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Home My WebLink About02112013 Planning & Zoning Work Session Packet 2013 Planning & Zoning Priority List Draft Short and Medium Term 1) Municipal Lands Management Plan (1995)—Update in conjunction with the Capital Improvement Plan and the City Land Disposal Policies and Procedures 2) Nash Road Bench Study(Resource Management Development Impact Study) as funding allows Continuing 1) Continue to pursue compliance with the Seward City Zoning Code by prioritizing the outstanding health and safety issues, such as snow removal, illegal camping, junk vehicles,etc. 2) Work with City Council to continue recruitment efforts for the Planning and Zoning Commission 3) Annually review the City of Seward Comprehensive Plan 4) Encourage the City Manager to request an update of the Parks &Recreation Master Plan 5) Seek additional funding for Planning& Zoning Commissioner training • Search out and add funding to the budget 68 Dwayne Atwood From: Donna Glenz Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2013 12:34 PM To: Carol Griswold Cc: Johanna Kinney; Dwayne Atwood Subject: RE: comments for Feb 11 joint session Thanks Carol for the great information on the Nash Road Bench. We will have copies of your letter as well as the KPB Wetlands study of that area available at the work session. Donna -----Original Message----- From: Carol Griswold [mailto:cgriz@ak.net] Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2013 10:34 AM To: Donna Glenz;Johanna Kinney; Ron Long Subject: comments for Feb 11 joint session Hi Donna and Johanna, Attached and pasted below are my comments for the February 11 Joint Session. If there is a packet, please make sure that this is included. If there is no packet, please email my letter to the Commissioners, Council, and Staff. Thank you, Carol G January 31, 2013 Re: 2013 P&Z Priority List Dear Council and P&Z Commissioners, I understand the Nash Road Bench Study (Resource Management Development Impact Study) remains on the 2013 P&Z Priority List as funding allows. I realize that utilizing the fabled Bench real estate has been a dream for many years. Council members have mentioned view property, more tax base, development of city property, etc.The property was included in the city land table of the 2008 Efficiency Study by former City Manager Phillip Oates' consultant,John Bird. Unfortunately,there are many valid reasons why this idea should be dropped and no further time or funds spend on pursuing its development. In July of 2007, 1 referred the City Manager, Council, Community Development, and John Bird to the extensive 2006 Kenai Peninsula Borough wetlands study headed by botanist Mike Gratz and other scientists. Once again, I would like to call this study to your attention. The wetlands study found that the Bench is made of glacier-scoured bedrock. Septic and sewer systems in bedrock are prohibitively expensive if not impossible. 1 Water flowing from Mt Alice pops up in springs and ponds, creating extensive wetlands. The hydrology ranges from saturated to permanently, semi-permanently,and seasonally flooded conditions. It would be a regulatory nightmare to get all the permits required to drain and fill this wetland complex, and it would still be subject to flooding. In addition, there is no access up to 800' elevation of the bench. When Mr.John "Andy" Anderson was allowed to purchase property and build his home at 800 Nash Road before a Bench land use feasibility study was done, he most likely used the only remotely possible access to the Bench.Building and maintaining access to city standards, accessible by emergency and service vehicles, would be prohibitively expensive. Furthermore,these wetlands are unique and special. The wetland study states: "These headwater peatlands are unique on the entire are mapped, both around Seward and the Western Kenai Lowlands."The stored carbon in the peat washes out, providing food for insects. The enriched headwater streams cascade over the cliff in a waterfall that becomes Spring Creek, a catalogued anadromous stream. Thus the peatlands feed the salmon. It is a complex and valuable ecosystem. Some Commissioners and Council members may recall that the money received from the sale to Mr. Anderson was to be spent on a Bench Land Use Feasibility Study, but this never happened. Fortunately, the KPB paid for this wetlands study. Please consider these important issues of wetlands, flooding, access, septic and water systems, and other infrastructure needs.The wetlands study provides all the background needed. If any action should be taken, it should be to reclassify this property as an important watershed and ecologically sensitive habitat. Thank you for your consideration, Carol Griswold Seward For more information on the bench wetland classification, please to to: Home Page: http://www.kenaiwetlands.net/ Wetland Classification and Mapping of Seward,Alaska: http://WWW.KENAIWETLANDS.NETISEWARD/index.HTM http://www.kenaiwetlands.net/seward/Ecosystems/HeadwaterFen.htm and the Kenai Peninsula Borough GIS Interactive Parcel Viewer BEG I N-ANTISPAM-VOTI NG-LI N KS ------------------------------------------------------ Teach Canit if this mail (ID 4022861) is spam: Spam: http://canit.cityofseward.net/canit/b.php?i=4022861&m=9fac7d2a98b3&c=s Not seam: htt canit.cit ofseward.net canit b. h ?i=4022861&m=9fac7d2a98b3&c=n Forget vote: http://canit.cityofseward.net/canit/b.php?i=4022861&m=9fac7d2a98b3&c=f 2 ------------------------------------------------------ E N D-ANTISPAM-VOTI N G-LI N KS 3 Ecosystem Description Introduction Page 1 of 5 Wetland Classification and Mapping of Seward Alaska SEWARD WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS Wetlands Wetlands support a variety of functions from wildlife habitat to flood control. Because these functions cross property lines and belong to many of us,they are a public good. If an activity in a resource upstream affects downstream property owners,then that upstream resource belongs to more than just the upstream property owner. Because so much activity has occurred in wetlands nationwide, r3 and so many impacts to valuable resources are being felt on a widespread and rYk costly nationwide scale, dredge and fill activities in wetlands are regulated under section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Since these activities are regulated we need to have a definition of a wetland. K For regulatory purposes,wetlands are defined in a manual produced in 1987 by the Army Corps of Engineers(Environmental_Laborato►y, ]987). The Carps, 'r ! along with the Environmental Protection Agency, is responsible for enforcing _. section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Using the 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual requires good technical knowledge in three primary areas: soils,hydrology and m vegetation. Techniques described in the 1987 Manual focus on using sails, hydrology and vegetation data so that,at any particular site, a line between wetlands and uplands can be drawn for jurisdictional purposes. For our purposes, we apply the concepts outlined in that manual to define a wetland. With some t exceptions,anywhere that floods frequently,has over 16" (40 cm)of organic material on top,or a water table within about a foot(30 cm)of the surface for two b continuous weeks of the growing season qualifies as a wetland on the Kenai. E Wetlands are interesting for reasons beyond the jurisdiction of section 404 of the Clean Water Act. They affect a variety of activities from building septic systems { to salmon fishing. Almost everyone wants to see salmon return year after year, "W and building on land that is high and dry is much easier and less expensive than building in a swamp. The US Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory(NWI)mapped 3363 acres of the 24,6600 acre Seward project area as wetland(I4%). NWI mapping is at a national scale and meant only to convey a general idea of which basic types of wetlands exist in a region,using a classification scheme applied across the country(Cowardin. et. al..,...]979); and approximately what percentage of the ground is covered by wetlands. In this context we set out to classify and map Seward wetlands. This project consists of three parts: an ecosystem level classification,a plant community classification and a map. We used seven of the ten ecosystems named in the Kenai Lowlands Wetland Mapping Project.The ecosystems were developed using landforms and generalized hydrology. Fifty-three plant communities were described using vascular plant presence and abundance and the communities already described by either the Kenai Lowlands Wetland Project or by Chugach National Forest. We mapped 4522 acres on the 24,600 acre lowland project area. We interpreted 3556 acres as wetland(14%; fig. 1),and another 966 acres as river terraces. The river terraces do not meet wetland jurisdictional criteria. However,given the dynamic nature of Seward area rivers and streams,these terraces may meet wetland criteria when flooding changes their course in the near future. Although the terraces do not currently support a water table a foot from the surface,they are still relatively wet, and provide a large amount of floodplain storage capacity. Ecosystems Seward area wetlands are grouped into seven Ecosystems. For this project, Ecosystems are defined as landform units responding to similar history and environment to produce a unique signature on a 1:25,000 black and white aerial photograph. As landforms (geomorphology) exert a dominant control on hydrology, Wetland Ecosystems should be http://www.kenaiwetlands.net/seward/Ecosystems/Intro.htm 1/31/2013 Ecosystem Description Introduction Page 2 of 5 useful units for predicting wetland functions, as part of a hydro-geomorphic classification tailored to local landforms. Dominant Seward-area processes are described below, including a brief description of wetland ecosystems associated with each process. Links are provided to more detailed descriptions of each Wetland Ecosystem. Peatlands Floodplains Peatlands are relatively common around Seward. Typical notions of floods and floodplain development They are locations where peat has built to a depth of do not apply in the valley-confined, aggradational 40 cm or more (about 18 inches). Peatlands form environment of Seward area rivers and streams. where plant productivity is greater than Retreating glaciers provide a vast supply of materials, decomposition. Productivity is moderate, especially gravels. High rainfall events are common. but decomposition is low, due to interactions between a number of factors. The low oxygen content and pH A high rainfall event (15" in 24 hours during early of saturated soils combines with the sequestration of October, 1986) combined with shallow-rooted spruce minerals and amino-nitrogen by spahgnan, to preserve and steep mountainsides multiplies flood flow dead plant remains (sphagnan is a oxopolysaccharide potentials. Debris avalanches dam streams. These with highly reactive carbonyl groups,present in the debris dams are eventually breached by floodwaters, cell