Stream Study

of
15440 40th Ave. S.
Tukwila, Washington 98118

Development Permit Application No. D23-0049

Prepared for:
Lionshare Properties LLC
Matthija van Leeuwen
2508 SW 144th Pl.
Burien, WA 98166
[email protected]

Dated:
June 9, 2023

Prepared by:
Jeffery S. Jones, Wetland Scientist & Wildlife Biologist

P. O. B O X 1 9 0 8
ISSAQUAH, WASHINGTON 98027

253-905-5736 [email protected]
 Table of Contents

1.0 Project Description & Purpose................................................................................................. 1

2.0 Site Address & Identification................................................................................................... 1
3.0 Methodology ............................................................................................................................ 1
4.0 Qualifications ........................................................................................................................... 1
5.0 General Site Description .......................................................................................................... 2
5.0 Watercourse Determination ..................................................................................................... 2
6.0 Watercourse Buffer ................................................................................................................... 2
7.0 Probable Cumulative Impacts .................................................................................................. 3
8.0 Degree of Development Hazard and Risk ............................................................................... 3
9.0 Statement of Accuracy ............................................................................................................. 3
10.0 References .............................................................................................................................. 3

Attachments
Vicinity Map
City of Tukwila iMap Watercourse & Buffer
Tukwila Environmental GIS Map
Site Photos
DNR FPARS Water Typing Map
DOE Water Quality Atlas 303d Map
WDFW PHS Online Report
Resume Jeffery S. Jones, Wetland Scientist & Wildlife Biologist
Watercourse Survey and Proposed Site Plan (Provided by Land Surveyor/Civil Engineer)

i J. S. Jones and Associates, Inc.

1.0 Project Description & Purpose
The applicant plans to develop the subject property for multi-family housing. The City of
Tukwila has required a stream study for an onsite inventoried Type F watercourse.

2.0 Site Address & Identification

The property is located at 15540 40th Ave. S., Tukwila, WA 98118 (see Vicinity Map). The tax
parcel number is 606530-1090.

3.0 Methodology
The ordinary high water mark determination (OHWM) was performed on June 8, 2023, using the
current DOE methodology. The OHWM was flagged by Jeffery S. Jones, Wetland Scientist and
located by a licensed land surveyor. The OHWM flagging is bright pink plastic flagging tied on
vegetation.

In Washington State, the ordinary high water mark is defined as,

"That mark that will be found by examining the bed and banks and ascertaining where the
presence and action of waters are so common and usual, and so long continued in all ordinary
years, as to mark upon the soil a character distinct from that of the abutting upland, in respect to
vegetation as that condition exists on June 1, 1971, as it may naturally change thereafter, or at it
may change thereafter in accordance with permits issued by a local government or the
Department of Ecology.”

The City of Tukwila Municipal Code (TMC), “18.06.920 Watercourse “Watercourse” means a
course or route formed by nature or modified by man, generally consisting of a channel with a
bed and banks or sides substantially throughout its length along which surface water flows
naturally, including the Green/Duwamish River. The channel or bed need not contain water
year-round. Watercourses do not include irrigation ditches, stormwater runoff channels or
devices, or other entirely artificial watercourses unless they are used by salmonids or to convey
or pass through stream flows naturally occurring prior to construction of such devices. (Ord.
2075 §1 (part), 2004; Ord. 1758 §1 (part), 1995)“.

4.0 Qualifications
The wetland scientist and wildlife biologist is Jeffery S. Jones, has a B.S. in Biology and 35
years full-time work in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. A resume is attached.

1 J. S. Jones and Associates, Inc.

5.0 General Site Description
The parcel is vacant land with a nearly level upper terrace and a drainage pattern onsite along the
south property line. The drainage pattern has steep side slopes. The bottom of the drainage has a
rocky stream channel. The source of flow is a 3-foot diameter culvert near the southwest
property corner.

5.0 Watercourse Determination

The channel in the bottom of the drainage is a watercourse as defined by TMC 18.06.920. The
drainage pattern is a natural feature of the landscape. The substate is bare and rocky with steep-
sided streambanks, see attached Photo Pages. The channel bank full cross-section is three to six
feet wide and one to two feet deep. The drainage is vegetated with native conifer and deciduous
trees. The understory is mostly dominated by Himalayan blackberry, particularly on the north
side of the drainage toward potential development.

There was no surface water flow on June 8, 2023. The source of hydrology is primarily runoff
from existing development and paved surfaces. Hydrology may be flashy surface flows
associated with precipitation. The stream gradient is 3-8%.

The onsite watercourse is in WRIA 9, Duwamish Basin. The subbasin is the Lower Duwamish
River. The surrounding land uses, habitats, wetlands, connectivity, culverts, streams, and
relationships to barriers and flow constraints are shown on the attached Tukwila GIS
Environmental Map.

The DNR FPARS Water Typing Map does not show the onsite stream, but it does identify
another stream offsite nearby in the DOT right-of-way, see the attached DNR FPARS Water
Typing Map. The offsite stream is named Gilliam Creek on the Tukwila GIS environmental
map. The onsite watercourse is tributary to Gilliam Creek, roughly 50 feet downstream and
offsite.

