Agenda City of Ocean Shores City Council Study Session Monday August 8, 2011 1:00 PM Ocean Shores Convention Center 120 Chance A La Mer Ocean Shores, Washington Call to Order Discussion 1. Weatherwax Wetland Banking. 2. City Administrator profile review. Adjourn Page 1 of 12
1. Weatherwax Wetland Banking. Page 2 of 12
City of Ocean Shores Proposed Mitigation Bank Site Characterization Wetland/Upland Mosaic - Weatherwax The 34.95 acres of Wetland/Upland Mosaic within the most western portion of the Weatherwax property is situated within a mature forest comprised of native vegetation located in a historic interdunal area (see Weatherwax Site Map). Topography within the Wetland/Upland Mosaic generally slopes down from the east to the west. Wetland/Upland Mosaic wetlands are primarily located within the lowest elevations to the west and thus would be classified as depressional. Dominant vegetation within the Weatherwax Wetland/Upland Mosaic is comprised of an overstory of mature Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) with an understory of red alder (Alnus rubra) and Pacific crabapple (Malus fusca). Dominant species within the shrub stratum are salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) and salal (Gaultheria shallon). Salmonberry occurs in the lower elevations and salal occurs in the upper elevations. Herbaceous vegetation is generally patchy within the upper elevations as shrubs are dominant, however, within the lower elevations slough sedge (Carex obnupta) is the dominant species within the herbaceous stratum. Wetland/Upland Mosaic Duck Lake Islands The five islands located at the southern end Duck Lake are comprised of 11.82 acres of Wetland/Upland Mosaic (see Islands Site Map). As evidenced by 1944 aerial photography, the islands have been intact since the 1940 s, although a 1977 aerial photo shows that the islands configuration was altered sometime between the 1940 s and late 1970 s. The islands topography gently slopes down from upper elevations within the interiors to the lower elevations along Duck Lake. The islands dominant vegetation consists of a diversity of native species such as black twinberry (Lonicera involucrata), salal, evergreen huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum), California wax-myrtle (Myrica californica), cascara (Rhamnus purshiana), and shore pine (Pinus contorta), with a few Sitka spruce scattered throughout the islands. Dominant species within the lake fringe herbaceous stratum that surrounds the islands consists of bur-reed (Sparganium emersum) and various species of rushes and sedges. Preservation Uplands The 6.14 acres of Preservation Uplands are situated on a point of land extending into Duck Lake, referred to as Weatherwax Point (see Weatherwax Site Map). Comparison of 1944 and 1977 aerial photography shows that Weatherwax Point was the result of sand fill placement into Duck Lake during the 1970 s. Topography within the Preservation Uplands generally slopes from the upper elevations within the point s interior down to the lower elevations along the shore of Duck Lake. Sitka spruce is the dominant species within the upper elevations of the Preservation Uplands. Priority Uplands The 35.72 acres of Priority Uplands located west and east of Duck Lake are situated within mature forest comprised of native vegetation located on the upper elevations of historic traverse dunes (see Weatherwax Site Map). The mature forest within the Priority Uplands has been intact since at least the 1940 s as evidenced by the presence of a forest signature in a 1944 aerial photograph of Ocean Shores. Topography within the Priority Uplands generally slopes down Page 1 1. Weatherwax Wetland Banking. Page 3 of 12
from upper elevations within the upland interiors to the lower elevations along the shore of Duck Lake. Dominant overstory vegetation within the Priority Uplands consists of Sitka spruce and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) within the upper elevations and red alder and Hooker s willow (Salix hookeriana) within the lower elevations near Duck Lake. Salal is the dominant species within the shrub stratum but salmonberry is dominant within upper elevation microdepressions. Herbaceous vegetation is generally absent as shrubs are dominant; however, where herbaceous vegetation is present, slough sedge is typically the dominant species within the herbaceous stratum. Lake Fringe Wetlands The 8.95 acres of Lake Fringe Wetlands are situated along the shores of Duck Lake. The dominant Lake Fringe Wetland species within the vegetation adjacent to the Preservation Uplands and Priority Uplands is comprised of black twinberry and Douglas spiraea (Spiraea douglasii) within the shrub stratum and bur-reed within the herbaceous stratum. Habitat Connectivity Discussion Aerial photography from 1944 shows Ocean Shores, in the vicinity of the proposed bank site, was historically a wetland/upland mosaic associated with a large dunal wetland system. Today, the Wetland/Upland Mosaic, Preservation Uplands, Priority Uplands and Lake Fringe Wetlands within the Weatherwax property and Duck Lake s islands contain the remnants of the historic