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Laura Oakden <br /> From: Carlson, Ben (BWSR) <ben.carlson@state.mn.us> <br /> Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2020 1:16 PM <br /> To: Laura Oakden;jonressler@outlook.com; Dustin Rief;Jeremy Barnhart <br /> Subject: 505 Willow Drive South - Orono <br /> Greetings City of Orono staff, my name is Ben Carlson, I am a wetland specialist with the Minnesota Board of Water and <br /> Soil Resources. I am a member of the Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP) that reviews and provides comments on any <br /> application involving the State Wetland Conservation Act(WCA) in Hennepin County. <br /> The landowner at 505 Willow Drive South has submitted a WCA application applying for a wildlife habitat exemption and <br /> is requesting to excavate a pond within the wetland on their property. The TEP's responsibility is to determine if the <br /> application complies with the State WCA, ultimately, a Notice of Decision is then issued by the Minnehaha Creek <br /> Watershed District as they are the Local Government Unit that administers the WCA. <br /> Any WCA application requires a minimum 15-day comment period, a number of comments were received regarding this <br /> application. Due to the comments received, I requested the regulatory agencies meet to address these comments and <br /> provide guidance to the applicant. Hopefully a meeting will occur within the next 10 days with an outcome reached at <br /> that time or shortly after. That is where we are currently at with this application. <br /> Additionally, I was requested by Maria Marks (2580 Fox Street, Orono) to share my correspondence with the Minnehaha <br /> Creek Watershed District. Below is my email sent to the District the morning of February 18th <br /> "Greetings Tom and Will, I'm wondering if it would be wise to meet regarding this application. There seems to be a lot of <br /> confusion regarding DNR involvement and their comments regarding the pond. Jason with the DNR is requesting DNR <br /> comments not be used in the permitting process. <br /> Initially, my comments were to follow the DNR guidance, excavated ponds for wildlife. After that conversation the <br /> applicant submitted a revised plan and initially, the DNR commented and said they felt the revised plan met the intent of <br /> the guidance. Based on Jason's email, that does not appear to be the case and DNR comments should not be <br /> considered. <br /> I will give my opinion, I do not feel the current pond design meets the intent of the wildlife habitat exemption. <br /> The exemption suggests the SWCD or TEP certify the plan. I think it would be wise for the TEP to meet to discuss this <br /> one." <br /> Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this matter. <br /> Ben Carlson <br /> Wetland Specialist <br /> Minnesota Board of Water&Soil Resources <br /> 520 Lafayette Road North <br /> St. Paul, MN 55155 <br /> Ben.carlsonPstate.mn.us <br /> 651-315-3952 <br /> www.bwsr.state.mn.us <br /> 1 <br />