06-11-2018 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CMP Part 3A. Environmental Protection Plan Vegetated buffers, green strips adjacent to hard surfaces, permeable pavements that incorporate runoff treatment features, and rain gardens are just some of the additional tools available for supplementing runoff management. Nutrient management technologies such as NURP ponds or alum treatments will give Orono an added tool to manage runoff from rural densities, but Orono will not rely solely on man-made systems for preserving water quality. ORONO'S NATURAL RESOURCES Soils Orono's land forms are highly varied as the result of four separate glacial scourings. Surface features include islands, peninsulas, narrow land bridges, the lakes, bays and marshes, and a few shallow outwash basins. The highest elevations range from about 1060 feet above mean sea level in the northern part of the City down to the normal water level of Lake Minnetonka at elevation 929.4 MSL. The soils in the City of Orono (Map 3A-3) originated from drift materials deposited by meltwaters of the glaciers. Generally, the soil types consist primarily of clay and loam materials on the uplands and organic, wet materials in the lowland areas. Consequently, the ability of each soil type to adequately accommodate development varies considerably in Orono. Careful examination of each site is needed to determine the most appropriate land use for individual properties. Orono's native vegetation is primarily woodland interspersed with localized areas of wet prairie marshlands. Northern Orono and many areas along Lake Minnetonka's shore, contain vestiges of Minnesota's Big Woods with hardwood forests of oak, maple, elm, and basswood. Much of these have been thinned into scattered stands, as shown on Map 3A-4, but major forests remain in north central and north east Orono, especially around Lydiard Lake and in the MNDNR's Wolsfeld Woods and Wood Rill nature areas. In addition, 100 year old settlements have by now added mature stands of various evergreens and other decorative trees and shrubs. Tree Preservation Policy 1. The City finds that its trees and woodlands provide numerous benefits including: soil stabilization, reduction of storm water runoff, improvement of air quality, reduction of noise pollution, protection and increase of property values, privacy, energy conservation through natural insulation, and natural habitat for birds and other wildlife. 2 It is the City's policy to preserve and protect significant trees, stands of trees and wooded buffer areas. 3. The City will study whether adoption of additional tree protection and replacement ordinances is necessary to accomplish these goals. 4. The eradication of exotic vegetation species such as buckthorn will be encouraged in all wooded areas. However, in Shoreland areas where complete removal of buckthorn may leave a relatively bare lakeshore, plans for revegetation may be required. City of Orono Community Management Plan 2020-2040 Part 3A, Page 7