Crescent Valley Community Meeting #5

Pierce County Biodiversity Alliance (PCBA)

The fifth meeting's agenda.
March 15, 2006 Meeting Notes 19 in attendance

Speakers were delayed due to traffic. Presentation started at 6:55 p.m.

Guest speaker Joanne Schuett-Hames with WDFW presented Wildlife metrics and spoke of the challenges to protect species. She provided the indicators (see handout for more details) for current conditions in the Crescent Valley area for:

  • Patch size - > 800 acres needed to retain bobcat, >100 acres for large birds, >10 for moderate sized birds. These patch sizes exist in the Crescent Cr. watershed
  • Forest cover– measured at 80% range (good) Development density - >1 dwelling/acre effects many species
  • Road density – measured at 1.5 miles of road/square mile, for road planning <0.6 mi/sq.mi is recommended
  • Habitat connectivity– Three main areas in Crescent Valley have a lot of wildlife movement capability. These areas overlap. Ranges from 60%, to 75%, and 80%. Road crossing areas exist, but fragmentation is extensive
  • Roads and habitat connectivity and mammals– value not measured
  • Non-native species– bullfrogs and non-native fish present
  • Riparian integrity - wider than 100 ft (30 m); % corridor < 35 ft (10 m) wide; # breaks in the corridor, approximately 50% of the mainstem is >100 ft

    Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Michelle Tirhi’s update: Group should request rediversion of water into Winchester Swap to restore wetland, along with dredging vegetation into county’s Capital Facilities Plan.

    University of Washington and NatureMapping, Karen Dvornich’s update: Presented results of Winter Bird Walk revealing 67 species, 14 new species, and 7 birds that were not seen in June BioBlitz sampling. Stressors and action items by habitat type were handed out to group. They were asked to rank their top five action items and add any additional ones before the next meeting and return to Marian to compile results. Provided group GIS overview for their locations in the watershed.

    Isabel Ragland with Pierce County Stream Team update:

    Asked for volunteers to sample creek water quality. Kit drop off location is at the Peninsula Library. Potential for lake sampling kit. Local jurisdiction pays for the sampling kit and lab results.

    Next meeting tasks-

  • Karen will provide aerial maps for audience members and will show GIS layers of roads and wetlands.
  • Michelle will show BioBlitz coverage.
  • Michelle will present species overlays and show habitat connectivity.
  • Katherine will speak on Current Use Assessment program.
  • Michelle will bring frog pamphlets.

    For more information contact:

    Friends of Pierce County
    e-mail: FOPC@comcast.net