Habitat Assessment in Redmond

Chris collaborated with Mark Rigos to conduct a habitat assessment on a 15- acre lot. The lot had mature forest and two large houses and was proposed for a multi-family development.  Chris concluded that species of concern did not utilize the large trees as perches and that much of the site was substandard habitat for species of concern since non-native understory plants were dominant. A habitat assessment was delivered to the developer.  The City of Redmond was pleased with the results.

Critical Areas Alterations Exception in King County

Chris collaborated with Mark Rigos to conduct a wetland delineation and stream ordinary high water mark flagging in the Maple Valley area of King County. The site was a 5- acre parcel with wetlands and a salmon-bearing stream; it was totally encumbered by critical areas or their buffers. The site also had two existing houses and a new house was to be built in their footprint. The old septic system was also slated to be rebuilt. Chris justified a critical areas alteration exception approach since houses had been in the spot for over a century and improving the condition of the houses and septic system could reduce impacts. A wetland report was submitted to King County Department of Permitting and Environmental Review.

Wetland and Stream Delineation and Rating in King County

While working for Concept Engineering, Chris delineated and rated wetlands and flagged the ordinary high water mark on a salmon bearing stream on a parcel south of Issaquah.  He considered the wetland rating carefully and was able to justify that the wetland buffers should be 110 ft. wide instead of 225 ft. wide. He submitted his wetland report and King County Department of Permitting and Environmental Review agreed with its conclusions.  

Wetland Delineation in Thurston County

While working for Skillings Connolly, Chris delineated wetlands on a 10-acre undeveloped parcel in Thurston County. Some of the wetlands were under 1000 square feet in area and did not form part of a wetland complex, so per Thurston County Code, they were not regulated. Chris wrote the wetland and stream report for the client.