
slope) OR signs of recent beaver activity are present (cut shrubs or trees that have not yet weathered
where wood is exposed).
☐ At least ¼ ac of thin‐stemmed persistent plants or woody branches are present in areas that are
permanently or seasonally inundated (structures for egg‐laying by amphibians).
☐ Invasive plants cover less than 25% of the wetland area in every stratum of plants (see H 1.1 for list of
strata).
1
Total for H 1 Add the points in the boxes above 5
Rating of Site Potential If score is: ☐15‐18 = H ☐7‐14 = M ☒0‐6 = L Record the rating on the first page
H 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the habitat functions of the site?
H 2.1. Accessible habitat (include only habitat that directly abuts wetland unit).
Calculate: % undisturbed habitat + [(%moderate and low intensity land uses)/2] = 3% + (0%/2) = 1.5%
If total accessible habitat is:
☐ > 1/3 (33.3%) of 1 km Polygon points = 3
☐ 20‐33% of 1 km Polygon points = 2
☐ 10‐19% of 1 km Polygon points = 1
☒ < 10% of 1 km Polygon points = 0
0
H 2.2. Undisturbed habitat in 1 km Polygon around the wetland.
Calculate: % undisturbed habitat + [(%moderate and low intensity land uses)/2 = 35% + (4%/2) = 37%
☐ Undisturbed habitat > 50% of Polygon points = 3
☒ Undisturbed habitat 10‐50% and in 1‐3 patches points = 2
☐ Undisturbed habitat 10‐50% and > 3 patches points = 1
☐ Undisturbed habitat < 10% of 1 km Polygon points = 0
2
H 2.3. Land use intensity in 1 km Polygon: If
☒ > 50% of 1 km Polygon is high intensity land use points = (‐ 2)
☐ ≤ 50% of 1 km Polygon is high intensity points =0
‐2
Total for H 2 Add the points in the boxes above 0
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: ☐4‐6 = H ☐1‐3 = M ☒< 1 = L Record the rating on the first page
H 3.0. Is the habitat provided by the site valuable to society?
H 3.1. Does the site provide habitat for species valued in laws, regulations, or policies? Choose only the highest score
that applies to the wetland being rated.
Site meets ANY of the following criteria: points = 2
☐ It has 3 or more priority habitats within 100 m (see next page)
☐ It provides habitat for Threatened or Endangered species (any plant or animal on the state or federal lists)
☐ It is mapped as a location for an individual WDFW priority species
☐ It is a Wetland of High Conservation Value as determined by the Department of Natural Resources
☐ It has been categorized as an important habitat site in a local or regional comprehensive plan,
in a Shoreline Master Plan, or in a watershed plan
☒ Site has 1 or 2 priority habitats (listed on next page) within 100 m points = 1
☐ Site does not meet any of the criteria above points = 0
1
Rating of Value If score is: ☐2 = H ☒1 = M ☐0 = L Record the rating on the first page
Wetland name or number: Wetland B
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
9
WDFW Priority Habitats
Priority habitats listed by WDFW (see complete descriptions of WDFW priority habitats, and the counties in which they can
be found, in: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2008. Priority Habitat and Species List. Olympia, Washington.
177 pp. http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00165/wdfw00165.pdf or access the list from here:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/phs/list/)
Count how many of the following priority habitats are within 330 ft (100 m) of the wetland unit: NOTE: This question is
independent of the land use between the wetland unit and the priority habitat.
☐ Aspen Stands: Pure or mixed stands of aspen greater than 1 ac (0.4 ha).
☐ Biodiversity Areas and Corridors: Areas of habitat that are relatively important to various species of native fish
and wildlife (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report).
☐ Herbaceous Balds: Variable size patches of grass and forbs on shallow soils over bedrock.
☐ Old‐growth/Mature forests: Old‐growth west of Cascade crest – Stands of at least 2 tree species, forming a
multi‐ layered canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac (20 trees/ha ) > 32 in (81 cm) dbh
or > 200 years of age. Mature forests – Stands with average diameters exceeding 21 in (53 cm) dbh; crown cover
may be less than 100%; decay, decadence, numbers of snags, and quantity of large downed material is generally
less than that found in old‐growth; 80‐200 years old west of the Cascade crest.
☐ Oregon White Oak: Woodland stands of pure oak or oak/conifer associations where canopy coverage of the
oak component is important (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 158 – see web link above).
☐ Riparian: The area adjacent to aquatic systems with flowing water that contains elements of both aquatic
and terrestrial ecosystems which mutually influence each other.
☐ Westside Prairies: Herbaceous, non‐forested plant communities that can either take the form of a dry prairie or a
wet prairie (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 161 – see web link above).
☐ Instream: The combination of physical, biological, and chemical processes and conditions that interact to
provide functional life history requirements for instream fish and wildlife resources.
☐ Nearshore: Relatively undisturbed nearshore habitats. These include Coastal Nearshore, Open Coast Nearshore,
and Puget Sound Nearshore. (full descriptions of habitats and the definition of relatively undisturbed are in WDFW
report – see web link on previous page).
☐ Caves: A naturally occurring cavity, recess, void, or system of interconnected passages under the earth in soils,
rock, ice, or other geological formations and is large enough to contain a human.
☐ Cliffs: Greater than 25 ft (7.6 m) high and occurring below 5000 ft elevation.
☐ Talus: Homogenous areas of rock rubble ranging in average size 0.5 ‐ 6.5 ft (0.15 ‐ 2.0 m), composed of basalt,
andesite, and/or sedimentary rock, including riprap slides and mine tailings. May be associated with cliffs.
