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Wildhurst Woods, Orono <br />Rare Plant Communities <br />Conservation Design Analysis <br />The Natural Areas with Potential for Rare Species map (Attachment F) indicates the potential <br />for rare species within the southwest MLCCS mapped maple -basswood forest community. <br />However, no rare plant communities or species were observed during wetland delineation or tree <br />survey field work. <br />Conservation Design Master Plan <br />1. Consideration of existing drainage — Existing drainage includes overland flow towards <br />Wetland 2, and over Wildhurst Trail eventually to Forest Lake. The site does not contain <br />any surface drainage inlets or storm sewers. Due to the scope of the project (2 lot split, <br />each 5 acres in size), the Wildhurst Woods project is unlikely to significantly affect <br />existing drainage patters to nearby waters/wetlands. <br />2. Establishment of stormwater management system — Stormwater will be managed in <br />the future in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. A stormwater <br />management plan will be developed as part of future permitting for home construction <br />within individual lots. <br />3. Invasive species removal and management plans — Reed canary grass was observed in <br />wetland areas, and common buckthorn was observed in the shrub layer of various <br />portions of the upland woodland and wetland fringe. Both reed canary grass and common <br />buckthorn removal require perpetual management (physical removal and chemical <br />herbicide applications) due to the underlying seedbank and continual reintroduction of <br />non-native seeds by animals, etc. Removal and management of these species is not <br />recommended due to the high potential for non-native/invasive recovery/rebound once <br />management activities cease. No onsite areas/habitats were identified for proactive <br />management or special protection at this time. <br />4. Protection of significant tree stands and removal of diseased trees — The entire <br />project area is wooded. Some tree removal will be required to construct future homes and <br />driveways; however, tree removal is not part of the currently proposed project. Specific <br />trees that will be removed with future custom -graded home lots is not known at this time <br />and will be at the discretion of future landowners. It is likely that green ash trees infected <br />with Emerald Ash Borer will eventually be removed due to their hazard potential. <br />Preventive treatment of uninfected green ash trees is also perpetual and will therefore be <br />at the discretion of the future landowners. <br />5. Protect wetlands and augment buffers — The proposed plan will not impact wetlands. <br />Wetland buffers will be established as part of future permitting for home construction <br />within individual lots. <br />6. Justification and mitigation of any negative impact to ecological communities — Due <br />to the scope of the project (2 lot split, each 5 acres in size), negative impact to ecological <br />communities is not expected. <br />7. Maintenance of ecological connections - Due to scope of the project (2 lot split, each 5 <br />acres in size), existing natural communities and greenway corridor characteristics will be <br />maintained. <br />8. Maintenance and protection of existing positive views and mitigation of negative <br />views — The 2 new lots will have limited visibility from Wildhurst Trail due to: (1) <br />wooded site conditions, and (2) the 90 -degree angle of Wildhurst Trail where it intersects <br />