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04/28/97 12:14 FhEGFE hND EeiSON -» 8124730510 MO. 284 t?i'i4 <br />characteristics of the “Big Woods” forest which predominated in this area pnor to settlement. <br />With respect to such forest areas: <br />The forest consists mostly of second growth trees of an age and diversity <br />resulting in many of the characteristics found in the Big Woods . <br />The forest has been designated Medina 26 in the DNR County Biological <br />Survey and has been ranked “BC”. The nearby scientific and natural areas of <br />Wolsfeld Woods (ranked and Wood-Rill (ranked “B”) are deemed to be <br />of greater ecological significance and contain some areas of primary forest. <br />The creation of a green beit of appro.ximately 200 acres located between the <br />two scientific and natural areas of Wolsfeld and Wood-Rill is deemed to be <br />complimentary to the existing, public areas of the former “Big Woods”. <br />There are no legal protections for “Big Woods” eco-types as there are for <br />wetlands. None of the regulatory agencies with authority over the Project have <br />specific regulations related to the retention or management of forested areas. <br />Residential development of the forested areas, as presently permitted under <br />applicable zoning codes, will result in the loss of the “Big Woods” effect <br />because of the fragmentation of the tree canopy by driveways, houses and other <br />residential uses. <br />The Project does not require a subdivision approval by either city which limits <br />the ability of the cities to designate park areas, obtain trail easements and the <br />like. <br />The Proposer has taken various steps to mitigate adverse effects on the forested <br />areas including: <br />(i) Tlie design of the golf course has been altered to provide for less <br />intensive use of the land in the forested areas and in the non-forested <br />areas <br />(ii) <br />(iii) <br />(iv) <br />Relocation and replanting of trees will ameliorate some of the effects of <br />placing the golf course in forested areas. <br />A golf course is deemed to be a low-impact use of the forested areas <br />given seasonal aspects of play and, in this case, the private nature of the <br />golf course <br />The course has been plai^d in such a way as to reduce the potential for <br />“isI.L-.ds” of forested areas and has attempted to link forested areas <br />-3-