Wetland Conservation Act application and decision

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I. INTRODUCTION Midwest Natural Resources, Inc. (MNR) was contracted by Natalie Williams to provide wetland delineation services for a property located at 2815 Deer Run Trail in Orono, Hennepin County. Minnesota (Figure 1). On April 6t�, 2016, MNR conducted a routine wetland delineation within the subject property to determine current wetland boundaries. In all,MNR delineated two wetlands within the property boundary. IL OBJECTIVE To determine and delineate the current wetland boundaries located within the 3.1 acre property boundary. This information will be used in planning for a proposed swimming pool project. III. METHODS Prior to conducting the fieldwork, existing data were reviewed. These data include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory and the MN DNR National Wetlands Inventory Update June,2013 (Figure 2),the U.S.Department of Agriculture digital Soil Survey of Hennepin County (Figure 3), and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Public Waters Inventory (PWI) (Figure 4). Delineation efforts were based on the Routine "Onsite" Determination Method contained in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Midwest Regional Supplement to the 1987 Wetlands Delineation Manual Technical Report Y-87 1. According to this methodology, wetland boundaries are determined based on the evaluation of the three parameters (hydric soil, hydrophytic vegetation, and wetland hydrology) required for an area to be defined as a wetland. The wetland boundary for each wetland on-site was identified as the upper-most extent of each area that met the criteria required to be defined as a wetland: hydric soils, hydrophytic vegetation, and wetland hydrology. Wetlands A and B's delineated boundaries were marked with pink pin flags with representative letters and numbers A 1 to A27 and B 1 to B 12 (Figure 5). One transect was established for each Wetland A and B where the wetland/upland transition occurs. At the wetland transects the vegetation, soils, and hydrology was investigated at two positions in the landscape, one within the wetland and one in the upland. Vegetation, soils, and hydrology was then documented along the transect following the aforementioned delineation protocols. Soils were characterized based on soil matrix/mottle colors and texture, as well as the presence/absence of hydric soil indicators. The dominant vascular plant species were identified and the cover was estimated visually. The indicator status of tl�e dominant plant species was taken from the State of Minr�esota 2014 Wetla�d Planl List (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, 2014). Hydrologic indicators (i.e. presence/absence of inundated and/or saturated soils, drift lines, drainage patterns, water marks, etc.)were evaluated to determine wetland hydrology. Finally,the wetlands at both transect sample points were classified based on the Circular 39 and Cowardin wetland descriptions. All collected field data is summarized in the Wetland Determination Data Forms (Midwest Region) and included in this Wetland Delineation Report. 1032 Sevenin �treet west, Suite 1 50 � Saint Paul, MN 55102 j mnrinc.us � 612.:510.626C