☒ Snags and Logs: Trees are considered snags if they are dead or dying and exhibit sufficient decay characteristics to
enable cavity excavation/use by wildlife. Priority snags have a diameter at breast height of > 20 in (51 cm) in western
Washington and are > 6.5 ft (2 m) in height. Priority logs are > 12 in (30 cm) in diameter at the largest end, and > 20 ft
(6 m) long.
Note: All vegetated wetlands are by definition a priority habitat but are not included in this list because they are addressed
elsewhere.
Wetland name or number: Wetland B
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
10
CATEGORIZATION BASED ON SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
Wetland Type
Check off any criteria that apply to the wetland. Circle the category when the appropriate criteria are met.
Category
SC 1.0. Estuarine wetlands
Does the wetland meet the following criteria for Estuarine wetlands?
☐ The dominant water regime is tidal,
☐ Vegetated, and
☐ With a salinity greater than 0.5 ppt ☐Yes –Go to SC 1.1 ☒No=Not an estuarine wetland
SC 1.1. Is the wetland within a National Wildlife Refuge, National Park, National Estuary Reserve, Natural Area
Preserve, State Park or Educational, Environmental, or Scientific Reserve designated under WAC 332‐30‐151?
☐Yes = Category I ☐No ‐ Go to SC 1.2
Cat. I
SC 1.2. Is the wetland unit at least 1 ac in size and meets at least two of the following three conditions?
☐ The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing, and has
less than 10% cover of non‐native plant species. (If non‐native species are Spartina, see page 25)
☐ At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un‐grazed or
un‐ mowed grassland.
☐ The wetland has at least two of the following features: tidal channels, depressions with open water,
or contiguous freshwater wetlands. ☐Yes = Category I ☐No= Category II
Cat. I
Cat. II
SC 2.0. Wetlands of High Conservation Value (WHCV)
SC 2.1. Has the WA Department of Natural Resources updated their website to include the list of Wetlands of High
Conservation Value? ☒Yes – Go to SC 2.2 ☐No – Go to SC 2.3
SC 2.2. Is the wetland listed on the WDNR database as a Wetland of High Conservation Value?
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/NHPwetlandviewer ☐Yes = Category I ☒No = Not a WHCV
SC 2.3. Is the wetland in a Section/Township/Range that contains a Natural Heritage wetland?
http://file.dnr.wa.gov/publications/amp_nh_wetlands_trs.pdf
☐Yes – Contact WNHP/WDNR and go to SC 2.4 ☐No = Not a WHCV
SC 2.4. Has WDNR identified the wetland within the S/T/R as a Wetland of High Conservation Value and listed it on
their website? ☐Yes = Category I ☐No = Not a WHCV
Cat. I
SC 3.0. Bogs
Does the wetland (or any part of the unit) meet both the criteria for soils and vegetation in bogs? Use the key
below. If you answer YES you will still need to rate the wetland based on its functions.
SC 3.1. Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soil horizons, either peats or mucks, that compose 16 in or
more of the first 32 in of the soil profile? ☐Yes – Go to SC 3.3 ☒No – Go to SC 3.2
SC 3.2. Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soils, either peats or mucks, that are less than 16 in deep
over bedrock, or an impermeable hardpan such as clay or volcanic ash, or that are floating on top of a lake or
pond? ☐Yes – Go to SC 3.3 ☒No = Is not a bog
SC 3.3. Does an area with peats or mucks have more than 70% cover of mosses at ground level, AND at least a 30%
cover of plant species listed in Table 4? ☐Yes = Is a Category I bog ☐No – Go to SC 3.4
NOTE: If you are uncertain about the extent of mosses in the understory, you may substitute that criterion by
measuring the pH of the water that seeps into a hole dug at least 16 in deep. If the pH is less than 5.0 and the
plant species in Table 4 are present, the wetland is a bog.
SC 3.4. Is an area with peats or mucks forested (> 30% cover) with Sitka spruce, subalpine fir, western red cedar,
western hemlock, lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, Engelmann spruce, or western white pine, AND any of the
species (or combination of species) listed in Table 4 provide more than 30% of the cover under the canopy?
☐Yes =Is a Category I bog ☐No = Is not a
Cat. I
Wetland name or number: Wetland B
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
11
SC 4.0. Forested Wetlands
Does the wetland have at least 1 contiguous acre of forest that meets one of these criteria for the WA
Department of Fish and Wildlife’s forests as priority habitats? If you answer YES you will still need to rate
the wetland based on its functions.
☐ Old‐growth forests (west of Cascade crest): Stands of at least two tree species, forming a multi‐layered
canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac (20 trees/ha) that are at least 200 years of
age OR have a diameter at breast height (dbh) of 32 in (81 cm) or more.
☐ Mature forests (west of the Cascade Crest): Stands where the largest trees are 80‐ 200 years old OR
the species that make up the canopy have an average diameter (dbh) exceeding 21 in (53 cm).
☐Yes = Category I ☒No = Not a forested wetland for this section
Cat. I
SC 5.0. Wetlands in Coastal Lagoons
Does the wetland meet all of the following criteria of a wetland in a coastal lagoon?
☐ The wetland lies in a depression adjacent to marine waters that is wholly or partially separated
from marine waters by sandbanks, gravel banks, shingle, or, less frequently, rocks
☐ The lagoon in which the wetland is located contains ponded water that is saline or brackish (> 0.5
ppt) during most of the year in at least a portion of the lagoon (needs to be measured near the
bottom)
☐Yes – Go to SC 5.1 ☒No = Not a wetland in a coastal lagoon
SC 5.1. Does the wetland meet all of the following three conditions?
☐ The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing), and has
less than 20% cover of aggressive, opportunistic plant species (see list of species on p. 100).
