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f flUD-15-2005 14: lY <br />ThiMlmtha/u Cmk <br />WkunMDiaHetis <br />emmiUtdvt <br />IttdmUfnkin <br />ffoitttiitfibnpTvvutg, <br />smfMWiunmd <br />tffSiaKdgrovndwcatf <br />mmmtifUhintht <br />Dbakt, indn^iiii Mr <br />rtki/cndnpswtht <br />ttuyttimifwlikhiluf <br />artMmtrgrtlftrl, <br />iftroufth ngubuim <br />mpilalpntjtrli, <br />tMpthn, eptptrafive <br />tndtatvrf,amf other <br />program bifcdo« <br />toundtdeiue, <br />livwwuiH an <br />Injbrmad and engaged <br />eonttihUHcy, and die <br />(oU ^UesHim me of puUie <br />•firndi. <br />liniehaka Creek Watershed Disfrict <br />Improving Quality of Water, Quality of Life <br />Establi^edinl967 <br />August 15,2005 <br />Michael Oaffron <br />City ofOrono <br />P.O. box 66 <br />CrysUl Bay. MN SS323 <br />RE: City of Oiono Wetland Ordinance Revision <br />DearMr.Gaffnm: <br />Thank you for the opportunity for foe Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) <br />to review and comment on the proposed revisions to the City of Orono Wetland <br />Ordinance. MCWD has completed review of foe proposed changes and included <br />comments below for consideration by foe City. Once again, the City of Orono should <br />be commanded '*n its progressive approach towards protection and conservation of <br />our shared natural resources. The proposed ordinance clearly codifies the intent of <br />the City as being a municipal leader throu^out the metropolitan area in natural <br />resource protection. The proposed wetland ordinance, application of wetland buffers, <br />wetland inventory, development of management districts, creation of clear definitions <br />in addition to the implementation standards within the ordinance will serve as a <br />useful tool for foe residents of Orono, but MCWD also envisions that the proposed <br />ordinance will serve as at: example to other like-minded communities on innovative <br />ways to manage and protect water resources wifoin their boundaries and downstream. <br />MCWD shares similar concerns as the City of Orono in the manai^meot of wetlands <br />throughout foe District Wetlands provide a number of benefits .vithin foe landscape <br />including: <br />• Water quality, including filtering pollutants out of surface water and <br />groundwater, using nutrients that would otherwise pollute public waters, <br />trapping sediments, protecting sborelirc, and recharging groundwato’ <br />supplies; <br />Floodwaier and storm water retention, including redi>..ing the potential for <br />flooding in foe watershed; <br />• Public recreation and education, including hunting and fishing areas, wildl ife <br />viewing areas, and nature areas; <br />• Fish and wildlife benefits; and <br />• Low-flow/water level augmentation during times of drought <br />C <br />ttt6iiilinilwilioiJs«efd;6wsheswiiaiMW^ • PliaM:9a2471-(i690 * ta M2-47!*0ilt • wwwJuMMtwMlLorj