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ERC Report_Lake to Sound Trail_15-000257
CITYOFDEPARTMENTOFCOMMUNFTYnton0ENVIRONMENTALREVIEWCOMMITTEEREPORTERCMEETINGDATE:January11,2015ProjectName:LaketoSoundRegionalTrail-SegmentAProjectNumber:LUA15-000257,ECF,SSDP,S-CUP,S-VProjectManager:KrisSorensen,AssociatePlannerOwner:CityofRenton;CityofTukwila;BurlingtonNorthernSantaFe;UnionPacificApplicant/Contact:KingCountyParks,Attn:JasonRich,CapitalProjects;KingStreetCenter,7thFloor;201S.JacksonSt;SeattleWA98104ProjectLocation:BlackRiverRiparianForestinCityofRentonandFortDentParkinCityofTukwilaProject5ummary:TheapplicantisrequestingSEPAEnvironmentalReview,aShorelineConditionalUsePermit,aShorelineVariance,andaShorelineSubstantialDevelopmentPermittoimproveanexistinginformal1.2-miletrailwithinthecitiesofTukwilaandRentonwitha12-footwidepavedtrailandnewbridgeovertheBlackRiver.Theproposalispartofalarger16-mileLaketoSoundTrailthatlinksLakeWashingtontoPugetSound.AdditionalapprovalsfortheTukwilaportionofthetrailarerequired.ARentonShorelineVariancefromRMC4-3-090.D.2.d.ix.fisrequiredforthetrailareaslocatedinwetlandbuffersbecausetheproposalexceedsa4-footwidthandispaved.InRenton,thetrailislocatedoncityownedandrailroadownedparcelsthatarezonedCommercialOffice(CO)andResourceConservation(RC).InTukwila,thetrailislocatedonprivateandpublicparcelsthatarezonedHeavyIndustrial(HI)andLowDensityResidential(LDR)landusedesignation.ThetrailareawithinRentonislocatedintheBlackRiver-SpringbrookCreek‘Natural’shorelineandassociatedwetlandbuffers.WithinTukwila,thetrailislocatedwithinthe200-footGreenandBlackRivershorelinebufferregulationareas.Partsofthetrailarelocatedinthe1995FIRMFloodplainarea.1,500cubicyardsofgradingand3,000cubicyardsoffillareproposed.Treeswouldberemovedalongthetrailalignmentandwithinshorelinebufferareas.98,297squarefeetofmitigationandplantingareasareproposedwithnativespecies.OtherprojectelementsincludeanewpedestriancrossingatMonsterRoad,undercrossingsofrailroadbridges,retainingwalls,fences,signage,andstormwaterimprovements.Workwouldbelimitedtospecifictimesoftheyearbasedonreducingimpactstonearbywildlifeandoverwaterworkforthenewbridge.Theprojectisanticipatedtohavenonetlossofecologicalfunctionoftheregulatedshorelineareasasrequiredbystate,federal,andlocalregulations.StudiessubmittedincludeaBridgeGeotechnicalReport,VegetationandWildlifeDisciplineReport,CriticalAreasReport,StreamDiscipline.Report,DrainageReport,EndangeredSpeciesActNoEffectdocument,andNEPAExemption.Constructionworkwouldbegininspring2016andisanticipatedtolast12months.Exist.Bldg.AreaSF:N/AProposedNewBldg.Area(footprint):3.94acrespavedProposedNewBldg.Area(gross):5.26acresw/shoulderSiteArea:1.2milelengthinTotalBuildingAreaGSF:5.26acresw/shoulderTukwila&RentonSTAFFStaffRecommendsthattheEnvironmentalReviewCommitteeissueaDeterminationRECOMMENDATION:ofNon-Significance-Mitigated(DNS-M).ERCReport15-000257 CityofRentonDepartmentofCommunity&EconomicDevelopmentEnvironmentalReviewCommitteeReportLAKETOSOUNDREGIONALTRAIL-SEGMENTALUA15-000257,ECF,SSDP,S-CUP,5-VReportofJanuary11,2015Page2of13PARTONE:PROJECTDESCRIPTIONIBACKGROUNDKingCounty,togetherwiththeCitiesofRentonandTukwila,WashingtonStateDepartmentofTransportation(WSDOT),andtheFederalHighwayAdministration(FHWA),isproposingtodevelopanapproximate1.2-milesegmentofwhatwillultimatelybethe16-mileLaketoSoundTrail.Thereisanexistingtrailwherethesubjectimprovementsbutitisnotfullyimprovedtoaccessibilitystandardsorwithapavedsurface.The1.2-milesegmentisreferredtoasSegmentAoftheLaketoSoundTrail.SegmentAextendsfromtheStarfireSportsComplexinFortDentParktoNachesAvenueSW.MostofthetrailiswithintheCityofRenton,withthemunicipallimitroughlybetweenthetwosetsofrailroadtrackswestofMonsterRoad.Theproposedtrailistypically12feetofasphaltpavementboundedbytwo2-foot-wideshouldersand1-foot-wideclearzones,inaccordancewithAmericanAssociationofStateHighwayandTransportationOfficials’(AASHTO)guidelines.Thetrailsectionis14,317feetlongand12feetwideforatotalpavedfootprintareaof3.94acres.Withtheadditionoftwo-footshouldersoneitherside,thetrailfootprintis5.26acres.BetweenFortDentParkandMonsterRoad,thetrailalignmentliessouthoftheBlackRiver.Thewesternmost600feetoftheproposedtrailalignmentisonmaintainedlawnsassociatedwithFortDentPark.Itfollowsadirtfootpaththatjoinsanexistingdirtroadbeneaththerailroadbridgesfor650feet.The150feetwestofMonsterRoadisonexistingpavedsurfaces.TheproposedtrailalignmentcrossesovertheBlackRiverusinganewpedestrianbridge.Theeasternthree-quartersoftheproposedtrailalignmentfromNachesAvenueSWtoMonsterRoadfollowsanexistinggravelmaintenanceroadsouthoftheBNSFeast-westrailroadtracksandnorthoftheBlackRiver,alongthenorthernperimeteroftheBlackRiverRiparianForest,andwithinwetlandbufferareas.Theeasttrailterminusislocatedatacul-de-saconNachesAvenueSWnearanofficepark.Theprojectisestimatedatabout$3,000,000andwouldtakeapproximately12monthstocomplete.NonetlossofecologicalfunctionsisrequiredasthetrailimprovementsarelocatedintheBlackRiverandGreenRivershorelinejurisdictionswithinthecitiesofTukwilaandRenton.TheproposedbridgecrossingoftheBlackRiveralsorequiresanonetlossofhabitatfunctionsnecessarytosustainfishlifeforstateapprovals.WithinRenton,wetlandbuffersintheBlackRiverForestRiparianareawouldbeimpactedandmitigatedfor.Theproposedtrailrouteisdesignedsothatnowetlandswouldbeimpacted,thatnoconstructionactivitieswouldbebelowtheOrdinaryHighWaterMarkofanystream,andwithanEndangeredSpeciesActNoEffectsDetermination.Theapplicantsubmittedmultiplebiologicaldisciplinereportsdescribingimpactsandmitigationofenvironmentalimpactsresultinginanonetlossdeterminationfortheprojectasawhole(Exhibit4,page2-12).TheprojectissubjecttofederalfundingthroughWashingtonStateDepartmentofTransportationandtheFederalHighwayAdministrationandthereforerequiresfederalregulatoryreviewinadditiontolocaljurisdictionalreviewbytheCitiesofTukwilaandRenton.Streams,wetlands,andothersensitiveresourcesintheprojectvicinityareaalsosubjecttofederalandstateregulations(Exhibit4,page1-4).ApprovalshavebeenprovidedforNationalProjectLocationERCReport15-000257 