Wetland Classification, Ident., Delineation - 2014

Home Browse Search

ABSTRACT Svoboda Ecological Resources (SER) visited the above referenced property on November 5, 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). Two wetland boundaries were delineated at this site and one area was sampled for the presence of wetland indicators. One sample transect was established along the boundary of each wetland in order to characterize the soil, vegetation, and existing hydrology within the wetland-to-upland transition zone. INTRODUCTION The two adjoining subject parcels total approximately 1.60 acres and are dominated by a forested area interspersed with single family residential homes. The topography of the site generally slightly declines eastward to Lake Minnetonka with an abrupt well defined shoreline protected by rip-rap wall rising three feet above the waterline of the lake. The surrounding land use is suburban consisting mostly of single family homes. Maxwell Bay of Lake Minnetonka borders the subject property to the east. A residence and tennis court are present on the properties. 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 Arm Corps of J p Y � 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 less 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 1080 Tonkawa Project Number: 2014-039 1 Orono MN