☐ At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un‐grazed or
un‐ mowed grassland.
☐ The wetland is larger than 1/10 ac (4350 ft2)
☐Yes = Category I ☐No = Category II
Cat. I
Cat. II
SC 6.0. Interdunal Wetlands
Is the wetland west of the 1889 line (also called the Western Boundary of Upland Ownership or WBUO)? If
you answer yes you will still need to rate the wetland based on its habitat functions.
In practical terms that means the following geographic areas:
☐ Long Beach Peninsula: Lands west of SR 103
☐ Grayland‐Westport: Lands west of SR 105
☐ Ocean Shores‐Copalis: Lands west of SR 115 and SR 109
☐Yes – Go to SC 6.1 ☒No = not an interdunal wetland for rating
SC 6.1. Is the wetland 1 ac or larger and scores an 8 or 9 for the habitat functions on the form (rates H,H,H or H,H,M
for the three aspects of function)? ☐Yes = Category I ☐No – Go to SC 6.2
SC 6.2. Is the wetland 1 ac or larger, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is 1 ac or larger?
☐Yes = Category II ☐No – Go to SC 6.3
SC 6.3. Is the unit between 0.1 and 1 ac, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is between 0.1 and 1 ac?
☐Yes = Category III ☐No = Category IV
Cat I
Cat. II
Cat. III
Cat. IV
Category of wetland based on Special Characteristics
If you answered No for all types, enter “Not Applicable” on Summary Form N/A
Wetland Rating System forWestern WA: 2014Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
1
Wetland name or number: Wetland C
RATING SUMMARY – Western Washington
Name of wetland (or ID #): Wetland C Date of site visit: August 21, 2018
Rated by: Sam Payne, Logan Dougherty Trained by Ecology? ☒Y ☐N Date of training: June 2017
HGM Class used for rating: Depressional Wetland has multiple HGM classes? ☐Y ☒N
NOTE: Form is not complete without the figures requested (figures can be combined).
Source of base aerial photo/map: King County iMap, Bing Maps
OVERALL WETLAND CATEGORY (based on functions ☒ or special characteristics ☐)
1. Category of wetland based on FUNCTIONS
☐ Category I – Total score = 23 ‐ 27
☐ Category II – Total score = 20 ‐ 22
☒ Category III – Total score = 16 ‐ 19
☐ Category IV – Total score = 9 ‐ 15
FUNCTION Improving
Water Quality
Hydrologic Habitat
Circle the appropriate ratings
Site Potential H M L H M L H M L
Landscape Potential H M L H M L H M L
Value H M L H M L H M L TOTAL
Score Based
on Ratings 7 5 4 16
2. Category based on SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS of wetland
CHARACTERISTIC CATEGORY
Estuarine I II
Wetland of High Conservation Value I
Bog I
Mature Forest I
Old Growth Forest I
Coastal Lagoon I II
Interdunal I II III IV
None of the above ☒
Score for each
function based
on three
ratings
(order of ratings
is not
important)
9 = H,H,H
8 = H,H,M
7 = H,H,L
7 = H,M,M
6 = H,M,L
6 = M,M,M
5 = H,L,L
5 = M,M,L
4 = M,L,L
3 = L,L,L
Wetland Rating System forWestern WA: 2014Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
2
Wetland name or number: Wetland C
Maps and figures required to answer questions correctly for
Western Washington
Depressional Wetlands
Map of: To answer questions:Figure #
Cowardin plant classes D 1.3, H 1.1, H 1.4 1
Hydroperiods D 1.4, H 1.2 2
Location of outlet (can be added to map of hydroperiods)D 1.1, D 4.1 2
Boundary of area within 150 ft of the wetland (can be added to another figure)D 2.2, D 5.2 2
Map of the contributing basin D 4.3, D 5.3 5
1 km Polygon: Area that extends 1 km from entire wetland edge ‐including
polygons for accessible habitat and undisturbed habitat
H 2.1, H 2.2, H 2.3 6
Screen capture of map of 303(d) listed waters in basin (from Ecology website)D 3.1, D 3.2 7
Screen capture of list of TMDLs for WRIA in which unit is found (from web)D 3.3 8
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
3
Wetland name or number: Wetland
HGM Classification of Wetlands in Western Washington
1. Are the water levels in the entire unit usually controlled by tides except during floods?
☒NO – go to 2 ☐YES – the wetland class is Tidal Fringe – go to 1.1
1.1 Is the salinity of the water during periods of annual low flow below 0.5 ppt (parts per thousand)?
NO – Saltwater Tidal Fringe (Estuarine) YES – Freshwater Tidal Fringe
If your wetland can be classified as a Freshwater Tidal Fringe use the forms for Riverine wetlands. If it
is Saltwater Tidal Fringe it is an Estuarine wetland and is not scored. This method cannot be used to
score functions for estuarine wetlands.
2. The entire wetland unit is flat and precipitation is the only source (>90%) of water to it. Groundwater
and surface water runoff are NOT sources of water to the unit.
☒NO – go to 3 ☐YES – The wetland class is Flats
If your wetland can be classified as a Flats wetland, use the form for Depressional wetlands.
3. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
☐The vegetated part of the wetland is on the shores of a body of permanent open water (without any
plants on the surface at any time of the year) at least 20 ac (8 ha) in size;
☐At least 30% of the open water area is deeper than 6.6 ft (2 m).
☒NO – go to 4 ☐YES – The wetland class is Lake Fringe (Lacustrine Fringe)
4. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
☐The wetland is on a slope (slope can be very gradual),
☐The water flows through the wetland in one direction (unidirectional) and usually comes from
seeps. It may flow subsurface, as sheetflow, or in a swale without distinct banks,
☐The water leaves the wetland without being impounded.