walls of sphhgnum moss (Borshieni et. al., and flows much larger than the precipitation-driven 2001)). Plant remains accumulate as peat deposits, flood already in progress are released. which may be many meters thick in places. These large flows carry readily available gravel, Peatlands can be classified into two categories: bogs which drops out as the flow subsides. The gravel and fens (Vitt, 1995). Bogs are commonly defined as raises the streambed, sometimes by a meter or more in ombrotrophic systems, literally `fed by elevation, often causing the stream to shift course to a precipitation'. Bogs are rare on the Kenai. Bogs lower position. form when certain sphagnum mosses build up a layer of nearly undecomposed peat that holds a lens of Streams are confined to relatively narrow valleys, groundwater above the local groundwater table. emerging from them to flow together across Because this sphagnum peat has very low hydraulic converging alluvial fans. A stream leaves its side- conductivity, nutrient poor precipitation stays nearly valley, and crosses the apex of its alluvial fan at a very isolated from richer groundwater below. Bogs can narrow spot at the top of the broad fan. If the stream build rapidly where precipitation is high and leaves its channel at this spot, as it does during a temperatures moderate-- conditions which allow flood, it can potentially flow anywhere down the fan. production to greatly exceed decomposition. These conditions are more common further south in Alaska. The entire alluvial surface from Bear Lake to Resurrection Bay could potentially support a stream Kenai peatlands are typically fens and poor fens, as channel, including the alluvial fans at the mouth of the growing season is probably too short, and Fourth of July, Lowell and Spruce Creeks. precipitation too low for bog forming sphagnum mosses to thrive (not all sphagna are bog forming). Floodplain Wetlands Fen groundwater has had some recent contact with a mineral substrate, so is more nutrient rich than bog Approximately 620 acres of wetlands are classified as water, and fen peat is composed of sedges,shrubs, and floodplain wetlands around Seward. Floodplain forbs as well as mosses, including both bog-forming wetlands help store flood flows, dispersing flood and non-bog forming sphagna. On the Kenai, tephra intensity over time and across the valley. If these (volcanic ash) input is steady and this input along with wetlands retained an average of about a foot of water marine aerosols, may create a more mineral rich for one day during a flood, that represents nearly the precipitation,ameliorating bog conditions. same amount of water as normally flows in Salmon Creek at the Bruno Bridge, and about the same flow Worldwide distribution of peatland types has been that washed out a portion of Nash Road during the mapped and zones have been delineated for many 1986 flood(Jones and Zenone, 1987). areas (Moore and Bellamy, 1974). The Kenai Peninsula lays between the zone where bogs are if the wetlands are filled, or water is diverted from common (in Southeast Alaska) and the zone where them, that storage function is lost, and already severe permafrost perches water. Perched water aids peat flooding becomes more pronounced. Position in the accumulation by creating the anaerobic conditions that watershed affects how much downstream area will be http://wvAv.kenaiwetlands.net/seward/Ecosystems/Intro.htm 1/31/2013 Ecosystem Description Introduction Page 3 of 5 slow decomposition. A host of unique landforms are protected by a wetland's flood storage capacity. generated where permafrost is responsible for Wetlands higher in a watershed will affect more perching the water table such as patterned ground and downstream area. The wetlands adjacent to the pingos. Kenai Peninsula peatlands lie between these Salmon River north of Nash Road will buffer flood two extremes. intensity above the Seward Highway,Alaska Railroad, and Nash Road bridges,for example. Peatlands are estimated to hold about 30% of all carbon stored in soils. The fate of that carbon is River terraces provide a similar flood storage value, extremely important in global climate change models. although they do not meet criteria to be considered If peatlands are expanding, then they are acting as a wetlands under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water carbon sink, ameliorating the effect of increased CO2 Act. Although these areas are not jurisdictional input into the atmosphere. If peatlands are Wetlands, they are included in the map because of decomposing, then they are acting as a source, their importance in ameliorating floods, and potential exacerbating the greenhouse effect (Makila, et. al, to become wetlands following the next flooding 2001). Evidence suggests that peatland accumulation event. In the Seward area an additional 620 acres of and decomposition is spatially and temporally river terraces are included on the map; 198 acres of variable. The same locale accumulates peat during terraces around the Snow River are also included. some years and looses peat during others(Waddington and Roulet,2000). Floodplain wetlands, river terraces, and associated channels and side-channels are all classified in the Although lower temperatures (lowering productivity) Riparian Wetland Ecosystem. and precipitation probably both limit bog formation on the Kenai Lowlands, under past climatic regimes bogs were possibly more common, as they are on flatter landscapes in Southeast Alaska. As climate warms, Ecosystem Descriptions bog formation may (re-?)initiate. Alternatively, warmer conditions could lead to drier soils, favoring The following descriptions of each ecosystem repeat a decomposition over productivity, resulting in peatland common format. First they outline the dominant decay,producing even more CO2. landscape process responsible for the existence of the ecosystem, then the dominant patterns within each Peatlands around Seward occur in four ecosystems. ecosystem. The ecosystem classification is then The most common are in the Kettle and Depression crosswalked to the two most widely used Wetland ecosystems. These are small peatlands found classification systems: NWI (the National Wetlands in low spots on ice-scoured bedrock knobs. Inventory) and HGM (Hydrogeomorphic Model, as presented in a key by Tiner,2003). Next,the common The higher elevation sloping fens found on the ice-cut geographic locations of the ecosystem are outlined, bedrock terrace above Fourth of July Creek are followed by an brief ecosystem characterization classified in the Headwater Fen Wetland Ecosystem. including the common soils found in each system. A description of dominant plant communities and A peaty forest with several sedge and shrub- relationships of individual plants within the ecosystem dominated openings occupies the non-alluvial surface is outlined, including a summary table that links plant on the east side of the large rock drumlin between community names to their descriptions. The Sawmill and Salmon Creeks. This peatland complex descriptions end with a summary of the map is classified in the Relict Glacial Drainageway components and units. Wetland Ecosystem. Table 1. Summary of Seward area Wetland Ecosystem distribution. Eighteen percent of the project area is mapped as wetland or river terrace(4522 acres of the 24,600 acre project area). Ecosystem Acres % Wetland Number of area features Riparian(includes 466 acres of river 3180 70.3 211 terraces Kettle 751 16.6 130 http://www.kenaiwetlands.net/seward/Ecosystems/Intro.htm 1/31/2013 Ecosystem Description Introduction Page 4 of 5 Tidal 266 5.9 26 Headwater fen 110 2.4 41 Dr a' 166 3.7 3 Depression 45 1.0 40 Discharge Sla e 18 0.4 3 Wetland 1 Upland Complex 7 0.2 1 A Key to the Wetland Ecosystems of the Seward Area: 1. Wetland periodically inundated by salt TIDAL water.................................................................................... 1. Wetland not periodically inundated by salt 2 water.............................................................................. 2.A wetland on a bedrock knob or shelf,with no wetland connection to navigable waterway, although the wetland could be a navigable-in-fact take............................................................................................. DEPRESSION 2. Wetland connected by other wetlands to a navigable waterway................................................... 3. 3. Channelized flow present,with bed and bank RIPARIAN morphology................................................................ 3. If flow is present, not in a channel exhibiting bed-and-bank morphology..................... 4 ..............I...... 4. Wetland in a broad valley bottom, but without a defined modern channel,with a water table near the surface,even when forested................. DRAINAGEWAY 4. If a wet forest is present, then wetland lies along a slope break,or is a peatland.......................................................................... 5. 5. Slope break influences groundwater discharge;usually at a foot-or toe-slope landscape position on a terraced moraine,often over a mineral soil........................................................................................ DISCHARGE SLOPE 5. Wetland not along a slope break, is a peatland............................................... 6. 6. A peatland above about 250m elevation in the headwater basin of first order HEADWATER FEN stream................. 6. Peatland below about 250m elevation,occupying a low spot on a bedrock KETTLE knob..................................................... Do I Need u Permit? WEBSITE MAP Seward Area Plant Communities HOME Introduction and Key to Seward Wetland Ecosystems + -• Seward Soils Seward MaI2 Unit Summary Methods Glossaa (bniacl:Alike Gracz Kenai H.NershedFareen Honer Field Office http://www.kenaiwetlands.net/seward/Ecosystems/Intro.htm 1/31/2013 Ecosystem Description Introduction Page 5 of 5 Old Town Professional Center 3430 Main Street Sufle B.1 Ke.nc1f f afe hed Hamer.AK 99603 FOt'ii1T1 907-235-2218 11 December 2006 17:30 http://www.kenaiwetlands.net/seward/Ecosystems/Intro.htm 1/31/2013 Wetland Mapping of Seward: Soils Introduction Page 1 of 2 Wetland Classification and Mapping of Seward,Alaska Mike Gracz Doug Van Patten SOILS IN THE SEWARD PROJECT AREA DOUGLAS J.VAN PATTEN The primary objective of this project was to identify,describe,and map the wetlands of the Seward Peatlands area.For jurisdictional purposes,wetlands meet requirements established for three parameters: Organic material accumulates in wet depressional areas of vegetation,hydrology,and soils. A hydric soil is defined as a soil that formed under conditions of floodplains,glacial moraines,and on concave discharge slopes saturation,flooding,or ponding long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions forming small peatlands. The organic soils in these peatlands a (lacking oxygen)in the upper part(USDA Soil Conservation Service, 1994). These soils often support classified in the Histosol soil order(at least 40 ern thick),and a distinctively colored features that indicate they are wet,even