CityofRentonDepartmentofCommunity&EconomicDevelopmentEnvironmentalReviewCommitteeReportLAKETOSOUNDREGIONALTRAIL-SEGMENTALUA5-000257,ECF,SSDP,S-CUP,S-VReportofJanuary11,2015Page3of13EnvironmentalPolicyAct,Section106oftheNationalHistoricPreservationAct,andSection7oftheEndangeredSpeciesAct(Exhibit18and27).AdditionalfederalregulationsorstatutesthatapplytotheprotectionofvegetationandwildlifeinthestudyareaaretheEndangeredSpeciesAct(ESA),BaldandGoldenEagleProtectionAct,MigratoryBirdTreatyAct,andCleanWaterActSections401and404.FederalevaluationofthepresenceofEssentialFishHabitatasrequiredoftheMagnusonStevensFisheryConservationandManagementActhasoccurred.StateandlocalregulationsthatapplytotheprojectincludetheShorelineManagementActandcriticalareasordinancesfortheCitiesofRentonandTukwila.TheCityofTukwilarequiresseparateshorelinepermitapprovals.OtherapprovalsthatmayberequiredareaHydraulicProjectApproval(HPA)fromWashingtonDepartmentofFishandWildlife,aCleanWaterAct(CWA)Section404permitfromtheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers(Corps),andaCWASection401WaterQualityCertificationfromtheWashingtonStateDepartmentofEcology(Ecology),asnecessary.CommentswereprovidedbytheMuckleshootTribesWatershedsandLandUseTeam.InitialcommentsfromtheTribes,providedMay13,2015(Exhibit11)askedthattreesalongtheGreenRivernotberemoved,thatalltreestoberemovedalongtheriverbereplantedataminimum2:1ratio,thattreesremovedalongtheBlackRiverbeplacedintheriver,andinformationabouthowtheproposalwouldensuretherearenoconflictswithtwoWRIA9restorationprojectsneartheconfluenceoftheGreenandBlackRivers.KingCountystaffprovidedaresponsetothecomments(Exhibit26).Basedontheapplicant’sresponse,theMuckleshootprovidedadditionalcommentsDecember28,2015(Exhibit29)thataskforgreaterdetailofhowthetrailrouteinFortDentwasconsideredinregardstotheWRIA9restorationprojectsandthatfurtherexplanationofnonetlossofriparianfunctionswithrespecttotheproposedtreesalongtheriversbeprovided.StaffprovidedaresponsetotheMuckleshootonJanuary5,2015followingdiscussionwiththeapplicant(Exhibit33).PARTTWO:ENVIRONMENTALREVIEWUIncompliancewithRCW43.21C.240,thefollowingenvironmental(SEPA)reviewaddressesonlythoseprojectimpactsthatarenotadequatelyaddressedunderexistingdevelopmentstandardsandenvironmentalregulations.A.EnvironmentalThresholdRecommendationBasedonanalysisofprobableimpactsfromtheproposal,staffrecommendsthattheResponsibleOfficials:IssueaDNS-Mwitha14-dayAppealPeriod.B.MitigationMeasures1.TheapplicantshallprovideanyupdatedgeotechnicalreportfortheBlackRiverBridgewhichshallbesubmittedaspartofrequiredbuildingpermitapplication.2.TheapplicantshallberequiredtocomplywiththerecommendationsincludedintheDraftGeotechnicalReport-BlackRiverBridge,preparedbyHWAGeoSciencesInc,datedFebruary24,2015,Exhibit9,oranyupdatedgeotechnicalreportcreatedfortheproject.3.TheapplicantshallfollowthebridgeconstructionimpactsavoidancemeasuresaslistedinAppendixCoftheSeptember2015No-EffectsDeterminationfortheLaketoSoundTrail—SegmentA,Exhibit27.4.TheapplicantshallfollowtheplantingplanoranupdatedplantingplanandmonitoringandoftheFinalCriticalAreasStudyAppendixE,preparedbyParametrix,datedApril2015,Exhibit6.5.IfanyNativeAmericangrave(s)orarchaeological/culturalresources(NativeAmericanartifacts)arefoundallconstructionactivityshallstopandtheowner/developershallimmediatelynotifytheCityofRentonplanningdepartment,concernedTribes’culturalcommittees,andtheWashingtonStateDepartmentofArcheologyandHistoricPreservation.ERCReport15-000257 CityofRentonDepartmentofCommunity&EconomicDevelopmentEnvironmentalReviewCommitteeReportLAKETOSOUNDREGIONALTRAIL-SEGMENTALUA5-000257,ECF,SSDP,S-CUP,S-VReportofJanuary11,2015Page4of13C.ExhibitsExhibit1:EnvironmentalReviewCommitteeReportExhibit2:ZoningMaps-CitiesofTukwilaRentonandTukwilaExhibit3:ShorelineMasterProgram(SMP)VicinityMapExhibit4:PermitNarrativeandJustification,preparedbyParametrix,datedApril2015Exhibit5:FinalDrainageTechnicalInformationReport,preparedbyParametrix,datedApril2015Exhibit6:FinalCriticalAreasReport,preparedbyParametrix,datedApril2015Exhibit7:StreamDisciplineReport,preparedbyParametrix,datedApril2015Exhibit8:VegetationandWildlifeDisciplineReport,preparedbyParametrix,datedApril2015Exhibit9:DraftGeotechnicalReport-BlackRiverBridge,preparedbyHWAGeoScienceslnctforParametrix,datedFebruary24,2015Exhibit10:EnvironmentalChecklist,preparedbyParametrix,datedApril17,2015Exhibit11:AgencyComment;MuckleshootTribes,emaildatedMay13,2015Exhibit12:AgencyComment;CityofRentonDepartmentofCommunityServices,datedJuly23,2015Exhibit13:ProjectVicinityMapExhibit14:BiologicalAssessment—Bridge,preparedbyParametrix,datedAugust2015Exhibit15:ConstructionMitigationPlanExhibit16:LaketoSound,16-mileConceptualRegionalTrailCorridorExhibit17:60%ConstructionDrawings,preparedbyParametrix,datedApril2015Exhibit18:NEPAExemptionDetermination,WashingtonStateDepartmentofTransportationdocument,datedSeptember12,2012andAddendum,WSDOT,datedNovember3,2015Exhibit19:SlopesMap,CityofRentonExhibit20:BlackRiverBridgeLocation,SiteandExplorationPlan,preparedbyHWAGeoSciences,datedJanuary1,2015Exhibit21:WetlandsVicinityMapExhibit22:StreamandWetlandBufferImpactsMapsExhibit23:VegetationandWildlifeStudyAreaMapExhibit24:ProjectDrainageBasinMapExhibit25:FloodplainMap;1995DFIRMExhibit26:ResponseemailtoMuckleshootTribesComments,emailfromKrisSorensen,datedDecember10,2015Exhibit27:EndangeredSpeciesActNoEffectsLetterforSegmentA,preparedbyParametrix,datedOctober24,2011Exhibit28:EndangeredSpeciesActNoEffectsLetterforSegmentAPedestrianBridge,preparedbyParametrix,datedSeptember30,2011Exhibit29:SecondMuckleshootTribesComments,emailDecember28,2015Exhibit30:BridgeGroundImprovementsLimits,Plan,andElevationExhibit31:LandscapePlanandMitigationPlantingsPlanExhibit32:PhotosofTrailRouteExhibit33:ResponsetoMuckleshootComments#2,emailfromKrisSorensen,datedJanuary7,2016Exhibit34:FloodplainImpactAreaExhibit35:WRIA9—Green/DuwamishandCentralPugetSoundWatershedHabitatPlanProjectsExhibit36:AdvisoryNotesERCReport15-000257 