☒NO – go to 5 ☐YES – The wetland class is Slope
NOTE: Surface water does not pond in these type of wetlands except occasionally in very small and
shallow depressions or behind hummocks (depressions are usually <3 ft diameter and less than 1 ft
deep).
5. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria?
☐The unit is in a valley, or stream channel, where it gets inundated by overbank flooding from that
stream or river,
☐The overbank flooding occurs at least once every 2 years.
For questions 1‐7, the criteria described must apply to the entire unit being rated.
If the hydrologic criteria listed in each question do not apply to the entire unit being rated, you
probably have a unit with multiple HGM classes. In this case, identify which hydrologic criteria in
questions 1‐7 apply, and go to Question 8.
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
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Wetland name or number: Wetland
☒NO – go to 6 ☐YES – The wetland class is Riverine
NOTE: The Riverine unit can contain depressions that are filled with water when the river is not
flooding
6. Is the entire wetland unit in a topographic depression in which water ponds, or is saturated to the
surface, at some time during the year? This means that any outlet, if present, is higher than the interior
of the wetland.
☐NO – go to 7 ☒YES – The wetland class is Depressional
7. Is the entire wetland unit located in a very flat area with no obvious depression and no overbank
flooding? The unit does not pond surface water more than a few inches. The unit seems to be
maintained by high groundwater in the area. The wetland may be ditched, but has no obvious natural
outlet.
☐NO – go to 8 ☐YES – The wetland class is Depressional
8. Your wetland unit seems to be difficult to classify and probably contains several different HGM
classes. For example, seeps at the base of a slope may grade into a riverine floodplain, or a small
stream within a Depressional wetland has a zone of flooding along its sides. GO BACK AND IDENTIFY
WHICH OF THE HYDROLOGIC REGIMES DESCRIBED IN QUESTIONS 1‐7 APPLY TO DIFFERENT
AREAS IN THE UNIT (make a rough sketch to help you decide). Use the following table to identify the
appropriate class to use for the rating system if you have several HGM classes present within the
wetland unit being scored.
NOTE: Use this table only if the class that is recommended in the second column represents 10% or
more of the total area of the wetland unit being rated. If the area of the HGM class listed in column 2
is less than 10% of the unit; classify the wetland using the class that represents more than 90% of the
total area.
HGM classes within the wetland unit
being rated
HGM class to
use in rating
Slope + Riverine Riverine
Slope + Depressional Depressional
Slope + Lake Fringe Lake Fringe
Depressional + Riverine along stream
within boundary of depression
Depressional
Depressional + Lake Fringe Depressional
Riverine + Lake Fringe Riverine
Salt Water Tidal Fringe and any other
class of freshwater wetland
Treat as
ESTUARINE
If you are still unable to determine which of the above criteria apply to your wetland, or if you have
more than 2 HGM classes within a wetland boundary, classify the wetland as Depressional for the
rating.
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
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Wetland name or number: Wetland
DEPRESSIONAL AND FLATS WETLANDS
Water Quality Functions ‐ Indicators that the site functions to improve water quality
D 1.0. Does the site have the potential to improve water quality?
D 1.1. Characteristics of surface water outflows from the wetland:
☐ Wetland is a depression or flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key) with no surface water leaving it (no outlet).
points = 3
☒ Wetland has an intermittently flowing stream or ditch, OR highly constricted permanently flowing outlet.
points = 2
☐ Wetland has an unconstricted, or slightly constricted, surface outlet that is permanently flowing. points = 1
☐ Wetland is a flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key), whose outlet is a permanently flowing ditch. points = 1
2
D 1.2. The soil 2 in below the surface (or duff layer) is true clay or true organic (use NRCS definitions).☐Yes = 4 ☒No = 0 0
D 1.3. Characteristics and distribution of persistent plants (Emergent, Scrub‐shrub, and/or Forested Cowardin classes):
☒ Wetland has persistent, ungrazed, plants > 95% of area points = 5
☐ Wetland has persistent, ungrazed, plants > 1/2 of area points = 3
☐ Wetland has persistent, ungrazed plants > 1/10 of area points = 1
☐ Wetland has persistent, ungrazed plants < 1/10 of area points = 0
5
D 1.4. Characteristics of seasonal ponding or inundation:
This is the area that is ponded for at least 2 months. See description in manual.
☐ Area seasonally ponded is > ½ total area of wetland points = 4
☐ Area seasonally ponded is > ¼ total area of wetland points = 2
☒ Area seasonally ponded is < ¼ total area of wetland points = 0
0
Total for D 1 Add the points in the boxes above 7
Rating of Site Potential If score is: ☐12‐16 = H ☒6‐11 = M ☐0‐5 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the water quality function of the site?
D 2.1. Does the wetland unit receive stormwater discharges? ☐Yes = 1 ☒No = 0 0
D 2.2. Is > 10% of the area within 150 ft of the wetland in land uses that generate pollutants? ☒Yes = 1 ☐No = 0 1
D 2.3. Are there septic systems within 250 ft of the wetland? ☒Yes = 1 ☐No = 0 1
D 2.4. Are there other sources of pollutants coming into the wetland that are not listed in
questions D 2.1‐D 2.3? Source: Click here to enter text.☐Yes = 1 ☒No =0 0
Total for D 2 Add the points in the boxes above 2
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: ☐3 or 4 = H ☒1 or 2 = M ☐0 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 3.0. Is the water quality improvement provided by the site valuable to society?
