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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRS_Habitat_Data_Report_201005_v13905 Lake Washington Blvd N Lake and Stream Study Prepared for Greg Perotto and Kris Bristow 3905 Lake Washington Blvd North Renton, Washington 98056 Prepared by Northwest Environmental Consulting, LLC 3639 Palatine Avenue North Seattle, WA 98103 206-234-2520 August 2020 3905 Lake Washington Blvd N Lake and Stream Study 1 Project Purpose The project purpose is to install a boatlift, canopy, and jet ski lift at the existing shared pier. Location The subject property is located at 3905 Lake Washington Boulevard North (King County parcel number 3342700011) in the City of Renton, Washington (see Figure 1 – Vicinity Map). The parcel is on the waterfront of Lake Washington. Project Description The work will install a boat lift, translucent canopy, and dual jet ski lift at an existing shared pier. During construction, a floating boom will surround the work barge, pier, and work area. Project drawings are included in Appendix A. Approach Northwest Environmental Consulting LLC (NWEC) biologist Courtney Straight conducted a site visit on May 22, 2020 to evaluate conditions on site and adjacent to the site. NWEC also consulted the following sources for information on potential critical fish and wildlife habitat along this shoreline: • City of Renton COR Maps online database (https://rp.rentonwa.gov/HTML5Public/Index.HTML?viewer=CORMaps) • Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW): Priority Habitats and Species online database (http://apps.wdfw.wa.gov/phsontheweb/) • Washington State DNR Natural Heritage Features database (https://www.dnr.wa.gov/publications/amp_nh_trs.pdf?znn6z) • WDFW SalmonScape online database of fish distribution and ESA listing units (https://apps.wdfw.wa.gov/salmonscape/) Site Description The subject property is in a residential neighborhood. It has shoreline on its west boundary with single-family homes to the north and south. Lake Washington Boulevard North and the East Rail Corridor Trail are present to the east. The only existing structure on the property is a single-family residence. The property has a shoreline consisting of a rock bulkhead, planted native vegetation, a concrete walkway, and a 3905 Lake Washington Blvd N Lake and Stream Study 2 fully grated pier at the south property line. The pier includes two deeded slips for neighboring properties (Photos 1 through 4). The substrate of the lake is sand and cobble. No milfoil was observed during the site visit. The shoreline on the property has a rock bulkhead (Photo 5) with a grated ramp from the shoreline to the pier (Photo 6). The property to the north has a rock bulkhead (Photo 5) and the property to the south has a rock bulkhead with wooden pier (Photo 7). The property contains shoreline native plantings, and a poured concrete walkway that starts approximately 10 feet from the bulkhead and continues landward to the house approximately 3 to 4 feet (Photo 8). The property line to the north has a walkway that goes between the subject property and the property to the north with a hemlock tree, evergreen huckleberry, thimbleberry, dogwood shrubs, and sword fern. The middle of the shoreline has dogwood shrubs, black cottonwood, sword fern, and red-flowering currant. The south end of the shoreline has the ramp and pier with plantings of Pacific willow, evergreen huckleberry, beaked hazelnut, and snowberry. Most of these shrubs and trees are overhanging the water, providing shade to the lake. Approximately 250 feet north of the subject property is the mouth of May Creek (Photo 9). Lake and Stream Classifications As a Shoreline of Statewide Significance (RMC 4-3-090B1) Lake Washington is defined as a Shoreline of the State (RMC 4-11-190S). The Shoreline is designated as “Shoreline Residential” and as a reach of Lake Washington (Figure 2 – Renton COR Map). May Creek is a salmon- bearing stream, classified as a Type S stream and included within the definition of a Shoreline of the State (RMC 4-3-090B1). Ordinary High Water Mark The Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) for Lake Washington is the line of mean high water (RMC 4-11-150 Definitions O). The Lake Washington water depth is controlled by the Army Corps of Engineers at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks and is at 21.8 feet above sea level (Corps of Engineers Datum). The OHWM at the project site is shown in Appendix A. Vegetative Cover of the Site There are no wetlands or floodplains in the study area, but it does include Lake Washington riparian areas. The