CityofRentonDepartmentofCommunity&EconomicDevelopmentEnvironmentalReviewCommitteeReportLAKETOSOUNDREGIONALTRAIL-SEGMENTALUA15-000257,ECF,SSDP,S-CUP,S-VReportofJanuary11,2015Page50113D.EnvironmentalImpactsTheProposalwascirculatedandreviewedbyvariousCityDepartmentsandDivisionstodeterminewhethertheapplicanthasadequatelyidentifiedandaddressedenvironmentalimpactsanticipatedtooccurinconjunctionwiththeproposeddevelopment.Staffreviewershaveidentifiedthattheproposalislikelytohavethefollowingprobableimpacts:1.EarthImpacts:Proposedearthworkconsistsofclearing,grading,andfillalongthetrailrouteandfoundationworkforthenewnonmotorizedbridgethatwouldspantheBlackRiver.Theproposedpavedtrailsurfacecoversapproximately3.94acresofareaoverits1.2-milelength(Exhibit4).Theexistingtrailalignmentisgenerallyflat.Thesteepestareaofthecompletedtrailisapproximately5percentfortheapproachestothenewbridge.ThesteepestslopesintheprojectvicinityaretheslopesalongtheBlackRiverandareidentifiedbetween40and90percentslopeaccordingtoCityofRentonsoftware(Exhibit19).TheapplicantsubmittedaFinalCriticalAreasReport,preparedbyParametrix,datedApril2015thatevaluatesthegradingalongthetrailandalsosubmittedaDraftGeotechnicalReport-BlackRiverBridge,preparedbyHWAGeoSciencesInc,datedFebruary24,2015thatidentifiesearthworkassociatedwiththenewbridge(Exhibits6and9respectively).Gradingalongthenon-bridgeportionofthetrailconsistsofapproximately0.72acresoutsidethetrailfootprint(Exhibit6,page1-1).Gradingisestimatedatapproximately1,410cubicyardsofcutand2,980cubicyardsoffill(Exhibit17,sheetsCltoC15).Muchofthetrailsegmentisalreadyimprovedasa10to12-footwidegravelmaintenanceandrecreationaltrailwithintheBlackRiverRiparianForest.FromtheForest,thetrailiscurrentlypavedasitcrossesMonsterRdSWandheadswesttowardsrailroadundercrossingswheretheexistingtrailbecomesadirtfootpathanddirtroad.Thewesternmost600feetofthetrailisexistingmaintainedlawnatFortDentPark.EarthworkisalsorequiredforthenewbridgefoundationsonthenorthandsouthbanksoftheBlackRivertobelocatedeastoftheexistingMonsterRdSbridge(Exhibit27andExhibit30).TheGeotechnicalReportfindsthatthesubsurfacewithintheareaoftheproposedbridgesupportsisunderlainbyfilloverloosealluvium,overmediumdensealluvium,overGlacialTillorBedrock,andarerelativelydeep,liquefiablesoilsthatarepronetosettlementandlateralspreadingduringaseismicevent.Accordingtothegeotechnicalreport,suitablebearingmaterialforbridgefoundationswasencounteredatapproximately45feetonthenorthbankandat67feetatthesouthbank(Exhibit9,page3,SubsurfaceConditions).Toestablishthebridgefoundations,approximately60soilcolumnswouldbeconstructedtostabilizea16-footby35-footareaonthesouthsideoftheriveranda16-footby25-footareaonthenorthsideoftheriver(Exhibit27).Eachcolumnwouldbeapproximately4feetindiameterandextend30to40feetbelowexistinggrade.AllgroundimprovementsforthebridgeareabovetheBlackRiverOrdinaryHighWaterMark(OHWM).DrillingequipmentisanticipatedtoremainupslopeoftheOHWMatalltimes.TheDraftGeotechnicalReport-BlackRiverBridgestatestheprobabilityofcatastrophicbridgefailureandhumanlifefatalitieswillbesignificantlysmallwhenthepilefoundationscombinedwithstonecolumnsareusedforthebridgesupport(Exhibit9).Becausethesubmittedreportisadraft,staffrecommendsasamitigationmeasurethattheapplicantprovideanyupdatedgeotechnicalreportfortheBlackRiverBridgeaspartofrequiredbuildingpermitsubmittal.StaffalsorecommendsamitigationmeasurethattheapplicantberequiredtocomplywiththerecommendationsincludedintheDraftGeotechnicalReport-BlackRiverBridge,preparedbyHWAGeoSciencesInc,datedFebruary24,2015oranyupdatedgeotechnicalreportcreatedfortheproject.MitigationMeasures:1.TheapplicantshallprovideanyupdatedgeotechnicalreportfortheBlackRiverBridgewhichshallbesubmittedaspartofrequiredbuildingpermitapplication.ERCReport15-000257 CityofRentonDepartmentofCommunity&EconomicDevelopmentEnvironmentalReviewCommitteeReportLAKETOSOUNDREGIONALTRAIL-SEGMENTALUA5-000257,ECF,SSDP,S-CUP,S-VReportofianuary11,2015Page6of132.TheapplicantshallberequiredtocomplywiththerecommendationsincludedintheDraftGeotechnicalReport-BlackRiverBridge,preparedbyHWAGeoSciencesmc,datedFebruary24,2015oranyupdatedgeotechnicalreportcreatedfortheproject.Nexus:SEPAEnvironmentalRegulations,RentonShorelineMasterProgramRMC4-3-090,andTukwilaShorelineRegulationsTMC18.44.2.Watera.Wetland,Streams,LakesImpacts:ThetrailalignmentisproposedthroughsixwetlandswithintheCityofRentonandwithintheshorelinejurisdictionsoftheGreenRiverandBlackRiverintheCityofTukwilaandtheBlackRiverwithintheCityofRenton.Atotalof1.31acresofwetlandbuffersandstreambufferswouldbepermanentlyandtemporarilyimpactedbytheproposal.Therearenoconstructionactivitieswithin25feetoftheGreenRiverorbelowtheOHWMoftheBlackRiversonotemporaryorpermanentstreamimpactsareanticipatedaslongasbestmanagementpracticesarefollowedduringbridgeconstruction(Exhibit27,pageA-9).Theapplicantsubmittedtworeportsspecifictoimpactsofwetlandsandtherivers/streamsassociatedwiththeproject:aStreamDisciplineReport,preparedbyParametrix,datedApril2015(Exhibit7),andaFinalCriticalAreasReport,preparedbyParametrix,datedApril2015(Exhibit6).AdditionalanalysisofwetlandandstreamimpactsisprovidedthroughthetwosubmittedEndangeredSpeciesAct(ESA)NoEffectsDocuments(Exhibits27and28).Notrailorconstructionworkisproposedthroughwetlands(Exhibit6,page4-1).Theapplicantproposesmitigationplantingsandrevegetationofareaswithintheprojectaspartofoverallprojectmitigation.Themitigationplantingplansaredescribedinthe“Vegetation”reportsubsectionofthisstaffreport.Permanentandtemporaryimpactstowetlandbufferswouldoccur.Theareaofpermanentimpactstowetlandbuffersisapproximately0.49acres(21,321squarefeet).Theareaoftemporaryimpactstowetlandbufferduringconstructionisapproximately0.12acres(5,302squarefeet)(Exhibit6,page4-1andExhibit22).Theseareaswouldbegradedandexistingvegetationandtreeswouldberemoved.ThesubmittedStreamDisciplineReportidentifiedthepotentialstreamimpactareaaswithin200feetoftheGreenandBlackRiverstocovertheshorelinejurisdictionalareasofthecitiesofTukwilaandRenton(Exhibit7,page3-1).TheBlackRiverRiparianForestisalsoincludedbecausetheforestisregulatedasashorelinewithintheCityofRenton.Theareaofpermanentimpactofstreambuffersisapproximately0.73acres(31,641squarefeet)although0.13acresoverlapswithimpactedwetlandbuffersandwasassignedtothewetlandsectionforimpactanalysis.About0.40acresofthepermanentlyimpactedstreambufferareaisalreadypermanentlyimpactedbypavement,gravel,orotherimpervioussurfaces(Exhibit28,page7).Temporaryimpactstostreambufferswouldoccurduetoclearingandgradingandmayoccurfrompotentialerosion,sedimentation,andnoisedisturbanceduringconstruction.Thetotalamountoftemporarilyimpactedstreambufferisanticipatedatabout0.10acres(4,455squarefeet).TheStreamDisciplineReportstatesthatbecausetheportionsoftheaffectedbufferarealreadydegradedandthattheseareaswouldbereplantedonceconstructioniscomplete,temporaryclearingalongthestreamsarenotexpectedtohaveasubstantialeffectonstreamhabitatorfishresources(Exhibit7,page4-2).AllproposedbridgecomponentswouldbedesignedandinstalledinaccordancewiththeprovisionoftheHydraulicProjectApproval(HPA)(Exhibit7).TheHPAreviewandapprovalisprovidedbytheWashingtonDepartmentofFishandWildlife(WDFW).Thepermitrequiresthatnonetlossofhabitatfunctionsnecessarytosustainfishlifeandthatunavoidableimpactsbeaddressedthroughcompensatorymitigationofthebridgeproject.Theproposedprefabricatedsteelgirderpedestrianbridgeisapproximately109feetlongand14feetwide.Bridgeconstructionsequencingisproposedasconstructionofthefoundationsystem,liftingthepreconstructedbridgeonacraneontothefoundation.ThecranewouldoperatefromthelevelareaabovetheBlackRiverbankcrest(Exhibit14,page1-7).BridgeworkisanticipatedtobegininMayof2016andisexpectedtolastapproximately5monthswithover-waterworkexpectedtobeaccomplishedERCReport15-000257 CityofRentonDepartmentofCommunity&EconomicDevelopmentEnvironmentalReviewCommitteeReportLAKETOSOUNDREGIONALTRAIL-SEGMENTALUA5-000257,ECF,SSDP,S-CUP,S-VReportofJanuary11,2015Page7of13inapproximatelytwoweeks(Exhibit27,pageii).ImpactavoidanceandprojectminimizationmeasuresforthebridgeconstructionareprovidedintheNoEffectDocumentationforESA-listedSpeciesandCriticalHabitatdocument(Exhibit27,pageC-i).Theoutlinedmeasurescoverbridgedesign,bridgeinstallation,equipmentuse,constructionmaterials,andcontainment.StaffrecommendsasamitigationmeasurethatallofthebridgerelatedimpactavoidancemeasuresbefollowedbytheapplicantaslistedintheNoEffectDocumentationforESA-listedSpeciesandCriticalHabitatdocumentAppendixC(Exhibit27).AHydraulicProjectApproval(HPA)fromthestateDepartmentofFishandWildlifeisrequiredbythestateforoverwaterworkforthebridgecrossingofBlackRiverandanyconditionsoftheHPAarerequiredtobefollowed.TheMuckleshootprovidedcommentthataWRIA9restorationprojectattheconfluenceoftheBlackandGreenRiversmaybeimpactedbytheproposedtrail(Exhibit29).ThisprojectisknownasLG-i7andispartoftheWRIA9planforthearea(Exhibit35).ProjectLG-17consistsofrestorationofa50feetwidthriparianareaalongthebankoftheBlackRiverfromtheBlackRiverPumpStationtotheconfluencewiththeGreenRiver.TheapplicantprovidedaresponsethatportionsoftherestorationprojectwithinRentonwouldberestoredaspartofthisproject,approximately21,330squarefeetfromtheCityofRentonlinetotheMonsterRdBridge,andthattheriparianareaalongthetrailcorridorcouldpotentiallybefencedaspartoftheprojecttolimittrailusersfromaccessingthearea(Exhibit33).MitigationMeasures:1.TheapplicantshallfollowthebridgeconstructionimpactsavoidancemeasuresaslistedinAppendixCoftheSeptember2015No-EffectsDeterminationfortheLaketoSoundTrail—SegmentA,Exhibit27.Nexus:SEPAEnvironmentalRegulations,RentonShorelineMasterProgramRMC4-3-090,andTukwilaShorelineRegulationsTMC18.44.b.GroundWaterImpacts:GroundwaterwasobservedintheareasofthenewBlackRiverbridgecrossingduringboringdrillingatadepthofapproximately13.5feetonthenorthbankand19feetbelowtheexistinggroundsurfaceonthesouthbankandduetotherelativelyhighpermeabilityofthefillsoilsandsiltysand,itisexpectedthatgroundwaterlevelsarereflectiveoftheriverlevel(Exhibit9,page4).Accordingtothesubmittedgeotechnicalreport,becauseofrelativelyhighpermeabilityofthefillsoilsandsiltysand,itisexpectedthatgroundwaterlevelswillbereflectiveofriverlevel(Exhibit9).TheprojectEnvironmentalCheckliststatesthatnogroundwaterwillbewithdrawnandnowaterwouldbedischargedtogroundwater(Exhibit10,pages8-9)asapartoftheproject.AreviewofnearbynonprojectsiteswasevaluatedforpotentialcontaminationoftheprojectareaintheWSDOTNEPAdocumentation(Exhibit18).Theevaluationfoundthattheriskofencounteringcontaminationfromregulatedandobservedfacilities,locatedadjacenttotheproposedprojectcorridor,islow.MitigationMeasures:None.Nexus:Notapplicable.c.StormWaterImpacts:Nopermanentimpactsareanticipatedfromstormwaterrunoffoncethetrailprojectiscomplete(Exhibit5,page3-3).Somegradingworkwillimpactthe100-yearfloodplainwherethetrailalignmentislocatedwithinthefloodhazardarea.TheapplicantsubmittedwiththeprojectapplicationaFinalTechnicalInformationReport(TIR)forDrainageandFloodplain,preparedbyParametrix,datedApril2015(Exhibit5).AdditionalfloodplainanalysisspecifictothenewbridgeisprovidedintheBiologicalAssessment,preparedbyParametrix,datedAugust2014(Exhibit14).TheTIRstatesthatstormwaterfromthecompletedpavedtrailwouldsheetflowandbeinfiltratedorinterceptedbyvegetatedareasbetweenthetrailandwaterbodiesalongthetrail.NoimpactstothehydrologyoftheGreenRiverorBlackRiverwouldresultfromERCReport15-000257 