D 3.1. Does the wetland discharge directly (i.e., within 1 mi) to a stream, river, lake, or marine
water that is on the 303(d) list? ☐Yes = 1 ☒No = 0 0
D 3.2. Is the wetland in a basin or sub‐basin where an aquatic resource is on the 303(d) list? ☒Yes = 1 ☐No = 0 1
D 3.3. Has the site been identified in a watershed or local plan as important for maintaining water quality
(answer YES if there is a TMDL for the basin in which the unit is found)? ☒Yes = 2 ☐No = 0 2
Total for D 3 Add the points in the boxes above 3
Rating of Value If score is: ☒2‐4 = H ☐1 = M ☐0 = L Record the rating on the first page
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
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Wetland name or number: Wetland
DEPRESSIONAL AND FLATS WETLANDS
Hydrologic Functions ‐ Indicators that the site functions to reduce flooding and stream degradation
D 4.0. Does the site have the potential to reduce flooding and erosion?
D 4.1. Characteristics of surface water outflows from the wetland:
☐ Wetland is a depression or flat depression with no surface water leaving it (no outlet). points = 4
☒ Wetland has an intermittently flowing stream or ditch, OR highly constricted permanently
flowing outlet. points = 2
☐ Wetland is a flat depression (QUESTION 7 on key), whose outlet is a permanently flowing ditch. points = 1
☐ Wetland has an unconstricted, or slightly constricted, surface outlet that is permanently flowing. points = 0
2
D 4.2. Depth of storage during wet periods: Estimate the height of ponding above the bottom of the outlet. For wetlands
with no outlet, measure from the surface of permanent water or if dry, the deepest part.
☐ Marks of ponding are 3 ft or more above the surface or bottom of outlet. points = 7
☐ Marks of ponding between 2 ft to < 3 ft from surface or bottom of outlet. points = 5
☐ Marks are at least 0.5 ft to < 2 ft from surface or bottom of outlet. points = 3
☐ The wetland is a “headwater” wetland. points = 3
☐ Wetland is flat but has small depressions on the surface that trap water. points = 1
☒ Marks of ponding less than 0.5 ft (6 in). points = 0
0
D 4.3. Contribution of the wetland to storage in the watershed: Estimate the ratio of the area of upstream basin
contributing surface water to the wetland to the area of the wetland unit itself.
☐ The area of the basin is less than 10 times the area of the unit. points = 5
☒ The area of the basin is 10 to 100 times the area of the unit. points = 3
☐ The area of the basin is more than 100 times the area of the unit. points = 0
☐ Entire wetland is in the Flats class. points = 5
3
Total for D 4 Add the points in the boxes above 5
Rating of Site Potential If score is: ☐12‐16 = H ☐6‐11 = M ☒0‐5 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 5.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support hydrologic functions of the site?
D 5.1. Does the wetland receive stormwater discharges? ☐Yes = 1 ☒No = 0 0
D 5.2. Is >10% of the area within 150 ft of the wetland in land uses that generate excess runoff? ☒Yes = 1 ☐No = 0 1
D 5.3. Is more than 25% of the contributing basin of the wetland covered with intensive human land uses (residential at
>1 residence/ac, urban, commercial, agriculture,etc.)?☒Yes = 1 ☐No =0 1
Total for D 5 Add the points in the boxes above 2
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: ☐3 = H ☒1 or 2 = M ☐0 = L Record the rating on the first page
D 6.0. Are the hydrologic functions provided by the site valuable to society?
D 6.1. The unit is in a landscape that has flooding problems. Choose the description that best matches conditions around
the wetland unit being rated. Do not add points. Choose the highest score if more than one condition is met.
The wetland captures surface water that would otherwise flow down‐gradient into areas where flooding has
damaged human or natural resources (e.g., houses or salmon redds):
☐ Flooding occurs in a sub‐basin that is immediately down‐gradient of unit. points = 2
☒ Surface flooding problems are in a sub‐basin farther down‐gradient. points = 1
☐ Flooding from groundwater is an issue in the sub‐basin. points = 1
☐ The existing or potential outflow from the wetland is so constrained by human or natural conditions that
the water stored by the wetland cannot reach areas that flood.
Explain why: …. points = 0
☐There are no problems with flooding downstream of the wetland. points = 0
1
D 6.2. Has the site been identified as important for flood storage or flood conveyance in a regional flood control plan?
☐Yes = 2 ☒No =0 0
Total for D 6 Add the points in the boxes above 1
Rating of Value If score is: ☐2‐4 = H ☒1 = M ☐0 = L Record the rating on the first page
Wetland name or number: Wetland
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
7
These questions apply to wetlands of all HGM classes.
HABITAT FUNCTIONS ‐ Indicators that site functions to provide important habitat
H 1.0. Does the site have the potential to provide habitat?
H 1.1. Structure of plant community: Indicators are Cowardin classes and strata within the Forested class. Check the
Cowardin plant classes in the wetland. Up to 10 patches may be combined for each class to meet the threshold
of ¼ ac or more than 10% of the unit if it is smaller than 2.5 ac. Add the number of structures checked.
☐ Aquatic bed 4 structures or more: points = 4
☒ Emergent 3 structures: points = 2
☐ Scrub‐shrub (areas where shrubs have > 30% cover) 2 structures: points = 1
☐ Forested (areas where trees have > 30% cover) 1 structure: points = 0
If the unit has a Forested class, check if:
☐ The Forested class has 3 out of 5 strata (canopy, sub‐canopy, shrubs, herbaceous, moss/ground‐cover)
that each cover 20% within the Forested polygon
0
H 1.2. Hydroperiods
Check the types of water regimes (hydroperiods) present within the wetland. The water regime has to cover
more than 10% of the wetland or ¼ ac to count (see text for descriptions of hydroperiods).
