mtbaker culvert eia w08

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Environmental Impact AssessmentFor

Mt. Baker Highway Culvert ReplacementAddressing WSDOT-Identified Chronic Environmental Deficiencies

Prepared by

Krista Chavez

Nate Lundgren

Erin Smart

Jake Sullivan

This report represents a class project that was carried out by the students of Western Washington

University – Huxley College. It has not been undertaken at the request of any persons

representing local government or private individuals. Nor does it necessarily represent the

opinion or position of individuals from government or the private sector.



Table of Contents

DEAR CONCERNED CITIZEN LETTER…………………………………………….....3

FACT SHEET……………………………………………………………………………..4

INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………...6

PROJECT AREA SITE MAP…………………………………………………………..…7

TOPOGRAPHIC MAP OF PROJECT AREA…………………………………………....8

PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES…………………………………………9

EROSION MITIGATION……………………………………………………………….10

ENVIRONMENTAL MATRIX…………………………………………………………13

PLANS AND PROFILES…………………………………………………………..……14

SCOPING PROCESS……………………………………………………………………19

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT………………………………………………………..…20

Earth……………………………………………………………………………...20

Air……………………………………………………………………………..…22

Water…………………………………………………………………………..…23

Plants…………………………………………………………………………..…25

Animals………………………………………………………………………..…26

Environmental Health……………………………………………………………29

BUILT ENVIRONMENT………………………………………………………….……31

Aesthetics……………………………………………………………………...…31

Public Services and Utilities……………………………………………………..32

Transportation……………………………………………………………………33

LIST OF TECHNICAL TERMS…………………………………………………...……34

APPENDIX A: Fauna species list…………..………………………………………...…36

APPENDIX B: Flora species list………………………………………………………...37

REFERENCES………………………………………………………………………..…38

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March 5, 2008

ESCI 436

Mt. Baker Culvert Replacement Team

Huxley College of the Environment

Concerned Citizens

Whatcom County, Washington

Dear Concerned Citizen,

The following Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was developed by students of Huxley

College of the Environment at Western Washington University. Although official State studies

were used in compiling the information, by no means is this an official document. An EIA is

meant to emulate an Environmental Impact Statement; a document of research required by the

state Environmental Policy Act to assess the impacts of a proposed measure.

This EIA addresses the current work being done by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) in an effort to replace stream culverts on Mt. Baker Highway in

Whatcom County, Washington. Our study focuses specifically on the present and proposed

culverts over Bruce and Baptist Creek. We attempted to address all potential concerns regardingthe public and environmental habitat fully. Included in this EIA are discussions on the proposed

actions of WSDOT and possible alternatives that can improve upon both existing conditions and

future environmental and social impacts. Our hope is that this document might clarify and

expand upon the work being done by the WSDOT.

Sincerely,

The Mt. Baker Highway Culvert Replacement Team

Krista Chavez

Nate Lundgren

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Erin Smart

Jake Sullivan

Fact Sheet

Project Name

Mt. Baker Highway Culvert Replacement: Addressing WSDOT-identified Chronic

Environmental Deficiencies

Project Description

This project includes road safety improvements, culvert replacement, and stream

realignment at two separate locations on SR 542 in Whatcom County.

Description of Location

Location 1 includes Bruce Creek located 2.25 miles east of Maple Falls and extends from

mile post (MP) 27.90 to MP 28.10.

Location 2 includes Baptist Creek and located 3.00 miles east of Maple Falls and extends

from MP 28.66 to MP 28.73.

Proposer

Washington State Department of Transportation – Northwest Region

Lead Agency

ESCI 436 Environmental Impact Assessment students of Huxley College at Western

Washington University

Permits

Hydraulic Project Approval WA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife

NPDES General Construction Permit WA Dept. of Ecology

Section 404 Permit US Army Corps of Engineers

Section 401 Water Quality Certification WA Dept. of EcologyClearing Permit Whatcom County

Critical Areas Review Whatcom County

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Contributors Krista Chavez: earth, aesthetics, mitigation efforts

Nate Lundgren: water, animals, introduction

Erin Smart: environmental health, air, traffic, photos, maps, editor Jake Sullivan: plants, public services and utilities

Public Hearing Held

Community Food Co-op Community Building – 1220 N. Forest

March 10, 2008 at 2:00 pm

Special Thanks to

Alan Soicher, contact personMaria Mayrhofer, Environmental Coordinator III, NWR Environmental ProgramWSDOT

Leo Bodensteiner

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Introduction

Bruce Creek and Baptist Creek are small tributary streams to the North Fork of the

Nooksack River in Whatcom County. Both of the creeks run underneath SR 542, a well

used roadway with year-round access to recreation opportunities at the Mt. Baker Ski

area and the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The creeks are two of many thathave been redirected through culverts since the road was built. At the time of

construction, there were few environmental concerns regarding the diversion and

manipulation of streams and rivers. With the science available today it is clear that thereare serious impacts on the stream ecology and morphology due to such activities and

these impacts were not considered when the culverts were put in place. Of particular

importance today in Washington is the restoration of native salmon populations whichincludes reestablishment of the species to their historical range. Removal of migration

barriers such as the culverts on Bruce Creek and Baptist Creek that restrict the movement

of salmonids is part of the strategy to improve the overall health of salmon stocks in

Washington.

In 1991 Washington State Department of Transportation created the Fish Passage Barrier

Removal Program with the goal of identifying and removing fish passage barriersthroughout the state (WSDOT 2008a). The Baptist Creek culvert has been identified as

such a barrier and is scheduled for replacement under the program. In 2004 another

Department of Transportation program named the Chronic Environmental Deficiencies program was established. The purpose is to identify roadway structures along state

highways where frequent maintenance of the structure has had harmful effects on fish

habitat (WSDOT 2008b). Bruce Creek falls under this program as it requires frequentdredging to maintain proper flow through the culvert. Replacing these two culverts will

improve the ecosystem health and restore proper morphological functions of the creeks

and the Nooksack River watershed as a whole.

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Project Area Site Map

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Proposed Action and Alternatives

Proposed Action

Bruce Creek The project will remove the existing culvert and replace it with a box culvert. The new

box culvert will be placed in the historical alignment of Bruce Creek (80 feet west of

existing culvert), before the current culvert was put in place. The box culvert that is to be put in place is approximately 65 feet in length and will result in 450 feet of stream being

realigned. The realignment will result in an increased grade, allowing for more substrate

to pass downstream without obstruction. The current culvert is at too low of a grade, and

is placed below the existing creek grade. Repeated dredging is required to remove the bed load that accumulates from the bottleneck created by this culvert. The replacement

has the potential to allow fish to access the habitat above SR 542 which is currently

inaccessible. SR 542 will be realigned for approximately 900 feet to accommodate the

new culvert. A six-foot shoulder on the westbound side and a ten-foot shoulder on theeastbound side will be constructed to upgrade the area for pedestrian use. Because

17,830 square feet of impervious surfaces are to be created from this project storm water treatment will be included. Best management practices for storm water treatment include

biofiltration swales, ecology embankments and infiltration trenches, all of which will be

used to treat the runoff from these impervious surfaces.

