07-16-2018 Planning Commission Packet

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Jacobson Environmental, PLLC www.jacobsonenvironmental.com Environmental Consultants Wayne Jacobson, P.S.S., W.D.C., P.W.S., A.F.S. 5821 Humboldt Avenue North, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430 (612) 802-6619 Cell Email: jacobsonenv@msn.com In the text of this report and on the enclosed data forms, the plant indicator status follows the plant's scientific name unless a status has not been assigned. The hydrophytic plant criterion is met when more than 50 percent of the dominant species by the 50/20 rule for each stratum (herb, shrub/sapling, tree, and woody vine) were assigned an obligate (OBL)', facultative wet (FACW), and/or facultative (FAC) wetland status. With the 50/20 rule, dominants are generally measured by absolute % cover in each stratum which individually or collectively account for more than 50% of total vegetative cover in the stratum, plus any other species which itself accounts for at least 20% of the total vegetative cover. 2.2.2 Hydric Soils A hydric soil is a soil formed under conditions of saturation, flooding, or ponding long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper part. If a soil exhibits the indicators of a hydric soil or is identified as a hydric soil the hydric soil criterion is met. The break between hydric and non -hydric soils was determined by excavating soil pits along transects crossing the wetland/upland eco -tone and evaluating the soil colors, textures, and presence or absence of redoximorphic indicators (i.e., mottles, gley or oxidized rhizospheres). Hydric Soil Indicators for the Midwest Region were noted as presented in the National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States version 8.1 (USDA NRCS 2017) if present at each sample point. Upper soil profiles were also compared to the mapped or inclusionary soil series found in the sample area for soil identification purposes. 2.2.3 Cautions Used in Applying the Field Indicators of Hydric Soils There are hydric soils with morphologies that are difficult to interpret. These include soils with black, gray, or red parent material; soils with high pH; soils high or low in content of organic matter; recently developed hydric soils, and soils high in iron inputs. In some cases, we do not currently have indicators to assist in the identification of hydric soils in these situations. If the soil meets the definition of a hydric soil, the lack of an indicator does not preclude the soil from being hydric. The indicators were developed mostly to identify the boundary of hydric soil areas and generally work best on the margins. Not all the obviously wetter hydric soils will be identified by the indicators. Redoximorphic features are most likely to occur in soils that cycle between anaerobic (reduced) and aerobic (oxidized) conditions. Morphological features of hydric soils indicate that saturation and anaerobic conditions have existed under either contemporary or former hydrologic regimes. Where soil morphology seems inconsistent with the landscape, vegetation, or observable hydrology, it may be necessary to obtain the assistance of an experienced soil or wetland scientist to determine whether the soil is hydric. OBL=Obligate Wetland, occurs an estimated 99% in wetlands. FACW=Facultative Wetland, has an estimated 67%-99% probability of occurrence in wetlands. FAC=Facultative, is equally likely to occur in wetlands and non -wetlands, 34%-66% probability. FACU=Facultative Upland, occurs in wetlands only occasionally, 1%-23% probability. UPL=Upland, almost never occurs in wetlands, <1 % probability. N1= No Indicator, insufficient information available to determine an indicator status. Positive or negative sign previously indicated a frequency toward higher (+) or lower (-) frequency of occurrence within a category. Wetland Delineation -Mitigation -Permitting -Monitoring -Banking -Functional Analysis -T & E Surveys 5 Phase I Environmental Assessments- EAW's-Soil ID -Soil Analysis & Delineation -Environmental Referrals Pond & Lake Weed Control & Fish Stocking -Tree Surveys -Natural Resource Management Plans