☐ Permanently flooded or inundated 4 or more types present: points = 3
☐ Seasonally flooded or inundated 3 types present: points = 2
☐ Occasionally flooded or inundated 2 types present: points = 1
☒ Saturated only 1 type present: points = 0
☐ Permanently flowing stream or river in, or adjacent to, the wetland
☐ Seasonally flowing stream in, or adjacent to, the wetland
☐ Lake Fringe wetland 2 points
☐ Freshwater tidal wetland 2 points
0
H 1.3. Richness of plant species
Count the number of plant species in the wetland that cover at least 10 ft2.
Different patches of the same species can be combined to meet the size threshold and you do not have to name
the species. Do not include Eurasian milfoil, reed canarygrass, purple loosestrife, Canadian thistle
If you counted: ☐ > 19 species points = 2
☒ 5 ‐ 19 species points = 1
☐ < 5 species points = 0
1
H 1.4. Interspersion of habitats
Decide from the diagrams below whether interspersion among Cowardin plants classes (described in H 1.1), or
the classes and unvegetated areas (can include open water or mudflats) is high, moderate, low, or none. If you
have four or more plant classes or three classes and open water, the rating is always high.
☒ None = 0 points ☐ Low = 1 point ☐ Moderate = 2 points
All three diagrams in
this row are
☐ HIGH = 3points
0
Wetland name or number: Wetland
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
8
H 1.5. Special habitat features:
Check the habitat features that are present in the wetland. The number of checks is the number of points.
☐ Large, downed, woody debris within the wetland (> 4 in diameter and 6 ft long).
☐ Standing snags (dbh > 4 in) within the wetland.
☐ Undercut banks are present for at least 6.6 ft (2 m) AND/OR overhanging plants extends at least 3.3 ft (1 m)
over a stream (or ditch) in, or contiguous with the wetland, for at least 33 ft (10 m).
☐ Stable steep banks of fine material that might be used by beaver or muskrat for denning (> 30 degree
slope) OR signs of recent beaver activity are present (cut shrubs or trees that have not yet weathered
where wood is exposed).
☐ At least ¼ ac of thin‐stemmed persistent plants or woody branches are present in areas that are
permanently or seasonally inundated (structures for egg‐laying by amphibians).
☐ Invasive plants cover less than 25% of the wetland area in every stratum of plants (see H 1.1 for list of
strata).
0
Total for H 1 Add the points in the boxes above 1
Rating of Site Potential If score is: ☐15‐18 = H ☐7‐14 = M ☒0‐6 = L Record the rating on the first page
H 2.0. Does the landscape have the potential to support the habitat functions of the site?
H 2.1. Accessible habitat (include only habitat that directly abuts wetland unit).
Calculate: % undisturbed habitat + [(%moderate and low intensity land uses)/2] = 3% + (0%/2) = 1.5%
If total accessible habitat is:
☐ > 1/3 (33.3%) of 1 km Polygon points = 3
☐ 20‐33% of 1 km Polygon points = 2
☐ 10‐19% of 1 km Polygon points = 1
☒ < 10% of 1 km Polygon points = 0
0
H 2.2. Undisturbed habitat in 1 km Polygon around the wetland.
Calculate: % undisturbed habitat + [(%moderate and low intensity land uses)/2 = 35% + (4%/2) = 37%
☐ Undisturbed habitat > 50% of Polygon points = 3
☒ Undisturbed habitat 10‐50% and in 1‐3 patches points = 2
☐ Undisturbed habitat 10‐50% and > 3 patches points = 1
☐ Undisturbed habitat < 10% of 1 km Polygon points = 0
2
H 2.3. Land use intensity in 1 km Polygon: If
☒ > 50% of 1 km Polygon is high intensity land use points = (‐ 2)
☐ ≤ 50% of 1 km Polygon is high intensity points =0
‐2
Total for H 2 Add the points in the boxes above 0
Rating of Landscape Potential If score is: ☐4‐6 = H ☐1‐3 = M ☒< 1 = L Record the rating on the first page
H 3.0. Is the habitat provided by the site valuable to society?
H 3.1. Does the site provide habitat for species valued in laws, regulations, or policies? Choose only the highest score
that applies to the wetland being rated.
Site meets ANY of the following criteria: points = 2
☐ It has 3 or more priority habitats within 100 m (see next page)
☐ It provides habitat for Threatened or Endangered species (any plant or animal on the state or federal lists)
☐ It is mapped as a location for an individual WDFW priority species
☐ It is a Wetland of High Conservation Value as determined by the Department of Natural Resources
☐ It has been categorized as an important habitat site in a local or regional comprehensive plan,
in a Shoreline Master Plan, or in a watershed plan
☒ Site has 1 or 2 priority habitats (listed on next page) within 100 m points = 1
☐ Site does not meet any of the criteria above points = 0
1
Rating of Value If score is: ☐2 = H ☒1 = M ☐0 = L Record the rating on the first page
Wetland name or number: Wetland
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
9
WDFW Priority Habitats
Priority habitats listed by WDFW (see complete descriptions of WDFW priority habitats, and the counties in which they can
be found, in: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2008. Priority Habitat and Species List. Olympia, Washington.
177 pp. http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00165/wdfw00165.pdf or access the list from here:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/phs/list/)
Count how many of the following priority habitats are within 330 ft (100 m) of the wetland unit: NOTE: This question is
independent of the land use between the wetland unit and the priority habitat.
☐ Aspen Stands: Pure or mixed stands of aspen greater than 1 ac (0.4 ha).
☐ Biodiversity Areas and Corridors: Areas of habitat that are relatively important to various species of native fish
and wildlife (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report).
