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HomeMy WebLinkAbout050 - Wetland Scientist Letter POTENTIAL DISCOUNT TIRE DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM Bozeman, Montana April 2026 Prepared for: Prepared by: PAC LAND 6814 Greenwood Ave N. Seattle, WA 98103 CONFLUENCE CONSULTING, INC. 1289 Stoneridge Drive Bozeman, MT 59718 POTENTIAL DISCOUNT TIRE DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL MEMO BOZEMAN, MONTANA ii Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................... 3 2. METHODS ............................................................................................. 3 3. RESULTS .............................................................................................. 4 3.1 Wetlands .................................................................................................. 4 3.2 Soils .......................................................................................................... 6 3.3 Vegetation ................................................................................................ 7 3.4 Noxious Weeds and Invasive Species .................................................. 7 4. CONCLUSIONS ..................................................................................... 7 5. BIBLIOGRAPHY .................................................................................... 9 TABLES Table 1. Plant species observed within the Potential Discount Tire Development project area. .................. 7 FIGURES Figure 1. Project Location. Potential Discount Tire Development, Bozeman, Gallatin County, MT. ............ 3 Figure 2. National Wetland Inventory Map (USFWS). Potential Discount Tire Development, Gallatin County, MT. ................................................................................................................................................... 4 Figure 3. Environmental Resource Map. Potential Discount Tire Development, Gallatin County, MT. ........ 5 Figure 4. NRCS Soil Map. Potential Discount Tire Development, Gallatin County, MT. .............................. 6 APPENDICES APPENDIX A. Site Photographs POTENTIAL DISCOUNT TIRE DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL MEMO BOZEMAN, MONTANA 3 1. INTRODUCTION PAC Land contracted Confluence Consulting, Inc. (Confluence) to conduct a preliminary environmental site review of a parcel at 5889 E Valley Center Road in Bozeman, Montana for a potential Discount Tire development. The site review included field notes and photo documentation around the project area to include any wetlands, streams, or other potential environmental factors that may affect the project. The project area is in northwestern Bozeman, southwest of the intersection of Highway 90 and 19th Avenue. The surrounding land use is mainly commercial industrial development. Maps are provided throughout the report, and site photographs in Appendix A. Figure 1. Project Location. Potential Discount Tire Development, Bozeman, Gallatin County, MT. 2. Methods A Confluence wetland scientist walked the entire project area on March 25th, 2026, and assessed it for environmental resources including the presence of potential wetlands, streams, invasive species, and noxious weeds. Areas observed to have channels with an ordinary high water mark (OHWM) or potential wetland conditions were documented and photographed. A formal wetland delineation was not completed. Approximate boundaries of potential wetlands were typically readily identifiable due to changes in topography and shifts in vegetation dominance from wetland to upland plant species. The wetland indicator status of plant species was derived from the 2022 National Wetland Plant List (USACE 2023) and plants were primarily identified using the Manual of Montana Vascular Plants (Lesica et al. 2022). Topographic shifts were used to help identify approximate wetland boundaries in areas where a slope met a bench or flat area (i.e., toe of slope), or along drainages or ditches. POTENTIAL DISCOUNT TIRE DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL MEMO BOZEMAN, MONTANA 4 Aerial photographs and a resource grade GPS were used to map observed features identified on the ground. Additionally, the US Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetland Inventory (NWI) database was used to identify potential wetland features prior to the field visit. The Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey (SSURGO) database was used to identify soil types and potential hydric soil conditions in the area. 3. Results 3.1 Wetlands No wetlands or channels are documented in the project area in the National Wetlands Inventory database (Figure 2; USFWS 2026). Gallatin County is semi-arid, and the wetlands documented by the NWI in the near vicinity of the project area are in irrigation ditches. Figure 2. National Wetland Inventory Map (USFWS). Potential Discount Tire Development, Gallatin County, MT. During