2021-09-27-minutes-public-works-study-session

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Site vegetation communities were investigated by the team on numerous site visits. The predominant forest type is dry, Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forest with an open understory of grasses, sedges, rose, ceanothus, and snowberry. The project area is within the Douglas -fir / common snowberry / pinegrass vegetation zone, where Douglas fir and Grand fir are the climax overstory species. This is a forest that has evolved with fire, has been modified by logging, and is a mature mid -to late -succession second -growth forest. Due to logging and fire suppression, some of the forest is dense and highly fire - prone. Some property owners have begun to implement "fire -wise" techniques to thin their woodlands between the mature pines and firs, thereby helping to reduce the chance of high-intensity, crown fires that would cause personal property damage and also endanger nearby communities. Frequent low- level fires, every 10-40 years, were very common in this forest type prior to fire suppression. Maintaining open forests is also ideal for foraging deer and elk. The TNC has been working on forest restoration to create a more resilient and diverse forest in this region. The Roslyn Urban Forest Land Stewardship Plan manages the forest with the aim of creating a "mosaic of open Ponderosa pine and Grand fir forest, with varying degrees of tree densities and canopy closures, low volumes of hazardous fuel, and adequate habitat opportunity for many species" (Source: Roslyn Forest Land Stewardship Plan, 2008). Wildlife The Recreation Corridor provides important habitat, breeding and nesting areas, and forage for variety of wildlife including ungulates, coyotes, wolves, raptors (including bald eagles), as well as numerous small mammals, songbirds, and other wildlife, including fish. The communities value wildlife and the natural open space of the Cie Elum Ridge area and seek to protect and enhance wildlife habitat and wildlife travel corridors between the Cie Elum River Corridor and the Teanaway Community Forest. Some of the key species found in the project area include elk, deer, wolves, spotted owls, and salmon. Riparian corridors are important wildlife habitat corridors that should be protected. These include: No 3 Canyon (above Ronald), No. 6 Canyon (above Roslyn), No 5 Canyon and Greens and Curry Canyons (above Cie Elum). Other important habitat is located on the lower elevation slopes between Roslyn and Ronald. The following sections introduce important habitat needs of species that should be considered when designing the trail system. targe Marnrrtals Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsonf) have a significant presence at the site. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are also found in the area, but the Cie Elum Critical Areas Ordinance doesn't identify a specific habitat area for them. Large predators, such as cougar (Felin concolor), black bear (Euorctos americanus) and wolves also use the site. Elk Elk (Cervus elaphus nelsons) are some of the largest and most critical herbivorous mammals to occur on the site. They occupy all three of the region's characteristic plant communities: low grasslands, sagebrush steppe and Ponderosa Pine open forests. Elk typically graze in young forests or in areas that have been recently logged. Young are born in the spring, securing and preparing calving grounds is of great importance during this time. In the summer, elk search for food in smaller groups and are more dispersed across the landscape, making them less vulnerable to predation. Threats to elk from people and predators (wolves) can be mitigated by avoiding creating new roads and trails that connect to known elk habitat areas and by controlling winter activities, including snowmobiling, cross country skilling and winter biking. Rocky mountain elk eat grasses and (orbs in the summer, grasses in the spring and fall, and grasses, Towns to Teanaway Corridor Master Plan p 15 of 26 Prepared for: Economic Development Group of Kittitas Co. & Kittitas Co. Parks and Recreation District No. 1 Prepared by: J.A. Brennan Associates, Landscape Architects & Planners