Laserfiche WebLink
Zoning File #1877 <br />October 22, 1993 <br />Pace 5 <br />Q: If a wetland has little or no standing water most of the time (such as Type 1 and <br />2 wetlands) what surface water quality are we protecting? <br />A: There probably is very little impact on this type of wetland as long as sewage is <br />treated adequately before it travels laterally through the soil to the wetland. <br />Q: How do we provide for this "adequate treatment"? <br />A: Make sure that the drainfield is located in/on soils such that a 3 vertical <br />separation above the seasonal water table is maintained under the treatment area, <br />and such that there is adequate distance down gradient to any long-term saturated <br />zones that might cause ground w'ater mounding it normal waste water load is <br />added. <br />Q: Iknv is this ensured? <br />A: Adequate site evaluation by a qualified site evaluator. <br />Q: What about the horizontal setback from drainfields to Type 1 wetlands? <br />A: If soil in the Type 1 wetland is only seasonally wet, it is likely not acceptable for <br />a drainfield m the Type 1, but suitable soils may e.xist directly adjacent to it, and <br />adequate treatment should not require a setback. Since Orono mainly has mapped <br />and protected wetland Types 2 - 6 which are cenerallv waterlogged or inundated, <br />as opposed to Type Ts which are cenerallv well-drained, it made sense to <br />maintain a setback from the "wetter" wetlands, but probably doesn't make sense <br />for Type I’s. <br />To summarize: <br />There is probably not a goi'd case for requiring any drainfield setback from Type 1 <br />wetlands as long as soil types are suitable. But a draintield should not generally be placed in <br />a Type 1 wetland unless the topography/hydrology of the site is altered (probably requiring Type <br />1 mitigation) to make site/soil conditions suitable for drainfeld use. <br />Staff Rccoiiuiiendation <br />There are many issues noted in this memo that have been addressed to one decree or <br />another in discussions between the developer, staff, the Park Commission and the Planning <br />Commission As a sketch plan, while the City is not giving formal approval for any specific <br />development plan i)r concept, this is an opportunity for the developer to gain enough direction <br />from the City to be fairly confident of subdivision approval if specific concerns are met. <br />Therefore, it would be helpful if tlie Council can give direction to the developer in the following <br />areas. <br />1. Public vs. private roads.