dunal wetland system and the system s wetland/upland mosaic. Although fragmented to some degree by adjacent development, the remnant system contained within the Weatherwax property, Duck Lake and the lake s islands, continues to function as a contiguous system. Proposed enhancement of the Lake Fringe Wetlands will increase the functionally of the whole and will further increase habitat connectivity within the system. As a whole the Wetland/Upland Mosaic, Preservation Uplands, Priority Uplands and Lake Fringe Wetlands offer complex, varied, overlapping habitats that provide cover, foraging opportunities and habitat niches for various native species of insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. The Preservation Uplands and Priority Uplands buffer the Lake Fringe Wetlands and wetlands located within the Wetland/Upland Mosaic. The Priority Uplands and Preservation Uplands provide undisturbed migration corridors that provide opportunities for species to migrate and colonize the wetland (aquatic) and terrestrial habitats within the system. Open water areas of Duck Lake provide foraging areas for birds such as ducks, herons, swallows, and mammals such as otters and mink, and insectivores such as bats. The Wetland/Upland Mosaic, Preservation Uplands, Priority Uplands and Lake Fringe Wetlands provide cover and nesting/den habitat for the species that utilize the lake s open water for foraging while providing other species numerous habitat niches as well. Furthermore, as Ocean Shores is located within the Pacific flyway, the Wetland/Upland Mosaic, Preservation Uplands, Priority Uplands, and Lake Fringe Wetlands also provide critical stopover habitat for migratory birds. Page 2 1. Weatherwax Wetland Banking. Page 4 of 12
WASHINGTON EJ 46.980556 Latitude -124.148611 Longitude LOCATION MAP PROJECT VICINITY MAP T 17 N R 12 Jr SITE C:N m ~ 0 0 0:;:::: -o 0 Q) l!'c/) (:} NOTE: 311 U'SGstopographtc quadrangle map reproduced using MAPTECH Inc.. Terrain Pm s-oftware. mlltwm~~~, 0 15 30 SCAlE IN MILES II\ 0... Ol I :;;: "" 1- w_ wo L...o 0 ~N _. w <t: u (/} 1. Weatherwax Wetland Banking. Page 5 of 12
NOTEISl: 1. Base map from Grays Harbor County GIS Department. 2. Aerial photograph (2006) provided by Google Earth"'. 1157 3n:l Ave., StJke 220 longvkw, WA 98632 Phone: (360) 578 1371 Fu.: (360) <114-9305 7127/11 DVvl>l: BCB REO. BY:SK PRJ. MGR:FN CHK: PROJECT NO: MITIGATION CREDITS SITE MAP Cily of Ocean Shores Mlllgalion Bank Clly of Ocean Shores City of Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington Sections 2 & 11, Township 17N, Range12W, W.M. 1. Weatherwax Wetland Banking. Page 6 of 12
ll- ~~./ l ~9~~'1iiiiiiiiii~30~0~~--6~Q0 ~-::~=~ER~as. IN~ SCALE IN FEET ~~~ - - 1.. = :.Joo "c:..;~f~~~a~~:go Phone.: (3601 578-13 71 Fax: (360)41 4-9305 WEATHE SITE MAP City of Ocean Shores Mitigation Bank City of Ocean Shores City of Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington Sections 2 & 11, Township 17N, Range 12W. W.M. 1. Weatherwax Wetland Banking. Page 7 of 12
NOTE(S): 1. Base map from Grays Harbor County GIS Department. 2. Aerial photograph (2006) provided by Google Earth"". 300 SCALE IN FEET,. = 300' DATE: 7127111 OWN: BCB REO. BY:SK PRJ. MGR: FN II 57 lrd Avt., Solie 220 CHK: longvitw, WA 98632 PROJECT NO: Phone: (3 60) 57 8~ 13 7 1 F.n: (360) 414-9305 1808.02 SITE MAP City of Ocean Shores Millgalion Bank City of Ocean Shores City of Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington Sections 2 & 11, Township 17N, Range 12W, W.M. 1. Weatherwax Wetland Banking. Page 8 of 12
LEGEND: - Service Area Boundary SCALE IN MILES 1" = 3 Ml l EC_Di;,~CALLAND SERVICES, INC. ---- ~ -...0.. \,~~~~.~~~--- 115 7 3rd Avt:., SUitt 220 longview. WA 98632 Phone. (360) 5711-1371 Fn: (J60) 410::-9305 DATE: 912B/10 OWN: BCB REO. BY:SK PRJ. MGR: FN CHK: PROJECT NO: NOTE(S): 1. Aerial photograph (2006) provided by Google Earth"' BANK AREA OVERVIEW Clly of Ocean Shores Mitigation Bank City of Ocean Shores City of Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, VVashrnglon Sections 2 & 11, Township 17N, Range 12W, W.M. 1. Weatherwax Wetland Banking. Page 9 of 12
SCALE IN!AILES 1" = 1 MI. BANK SERVICE - NORTHERN PORTION City of Ocean Shores Mitigation Bank City of Ocean Shores City of Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Y./ash1ngton Sections 2 & 11. Township 17N, Range 12W, W.M 1. Weatherwax Wetland Banking. Page 10 of 12
SCALE IN MILES 1" = 1 MI. BANK SERVICE - CENTRAL PORTION City ot Ocean Shores MiUgation Bank City of Ocean Shores City of Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington Sections 2 & 11, Township 17N, Range 12W, W.M. 1. Weatherwax Wetland Banking. Page 11 of 12
SCALE IN MILES 1" = i MI. EC~L?.91CAL. LANO SERVICES, IN C. ~ '----- t~~~..:=; ;:-:.:.~~=-- I I 57 3td Ave., Suite 220 LongviPW. WA. 98632 Phonl!: (360) ) :'R 1371 Fax: <360) 4 H -9305 9128/10 OWN: BCB REO. BY:SK PRJ. MGR: FN CHK: PROJECT NO. BANK SERVICE -SOUTHERN PORTION City of Ocean Shores Mitigation Bank Cily of Ocean Shores City of Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington Sections 2 & 11, Township 17N, Range 12W. W.M 1. Weatherwax Wetland Banking. Page 12 of 12