homeowner’s association for the housing development located along the shoreline, including the subject property, requires that residents plant only Washington State native plants in all outdoor landscaping and along the shoreline. Riparian and overhanging vegetation includes Pacific willows, dogwoods, vine maple, thimbleberry, evergreen huckleberry, sword fern, black cottonwood, and western hemlock. There are no DNR Natural Heritage Features listed in the study area (Figure 3 – Natural Heritage Features). Ecological Functions of Lake Washington Along Study Area Existing native plantings in the study area provide habitat functions along the shoreline. Planting additional native plantings will further increase habitat conditions at the project site. These plants will provide overhanging cover for fish, structural diversity for birds and wildlife, detritus 3905 Lake Washington Blvd N Lake and Stream Study 3 for aquatic invertebrates and long-term recruitment of woody material and other allochthonous food sources. Species Use Birds Birds observed near the site include raptors, herons, eagles, cormorants, waterfowl, and songbirds. There is an osprey platform located approximately 220 feet from the end of the pier. It was previously used by nesting osprey, but no osprey or nest was present during the site study within nesting season. Bald eagles, protected by the Bald and Golden Eagles Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, are protected as a “sensitive species” within the state of Washington (WAC 232-12-011). Eagles were observed in the area during the site study, but no nest was visible along the shoreline. Mammals No wild mammals were observed during the site study, but Lake Washington is known to have river otters, beavers, nutrias, and muskrats. Deer and coyotes are known to be present in the vicinity. Fish WDFW’s PHS mapping and SalmonScape mapping tools show the following salmonid species using Lake Washington for migration and/or rearing: residential coastal cutthroat (Oncorhynchus clarki), winter steelhead (O. mykiss), Dolly Varden/bull trout (Salvelinus malma), sockeye salmon (O. nerka), fall Chinook (O. tshawytscha), coho salmon (O. kisutch), and kokanee (O. nerka). The Salmonscape database maps the site as critical habitat to the Endangered Species Units (ESU) of Threatened Chinook and steelhead (Figure 4 – SalmonScape Map). Sockeye are known to spawn along the shoreline approximately 1,000 feet south of the project area. The nearest spawning stream is May Creek, located approximately 250 feet north of the project area, is modeled by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) for spawning of non- listed coho and sockeye and listed Fall Chinook. Juveniles may rear in the waters near the project when traveling from spawning sites on other lake tributaries to the lake’s outlet at the Locks. The project site is accessible to any fish migrating or rearing in the lake, and Lake Washington is designated as critical habitat for Endangered Fall Chinook salmon. There is a Freshwater Forested/Shrub Wetland approximately 0.5 mile north, but no other priority habitats are directly associated with the project site for aquatic or terrestrial species (Figure 5 – PHS Map). Measures to Protect Trees and Vegetation No trees or vegetation will be disturbed during the project as all work will occur in-water. Project Impacts and Conservation Measures Direct Impacts: 3905 Lake Washington Blvd N Lake and Stream Study 4 Sediments: Sediment disturbance will occur below the OHWM and along the shoreline of Lake Washington. Additionally, the tug and barge propwash may disturb sediments temporarily when making trips to/from the site. Juvenile salmonids could be temporarily displaced or stressed by increased turbidity. A floating boom will be placed around the pier and barge to contain floating debris to the project site. The project will meet state water quality standards. Shoreline: The shoreline is planted with native vegetation that will be preserved throughout the proposed work. Native vegetation maintains habitat functions by providing shade along the shoreline. These plants provide overhanging cover for fish, structural diversity for birds and wildlife, detritus for aquatic invertebrates and long-term recruitment of woody material and other allochthonous food sources. Lakebed: The lakebed coverage will be unchanged. Noise: Construction will create noise audible to neighbors and in-water. Noise disturbance will be short-term and should have negligible effects on fish and wildlife in the area. Potential spills: Short-term risks include the potential for