HomeMy WebLinkAboutAR Habittat Study - Sewell
December 22, 2015
Justin Lagers
Avana Ridge, LLC
9725 SE 36th Street, Suite 214
Mercer Island, Washington 98040
RE: Habitat Data Report – Avana Ridge
City of Renton, Washington
SWC Job #15-159
Dear Justin,
This report is in reference to the City of Renton’s requirements for a Habitat Assessment
for the Avana Ridge project.
Above: Vicinity Map of site
Sewall Wetland Consulting, Inc.
PO Box 880 Phone: 253-859-0515
Fall City, WA 98024
Avana/#15-159
Sewall Wetland Consulting, Inc.
December 22, 2015
Page 2
The site consists of an irregular shaped group of 2 parcels with a total area of 3.78 acres
located within the SW ¼ of Section 29, Township 23 North, Range 5 East of the W.M.
The site is undeveloped third growth forest.
The site is proposed to be developed with an apartment complex with associated
infrastructure.
Under RMC 4.50,
b. Habitat Conservation Areas: Based upon subsection G6 of this Section, Habitat
Conservation Areas, the City shall require a habitat/wildlife assessment for activities
that are located within or abutting a critical habitat, defined in RMC 4-11-030, or that
are adjacent to a critical habitat, and have the potential to significantly impact a critical
habitat. The assessment shall determine the extent, function and value of the critical
habitat and potential for impacts and mitigation consistent with report requirements in
RMC 4-8-120D.
6. Habitat Conservation Areas:
a. Classification of Critical Habitats: Habitats that have a primary association with the
documented presence of non-salmonid or salmonid species (see subsection L1 of this
Section and RMC 4-3-090, Shoreline Master Program Regulations, for salmonid species)
species proposed or listed by the Federal government or State of Washington as
endangered, threatened, sensitive and/or of local importance.
b. Mapping: Critical habitats are identified by lists, categories and definitions of species
promulgated by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (Non-game Data
System Special Animal Species) as identified in WAC 232-12-011; in the Priority Habitat
and Species Program of the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife; or by
rules and regulations adopted currently or hereafter by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
c. Buffers: The Administrator shall require the establishment of buffer areas for activities
in, or adjacent to, habitat conservation areas when needed to protect fish and wildlife
habitats of importance. Buffers shall consist of an undisturbed area of native vegetation,
or areas identified for restoration, established to protect the integrity, functions and
values of the affected habitat. Buffer widths shall be based on:
i. Type and intensity of human activity proposed to be conducted on the site and adjacent
sites.
ii. Recommendations contained within a habitat assessment report.
Avana/#15-159
Sewall Wetland Consulting, Inc.
December 22, 2015
Page 3
iii. Management recommendations issued by the Washington Department of Fish and
Wildlife
WDFW Priority Habitat Website Map
According to the WDFW Priority Habitat Website with Public access layers activated,
there are no priority habitats on or near the site.
The closest feature is a wetland (purple shading) located 1,200’ east of the site No state
or federally listed species are identified or known to use the site. The wetland has been
rated using the City of Renton methodology and is rated as a Category 2 wetland.
Our review of the site did not reveal any state or federally listed species on or near the
site.
WADNR Natural Heritage Program
A review of the information on the Washington Department of Natural Heritage program
website did not reveal any high quality or mapped rare plant communities on or near the
site.
Avana/#15-159
Sewall Wetland Consulting, Inc.
December 22, 2015
Page 4
3.2 Habitat Cover Types
The site is immature third growth forest vegetated with a mix of big leaf maple, bitter
cherry and cottonwood. Understory species include Indian plum, hazelnut, Himalayan
blackberry, sword fern, and creeping blackberry. There are several transient camps that
have been recently used. As a result these areas are highly degraded with trash, human
waste and vegetation clearing and trampling.
The stream passing through the site has degraded water quality as the primary source of
flows to this feature is street runoff and stormwater facility discharges. This results in a
habitat water source that is currently degraded as far as water quality.
Above: vegetation cover type map of the site.
3.2.1 Wildlife use and patterns
The site can be characterized as an isolated patch of immature forest within a highly
urbanized area. It provides habitat to a variety of human-tolerant species typically found
in areas such as this to include coyote, mule deer, raccoon, opossum, eastern gray
squirrel, Norway rat, barn owl, European starling, common crow, flicker, garter snake,
pacific tree frog, as well as numerous songbirds and various borrowing rodents to include
voles, moles and mice.
The roads along the east and west sides of the site are heavily travelled roads with
substantial amounts of noise and light. This further reduces the habitat value of this area.
Avana/#15-159
Sewall Wetland Consulting, Inc.
December 22, 2015
Page 5
No state or federally listed wildlife species were noted on or near the site. There is no
evidence of habitat for any state or federally listed species.
3.1 Proposed habitat alteration
The northern half of the site will be cleared for the proposed multi-family development.
The habitat to be removed is generally low quality immature forest that has been
fragmented by surrounding urban land uses. There will be some loss of habitat from this
project. However, species displaced are common, human tolerant species that will
migrate to the east to find other suitable habitat.
3.3 CONCLUSION
There is no “critical habitat” as defined by Code on or near the site. There are no state,
or federally listed species on or near the site. There are no rare or unique plant
communities on the site.
If you have any questions in regards to this report or need additional information, please
feel free to contact me at (253) 859-0515 or at esewall@sewallwc.com .
Sincerely,
Sewall Wetland Consulting, Inc.
Ed Sewall
Senior Wetlands Ecologist PWS #212