Baptist Creek

The culvert replacement on Baptist Creek will remove the existing concrete pipe and

replace it with a box culvert. The current culvert is not a barrier to fish passage, but the box culvert that is to be put in its place will increase the amount of sediment allowed to

pass, and will mitigate the increased peak flows created by the current 18 inch diameter

pipe. One tributary of Baptist Creek runs along SR542 for about 250 feet, this sectionlacks riparian vegetation and receives untreated runoff from SR542. This section of

stream is to be moved 40 feet to the north, within the private property of the Baptist

Camp. No impervious surface is to be added during this project because the new culvertis in the same place as the existing one, and no road realignment will be necessary.

Alternatives

Alternative A: Bridge

Alternative A would consist of replacing the culverts on Bruce Creek and Baptist Creek

with bridges. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife prefers this approach as bridges generally have less of a detrimental effect on fish and the stream ecology in

general. A bridge becomes a more reasonable option for wider streams or streams of a

steeper gradient. Though a bridge is generally less deleterious for a given stream or river than a culvert is, installation of a bridge is not without environmental impacts and

mitigation measures would still need to be taken. Of particular concern is the possibility

that after a culvert is removed the upstream portion of the channel may be vulnerable to

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erosion. Sediment and debris that have accumulated in front of the culvert over time can

become unstable and give way, necessitating some type of grade control (WDFW 2003).

Alternative B: No Action

Alternative B would allow Bruce and Baptist Creek to persist in their present state. Both

creeks could potentially perform important ecosystem functions that are not taking placeat this time. Concern over salmonid fish is a major consideration regarding the direction

of this project. Many salmonid populations in Western Washington are in jeopardy and

three species are listed as threatened. Both creeks have historically provided suitablehabitat for certain species of salmon and trout but currently Bruce Creek is impassable for

fish and Baptist Creek is only partially fish passable (Maria Mayrhofer, WSDOT, pers.

comm. 2008). As well as allowing the creeks ecological capabilities to remain

unrealized, no action would also require that time and money continue to be spentdredging sediment from the stream beds to prevent the culverts from clogging during

rainstorms (WSDOT 2007).

Erosion Mitigation

The construction practices involved in culvert replacement and road realignment require

invasive activity within fragile ecosystem boundaries. All activities in these areas will

create temporary to long term habitat deficiencies. According to a study on Marylandconstruction runoff, construction sites with no erosion or sediment controls have an

increase of over 1000 times the rate of erosion compared to natural conditions (WSDOT

Training Manual, 2005). It is necessary to address practices which will allow for themitigation of adverse erosive impacts caused by construction.

Various Best Management Practices have already been cited for use by WSDOT.Currently, the project plans regarding the proposal for Bruce Creek involves the additionof over 17,000 square feet of impervious surface to the area. Any action involving the

addition of more than 2,000 square feet of impervious surface is subject to creating a

Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (TESC). A TESC consists of twelveelements which can be seen in Table 1 and are to be followed throughout the duration of

construction action. The following are various cited mitigation measures and brief

explanations for the proposed actions involved in the culvert replacements on Bruce andBaptist Creek. They do not represent a complete or official TESC, but is to be used as an

aid in understanding the processes and carefully thought out plans to carry out the

proposals.

In an effort to curb impacts from the movement of machinery to and from the

construction site, WSDOT will practice stabilizing construction entrances (WSDOT,

2007). Stabilized entrances generally require the use of stones to provide stability at theloading, and unloading location. The rocks reduce the amount of contact between the

machinery and the soil faces which benefits the environment in two key areas. First, by

reducing the amount of soil on the machinery as it leaves the work site decreases theamount of soil transplanted on the highway surface thus reducing the amount of potential

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sedimentation into the nearby stream (WSDOT Training Manual, 2005). The second key

benefit to using stones at the construction entry way is the increased surface area of the

soil particles in the topsoil and increased permeability will improve drainage—decreasing potential for rutting and saturation of the immediate topsoil (Schaetzle, 2005).

The next measure of erosion mitigation proposed is the use of rock check dams. Thesedams are utilized to reduce the velocity of water flows that become concentrated in

drainage ditches (Salt Lake County, 1999). During construction, flows become

increasingly full of sediment due to excavations and soil exposure. By reducing thevelocity and creating small pools in the stream, these check dams enable the sediment to

successfully settle behind the dam, thus removing it from the drainage flow before it

enters into fragile species habitat. Figure1, taken from an erosion training manual of the

WSDOT, shows the design of a rock check dam. The dams would be created out of washed gravel. Unwashed gravel would only add sediment into the flow upon contact

with the stream (WSDOT Training Manual, 2005). WSDOT also cites the use of a

temporary bypass system in combination with a rock check dam to ensure that none of

the water from Bruce or Baptist Creek would be entering into the work site duringconstruction (WSDOT, 2007).

The use of silt fences to protect the surrounding wetlands is a common measure to

mitigate erosion and is one of the proposed practices to be used during construction

(WSDOT, 2007). These fences are created out of a geotextile fabric which are highly

permeable for water movement, but stop the movement of sediment from passing beyondthe barrier (Rhul, et al. AEX-304-97). Silt fences are also very effective in reducing the

velocity of water flow which decreases the potential for scouring or other degradations in

the wetland (WSDOT Training Manual, 2005).

Protecting exposed soils is one of the most important mitigation measures to be utilized

in any project. These soils are completely unshielded to the erosive potential of rainfall,compaction, incoming surface runoff, and soil saturation. The placement of mulch or silt

blankets is commonly used to negate harsh effects caused by the lack of cover and

absence of the stability derived from roots within the soil. The Best ManagementPractice (BMP) to address the issue of exposed soils is to be a plastic blanket covering

(WSDOT, 2007). The benefits from these coverings are two-fold. Placing a non-

permeable layer over the bare soils will prevent rainfall from falling and eroding away

layers of the topsoil into the runoff. These coverings also channel the water into adifferent area with the use of berms so that the soil does not become saturated and prone

to landslide events.

