Wetland Classification, Identification, Delineation-2014

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ABSTRACT Svoboda Ecological Resources (SER) visited the above referenced properry on October 9 and October 1 S, 2014 to examine the site for the presence of areas meeting wetland criteria. The study parcel is located in Orono, MN, Hennepin County (Figure 1). Three wetland boundaries was flagged and one area was sampled at this site. Sample transects were established along the boundary at vegetation transition points in order to characterize the soil, vegetation, and existing hydrology within the wetland-to-upland transition zone. INTRODUCTION The subject parcels, 200 and 350 Stubbs Bay Road, are approximately 30.29 acres in size in total. and are dominated by various cover types including hardwood forest, lowland forest, emergent wetland, vacant grassland, and two separate residential structures with accompanying outbuildings. The topography of the site slopes generally eastward towards a large wetland complex. The surrounding land use is mostly undeveloped semi-rural land in the City of Orono with scattered single family homes. US Highway 12 and a major rail corridor lie just ot the north of the site. The identified wetlands were classified according to the Cowardin et al., the Circular 39 and the Eggers and Reed classification systems and marked with pink "Wetland Delineation" pin flags. The Technical Documents section of this report contains field data sheets, plant indicator status information, soil survey information, and wetland definition information. METHODS The methods used to delineate the subject parcel are as described in the 1987 US Army Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual and the 2010 Midwest Regional Supplement Manual. In the 1987 Manual, the methods used were described under the "routine" methods for sites greater than 5 acres. This methodology is followed in order to assess whether the three parameters of a wetland are met for areas on the subject parcel. The three parameters required under normal circumstances in order to delineate a wetland are described in the Technical Documents section. The Midwest Regional Supplement Wetland Delineation Manual is also being utilized to increase the accuracy of our wetland boundaries. This addendum to the original 87 Manual was created to address the many regional differences that affect wetlands and the delineation methods used throughout the country. The following explanations are passages from that document. "This Regional Supplement is part of a nationwide effort to address regional wetland characteristics and improve the accuracy and efficiency of wetland- delineation procedures. Regional differences in climate, geology, soils, hydrology plant and animal communities, and other factors are important to the identification and functioning of wetlands. These differences cannot be considered adequately in a single national manual. The development of this supplement follows National Academy of Sciences recommendations to increase the regional sensitivity of wetland-delineation methods (National Research Svoboda Ecological Resources 300&350 Stubbs Bay Road Project Number: 2014-037-03 1 Orono