when examined during the dry season. differentiated within the order by the degree of decomposition the organic material.Fibrists are the least decomposed.They Ill Published soil surveys commonly provide comprehensive data on hydric soils and the hydrology of an about three-fourths plant fibers after rubbing. Hemists are part area. A survey such as Soil Survey of Western Kenai Peninsula,Alaska,(USDA Natural Resources altered both physically and chemically.They are intermediate i Conservation Service,2005)can be used as a base for wetlands mapping. Vegetation data are often degree of decomposition between Fibrists and Saprists. Saprisi provided in the soil survey report. have the highest degree of decomposition. They have less than one-sixth plant fiber after rubbing. Histosols that contain layer However,there is no soil survey available for the Seward area. The soils data presented here are not as mineral soil in their profile are included in the Fluvaquentic comprehensive as the data normally presented in an official Natural Resources Conservation Service subgroup. Fluvaquentic Cry otibrist is an example of an organi Soil Survey report. soil that receives periodic flood-deposited mineral material. Tl average depth to the water table observed during mapping of tb In this report,a Typical Pedon is described for each of the dominant soil subgroups observed. A Typical soils was 13.5 cm(5.3 inches). Pedon is a description of the soil profile at a particular wetland and is intended to characterize soils at similar wetlands.Similar subgroups are linked in the Typical Pedon description.Unlike in an Official Overall,eight peatland soil subgroups were identified in this Soil Series Description,the Typical Pedon does not provide the full range of characteristics for similar project. They are described on two separate subgroup descripti pedons that occur throughout the area,because we were mapping only wetlands around Seward,so only pages:Fluvaquentic Cryofibrists,and Tv is C •osa rists. looked at soils found in wetlands(with a couple of minor exceptions). Nan-wetland slopes Soil Classification Glaciated mountain slopes and drumlins flank the valleys and a The system of soil classification used by the National Cooperative Soil Survey has six categories the source of material that is transported to the valley floor dun (USDA,1999).Beginning with the broadest,these categories are the order,suborder,great group, storm events. The dominant soils on the mountain slopes and subgroup,family,and series.Classification is based on field observations or from laboratory drumlins are Spodosols. They form on stable surfaces with measurements.The series level is the most detailed category. Establishment of a new official soil series relatively good drainage. requires a lengthy and rigorous data acquisition and correlation process. In this report,I classify soils to the subgroup level. This level is sufficient to describe the soil properties necessary to define hydric ° soils. I describe 11 wetland soil subgroups and,for comparison,three that are not hydric. Each part of a subgroup name describes a certain soil characteristic.For example in the subgroup name: Hidle•Cryaquey,Histic represents a soil with a thick organic mat(20-40 cm),Cry-means that it is a �- very cold soil(<8 degrees C);-aqu signifies that it is a wet soil(within 50 em of the surface);and—ept means it formed in relatively young material. Soil Taronomy(USDA,1999)provides thorough guidance on soil classification. Seward area landscapes and associated soils River and stream valley wetlands Around Seward,valley floors are occupied by alluvial fans,floodplains,and fan deltas, These surfaces are geologically young and frequently receive unconsolidated materials from the surrounding uplands during storm events.They are very dynamic landforms. Stream channels on alluvial fans and braided floodplains are prone to lateral migration during flooding(,tones and Zenone,1988), 4�. The dominant wet soils on these surfaces.are Typic Crvauuents,and Histic C. auuents. These are young soils derived from the surrounding dark-colored graywacke and phyllite rocks.They often have sandy and/or gravelly layers. They differ in that Histic Cryaquepts have a surface organic layer at least 20 cm thick,while Typic cryaquents have thin surface organic layers. One Aouic Crvorthent was identified. Aquic Cryorthents have aquic conditions within 20 inches of the mineral surface for some time in normal years but are not as wet as Typic Cryaquents Evaluation of the indicators of wetland soils and hydrology in Typic cryaquents is complicated by the seasonal fluctuation of the water table and shifting stream channels. During dry periods it is somewhat problematic to identify hydric soil indicators because the key features(colors indicating redoximorphic conditions)are masked by dark-colored parent materials or absent from the coarse textured layers.The average depth to the water table observed during mapping of these soils was 29 cm(1 1 A inches). n twn hydric Spndonal(Typic humicryad)along me ldib d Train mdh.[Be-Lake-The r ddia and light gmy colorscan be mis km Nr wetland inikcalon,but lhcy=rot Typic Hurnicrvods in an example.Care must be taken not to attribute the colors of these soils with reduction and oxidation features found in hydric soils. While the colors are the same,tl processes are different. Other non-hydric soils that occur in tht area are Typic Dystrocrve ts,which occupy drier parts of alluv fans and Typic Cnrotluvents,which are on alluvial fans and floodplain terraces that have infrequent flood events. http://www.kenaiwetlands.net/seward/SoilsText.htm 1/31/2013 Wetland Mapping of Seward: Soils Introduction Page 2 of 2 Loess 5, ' s Windborne deposits,or loess,probably play a minor role in the r4�x '1F� forming processes around Seward. Fine sand and silt on broad braided floodplains can provide source material. Of particular interest is an approximately 2 cm layer of very fine sandy loam is found in virtually all of the Histosols I described above the v floor. It is(thought 10 be)a layer of volcanic ash. This layer H identified on all aspects and elevations to 1,000 fl and was obsi ` at depths between 13 and 41 cm.We are currently awaiting lab spa analysis. Clmr visble inlay f.�lwes inallood lain soil lT - Gtya ventf Nnle uaekealorcd.Coarse-grainN �' - 1 }�� b P YPIn 4 pBrrnl materiel masks ndoa.elan manowcr the.wishcamemmlwns,espxidh along mot ehemaels. Typic crynqurnf. *.. S1 I i Q h y i lAq 4�°p A sliv1111Y bgbt-1—i 2-Ill Ihak 1111nMJl la5a m)'lslble beguaningj— lwfo�t eac 13 nv mink in F'alnn tag.a'I'ypic Cnnsapnst Nnli.e teal Ne ncral layer is ntop ImJxompoxd peal,live tba NM t—h lbe 1 p "rt_cation. Do I Need a Permit'. Introduction and Key to Plant Communities WEBSITE r Introduction and Key to Ecosystems MAP Seward Soils Map unit Summary Methods Glossary HOME Cwuoer:5f•Ae i.%mcz Kem PU6oz 15301 Wait 6eG Pne Cmek.0 995o3 FOri;rn sVles-aua 03 May 2007 19:08 _ http://www.kenaiwetlands.net/seward/SoilsText.htm 1/31/2013 Map Unit Summary Page 1 of 5 Wetland Classification and Mapping of Seward, Alaska Seward Map Unit Summary and Naming Conventions CLASSIFICATION The goal is to present a classification that can be used to indicate, or model wetland functions. Wetland functions are valued by society, and society has recognized these values and has created legislation to guide development activity occurring on wetlands. Wetland functions are diverse, and probably no single map-able classification can be constructed to adequately model all wetland functions. We could construct a map showing salmon spawning habitat, or floodplains, or sandhill crane foraging areas, all wetland functions that we value, but each of these maps would look different, and contain overlapping areas. Knowing that we are faced with the essentially impossible task of creating a wetland map that can perfectly predict function, we set out to do just that. We do know that the three criteria used to indicate jurisdictional wetlands: soils, vegetation, and hydrology, can be used to model wetland function. Certain soils have a greater moisture holding capacity,thus reflect total groundwater storage, an important flood control function of wetlands, for example. Local landforms, control the primary wetland indicator,hydrology. A classification was constructed using local landforms to organize plant and soils occurrences. The classification names are on three levels. The broadest level is represented by ecosystems, which describe the common landforms present on the Kenai; the middle level consists of the mapping components,which represent the variation of wetlands found within ecosystems-primarily using water table depth (hydrology); the third level is made up of the typical plant communities that occur within the mapping components. Ecosystems are subdivided into mapping components which contain typical plant communities. The plant communities and mapping components are not exclusive: any plant community can potentially occur in any component, and components can (and usually do) contain more than one plant community. In this project, mapping units are the finest-scale names assigned to wetland polygons. Map unit names are made up of one or more map components, outlined below. With a few exceptions, any single map unit is made of components from within only one ecosystem. A few map unit names are a combination of two ecosystem names. These represent polygons, often at fuzzy borders between ecosystems, where both systems are present at a scale too fine to delineate. Plant communities do not nest exclusively into ecosystems or map components; any plant community can potentially occur in any mapping component, or ecosystem. Strong affinities exist, but many exceptions also. The map components, and rules for creating map unit names from them, are summarized below. Mapping Methods SEWARD MAP UNIT NAMING CONVENTIONS: . Ecosystems are divided into components, mostly based on hydrology. . Map units names are derived from an abbreviation of the name of the ecosystem they occur in, followed by a numerical modifier indicating the components within the ecosystem. (e.g. 'K1' is in zone one of the Kettle Ecosystem). http://www.kenaiwetlands.net/seward/MUdescriptions/NlUsummary.htm 1131/2013 Map Unit Summary Page 2 of 5 . A map component with standing water or a water table near the surface is usually given a lower number than a component where wetland status is only indicated by redoximorphic features near the surface. Sedges often indicate a shallower water table; shrubs and trees often indicate a deeper water table. . Two ecosystems use a different component naming scheme; in these cases a letter follows the ecosystem abbreviation. Riparian ecosystem names are modified based on Rosgen's (1.996) classification. Discharge Slope ecosystem map components are based on dominant plant species (e.g. 