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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 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 7.0(USDA NRCS 2010) if present at each sample point. Also, upper soil profiles were compared to the mapped or inclusionary soil series found in the sample area for soil identification purposes. 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. As long as 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 of 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. To clarify on some Hennepin County sites, 1. Many of these soils have black or gray parent materials 2. Many of the soils have a high organic matter content 3. The hydric soil margin is typically higher than the wetland boundary margin on the site 4. Not all of the obviously wetter soils will be identified by the indicators 5. Many of the hydric soils are Mollisols which are classic problem hydric soils in many cases Wetland Classification Wetland classifications discussed in the text are set forth in Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States(FWS/OBS Publication 79/31, Cowardin et al. 1979)and Wetlands of the United States (USFWS Circular 39, Shaw and Fredine, 1971.)Additionally, plant community types as named by Eggers and Reed (1998)are given. Topographic maps, National Wetlands Inventory maps, the Web Soil Survey, Aerial Photographs, and DNR Protected Waters maps were consulted to locate potential wetland habitats. The Routine On-site Determination Method was used on this site. In this method, the following procedures were used: Wetland Delineation-Mitigation-Permitting-Monitoring-Banking-Functional Analysis-T& E Surveys 3 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