Vantage Bay PUD Final Development Plan Index Master File

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.... : ....... 1& EAS ENVIRONMENTAL AsSESSMENT SERVICES August 19,2006 The functional analysis indicated that the adjacent wetland qualified as a Category 2 with the possibility of being a Category 3 (the highest wetlands resource value) if site-speCific surveys for special status species of plants were conducted. The Kittitas County Critical Areas Ordinance was then used to identify and administer the most protective buffer around this . wetland (80ft., see Fig. 1). No further delineations or rare plan evaluations were conducted because the Preliminary Plat is over 120 feet from the wetlands area and do not intrude into the prescribed wetland buffer. The developer will provide signs at major access points indicating that the area contains sensitive wetland habitats. This adjacent wetlands area was established or greatly enhanced by a previous property owner a number of years ago. As such, the mouth of the slough is not conducive for boat access due to a shallow underwater bar there and use of this slough by other members of the public is not expected to by affected by this project. The project's storm water management design will likely allow percolation of the water into the slough. As a result, water temperatures in the slough may be affected; i.e. cooler temperatures in the sUmmer and warmer temperatures dwing the wipter. This is typically not thought to be an adverse effect because water temperatures in the Columbia River are already un-naturally high during the summers due to impoundment and temperatures in backwater areas often exceed upper lethal temperature thresholds for many native aquatic biota (such as salmon) in the Pacific Northwest. EAS recommends a baseline evaluation and subsequent semi-annual monitoring of water quality (temp, DO, conductance) and of the benthic . community (macroinverrebrate community structure) for a period of three years to document possible changes in the slough due to storm water practices at the Vantage Bay Rezone and PreHminary Plat. I hope these efforts and findings satis~torily address the Ecology's Shore1andlEnvironmental Assistance comments that were provided to Joanna Valencia. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or additional concerns. Sincerely, Brett Tiller Sr. Scientist PO Box 265 . Richland, WA 99352 . (509) 375-1481 . bretttilier@charter.net Index #9