(a) Topography and Geology. The Forks UGA lies on the Forks Prairie and is relatively flat (slopes usually less than one percent) with elevations ranging from 100 to 400 feet, with the lower elevations and steep slopes primarily occurring along the banks of the Calawah and Bogachiel Rivers and the higher elevations located in some foothills recently incorporated into the City of Forks to facilitate the development of the Olympic Natural Resources Center (ONRC). Surrounding foothills envelop the City except to the west with elevations of up to 1,000 feet. Presently there are several residence structures in addition to the ONRC, as well as several building sites, already established in the foothills overlooking the Forks Prairie. It is anticipated that future growth could occur in this area, as a result this area should be included into the FUGA.

The Forks Prairie had its origin many thousands of years ago as a result of glacial action. It is typical of the many western Washington prairies that exist in a sea of forest. The Prairie is underlaid with a gravelly substrate that has very high permeability. Because of the relatively flat nature and gravelly substrate (glacial outwash) minimal foundation and settling problems can be expected. But the flatness does have one detrimental feature. Parts of the Prairie are low and some winter storms do cause flooding. One example of this is the practice field immediately east of Forks High School. The Russell Road just south of Bogachiel Way is another example. Many other parts within the City suffer from periodic flooding during extreme rain conditions, but improved drainage facilities in these areas to carry away runoff would alleviate much of the problem. Existing culverts which become plugged periodically cause some flooding until they are cleared. The City of Forks and Clallam County have taken a more active role in preventing flooding in the last few years by requiring on-site water retention for new development and implementing flood control ordinances. Other means of flood control still need to be investigated by Forks and Clallam County to resolve the stormwater problem in the Forks Prairie.

(b) Mineral Deposits. Gravel is the only mineral currently extracted from within the FUGA. There are several active rock pits in and near the City of Forks.

In the early part of this century, there was a substantial interest in obtaining fossil fuels (oil and natural gas) from lands within the FUGA. At that time, some individuals sold the mineral rights associated with their properties.

(c) Shorelines. The Calawah River along part of the north boundary of the Forks UGA and the Bogachiel River located at the southwest extreme of the Forks UGA are the only shorelines classified as shorelines of State-wide significance within the Forks UGA. Both rivers serve as major attractions for both local and visiting fisherman because of excellent, although dwindling, runs of steelhead and salmon. Elk Creek and Mill Creek are the only other shorelines within the Forks UGA and are both small streams which provide trout fishing during the fishing season.

(d) Wildlife and Marine Resources. Although the Forks UGA does contain some wildlife the surrounding area abounds with fauna, including protected species such as the spotted owl, the bald eagle and the marbled murrelet. The nearby ocean and rivers harbor abundant marine resources.

(e) Climate. The climate of Forks and its surroundings is cool maritime. The air from over the Pacific influences the climate throughout the year. In the late fall and winter, the low pressure center in the Gulf of Alaska intensifies and is of major importance in controlling weather systems entering the Pacific Northwest. Temperatures in the winter months average between 30 and 40 degrees, sometimes dropping lower and occasionally going into the 40’s. Summer temperatures have had extended periods where temperatures drifted into and above the 90’s. Rainfall in the area amounts to an average of 120 inches per year with the greatest volume occurring between October and April.

(f) Wetlands (see Map 1). Wetlands are fragile ecosystems which assist in the reduction of erosion, flooding, and ground and surface water pollution. Wetlands also provide an important habitat for wildlife, plants, and fisheries. The UGA has relatively few wetlands. The City has wetlands inventory information from the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) maps. However, there is some concern about the accuracy of these maps, and whenever possible corrections are being made or areas are being re-evaluated.

In addition, Clallam County commissioned a Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan (September 1994) which included an Inventory of Western Clallam County Wetlands prepared by Pesha Klein and Dyanne Sheldon. Unfortunately, this comprehensive inventory failed to inspect all of the wetlands denoted on the NWI. However, two (2) of the more valuable wetlands are located in the southern portion of the UGA. These include a wetland immediately south of SR 101, the current location Timber Museum/Logger Memorial Site and the ONRC (not plotted on Map I), and a wetland located immediately west of Bunker Road.

The Klein Sheldon survey of ONRC/Logger Memorial wetland noted that it consisted of approximately 130 acres and was classified as a palustrine forested area. Vegetation includes western hemlock, Sitka spruce, skunk cabbage, and small fruit bulrush. The buffer associated with this wetland is fifty (50) percent forested. Although not inventoried, the animals associated with this area include Roosevelt elk, deer, and various waterfowl and other birds.

The other inventoried wetland is located immediately west of Bunker Road and was determined to be an emergent wetland consisting of almost three (3) acres. This wetland is classified as being palustrine scrub shrub. The only vegetation noted in this area is willow. Again, this area is associated with Roosevelt elk, deer, and various waterfowl and other birds.

An uninventoried wetland is located in the southern portion of the northeast quarter of Section 8, Township 28N, Range 13W (south of Sherwood Forest Division III and west of the Campbell’s Gravel Pit). This wetland is a combination of palustrine shrub and palustrine forested with broad leafed deciduous plants. The wetland is identified associated with Roosevelt elk, deer and various birds.

(a) Residential Land Use.

(b) Commercial Land Use. This category was used to designate land currently being used for commercial purposes of all types, including land used for retail and wholesale trade, offices, hotels, motels, RV parks, restaurants, service outlets, automobile service stations, repair facilities and storage. Guidance for future zoning provisions is given in the discussion of future needs and alternatives below.

(c) Industrial Land Use. This category includes land used for manufacturing, mineral resource extraction, processing and warehousing. In the UGA the only industrial uses are comprised of a couple sand and gravel operations, shake mills and lumber yards.

(d) Public Land Use. This category includes public and semi-public uses such as parks, schools, community recreation centers, public utilities, parking lots, city halls, libraries and fraternal organization facilities.

(e) Open Space. This category is limited to utilitarian open areas (mostly created by buffers) to preserve critical areas, which are identified through performance standards in the Forks Interim Critical Areas Ordinance. While it is a requirement of the GMA to plan for and identify open space, the Regional Planning Commission begrudgingly complied with this mandate. The RPC believes that there is already sufficient open space available to the residents of the FUGA since it surrounded by open space through timber lands and State and National Park lands. Guidance for zoning and planning purposes regarding open space is provided in the future needs and analysis section of this Plan.

(f) Critical Areas. The definition for critical areas is located in the executive summary of the Comprehensive Plan, and the specific critical areas for the City are included in the section on physical description. The location and size of these critical areas is specified through performance standards in the Forks Interim Critical Areas Ordinance. Since most of the Forks UGA is flat and drains well, the amount of land in critical areas is relatively small. (See Maps 1 through 3).

(g) Natural Resource Lands. There are no designated natural resource lands within the Forks UGA. The Forks UGA is surrounded by commercial forest lands and there are numerous areas within the Forks UGA that are heavily wooded.

However, there do exist a few farms of substantial size. These farms raise cattle and hay. Several of these farms are of a historic nature. Efforts should be made by the legislative bodies to ensure the continuation of these farms at current levels, thereby protecting an aspect of the region’s history and culture.

(h) Vacant Land. 50.9 percent (646 acres) of the land in the City of Forks, seventy-nine (79) percent (2,266.89 acres) of the land in the unincorporated UGA and 70.2 percent (2,913 acres) of the entire UGA is vacant.