The BMP did not clearly cite whether or not the plastic covering would a clear or a dark,

opaque color. Due to the context to which this material will be placed, the benefits of a

clear covering vastly outweigh the opaque covering. Following construction the areasurrounding Bruce and Baptist Creeks will be replanted with native vegetation. Placing a

clear covering onto the soil will not only allow the transfer of light into the covering, but

provides a greenhouse-like effect which is conducive to the growth of seedlings

(WSDOT Training Manual, 2005). Any seeds or plants currently beneath the soils during

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construction will profit from the presence of this covering as it could increase growth

rates and ultimately the stability of the soil.

The BMP for Habitat Protection gives a timeline for the amount of time an area of soil

can be exposed during wet and dry seasons. Construction done during the months of

October to June is allowed only two days of exposure before soil is subject to anincreased risk of erosion. During the dryer months, July through September, the soils

may remain exposed for up to seven days (WSDOT, 2005). However, the projected

timeline for our project is slated for anytime between March and August, meaning avariable exposure time. To simplify mitigation processes and reduce overall erosion we

suggest a blanket timeframe of a two-day exposure limit during the duration of

construction.

Finally, the BMP have cited the use of straw mulch or wattles for stormwater filtration

(WSDOT 2007). According to the Erosion Training Manual, wattles, which consist of

various plant materials, can reduce erosion potentials by a factor of four (WSDOT

Training Manual, 2007). As the water flows across the landscape it is intercepted byeither a blanket of straw or a structure composed of straw which forces the water to flow

through the organic material. As it flows though the suspended sediment is filtered out of the water, which reduces the amount of sediment which could potentially degrade a

species habitat. The practice of using straw, specifically in the wattle formation, slows

the velocity of water by breaking the slope into smaller subsections.

Table 1 Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control Plan ElementsWSDOT Training Manual, 2005

Element

Number

Description

1 Mark Clearing Limits

2 Establish Construction Access

3 Control Flow Rates

4 Install Sediment Controls

5 Stabilize Soil

6 Protect Slopes

7 Protect Drain Inlets

8 Stabilize Channels and Outlets

9 Control Pollutants

10 Control Dewatering

11 Maintain Best Management Practices

12 Manage the Project

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Figure 1 Diagrams the profile and cross section of a rock check dam

(Used WSDOT Training Manual, 2005 as reference)

Environmental Matrix

Proposed Action Alternative A Alternative BHabitat Quality +Improved +Improved Maintained

Ground Water Maintained Maintained Maintained

Water Quality Maintained* Maintained* Maintained

Soil Stability Maintained* Maintained* Maintained

Soil Movement +Improved +Improved -DegradedAesthetics +Improved +Improved -Degraded

Light Maintained Maintained Maintained

Air Maintained* Maintained* Maintained

Environmental Health Maintained* Maintained* Maintained

Plants +Improved* +Improved* -Degraded

Fish Species +Improved* +Improved* -DegradedListed Mammals/Birds Maintained Maintained Maintained

* = temporarily degraded

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Baptist Camp Creek and Bruce Creek

Locations,

Plans and ProfilesBruce Creek

Baptist Creek

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Scoping Process

Elements of the Environment

A) Natural Environment

i) Earth

ii) Air

iii) Water

iv) Plants

v) Animals and Their Habitat

vi) Environmental Health

B) Built Environment

i) Aesthetics

a) Aesthetics

b) Light and Glare

c) Historic and Cultural Preservation

ii) Public Services and Utilities

iii) Transportation

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A) Natural Environment

i) EARTH

Geology

The area surrounding the Bruce Creek culvert and Baptist Creek culvert is composed of

unconsolidated sediments, specifically quaternary alluvium and Pleistocene continentalDrift (Schuster, 2005). The quaternary alluvium was deposited by streams or rivers that

once passed through the area during the Pliocene epoch. Their presence along the Nooksack riparian area suggests that the ancient streams developed the river bed that thecurrent stream travels though. The Pleistocene continental drift is from the last major

advance and retreat of the Fraser glacier, which ended about 10,000 years ago

(Easterbrook,1973).

Soils

The soil type surrounding the present Bruce Creek culvert is composed mainly of

Winston Loam while the soil around the creek as it enters into the Nooksack isSnoqualmie gravelly loamy sand. Baptist Creek is composed of three small channels.

The soil surrounding westernmost channel, which runs through the former Baptist Bible

Camp, is Kline gravelly sandy loam. The soil surrounding the middle and easternmostchannel and the culvert is Barneston very gravelly loam (USDA, 1992).

Winston Loam is known for being very deep and well-drained, as with most loams. It is

composed of volcanic ash and loess on top of glacial outwash. The hazard for water erosion in this soil is slight due to the moderate water capacity and moderate to rapid

permeability. The Snoqualmie gravelly loamy sand that surrounds the Nooksack and

immediate riparian area is characterized by its excessively drained soils. The potential

for water erosion is characterized as severe due to slow runoff and the flooding and

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channeling of the nearby Nooksack River. The water table is 3 to 5 feet in depth from

November to April (USDA, 1992).

Kline gravelly sandy loam is formed on alluvial fans and is characterized by mixedalluvium. This soil is moderately well-drained and is very deep. The upper 11inches are

composed of extremely gravelly loamy sand. The lower 60 inches are composed of a

very gravelly loamy sand and very gravelly sand. The large soil particle sizecharacterized by the soils in both of these layers is very conducive to drainage due to

decreased surface area and largely interconnectedness of interstitial pores. The high

drainage abilities of the soil and low clay content means there is also a very low water capacity. As with the Snoqualmie soil, the water table for the Kline soil is placed at a

depth of about 3 to 5 feet during January to March. The potential for water erosion is

only slight because most of the soil is only subject to occasional and brief floods (USDA,

1992).Barneston very gravelly loam is formed in a mixture of loess and volcanic ash over

glacial outwash typically found on outwash terraces or the slopes between the terraces.

The soil is characterized by excessive-drainage capabilities. Permeability is moderately

rapid in the upper portion, which is composed of very gravelly loam. The lower portionhas very rapid permeability due to the composition of extremely gravelly sand (USDA,

1992). Sand is known for its excellent drainage capabilities due to the high porosity and permeability.

Topography

The slopes mapped around the Bruce Creek culvert are generally low, ranging from 0 to 3 percent. The slopes around Baptist Creek are up to 15 percent (WSDOT, 2007). The

low gradient classifies these slopes as Class 1, indicating that they are stable under most

natural conditions. Further North from Mt. Baker Highway the topography of the land isclassified as Class 3, meaning the ground is marginally stable, but has the potential to

slide along the inclined bedding. The South bank of the Nooksack, in the immediate

vicinity of these two culverts, is a designated Class 4 area. Class 4 slopes are prone tolandslides and are composed of slopes which have previously failed (Easterbrook, 1973).