Gilliam Creek is identified as a Type F fish-bearing stream on the DNR FPARS Water Typing
Map, see attached map. The onsite watercourse hydraulic gradient is roughly 3-8% gradient and
fish passable. There are no fish passage obstructions from the onsite stream to Gilliam Creek.
Therefore, the onsite watercourse is a Type F stream.

Wildlife use is limited by existing development and proximity to the freeway. The chain link
fence along the DOT right-of-way is a barrier to wildlife. No priority habitats or species are
identified on the attached online PHS report.

6.0 Watercourse Buffer

According to TMC 18.45.100.C.2, the standard buffer for a Type F watercourse is 100 feet.
Structures must be setback from the outside of the buffer 15 feet. All other development must be
10 feet from the outside of the buffer. The 100-foot buffer occupies a significant portion of the
site.

2 J. S. Jones and Associates, Inc.

7.0 Probable Cumulative Impacts
The onsite tributary and Gilliam Creek have water quality issues, i.e. high temperature, water
quality pollutants from polluted surface runoff, and ongoing soil erosion of streambanks. The
DOE Water Quality Atlas Map identified Gilliam Creek as a Category 5 - 303d water. Category
5 streams are state listed as “impaired and threatened” waters.

Development of the site, with a buffer reduced to 50 feet, would have no negative impact on the
watercourse. The condition of the buffer will even improve if a native plant community is
established on the remaining buffer. A 50-foot buffer extends beyond the top of the drainage
side slopes. The buffer understory is currently dense Himalayan blackberry. The drainage has a
trail along a portion of the watercourse created by homeless people and neighborhood kids.
Reestablishing a native plant community will benefit the stream, by providing more shading,
improving wildlife habitat, and reducing streambank erosion. The cumulative impacts, as a
result of development of the site, are insignificant to the watershed.

8.0 Degree of Development Hazard and Risk

Development does not pose a hazard or risk to the watercourse or to the community. The
watercourse will be protected in a critical area tract. Runoff will meet the requirements of the
current stormwater design manual. “Best management practices” will be used during
construction. Buffer vegetative enhancement can be implemented during the dry season when
there is little or no surface water flow.

9.0 Statement of Accuracy

This study and field work are accurate to the best of the consultant’s knowledge, ability, and
experience.

10.0 References
Tukwila Municipal Code
http://records.tukwilawa.gov/weblink/1/edoc/56618/Tukwila%20Municipal%20Code%20-
%20Title%2018%20-%20Zoning.pdf

3 J. S. Jones and Associates, Inc.

Attachments

4 J. S. Jones and Associates, Inc.

 Vicinity Map

Site

6/9/2023, 12:05:09 PM 1:4,514

0 0.03 0.05 0.1 mi
Override 1 Buildings Addresses (Tukwila)
0 0.04 0.08 0.16 km
City Limits Street City of Tukwila, King County, King County

City of Tukwila
 Tukwila iMap Watercourse & Buffer

6/5/2023, 11:49:25 AM 1:1,128

0 0.01 0.01 0.02 mi
Parcels Street Watercourse - Stream Buffer

City Limits Addresses (Tukwila) 80 0 0.01 0.02 0.04 km

Buildings Watercourse - Stream City of Tukwila, King County, King County

Type Np Stream (Year-Round)

City of Tukwila
 Tukwila GIS Environmental Map

Site

6/9/2023, 2:46:06 PM 1:18,056

0 0.1 0.2 0.4 mi
index contours - 500 foot City Limits Wetland Category IV
contours - 100 foot Buildings Category II Potential/Uncategorized 0 0.15 0.3 0.6 km
City of Tukwila, King County, King County
Override 1 Street Category III

City of Tukwila
 Upper Site

Onsite Stream Channel

 3-Foot Culvert Discharging Onto Site

Offsite Culvert

Watercourse Leaving Site Near SE Property Corner & Offsite Channel of Gilliam Creek and Culvert
 Forest Practices Water Type Map

Esri, HERE, Garmin, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS user
community, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Forest Practices Division,
Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Engineering Division

Map Symbols Additional Information Legal Description

New Stream
[ Start and End S15 T23.0N R04.0E, S26 T23.0N
[ Point of Surveyed
F
Proposed Water Type Reach R04.0E, S28 T23.0N R04.0E, S16 T23.0N
*
# Natural Fish Barrier R04.0E, S14 T23.0N R04.0E, S27 T23.0N
x Stream Removal R04.0E, S22 T23.0N R04.0E, S21 T23.0N
"
x

Manmade Barrier
x

F N Break between !
? End of Fish or R04.0E, S23 T23.0N R04.0E
water types Last Fish

Extreme care was used during the compilation of this map to ensure Approximate Scale :1:12,000
its accuracy. However, due to changes in data and the need to 0 500 1,000 2,000
rely on outside information, the Department of Natural Resources
Feet
cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions, and therefore,
there are no warranties that accompany this material. Date: 6/5/2023 Time: 11:35 AM
 June 9, 2023