'SA' is a Discharge Slope dominated by alder). . To be included in the map unit name, components must each represent at least 10% of the polygon area. The most abundant component is named first- if each covers an equal area then they are listed in alphanumerically. . If more than two components, each less than the minimum polygon size, comprise more than about 10% of the cover of a polygon and they are in sequential order, then a code including a dash can be used (e.g. K1-3; indicates a polygon with all the components KI, K2, and K3 present at more than 10%cover). Summary of Depression Ecosystem Map Components: Depressions are wetlands not connected by other wetlands, or streams to Resurrection Bay. D 1- Standing water. Floating or emergent vegetation. D2 - Water table at or near the surface. Sedge and/or sweetgale dominated. D- Water table does not reach the surface. Shrubs or bluejoint grass (Calamagrostis canadensis) dominant. D4 - Redoximorphic features or deep peat the wetland indicator. Woodland or forest. Depression map component combinations_used so far: D12, D1-3, D21, D23, D31, D32, D34, D43 Summary of.Discharge Slone Ecosystem Map Components: Discharge slopes occur at the bases of slopes where the water table comes to near the surface. SPS- Sitka Spruce and willow dominated. SA- Alder (usually thinleaf alder,Alnus incana ssp tenuifolia) dominated. Summary of Relict Glacial Drainageway Ecosystem Map Components: http://www.kenaiwetlands.net/seward/MUdescriptions/MUsummary.htm 1/31/2013 Map Unit Summary Page 3 of 5 Relict Glacial Drainageways were occupied by large braided river systems when glaciers were more extensive. The now support peatlands, often with small streams flowing through them. DW3- Deeper water table: hummocky or tussocky micro-topography. Variety of plants; usually with a shrubby component. DW5A- Deeper water table. Peat or redoximorphic features the wetland indicators. Forested. Summary of Headwater Fen Map Unit Summaries: Around Seward all mapped Headwater fens occur on the bedrock bench above Fourth of July Creek, at an elevation of around 800'. They are peatlands with springs at the headwaters of small streams flowing directly into Resurrection Bay. 1-11: A small lake in a headwater basin. 142: Sedge dominated peatland in a headwater basin; water table at or very near the surface. 143: Fewflower sedge dominated peatland in a headwater basin; deeper water table. H4: Woodland/forested peatland in headwater basin. Headwater Fen Ecosystem Map Component combinations used so far: H1-3, 1123, 1-142, H31, 1-132, 1-134, 1143 Summary of Kettle Ecosystem Map Components: Kettle ecosystem wetlands are similar in form to Depression ecosystem wetlands, but they are connected by other wetlands of streams to Resurrection Bay. K1- Standing water; often a lake. Submerged, floating and emergent vegetation. K2- Water table at or near the surface. Sedge and/or sweetgale (Myrica gale) dominated. K3- Water table not at the surface. Usually shrub dominated. Can contain ombrotrophic bogs. K4- Deep peats or redoximorphic features near the surface in a mineral soil. Woodland or forest. Can include bogs. Kettle Ecosystem Map Component combinations: K12, K13, KI-3, KI-4, K21, K23, K24, K31, K32, K34,K43 Summary of Riparian Ecosystem Map units: http://www.kenaiwetlands.net/seward/MUdescriptions/MUsummary.htm 1/31/2013 Map Unit Summary Page 4 of 5 Riparian ecosystem wetlands are associated with streams and rivers. R 3- Higher gradient (>2%); riffle dominated. RC- Floodplain developed. Point bars. Riffle/pool morphology. RD3C- Braided channels with bed material dominated by cobbles, on glacial deposits. RD4C- Braided channels with bed material dominated by gravel, on glacial deposits. RD4SC-Braided river side channels. RD4T1- Lower terraces of braided rivers. RD4T2- Upper terraces of braided rivers. RD4Fx- Floodplain wetlands: RD4F1-Floodplain wetlands dominated by open water and floating or emergent plants. RD4F2-Floodplain wetlands with water table at or very near the surface; typically dominated by sedges or bluejoint reedgrass. RD4F3-Floodplain wetlands with water table near the surface; typically dominated by alder or willow. RD4F4-Forested floodplain wetlands. Floodplain wetland may unit combinations: RD4F12; RD4F1-3; RD4F1-4; RD4F21; RD41`23; RD4172- 4; RD4F32; RD4F34; RD41`43 Tidal Flat Ecosystem Components: TO- bare mud T5- Ramensk's sedge (Carex ramenskii) dominates with pools. Mare's tail (Hippuris), spikerush (Eleocharis spp.), saltmarsh starwort(Stellaria humifusa) found in and around the pools. Vince and Snow's (1984) "Outer Sedge Marsh zone 3". Inundated 0-5 times per summer(mean=3). To- Lyngbye's sedge (Carex lyngbyei) cover nearly continuous. Vince and Snow's 1�) "Outer Inner Sedge Masrh zone 7". Inundated 0-4 times per summer (mean--2). T7- Beachrye (Leymus mollis ssp. mollis) diverse plant community on storm berms. Probably in the same position as Vince and Snow's (1984) "Riverbank Levee zone 6", which is innundated 0-2 times per summer (mean=l). Vince and Snow did not include beachrye in their Susitna Flats plant zonation work, except to mention that it becomes more abundant above about 12 cm "relative altitude" ("...relative to about 10 m above mean low water of spring tides"). T8- Pacific silverweed, largeflower speargrass (Poa eminens) and sometimes circumpolar reedgrass (Calamagrostis deschampsioides) dominate. A combination of Vince and Snow's (1984) "Riverbank Levee zone 6" and "Inner Mudflats zone 4". Inundated 0-2 (mean=l), and 8-13 (mean - 11) times per http://www.kenaiwetlands.net/seward/MUdescriptions/NWsummary.htm 1/31/2013 Map Unit Summary Page 5 of 5 summer,respectively. On the Kenai, "Riverbank Levees" are typically dominated by beachrye (Leymus MOMS ssp. MOMS). Tidal Ecosystem Map Component combinations used so far: 'f07 T65, T67, T76, T78, T87 Mixture of wetland and upland: WU-Wetland/Upland complex. Greater than 25% cover of wetlands of any ecosystem at a scale too small to map, in a larger unit. Download Seward shapefile (400k). Metadata Do I Need a Permit? Introduction and Key to Plant Communities • WEBSITE ! Introduction and Key to Ecosystems MAP T Kenai llvdric Soils Map Unit Summary 'ylethods HOME Glossary Contact.Alike Gran Kenai Watershed Forum Homer Field Ofice ,Cella f Old Town Professional Center I Wmeahed 3430 Main Street Suite Bl Homer,AK 99603 907-235-2218 11 December 2006 14:02 http://www.kenaiwetlands.net/seward/MUdescriptions/MUsummary.htm 1/31/2013 Methods Page 1 of 6 Quality Assurance Project Protocols Methods Homer methods are slightly different,and include a summary of Homer area wetlands. Plant Community Classification Field Plant cover Most of the plant cover data were obtained from the Natural Resource Conservation Service(NRCS). Between 1997 and 2004 NRCS collected soils and vegetation data as part of their Western Kenai Soil Survey. Data from 22 Hydro- Geomorphic Modeling(HGM)plots collected in 1997 along the lower Kenai River watershed were also used L-,ji I et. al. 2002). The authors collected data from 100 plots to augment soil survey data,while working for the Alaska Natural Heritage Program(NHP)during the summer of2001; these methods are described below. Ocular estimates of percent cover by species are recorded using a plot-less reconnaissance method. Because plants cover the ground at different spatial scales, a homogeneous area was sampled with attention to these different scales. For example,tree cover is more appropriately characterized using a larger plot, while forest floor herb cover can be adequately characterized with a smaller plot. These different scales of occurrence are taken into account when the worker chooses an area to represent plant cover. Unlike using a fixed sized plot,where,for example, an alder may or may not occur,the sampler can record alder cover over a larger area, and use a smaller area to represent trailing raspberry cover, for example, as long as the entire area is relatively homogeneous. Between 1 and 7%,cover is recorded to the nearest 1%;values greater than 7%(up to 15%)are recorded as 10%,then values are recorded to the nearest 10% up to 100%. Care is taken to assure that total cover sums to at least 100%; if observation indicates that cover is obviously much greater than 100%,then the sum should reflect the plants in the plot. Plant stratum and life form are recorded using the categories of:tall,medium,short and dwarf;and herb, grass,shrub and tree,respectively. Tall trees are greater than 40 feet tall and medium trees greater than 15 feet. A stunted tree category is also used for trees obviously suppressed or stunted,otherwise a regeneration category is utilized. Shrubs are tall if greater than 10 feet tall, medium if greater than 3 feet, and low if greater than 8 inches. Other shrubs are recorded as dwarf. Herbs are tall if greater than 2 feet,medium if taller than 4 inches;if shorter,they are dwarf herbs. Only two grass categories are used:tall if greater than 2 feet and medium if less. These are the same protocols that NRCS biological technicians used when collecting the data we obtained from the Western Kenai Soil Survey. Plant names follow the 2000 version of the US Department of Agriculture PLANTS database. Environmental data We measured three of four environmental parameters at each site: 1)water table depth,or 2)depth to modern(versus relict)redoximorphic features;3)pH and 4)depth of the organic horizon. Water table,organic layer,and redox feature depths were all measured to the nearest centimeter using a metal tape. Depth to redox features was only recorded when the water table was not encountered. PH was measured using a YSI 63 pH/conductivity meter. The meter was 2 step calibrated(pH 4.04 and 6.86)daily, using the methods outlined in the meter's manual YSi 1998). When measuring pH in the field,the probe was placed directly into water in a hole dug below the water table and the value recorded when the reading stabilized for 30 seconds. Each site was pinpointed on an aerial photograph. Data Synthesis and Summary The largest portion of data used in this analysis originated with the Natural Resource Conservation Service(NRCS) Western Kenai Soil Survey, on which the primary author of this project was instrumental in implementing plant community data collection techniques. Widely inclusive criteria were used to filter the entire soil survey dataset for plots that might be considered wetlands. Wetland plots are those that meet the criteria outlined in the Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual(the 1987 manual; ACoE, 1987) Soils with modern redoximorphic features or a water table closer than 31 cm to the surface; organic horizons greater than 20 cm thick; plots on soils mapped in an aquic suborder, and sites subjectively determined to flood'commonly'to'frequently'were retained. Those data were evaluated for completeness,especially during years where non-botanists/ecologists collected data unsupervised. Unreliable data were discarded. Reliable data were printed and error checked against raw data,and http://www.kenaiwetlands.net/Methods.htm 1/31/2013 Methods Page 2 of 6 corrections re-entered into the database. We used inclusive criteria-i.e. some of the plots we included in the summary analysis do not meet the wetland criteria established in the 1987 manual,but we did exclude most upland plots. Retention