HomeMy WebLinkAbout14 Wetlands Deliniation Report_________________________________________________________________________________________
1
Laura Dornberger
Locati Architects
1007 E. Main Street, Ste. 202
Bozeman, MT 59715
May 28, 2021
RE: University Crossing Buildings Aquatic Resource City Submittal
_______________________________________________________________________________
Dear Laura,
Enclosed is the June 2019 Wetland Delineation Results (Vaughn Environmental) and updated
wetland delineation and watercourse setback zones map (Exhibit 1) for the University Crossing
Buildings proposed project site. The east boundary of a wetland along the west side of the project
site was delineated to enable project proponents to align the western project boundary with Zone 1
of the watercourse setback.
No impacts are proposed to wetlands or the Zone 1 Watercourse Setback. A trail is proposed within
Zone 2, which is allowed by City regulations. A building overhang appears to enter the “air-space”
of Zone 2, to my knowledge this issue would be allowed by the City given no foundations are
within the watercourse setback. Please include a site plan with your City Submittal to illustrate that
no impacts will occur to aquatic resources or watercourse setbacks, except for the allowed trail
through Zone 2.
Thank you, Laura.
Sincerely,
Lynn M. Bacon, P
TerraQuatic, LLC
614 W. Lamme Street
Bozeman, MT 59715
Attn: Dan Hitchcock 19th Capital Group 322 West Mendenhall Street Bozeman, Montana 59715
Re: Wetland Delineation Results: Parcel West Boundary Line Adjustment – West of Crowley Law Building, 1915 South 19th Avenue, Bozeman, MT
June 2, 2019
Dear Dan:
A wetland delineation of the east boundary of an historic palustrine wetland located west of the parcel housing the Crowley Law Building was completed on May 20, 2019. The building address is 1915
South 19th Avenue, Bozeman, Montana. The delineation was performed to define only the portion of the wetland that will dictate the alignment of the boundary line adjustment for the parcel owned by the 19th Capital Group. The wetland delineation results summarized in this letter have been provided for review
by the City of Bozeman.
The wetland delineation was completed by Lynn Bacon, subcontracted by Vaughn Environmental Services, on May 20, 2019. The East Fork of East Catron Creek arises in a field south of Blackmore
Street approximately 0.5 miles south of Graf Street. The reach of the creek between Graf Street and Stucky Road was relocated to the west side of South 19th Avenue in 2013. The creek channel is ill-defined north of Stucky Road. Seasonal surface water and groundwater provide the hydrology for an historic palustrine wetland located south of Kagy Boulevard. The surface water flow terminates at the south side of Kagy Boulevard although there is a culvert and stormwater channel that continues north on the north side of Kagy. Although the surface water flow is intermittent, the US Army Corps classifies this wetland and stormwater channel as jurisdictional based on the ultimate downgradient connection to a water of the US. The Gallatin Conservation District also classifies the waterway, wetland, and storm water channel as a perennial stream.
The wetland boundary within the study area was identified using methodology developed by the USACE and other federal agencies for implementation of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
Delineation procedures involved a review of existing site-specific information and completion of an onsite field investigation based on guidelines for the Routine Determination Method presented in the Field Guide for Wetland Delineation (Environmental Laboratory 1987) and the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region (USACE 2010). Vegetation indicator status for this investigation was derived from the Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast 2016 Regional Wetland Plant List (Lichvar et al, 2016, R. W., D. L.Banks,
W.N. Kirchner and N.C. Melvin 2016. The National Wetland Plant List 2016 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2016-30: 1-17. Published 28 April 2016. ISSN 2153 733X.).
Two paired wetland and upland data collection points, DP-1w and DP-1u, were established during the delineation to determine the wetland/upland boundary. Two Wetland Determination Data Forms completed at each data collection point are included with this submittal. Photos of the data
collection points and the boundary line are also included. The test pits were located in the soil map unit identified by the Gallatin County USDA survey as the Blossberg loam (542A), very deep, poorly drained
soils found on flood plains, depressions, drainageways, alluvial fans and stream terraces. These soils formed in loamy alluvium, 20 to 40 inches deep, over sand and gravel on slopes of 0 to 4 percent. The mean annual precipitation is 12 inches and the mean annual air temperature is 41 degrees F. The taxonomic class is a fine-loamy over sandy or sandy-skeletal, mixed, superactive, frigid Typic Endoaquolls. The soil is considered hydric based on the soil order. The USDA soil map is enclosed with this submittal.
Data point DP-1w was located in the upper drainage approximately 15 feet from ponded surface water. The vegetation cover was dominated by field meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis – FAC) and quackgrass (Elymus repens – FAC). The cover met the dominance test for hydrophytic vegetation. The soil profile from 6 to 14 inches revealed a brown (7.5YR 4/2) clay loam with 5 percent strong brown (7.5YR4/6) redoximorphic features. The depleted soil below the dark surface and depleted matrix were
positive indicators of hydric soil. The drainage pattern and geomorphic position were primary indicators of wetland hydrology.
