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Home My WebLink About012 Wetland Delineation Report Technical Memorandum 1 DATE: October 2, 2020 TO: Synergy Engineering and Konsulting 34 Kean Drive Bozeman, Montana 59715 FROM: Stacey Weyant Wetland Scientist Confluence Consulting, Inc. Bozeman, Montana 59715 SUBJECT: Sundance Subdivision Wetland Delineation Report Western Mountain Investments contracted Confluence Consulting, Inc. in cooperation with Synergy Engineering and Konsulting (SEAK) to conduct a delineation of wetlands within the Sundance Springs subdivision project area, located in Gallatin County, Montana (Figure 1). The development of a commercial lot is proposed on a city lot, requiring a wetlands and watercourse setback delineation in order to meet Bozeman Municipal Code BMC338.410.100. The site coordinates of the project area are 45.6369°, 111.0469°. Methods During a site visit that occurred in September 2020, a Confluence wetland scientist assessed all potentially impacted areas in a meandering manner to find and delineate wetlands and non-wetland waterways. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (COE) Wetlands Delineation Manual (Environmental Laboratory 1987) and the Regional Supplement to the COE Wetland Delineation Manual: Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region (COE 2010) guided the methods used on-site. Vegetation was assessed at each wetland and upland sample point. The name and indicator status of plant species were derived from the 2018 National Wetland Plant List (COE 2018). Where greater than 50 percent of the dominant plant species have an indicator status of obligate (OBL), facultative wet (FACW), and/or facultative (FAC), the vegetative cover qualifies as hydrophytic. Plants observed within each sample point area were identified primarily using the Manual of Montana Vascular Plants (Lesica et al. 2012). Soil pits were excavated and hydric soil indicators analyzed at all wetland and upland data points. Wetlands must possess at least one hydric soil indicator, or meet the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) definition of a hydric soil (NRCS 2018). This definition states that a hydric soil is a soil that formed Technical Memorandum 2 under conditions of saturation, flooding, or ponding long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper part (Federal Register 1994). Soil types within the project area were obtained from the Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database (NRCS 2007). Primary and secondary hydrologic indicators were assessed at each wetland and upland sample point; the occurrences of one primary indicator or two secondary indicators are required to qualify the area as a wetland. For non-wetland waterways the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) was identified in the field and mapped using a survey grade global positioning system (GPS). The OHWM was mapped by identifying, “physical characteristics such as a clear, natural line impressed on the bank, shelving, changes in the character of soil, destruction of terrestrial vegetation, the presence of litter and debris, …” (33 CFR Part 328). Characteristics such as width range of the OHWM, substrate type, and bank vegetation were recorded. Channels were classified as perennial (year round flow), intermittent (seasonal), or ephemeral (flow that results from storm events or snow melt). Technical Memorandum 3 Figure 1. Location for Sundance Springs Subdivision Project Area, Gallatin County, Montana. Technical Memorandum 4 Results A total of five sample points and two wetlands totaling 0.15 acres were delineated within the project area (Wetlands 1 and 1a; Table 1). Wetland 1 and 1a occur along the left bank (northeast side of the Middle Ditch Creek), separated by a culvert. One non-wetland waterway, Middle Ditch Creek, was also identified within the project area. Detailed maps are included in Appendix A, photographs in Appendix B, and wetland determination data forms in Appendix C. Wetlands Wetland 1 and 1a occur as fringe wetlands varying from 2 to 35 feet wide with an average width of 10 feet. Both wetlands are considered riverine under the Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) classification system, and are classified as palustrine