petroleum spills that can occur with any equipment operation. The level of impact to the aquatic environment is expected to be minor because of the small amount of petroleum products available for spillage during typical construction activities, and because of spill containment measures that will be employed should a spill occur. Indirect Impacts: Shading: The overwater coverage will be unchanged as the proposed canopy will be 100% translucent. Recreational Boating: The project supports continued recreational boating, which has been identified as a limiting factor for salmonid populations in Lake Washington. The pier replacement will not introduce additional boating to Lake Washington, as the owners could still access the lake from a public boat launch or private moorage facility. Other Conservation measures: Work window: The work will be completed during the prescribed in-water work window for this area of Lake Washington (July 16 to December 31). Operating within this time frame helps protect Chinook salmon, steelhead, bull trout and other salmonid fish species. Best Management Practices: Applicable BMPs will be used such as a floating boom around the in-water work area will contain any floating debris that may escape during construction. The barge will have a perimeter containment sock to absorb oil and grease that may wash from the barge during construction. Hazardous material containment materials such as spill absorbent pads and trained personnel will be required onsite during any phase of construction where machinery is in operation near surface waters. Mitigation The shoreline on the subject property is planted with native, overhanging vegetation, including Pacific willows and additional mitigation planting is not possible. The project also requires approval from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). NMFS has developed a calculator to determine appropriate mitigation costs for proposed in-water structures in Lake Washington. This calculator has established a fund that owners can pay into if they are not 3905 Lake Washington Blvd N Lake and Stream Study 5 willing or can not find mitigation to offset impacts from the project. Mitigation is not feasible at the subject property with the current use and the property owners will pay into the in-lieu fee program to mitigate project impacts. An in-lieu fee program is defined as follows: “A program involving the restoration, establishment, enhancement, and/or preservation of aquatic resources through funds paid to a governmental or non-profit natural resources management entity to satisfy compensatory mitigation requirements... Similar to a mitigation bank, an in-lieu fee program sells compensatory mitigation credits to permittees whose obligation to provide compensatory mitigation is then transferred to the in-lieu program sponsor.” (Fed. Reg. 40 CFR Part 230) The fee has been determined using the Restoration And Permitting (RAP) Calculator for Lake Washington and paid to King County (see Appendix D). The City of Renton requires that proof of mitigation be provided. The client will provide records of the RAP and payment to King County. Conclusion Juvenile Chinook salmon, and other salmonids, rear and migrate along the Lake Washington shoreline. There will be temporary impacts from noise and disturbed sediments during installation of the lifts and copy. However, these impacts will be offset by using the in-lieu fee program. The overwater coverage will not be increased as the canopy will be translucent. The project will minimize construction effects on the environment by following the prescribed fish window and use applicable BMPs to prevent construction spills and debris from escaping the area. This project has been designed to meet current residential dock standards and will use Best Management Practices to reduce project impacts. The conservation measures are designed to improve ecological functions or prevent further degradation of habitat and will result in No Net Loss of ecological functions at the site. Document Preparers Brad Thiele Biologist 26 years of experience Northwest Environmental Consulting, LLC. (NWEC) Courtney Straight Biologist 1 year of experience NWEC NWEC followed standard acceptable field methods and protocols at the time work was performed. These standards include delineation of wetland and stream boundaries, characterization, rating, functional analyses, impact assessments and mitigation of impacts. The conclusions and findings in this report are based on field observations and measurements and represent our best professional judgment and to some extent rely on other professional service firms and available site information. Within the limitations of project scope, budget, and seasonal variations, we believe the information provided herein is accurate and true to the best of our knowledge. Northwest Environmental Consulting does not warrant any assumptions or 3905 Lake Washington Blvd N Lake and Stream Study 6 conclusions not expressly made in this report or based on information or analyses other than what is included herein. 