2014 - MWCA - Notice of decision

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ABSTRACT Svoboda Ecological Resources (SER) visited the above referenced property on 5/18/14, 5/21/14 and 5/25/14 to examine the site for the presence of areas meeting wetland criteria. The study parcel is located in the city of Orono, MN in Hennepin County (Figure 1). Two wetland boundaries were delineated at this site. Two sample transects were established (one each) along the northern and southern boundaries of the main large wetland area and one along the eastern side of the smaller wetland on the northwestern side of the property in order to characterize the soil, vegetation, and existing hydrology within the wetland-to-upland transition zone. INTRODUCTION The subject parcel at 4505 West Branch Rd is approximately 9.53 acres. The parcel is dominated by a drained wetland with an upland wooded portion on the north side of the property where the domestic structure is present. The surrounding land use is primarily widely-spaced single family homes and agricultural or pastoral lands interspersed with wetlands. 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 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 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 Council 1995). The intent of this supplement is to bring the Corps Manual up to date with current knowledge and practice in the region and not to change wetland boundaries." "...This Regional Supplement is designed for use with the Svoboda Ecological Resources 1 4505 West Branch Rd Project Number: 2014-001 Orono MN