emergent (PEM) under the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) classification system (Table 1). They are dominated by herbaceous plant species, including reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), spreading bent (Agrostis stolonifera) and Creeping meadow foxtail (Alopecurus arundinaceus). Soils had the texture of silty clay loam. Hydric soil indicators included redox dark surface and hydrogen sulfide odor. Hydrologic indicators included saturation, geomorphic position, and passing the FAC-neutral test. Specific information for each sample point is provided in the Wetland Determination Data Forms (Appendix C). Although an irrigation ditch and roadside ditch are present along the northern boundary of the property, sample points were determined unnecessary as both lack evidence of wetland hydrology and hydrophytic vegetation. The plant community in both ditches is dominated by upland species such as smooth brome (Bromus inermis), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), yellow salsify (Tragopogon dubius), common dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) and hoary alyssum (Berteroa incana). Small patches of reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacus) were present on the side slope of the roadside ditch, but absent in the lower depressional areas. Both appear to function as drainage ways for road and trail runoff. Non-Wetland Waterway One non-wetland waterway, the Middle Creek Ditch, was identified in the project area. The channel flows generally in a northeasterly direction and is a tributary to Bozeman Creek. This perennial waterway has a predominantly gravel bed with channel widths and depths varying from .5 to 2 feet wide by 0.25 to 1.5 feet deep. All wetlands and non-wetland waterways mapped within the project area are preliminarily considered as jurisdictional. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) makes all final jurisdictional determinations for waters of the U.S. Technical Memorandum 5 Table 1. Summary of wetlands found within the Sundance Springs project area, Gallatin County, Montana. Wetland ID Sample Points USFWS Classa HGM Classb Acreage Description Wetland 1 SP01u SP01w SP02u PEM Riverine 0.09 PEM riverine wetland within fringe adjacent to stream, riparian left bank. Wetland 1a SP01a-u SP01a-w PEM Riverine 0.06 PEM riverine wetland within fringe adjacent to stream, riparian left bank. a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wetland types are based on FGDC 2013. P – Palustrine; EM – Emergent. b Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) wetland classes are based on Smith et al. 1995. Technical Memorandum 6 Literature Cited Environmental Laboratory. 1987. Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual, prepared by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, DC Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC). 2013. Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. FGDC-STD-004-2013. Second Edition. Wetlands Subcommittee, Federal Geographic Data Committee and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC. Federal Register. July 13, 1994. Changes in Hydric Soils of the United States. Washington, DC. (Definition of hydric soils.) Lesica, P., M. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 2007. Soil Survey (SSURGO) Database for [Gallatin County Area, Montana]. Accessed on 16 September 2020 from http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/ Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 2018. Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States, Version 8.2. L.M. Vasilas, G.W. Hurt, and J.F. Berkowitz (eds.). USDA, NRCS, in cooperation with the National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils. Smith, R. D., A. Ammann, C. Bartoldus, and M. M. Brinson. 1995. An Approach for Assessing Wetland Functions Using Hydrogeomorphic Classification, Reference Wetlands, and Functional Indices, prepared by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Mississippi, for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, DC. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE). 2010. Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region, (Version 2.0), prepared by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Environmental Laboratory, Vicksburg, MS. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE). 2018. National Wetland Plant List (Version 3.4), prepared by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Hanover, NH. Appendix A Project Area Maps East Gallatin River Estates Gallatin County, Montana 25 ® 0 230115Feet Vicinity MapLegend File: Vicinity Map.mxd Stream Channel Public Land Survey System Sundance Springs Subdivision Prepared For: Synergy Engineering and Konsulting Gallatin County, Montana Wetlands (Delineated) A-1 !> !> !> !>!> SP02u SP01u SP01w SP01a-u SP01a-w Sundance Springs Subdivision Prepared For: ® 0 10050Feet Wetland Delineation MapLegend Synergy Engineering and Konsulting File: Wetland Delineation.mxd Gallatin County, Montana !A SamplePoints Wetland (0.15 Acres) Non-Wetland Waterway W e tla n d 1 W e tla n d 1 a Middle Creek DitchSundance Springs Property Line A-2 National WetlandInventory MapLegend File: NWI Map.mxd NWI Wetland Type Riverine Wetland (Delineated) Non-Wetland (Delineated)Waterway ® 0 10050Feet Sundance Springs Subdivision Prepared For: Synergy Engineering and Konsulting Gallatin County, Montana Sundance Springs Property Line W e tla n d 1 W e tla n d 1 a M iddle Creek DitchA-3 Sundance Springs Subdivision Prepared For: ® 0 10050Feet Soils MapLegend Synergy Engineering and Konsulting File: Soils Map.mxd Gallatin County, Montana Wetland (0.15 Acres) Non-Wetland Waterway W e tla n d 1 W e tla n d 1 a Middle Creek DitchSundance Springs Property Line 350B: Blackmore Silt Loam, 0-1% slopes457A: Turner Loam, moderately wet, 0-2% slopes510B: Meadow Creek Loam, 0-4% slopes542A: Blossberg Loam, 0-2% slopes A-4 Appendix B Project Area Photographs East Gallatin River Estates Gallatin County, Montana Photo 1: Sample Point – SP01u Taken 09/15/20 Location: Upland sample point located on toe slope at southern end of project area, north of wetland 1. Photo 2: Sample Point – SP01w Taken 09/15/20 Location: PEM, riverine sample point located along Middle Creek ditch at west of end wetland 1. Photo 3: Sample Point – SP02u Taken 09/15/20 Location: Upland sample point located near northeast end of wetland 1. Photo 4: Sample Point – SP01a-u Taken 09/15/20 Location: Upland sample point located on toe slope at south end of project area, north of wetland cell 1a. Photo 5: Sample Point – SP01a-w Taken 09/15/20 Location: PEM, riverine sample point located at east end of wetland 1a . Photo 6: Example Upland Photo Taken 09/15/20 Location: Looking southwest across upland area from foot trail along the eastern edge of the property. B-1 Photo 7: Wetland 1 Taken 09/15/20 Location: Looking east across wetland 1 from atop culvert at west end of wetland. Photo 8: Taken 09/15/20 Location: Looking south across upland area above culvert separating wetland 1 (right) and 1a (left). Photo 9: Wetland 1a Taken 09/15/20 Location: Looking west across wetland 1a from foot trail bridge at east end of wetland. Photo 10: Roadside Ditch Taken 09/15/20 Location: Looking north across roadside ditch from southern end above culvert that runs below Little Horse Drive. Photo 11: Irrigation Ditch Taken 09/15/20 Location: Looking north across irrigation ditch located directly east of roadside ditch and adjacent trail. Photo 12: Example Upland Photo Taken 09/15/20 Location: Looking south from foot trail across irrigation ditch and road side ditch located in the northwest corner of project area, running along South 3rd Ave. B-2 Appendix C 2018 COE Wetland Determination Data Forms East Gallatin River Estates Gallatin County, Montana SP01a-u Sundance Springs Gallatin 9/15/2020 SEAK Montana S Weyant 25 2S 5E 1 45.637355 -111.045345 NAD 83 542A: Blossberg loam, 0-2% slopes Upland sample point. Footslope convex LRR E Not Mapped. S T R 30 15 5 30 Percent Bare Ground 5 Litter=5%. 1 1 100 VEGETATION - Use scientific names of plant Dominance Test worksheet Number of Dominant Species that are OBL, FACW or FAC: Total Number of Dominant Species Across All Strata: Percent of Dominant Species That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: Prevalence Index worksheet Total % Cover of: Multiply by: OBL species FACW species FAC species FACU species UPL species Column Totals X 1 X 2 X 3 X 4 X 5 (A)(B) Prevalence Index = B/A = % (A/B) (B) (A) Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators 1 - Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation 2 - Dominance Test is >50% 3 - Prevalence Index is <= 3.0 4 - Morphological Adaptations (Provide supporting data in remarks or on separate sheet. 