of some plots that might not be considered wetlands is useful for bracketing the classification,but can lead to misleading determinations of how well any individual plant community might indicate wetland conditions. The best example of this pitfall is the Lutz spruce Oakfern—Blueioint community. Field observations indicate that this plant community is most frequently found on uplands. However, in this analysis,two of the three samples occupied by that community were found on marginally wet soils(with redoximorphic features within 16 cm of the surface),and all were found within a soils unit mapped as an aquic suborder. A summary indicating that 2/3 of the samples containing this community are wet would be misleading, as the sample itself reflects only the wet end of the continuum the community spans. Therefore,plant community fidelity to areas considered to be wetlands using the techniques outlined in the 1987 manual is not perfect. Some'wetland'plant communities will be found on uplands,while some'upland'communities will occur on jurisdictional wetlands. As we used liberal criteria to avoid missing any communities that sometimes occur on wetlands,most of the errors should be of the first type, i.e. some of the communities described here will occur on uplands. Additional data were obtained from the HGM(Hydro-Geomorphic Modeling)effort conducted in the lower Kenai River watershed in 1997 by an interdisciplinary team funded by the US Environmental Protection Agency(EPA). The HGM data(Hall,et. at., 2002)were evaluated for completeness and reliability,recoded to match the USDA PLANTS database (which NRCS and Heritage Program field crews used)and error checked,with corrections re-entered into the database. These three plant cover data sets(MRCS,HGM and NHP)were then combined and run through the computer program TWINSPAN(Two Way [Ndicator SPecies ANalysis; Hill, 1979)as part of the PCORD(McCune and Mefford. 1999) software package to determine plant community dominants. TWINSPAN is a polythetic,divisive matrix algebraic solution that arranges a matrix of items and their attributes,then divides the items into groups based on maximum differences of attribute presence and abundance. It works well when,as in much plant ecological data, many of the matrix values are zeros(i.e, few plants occur in all plots). TWINSPAN was run several times on varying subsets of the data(e.g. all the plots with spruce(Picea spp.)cover greater than 10%were run together), and iteratively,with outliers removed on successive runs. Once the primary plants responsible for group divisions became stable,the data sheets were sorted into initial divisions defined by their occurrence(all the sitka alder plots, for example). Data sheets from each initial division were sorted into final groups within each division using our ecological knowledge and indicator plants identified by TWINSPAN. These final groups are defined by the occurrence of co-dominant or sub-dominant plants(all the sitka alder plots with field horsetail (Equisetum arvense)for example);or the tufted bulrush(Tricophorum caespitosum)plots with significant dwarf birch (Betula nona). The final groups became the named plant communities. The plant communities were described using summarized frequency of occurrence and average cover of dominant plants (greater than 10 percent cover). Environmental data(depth to water and/or redoximorphic features;pH,and depth of organic horizon)were also summarized using average, minimum and maximum values at the soils holes dug in each plant community. The descriptions were written using field notes and sketches,the knowledge we gained working in these ecosystems,and the plant and environmental summaries described above. Dot maps of the sites visited in each plant community were also assembled(from NRCS and NHP aerial photo pinprick locations)and included in each plant community description. If subsequent field visits indicated new plant communities were needed,we queried the database to find any plots satisfying group membership(e.g.the Sweetgale-Dwarf birch 1 Water horsetail community was created by summarizing the plots with sweetgale(Myrica gale)and dwarf birch(Betula nana)cover> 10%that also contained water horsetail (Equisetum fluviatle)). Summaries of the remaining communities were not re-adjusted to reflect any loss of data caused by the creation of new plant communities. This loss probably would not have changed those summaries significantly. No attempt was made to shoehorn every plot into a final group(plant community). Many plots are unique and form a diverse'unclassified plots'group. Communities are named systematically. The plants in the tallest layers are named first,the most frequent plants are named first,and the most abundant plants are named first. Plants in different layers are separated by slashes, plants in the same layer by dashes. The layer order proceeds with trees followed by shrubs followed by grasses and sedges followed by herbs. When a taller sedge is significantly more abundant than a dwarf shrub,as in the Tufted bulrush/Sweetgale or Tufted bulrush/Dwarf birch communities,the sedge is named first. One subset of communities with generally low vascular plant cover and high(sphagnum)moss cover is named with sphagnum moss(in the'ground' layer) first. Mapping http:I/www.kenaiwetlands.net/Methods.htm 1/31/2013 Methods Page 3 of 6 Mapping Classification A mapping classification was developed in 2002. This classification relies on the knowledge we gained while mapping soils and describing plant communities over the previous five years. The mapping classification uses a hydro- geomorphic approach tailored to the local landscape. The geomorphic portion of the classification involved subjectively choosing and naming common ecosystems,which were assigned based on dominant landforms. Examples of landforms/ecosystems include: Depression, Relict Glacial Lakebed, Kettle,Headwater Fen,Discharge Slope and Riparian. Ten ecosystems have been named. The mapping classification is open,that is,the number of map units is not set;they are made up of combinations of basic building blocks, the map components. Map components are basic divisions within each ecosystem, and are used in combinations,following specific naming rules,to devise map unit names. The number of potential map unit names, using the map components and the naming rules, is much greater than the number actually encountered on the landscape, as some component combinations are unlikely. Within most ecosystems,map components are enumerated based on depth to the water table(the hydrological portion of the hydra-geomorphic based classification),which is usually indicated by common plant communities. The lowest map component numbers refer to the components with the shallowest water table. For example the'K 1'component is in the Kettle ecosystem with standing water and/or emergent vegetation(1);while the'K4'component is in the Kettle ecosystem with a forested or woodland cover,and a deeper water table(4). Three ecosystems use a variation on the water table depth component-naming rule. The first,the Discharge Slope Ecosystem,uses dominant plant communities;so an'SLS'unit is a Discharge Slope dominated by Lutz spruce(Picea X lutzii)and Barclay willow(Salix barclayii). There are six dominant plants within this ecosystem. Using the naming rules,36 possible combinations could be devised; 29 were mapped. The second, the Riparian Ecosystem, uses a modified version of Rosgen's classification(1996). Our classification uses six basic types along with a few sub-types to describe streams. An example of a basic type is Rosgen's"E"stream. These are streams flowing across deposits laid down by larger processes,on the Kenai Lowlands these larger processes were Pleistocene glaciations. Large valleys were carved by glacial meltwater rivers;these valleys are now occupied by smaller clearwater streams draining watersheds no longer occupied by glaciers. "E" stream sub-types are: linear(Rel), sinuous(Res)and bank-full (Reb). Another example is Rosgen's "B"stream,a moderate gradient stream composed of riffles and pools, dominated by riffles. Six types were used,only "E" streams included sub-types. The final ecosystem not following a component naming rule related to depth to water table is the Tidal Ecosystem. There,degree of tidal inundation,as indicated by dominant plants, determines map component numbers. A T1 is a Tidal Ecosystem with saltpannes, occupying low,saline soils,while a T9 is at the upper reaches of tidewater influence, occupied by manyflower sedge(Carex pluriflora)communities. Our experience,and a study showing the relationship of intertidal plant communities to periodic tidal inundation on the nearby Susitna River estuary(Vince and Snow. 1984) is relied upon to help inform Tidal map component divisions. Wetland delineation and photo interpretation Pilot Areas Polygons were drawn on mylar overlays using aerial photographs(MRCS 17"x 17" uncorrected 1:25,000 stereo-paired black and white photographs flown in 1996). Homogeneous photo-signatures of areas thought to be wetlands were delineated by us and digitized(by Resource Data Incorporated,Anchorage,AK,for Soldotna Creek Watershed and Kachemak Bay Research Reserve for Daryl's fen)). Photo-interpretation was aided by the environmental and plant data from NRCS, HGM and NHP plots and our on-the ground experience. The points indicating soils holes sampled by NRCS were plotted digitally into a GIS(Geographic Information System;ArcView 3.3,ESRI,Redlands,CA). As these points were obtained from hand-held Global Positioning System(GPS)readings,and since these readings have varying reliability,the digital GIS points were edited in ArcView to match the locations that soil scientists marked on their field photos(a hardcopy version of the same photos used as a backdrop while editing in ArcView). Project Area We used techniques learned from NRCS soils mapping on the Western Kenai Soil Survey. Uncorrected stereo-paired 1996 1:25,000 black and white aerial photography was used under a stereoscope,with acetate overlays and a ultra-fine point"Sharpie"marker to delineate initial wetland polygons. Wetland polygons are relatively homogeneous areas that fit into the mapping classification described above. Extensive local knowledge formed by both five years of field mapping experience and the one year pilot project, informed the aerial photo interpretations and linework,done entirely by K. Noyes. A minimum polygon size of about 3 acres was used, although many smaller polygons were delineated. After the initial polygons were drawn on the acetate overlays,the lines were transferred, using a 0.5 mm plastic pencil,to frosted mylar overlain onto quarter-quad-centered,geo-rectified film positives of the same black and white aerial photographs. The mylar and film positives were both pre-punched and a 7-hole register bar was used to ensure exact http://www.kenaiwetlands.net/Methods.htm 1/31/2013 Methods Page 4 of 6 alignment. Once the lines were transferred,they were re-traced onto a second pre-punched frosted mylar sheet, again using plastic pencil and register