Wetland Classification, Ident.,delineation-2011

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t f ABSTRACT Svoboda Ecological Resources (SER) visited the above referenced property on July 13, 2011 to examine the site for the presence of areas meeting wetland criteria. The study parcel is located within the City of Orono, Hennepin County Minnesota, (Figure 1). One wetland boundary was delineated at this site. One sample transect was established along the boundary in order to characterize the soil, vegetation, and existing hydrology within the wetland-to-upland transition zone. INTRODUCTION The subject area is made up of two parcels that total approximately 2 acres in size. A vacant single-family home is present on the western parcel at its southwest corner and is dominated by grasses at the central portion with hardwood trees and wetland existing at its outer fringes. The eastern parcel is dominated by hardwood forest with wetland area encroaching from the north. The subject area, as a whole, has a moderately steep hill that declines at about 30 percent to the north toward the wetland area and levels out at its base. The surrounding land use consists mostly of single-family homes on multi-acre lots. The identified wetland was 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 Please find within the Technical Documentation Section; 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 wetland 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 Documentation 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- Svoboda Ecological Resources 125 Tumham Road Project No.:2011-015 1 Philip&Joy Asao