03-31-1997 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mike GafBron 3/25/97 page 2 the impact this alteration would have on speciHc plants, trees and wildlife was not thoroughly discussed in the EAW. The developer should design the golf course in such a manner that the impact to the Big Woods tract located within the site plan is minimized, and natural characteristics are maintained. Forestry specialists within the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) should be consulted on a design that would minimize impacts as well as to offer protection strategies to follow in the course of site development. 18. Water Quality - Surface Water Runoff This section cites a study written by John Barten, Suburban Hennepin County Park District, regarding the storm water runoff from golf course sites. As the Barten study concentrated only on four metropolitan area golf courses, was conducted over a limited period (one year) of time, and the courses were self-selected, the RGU should be cautious in applying the conclusions of that study on the proposed golf course. Runoff and nutrient exports should be managed by incorporating NURP basins into the project, ^ ^ adopting best management practices (BMP) for turf management and other types of storm water ' ^ ^ ^ management practices. Reliance on BMPs \\ill help assure that increased pollutant loads to Long Lake are minimized. The Coimcil has adopted Action Step 4A. in the December 1996 Regional Blueprint, which states; " The Council will work to protect natural watercourses, such as lakes, wetlands, rivers, streams, natural drainage courses and the critical adjoining land areas that affect them, to maintain and improve water quality, and to preserve their ecological function. ” The EAW has done a good job of describing the existing wetlands, but mitigation plans to replace 1.4 acres of wetlands including the affected basins, are vague. It appears that the developer plans to drain existing wetlands and create irrigation ponds in their place. These irrigation ponds are proposed to serve a dual purpose: reduction of future pollutant loading and irrigation. According to the EAW water levels will be supplemented by groundwater pumping to maintain water levels in the irrigation ponds. The EAW states “..that the average water depth will increase by one foot.” It is not clear from the EAW if the water levels will be increased in all wetlands, or the irrigation ponds only. The Council has a number of concerns with this proposal. Using groundwater to supplement surface water levels for aesthetic reasons is a poor use of the resource. Altering a wetland for the purpose of creating a detention pond is also unacceptable. Wetlands already function as areas for stormwater detention and filtration. In addition, maintaining relatively constant higher water levels in NURP basins may destroy their function. If there is a significant rainfall, the amount of water detained in the basin may compromise the basin ’s ability to retain all the water and allow pollutants to settle out. *1 he RGU should take precautionary measures to protect the existing wetlands to the greatest extent possible, and minimize any changes in conditions that could alter the local ecological environment. 28. Compatibility with plans As proposed the golf course would remove a substantial part of the forest tract. This appears to be incompatible with the city of Medina ’s Comprehensive Plan, Sections 2 and 4.