10-21-2003 - wetland class., ident., delin., & staking serv.

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wetland basin. It is normally a requirement that areas below the staked boundary meet the three wetland criteria while areas above should lack one or more of these criteria, however the hydrology of this wetland has been eliminated due to factors that will be explained in the Results and Discussion section below. Wetland classification followed methods described by Cowardin et al. (1979) and used in the NWI completed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Circular 39 classification(Shaw and Fredine 1956) is also given. The indicator status of plants was determined using the National List of Plant Species That Occur in Wetlands-Minnesota(Reed 1988). Explanation of the plant indicator categories is provided in Appendix B. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The NWI map (Excelsior Quadrangle) illustrates one wetland complex across much of the southwest central portion of the subject property (Figure 2). The NWI identified the wetland complex to be of a Type 3 (PEMC)wetland. The Soil Survey of Hennepin County indicates 2 soil types on the subject property(Figure 3). These soil types include Hayden loam(Hb C and E), and Marsh(Ma). Of these soil types, the Marsh is classified as a hydric soil (Hydric Soils of the United States). The DNR Public Waters Map of Stearns County, Figure 4, does not illustrate any public or protected waters on the subject.property. Figure 5 illustrates the approximate location of the wetland boundary of Basin 1 on the subject property. SER obtained climatological data from the Midwestern Regional Climate Center website for the N inneapolis/St. Paul International Airport weather station located approximately 19 miles west- northwest of the project site. Precipitation for the month of October, to the day prior to the site visit (October 12th), was 0.48 inches, or 0.33 inches below the 30-year(1971-2000) average of 0.81 inches for the 12-day period. Total precipitation amount that was measured for the year was 21.16 inches at the time of the site visit, 4.01 inches below the 30-year average(25.17 inches) for the same time period, Table 1. Table 1. 2003 Precipitation Data (inches) for the MSP International Airport Weather Station January 1.04 0.22 -0.82 Februa 0.79 0.54 , -0.25 March 1.86 1.44 -0.42 April' 2.31 2.40 +0.09 May 3.24. 6.14 +2.89 June 4.34 4.66 0.32 • July 4.04 1.96 -2.08 August 4.05 1.12 -2.93 September 2.69 2.20 -0.49 Through 0.81 0.48 -0.33 October 12 Total 25.17 21.16 -4.01