SOUTH FORK TOLT WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN JUNE 2011 Prepared for: 700 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4900 Seattle, Washington 98124 Prepared by: in Association with: Triangle Associates Project #3740039 SOUTH FORK TOLT WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN JUNE 2011 Prepared for: 700 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4900 Seattle, Washington 98124 Prepared by: in Association with: Triangle Associates Project #3740039 SOUTH FORK TOLT WATE RSHED MANAGEMENT PLA N TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ............................................................................................... v Acknowledgments .............................................................................................. x Seattle Public Utilities ............................................................................................ x Plan Development Consultants .............................................................................. x Reader’s Guide .................................................................................................. xi Executive Summary ..................................................................................... ES-1 History and General Description ................................................................................... ES-2 Watershed Protection .................................................................................................... ES-3 Key Issues ........................................................................................................ ES-3 Recommended Actions ..................................................................................... ES-4 Forest Resources ............................................................................................................ ES-6 Key Issues ........................................................................................................ ES-6 Recommended Actions ..................................................................................... ES-7 Aquatic Resources ......................................................................................................... ES-7 Key Issues ........................................................................................................ ES-8 Recommended Actions ..................................................................................... ES-9 Fish and Wildlife ........................................................................................................... ES-9 Key Issues ...................................................................................................... ES-10 Recommended Actions ................................................................................... ES-11 Invasive Plant Species ................................................................................................. ES-12 Key Issues ...................................................................................................... ES-12 Recommended Actions ................................................................................... ES-12 Cultural Resources ...................................................................................................... ES-13 Key Issues ...................................................................................................... ES-13 Recommended Actions ................................................................................... ES-14 Transportation ............................................................................................................. ES-14 Key Issues ...................................................................................................... ES-15 Recommended Actions ................................................................................... ES-15 Implementation ............................................................................................................ ES-16 PART 1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 1. Introduction .................................................................................................. 1-1 Vision and Goals ............................................................................................................. 1-1 Planning Process .............................................................................................................. 1-3 2. Historical and Current Conditions ............................................................. 2-1 Watershed Location and General Description ................................................................. 2-1 Historical Context ............................................................................................................ 2-1 Early Human Uses of the SFTMW .................................................................... 2-1 Land Ownership and Uses/Development of Water Supply ................................ 2-2 Neighboring Property Ownership and Uses .................................................................... 2-4 National Forest System Lands ............................................................................ 2-4 Hancock Forest Management, Inc. ..................................................................... 2-5 Weyerhaeuser Corporation ................................................................................. 2-6 Natural Environment ....................................................................................................... 2-6 TABLE OF CONTENTS V SOUTH FORK TOLT WATE RSHE D MANAGEMENT PLAN Geology and Soils .............................................................................................. 2-6 Aquatic Resources .............................................................................................. 2-6 Vegetation .......................................................................................................... 2-8 Fish and Wildlife .............................................................................................. 2-10 PART 2. TECHNICAL MODULES 3. Watershed Protection ................................................................................. 3-1 Current Conditions .......................................................................................................... 3-1 Fire Prevention and Fire Response ..................................................................... 3-1 Watershed Access Control, Sanitation Facilities, Protocols for Human Activities in the SFTMW .................................................................................................... 3-2 Emergency and Incident Response..................................................................... 3-3 Monitoring Source Water Quality and Quantity ................................................ 3-4 Coordination with Neighboring Landowners ..................................................... 3-4 Legal Requirements ......................................................................................................... 3-5 Issues ............................................................................................................................... 3-5 Fire Prevention ................................................................................................... 3-5 Watershed Access Control, Sanitation Facilities, Protocols for Human Activity in the SFTMW ........................................................................................................ 3-6 Emergency and Incident Response..................................................................... 3-6 Monitoring Source Water Quality and Quantity ................................................ 3-7 Uncertainty and Risk Associated with Future Uses of USFS Land ................... 3-7 Hancock Forest Management, Inc. ..................................................................... 3-7 Mining Claims .................................................................................................... 3-8 Management of Watershed Protection Functions............................................... 3-8 Consideration of Options................................................................................................. 3-8 Recommended Actions.................................................................................................... 3-9 Fire Prevention ................................................................................................... 3-9 Watershed Access Control, Sanitation Facilities, Protocols for Humans in the SFTMW ............................................................................................................ 3-10 Emergency and Incident Response................................................................... 3-11 Monitoring Source Water Quality and Quantity3-Error! Bookmark not defined. Uncertainty and Risk Associated with Future Uses of USFS Land ................. 3-12 Hancock Forest Management, Inc. ................................................................... 3-12 Mining Claims .................................................................................................. 3-13 4. Forest Resources ........................................................................................ 4-1 Forest Resource Inventory............................................................................................... 4-1 Forest Structure and Composition on City-Owned Land in the SFTMW .......... 4-1 USFS Land within the SFTMW ......................................................................... 4-6 Legal Requirements ........................................................................................................