05-12-1997 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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mR FtWIMINiS Mike Gaffron May 8, 1997 Paae 2 Fax:612-296-6047 Man S *97 9:27 P.03''06 • In reviewing these products for environmental review purposes, we recommend placing special consideration on how well these products provide detail on how impacts have been avoided or niinimi/ed, and w'ben mitigation is otfered, how the mitigation compensates tor the impacts it is designed to address. In dev eloping this list, DNR emphasized: the need for more impact assessment; • the need to identify current project features that avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts to natural resources; the need to nnticipaic indirect and/or long-term impacts and plan accordingly; and * the need to identify opporliuiities to improve natural resources through golf Comse construction and ongoing operations. This consultation encompa:;sed the entire site consistent with our comments to the Lity. Although the maple-basswood "Big Woods" stand is a rare and ecologically significant site feature, we consider the habitat value of the etitire site ( Big W'onds. other woodland, brushland. and wetland) to be high. Installation ol a golf course will diminish the site’s current value as habitat. Opportunities to retain or improve the habitat that remains should be implemented. Such a perspective is the es.sencc of mitigation and is a vital component of environmental rev ievv*. DNR recommended preparation of an EIS to collect mi.ssing information as noted in our EAW comment letter because of the impoitance we place on this site, especially upon me Rig woods I'oresi. file above-noted dc livcrables should till much of that information gap. Once the promised information is delivered to the City, it is unlikel} that an lilS will rcv;cal iinpacts, or measures to deal with them, that are not already known through the HAW, the Tree Protection and Erosion Control Plans, and the refined information on Big Woods and habitat impacts and their mitigation. The City, acting as responsible governmental unit (RGIj), must be salistied that impacts to natural resources, particularly a.s they relate to the Big Woods area ol the site, have bt^n sufficientlv addre.ssed such that a detailed examination of alternatives (required in an F.IS) is not needed. The results of the collaboration detailed in this letter should substantially improve the City's ability to make this decision in an informed manner. In this respect, both the propo.ser and the Ci<v of brono arc to be commended. In accepting these acknowledgements, please ob.serve the heightened importance of .slricllv aL'Plving and enforcing required permits ai:cl approvals with the identified impact avx>idanco, niinimi/alien. a?id mitigation measures, (both pre- and post-construction), revealed during the env ironmental review. ^Vc strongly urge the City of Orono to incoiporatc the findings and ^ recommendations of all generated inlbrm.atioii into city permits and approvals, especiali> me conditional use permit (CUP), to further protect luid preserve natural resourcc.s as deemed appropri.'ite to the City’s area of jurisdiction. HKR thinks both the City and proposei- for the serious considemtion afforded our concerns. Wc arc wiltog W toher a'si.surncc or input if rcMuCitcd, Both the City and proposer arc