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Previou s ly KES prepared a Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) memo that included a review of <br />the City of Orono Natural Resource s Inventory, a review (and revi s ion) of DNR MLCCS data, a <br />tree survey, a wetland inventory and assessment of wetland buffers, A MN RAM analysis, and an <br />Ecological Management Category review. <br />Two items stood out with this review. First, the woodland located in the southeast portion of the <br />site was reclassified from an oak forest mesic sub-type to a maple basswood forest (DNR <br />MLCCS class ification versus our on-site assessment). This same area was also identified within <br />the Orono NRI Conceptual Greenway Corridor Alignment as containing: I) the potential for a <br />high quality natural community, 2) a conceptual greenway corridor, 3) steep s loping so il s, and 4) <br />other natural and semi-natural communities (high and medium quality natural community <br />remnants also have the potential to support rare species). Based on our on-site assessment of this <br />area we determined that: I) only a portion of this area (the very southeast corner of this <br />woodland) would be con s idered to be high quality, 2) this area will still function as a part of a <br />greenway corridor even after development, 3) it does contain moderately sloping <br />soils/topography, and 4) due to field observed encroachment/invasion of invasive species within <br />the southeast forested area , the presence of rare species is unlikely. <br />The wetland present on the site is not of type or quality to qualify for proactive management or <br />protection. However, Wetland I will benefit from the implementation of a wetland buffer and <br />stormwater protection. <br />Lastly, the site was assessed for C it y of Orono Ecological Management Category (EMC) ratings <br />(City Code Sec. 78-1635(9)(4)), a nd F igure 6 illu strates observed category areas. Level I EMC <br />areas are associated with wetlands and their buffers. Level 3 EMC areas are suitable for <br />stormwater management. No Level 2 EMC areas (ecological opportunity areas) were observed <br />on the s ite. <br />Recommendations <br />Trace amount of invasive/noxious species should be hand pulled at any tim e of the year and <br />thrown away, or spot sprayed with g lyphosate w he n native species are dormant (mid-April or <br />mid-September). Common buckthorn removal should occur wherever common buckthorn is <br />present on the site and s hould follow the methods outlined in Appendix E. <br />The very so utheas t corner of the s ite contains a significant tree stand , of which a portion would <br />be beneficial to pre serve. Only that portion of the tree sta nd t hat does not include invas ive <br />common buckthorn and diseased elms should be preserved (area out s ide of the identified <br />Diseased Tree area shown on Figure 7 of the previous submitted KES memo). This area of the <br />tree stand contains mature, native trees and provide habitat for animals. This tree area cou ld be <br />protected under a tree preservation easement. <br />If possible, the white pine s ignificant tree stand along the western prope rty I ine could be <br />protected under a tree preservati o n easement.