Data point DP-1u was located on an upper terrace greater than 50 feet from the intermittent
drainage. The vegetation cover was dominated by field meadow foxtail, meeting the dominance test. The predominance of field meadow foxtail is typical for agricultural hay fields and grazing pastures in Bozeman although the data point was located several hundred feet from wetland hydrology. The soil
profile exhibited a very dark grayish brown (10 YR 3/2) clay loam from 0 to 14 inches. No redoximorphic features were noted within 16 inches of the ground surface. No primary indicators of wetland hydrology were observed.
C&H Engineering and Surveying surveyed the flagged wetland boundary and location of the two data points. The wetland exhibit showing the east wetland boundary and two data points is included with this submittal. Please contact my office at 406 581-0655 or at bvaughn@montana.com if you require
additional information. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Barbara Vaughn Environmental Engineer, MS Enclosures: Site Photos
Wetland Exhibit Wetland Determination Data Forms – DP-1w and DP-1u USDA Soil Map
Photo 1.0 View is looking south at wetland boundary line and test pits marked with red flags.
Photo 2.0 View is looking north toward Kagy Boulevard at flagged east boundary of wetland.
Applicant/Owner:State:
Investigator(s):
Landform (hillside, terrace, etc.):0
Subregion (LRR):Lat:
Soil Map Unit Name:
X
Are Vegetation N , Soil N , or Hydrology N Are “Normal Circumstances” present?Yes Y No
Are Vegetation N , Soil N , or Hydrology N
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Yes X No
Yes X No Yes X
Yes X No
)
1.
2.(A)
3.
4.(B)
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (A/B)
1.
2.
3.
4.x 1 =
5.x 2 =
x 3 =
x 4 =
1.x 5 =
2.Column Totals:(A)(B)
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.X
8.X
9.
10.
11.
Woody Vine Stratum
1.
2.
Yes X
DP located in "upper drainage" pattern, though community is fairly similar to that at DP-1u, the soils are reduced within this upper drainage pattern.
Percent of Dominant Species That
Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:
0
Total Number of Dominant Species
Across All Strata:
Dominance Test worksheet:
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum
Absolute
% Cover
0
300
0
100
=Total Cover
1Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must
be present, unless disturbed or problematic.
(Plot size:
=Total Cover
FAC
Yes
NoAre climatic / hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year?
Project/Site:Crowley Line
LRR E
NWI classification:
Dominant
Species?
45.66004 NAVD 88
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present?
significantly disturbed?
DP located in "upper drainage" pattern area (~15 feet from 0" saturation 0"), though vegetation community almost identical to that of DP-1u, the soils
exhibit redoximorphic characterisitics noted below.
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM – Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region
MT DP-1w
convex
Section, Township, Range:
Sampling Date:
Sampling Point:
Slope (%):Local relief (concave, convex, none):
5/20/19
19th Capital Group
BVaughn/LBacon
palustrine wetland
GallatinCity/County:
Datum:-111.06512
Blossberg loam (542A)PEMA !A
Long:
UPL species
FACW species
100.0%
)
)
99
Prevalence Index worksheet:
300
00
0
Total % Cover of:
=Total Cover
1 - Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
0
Multiply by:
0
Prevalence Index = B/A =
100
3 - Prevalence Index is ≤3.01
Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
Elymus repens
FAC
Herb Stratum
1 No
Alopecurus pratensis
Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation1 (Explain)
0
5 - Wetland Non-Vacular Plants1
4 - Morphological Adaptations1(Provide supporting
=Total Cover
)
Hydrophytic
Vegetation
Present?No
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
(Plot size:
(Plot size:
Remarks:
FACU species
FAC species
OBL species
3.00
2 - Dominance Test is >50%
Indicator
Status
1
1
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
(If no, explain in Remarks.)
Hydric Soil Present?
Wetland Hydrology Present?
naturally problematic?(If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
(Plot size:
Yes
Number of Dominant Species That
Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:
Tree Stratum
Is the Sampled Area
within a Wetland?No
100
Remarks:
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
Applicant/Owner:State:
Investigator(s):
Landform (hillside, terrace, etc.):0
Subregion (LRR):Lat:
Soil Map Unit Name:
X
Are Vegetation N , Soil N , or Hydrology N Are “Normal Circumstances” present?Yes Y No
Are Vegetation N , Soil N , or Hydrology N
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Yes X No
Yes No X Yes X
Yes No X
)
1.
2.(A)
3.
4.(B)
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (A/B)
1.
2.
3.
4.x 1 =
5.x 2 =
x 3 =
x 4 =
1.x 5 =
2.Column Totals:(A)(B)
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.X
8.
9.
10.
11.
Woody Vine Stratum
1.
2.