DOE Water Quality Atlas 303d Map

Assessed Water/Sediment
Water
Category 5 - 303d
Category 4C
Category 4B
Category 4A
Category 2
Category 1

Sediment
Category 5 - 303d
Category 4C
Category 4B
Category 4A
Category 2
Category 1

K Esri, NASA, NGA, USGS, FEMA

Miles
Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, 0 0.23 0.45 0.9
FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri
6/9/23, 12:31 PM PHS Report

Priority Habitats and Species on the Web

Buffer radius: 300 Feet

Report Date: 06/09/2023

The Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) datasets do not contain information for your project area. This does not mean that species
and habitats do not occur in your project area. PHS data, points, lines and polygons are mapped only when occurrences of these
species or habitats have been observed in the field. Unfortunately, we have not been able to comprehensively survey all sections in
the state and therefore, it is important to note that priority species and habitats may occur in areas not currently known to the
Department.

DISCLAIMER. This report includes information that the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) maintains in a central computer database. It is not an attempt to provide you
with an official agency response as to the impacts of your project on fish and wildlife. This information only documents the location of fish and wildlife resources to the best of our knowledge.
It is not a complete inventory and it is important to note that fish and wildlife resources may occur in areas not currently known to WDFW biologists, or in areas for which comprehensive

about:blank 1/2
6/9/23, 12:31 PM PHS Report
surveys have not been conducted. Site specific surveys are frequently necesssary to rule out the presence of priority resources. Locations of fish and wildlife resources are subject to
variation caused by disturbance, changes in season and weather, and other factors. WDFW does not recommend using reports more than six months old.

about:blank 2/2
JEFFERY S. JONES
WETLAND SCIENTIST & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST
I have over thirty years of professional environmental consulting and project management
experience. For the last thirty one years, I have worked full-time as an environmental consultant,
wetland scientist and wildlife biologist on projects in Washington, Oregon, Montana, and
Alaska.

Work Experience
• Wetland Scientist and Wildlife Biologist/Owner, J. S. Jones and Associates, Inc. Oct.
1988 to Present
• Partner in Thom Wetland Mitigation Bank, Kent, WA, Present
• Owner of Thor’s Native Plant Nursery. Kent, WA, 2007-2015
• Field Avian Biologist, Wildlife International. Yakima, Washington. 1988
• Conservation Technician, USDA Soil Conservation Service. Medford, Oregon. 1981-
1987
• Cadastral Land Surveyor, Bureau of Land Management. Medford, Oregon. 1978-1979
• Land Survey Aide, Compass Corporation. Sellwood, Oregon. 1969-1973

Professional Affiliations
Lifetime Member, National Society of Wetland Scientist (former PWS No. 1025)

Education
B.S. Biology, Lewis & Clark College, Portland, Oregon, 1978

Selected Project Experience

Environmental Consultant on over 2,000 projects for industry, developers and property owners.
Projects include:
• Great Blue Heron, Pattern of Rookery Movement, Molalla State Park, Molalla, Oregon
1978
• Boeing Everett Facilities Expansion and other Boeing construction projects, Wetland
Scientist and Wildlife Biologist, Five-years monitoring and seven-years on construction
management team
• Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Natural Resource Center, Numerous Critical Area Studies
• Native Village of Eyak, Cordova, Alaska, Port Expansion NEPA Permit team member
• Department of Homeland Security Facility Colville, Critical Area Assessment
• Seattle Audubon Society, Bird Impact Study for Off-leash Dog Areas at all City of
Seattle Parks, 1995
• King County Norm Maleng Prosecutors Office, Wetland Consultant & Expert Witness,
Stewart Property Acquisition
• Real Com Lake McMurray Habitat Management Plan, Snohomish County, 2007
• Lipoma Firs, Wildlife Habitat Assessment and Pileated Woodpecker Habitat
Management Plan, Pierce County, 2007
• Marriott Hotel Everett, Critical Area Study, 2019.
• iCap Commercial Development, Critical Area Study, Habitat Assessment and Habitat
Management Plan, Bremerton, WA 2014
 • Robertson Properties Group, S. 277th Street Widening Improvement, EIS Author
Environmental Section, Auburn, WA, 2014
• Verizon Oly Lake Lawrence, Wildlife Habitat Assessment and Public Hearing Expert
Witness, 2015-2016
• King County Parks Department, Preston Park, Wetland Assessment, 2017
• St. Andrews, Sno. Co. 117 acre Critical Area Determination Residential Development,
Jan. 2020

Community Service
Former Issaquah Little League Coach & District All-Stars Coach, 2004-2010
Former City of Issaquah Planning Dept., Rivers and Stream Board Member, 2007-2013
University of Washington, Wetland Science Program, Student Adviser, 2016-2019

Contact Information
Jeffery S. Jones
J. S. Jones and Associates, Inc.
PO Box 1908
Issaquah, WA 98027
253-905-5736
[email protected]