Sensitive Areas Inventories & Analyses

At Grette Associates, our combined experience in regulatory issues and knowledge of regional aquatic biology and ecology provide us with a strong foundation for meeting our clients’ shorelines and sensitive/critical areas needs. We conduct wetlands and habitat inventories, and stream and watershed analyses, using a combination of remote sensing, literature reviews, and field surveys depending on our clients’ needs. We have experience conducting and reviewing shoreline inventories for state SMA compliance and reviewing closely related critical areas ordinances for state GMA compliance. We also have worked with tribal nations to inventory and develop protections for critical areas outside of state jurisdiction.

Des Moines Critical Area Ordinance Review, City of Des Moines: Grette Associates conducted the Best Available Science Review of sections of existing Des Moines Critical Areas Ordinance relevant to biology and made recommendations based on available natural resource information. We provided on-going support to the City during their code revision process. 

Lake Stevens Grade Road Planned Business District Master Plan Natural Resource Investigations, City of Lake Stevens (subconsultant to Makers): Grette Associates staff conducted an environmentally sensitive areas inventory, including wetland delineations, at a 40-acre site in Lake Stevens, WA. The delineations were documented using a Leica T1200 differential GPS system. In addition to the wetland delineations, a salmon-bearing stream and several small drainage ditches were documented and evaluated on the site. An Environmentally Sensitive Areas Inventory Report is currently being prepared for incorporation into the Master Plan for the Grade Road Planned Business District. 

Shoreline Inventory, City of Fife: Grette Associates conducted a shoreline inventory for the City of Fife for use in their Shoreline Master Program update. This included an inventory of all known critical areas, including all priority wildlife habitat areas, within the City's shoreline jurisdiction on the Puyallup River and Hylebos Creek as well as a review of salmon habitat and limiting factors. Grette Associates biologists provided support to team members from another firm on the GIS mapping component of the inventory. This inventory received positive feedback from the clients and the reviewer at Department of Ecology.