ENVIRNOMENTAL IMPACTS

The steep slopes on the South bank of the Nooksack suggests that any work done in the

area involving tributary stream flow in the area could possibly have an affect on the

erosive potential of the area in the riparian zone. However, the low stream flows for bothof these creeks will not be enough input to create a hazard for a landslide. According to

the USDA soil survey of the area, the soils in the immediate vicinity of the culvert

replacement have a slight potential for erosion (USDA, 1992).Road construction is a very invasive process. Any soils exposed by a project for an

extended period of time could be subject to erosive forces by rainfall action, which would

increase the surface runoff. Heavy machinery could also increase this risk by compactingthe soil beneath them. The removal of any vegetation during construction would also an

immediate destabilizing effect due to the soil holding capacity of the plan roots. A

reduction in vegetation will also influence the water capacity of the soil and could result

in water erosion.

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Many construction practices involving road alterations require the use of fill material. In

the event of intense seismic activity, fill material can liquefy and cause a landslide event

or a road failure. Road construction also commonly results in increased impervioussurfaces. Impervious surfaces cause extreme stream-loading and surface runoff during

storm events and could cause water erosion on the soils upslope of the Nooksack.

1) Proposed action

The plans to realign Bruce Creek and Mt. Baker Highway will create obvious

improvements compared to the current conditions. The size of the culvert and grade of the stream is sufficient to allow sediment transport downstream without creating a barrier

to migrating fish species. However, rechanneling the creek greatly increases the potential

for an erosive event. The plans to utilize the excavated material from the new stream bed

as the fill for the old stream bed will ensure that no new, adverse infiltration effectshappen

2) Alternative A: bridge

This proposal is the best in terms of allowing the natural flow of alluvial sedimentsdownstream. However, this project would also require more impervious surfaces and

therefore more opportunities for runoff to erode the surrounding area. Building a bridgewould also require more vegetation to be removed and could result in increased soil

erosive potential.

3) Alternative B: no actionTaking no action would cause the culvert areas to be continually filled with sediment and

require scheduled dredging. The act of dredging could allow fine sediment to wash

downstream and change the streambed properties.

ii) AIR

The site for this project is on a well traveled highway for commuters, workers, and

recreationalists. The air on the highway has increased emissions due to this travel, but

according to the EPA, Washington is at a ‘good’ level of principal pollutants, which are

many fine particles. Construction projects occur often on SR 542, which add to theseemissions. However, due to the remoteness of the site, the air quality is quite good,

especially because of the mountains and river close by to increase air flow through the

area.


1) Proposed Action

If the proposed action of the culverts were to occur, construction activities could

temporarily increase dust particles due to ground disturbance and engine emission from

construction equipment. However, there are no permanent air quality impacts anticipatedas a result of this project. The contractor will be required to adhere to all applicable

federal, state, and local air quality regulations. These regulations cover temporary

construction conditions such as dust, smoke, and emissions.

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If a bridge were to be built, the construction activities could temporarily increase dust particles due to ground disturbance and engine emission from construction equipment.

3) Alternative B: no actionIf no action were to take place, the air quality would not be affected.

iii) WATER

Stream Characteristics

Bruce Creek is an approximately 1.5 mile long, second order stream within the Nooksack

River watershed. It is seasonal and is usually dry by late summer. It runs from north tosouth with the headwaters at an elevation of 2,000 feet on the southern side of Black

Mountain. The creek flows through a culvert underneath Highway 542 and continues for

about 0.25 miles before emptying in the Nooksack River at a 600 foot elevation. Near

the headwaters of Bruce Creek the elevation change is very abrupt but becomes moregradually sloped towards the mouth.

Baptist Creek consists of three small tributary streams that converge just north of Highway 542 before running through a culvert underneath the road. One of these

tributary streams runs through the Baptist Camp and is connected to a small pond on the

property. Once crossing the highway the creek continues for 0.25 miles to the Nooksack River.

Habitat Quality

Both of the creeks suffer from degraded riparian and instream habitat. Near the highway

Bruce Creek is periodically dredged due to the accumulation of sediment and debrisdirectly upstream of the culvert (WSDOT 2007). This action prevents the establishmentof diverse habitat structures such as pools. The streambed substrate has been impaired by

the introduction of fine sediments including silt and sand that have entered the watershed

due to forestry activities (WSDOT 2007). Baptist Creek is noticeably lacking in habitat

diversity. Just upstream of the culvert the creek is little more than a roadside ditch,running alongside the highway. Canopy cover is sparse or non-existent and the riparian

zone is dominated by grasses and Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus).

Ground Water

In Article V under the Whatcom County Critical Areas Ordinance, the watershed area

around the lower reaches of Bruce and Baptist Creek are listed as being within a surficialaquifer of moderate and high susceptibility (WCPDS 2005). The main concern regarding

degradation of groundwater in Whatcom County comes from farming practices which

may introduce nitrates and other contaminants associated with agriculture into the aquifer

(USGS 2006). Such construction projects as culvert replacement would not impactground water, even within a sensitive aquifer.

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Water Quality

Most of the land within the Bruce and Baptist Creek watersheds is zoned by Whatcom

County as either rural or commercial forestry (WCPDS 2008). Due to past forestryactivities upstream of the creeks, the watersheds have been negatively impacted. Clear-

cut logging reduces the natural ability of the forest to dissipate precipitation and absorb

moisture. This can lead to excess runoff carrying high levels of sediment into the creeks.Primitive logging roads in the area are also likely to contribute to this phenomenon as

mass wasting occurs, washing soil and debris into the stream. It is likely that the water in

Bruce and Baptist Creek both suffer from elevated turbidity, especially during times of heavy rain.

Water quality degradation due to chemical contaminants has not been measured (WSDOT

2007). Because the creeks are located in areas away from human habitation typicallyresponsible for chemical contamination, it is unlikely that Bruce Creek or Baptist Creek

suffer from elevated levels of such contaminants.

CulvertsThere are two culverts in place at the proposed project site, one on Baptist Creek and one

on Bruce Creek. Culverts have the potential to degrade the instream habitat. The water passing through a culvert is restricted by the dimensions of the structure. This reduction

in volume concentrates the flow of the stream and can greatly increase the force of the

water leaving the culvert. This high velocity water has the potential to erode stream

banks and scour the stream beds, carrying and depositing sediment downstream. Besideschanging the stream morphology, these processes can harm aquatic organisms directly or

disrupt their life cycles (WDFW 2003).


