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' PC Exhibit J a � <br /> nn un a m # Envir ai 5 <br /> 417 North Fifth Street,Suite 200 612348-3777 REDUCE.REUSE.RECYCLE <br /> Minneapclis,Minnesota 55401-3206 612349-8532&612-348-6510 Faxes <br /> 6t2-348-5500 Facility lNFO Line <br /> www.hennepin.us/environment <br /> March 11, 2Q15 <br /> City of Orono <br /> Michael P. Gaffron, Senior Planner <br /> P.O. Bax 66 <br /> Crystal Bay, MN 55323 <br /> To Whom It May Concern; <br /> I thank you for the opportunity to submit commerits conceming the prelirninary development <br /> plan that has been submitted for the Wendy Dayton property located in the Cify of Orono at <br /> 300 Cou nty Road 6, P I D 2511$2341000'f. <br /> My primary concern for this site plan, as it is being submitted, is the resulting impact and <br /> fragmentation of the moderate to high quality Maple-basswood forest in the Northwest part of <br /> the property. <br /> I am hopeful that there might be a difFerent svenario considered that puts lots 6, 8 and 9 <br /> outside the edge of the forest and moved into the restored prairie area to the south. <br /> Although the prairie, which I will admit I have not seen since Doug Dayton restored it, is an <br /> important ecosystem for ground nesting birds and pollinators as weil as many other species <br /> of wild(ife, this Maple-basswood forest is a fairly good sized o!d growth remnant of a native <br /> ecosystem that is getting disturbingfy more rare by the day in the only region of the world that <br /> the 'Big woods' is found. This is a very unique and irreplaceable ecosystem that provides <br /> habitat for myriad of the disappearing canopy birds and other wildlife species that depend on <br /> it. This particular forest is identified as an ecologicaliy sign�cant naturai area in the <br /> Hennepin County Natural Resources Inventory and is also found in the City of Orono's <br /> Natural Resources Inventory Report. <br /> f would ask you to please consider a discussion that will minimize the impact to this rare <br /> ecosystem in your city. <br /> Thank you once again for allowing me the opportunit�r to submit my comments conceming <br /> this important ecosystem. <br /> Sincerely <br /> David W Thil! <br /> Natural Resources Specialist, Hennepin County <br /> 612-348-0124 <br /> david.thill�hennepin.us <br /> An EquolOpportunity fmpJoyer <br /> Reryckd Aaper <br />