bar,creating a final clean product ready for scanning. The clean linework was shipped to Resource Data Incorporated, in Anchorage Alaska,where it was scanned,vectorized, edge-matched and cleaned up. The result was an ArcView 3.x Geographic Information System shapefile. The shapefile was overlain onto the digital version of the NRCS 1996 geo-rectified black and white aerial photography in ArcView,where the polygons were assigned map units. Map unit assignments were made while consulting the same 1996 NRCS hard-copy stereo imagery under a stereoscope,and both the published(1970)and draft versions of the soil survey still in progress. Field Pilot project During the summer of 2002 we attempted to visit and photograph all polygons in two pilot areas,the portion of Soldotna Creek watershed outside of Kenai National Wildlife Refuge,and Daryl's fen,a 15,000 acre peatland complex east of Anchor Point. Printed field images of 1996 NRCS digital aerial photography were prepared by overlaying numbered polygons on the digital NRCS 1996 black and white aerial photographs. These field images with numbered polygons were printed on matte photo paper at 1200 dpi at two scales: l:15,000 for navigation and interpretation and 1:25,000 for minimum polygon size decision-making. On a field visit, if the linework was found to be accurate at 1:25,000,a map unit was assigned based on visiting the entire polygon, or a representative dominant photo signature(s), if viewing the entire polygon was not practical. If the linework was not accurate, and included more than one unique map-able unit which covered more than 10%of the polygon area, a line(s)was drawn on a printed photograph to split the polygon; if the same unique map-able unit was adjacent to another polygon of the same map unit,a note was made to join them. A map-able wetland unit is one where the vegetation pattern is relatively homogeneous on the ground and discernable on the 1:25,000 scale imagery. Map units are frequently based on general hydrologic character(depth to ground water), which is typically reflected in vegetation type. For example,sedge types frequently occur on areas where groundwater is at or very near the surface,and shrubby peatlands occupy areas with a deeper water table. Units needed to be wetlands to be mapped. We did not formally delineate wetlands according to US Army Corps of Engineers delineation procedures(CoE, 1987),but used our best judgment, occasionally using a soil probe to look for redoximorphic features or water table depth when deciding whether or not to include a marginal polygon or area as a mapped wetland. When a polygon's wetland status was uncertain,we erred in favor of calling the polygon a wetland. Most mapped sites are obviously wetlands,with a deep peat layer and/or a water table at or very near the surface. Uncertain sites tend to be forested,occupying slope break positions. When splitting or joining polygons,new lines were drawn on the field image,and notes recorded on a datasheet. When joining,the retained number was indicated on the datasheet, and the other number noted,and later discarded. When splitting,the retained number was indicated on the sheet and the field image,and a new number assigned to the new polygon in the office, at the computer. New numbers were tracked to avoid assigning duplicates. In addition to evaluating and, if necessary,correcting the linework, the percent cover of each plant community(identified in the classification)present in the polygon was recorded. All communities covering more than 10%of the polygon were recorded. Occasionally,communities representing less than 10%of a polygon were recorded,especially if they have never been seen covering more than 10%of polygons anywhere. If plants were present that do not fit into one of the pre- defined communities they were noted. If these same undocumented communities were found frequently,a new community was named;otherwise,undefined community cover was left unrecorded,and the total community cover summed to less than 100%. Full Project Area Similar field protocols were followed for mapping the entire project area,but a smaller subset of polygons was selected randomly within each map unit for field visit. The random selection process was designed so that map units were chosen in proportion to their occurrence on the landscape. Field visits were conducted over two summers, in 2003 and 2004. Approximately half of the project area was digitized by the summer of 2003,and the selected polygons reflect the proportion each map unit represented in that mapped subset. During 2004 polygons were visited according to the proportion they represented in the remaining subset. 'Selected' polygons were highlighted on the printed field images. Polygons not selected,but along the travel route,were also visited and photographed,and corrected with respect to office assigned map units. Plant community data were only collected if the map unit assignment made in the office on selected polygons was in error. No plant community data were http://www.kenaiwetlands.net/Methods.htm 1/31/2413 Methods Page 5 of 6 collected if the map unit assignments at non-selected polygons were in error;only the assignment was changed and a photograph taken. Data Synthesis and Summary After field visits, lines drawn on the printed aerial images were used along with notes on datasheets to correct linework, heads-up in ArcView,and re-number polygons, if needed. Digital photographs were downloaded and renamed to match polygon numbers,using lower case letter suffixes to separate multiple photographs of the same polygon. Occasionally,nearby'selected' polygons from previous field visits needed to be re-edited(combined with another polygon on its opposite side, for example). In these rare cases,averages of percent cover of plant communities on the old polygons were calculated and used to represent the percent cover of plant communities in the newly formed polygon. The plant community percent cover and mapping unit names were entered into a Microsoft Access database,printed and error checked against the raw data,with corrections re-entered. The printed field images and datasheets were also used to check that all polygons had the correct assignments. For the pilot areas,the final linework was transferred onto frosted mylar overlays, using printed error checked versions of the linework,geo-rectified film positive quarter quads of the same(uncorrected)aerial photography that was used to derive the preliminary lines and a register bar. These final lines were sent to Resource Data Incorporated to be scanned and vectorized into a final ArcView shapefile. This file was later incorporated into the final shapefile. Error-checked data were exported to tables in MS Access, and linked to the shapefile. That way polygon editing could be done in ArcView, using the link MS Access to locate and manage polygon records. The MS Access database file was edited to incorporate new fields linking polygon number to digital photograph filenames and ecosystem and map unit description files. The database file with new fields was exported, and re-attached to the shapefile. The photographs and descriptions are stored on a Kenai Peninsula Borough server and are available on the world-wide-web at www.kenaiwetlands.net. Plant community frequency and percent cover were summarized by ecosystem and mapping unit. These summaries along with field notes and observations,environmental data and photographs,were used to create the plant community and map unit descriptions. The environmental data summaries used in the map component and map unit descriptions were generated using the corrected locations(described above,under photointerpretation)of NRCS holes. Each hole was assigned a wetland map component based on its Iocation in a wetland polygon, and the NRCS plant community data collected there. The physical data collected at these holes were used to summarize wetland environmental information(depth to water table,organic layer thickness,and depth to redoximorphic features)for each map component. Ecosystem descriptions were created from the same information. The information was also used to generate a key to ecosystems, which incorporate a summary from the pertinent literature. Especially important to the ecosystem descriptions are field notes taken at"type localities"where the dominant environmental gradients in each system are well defined. At these localities, plant relationships to these gradients are described and represented by artist drawings in the descriptions. The ecosystem,map unit and plant community descriptions were created in HTML and contain links to keys,soil series descriptions, literature,wetland plant indicator status and other useful information. Some preliminary data have been successfully tested on ESRI's Internet Map Server software, housed at the Kenai Peninsula Borough's website. There a user,with intemet access and a web browser,can manipulate a map containing satellite imagery to retrieve parcel ownership information. The wetland layer will be added soon. Currently a user with ArcView software can download a shape-or layer file that contains URL fields linking each wetland polygon to a picture(for polygons we photographed)or a map unit description. Download final shapefile(0. 14.6Mb-In ArcView 9.x you'll need to point to the layer's data source,under'properties', 'source'to view the full legend). Metadata. Includes Seward wetlands,complete Habitat Function fields and a full 283 element legend covering both Seward and the Lowlands. Download a QuickGuide to Kenai Wetland Ecosystems and Mapping Units(zipped html, 1.1Mb)or zipped Word 2000 format(799 Kb). http://www.kenaiwetlands.net/Methods.htm 1/31/2013 Methods Page 6 of 6 Introduction and Key to Plant Communities A Introduction and Key Ecosystems Zilig, Forum Kenai Hydric Soils May Unit Sumniary Methods -- ------ - -- --------- ------------------------- Conran:Ahke Gracz KepwiWarcrvired Forum PO BOX 15301 Fro z Creek,AK 99603 03 May 2007 17:59 http://www.kenaiwetlands.net/Methods.htm 1/31/2013 Wetlands Mapping Glossary Page 1 of 5 A Glossary of Terms used at www.kenaiwetlands.net ATV All terrain vehicle,commonly referred to as a 4-wheeler or wheeler. Ablating When referring to glaciers:melting,receding. Advanced Regeneration Smaller older trees in the forest understory that grow rapidly when a neighbor dies and opens a gap in the canopy. Alluvial Fan A large,fan-shaped deposit of materials carried by water and created at the spot where a stream emerges from a steeper, narrower valley onto a wider,Flatter area. Alpine Above treeline. Anadromous Fish Fish that spend most of their lives in saltwater,but return to freshwater to spawn and develop. Anaerobic Without oxygen. Most organisms need oxygen to survive,but some decomposing bacteria are able to thrive in it's absence(using sulfur) Andisol A specific soil"order'of soils with a high volcanic ash content Aquatic Plant A plant that grows in standing water,usually submerged,or with floating leaves;or emergent,rooted beneath the water surface, but growing above it. Aquic In soil taxonomy,a type of soil that has