1) Proposed ActionThe construction activities involved in the proposed action are likely to temporarily

degrade the water quality. The heavy equipment used may introduce some sediment into

the creek. This would be mitigated by implementing best management practices (BMPs)during the process such as putting a temporary fence around the stream to keep workers

and equipment out (Maria Mayrhofer, WSDOT, pers. comm. 2008). Habitat restoration

in the riparian zone including planting of native vegetation and the addition of large

woody debris and boulders will help to stabilize the stream banks and improve habitat for the future. In the long-term, water quality will likely be maintained at levels similar to

pre-construction activities and the habitat quality will be improved. It is possible that a

better designed culvert would lead to a slight improvement in the water quality, however most of the factors contributing to any decline in water quality of Bruce and Baptist

Creek probably stem from activities associated with forestry practices further upstream

and not at the site of the culverts at Highway 542. Any improvement could be the resultof less scouring and bank erosion due to the introduction of a properly constructed and

maintained culvert.

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2) Alternative A: Bridge

If a bridge were put in place rather than a culvert, it is probable that the temporaryenvironmental deterioration associated with that construction process would be greater

than in the culvert alternative. The amount of roadway involved in building a bridge

would simply be greater than the amount used for a culvert. As with the culvertalternative, the water quality would eventually be restored and preserved at levels similar

to pre-construction activities. A bridge however would have the added benefit of

maintaining a higher quality of riparian habitat as the creeks run underneath the highway.

3) Alternative B: No Action

No action would perpetuate the current conditions at the creeks. In the present state, both

creeks are providing less than ideal habitat and habitat functions which could beimproved by stream restoration and replacement of the culvert.

iv) PLANTS

The project area is able to support tree species such as Douglas fir ( Pseudotsugamenziesii

), western redcedar (Thuja plicata)

, western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla)

, andgrand fir (Abies grandis). These tree species are the dominant types and typical of the

western hemlock vegetation zone. The understory species consist of but is not limited to

salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), Indian plum (Oemleria cerasiformis), sword fern(Polystichum munitum), and bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinun). Though these aretypical plant species to find in a coniferous forest in the northwest, non-native plants like

reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) and Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus)

have invaded the project site and the riparian zone of the streams. (WSDOT 2007)

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The riparian zone surrounding these streams suffers from logging within the watershed

that has taken place in the past. Reduced large woody debris recruitment and increased

debris flooding are two major side effects of this. Bank erosion and increased sedimentload result from these alluvial processes and have put the streamside vegetation at risk.

The loss in bank stability and the increased peak flows have an amplified effect on

riparian structure and function. With more vegetation loss and increased peak flows,more bank erosion and sediment loading will take place, and a positive feedback has been

established. This loss of a structural habitat has negative effects on the stream itself, but

also reduces the amount of habitat available for both plant and animal species.


1) Proposed action

The project will effect the riparian vegetation that is currently in the position of the new

culvert for Bruce Creek. Estimated construction processes will affect no more than 20

riparian trees that are greater than 6 inches in diameter, and following the project nativevegetation will be replanted in place of removed vegetation and in place of where the

current culvert is. For Baptist Creek, the only area affected is an open grass field, whichdoes not have the characteristics of a normal riparian zone, thus the impacts of changes

this landscape are negligible. The replanting of native vegetation in this riparian zone

will actually help restore the riparian area of Baptists Creek.

2) Alternative A: bridge – the construction process will likely cause more damage to the

riparian zone. Sediment flow below the bridge will be re-established to historical levels,

and no fish barrier will be present. Road construction and traffic diversion can beexpected to take longer for the construction of a bridge.

3) Alternative B: no action – Substrate will continue to build up at the exit of the BruceCreek culvert and repeated public services will be required to make sure that these

substrate traps be removed and no barrier is present. No riparian functions will be

restored and culvert grade will continue to be insufficient.

ANIMALS

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Unique Species: Salmonids

All five species of Pacific salmon including Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), coho

(O. kisutch), sockeye (O. nerka), pink (O. gorbuscha), and chum (O. keta) are known to

occur on the North Fork of the Nooksack River. In addition cutthroat trout (O. clarki),steelhead and resident rainbow trout (O. mykiss), and bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus)

are found on the North Fork and the tributary streams in the area (WSR 2003). Of these,

the Chinook, steelhead, and bull trout are listed as threatened species. All of the aboveare salmonid species that are either exclusively anadromous or may have anadromous

forms. These fish complete their life cycles by migrating from the saltwater environment

into the Nooksack watershed in order to lay eggs. Small tributary streams are often used

as spawning grounds by fish returning to spawn. In addition to providing an area for developing eggs, tributary streams serve as important habitat for juvenile fish. They are

often used as refuges to escape from fast-moving water in the main channel during times

of high flow. Tributary streams are also nurseries for growing salmonids, providing

shelter and food for young fish that may not be able to withstand the downstreamenvironment. Aside from concerns regarding the movements of migratory salmon, non-

anadromous fish such as resident rainbow, bull, and cutthroat trout display patterns of movement within a given watershed (Gresswell and Hendricks 2007). When considering

their life-history, it is clear that unrestricted access to all reaches of a given stream is

important for these species.

Listed Species

Chinook salmon (Oncoryhnchus tshawytscha)

On March 24, 1999 Puget Sound Chinook were listed as a threatened species under the

endangered species act. The designated critical habitat listed for Chinook salmon does

not include Bruce or Baptist Creek although the North Fork of the Nooksack is listed. Neither of the creeks provide suitable spawning habitat and although the creeks may be

used by juvenile Chinook salmon this would occur during the high flows of winter and

not during the time of construction (WSDOT 2007).

Steelhead (Oncoryhnchus mykiss)

The Puget Sound steelhead was listed as a threatened species on May 7, 2007. Criticalhabitat for the species is still being developed at this time. Bruce and Baptist creeks

provide potential habitat for the species and it is presumed that the streams were used in

the past (WSR 2003). The creeks would not be used as spawning habitat in their currentstate and it would be very unlikely that steelhead would be present during the

construction phase.

Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus)

Puget Sound bull trout received a threatened species listing on November 1, 1999.

Critical habitat for the species does not include Bruce or Baptist creek (USFWS 2005).

Presently, neither creek would provide adequate spawning habitat for bull trout nor it

27



would be likely that juvenile or adult trout would use the area during the time of

construction.

Gray wolf (Canis lupis)

Gray wolves were listed as endangered in the lower 48 states on March 11, 1967.

