02-23-2004 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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-2-FebnuryZ, 2004 I believe everyone agreed at our last meeting that the proposed project would create a good result that everyone could support. To that end, we are proposing a project that will result in a larger wetland, which will restore portions of the pond and increase the wetlands overall diversity and values. Below is a description of the proposed projert as it was presented and supported by the reconvened TEP, MCWD and the Qty of Orono at our last meeting. For purposes of this letter, I will presume that you have the original wetland delineation presented by Kjolhaug Environmental and the previous submittals related to tliis project The Proposed Project: Application for No-Loss Determination Wetland Project Historically, this weilancl was surround by lurdwoods and vegetation on the western side and a naturaUy occurring groundwater source that origituted from the northern side of the wetland. The result was a wetland that provided excellent habitat for wOdlife and naturally maintaining water levels that prevented the wetland from experiencing high evaporauon levels. The main purpose of our projea is to restore the wetland to its previous existence. To reestablish habitat areas we propose to construct a small berm along the western boarder of the wetland to provide substrate for the esublishment of emergent herbaceous and woody wetland vegetation. The proposed berm wiU be less than 12 inches above the normal water level of the pond, which will prevent the conversion of wetland to upland, but will result In a change of wetland type in this area of the wetland. This aspect of the proposed project would restore a portion of the pond to a saturated hydrology regime on the berm. It also would result in the establishment of a woody hylrophytic plant community on the berm and an emergent wetland plant community around the fringe areas of the wetland. This portion of the proposed project was heavily discussed at our last meeting with the reconvened TEP, MCWD and the Qty of Orono. After some thoughtful discussion, the conclusion of the group was that the proposed berm does not result in a wetland impact In summary, the group concluded that the project would not resuk in the loss of quantity of wetland. The group reviewed the WCA rules definidon secdon for "brpad' which means a las inthqiurtify<rbkiagcal<hr(jmity^ auedandcoeedl^dmiraig^/IIla^aaoruttoigas (hcribed in part 8420.0105. Under our proposed plan the berm area, as described above, will remain wetland and only the wetland type will change. Native, non-invasive tree species such as American tamarack, northern white cedar, black ash, green ash, or silver maple will be planted on the proposed berm (depending on availabilit)^. Secondly, we propose to excavate a portion of the uplands adjacent to the pood to expand the size of the wetland by 2,135 square feet, vdiich is equal to the area occupied by the footprint of the proposed berm Because no wetland will be lost through the establishment of the berm, the resulting wetland will be 2,135 square feet larger than the existing pood. The projected wetland types would be Type 4 (PEMlF/PEMlB/PSSlB). These new wetland areas will be created by excavating down from the existing contours adjacent to the wetland as descnbed m the atuched Figure (“Grading Plan”). The new wedand areas are projected to become semi permanendy flooded and seasonally flooded wedand (PUBF/PEMlQ fringes of the existir^ wetland basin. A combination of ruuive, non- J