3905 Lake Washington Blvd N Lake and Stream Study 7 REFERENCES City of Renton Municipal Code (RMC). 2020. RMC Section 4-8-120. Code Publishing. Accessed August 2020 at https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/Renton/#!/Renton04/Renton0408/Renton0408120. html Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). 2020. Priority Habitats and Species. Online database. Accessed March 2020 at http://apps.wdfw.wa.gov/phsontheweb/ WDFW. 2020. SalmonScape. Online database. Accessed March 2020 at http://apps.wdfw.wa.gov/salmonscape/ Washington State Department of Natural Resources. 2020. Sections that Contain Natural Heritage Features. Access August 2020 at https://www.dnr.wa.gov/publications/amp_nh_trs.pdf?znn6z 3905 Lake Washington Blvd N Lake and Stream Study 8 Appendix A: Project Drawings 22'21'15' - 3 "74'-5"73'-5"12'+/-105'+/-ADJACENT PIER & BOAT LIFT (NO WORK) ADJACENT PIER (NO WORK) EXISTING BOAT LIFTS (NO WORK) PROPOSE BOAT LIFT & CANOPY PROPOSED JET-SKI LIFT EXISTING LOG BOOM EXISTING DOLPHIN OHWM 21.85'12'-0"39'-0" N 88°49'09" W 376.79' N 88°49'09" W 415.82'N 24°48'30" W 117.13'N 24°48'30" W 137.51'OHWM 21.85' OHWM 21.85'GREGORY PEROTTO & KRISTOPHER BRISTOW3905 LAKE WASHINGTON BLVD NTHOMAS VALKO 3907 LAKE WASHINGTON BLVD N SIN & MIN LEW 3909 LAKE WASHINGTON BLVD N ROBERT & MARY CUGINI 3979 LAKE WASHINGTON BLVD N SITE MAP SCALE 1" = 20'-0 " 0'40'20' LAKE WASHINGTON RYAN & ASHLEY ASDOURIAN 3901 LAKE WASHINGTON BLVD N EXISTING PIER (NO WORK)14'EXISTING NATIVE SHRUBS TO REMAIN (E) HOUSE(E) UTILITY BLD. 3905 Lake Washington Blvd N Lake and Stream Study 9 Appendix B: Figures Figure 1 - Vicinity Map 4,514 376 Renton COR Map - Perotto This map is a user generated static output from an Internet mapping site and is for reference only. Data layers that appear on this map may or may not be accurate, current, or otherwise reliable. None 8/26/2020 Legend 2560128 THIS MAP IS NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION Feet Notes 256 WGS_1984_Web_Mercator_Auxiliary_Sphere Information Technology - GIS RentonMapSupport@Rentonwa.gov Environment Designations Natural Shoreline High Intensity Shoreline Isolated High Intensity Shoreline Residential Urban Conservancy Jurisdictions Streams (Classified) <all other values> Type S Shoreline Type F Fish Type Np Non-Fish Type Ns Non-Fish Seasonal Unclassified Not Visited Wetlands Streets Points of Interest Parks Waterbodies 2019.sid Red: Band_1 Green: Band_2 Blue: Band_3 Map Figure 2 - Renton COR Map Study Area Sections that Contain Natural Heritage Features 33 Data Current as of July 14, 2020 List of surveyed land sections in Washington identified by the Natural Heritage Program as reported to contain Natural Heritage Features. Contact the Washington Natural Heritage Program at natural_heritage_program@dnr.wa.gov for more detailed information on locations and occurrences. Town. Range Sec. Town. Range Sec. Town. Range Sec. Town. Range Sec. Washington Natural Heritage Program, P O Box 47016, Olympia, WA 98504-7016 T24N R04E S24 T24N R04W PB38 T24N R04W PB40 T24N R04W PB41 T24N R04W PB42 T24N R04W PB48 T24N R04W PB50 T24N R04W PB51 T24N R04W S18 T24N R04W S19 T24N R04W S20 T24N R04W S29 T24N R04W S30 T24N R04W S31 T24N R05W PB38 T24N R05W S13 T24N R05W S23 T24N R05W S24 T24N R05W S25 T24N R05W S26 T24N R05W S35 T24N R05W S36 T24N R06W S10 T24N R06W S11 T24N R06W S12 T24N R06W S13 T24N R06W S14 T24N R06W S15 T24N R06W S16 T24N R06W S17 T24N R06W S18 T24N R06W S19 T24N R06W S2 T24N R06W S20 T24N R06W S21 T24N R06W S22 T24N R06W S23 T24N R06W S24 T24N R06W S25 T24N R06W S26 T24N R06W S27 T24N R06W S28 T24N R06W S29 T24N R06W S3 T24N R06W S30 T24N R06W S31 T24N R06W S32 T24N R06W S33 T24N R06W S34 T24N R06W S35 T24N R06W S36 T24N R06W S4 T24N R06W S5 T24N R06W S6 T24N R06W S7 T24N R06W S8 T24N R06W S9 T24N R07W S12 T24N R07W S13 T24N R07W S24 T24N R07W S25 T24N R08E S1 T24N R08E S11 T24N R08E S13 T24N R08E S2 T24N R08E S24 T24N R08E S3 T24N R08E S35 T24N R08E S36 T24N R08E S4 T24N R08W PB38 T24N R09E S16 T24N R09E S17 T24N R09E S25 T24N R09E S27 T24N R09E S31 T24N R09E S32 T24N R09E S34 T24N R09E S35 T24N R09E S36 T24N R09E S8 T24N R09W S17 T24N R10E S21 