Although they are assumed to be very few in number, wolves are present in Washington.Confirmed sightings nearest to the project area include wolves in Ross Lake National

Recreation Area and other isolated regions of the North Cascades (NPS 2004). Wolves

prefer remote areas away from major roads and human activity so it is extremely unlikelythat they would be in the area. Furthermore wolves are generally stationary during the

summer months when construction will be taking place, decreasing the likelihood that

wolves might be migrating through the area.

Grizzly bear (Ursus arctos)

Grizzly bears are listed as threatened in the lower 48 states as of July 28, 1975. Grizzly

bears possibly present near the area may include individuals from the North Cascades

Recovery Zone, a small population in north central Washington assumed to consist of lessthan 20 animals (USFWS 2007). Wild grizzlies are very sensitive to human activities and

would likely be present only in the most remote regions within the North Cascades.Grizzly bears also readily avoid roads and would be very unlikely to venture within the

vicinity of Highway 542.

Marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus marmoratus)

The marbled murrelet was listed as a threatened species on October 1, 1992. Critical

habitat for the species was later assigned in 1996 with the closest habitat being about five

miles from the project site. The birds prefer more mature forests with large coniferoustrees as habitat. The land surrounding the project area has been logged relatively recently

and the present forest would be unlikely to provide habitat for the species.

Spotted owl (Strix occidentalis)

On June 26, 1990 the spotted owl was listed as threatened. Critical habitat for the species

was designated on January 15, 1992 and the closest such habitat is five miles from thesite. Like the marbled murrelet, spotted owls need mature forests and the previously

logged land surrounding the proposed construction site is not suitable for the species.


For the listed bird and mammal species, the proposed project and the alternatives pose no

significant effects on these animals. The habitat within the project area does not include

any habitat suitable for the listed species. Other terrestrial species that may be presentwill not likely be displaced or disturbed by any of the construction activities at the site.

State route 542 is a well-used highway and most animals would avoid the area in the first

place.

1) Proposed Action

A properly designed culvert can preserve some of the functions of a creek important for

fish. When maintained and functioning properly, a culvert need not be a detriment to fish

28



species. The culvert can be placed in such a way that the downstream end is not perched

above the creek. Providing adequate water depth through the structure is important in

allowing fish to pass through. Installing a culvert in such a way that water velocities arenot too high will also aid in fish passage. The Washington Department of Fish and

Wildlife has outlined culvert designs with criteria for proper fish passage (WDFW 2003).

A new culvert adhering to these regulations would make the culvert replacementalternative a cost-effective and viable solution with regards to wildlife.

Construction activities proposed by the Department of Transportation may have someeffects on salmonid species. Bruce Creek is seasonal and at the time of construction it

will most likely be dry and there will be no fish present. Similarly Baptist Creek will be

experiencing low flows and the chances that salmonids would be present during the

construction phase are slim. Consequently, the activities at the time of construction arenot likely to disturb salmon or trout species that may use the habitat during specific times

of the year. There is the potential that culvert replacement and stream realignment would

temporarily add sediment to the streams which could diminish water quality for fish

further downstream in the Nooksack River. This is being mitigated by limiting theconstruction activities to the low flow season and by using best management practices

during construction such as erosion control and regulation of certain equipment types toreduce the sediment entering the streambed (Maria Mayrhofer, WSDOT, pers. comm.

2008).

2) Alternative A: BridgeIn terms of fish and other aquatic species, the bridge alternative would be the most

favored. A bridge would allow unrestricted access between the downstream and

upstream creek sections separated by Highway 542. With a bridge there would be astream bank performing important riparian functions. Large woody debris recruitment

could continue, vegetation could grow and stabilize the bank, and the creeks would

generally exhibit more habitat complexity. These characteristics are indicative of ahealthy stream ecosystem and ideal fish habitat.

3) Alternative B: No actionConventional culverts present problems for fish. They are often times impassable for

certain species and restrict their spatial distribution. This can lead to genetic isolation or

eliminate fish from otherwise suitable habitat. Currently the Bruce Creek culvert is

impassable for fish and the Baptist Creek culvert is only partially passable for fish (MariaMayrhofer, WSDOT, pers. comm. 2008). The habitat upstream of the culverts has the

potential to be utilized by fish, especially if stream restoration work is done to improve

the riparian zone. A no action alternative would continue to negatively impact fish populations on both streams.

vi) ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Hazards

The risk for an environmental incident is always present during construction work, but

the standard construction practices and safety measures will be used to minimize the risk

29



of anything happening. As far as emergency services, it will be the responsibility of the

construction contractor. The contractor could require the assistance of the Washington

Department of Ecology, Fish and Wildlife, or other agencies depending upon the severityof a spill, the risk to people, and the environment. In order to reduce hazards the

contractor will be required to prepare an emergency Spill Prevention, Control and

Countermeasures Plan (SPCC). Standard construction practices, safety measures, andtraffic control measures will be required of the contractor to minimize the risk of an

incident. Discovered potentially hazardous waste will be handled in accordance with

Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Ecology, and local health regulations.

Noise

There is currently no noise in the area that might affect the project. Due to the nature of

the project, construction will take place which might temporarily increase due toequipment and construction activities during regular daytime hours. Though on

completion, noise will return to pre-project levels. In order to reduce noise, the

contractor will be required to adhere to all federal, state and local noise regulations

governing construction activities.


1) Proposed action

The proposed action would create the usual potential construction hazards to

environmental health, but no unnecessary risks would be taken. The noise levels may behigh during daytime hours, which could potentially disrupt the surrounding habitats

throughout the construction. However, the construction would only take place along an

existing highway where noise is already prevalent, so the environment may not be altereddramatically by the increase in noise.

2) Alternative A: bridgeIf the alternative of a bridge occurred, the usual potential construction hazards to

environmental health, but no unnecessary risks would be taken. The noise levels may be

high during daytime hours, which could potentially disrupt the surrounding habitatsthroughout the construction. However, the construction would only take place along an

existing highway where noise is already prevalent, so the environment may not be altered

dramatically by the increase in noise.

3) Alternative B: no action

If no action were to be taken, the environmental health would not be put at risk. As well,

noise levels would not be raised, which would leave the existing environment at it currentlevel.

