COUNTY INSPECTIONSTHURSTON COUNTY

GOPHER & PRAIRIE SOILS

PRAIRIE PLANT INSPECTION

GOPHER INSPECTION

FAQs

Gophers & Prairie Plants

Inspecon dates: June 1 - Oct. 31

You have a choice: Use County staff for a fee, or hire a USFWS*-trained consultant. Consultant list linked on the gopher and prairie plant web pages.*U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

InspecInspector looks for evidence that gophers are living underground on the property.

Two visits, 30 days apart.

Properes within 600 feet of a known gopher locaon, or within 300 feet of gopher prairie soils also require inspecon.

PPrepare for inspecon: Mow tall grass/weeds before inspecon so ground is visible. But don’t dig, move dirt, pull stumps, add gravel or level mounds . Details online.

Inspecon dates: mid-Apri l - mid Sept. (Depending on spring & summer weather.)

Use a County inspector (no addional fee), or your consultant.

Inspector looks for Mima Mounds, oak trees & plants listed in County Code Title 24.

One or tOne or two visits, depending on site condions.

Don’t mow, dig, move dirt, level mounds, etc. before inspecon. Details online.

info-sheet-gopher-prairie-plant-001-04.20.20

When applying for a permit, properes mapped with the soils listed below get gopher inspecon, prairie plant inspecon, or both. If both are required, inspectors can oen do both at the same me.

How can I tell if a property has gopher soils?Check the County’s online map, or ask staff to check. Gopher soils are listed as More or Less Preferred. The map is linked on the gopher web pages.

How do I schedule an inspecon?The CouThe County schedules it when you apply for a building permit or a crical areas determinaon. If you need both, inspectors can do the prairie plant inspecon at the me of the first gopher inspecon.

Why does the County do these inspecons?TTo comply with County Code (Title 24-Crical Areas, and Federal regulaons). All County Codes and inspecon requirements have been adopted by Thurston County’s Board of County Commissioners before being implemented.

What if my property has gophers or prairie plants?MoMost projects can sll go forward. Choose an opon that meets the code, including: change the project footprint, migate for impacts, or see more opons on the gopher and prairie plant web pages.

Find details on the County’s website at www.thurstonBDC.org