06-24-1996 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITYof ORONO Municipal Offices /y Street Address: 2750 Kelley Parkway Orono. MN 55355 Mailing Address: P.O Box 66 Crystal Bay. MN 55323 C056 January 31, 1994 Ellen B. Sones, Administrator Minnehaha Creek Watershed District 14600 Minnetonka Boulevard Minnetonka, MN 55345-1597 Dear Ellen: The Orono City Council on January 24 took action to designate the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District as responsible Local Government Unit (LGU) for implementation and enforcement of the Wetland Conservation Act rules, reserving the option to designate the City as LGU at some future time. I understand that MCWD is, along with most other local regulatory bodies, in the process of developing policies and procedures for dealing with the WCA. I would offer the following information regarding Orono's historical position on wetland protection to assist the District in its wetland policy development process. 1.Orono ’s first wetland protection ordinance was adopted in 1964. That ordinance was strengthened in 1970, by prohibiting ftUing, grading, dredging, excavation or construction within wetlands. An "official mapping' of Orono s protected ("designated") wetlands was completed by the Hennepin Conservation District in 1974. That mapping identified approximately 300 wetland basins, of which approximately 50% were Type 3 wetlands, 20% Type 2, 10% Type 4, 10% Type 5, and the remaining 10% being Type 1 and Type 6 wetlands. 2.Since 1975, 39 variance/CUP applications for work in designated wetlands have been reviewed by the City, or an average of just over two applications per year. The majority of those applications involved excavating or dredging existing wetlands to create areas of open water. Other applications generaUy involved filling of portions of the wetland for creating driveways, or involved construction of structures (walkways, etc.) in wetlands. Telephone (612) 473-7357 • FAX 473-0510 r * =