HomeMy WebLinkAboutPN_Quendall_Project_Narrative_220617_v1Puget Sound Energy P.O. Box 97034 Bellevue, WA 98009-9734 PSE.com June 10, 2022 Community & Economic Development - Permits 1055 South Grady Way 6th Floor (425) 430-7200 permittech@rentonwa.gov RE: Boring for Subterranean Cable Thermal Testing – Shoreline Exemption To Whom It May Concern: PSE is seeking a shoreline exemption for our proposal to conduct on-land exploratory boring to test the thermal properties of the soil at the Quendall Cable Station. The bore would be located within the shoreline jurisdiction of Lake Washington, and is necessary to support the future design of a replacement subterranean cable at this location. The scope of work for this project is classified as information collection, research, site exploration and investigation
activities. The location of the bore must be in the vicinity of the existing cable to appropriately gauge the thermal properties of the underlying soil ahead of cable replacement. Because this activity is related to a study associated with a future proposal, this project is exempt from SEPA review pursuant to WAC 197-11-800(17). Because the proposed activity meets the criteria listed below, this project is also exempt from the substantial shoreline development permit requirement of Renton’s Shoreline Master Program (RMC 4-9-190(C)(l)).
• The activity does not interfere with normal public use of surface waters.
• The activity will have no significant adverse impact on the environment, including but not limited to fish, wildlife, fish or wildlife habitat, water quality, and aesthetic values.
• The activity does not involve the installation of any structure, and upon completion of the activity the vegetation and land configuration of the site will be restored to conditions existing before the activity.
• The activity is not subject to the permit requirements of RCW 90.58.550, as the project does not relate to oil or natural gas exploration in marine waters. The proposed bore location is roughly 15 feet east of the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) for Lake Washington, just west of the Quendall Field. This proposal does not involve any in-water work, and the project area is outside of all critical areas. Potential wetland habitat was identified during a site visit, located northeast and west of the substation fence. The area is composed of lake fringe wetland habitat vegetation, including cattail (Typha spp.), hardhack (Spirea douglasii), red alder (Alnus rubra), and knotweed (Polygonum spp.). The surrounding upland area includes Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa). The proposed boring location should have no impact on the wetland or shoreline habitats, as impact area will remain within the developed footprint of the cable station and outside the critical area buffer. This information was obtained using publicly available GIS resources including those provided by King County and the City of Bellevue, and confirmed through a site visit to the project area. For this project PSE and its subcontractor will use a soil drill rig to bore roughly 10 feet into the ground at the proposed bore location. After a sample has been collected, the bore location will be restored to its original surface condition. Boring will utilize a hollow-stem auger with a 6-8 inch diameter outer casing, resulting in a surface disturbance of about 0.35 square feet and excavation volume of about 0.13 cubic yards. Best management practices (BMPs) will be used to protect the land from erosion and nearby waterbodies from sedimentation. Erosion and sediment control measures will be applied and maintained on an as needed basis, depending on the site conditions at the time of construction. Disturbed surfaces will be restored to their original condition or better upon completion of construction. All work will occur during reasonable hours and construction limits clearly marked.
Below are the required site photos as part of the shoreline exemption application. Note that no vegetation/tree removal is required and PSE will work to address any impacts that may occur during construction.
Potential lake
fringe wetland
Proposed bore location (out of frame)
Existing access for
boring equipment
Proposed
bore location (out of frame)
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at dylan.marcus@pse.com. Sincerely, Dylan Marcus (He/Him) Associate Municipal Land Planner (206) 716-2754 | Dylan.Marcus@pse.com
Approximate
bore location
Potential lake
fringe wetland (out of frame)