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n. <br />2. <br />3. <br />4. <br />Responses to the comments were prepared by the City with assistance from <br />the Proposer as attached on Attachment C. <br />Substantive comments received during and after the comment period have been <br />responded to by the City and the Proposer. <br />The present zoning of the property upon which the Project is proposed in each of the <br />cities of Orono and Medina permits the construction and operation of a golf course <br />with a Conditional Use Permit ("CUP"). <br />During the EAW process and in the public meetings in Orono and Medina involving <br />the CUP and related issues, concerns were raised with respect to approximately 43 <br />acres of a maple/basswood forest on the northerly portion of the Project site <br />containing many characteristics of the "Big Woods" forest which predominated in <br />this area prior to settlement. With respect to such forest area: <br />a. <br />b. <br />c. <br />d. <br />e. <br />The forest consists mostly of second growth trees of an age and diversity <br />resulting in many of the characteristsics found in the "Big Woods". <br />This forest has been designated Medina 26 in the DNR County Biological <br />Survey and has been ranked "BC". The nearby Wolsfeld Woods Scientific and <br />Natural Area (ranked "AB") and Wood Rill Scientific and Natural Area <br />(ranked "B") are deemed to be of greater ecological significance and contain <br />some areas of primary forest. <br />The creation of a 'green belt' of approximately 200 acres located between the <br />two above noted Scientific and Natural Areas is deemed to be complimentary <br />to the existing, public areas of the former "Big Woods". <br />There are no legal protections for "Big Woods" ecotypes as there are for <br />wetlands. None of the regulatory agencies with authority over the Project have <br />specific regulations related to retention or management of forested areas. <br />Residential development of the forested areas, as presently permitted under <br />applicable zoning codes, would result in the loss of the "Big Woods" character <br />Page 3 of 8