5 - Wetland Non-Vascular Plants Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation (Explain) Indicators of hydric sil and wetland hydrology must be present, unless disturbed or problematic for #3, 4, 5. Hydrophytic Vegetation Present? Yes NO Remarks: US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coasts - Version 2.0 Tree Stratum Plot size ( Foot Radius)Absolute % Cover: Domiant Species? Indicator Status Sapling/Shrub Stratum Herbaceous Stratum Woody Vine Stratum Plot size ( Foot Radius) Plot size ( Foot Radius) Plot size ( Foot Radius) UPL10Bromus inermis FACU15Dactylis glomerata FAC55Elymus repens FAC15Poa pratensis C-1 SP01a-u No hydric soil indicators observed. 0-13 10YR 2/2 100 Silty Clay Loam No indicators of wetland hydrology observed. C-2 SP01a-w Sundance Springs Gallatin 9/15/2020 SEAK Montana S Weyant 25 2S 5E 0 45.637354 -111.045215 NAD 83 542A: Blossberg loam, 0-2% slopes PEM, Riverine wetland sample point. Bench flat LRR E Not Mapped. S T R 30 15 5 30 Percent Bare Ground 5 Litter=5%. 1 1 100 VEGETATION - Use scientific names of plant Dominance Test worksheet Number of Dominant Species that are OBL, FACW or FAC: Total Number of Dominant Species Across All Strata: Percent of Dominant Species That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: Prevalence Index worksheet Total % Cover of: Multiply by: OBL species FACW species FAC species FACU species UPL species Column Totals X 1 X 2 X 3 X 4 X 5 (A)(B) Prevalence Index = B/A = % (A/B) (B) (A) Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators 1 - Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation 2 - Dominance Test is >50% 3 - Prevalence Index is <= 3.0 4 - Morphological Adaptations (Provide supporting data in remarks or on separate sheet. 5 - Wetland Non-Vascular Plants Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation (Explain) Indicators of hydric sil and wetland hydrology must be present, unless disturbed or problematic for #3, 4, 5. Hydrophytic Vegetation Present? Yes NO Remarks: US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coasts - Version 2.0 Tree Stratum Plot size ( Foot Radius)Absolute % Cover: Domiant Species? Indicator Status Sapling/Shrub Stratum Herbaceous Stratum Woody Vine Stratum Plot size ( Foot Radius) Plot size ( Foot Radius) Plot size ( Foot Radius) FACW85Phalaris arundinacea FAC10Poa pratensis C-3 SP01a-w Distinct redox concentrations few. 0-15 10YR 2/2 97 7.5YR 6/8 3 C M Silty Clay Loam Redox begins at 7 in. Hydrology supported by geomorphic poistion and passing of the FAC-Neutral test. Soils moist. C-4 SP01u Sundance Springs Gallatin 9/15/2020 SEAK Montana S Weyant 25 2S 5E 1 45.63679 -111.046373 NAD 83 542A: Blossberg loam, 0-2% slopes Upland sample point. Bench convex LRR E PEM S T R 30 15 5 30 Percent Bare Ground 10 BG=10%. 1 2 50 VEGETATION - Use scientific names of plant Dominance Test worksheet Number of Dominant Species that are OBL, FACW or FAC: Total Number of Dominant Species Across All Strata: Percent of Dominant Species That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: Prevalence Index worksheet Total % Cover of: Multiply by: OBL species FACW species FAC species FACU species UPL species Column Totals X 1 X 2 X 3 X 4 X 5 (A)(B) Prevalence Index = B/A = % (A/B) (B) (A) Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators 1 - Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation 2 - Dominance Test is >50% 3 - Prevalence Index is <= 3.0 4 - Morphological Adaptations (Provide supporting data in remarks or on separate sheet. 5 - Wetland Non-Vascular Plants Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation (Explain) Indicators of hydric sil and wetland hydrology must be present, unless disturbed or problematic for #3, 4, 5. Hydrophytic Vegetation Present? Yes NO Remarks: US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coasts - Version 2.0 Tree Stratum Plot size ( Foot Radius)Absolute % Cover: Domiant Species? Indicator Status Sapling/Shrub Stratum Herbaceous Stratum Woody Vine Stratum Plot size ( Foot Radius) Plot size ( Foot Radius) Plot size ( Foot Radius) UPL30Bromus inermis FAC45Elymus repens FAC15Poa pratensis C-5 SP01u No hydric soil indicators observed. Soil moist. 