2014 - MWCA - Notice of decision

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Of note, the water level appears to be higher than normal in the area. The spring snowmelt and recent precipitation have been significant and likely are affecting soil water. However, the higher parts of the wetland adjoining the drainage ditch, while dominated by reed canary grass, were noticeably drier at the time of the site visit despite the recent heavy rain. Accumulated precipitation since 11/01/13 , as recorded and reported by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture reports that for the week ended May 25, 2014, was 4.87" above normal. Precipitation for the period 5/19/14 to 5/25/14 was reported to be 1.45" above normal. The NWI identified the main wetland, Wetland 1, as PEMCd. The wetland is a shallow marsh dominated by emergent herbaceous vegetation. We are in agreement with the NWI Cowardin classification (Eggers and Reed Classification - Shallow Marsh; Circular 39 Type 3). Vegetation in the semipermanently and seasonally inundated wetland was dominated by cattail (appears to be Typha latifolia OBL and Typha X glauca OBL) with dense reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea FACW) around the edges and upslope to the wooded area. Transition to uplands is marked by slope and, in some areas, increased woody vegetation. Transect SP 1-1 was taken from the northern boundary of the main larger wetland, Wetland 1. The soils at sample point SP 1-1 Wet consisted of a dark mucky peat layer at the surface with peat immediately below and clay beneath. Saturation was present at 0 inches and water at 3 inches. Hydric indicators A2 (Histic Epipedon) and Al2 (Thick Dark Surface) were present. The soils at sample point SP 1-1 Up consisted of a sandy clay loam at the surface with clay layers below. Saturation was present at 24 inches. No hydric indicators were present at this sample point. At sample point SP 1-1 Wet hydrology indicators A2 (High Water Table) and A3 (Saturation) were present as were secondary indicators D2 (Geomorphic Position) and D5 (FAC Neutral). Wetland hydrology was not indicated at sample point SP 1-1 Up with only one secondary indicator, D5 (FAC-Neutral Test), present. Transect SP 1S-1 was taken from the southern boundary of Wetland 1. The soils at sample point SP 1S-1 Wet consisted of a dark peat layer at the surface with a thick dark loamy clay immediately below and depleted soil beneath that. Saturation was present at 12 inches and water at 24 inches. Hydric indicators A3 (Black Histic) and Al2 (Thick Dark Surface) were present. The soils at sample point SP 1S-1 Up consisted of a loam at the surface with several loamy clay layers below. No hydric indicators were present at this sample point. At sample point SP 1S-1 Wet hydrology indicator A3 (Saturation) was present as were secondary indicators D2 (Geomorphic Position) and D5 (FAC-Neutral Test). Wetland hydrology was not indicated at sample point SP 1S-1 Up. The NWI identifies the smaller northern wetland as part of the PEMCd wetland continuous with the larger wetland downslope to the south. This wetland, Wetland 2, is a temporarily inundated wetland that is separated from the wetland to the south by a low swale. It is unclear if the hydrology of this wetland can be determined to be affected directly by the ditched wetland area to the south but Wetland 2 would likely be better described as PEMA or PEMAd (Eggers and Svoboda Ecological Resources 3 4505 West Branch Rd Project Number: 2014-001 Orono MN