Yes X
Tree Stratum
Is the Sampled Area
within a Wetland?No
100
Remarks:
Indicator
Status
1
1
VEGETATION – Use scientific names of plants.
(If no, explain in Remarks.)
Hydric Soil Present?
Wetland Hydrology Present?
naturally problematic?(If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
(Plot size:
Yes
Number of Dominant Species That
Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:
(Plot size:
Remarks:
FACU species
FAC species
OBL species
3.30
2 - Dominance Test is >50%
Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation1 (Explain)
0
5 - Wetland Non-Vacular Plants1
4 - Morphological Adaptations1(Provide supporting
=Total Cover
)
Hydrophytic
Vegetation
Present?No
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
(Plot size:
Bromus inermis
FAC
Herb Stratum
15 No
Alopecurus pratensis
0
0
Total % Cover of:
=Total Cover
1 - Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
0
Multiply by:
0
Prevalence Index = B/A =
85
3 - Prevalence Index is ≤3.01
Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
Datum:-111.06508
Blossbert Lam (542A)PEMA 1A
Long:
UPL species
FACW species
100.0%
)
)
85
Prevalence Index worksheet:
255
0
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA FORM – Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region
Sec.23, T2S, R5E
MT DP-1u
convex
Section, Township, Range:
Sampling Date:
Sampling Point:
Slope (%):Local relief (concave, convex, none):
5/20/19
19th Capital Group
BVaughn/LBacon
palustrine wetland
GallatinCity/County:
NoAre climatic / hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year?
Project/Site:Crowley Line
LRR E
NWI classification:
Dominant
Species?
46.66004 NAVD88
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present?
significantly disturbed?
DP located on upper terrace adjacent but >50ft from an intermittent drainage.A dominance of ALOPRA is very typical for agricultual hay and grazing
lands in Bozeman, even in areas several hundred feet from ground saturated within 12 inches.
(Plot size:
=Total Cover
UPL
Yes
Typical agricultural hayland with a dominance of ALOPRA.
Percent of Dominant Species That
Are OBL, FACW, or FAC:
0
Total Number of Dominant Species
Across All Strata:
Dominance Test worksheet:
% Bare Ground in Herb Stratum
Absolute
% Cover
75
330
15
100
=Total Cover
1Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must
be present, unless disturbed or problematic.
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0
Sampling Point:
%%Type1 Loc2
100
100
Type:
Depth (inches):Hydric Soil Present?Yes No X
Primary Indicators (minimum of one is required; check all that apply)
Surface Water Present?Yes X
Water Table Present?Yes X
Saturation Present?Yes X Wetland Hydrology Present?Yes No X
DP-1uSOIL
<1%3/6
Remarks
Drainage Patterns (B10)
Dry-Season Water Table (C2)
Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
Aquatic Invertebrates (B13)
Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (C1)
Oxidized Rhizospheres on Living Roots (C3)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (except
Presence of Reduced Iron (C4)
Remarks:
HYDROLOGY
Hydric Soil Indicators: (Applicable to all LRRs, unless otherwise noted.)Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils3:
Nonhydric.
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
14-16
Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (B8)
Geomorphic Position (D2)
Raised Ant Mounds (D6) (LRR A)Surface Soil Cracks (B6)
Sediment Deposits (B2)
Drift Deposits (B3)
Water Marks (B1)
Algal Mat or Crust (B4)
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Salt Crust (B11)
Water-Stained Leaves (B9) (MLRA 1, 2
Frost-Heave Hummocks (D7)Other (Explain in Remarks)
FAC-Neutral Test (D5)Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6)
Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1) (LRR A)
Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (B7)
Iron Deposits (B5)
Saturation (A3)
Secondary Indicators (2 or more required)
Shallow Aquitard (D3)
Color (moist)
0-14
Surface Water (A1)
Loamy/Clayey
Matrix
Texture
Redox FeaturesDepth
(inches)Color (moist)
10YR 3/3
10YR 3/2
Redox Dark Surface (F6)
Depleted Dark Surface (F7)
Redox Depressions (F8)
3Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and
wetland hydrology must be present,
unless disturbed or problematic.Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4)
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
Field Observations:
(includes capillary fringe)
DP located on upper terrace.
No
No
No
Depth (inches):
Depth (inches):
Depth (inches):
High Water Table (A2) MLRA 1, 2, 4A, and 4B) 4A, and 4B)
2Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix.
Restrictive Layer (if observed):
2 cm Muck (A10)
Red Parent Material (F21)
Very Shallow Dark Surface (F22)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
Histosol (A1)
Histic Epipedon (A2)
Black Histic (A3)
Hydrogen Sulfide (A4)
Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11)
Thick Dark Surface (A12)
Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1)
2.5 cm Mucky Peat or Peat (S2) (LRR G)
Sandy Redox (S5)
Stripped Matrix (S6)
Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (except MLRA 1)
Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2)
Depleted Matrix (F3)
1Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, CS=Covered or Coated Sand Grains.
US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast – Version 2.0