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5 .3 .3 Functional· Assessment <br />; <br />i <br />i <br />I <br />j <br />I <br />I <br />Orono's 1980 Community Management Plan articulated the general basis <br />for wetland protection, but lacked a functional assessment of the values <br />attributable to each of its protected wetlands. Such an assessment was <br />needed to be able to develop protection or enhancement strategies for <br />individual wetlands. <br />The New Hampshire Method, slightly modified for conditions in Orono, was <br />used for the functional assessment of wetlands. The Minnesota Routine <br />Assessment Method (MnRAM) was also modified, and used in conjunction <br />with the New Hampshire Method. The intent of combining these methods <br />was to allow for city staff to assist in future assessments of wetlands. · <br />The New Hampshire Method is designed to be "user friendly" and is <br />specifically set up so that non-scientists can fill out the method. MnRAM is <br />a technical method that needs to be filled out by a wetland scientist. It <br />was necessary to include MnRAM because the New Hampshire Method <br />does not adequately address floral diversity, (an important factor with <br />regard to runoff protection and buffer strips). <br />The New Hampshire Method allows for a comparison between wetlands <br />within a project boundary. It is one of the few methods that gives an <br />actual number ranking. This allows for comparison of funciional values. <br />The method addresses up to 14 functional values of wetlands, which are <br />listed in Table 5.1 . <br />Table 5.1 Functional Values Under the New Hampshire Method <br />Ecological integrity Water-based recreation ! Shoreline anchoring <br />Wildlife habitat Flood control potential Urban quality of life <br />Fish habitat Groundwater use potential Urban quality of life <br />Educational potential Sediment trapping Noteworthiness <br />Visual/aesthetic quality I Nutrient attenuation <br />Of these 14 functional values, the City chose the following three for <br />assessment of the wetlands identified for the SWMP: <br />❖ Ecological Integrity determines the degree of human influence. <br />❖ Wildlife Habitat assesses the overall suitability of a wetland for <br />wildlife typically associated with wetlands. <br />❖ Visual/Aesthetic Qua/ityranks the wetland's scenic beauty. <br />Functional value indices for each wetland are presented in Appendix I, <br />including the MnRAM rating of a wetiand's floral diversity/integrity. <br />City of Orono 5-4