CityofRentonDepartmentofCommunity&EconomicDevelopmentEnvironmentalReviewCommitteeReportLAKETOSOUNDREGIONALTRAIL-SEGMENTALUA5-000257,ECF,SSDP,S-CUP,S-VReportofianuary11,2015Page8of13operationoftheproject.Theprojectwouldnotaddanypollution-generatingimpervioussurfacethatcouldcontaminateorchangewaterqualityofthenearbystreams(Exhibit7,page4-2).Portionsofthetrailroutearelocatedwithinthe100-yearfloodplainareainboththecitiesofTukwilaandRentonandthenetimpactoftheproposalwouldbemoreexcavatedareathanfill(Exhibit25).Approximately1,050feetofthetrailalignmentnearthewesternend(Tukwilaside)oftheproposedtrailcorridorwouldbebelowtheelevationofthe100-yearfloodplain(Exhibit6,page4-21).Themajorityoftheexistingtrailalignmentiselevatedabovethefloodplain.Theproposedbridgeandabutmentsaredesignedtobeabovethe100-yearfloodplainelevationwiththebottomofthebridgeapproximate6feetabovethefloodplainelevation.Intheareaswherethetrailisbelowfloodplainelevation,approximately217cubicyardsoffillwillbeplacedandapproximately242cubicyardsofexcavationisproposed(Exhibit5,page6-1andAppendixF,andExhibit32).WithinTukwila,approximately115.64cubicyardsoffilland5.47cubicyardsofexcavationareproposedwithinthefloodplain.WithinRenton,approximately100.89cubicyardsoffilland236.39cubicyardsofexcavationareproposedwithinthefloodplain.Thenetresultfortheprojectisapproximately25cubicyardsofmaterialexcavatedfrombelowthefloodplainelevation(Exhibit5,page6-1).MitigationMeasures:None.Nexus:Notapplicable.3.VegetationImpacts:Permanentandtemporaryimpactsofexistingvegetationwouldoccuralongthetrailalignment,withinstreamandwetlandbufferareas,andthroughtheremovaloftrees.Approximately150treesareproposedforremoval.Theapplicantsubmittedreportsspecifictoanalysisandimpactsofvegetation,criticalareas,andcriticalhabitatforfish:aVegetationandWildlifeDisciplineReport,preparedbyParametrix,datedApril2015(Exhibit8),aFinalCriticalAreasReport,preparedbyParametrix,datedApril2015(Exhibit6),andtwoESANoEffectDeterminationdocuments,preparedbyParametrix,datedSeptember2015andOctober2011(Exhibits27and28).TheESAdocumentsfoundthatthetrailimprovementsandbridgewouldhavenoeffectonESA-listedspeciesorcriticalhabitat.Temporaryimpactsofvegetationareanticipatedtobelimitedtotheareasalongthetrail.Treesandlowervegetationwouldbeclearedalongthetrailasidentifiedonthesubmittedclearingplan(Exhibit17).TheFinalCriticalAreasReportstatesthattrailconstructionisnotexpectedtoreducespeciesdiversityorresultinasubstantialreductioninplantcoverwithinthecriticalareabuffers(Exhibit6,page4-1).Alltemporarilyaffectedareaswouldberestoredtopre-constructionconditionsandwouldbere-plantedorseededwithnativespecies.Mitigationplantingsandrestorationareasalongtheprojectalignmentareproposedtooffsetthepermanentimpactsofthelostvegetationandfunctionsandvaluesoftheshorelineandprojectareas.Theproposedplantingsalongthetrail,mitigationplantings,conservationareaplantings,andtreereplacementsfortheprojectareproposedtohelpoffsetimpactswithintheshorelineandcriticalareas.Vegetationintemporarilyaffectedareaswouldlikelyreturntoastateresemblingpre-constructionconditionswithinafewgrowingseasonsafterthecompletionofconstruction.TheCityofRentonhasprovidedspecificrequestsoftheapplicantforplantingsofnativeplantsalongthetrailsegmentwithinRentonthatincludesubmittingalandscapeplanforareasclearedalongthetrail(Exhibit12).Aspartoftheprojectshorelinepermit,staffwillrecommendthattheapplicantsubmitalandscapeplanfortheCityofRentonCommunityServicestoreviewandapprove.WithinFortDentParkwithinTukwila,approximately20deciduousandfirtreeswithtrunkslargerthan4inchesindiameterwouldbeclearedfortrailconstruction(Exhibit6,page4-1).Othertreesmaybeaffectedbydisturbanceofunderstoryvegetationwithintheareasshadedbythetrees’canopies,orthroughrootcompactionbyconstructionactivities.BecausethesetreesarelocatedwithintheshorelinezonefortheGreenRiver,trailconstructionwouldbesubjecttotherequirementsofaTreeClearingPermitperTMC18.54.070.Thispermitwouldidentifyallaffectedtrees,alongwiththemeasuresthatwouldbeERCReport15-000257 CityofRentonDepartmentofCommunity&EconomicDevelopmentEnvironmentalReviewCommitteeReportLAKETOSOUNDREGIONALTRAIL-SEGMENTALUA5-000257,ECF,SSDP,S-CUP,S-VportofJanuary11,2015Page9of13implementedtoprotectthem.Anytreelargerthan4inchesdiameterthatisremovedwithintheCityofTukwilawouldbereplacedwithoneormorenewtrees,basedonthereplacementratiosinTMC18.54.130(3).TheCityofRentonhasdeterminedthatalltreeswithin10feetofthepavededgeofthetrailshouldberemoved,asshouldallcottonwoodtreeswithin20feetofthepavededgeofthetrail,fortheprotectionofpublicsafetyandthetrailsurface(Exhibit12).Intotal,approximately129treeswouldberemovedwithintheCityofRenton,primarilyconsistingofcottonwoods(Exhibit6,page4-1).Approximately53ofthetreesproposedforremovalarebetween6inchesandgreaterindiameterincluding16cottonwoods.MostofthetreesproposedforremovalintheCityofRentonarewithintheregulatorybuffersofstreamsand/orwetlands.AsdiscussedintheFinalCriticalAreaStudy(Parametrix2015a)andsummarizedbelow,compensatorymitigationforthelossoftreesintheseareaswouldfocusonenhancingecologicalfunctionsandtoprovideequalorgreaterfunctionsthanwouldbeaffectedbytheproject.AllclearedtreesadjacenttotheBlackRiverRiparianForestlargerthan6inchesindiameter,whethertheyareinsideoroutsideofaregulatorybuffer,wouldbereplacedbynewtreesataratioof1:1orgreater.TheMuckleshootTribesprovidedcommentsregardingthenonetlossassessmentfortheprojectespeciallywiththeremovalofmaturetreeswithintheshorelineareas(Exhibits11and29).Theyrequestthattreesshouldbereplantedataminimum2:1ratiotoimproveriparianfunctionsalongtherivers.TheMuckleshootalsoaskediftreestoberemovedaspartoftheprojectcanbeaddedtotheBlackRiveraspartialmitigationforthelossoffuturewoodrecruitmentfunction.KingCountyhasprovidedresponsethattherequestfora2:1ratiocanbeaccommodatedbuttherearenoplansforplacingwooddebrisintheBlackRiverasmitigationbecausetheprojectandproposedmitigationprovidesfornonetlossofecologicalprocessesandfunctionsoftheshorelineareas(Exhibit26).ThenumberoftreestobeplantedintheCityofRentonaspartoftheprojectisapproximately900.TheproposeddeciduousandevergreentreesareamixtureofBigleafMaple,PaperBirch,SitkaSpruce,DouglasFir,PacificWillow,SitkaWillow,WesternRedCedar,andVineMaple.TheCityofTukwiladoesnotspecifyrequiredcompensatorymitigationratiosforimpactstowetlandbuffersorstreambuffers.Anytreeswithtrunkslargerthan4inchesindiameterthatareremovedwithinsensitiveareasorshorelinezonesintheCityofTukwilawouldbereplacedasprescribedbyTMCrequirements.Thesubjectproposalincludesmultiplereplantingareasforprojectmitigationimpacts,screeningfortheheroncolony,andaspartofshorelinebufferconservation(Exhibit31).TheFinalCriticalAreasStudystatesthatthistypeofmitigationwouldoffsettheproject’simpactsonstreamresourcesbymaintainingorenhancingthoseriparianfunctionsthatsupportwaterqualityandfishhabitat(Exhibit6,page5-4).TheCriticalAreasStudyfurtherstatesthattheriparianfunctionsthatwouldbenefitfrommitigationsincludeLWDrecruitment,streamtemperatureregulation,bankstability,leaflitterrecruitment,andwaterqualityfunctions.AllplantingareasareproposedwithintheCityofRenton.Intotal,theseplantingareasareapproximately98,297squarefeetofarea(2.26acres).Threemitigationplantingareasareproposedthattotal48,768squarefeetandarelocatedontheBlackRiverbanksandinthenorth-centralareaoftheBlackRiverRiparianForestarea.Twoshorelinebuffervegetationconservationareasofapproximately42,741squarefeetareproposedtobereplantedonthenorthandsouthbanksoftheBlackRiver.Ascreeningplantingareaisproposedofapproximately6,788squarefeettoprovidefullerscreeningoftheheroncolonyfromthetrailroute.Allareasaretobeplantedwithnativetreeandshrubsspecies(Exhibit31).Amaintenanceandmonitoringplanfortheplantingswassubmittedwithperformanceandcontingencymeasuresaspartofa5-yearreportingperiodfollowinginstallation(Exhibit6).BasedonthesubmittedFinalCriticalAreasreportandmitigationplanproposed,staffrecommendsamitigationmeasurethattheapplicantberequiredtofollowtheproposedorfutureupdatedplantingplanandmonitoringandmaintenanceprovidedintheFinalCriticalAreasStudyAppendixE,preparedbyParametrix,datedApril2015.MitigationMeasures:ERCReport15-000257 CityofRentonDepartmentofCommunity&EconomicDevelopmentEnvironmentalReviewCommitteeReportLAKETOSOUNDREGIONALTRAIL-SEGMENTALUAS-000257,ECF,SSDP,S-CUP,S-VReportofianuary11,2015Page10of131.TheapplicantshallfollowtheplantingplanoranupdatedplantingplanandmonitoringandoftheFinalCriticalAreasStudyAppendixE,preparedbyParametrix,datedApril2015,Exhibit6.Nexus:SEPAEnvironmentalRegulations,RentonShorelineMasterProgramRMC4-3-090,andTukwilaShorelineRegulationsTMC18.44.4.WildlifeImpacts:AVegetationandWildlifeDisciplineReportwassubmittedwiththeapplication,preparedbyParametrix,datedApril2015,andprovidesanalysisofanticipatedimpactstonon-fishwildlife(Exhibit2).AFinalCriticalAreasReportwassubmittedwiththeapplication,preparedbyParametrix,datedApril2015,andprovidesanalysisofanticipatedimpactstospecialstatusfishandhabitat(Exhibit6).TheapplicantalsosubmittedanESANoEffectsDocumentevaluation(Exhibit27),whichevaluateimpactsofregulatedfish.EssentialfishhabitatwasassessedintheNoEffectsdocumentanditwasdeterminedthattheprojectandnewbridgewouldnothaveanadverseeffectontheESAlistedfishandtheircriticalhabitat(Exhibit27).Staffhasrecommendedamitigationmeasureinthe“Water”reportsubsectionthattheprojectfollowtherecommendavoidanceactionsinthesubmittedBiologicalAssessmenttoreducepotentialimpactstofishandwater.Theseavoidanceactionsincludeconstructionbestmanagementpractices,atemporaryerosionandsedimentcontrolplanincompliancewiththeRegionalRoadMaintenanceESAProgramGuidelines,SPCCplan,andrequirementsandconditionsspecifiedintheHPAissuedbyWDFW.Thetrailprojectalignmentishometomorethan50speciesofbirdsincludingosprey,red-tailedhawk,baldeagles,avarietyofsongbirds,andacolonyofgreatblueheronsthathasactivelynestedintheRiparianForesteveryyearsince1986(Exhibit10,page10).DatafromtheWDFWindicatethattheBlackRiverRiparianForestisalsousedbymanywaterfowlspecies,includingbufflehead,mallard,gadwall,wigeon,scaup,andgreen-wingedteal.Mammalspresentintheareaarelikelytoincludecoyotes,raccoons,beavers,mice,voles,andmoles.Reptilesandamphibiansthatusetheprojectareahabitatsincludegartersnakes,Pacificchorusfrogs,andlong-toedsalamanders.Impactstoareawildlifeandhabitatwouldoccurduetoconstructionandincreaseduseandactivityofhumansofthecorridor.TheVegetationandWildlifeDisciplineReportassessedthepotentialforproject-relatednoiseandhumanactivitytodisturbsensitivewildlifespeciesupto1,300feetfromthetrailalignmentbasedonpublishedguidelinestoavoiddisturbancetosensitivespeciesthatmayoccurintheprojectvicinity.Thedegreeofdisturbanceduringconstructionwoulddependonthenoiselevel,thetimingandduringofconstructionactivities,andthesensitivityofindividualanimals.Constructionactivityisexpectedtobegininlatespring2016andlikelybecompletedwithin12months(Exhibit8,page4-3).Clearinginspringandsummermaydamageordestroythenestsofmigratorybirds.TheVegetationandWildlifeReportstatesthatwildlifesensitivetodisturbancewouldlikelyavoidtheareaduringconstructionintheshort-termandnotlikelyinfluencethelong-termviabilityofwildlifeintheprojectcorridorarea(Exhibit8,page4-3).Muchoftheprojectareaisalreadygraveledorwellworndirtpathwaysandanypermanentlossofhabitatalongtheprojectcorridorisnotexpectedtoreducespeciesdiversityorresultinasubstantialreductioninhabitatavailability.Also,withinwetlandsinthestudyarea,notemporaryorpermanentimpactsareanticipatedandthereforelocalpopulationsofwetlanddependentwildlifespeciesarenotexpectedtobeaffectedbytheproject(Exhibit10,page4-3).Theremaybeadverseeffectsonsensitivewildlifeasthefrequencyofuseandincreaseinnumbersofusersareexpectedonthetrailwithfulloperationanduseofthetrailfollowingconstruction.Trashmayalsoincreasealongthecorridorandcanattractwildlifespeciessuchascrows,jays,and/ormammalsthatcouldin-turncreateimpacts.Baldeagle,greatblueheron,andpileatedwoodpeckerarespecial-statuswildlifespeciesthathavebeenobservedintheprojectareaandspecial-statuswildlifethatmayoccur(notobserved)areWesterntoad,PeregrineFalcon,andTownsend’sbig-earedbat.Special-statusspeciesinclude(1)specieslistedasendangeredorthreatenedundertheESA,(2)speciesthatarecandidatesorproposedforlistingundertheERCReport15-000257 