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Ethen Perkins, Ph.D. Botanical, Restoration, Resource, and Wetland Studies 2410 Monroe, Eugene, Or. 97405 541- 345 -3944 fax 334 -0980 epandlk @efn.org. Page 2 of . according to several reports from neighbors. Removal of snags would mean reduced nesting and feeding sites for this species and increased human activity would also likely reduce its presence and potential for nesting on the site. Cavities produced by this species are sites later occupied by species such as the Northern Spotted Owl, Strix occidentalis caurina. Further survey work might identify potential food species for this threatened bird (tree voles and flying squirrels), or developing food elements for these animals (truffles, etc.). Further human development would lessen the likelihood that this wooded area could support spotted owls in the future, largely because nesting sites would tend to be reduced as woodpeckers are discouraged and `hazard snags' are removed. Commercial timber harvest either for development or in urban forest management would also lessen the successful recolonization of this site as old growth forest conditions that are ideal for the owl appear on the site. Wetlands: Headwater wetlands characterized by ash forest tree canopy dominance occur in the drainage areas, especially those where a valley terrace is present. Some down cutting of the watercourse occurs in the center of the parcel where a vegetated abandoned roadway has sliced a path through the parcel. On the north and southwestern edges of this headwater valley system, seasonal riparian headwater streams and their narrower riparian wetland zones are also present. Roughly three acres of the site are wetlands. These extend the full north south central axis of this site. These are also labeled on the attached map. This study is preliminary and is not an extensive delineation of wetlands on the site. However field indicators of wetlands are present on the site. Little on -site potential exists to mitigate wetland losses that might occur from future development on the site, with the possible exception of repairing and replanting of the abandoned roadway and removal of blackberries which would enhance the existing wetlands. However such enhancement would only provide minor wetland mitigation credits. Some identifiable higher value wetland functions include songbird habitat, sediment stabilization, invertebrate habitat, primary production and characteristic vegetation. It would appear rather difficult to replace values associated with an ash forested headwater wetland elsewhere. There are accesses to some portions of the site without impacting wetlands. Therefore the most appropriate development would best occur in these other areas of the site. However greater human occupancy of the site would require ongoing efforts to maintain the wetland areas against dumping of grass clippings, landscaping overburden, slumping, hillside creep and sheet erosion with redeposition, etc. Field notes: •date: 12 -16-04 •lower w facing slope is PSEMEN ca 75 +y.o. Med. Prob. For ASTVIA, CIMELA; toe of slope (across valley terrace) FRALAT /ACEMAC with REBDIS, HENSAR, HERLAN, ACRHEN,CARDEW, JUNPAT. Coptis laciniata? On fringe. OENSAR, JUNPAT may be wet bdy delineator spp. Old log road runs fron N. corner of triangle southward into creek bottom. •Wetland has RUMSAL (rosette -ID preliminary), host plant for Great Copper. •Pileated woodpecker seen by LW & HP (my recollection of earlier conversation), neighbors. Some • cavities also observed by them. •SE upper slope (W. Facing) PSEMEN /ACEMAC with QUEGAR, ARBMEN, PRUEMA, LONCIL and understory POLMUN. This area mod. Prob. ASTVIA. •W of Dillard RD at and 500' n of hairpin slope is westerly with QUEGAR (open grown) ACECIR, CORCOR. High prob. habitat ASTVIA. One portion is RUBDIS invasion of opening. May be part of old roadbed area but not without possibility of ASTVIa beneath canopy. •Fir snags rob habitat trees on W. edge of W drainage (main), midslope on valley terraces. •creek downcut at ca. 600' elevation (where old road crosses). •E of 520 elev on map is borad area PSEMEN, ACEMAC with CORCOR, POLMUN understory. Low prob. of CIMELA, ASTVIA. •wet bdy. App at larger FRALAT (open grown) @ 75' from toe slope at N end. •off site consideration: CIMELA occurs S. of parcel and upslope on same watershed. •off site consideration: ASTVIA occurs nearby ( @1,500'W) at same elevations, similar slopes and aspects on soil types 43E,C. (0,