features indicating it is saturated to near the surface for a significant portion of the growing season. Autecology The study of single organisms and how they relate to their environments. Synecology is the study of many organisms and their surrounding environment. Backslope The broad,even portion of a slope between its lower foot-and toe-slope portions,and upper shoulder,ridge or terrace portion. Basin A cup-shaped area on a large scale-usually at the beginning of a stream. Also the whole area that catches the water feeding the water body-can be synonymous with watershed. Beta Diversity Second order diversity-the diversity of groups,rather than the items that make up the groups,which could be called alpha diversity. Cations Positively charged particles-usually minerals,like potassium and phosphorus,that are important in plant and ecosystem productivity. Centimeter(Cm) 0.39 inches Centroid The center point of mass or volume Co-Dominant When referring to plants in this document,a plant that covers nearly as much ground as the plant that covers the most ground. For practical purposes,all plants covering more than about 10%in any given layer(e.g the tall tree layer,the low shrub layer,the ground layer)is considered a co-dominant. See also the"dominant"definition,below. Cogener Member of the same genus. Scientific names are termed binomials,bi-for two and-nomials for names,because they consist of two names. The first name is the genus,the second the species. Complex A wetland polygon composed of more than one map component at a scale too fine to map at 1:25,000. Discharge Area(Slope) An area where groundwater discharges,usually to a wetland or stream,and often at a sudden change in slope. Distal Further away Dominant When referring to plants in this document,the plant covering the most ground. Dominance refers to ecological dominance,so a plant that does not cover the most ground may be exerting more control than it's extent indicates. Usually cover is a pretty good indicator of dominance,and it is relatively simple to measure. Ecosystem A group on organisms interacting with their environment. In this case,we have named the commonly occurring wetland ecosystems of the Kenai Lowlands - Eklutna Moraine A moraine on the Kenai lowlands of a specific age,which is unknown,but before the last two,less extensive,glaciations:The most recent Naptowne and the intermediate Knik. Eklutna time was the last time that nearly the entire Kenai lowland was covered by ice. Emergent When referring to a plant:one rooted below standing water,but growing out of the water. Entisol A specific soil order of soils that are developing,and show little layering,or"horizonation". Entrenched When referring to a stream,a stream deeply cut into its valley. Epipedon Literally:"above the soil';the uppermost layer of soil_ Ericaceous A specific group of plants-usually shrubs often with leathery leaves. Labrador tea,crowberry and blueberries are ericaceous shrubs. Estuarine The area where a freshwater stream enters saltwater. The most productive ecosystems. Evapo-Transpiration Moisture lost through passive evaporation,and active transpiration,the water that plants lose when converting food to energy. Fen A peatland that has less acid groundwater with a higher mineral content than a bog. First Order Stream A stream that has no tributaries emptying into it http://www,kenaiwetlands.net/glossary.htm 1/31/2013 Wetlands Mapping Glossary Page 2 of 5 Flark A low spot between shrubby peat ridges(strangs);occupied by sedges. If occupied by standing water,then the feature is called a pool. Strangs,flarks and pools often occur in extensive complexes known as patterned fens. Floristic Relating to plants Fluvial Relating to river or stream flow. Foot-Slope The area at the base of a slope,where the slope starts to flatten,but above the area where the slope nearly completely flattens, the toe-slope. Not all slopes have both foot-and toe-slopes. Geographic Information Interactive computer maps that include data accessed by clicking on the map. System Geomorphologic Features Elements of the landscape such as rivers,hills and slopes. On the Kenai Lowlands many glacier-created features such as kettles,moraines and kames are present. Glacio-Fluvial Glacier stream/river generated-often refers to layers of sands and gravels laid down by glacial river action. Graminoid Grass-like plant. Halophytic Referring to sait tolerant plants. A halophile is a halophytic plant-a"sail-loving"plant. Headwater The area just above the beginning of a stream Hectare(Ha) 2.471 acres Heterogeneous Composed of many varied elements;diverse,varied. Histosols A specific soil"order'of soils with a thick(greater than 40 cm or 18 inches)organic layer on top. Indicates wetland conditions. Homogeneous Composed of few elements;uniform. Hummock A low mound,usually of peat,caused by frost heaving. Hydraulic Conductivity The capacity for a substance(soil)to conduct water through it. measured in units of volume(e.g cubic inches)per unit time(e.g. seconds). Hydric Wet,when referring to a soil_ Hydrology The study of water and how it moves across and under the land. Hyporheic The zone near and under a stream or river where groundwater and surface water mix. This is where groundwater contaminants can enter a stream,and and important place for aquatic insects and developing salmon eggs. impervious Surface A surface that acts as a barrier to the downward movement of water(from rain and snowmelt)into the soil. Refers to a human generated surface with lower ability to allow water to pass through than the original natural surface. fnclusion An atypical portion of a map unit that is not part of the map unit's name,and may be quite different than the map unit as a whole. Because nature is variable,inclusions are common. interlobate Moraine On the Kenai Lowlands,a specific modified moraine that occupies the lake studded country between Nikiski and Sterling. Isostatic Rebound When the land rises after a weight is removed,on the Kenai this is happening since the glaciers have receded at the end of the Pleistocene. Kame A pile of rocks-a small hill-left behind at the edge after a large,no longer moving,glacier has melted. Killey Advance The less extensive glacial advance just after the Moosehorn;both occur during the Naptowne glaciation,the last major ice advance on the lowlands. Kilometer(Km) About 5i8 of a mile Knik Glaciation The more extensive glaciation just before the most recent,Naptowne glaciation. The Knik left many steep slopes with thin or no glacial deposits. Lag Deposits Coarser deposits that are left behind after the finer materials have been washed away. On the Kenai Lowlands,they usually indicate the edge of an eroded moraine,or terrace. Landform A feature on the landscape,such as a hill,terrace or moraine Levee A berm or low ridge of unconsolidated material,usually sand and gravel,adjacent to a stream or tidal channel. Lithiffed Turned into rock. Sediments,over time with heat and pressure,become rocks. Little ice Age A cold period when glaciers significantly advanced,between about 1300 and 1850 A D. Lutz Spruce A named hybrid spruce(Picea X lutzir). The hybrid is between coastal Sitka spruce(Picea sitchensis)and the continental white spruce(P.glauca). Lutz spruce indicates transitional ecological conditions between continental and maritime climates. Few places on the forested coast of North America contain a gradual transition between the two climate regimes,mountain ranges usually separate the two forests. On the Kenai Lowlands this transition region is extensive,and extensive stands of Lutz spruce occur. Macro-Invertebrate An invertebrate(Insect or worm-an animal without a backbone)that you can see without a microscope. Map Component A single,basic mapping unit building block. Map Components,with naming rules,are used to build Map Unit names for individual wetland polygons. If a polygon consists of only a single component(e-g-a kettle pond:K1)then a Map Unit can be equal to a Map Component at that polygon(K1 in the example). http://www.kenaiwetlands.net/glossary.htm 1/31/2013 Wetlands Mapping Glossary Page 3 of 5 Map Unit The name given a wetland polygon. Can be made up of one or more map components. Meander Large bend in a river or stream Meander Scroll An arc-shaped feature on the landscape a river or stream channel once occupied. Medial Middle Meter(M) 3.3 feet Micro-Topography Uneven ground on a relatively small scale,usually the high spots are about a meter(3 feet)higher than the low spots,and only a couple of meters across. Modified Moraine A moraine changed by subsequent erosion, Modified Terrace A terrace changed by subsequent erosion. Mononomial Having a single name. Here,meaning a map unit composed of a single map component, Monotypic Consisting of a single species Moosehorn Moraine A moraine on the Kenai lowlands of a specific age,ending about 15,000 years ago,at the begining of the final glacial advance. Moosehom moraines are large and relatively"fresh"-they haven't had much time to erode. Moraine A pile of rocks left behind at the margin of a receding glacier. Moraines are of three basic types:terminal,at the end of a glacier; lateral,alongside;or media[,where two glaciers come together. Morphology Structure Naptowne Glaciation The most recent,least extensive glaciation. Made up of several glacial advances and retreats. Much of the current landscape is dominated by features left behind after this glaciation receded. National Wetlands The National Wetlands Inventory(NWI)of the U.S. Fish&Wildlife Service produces information on the Inventory characteristics, extent, and status of the Nation's wetlands and deepwater habitats. Ombrotrophic Fed only by precipitation,not by water draining from the surrounding landscape. Organic Material The accumulated remains of plants,mostly. Plant remains accumulate where production exceeds decomposition;this typically occurs,on the Kenai Peninsula,not because production is so high,but because decomposition is low. Decomposition is low because of several factors,but primarily because oxygen is in short supply because soils are saturated. Therefore,accumulated organic material indicates a wetland. Overstory A plant layer taller than another In an alder stand,for example,alder could be the overstory over shorter a horsetail layer. Usually refers to a tree layer. Oxbow An abandoned stream channel bend that is now a lake(or a lake filled in by a peatland)in the shape of a crescent. Oxidized in this case,combined with oxygen-specifically when organic material,which is mostly carbon,is decomposed by micro- organisms into carbon dioxide(and other compounds). Palustrine Freshwater;"of the marshes' Patterned Fen A peatland with a distinctive net-like pattern of low peat ridges topped by shrubs or trees and elongate pools and low spots occupied by sedges. Peat An accumulation of plant material,sometimes very deep. When peat is more than about 8"thick a wetland is almost always present. Plant Association A group of plants found growing together repeatedly across a region. Plant Community A group of plants found growing together Plant Physiognomy The