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B. Built Environment

i) AESTHETICS

a) Aesthetics

The invasive nature of road construction would cause for a removal of natural vegetationwhich is aesthetically displeasing to passersby. Because culvert replacements take place

beneath the existing roadway there are usually minimal effects to the aesthetics of the

area. Passing traffic while be affected only temporarily while vegetation re-grows andconstruction is taking place. Because there are no residents in the general vicinity, there

is less chance of affecting a large number of people.

b) Light and Glare

Aesthetically displeasing effects from light and glare caused by this project would only

be temporary during the time of construction. Construction is usually done during the

daytime to reduce effects on nearby habitats and therefore is not a problem for civiliansusing the roadway.

c) Historical and Cultural PreservationCultural resource surveys conducted by the Department of Transportation did not indicate

any areas for preservation in the area. The work is being done on a scenic highway

through rural forested area so there are not many, if any surrounding historic

establishments. Baptist Creek runs through the former Baptist Bible Camp, a historic siteof the Conservation Corps Camp, which sits on milepost 28.3.


1) Proposed action

The Proposed action would ultimately be an aesthetically pleasing project. As the nativevegetation recovers from construction and stream realignment the area will return to a

31



more natural environment. Larger roadways near the Bruce Creek culvert would instill

an increased sense of security to drivers and bikers along the Mt. Baker Highway. Due to

the lack of detour options, the road will remain open during construction, allowing passing traffic to be visually affected by the work. This displeasing effect would only be

temporary until work crews finish. The culvert replacement will not affect the integrity

of the former Baptist Bible camp as construction will focus solely on the culvert beneaththe highway.

2) Alternative A: bridgeBuilding a bridge for the streams to flow under would increase construction time greatly.

The construction practices would be more invasive to the surrounding area and would

take longer to complete, therefore the surrounding community and those that utilize Mt.

Baker Highway would be affected by the presence for an extended period of time.Building a bridge would also require the removal of more vegetation which could cause a

negative aesthetic impact.

3) Alternative B: no actionThose that utilize Mt. Baker Highway would not be affected by any large project during

its time of construction and would not have to view and area returning to a more naturalenvironment. However, not replacing the culverts would require continued presence of

construction to dredge out the build-up of sediment.

ii) PUBLIC SERVICES AND UTILITIES

The public services and utilities around the project are minimal; the culvert replacementsonly address issues to travel along SR 542. The projects are presumed to only last 45

days, and traffic will be one lane at the time of construction. SR 542 is the only route toaccess two major recreational sites: the Snoqualmie-Mt. Baker national forest and the Mt.Baker ski area. Travel at the time of construction will be restricted and patrons utilizing

these areas should expect delays. There is a Baptist camp which owns land functions as

the riparian zone to tributaries of Baptist Creek. Part of the construction will be done on

the private property of the Baptist camp. Maintenance crews are required to repeatedlydredge out substrate build up blocking off the outflow from the current culvert for Bruce

Creek.


1) Proposed ActionThis will affect the travel of police, fire trucks, and persons using the road to access

recreational destinations such as the Mt. Baker ski area and the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie

National Forest. The maintenance required to remove sediment build at the exit of the

current Bruce Creek will no longer be an issue. The new culvert will allow for muchmore sediment to pass without building up because of an increased slope on the new

culvert.

32




The amount of time required for a bridge construction is greater. Access for Police,

Firemen, and persons using the recreational facilities will be more difficult if notrestricted for bridge construction. The maintenance required on the Bruce Creek culvert

will be alleviated and the natural stream bed characteristics will be restored.


No change in the public services will take place if no action is taken. Maintenance crews

will still be required to repeatedly dredge out the build up on the outflow from the BruceCreek culvert.

iii) TRANSPORTATION

SR 542, also known as the Mount Baker Scenic Byway, is the only route serving the

project area, and there is no public transit out to the site. This byway is a relatively short57 miles, but the attractions and scenery found along the Mount Baker Highway are

numerous. Mount Baker Highway begins just west of Bellingham and winds up to

spectacular Artist Point, the end of the highway. The highway is home to whatever visitors are searching for from solitude and beauty, to fun and recreation, to the dazzling

experience of all that Mount Baker has to offer. Unlike many byways, this road does not

lead to another location or area.


1) Proposed Action

If the proposed action occurs the SR 542 road section within the Bruce Creek projectlimits will be realigned as described in the project description. The project claims that itwill not generate additional traffic to the area, but since there is no public transit, and

construction workers will need to arrive on the job, some additional traffic should be

expected. Along with that, there is no parking along the highway, so the contractor will

have to find locations along the road that do not interfere with the surroundingenvironment. A traffic control plan would be implemented to minimize disruptions to

traffic during construction activities.


If bridges are built instead of new culverts then it too will create additional traffic with

construction workers and machinery. Along with that, there is no parking along thehighway, so the contractor will have to find locations along the road that do not interfere

with the surrounding environment. A traffic control plan would be implemented to

minimize disruptions to traffic during construction activities.


If no action occurs, then transportation will not be affected.

33



List of Technical Terms

Aesthetics The theory and perception of beauty on an individual level

Alluvium Sediment deposited by rivers or streams around the riparian zone

Anadromous In terms of fish, these are species which migrate from the sea to freshwater streams to spawn

Aquifer Subterranean layer of earth yielding groundwater

Barrier A physical structure which prevents the migration of salmon species

Chronic Environmental

Deficiencies

According to the WS Department of Transportation, these are the areas alongthe state's highway system which cause impact to fish habitat

Coniferous Forest Cone-bearing trees, commonly referred to as 'Evergreen' trees

Culvert A means of transporting water beneath a roadway system. These havehistorically been constructed using steel tubing and have been the subject of many stream restoration projects

Ecosystem The biotic and abiotic factors of a specific area and their relationships witheach other

Endangered Species

Act

US environmental law to protect threatened and endangered species beforethey are subject to extinction

Erosion The degradation of the land surface by natural or anthropogenic forces

Fauna Animal life which is characteristic to a particular area

Fine Fraction In terms of soil particles, the fine fraction are composed of clays and silts.These particles are less than 2mm in size

Floodplain region of land adjacent to a river or stream that is periodically inundated withwater during flood events

Flora Characteristic plant life of a particular area

Gradient A graded change in a particular unit of measure

Impervious surfaces Ground cover which prevents the infiltration of water. These surfaces are

generally characterized by paved roads made of concrete, asphalt, stone, or bricks

Instream Pertaining to an area within the stream channel

Interstitial pores Void spaces between soil particles which commonly hold soil air or water

Large woody debris Also known as 'course woody debris'. Large piece of tree which has adiameter greater or equal to 10 cm. These pieces protrude into streams andincrease stream habitat complexity

34



Loam A soil texture which is characterized by an equal amount of sands, silts andclays

Loess Commonly silt-sized soil particles transported and deposited through winderosion

Mass wasting Erosional movement of the landscape down a slope through the force of gravity