☐ Herbaceous Balds: Variable size patches of grass and forbs on shallow soils over bedrock.
☐ Old‐growth/Mature forests: Old‐growth west of Cascade crest – Stands of at least 2 tree species, forming a
multi‐ layered canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac (20 trees/ha ) > 32 in (81 cm) dbh
or > 200 years of age. Mature forests – Stands with average diameters exceeding 21 in (53 cm) dbh; crown cover
may be less than 100%; decay, decadence, numbers of snags, and quantity of large downed material is generally
less than that found in old‐growth; 80‐200 years old west of the Cascade crest.
☐ Oregon White Oak: Woodland stands of pure oak or oak/conifer associations where canopy coverage of the
oak component is important (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 158 – see web link above).
☐ Riparian: The area adjacent to aquatic systems with flowing water that contains elements of both aquatic
and terrestrial ecosystems which mutually influence each other.
☐ Westside Prairies: Herbaceous, non‐forested plant communities that can either take the form of a dry prairie or a
wet prairie (full descriptions in WDFW PHS report p. 161 – see web link above).
☐ Instream: The combination of physical, biological, and chemical processes and conditions that interact to
provide functional life history requirements for instream fish and wildlife resources.
☐ Nearshore: Relatively undisturbed nearshore habitats. These include Coastal Nearshore, Open Coast Nearshore,
and Puget Sound Nearshore. (full descriptions of habitats and the definition of relatively undisturbed are in WDFW
report – see web link on previous page).
☐ Caves: A naturally occurring cavity, recess, void, or system of interconnected passages under the earth in soils,
rock, ice, or other geological formations and is large enough to contain a human.
☐ Cliffs: Greater than 25 ft (7.6 m) high and occurring below 5000 ft elevation.
☐ Talus: Homogenous areas of rock rubble ranging in average size 0.5 ‐ 6.5 ft (0.15 ‐ 2.0 m), composed of basalt,
andesite, and/or sedimentary rock, including riprap slides and mine tailings. May be associated with cliffs.
☒ Snags and Logs: Trees are considered snags if they are dead or dying and exhibit sufficient decay characteristics to
enable cavity excavation/use by wildlife. Priority snags have a diameter at breast height of > 20 in (51 cm) in western
Washington and are > 6.5 ft (2 m) in height. Priority logs are > 12 in (30 cm) in diameter at the largest end, and > 20 ft
(6 m) long.
Note: All vegetated wetlands are by definition a priority habitat but are not included in this list because they are addressed
elsewhere.
Wetland name or number: Wetland
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
10
CATEGORIZATION BASED ON SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
Wetland Type
Check off any criteria that apply to the wetland. Circle the category when the appropriate criteria are met.
Category
SC 1.0. Estuarine wetlands
Does the wetland meet the following criteria for Estuarine wetlands?
☐ The dominant water regime is tidal,
☐ Vegetated, and
☐ With a salinity greater than 0.5 ppt ☐Yes –Go to SC 1.1 ☒No=Not an estuarine wetland
SC 1.1. Is the wetland within a National Wildlife Refuge, National Park, National Estuary Reserve, Natural Area
Preserve, State Park or Educational, Environmental, or Scientific Reserve designated under WAC 332‐30‐151?
☐Yes = Category I ☐No ‐ Go to SC 1.2
Cat. I
SC 1.2. Is the wetland unit at least 1 ac in size and meets at least two of the following three conditions?
☐ The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing, and has
less than 10% cover of non‐native plant species. (If non‐native species are Spartina, see page 25)
☐ At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un‐grazed or
un‐ mowed grassland.
☐ The wetland has at least two of the following features: tidal channels, depressions with open water,
or contiguous freshwater wetlands. ☐Yes = Category I ☐No= Category II
Cat. I
Cat. II
SC 2.0. Wetlands of High Conservation Value (WHCV)
SC 2.1. Has the WA Department of Natural Resources updated their website to include the list of Wetlands of High
Conservation Value? ☒Yes – Go to SC 2.2 ☐No – Go to SC 2.3
SC 2.2. Is the wetland listed on the WDNR database as a Wetland of High Conservation Value?
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/NHPwetlandviewer ☐Yes = Category I ☒No = Not a WHCV
SC 2.3. Is the wetland in a Section/Township/Range that contains a Natural Heritage wetland?
http://file.dnr.wa.gov/publications/amp_nh_wetlands_trs.pdf
☐Yes – Contact WNHP/WDNR and go to SC 2.4 ☐No = Not a WHCV
SC 2.4. Has WDNR identified the wetland within the S/T/R as a Wetland of High Conservation Value and listed it on
their website? ☐Yes = Category I ☐No = Not a WHCV
Cat. I
SC 3.0. Bogs
Does the wetland (or any part of the unit) meet both the criteria for soils and vegetation in bogs? Use the key
below. If you answer YES you will still need to rate the wetland based on its functions.
SC 3.1. Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soil horizons, either peats or mucks, that compose 16 in or
more of the first 32 in of the soil profile? ☐Yes – Go to SC 3.3 ☒No – Go to SC 3.2
SC 3.2. Does an area within the wetland unit have organic soils, either peats or mucks, that are less than 16 in deep
over bedrock, or an impermeable hardpan such as clay or volcanic ash, or that are floating on top of a lake or
pond? ☐Yes – Go to SC 3.3 ☒No = Is not a bog
SC 3.3. Does an area with peats or mucks have more than 70% cover of mosses at ground level, AND at least a 30%
cover of plant species listed in Table 4? ☐Yes = Is a Category I bog ☐No – Go to SC 3.4
NOTE: If you are uncertain about the extent of mosses in the understory, you may substitute that criterion by
measuring the pH of the water that seeps into a hole dug at least 16 in deep. If the pH is less than 5.0 and the
plant species in Table 4 are present, the wetland is a bog.
