Laserfiche WebLink
r <br />Mr. Paul Weinberger <br />July 17. 2002 <br />Page 2 <br />PEC Project No.2002-037 <br />• The bufTer is slightly depressed topographically, creating an efTeaive trap for <br />sediment before it reaches the wetland boundary—no visible sediment deposits have <br />traversed the buffer to reach the wetland. <br />The grading along the north and south property boundaries appears to have reduced <br />the potential for gully erosion in these areas. In particular, on the south boundary the <br />grading has corrected a pre-e.xisting gully that was previously delivering sediment <br />downslope toward the wetland. <br />• Early indications are that the buffer has been successfully re-vegetated with native <br />vegetation. Most of the buffer is densely vegetated with a nurse crop of annual rye, <br />with native grasses and wildflowers just becoming visible. <br />The upland slope has also been re-vegetated with native plants, which are not as <br />dense as in the buffer but appear to be well established. <br />• Given the very small amount of buffer encroachment and the substantial erosion risks <br />associated with re-opening the slope, we recommend that the slope and buffer be left <br />undisturbed. <br />Vegetation is sparse on the wetland fringe on the waterward side of the buffer. This <br />appears to be due primarily to the removal of a number of box elders (Acer neguttdo) <br />and common buckthorns (Rhanmus calhariica, a restricted noxious plant species in <br />Minnesota)* that were shading out herbaceous vegetation. Native wetland plants <br />such as lake sedge (Carex lacustris) and blue flag (Iris versicolor) have started to <br />move into this area so additional seeding does not appear warranted However, some <br />additional native shrub plantings (e.g. red osier dogwoods - Cornus stolonifera) <br />would be desirable in this area. Buckthorn stumps should be treated with Roundup^** <br />herbicide to minimize re-sprouting <br />At the south end of the property, a patch of garlic mustard (AUiaria petiolata, a <br />prohibited noxious weed in Minnesota) has become established*. We would also <br />recommend herbicide treatment in this area and post-treatment plantings of shrubs <br />and herbaceous vegetation <br />Refinement of Wetland Delineation <br />During our initial field review of the Stephenson property, we noted that the wetland <br />boundary appeared to be too conservative (i.e. encompassing some areas that we did not <br />appear to be jurisdictional wetland. The previous delineation was carried out on <br />' See Minn. Rules 1530.0732. <br />^ See Minn. Rules 1530.0730.