Notes
Letter dated December 8, 2000 from J. Strand of Columbia Biological Assessments, Richland, Washington, to Phillip Schneider of the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, reviewing the Joint Aquatic Resources Permit Application (JARPA) for the Miller Creek Project prepared by Parametrix, Inc. for the Port Of Seattle. Commissioned by the Airport Communities Coalition (ACC). Exhibit AR021351. The letter critiques the scientific adequacy of the 980-foot Miller Creek Relocation Project and four instream enhancement projects, identifying deficiencies in the Natural Resource Mitigation Plan (NRMP): lack of scientific citations for cutthroat trout habitat design standards, failure to provide hydraulic calculations supporting the 0.25-foot minimum flow depth at 0.5-cfs summer low flow, and risks of the stream going dry due to high-porosity spawning gravels overlaying geotextile fabric. References analysis by William Rozeboom of Northwest Hydraulic Consultants finding actual flow depth of approximately 0.15 feet (not 0.25 feet) and riffle depth of 0.06 feet. Raises concerns about summer water temperature exceedances, depressed oxygen concentrations, fish stranding, and bank erosion following removal of tire riprap without adequate riparian vegetation for stabilization.