SC 3.4. Is an area with peats or mucks forested (> 30% cover) with Sitka spruce, subalpine fir, western red cedar,
western hemlock, lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, Engelmann spruce, or western white pine, AND any of the
species (or combination of species) listed in Table 4 provide more than 30% of the cover under the canopy?
☐Yes =Is a Category I bog ☐No = Is not a
Cat. I
Wetland name or number: Wetland
Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update
Rating Form – Effective January 1, 2015
11
SC 4.0. Forested Wetlands
Does the wetland have at least 1 contiguous acre of forest that meets one of these criteria for the WA
Department of Fish and Wildlife’s forests as priority habitats? If you answer YES you will still need to rate
the wetland based on its functions.
☐ Old‐growth forests (west of Cascade crest): Stands of at least two tree species, forming a multi‐layered
canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 8 trees/ac (20 trees/ha) that are at least 200 years of
age OR have a diameter at breast height (dbh) of 32 in (81 cm) or more.
☐ Mature forests (west of the Cascade Crest): Stands where the largest trees are 80‐ 200 years old OR
the species that make up the canopy have an average diameter (dbh) exceeding 21 in (53 cm).
☐Yes = Category I ☒No = Not a forested wetland for this section
Cat. I
SC 5.0. Wetlands in Coastal Lagoons
Does the wetland meet all of the following criteria of a wetland in a coastal lagoon?
☐ The wetland lies in a depression adjacent to marine waters that is wholly or partially separated
from marine waters by sandbanks, gravel banks, shingle, or, less frequently, rocks
☐ The lagoon in which the wetland is located contains ponded water that is saline or brackish (> 0.5
ppt) during most of the year in at least a portion of the lagoon (needs to be measured near the
bottom)
☐Yes – Go to SC 5.1 ☒No = Not a wetland in a coastal lagoon
SC 5.1. Does the wetland meet all of the following three conditions?
☐ The wetland is relatively undisturbed (has no diking, ditching, filling, cultivation, grazing), and has
less than 20% cover of aggressive, opportunistic plant species (see list of species on p. 100).
☐ At least ¾ of the landward edge of the wetland has a 100 ft buffer of shrub, forest, or un‐grazed or
un‐ mowed grassland.
☐ The wetland is larger than 1/10 ac (4350 ft2)
☐Yes = Category I ☐No = Category II
Cat. I
Cat. II
SC 6.0. Interdunal Wetlands
Is the wetland west of the 1889 line (also called the Western Boundary of Upland Ownership or WBUO)? If
you answer yes you will still need to rate the wetland based on its habitat functions.
In practical terms that means the following geographic areas:
☐ Long Beach Peninsula: Lands west of SR 103
☐ Grayland‐Westport: Lands west of SR 105
☐ Ocean Shores‐Copalis: Lands west of SR 115 and SR 109
☐Yes – Go to SC 6.1 ☒No = not an interdunal wetland for rating
SC 6.1. Is the wetland 1 ac or larger and scores an 8 or 9 for the habitat functions on the form (rates H,H,H or H,H,M
for the three aspects of function)? ☐Yes = Category I ☐No – Go to SC 6.2
SC 6.2. Is the wetland 1 ac or larger, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is 1 ac or larger?
☐Yes = Category II ☐No – Go to SC 6.3
SC 6.3. Is the unit between 0.1 and 1 ac, or is it in a mosaic of wetlands that is between 0.1 and 1 ac?
☐Yes = Category III ☐No = Category IV
Cat I
Cat. II
Cat. III
Cat. IV
Category of wetland based on Special Characteristics
If you answered No for all types, enter “Not Applicable” on Summary Form N/A
Features depicted are not to scale. Sketches are based on available data and best professional
judgment.
Wetland Figures ‐ 1
WETLAND A (DEPRESSIONAL)
Figure 1. Cowardin plant classes – D1.3, H1.1, H1.4
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Features depicted are not to scale. Sketches are based on available data and best professional
judgment.
Wetland Figures ‐ 2
Figure 2. Hydroperiods, outlet(s), and 150‐ft area – D1.1, D1.4, H1.2, D2.2, D5.2
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Outlet
Outlet
Outlet
Features depicted are not to scale. Sketches are based on available data and best professional
judgment.
Wetland Figures ‐ 3
Figure 3. Map of the contributing basin for Wetland A – D4.3, D5.3
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Features depicted are not to scale. Sketches are based on available data and best professional
judgment.
Wetland Figures ‐ 4
Figure 4. Map of the contributing basin for Wetland B – D4. 3, D5.3
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Features depicted are not to scale. Sketches are based on available data and best professional
judgment.
Wetland Figures ‐ 5
Figure 5. Map of the contributing basin for Wetland C – D4. 3, D5.3
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Features depicted are not to scale. Sketches are based on available data and best professional
judgment.
Wetland Figures ‐ 6
Figure 6. Undisturbed habitat and moderate‐low intensity land uses within 1 km from wetland edge
including polygon for accessible habitat – H2.1, H2.2, H2.3
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Features depicted are not to scale. Sketches are based on available data and best professional
judgment.
Wetland Figures ‐ 7
Figure 7. Screen‐capture of 303(d) listed waters in basin – D3.1, D3.2
Wetland Units,
drain south
Features depicted are not to scale. Sketches are based on available data and best professional
judgment.
Wetland Figures ‐ 8
Figure 8. Screen‐capture of TMDL list for WRIA in which unit is found – D3.3