02-25-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Rev. Aug 10, 2011 deer browse. The shrub layer and subcanopy had good diversity and showed evidence of forest regeneration, with young sugar maple (Acer saccharum), ironwood (Ostrya virginiana), basswood (Tilia americana), hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica). There were common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) shrubs and seedlings scattered throughout. The plant community in the isthmus wetland was cattail marsh, with lake sedge (Carex lacustris) in shallower areas. There were scattered native forbs, and very little reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea). The open water wetland has a fringe of sedge species with a few patches of cattails and reed canary grass. There are no anticipated impacts to the vegetation in and adjacent to the project site. The proposed trail work is on existing grass/dirt trails and the restroom and shelter are planned for open areas where previous land alteration occurred. E. Water Resources: Describe any existing wetland areas on or adjacent to the proposed project site. Indicate any likely physical disturbances of these wetlands, including (but not limited to) draining and filling that would result from the proposed project. Describe any other potential impacts to wetlands, such as water level fluctuations or water pollution that may result from the proposed project. Discuss possible alternatives that would avoid or minimize negative wetland impacts. Also describe any other water resources on or adjacent to the site, proposed uses of surface or groundwater, and any possible impacts on these resources, including depletion or pollution, resulting from the proposed project. Explain how the proposed project would help to protect water quality on or adjacent to the site. Five wetlands on the site were field assessed as part of the Watershed District‘s Functional Assessment of Wetlands (FAW) when the park was purchased. Two were given the manage class Preserve. The preserve designation was assigned based on wetland functions. The FAW lists the following management goals for a preserve wetland: avoid and preserve wetland if at all possible. No change in wetland hydrology. No increase in nutrient load. According to the MLCCS, the easternmost basin is a palustrine open water wetland, about 1.1 acres in size. On the western isthmus there is a 4.9 acre wetland classified as a semi-permanently flooded cattail marsh. The marsh received an MLCCS quality grade of C, indicating a moderate quality natural community with obvious human impacts, but still recognizable as native plant community. The FAW also recognizes a lacustrine fringe wetland on the north side of the isthmus, and two small (1/4 to 1/3 acre) forested ephemeral wetlands. There are no anticipated impacts to the wetlands in and adjacent to the project site. The trail work is on existing trails and the restroom and shelter are planned for open areas where previous land alteration occurred. Erosion control best practices will be employed as part of the project. F. Geologic and Physiographic Features: Describe any interesting, unique or fragile geologic and/or physiographic features on the proposed project site and any likely impacts on these features that would result from the proposed project. Also describe any proposed protection activities or measures to provide public education, interpretation and enjoyment of these resources. There are steep bluffs on the eastern shoreline of the site. This area is currently protected by a fence to deter park users from approaching the bluffs. The bluff area will remain untouched by this project. Interpretive signage may be located along the trail and overlook area of the bluffs, but will have no or minimal impact on the surroundings. The wetlands on the site will not be affected by any of the improvements.