0-08 10YR 2/2 100 Silty Clay Loam Soil dry. 08-13 10YR 2/2 98 10YR 6/8 2 C M Silty Clay Loam Distinct margins - relict. No indicators of wetland hydrology observed. C-6 SP01w Sundance Springs Gallatin 9/15/2020 SEAK Montana S Weyant 25 2S 5E 0 45.636731 -111.046399 NAD 83 542A: Blossberg loam, 0-2% slopes PEM, Riverine wetland with shrub component. Channel (active)flat LRR E Not Mapped. S T R 30 15 5 30 Percent Bare Ground 3 Salix bebbiana was observed in the shrub stratum and included in the herb stratum as it contributed <5% cover. 2 2 100 VEGETATION - Use scientific names of plant Dominance Test worksheet Number of Dominant Species that are OBL, FACW or FAC: Total Number of Dominant Species Across All Strata: Percent of Dominant Species That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: Prevalence Index worksheet Total % Cover of: Multiply by: OBL species FACW species FAC species FACU species UPL species Column Totals X 1 X 2 X 3 X 4 X 5 (A)(B) Prevalence Index = B/A = % (A/B) (B) (A) Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators 1 - Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation 2 - Dominance Test is >50% 3 - Prevalence Index is <= 3.0 4 - Morphological Adaptations (Provide supporting data in remarks or on separate sheet. 5 - Wetland Non-Vascular Plants Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation (Explain) Indicators of hydric sil and wetland hydrology must be present, unless disturbed or problematic for #3, 4, 5. Hydrophytic Vegetation Present? Yes NO Remarks: US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coasts - Version 2.0 Tree Stratum Plot size ( Foot Radius)Absolute % Cover: Domiant Species? Indicator Status Sapling/Shrub Stratum Herbaceous Stratum Woody Vine Stratum Plot size ( Foot Radius) Plot size ( Foot Radius) Plot size ( Foot Radius) FAC26Agrostis stolonifera FAC50Alopecurus arundinaceus OBL5Carex utriculata FAC1Cirsium arvense FACW10Epilobium ciliatum FAC1Geum macrophyllum FACW1Juncus balticus FACW2Mentha arvensis FACW1Salix bebbiana C-7 SP01w 0-15 10YR 2/2 100 Silty Clay Loam High organic matter content. 1 10 0 High water table at 11 inches after 10 minutes and surface water observed in plot. C-8 SP02u Sundance Springs Gallatin 9/15/2020 SEAK Montana S Weyant 25 2S 5E 0 45.637086 -111.045845 NAD 83 542A: Blossberg loam, 0-2% slopes Phalaris arundinacea dominated sample point; no convincing hydrology and lacks hydric soil indicator. Footslope concave LRR E Not Mapped. S T R 30 15 5 30 Percent Bare Ground 7 Litter=7%. 1 1 100 VEGETATION - Use scientific names of plant Dominance Test worksheet Number of Dominant Species that are OBL, FACW or FAC: Total Number of Dominant Species Across All Strata: Percent of Dominant Species That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: Prevalence Index worksheet Total % Cover of: Multiply by: OBL species FACW species FAC species FACU species UPL species Column Totals X 1 X 2 X 3 X 4 X 5 (A)(B) Prevalence Index = B/A = % (A/B) (B) (A) Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators 1 - Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation 2 - Dominance Test is >50% 3 - Prevalence Index is <= 3.0 4 - Morphological Adaptations (Provide supporting data in remarks or on separate sheet. 5 - Wetland Non-Vascular Plants Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation (Explain) Indicators of hydric sil and wetland hydrology must be present, unless disturbed or problematic for #3, 4, 5. Hydrophytic Vegetation Present? Yes NO Remarks: US Army Corps of Engineers Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coasts - Version 2.0 Tree Stratum Plot size ( Foot Radius)Absolute % Cover: Domiant Species? Indicator Status Sapling/Shrub Stratum Herbaceous Stratum Woody Vine Stratum Plot size ( Foot Radius) Plot size ( Foot Radius) Plot size ( Foot Radius) FACW80Phalaris arundinacea FAC13Poa pratensis C-9 SP02u No hydric soil indicators observed. 0-18 10YR 2/2 100 Silty Clay Loam Soil moist. Wetland hydrology is questionable given the lack of soi lindicators and the dominant plant being the highly invasive reed canary grass. C-10