T24N R10E S28 T24N R10E S29 T24N R10E S30 T24N R10E S31 T24N R10W PB44 T24N R10W PB49 T24N R10W PB50 T24N R10W PB51 T24N R10W PB52 T24N R10W S11 T24N R10W S14 T24N R10W S20 T24N R10W S23 T24N R10W S28 T24N R11E S14 T24N R11E S26 T24N R11E S32 T24N R11E S33 T24N R11W S10 T24N R11W S17 T24N R11W S18 T24N R11W S2 T24N R11W S3 T24N R11W S4 T24N R11W S5 T24N R11W S6 T24N R11W S7 T24N R12W S13 T24N R12W S32 T24N R12W S33 T24N R13W S10 T24N R13W S11 T24N R13W S14 T24N R13W S15 T24N R13W S16 T24N R13W S2 T24N R13W S22 T24N R13W S23 T24N R13W S26 T24N R13W S27 T24N R13W S3 T24N R13W S4 T24N R13W S9 T24N R16E S13 T24N R16E S21 T24N R16E S22 T24N R16E S26 T24N R16E S27 T24N R16E S33 T24N R17E S10 T24N R17E S19 T24N R17E S2 T24N R17E S20 T24N R17E S24 T24N R17E S27 T24N R17E S29 T24N R17E S3 T24N R17E S30 T24N R17E S33 T24N R17E S35 T24N R17E S4 T24N R17E S9 T24N R18E S16 T24N R18E S17 T24N R18E S18 T24N R18E S19 T24N R18E S20 T24N R18E S21 T24N R18E S25 T24N R18E S27 T24N R18E S7 T24N R18E S8 T24N R18E S9 T24N R19E S1 T24N R19E S10 T24N R19E S11 T24N R19E S2 T24N R19E S3 T24N R20E S10 T24N R20E S11 T24N R20E S14 No Natural Heritage Features listed in T24N R05E S32 Figure 3 - NH Features 3509 Lake Washington Blvd N Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri All SalmonScape Species May 21, 2020 0 0.2 0.40.1 mi 0 0.3 0.60.15 km 1:18,056 Figure 4 - SalmonScape Map Study Area WDFW Test Map Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan,Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), PHS Report Clip Area PT LN POLY AS MAPPED SECTION QTR-TWP TOWNSHIP May 21, 2020 0 0.3 0.60.15 mi 0 0.55 1.10.275 km 1:19,842 Figure 5 - PHS Map Study Area 3905 Lake Washington Blvd N Lake and Stream Study 10 Appendix C: Site Photographs Photo 1. View of pier from ramp looking west. Photo 2. View a pier from end looking east. Photo 3. View of finger piers from end looking northeast. Photo 4. View of pier from finger pier looking southwest. Photo 5. View of subject shoreline and adjacent properties to the north with rock bulkheads from pier looking northeast. Photo 6. View of ramp from finger pier looking southeast. Photo 7. View of adjacent property to the south from pier looking south. Photo 8. View of shoreline from north property line looking south. 3905 Lake Washington Blvd N Lake and Stream Study 11 Appendix D: RAP Calculations RAP Calculator Version: 3/3/20 Corps # NWS-2020-793 Project Element Unit Input Output Percent Deck 0 Percent pile caps and stringers 0 Average percent 0 Current area of over-water cover Square Feet 0 Proposed area of over-water cover Square Feet 0 0 Net area of over-water cover Square Feet 0 0 Percent new grated decking 0 0 Existing walkway height above OHWM Inches 0 Proposed walkway height above OHWM Inches 0 0 Net walkway height Inches 0 0 Existing walkway width Inches 0 Proposed walkway width Inches 0 0 Net walkway width Inches 0 0 Nearshore Number of piles installed, replaced, and/or repaired #0 0 Net reduction in # of piles #0 0 Waterward of Nearshore Number of piles installed, replaced, and/or repaired #0 Project Name: Perotto Lifts Directions: Only fill in the yellow highlighted boxes. In the yellow highlighted boxes enter the appropriate number based on the conditions of the completed project (except as noted). Piles - 8 inches or less in diameter Walkway Deck Net reduction in # of piles #0 Nearshore Number of piles installed, replaced, and/or repaired #0 0 Net reduction in # of piles #0 Waterward of Nearshore Number of piles installed, replaced, and/or repaired #0 Net reduction in # of piles #0 Number of fenders installed, replaced, and/or repaired #0 0 Net reduction in # of fenders #0 0 Nearshore Number of boat lifts #1 2000 Waterward of Nearshore Number of boat lifts #0 0 Other Number of PWC lifts #2 1000 Area of canopy Square Feet 468 468 Area of canopy removed Square Feet 0 0 Current area of over-water cover for non-pier deck, etc.Square Feet 0 Proposed area of over-water cover for non-pier deck, etc.Square Feet 0 Net area of over-water cover for non-pier deck, etc.Square Feet 0 0 Mooring Bouys #0 0 Bulkhead Repaired/Replaced Linear feet 0 Bulkhead Removed/Setback Linear feet 0 0 Bulkhead Removed/Setback with plantings Linear feet 0 Bulkheads Decks and Misc. In- and Over-Water Elements Lifts and Canopies Piles - 8 inches or less in diameter Piles - Greater than 8 inches in diameter Fenders Trees from RAP List #0 0 Shrubs from RAP List #0 0 Total number of RAP plant species #0 0 Total number of willows #0 0 Preservation of Native Vegetation 0 Remove in-water debris Cubic yard 0 Place gravel Cubic yard 0 Total $3,468.00 Vegetation