CityofRentonDepartmentofCommunity&EconomicDevelopmentEnvironmentalReviewCommitteeReportLAKETOSOUNDREGIONALTRAIL-SEGMENTALUA5-000257,ECF,SSDP,S-CUP,S-VReportofianuary11,2015Page11of13ESA,(3)specieslistedbyWDFWasendangered,threatened,candidate,orsensitive,and(4)otherspeciesforwhichcriticalhabitatareasaredesignatedbytheCityofRentonorforwhichfishandwildlifehabitatconservationareasaredesignatedbytheCityofTukwila.AnalysisofimpactstotheWesterntoad,PeregrineFalcon,andTownsend’sbig-earedbatareprovidedinthesubmittedVegetationandWildlifeReport(Exhibits8).Asummaryofpotentialimpactstobaldeagles,herons,Chinooksalmon,andbulltroutareprovidedbelow.BaldEagles:TheVegetationandWildlifeReportstatesthattheprojectwouldnotbeexpectedtoaffecttheavailabilityofsuitablehabitatforbaldeaglesinthestudyarea(Exhibit8,page4-3).Notreesproposedtoberemovedbyprojectconstructionaresuitableforbaldeaglenesting,roosting,orperching.Thenearestbaldeaglenestismorethan1,000feetfromthetrail.ConstructionnoiseandactivityhasthepotentialtodisturbforagingactivitiesintheBlackRiverRiparianForestandthereareotherreadilyavailableareasforforaginginthegeneralvicinityandalongnearbybodiesofwater(Exhibit8,page4-4).Long-term,theUSFWSsaysthatnon-motorizedrecreationalactivitiesgreaterthan330feetfromactivebaldeaglenestsareunlikelytodisturbnests(Exhibit8,page4-11).BlueHeron:Althoughnotastate-listedorESA-listedspeciesinWashington,thegreatblueheronisaspeciesofspecialconcerninBritishColumbiaduetodecliningproductivity.Formanyyears,theBlackRiverRiparianForestsupportedoneofthelargestbreedingcoloniesofgreatblueheronsinWashingtonState,withmorethan100nestsdistributedthroughoutmuchoftheforestedarea.Formuchofthattime,thegreatestdensityofnestswasneartheeasternedgeofthelagoonabovetheBlackRiverpumpstation,neartheconfluencewithSpringbrookCreek.PortionsofthetrailalignmentnorthoftheBlackRiverpumpstationareapproximately250to500feetfromstandsthathavebeenusedaspre-nestingcongregationareas.NovegetationclearingwouldtakeplaceinforestedstandswithinorimmediatelyadjacenttotheBlackRivernestingheroncolonyduringfortrailconstruction.Heronscouldpossiblybeimpactedduetotheirsensitivityoftrailuse(Exhibit8,page4-10).Thepotentialfordisturbancetonestingheronswouldbeminimizedbythedistancefromthetrailandcontinuedvegetatedbufferscreeningbetweenthecolonyandtrail.Theselectedlocationofmostofthetrailalignment,attheedgeoftheRiparianForestandadjacenttocurrentlydevelopedareasreducesthelikliehoodthatnestingbirdswouldperceivethetrailuseasanewdisturbanceaccordingtotheVegetationandWildlifeReport(Exhibit8,page4-10).Improvementstotheexistingtrailcouldallowforanincreaseinheronobserversdeterminedtogetclosetothecolony.WDFWrecommendsayear-roundbufferof656feetaroundnestingcoloniesandseasonalbufferof1,312feet.Grading,construction,andvegetationclearingarediscouragedwithintheyear-roundbufferandloudactivitiesarediscouragedfromFebruarytoSeptemberintheseasonalbufferarea.WDFWprovidesanumberofmanagementrecommendationsforthecolony.Theeffectsofgradingandconstructioncouldbevisibletonestingherons—astheyflyinandoutofthenestingcolony.Noisefromconstructionmachinerymaybeaudiblewithinthecolonysite.Sudden,loudnoisesmayfrightenbirdsoffnests,renderingeggsandyoungmorevulnerabletopredation.Suchdisruptionsmaydiminishreproductivesuccessduringtheseasoninwhichtheyoccur,andcouldcontributetoabandonmentofnestsorevenofthecolony.Also,theadditionalnoisesourcescouldexacerbatestresslevelsforanestingcolonythathasbeensubjecttonoiseandotherdisturbancefromongoingactivitiesattheconcreterecyclingplantandlightindustrialdevelopmentnearby.Theaveragemaximumnoiselevelsassociatedwithtrailconstructionequipmentwouldnotexceed83decibelsorthe92-decibelthresholdthatdefinesunusuallyloudactivitiesaccordingtoWDFW’smanagementrecommendations.Nevertheless,tominimizethepotentialfordisturbancetobreedingherons,activityrestrictionswouldbeimplementedfortrailconstructionbetweenJanuary15andAugust31.Fish:FishhabitatandfisharepresentinboththeGreenRiverandBlackRiverareaswheretheprojectislocated.FishhabitatandfishpresenceandpotentialimpactstofishalongtheprojectalignmentaredescribedinthesubmittedFinalCriticalAreaStudy,preparedbyParametrix,datedApril2015andthetwoESANoEffectDeterminationdocuments,preparedbyParametrix,datedSeptember2015andOctober2011(Exhibits27and28).TheESANoEffectDeterminationdocumentforthewholeprojectexcludingthenewERCReport15-000257 CityofRentonDepartmentofCommunity&EconomicDevelopmentEnvironmentalReviewCommitteeReportLAKETOSOUNDREGIONALTRAIL-SEGMENTALUA5-000257,ECF,SSDP,S-CUP,S-VReportofJanuary11,2015Page12of13bridgestatesthattheprojectwillhavenoeffectupondesignatedcriticalhabitatforChinooksalmonorbulltrout,andPugetSoundSteelheadandthattheprojectwillnotadverselyaffectEssentialFishHabitat(Exhibit27,pages10-11).TheESANoEffectDeterminationdocumentforthenewbridgestatesthattheprojectwillhavenoeffectonESA-listedspeciesorcriticalhabitat(Exhibit28).MitigationMeasures:None.Nexus:NotApplicable.5.ParksandRecreationImpacts:ThesubjectprojectwouldimpactparksystemsofbothcitiesbyimprovingthetrailsystemsatFortDentParkinTukwilaandintheBlackRivetRiparianForestwithinRenton.TheBlackRivetRiparianForestisapproximately94acresofwetlands,shoreline,andnaturalareaswithanestablishedtrailsystem.FortDentisapproximately54acreswithsoccerfields,aplayground,picnicarea,andotherparkamenitiesandincludestheprivatelyrunStarfireSportsComplex.AnewconnectiontotheregionalGreenRiverTrailwouldbecreatedatFortDent.NotemporaryclosuresoftheGreenRiverTrailareanticipatedduringprojectconstruction.Theexistingtrailcurrentlyreceiveslowlevelsofuseforwalking,running,bicycling,petexercise,andbird-watching.Theuseswouldlikelybeincreasedthroughproposedprojectimprovements.TheBlackRiverRiparianForestrecreationandnaturalareawasacquiredwithavarietyoffundingsourcesincludingagrantfromwhatisnowtheWashingtonStateRecreationandConservationOffice(RCO).KingCountyconsultedwithRCOtoensuretheconsistencyofthesubjecttrailcorridorprojectwiththeintentofthegrant.RCOconfirmedthatthegrantprogramencouragespublicaccesstowildlifeareasandthetrailisconsistentwiththegrant.SegmentAwouldbecomepartofalargerplannedsystemthatwouldserveemploymentandresidentialcentersinSouthKingCountyandconnecttoregionaltrailsinSeattleandthegreaterregionaltrailsystemnetwork.SegmentAprovidesamuchneededimprovedtrailconnectionbetweentheregionalgrowthcentersofRentonandTukwilaandsafepassageundertheheavyrailroadlines.MitigationMeasures:None.Nexus:NotApplicable.6.HistoricandCulturalPreservationImpacts:ThetrailalignmentpassesthroughtheboundariesoftheWhiteLakehistoricandculturalsite.TheWhiteLakesiteislocatedonthesouthbankoftheBlackRiveratitsconfluencewiththeGreenRiver.Theapplicantconductedaculturalresourcesurveyfoundnoevidenceofthearchaeologicalsiteduringfieldinvestigations(Exhibit10,page16).ThesubmittedEnvironmentalCheckliststatesthatalthoughnohistoricpropertieswerefoundintheinvestigation,thewesternportionoftheprojectareaisnonethelessconsideredsensitiveforthepresenceofprecontactarchaeologicalresourcesbecauseoftheWhiteLakesiteandotherknownethnographicvillages(Exhibit10,page16-17).Excavationtoconstructthetrailwithinarchaeologicalsiteboundariesisanticipatedtobeminimizedasdesignedandisnotproposedtoexceed9to12incheswithintheconstructionarea.Staffrecommendsamitigationmeasurethatifanyarcheological/culturalresourcesarefoundthatconstructionstopandtheapplicantcontacttheCityofRentonPlanningDivision,concernedTribes’culturalcommittees,andtheWashingtonStateDepartmentofArcheologyandHistoricPreservation.MitigationMeasures:1.IfanyNativeAmericangrave(s)orarchaeological/culturalresources(NativeAmericanartifacts)arefoundallconstructionactivityshallstopandtheowner/developershallimmediatelynotifytheCityofRentonplanningdepartment,concernedTribes’culturalcommittees,andtheWashingtonStateDepartmentofArcheologyandHistoricPreservation.Nexus:SEPA7.TransportationERCReport15-000257 CityofRentonDepartmentofCommunity&EconomicDevelopmentEnvironmentalReviewCommitteeReportLAKETOSOUNDREGIONALTRAIL-SEGMENTALUA5-000257,ECF,SSDP,S-CUP,S-VReportofJanuary11,2015Page130113Impacts:Thesubject1.2-miletrailprojectwouldimproveanon-motorizedcorridorthroughSouthKingCounty.ThesubjectSegmentAoftheLaketoSoundregionalroutewouldestablishanewstreetcrossingoverMonsterRd5,astreamcrossingovertheBlackRiver,andimprovethesafetyofundercrossingsoffunctioningrailroadlines.Theprojectcouldresultinthereductionofthenumberofvehiclesandbicyclistsusingthestreetsbytransitioningsomedriversintotrailusers.ThetrailwouldconnectNachesAveSWinRentontoFortDentPark,StarfireSportsComplex,andtheGreenRiverTrailinTukwila.AnewsignalizedcrossingwouldbeinstalledfortrailuserstocrossMonsterRdS.Trafficthatusesthearterialwouldbeslowedandstoppedatthenewsignal.ForthetrailtocrosstheBlackRiver,animprovementoftheexistingMonsterRoadBridgewasconsidered,butultimatelyanew114-footnon-motorizedbridgeisproposedtocrosstheBlackRiverjusteastoftheMonsterRoadBridge.Crossingoftheexistingbridgewasdeemedunsafeduetothestructuralintegrityoftheexistingstructure.Nonewmotorvehicletripsperdaywouldbegeneratedbythesubjectproject(Exhibit10,page17).Trailusersareanticipatedtoaccessthetrailfromresidences,placesofemployment,orfromtheexistingFortDentandBlackForestparksareas.Vehicularparkingwouldnotbeaddedoreliminated.ExistingparkingfortrailuserswouldbeavailableatFortDentandaroundtheBlackRiverRiparianForestarea.ThetrailalignmentrequiresrailroadundercrossingsinbothCityofRentonandCityofTukwilajustwestofMonsterRoad,onthesouthbankoftheBlackRiver,wherethetwoelevatedrailroadbridgescrosstheBlackRiverheadingnorth-south.BurlingtonNorthernSantaFeRailroadCompanyhasrequestedthatthetrailpotentiallybecoveredwithin30feetoftheoverheadrailroadbridgestopreventdebrisfromfallingontrailusers.Ifrequired,thecoverwouldbeapproximately12to14feetabovethetrailforverticalclearanceandsafepassageoftrailusers(Exhibit10,page15).KingCountyiscoordinatingwiththerailroadcompaniesregardingdesignfeaturestoprotecttherailroadoperationsandrailroadproperty.Trailright-of-wayacquisitionfromtherailroadcompaniesisproposedbyKingCountytobedonefollowingenvironmentalreviewandpriortotrailconstructionforthenorth-southrailroadlines.Noacquisitionofrailroadownedpropertyisneededalongtheeast-westrailroadcorridorthatrunsjustnorthoftheproposedtrailalignmentinthenortherlyareaoftheBlackRiverRiparianForest.MitigationMeasures:None.Nexus:Notapplicable.E.CommentsofReviewingDepartmentsTheproposalhasbeencirculatedtoCityDepartmentandDivisionReviewers.Whereapplicable,theircommentshavebeenincorporatedintothetextofthisreportand/or“AdvisoryNotestoApplicant”(Exhibit36).VCopiesofallReviewCommentsarecontainedintheOfficialFileandmaybeattachedtothisreport.TheEnvironmentalDeterminationdecisionwillbecomefinalifthedecisionisnotappealedwithinthe14-dayappealperiod(RCW43.21.C.075(3);WAC197-11-680).EnvironmentalDeterminationAppealProcess:Appealsoftheenvironmentaldeterminationmustbefiledinwritingtogetherwiththerequiredfeeto:HearingExaminer,CityofRenton,1055SouthGradyWay,Renton,WA98057,onorbefore5:00p.m.onJanuary29,2016.RMC4-8-110governsappealstotheHearingExaminerandadditionalinformationregardingtheappealprocessmaybeobtainedfromtheCityClerk’sOffice,RentonCityHall—7thFloor,(425)430-6510.ERCReport15-000257