general look of a plant,such as a grass-like plant,a tree,or a shrub. Pleistocene Ice age,from about 2 million years ago to about 10,000 years ago- For the major glacier events on the Kenai Lowlands see this chart. Point Bar An accreting(growing)gravel deposit on the inside of a stream bend. Polygons Irregular,many-sided shapes,in this case representing the smallest relatively uniform wetland area drawn on on a computer map. A singfe wetland is usually not uniform,and can be broken into many uniform areas;on a computer map(Geographic Information System or GIS)these uniform areas are referred to as polygons. Proglaciai Lake A lake in front of a glacier,usually situated between the ice front and a terminal moraine. Proximal Next,or adjacent to. Recessional Moraine A moraine,composed of concentric arc-shaped ridges,left behind as a glacier recedes Recharge Area An area where the groundwater supply is recharged;where water soaks in,rather than flows out. Redoximorphic Features Colors in the soil that indicate water is seasonally present at the level the features are found. Relict Glacial A linear feature that contained a glacial meltwater stream during the Pleistocene,but now,on the Kenai Lowlands,supports a Drainageway peatland. Relict Glacial Lakebed A vast,relatively Flat feature,that was at the bottom of a large ice-dammed lake during the Pleistocene,but now,on the Kenai http://www.kenaiwetlands.net/glossary.htm 1/31/2013 Wetlands Mapping Glossary Page 4 of 5 Lowlands,supports a peaVand. Riffle A fast-moving section of a stream,usually over cobbles and gravels. Riffle/Pool Morphology A stream composed of reaches of alternating riffles,or faster rapids,and pools,with slow-moving water. Riparian The zone around rivers and streams that is more or less directly influenced by the river or stream-a floodplain is a good example of a riparian zone. Riser the steep portion of a terrace;the flat portion is named the tread,as in stair-steps. Saline salty. Salinity Measure of saltiness;expressed in parts per thousand(ppt). Seawater averages about 35 ppt,and in Cook Inlet varies from between 11 and 32 ppt depending on location and time of year. During summer,freshwater flow from the Susitna and other rivers dilutes Cook Inlet salinity. Saitpanne salty low flat area. Salts left behind after tidewater evaporates. Also spelled Salt fans(which are also pans used for making salt by evaporating seawater). Sedge a grass-like plant Seismic Line A line cut by bulldozers,mostly during the 1960's for oil and gas seismic exploration. Now extensively used as snow machine and ATV travel corridors. Slope Break where a slope changes dramatically,as at the edge or base of a terrace. Soil Horizon a layer of distinctive color in the soil Soil Series the finest level of soil classification,roughly equivalent to species. Sphagnum a specific kind of moss that usually forms deep peat. Spodosol A soil taxonomic"order"with soils exhibiting distinctive layers of leaching(white or grey)and deposition(red to dark brownish- red),usually found under forests. Spring Tide The highest tide;of the day,month or year. Strandline Shoreline,or beachline-in this document strandline refers to a relict feature-where there used to be a beach when large glacial lake(s)occupied the lowlands during glaciations. These lines are now visible as wave-cut terraces-where the former beach waves eroded and deposited a steep terrace riser and a flat terrace tread. Strang A low peat ridge Stratified Layered,each layer is a stratum,the plural of stratum is strata. Stream Reach A section of a river or stream. Succession The change,through time,of plant communities on a site,usually following disturbance. Suppressed Trees Older,slow growing smaller trees in the forest understory whose growth are slowed by the larger trees around them. Tarn a small,high-elevation lake. Tephra volcanic ash Terrace a stair-step like feature,which can be very large,consisting of a riser-the steep part,and a tread,the flat part. South of Clam Gulch,where glaciers from across Cook Inlet or Kachemak Bay abutted the Caribou Hills,then receded,they left behind a long series of terraced moraines. Tertiary Surface On the Kenai Lowlands,the uncommon areas that are not covered with glacial deposits,but have the older,Tertiary period(2-65 million tears ago),sediments at the surface. Textural Discontinuity a change in substrate texture from layer to layer for example a layer of sand could lie on top of a layer of gravel. A discontinuity will perch a water table,even though the layer below is coarser,like sand atop gravel. This is because,before water can begin to flow into the gravel below,the sand must become completely saturated. This surprising phenomenon has been shown many times by replicating the sand and gravel between two panes of glass,then pouring water on top and then observing the resulting saturation pattern. Tidal Gut a stream-like feature formed by receding tides Till(Glacial Till) A general term for the rocks and material left behind after glacial retreat, Toe-Slope the slightly sloping area below a foot-slope,and above a flat. Tussock A thick clump of grass,or grass-like plant. Type When referring to plants,a plant community,which is:a group of plants found growing together. Underfit Stream a stream occupying a valley carved by a much larger stream-on the Kenai,generated where once larger glacial meltwater streams are now absent,as their glaciers are now completely melted. Understory the plants living underneath the canopy of taller plants-usually refers to the plants growing under a tree canopy. Vascular Plant a plant with a certain kind of tissue for conducting water;not a moss or lichen. Upland an area that does not meet the criteria defining a wetland in the 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual(Environmental Laboratory, http:llwww.kenaiwetlands.net/glossary.htm 1/31/2013 Wetlands Mapping Glossary Page 5 of 5 19137);i.e.the opposite of"wetland". Water Table the first place you hit water when you dig. usually refers to a relatively stable level,and not just a temporary puddle after it rains. Watershed the land around a stream,river or other body of water that catches rain and snow. All the water falling into the area eventually can drain into the water body. Wetiand Function how a wetland works on the landscape,irrespective of any values we place on those workings. Wisconsin Glacial Age about 125,000 to about 10,000 years ago,the last major glacial age,made up of two major glaciations(early and late),which in turn are made up of many glacial advances and retreats. Woodland an open forest with tree cover not exceeding 10%. Introduction and Key to Plant Communities of Introduction and Key Ecosystem l(errei Y to stems Y Watershed KIr I Foron rixp rrttun Kenai Hydric Soils Map Unit Summary Methods . Contact.,We Grata The Alaska Natural Heritage Pm ram Kenai Watershed Forum Environment and Natural Resource Institute Homer Field Office University of Alaska,Anchorage Old Town Pmfewional Center 707 A Street.SwIa 101 3430 Main Street Suite Bl Anchorage,Alaska 99501 Homer,AK 99603 907-235-2218 11 December 2006 17:49 http,//www.kenaiwetlands.net/glossaiy.htm 1/31/2013 Wetland Classification and Mapping of Seward, Alaska Mike Gracz Doug Van Patten Because of the success of the Kenai Lowland wetland classification and mapping project, it was extended to cover the area around Seward,Alaska. Old maps needed updating,and easy public access to the new information was desired(the maps are available over the internet at the Kenai Peninsula Borough's interactive map viewer site,select"Wetlands" from the view dropdown menu at the top of the page). We mapped 4,520 acres of wetlands over the 24,600 acre project area(18%of the land surface)at a scale of 1;24,000. The project was completed in 2006. Wetlands are mapped because activities in them are regulated under section 404 the US Clean Water Act. Placement of fill in a wetland requires a permit from the US Army Corps of Engineers. Permits are free, and generally easy to obtain. Activities in wetlands are regulated because they affect others,outside their boundaries. Habitat suffers, water quality diminishes,and flooding events become more common and severe with unregulated wetland disturbance. Aside from regulations,building activities in wetlands are usually more difficult and expensive to undertake. Knowing where wetlands are is useful. Wetlands are not always easy to recognize. A definition of a wetland is needed,because they are regulated. A area that meets the definition is termed a jurisdictional wetland by the Army Corps of Engineers. Criteria and methods for recognizing and delineating the boundaries of jurisdictional wetlands are described in a technical delineation manual published by the Army Corps in 1987. A draft regional supplement to this manual,describing Alaska wetland delineation is currently under test and review(2006- 07). Generally speaking, if the water table is within a foot from the surface for two continuous weeks of the growing season, during half of all years,then the site meets jurisdictional criteria. Much of the delineation manual focuses on how to recognize wetlands during the times of the year when the water table may be more than a foot from the surface. Wetlands are not all the same. This map shows greater detail than simply a demarcation between wetland and upland. Upland is the term used to describe areas that are not regulated under section 404 of the Clean Water Act. In Seward,wetlands are named differently depending on where they occur on the landscape and how deep the water table is. A lake on a bedrock knob functions as a different wetland than a bog adjacent to a river floodplain. This website describes the conditions that are commonly encountered at wetlands with different names. It includes the methods we used to map wetlands and provides links to many wetland resources and data downloads. Seward wetlands are classified using the same framework as used in the Kenai Lowlands. Seward wetland soils,plant communities,and mapping units(the names assigned to each wetland)are described separately on this website because Seward area geomorphology and hydrology are radically different than conditions on the Lowlands. In Seward,some areas were named on the wetland map that do not meet Army Corps jurisdictional criteria. These are higher floodplain terraces. These areas were included because of the high frequency and severity of flooding around Seward,and the dynamic nature of local rivers. Although they were high and relatively dry when we mapped the terraces, flooding may change that at any time. Activities on them will not require an Army Corps wetland permit,but activities on them should be considered carefully. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact: Mike Gracz Kenai Watershed Forum PO Box 15301 Fritz Creek, AK 99603 907-235-2218 03 May 2007 19:08 d ❑ y c ys, C v o r! °-� bww .9 P. C K C C W U d U bG p O v 2 0 0 v e U o y L ro E o R E -U, H o A c o Ij bo Y E ; Air7fj #1 as a c' ° a q E c, n c 3 C° by Ei z E o � o >. 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