the field visit, it was determined that much of the project area was upland. Three small areas with potential wetlands were identified in the project area (Figure 3) based on their geomorphic position in ditches and depressions, along with the presence of reed canarygrass and poison hemlock, both hydrophytic species. As a formal wetland delineation was not completed, no sample points were taken to verify the wetland status of these areas. Project Area POTENTIAL DISCOUNT TIRE DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL MEMO BOZEMAN, MONTANA 5 W01 (0.008 acres) was found in a shallow ditch along the eastern side of the parcel. Two culverts direct water into this ditch from the parcel to the south. Neither culvert was actively flowing at the time of the site visit but likely provide water to W01 during precipitation events. The culverts were about 1 foot in diameter and appear to flow north into the site. Additionally, the upstream end of the western culvert could not be identified. The hydrophytic species poison hemlock was present in this area, mixed with species more commonly associated with uplands. W02 (0.006 acres) was a patch of hydrophytic reed canarygrass around a manhole cover on the eastern edge of the parcel. W03 (0.020 acres) was the lowest part of a ditch on the northwestern parcel boundary that was dominated by reed canarygrass. None of these potential wetland areas had strong signs of wetland conditions being present, with reed canarygrass being tolerant of a range of hydrologic conditions, and a formal wetland delineation would be required to determine their wetland status. Figure 3. Environmental Resource Map. Potential Discount Tire Development, Gallatin County, MT. POTENTIAL DISCOUNT TIRE DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL MEMO BOZEMAN, MONTANA 6 All three wetlands were geographically isolated and therefore are preliminarily considered to be non-jurisdictional under the Clean Water Act. The U.S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) makes all final jurisdictional determinations for Waters of the US. However, as the parcel is within Bozeman, the City of Bozeman may take jurisdiction over them and require compensatory mitigation if they are impacted. 3.2 Soils NRCS soil units in the project area included Turner loam and Meadowcreek loam (NRCS 2026). Turner loam (57B) is a well-drained soil associated with stream terraces, and there were no hydric soils associated with this soil series. Meadowcreek loam (510B) is a somewhat poorly drained soil, with a minor hydric component (10% of map unit). Figure 4. NRCS Soil Map. Potential Discount Tire Development, Gallatin County, MT. POTENTIAL DISCOUNT TIRE DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL MEMO BOZEMAN, MONTANA 7 3.3 Vegetation A total of 16 plant species were identified within the project area. Upland grasses such as smooth brome (Bromus inermis) and crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) dominated most of the area. Species associated with wetlands, including reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), were observed within some of the ditches and depressions in the parcel. A complete plant list is provided in Table 1. Table 1. Plant species observed within the Potential Discount Tire Development project area. Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass Elymus repens quackgrass Bassia scoparia kochia Phalaris arundinacea reed canarygrass Berteroa incana hoary alyssum Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass Bromus inermis smooth brome Polygonum aviculare prostrate knotweed Bromus tectorum cheatgrass Rosa woodsii Woods’ rose Cirsium arvense Canada thistle Tanacetum vulgare common tansy Cirsium vulgare bull thistle Taraxacum officinale common dandelion Conium maculatum poison hemlock Verbascum thapsus common mullein 3.4 Noxious Weeds and Invasive Species State-designated noxious weeds observed within the project area included Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), and hoary alyssum (Berteroa incana). One Gallatin County declared noxious weed, poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), was also observed during the survey (Gallatin County Weed District 2026). Noxious weed species occurred as scattered individuals, with no large infestations of weeds on the site. Most of the plant species on the site are typical non-native species found within pastures and other disturbed sites in the region. Cheatgrass is considered a regulated species in Montana due to the potential for significant negative impacts as an invasive species. 4. Conclusions The majority of the project area is upland, with three small, geographically isolated potential wetland areas identified along the project boundaries. All three wetlands are preliminarily considered to be non-jurisdictional under the federal Clean Water Act, but as they are within city limits the City of Bozeman may claim jurisdiction over them and require compensatory mitigation. Several noxious weed species were observed within the project area, but no large infestations were present. 