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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9d Wetland Responses to Comments 3-11-20 Responses to Comments January/February 2020 By: Christine Pearcy, Environmental Scientist Reference is made to floodplain map in the delineation report. Do the limits of the watercourse setback equate the limits of the 100-year floodplain? No. The project limits are not within the FEMA designated 100-year floodplain. Comments associated with the map The incorrect map was included in the initial submittal of this report. Please see the correct map in addition to Drawing C-120. All requested information is included in these two maps. Off-site wetlands must also be delineated within 50 feet of the project boundary or estimated if access is prohibited. Wetlands were delineated on the property to the west of the subject property for a different project. I have included that map to this comment sheet. 50 feet to the south of the property is a road. 50 feet to the east of this property is an active construction site. Ditch conveyance does exist along the road ROW along the northern portion of the property. Irrigation water is routed through a roadside ditch and in to culverts beneath Baxter Road. This project will likely include Baxter Road widening and the roadside ditch along Baxter Road will most likely be culverted. Areas identified by National Wetland Inventory (NWI) or low areas The entire eastern half of the subject property has been drained, filled, tilled, planted and irrigated and has been for since approximately 2012 or 2013. The soil, water-table, and plant regimes have been so-altered by agriculture that they no longer possess wetland qualities, if in fact, a wetland ever existed there. Several groundwater monitoring wells were installed and monitored on the property during the summer of 2019. Well #10 is closest to the eastern most NWI identified site. Water levels ranged between 2 to 3 feet below ground surface for the monitoring period. Additionally, there were several areas on the western-half of the subject property where NWI did not indicate the presence of wetlands or waterways. However, both wetlands and waterways were delineated in areas of the property where NWI failed to recognize them. Hydrology on this property has been substantially altered throughout the years/decades. Additionally, hydrology to the south of the project area has been substantially altered throughout the years/decades. Environmental Permitting Projected impacts to wetlands and waterways are preliminary. No permits have been applied for at this time. When final impacts are known, the appropriate suite of permits will be applied for. No Floodplain Permit is required for activities on the subject property.