05-21-1997 Council Packet Special Meeting

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Because the fairways are only approximately 150 feet wide, the possibility of “blow down ” due to increased winds, is minimal. ♦Please see attached fact sheets on specific wildlife species identified by the DNR We concur that the golf course will attract more Canada geese to the property. The golf course will continue to provide habitat for white tailed deer. Item 11b 2. Comment: We do not believe this text (Item 1 lb), or the figure provided, support the assertion that ‘ impacts have been minimized.” Rather, it supports a conclusion that the project eliminates the stand ’s remaining ecological, historic, and aesthetic value as a Big Woods forest. The EA W should offer detail on whether avoidance of impacts is possible, and if not, how impacts have been minimized in terms retaining the existing forest’s value as a “community,” not a patchwork of trees. (DNR letter 4/9/97, page 2) Response: Impacts to the Big Woods have been minimized in several aspects throughout the golf course design. Eleven different routings were prepared and reviewed for the site. A comparison of densities of golf holes on the property south of Co. Rd. 6 and north of Co. Rd. 6 shows that 11.80 Acres per hole of land is proposed, compared to a more dense 9.07 Acres per hole in less sensitive areas. The density is significantly lower in the Big Woods. Fairway design is as narrow' as possible in sensitive areas such as Big Woods and wetlands. In addition, an area (0.64 acres) has been set aside as upland buffer area, for protection under the Wetland Conservation Act. In total, this area is approximately 4.6 contiguous acres of Big Woods. This portion of the property lies adjacent to other Big Woods tracts of residential property. Another area where fairways were designed to minimize impacts, allow for a 2 acre parcel of Big Woods. Most Big Wood tracts are connected so as not to leave “islands ” of isolated areas. The historical evaluation of the site did not reveal any historic significance to this tract of Big Woods. The clearing process on this golf course will go thru many stages. The first stage w ill be a clearing, 30 feet either side of the center line of the golf hole. After this initial clearing is completed, all of the clearing from that point on will be flagged. Any tree that is in question to remain or be removed will be left until the golf hole has been roughed in, at that point a decision will be made on the trees. 3.Comment: “...the EAW anticipates minimal impacts to wildlife that *jse the site’s wetlands (21 defined basins). This assessment ignores the amphibians that are present that depend on both the wetlands and the surrounding forest.’ (DNR letter 4/9/97, page 3)