4.1 Recommendations • The next step in this evaluation would be to conduct a formal wetland delineation of the site during the growing season, which generally starts in Bozeman after May 7th. • If the wetland areas are confirmed as having the vegetation, soils and hydrology needed to qualify as a wetland, and they are projected to be impacted by the proposed Discount POTENTIAL DISCOUNT TIRE DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL MEMO BOZEMAN, MONTANA 8 Tire facility, then compensatory mitigation would likely be required by the City of Bozeman. • Compensatory mitigation credits for the wetland impacts could be negotiated with the Upper Missouri Mitigation Bank. Pricing can vary and will be determined by the Bank, but for this initial planning purpose it is useful to assume that a minimum of 0.1 acres of credits would need to be purchased from the Bank and would cost approximately $10,000. POTENTIAL DISCOUNT TIRE DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL MEMO BOZEMAN, MONTANA 9 5. BIBLIOGRAPHY Environmental Laboratory. 1987. Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual. 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. Gallatin County Weed District. 2026. Montana Noxious Weed List. Accessed April 2026 at: https://www.gallatinmt.gov/weed-district Lesica, P., Lavin, M., and P.F. Stickney. 2022. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants (2nd Edition). BRIT Press, Fort Worth, TX. Mersel, M. K., R. W. Lichvar. 2014. A Guide to Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) Delineation for Non-Perennial Streams in the Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region of the United States. ERDC/CRREL TR-14-13. Hanover, NH: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 2026. Soil Survey (SSURGO) Database for [Gallatin County Area, Montana]. Accessed April 2026 at: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/ Smith, R. D., Ammann, A., Bartoldus, C., 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 (USACE). 2023. 2022 National Wetland Plant List (Version 3.2). Prepared by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Hanover, NH. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2026. National Wetlands Inventory (NWI). Accessed April 2026 at: https://fwsprimary.wim.usgs.gov/wetlands/apps/wetlands-mapper/. APPENDIX A Site Photographs Potential Discount Tire Development 5889 E Valley Center Road Bozeman, Montana Potential Discount Tire Development Site Photographs A - 1 Photo 1: Facing N/NW along E Valley Center Rd. from the SW corner of the site. Photo 2: Facing E along the S boundary, from the SW corner of the site. Photo 3: Facing N/NW along the W side of the middle drive, from the S boundary of the site. Photo 4: Facing N/NE along the E side of the middle drive, from the S boundary of the site. Potential Discount Tire Development Site Photographs A - 2 Photo 5: Facing NE towards the center of the large field, from the S boundary of the site. Photo 6: Facing N/NW towards the center of the site, from the middle of the S boundary. Photo 7: Facing W/NW along the S boundary, from near the SE corner of the site. Photo 8: Facing N/NW towards the center of the site, from the middle of the S boundary. Potential Discount Tire Development Site Photographs A - 3 Photo 9: Facing N/NE at potential W01, from near the SE corner of the site. Photo 10: Facing SE at potential W01, from another angle. Photo 11: Facing N/NE at the upstream end of the culvert that flows into potential W01, from outside of the S boundary. Photo 12: Facing S/ SE upstream from the culvert, outside of the project area. Potential Discount Tire Development Site Photographs A - 4 Photo 13: Looking down at the two culverts that were not actively flowing, but likely to flow into potential W01. Photo 14: Facing S/SE along the E fenceline, towards the S/SE corner of the site. Photo 15: Facing N/NE towards the NE corner of the site. Photo 16: Facing SW towards the center of the large field, from the NE corner of the site. Potential W02 is in the foreground. Potential Discount Tire Development Site Photographs A - 5 Photo 17: Facing SE at potential W02 from another angle, near the N boundary of the site. Photo 18: Facing SW towards the center of the site, from near the NE corner. Photo 19: Facing S along the drive, towards the center of the site, from the N boundary. Photo 20: Facing NE/E from the NW corner of the site. Potential Discount Tire Development Site Photographs A - 6 Photo 21: Facing SE towards the center of the site, from the NW corner of the site. Photo 22: Facing S towards potential W03, from the NW corner of the site. Photo 23: Facing N/NE towards potential W03, from the W boundary of the site. Photo 24: Facing S/SE along the W boundary of the site.