Permeability The measure of interconnectedness of pores, and the ease of water and air movement through the soil

Porosity The volume of void spaces within the soil

Riparian zone The zone of interaction between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems typicallycharacterized by rivers or streams

Salmonid fish of the salmonidae family including salmon, trout, char, and whitefishes

Sedimentation An accumulation of fine particulate matter in streams which degrade salmonspawning habitat

Tributary Any water body which flows into a larger stream or body of water

Water Capacity The amount of water which can be held within the soil

Water quality Physical, biological and chemical properties of a water system in relation to aset of predefined parameter limits

Watershed The specific area that drains water into a river system framed by anelevational border

35



APPENDIX A: Fauna species list

Common Name Scientific Name

Salmonid Species

Bull trout Salvelinus confluentus

Chinook Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

Chum O. keta

Coho O. kisutch

Cutthroat O. clarki

Pink O. gorbuscha

Rainbow trout (resident) O. mykiss

Sockeye O. nerka

Steelhead trout O. mykiss

Terrestrial Species

Gray wolf Canis lupis

Grizzly bear Ursus arctos

Marbled murrelet Brachyamphus marmoratus

Spotted owl Strix occidentalis

36



APPENDIX B: Flora species list

Common Name Species Name

Dominant Tree Species

Big Leaf Maple Acer macrophyllum

Black cottonwood Populus balsamifera

Douglas fir Pseudotsuga menziesii

Grand fir Abies grandis

Red alder Alnus rubra

Western hemlock Tsuga heterophylla

Western red cedar Thuja plicata

Understory Species

Bracken fern Pteridium aquilinun

Indian plum Oemleria cerasiformis

Salmonberry Rubus spectabilis

Sword fern Polystichum munitum

Thimbleberry Rubus parvifloris

Invasive Species

Himalayan blackberry Rubus armeniacus

Reed canarygrass Phalaris arundinacea

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References

Best Management Practices for ESA & 4(d) Habitat Protection. March 2004.Washington State Department of Transportation – Maintenance and Operations Division.

Construction Site Erosion and Sediment Control Training Manual. 2005. WS Departmentof Transportation

Easterbrook, D.J. 1973. Environmental Geology of Western Whatcom County, WA.

Department of Geology – Western Washington University

Engineering Division of Salt Lake County.1999. BMP: Rock Check Dams -- Stormwater

Discharge Management from Construction Activities.

Environmental Checklist . June 2007. Washington State Department of Transportation –

Northwest Region.

Gresswell RE and Hendricks SR. January 2007. Population-scale movement of coastal

cutthroat trout in a naturally isolated stream network. Transactions of the AmericanFisheries Society 136 (1): 238-253.

Merril, B.R., Casaday, E. 2001. Best management Practices – Culvert Replacement .

California State Parks – North Coast Redwoods District: Roads Trails and ResourcesMaintenance Section.

National Park Service (NPS). March 30, 2004. Wolves in the North Cascades:

Questions and Answers. http://www.nps.gov/archive/noca/wolf.htm. (2/29/08).

Schaetzle, R., Anderson, S. 2005. Soils: Genesis and Geomorphology. CambridgeUniversity Press. New York.

Ruhl, S., Overmoyer, J., Barker, D., Brown, L.C. AEX-304-97. Using Geotextile Fabric

in Livestock Operations. Ohio State University Fact Sheet: Food, Agricultural and

Biological Engineering. Accessed March 8, 2008 from http://ohioline.osu.edu/aex-

fact/0304.html

Schuster, J.E. 2005. Geologic Map of Washington State. Washington State Department of

Natural Resources. Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources. Map accessed

March 8, 2008 from http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Info/dmt/docs/schuster07b.pdf

Soil Survey of Whatcom County Area, Washington. 1992. US Department of Agriculture –

Soil Conservation Service.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). September 26, 2005. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Bull Trout;

Final Rule.

38

http://ohioline.osu.edu/aex-fact/0304.html


http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Info/dmt/docs/schuster07b.pdf







http://www.fws.gov/pacific/bulltrout/final/pdf/Bull%20Trout%20CH%20FR%20notice.p

df. (2/27/08).

United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2007. Grizzly Bear Recovery.

http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/mammals/grizzly/index.htm. (2/29/08).

United States Geological Survey (USGS). January 5, 2006. Whatcom County Project

Page. http://wa.water.usgs.gov/projects/whatcom/index.htm. (2/20/08).

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). 2003. Design of Road Culverts

for Fish Passage. http://wdfw.wa.gov/hab/engineer/cm/culvert_manual_final.pdf.

(3/1/08).

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). March 2007. Biological

Assessment: SR 542 Bruce Creek culvert replacement and realignment, and Baptist Creek culvert replacement and realignment. (Prepared by: Northwest Region Environmental

Services Biology Program) WIN# A54230C

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). 2008a. Environment- Fish

Passage: Fish Passage Facts.

http://wsdot.wa.gov/Environment/Biology/FP/fishpassagefacts.htm. (3/4/08).

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). 2008b. Environment- Fish

Passage: Chronic Environmental Deficiences.

http://wsdot.wa.gov/Environment/Biology/FP/CEDretrofits.htm. (3/4/08).

Whatcom County Planning and Development Services (WCPDS). February 25, 2008.

Whatcom County- Title 20 Zoning Designations.

http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/pds/pdf/planning/gis/t20zon8.pdf. (2/21/08).

Whatcom County Planning and Development Services (WCPDS). September 2005.Whatcom Critical Areas Ordinance- Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas.

http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/pds/planning/CAO_September/CAO_CARA.pdf.

(2/20/08).

Whatcom Salmon Recovery (WSR). 2003. Maps: Fish Presence.http://www.whatcomsalmon.wsu.edu/maps-fishpresence.html. (2/23/08).

References for Figures, Tables

Figure 1, and Table 1 (erosion mitigation)

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). 2005. Construction Site

Erosion and Sediment Control Training Manual.

References for Photos

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Page 1: WSDOT Projects: SR 542, Wells Creek Road to Mount Baker Vicinity – Photos.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR542/WellsCreek_MtBaker/photos.htm

Page 13: Erin Smart

Page 20: http://www.photoseek.com/flora.html

Page 25: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Pseudotsuga_menziesii_28236.JPG#file

And http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salmonberry

Page 26: http://wildernessclassroom.com/superior/2006/09/20/

Page 31: WSDOT Projects: SR 542, Wells Creek Road to Mount Baker Vicinity –

Photos. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR542/WellsCreek_MtBaker/photos.htm

mtbaker culvert eia w08

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