06-15-2009 Planning Commission Packet

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processes; significant fossil evidence, an undisturbed plant community, an ecological community . significantly illustrating the process of succession and restoration to natural condition folloWing disruptive change; a habitat supporting a vanishing,rare, endangered, or restricted species of plant or animal; a relict flora or fauna persisting from an earlier period; or a seasonal haven for concentrations of birds and animals, or a vantage point for observing concentrated populations, such • as a constrieted migration route. The area should embrace an area large enough to permit effective research or educational functions and to preserve the inherent natural values of the area. There are two SNAs in the District; Wolsfeld Woods SNA and Wood-Rill SNA. Wolsfeld Woods SNA is a 221 acre site located on Brown Rd and Co Hwy 6 in Hennepin Gounty Township 118N Range 23W Section 26. Wood-Rill SNA is a 150 acre site located in Orono on Old Long Lake Road in Hennepin County, Township 118N Range 23W Section 35 (Figure 4.1). Wolsfeld Woods is a premier example of the original "Big Woods," that once covered the south central part of the state. This large, mature stand of hardwoods covers gently rolling hills with a wide variety of tree species including red oak, ironwood,butternut, maple, elm, and basswood. Trilliums, hepatica,bloodroot, and dutchman's breeches grow on the forest floor(MnDNR, 1999). A total of 13 wetlands were identified and assessed completely or partially within Wolsfeld Woods. All of the wetlands except one are classified as forested wetland and the other is classified as a shallow marsh (Table 4.1). Six of the wetlands are rated as having Exceptional Vegetative Diversity/Integrity and ten are rated Exceptional for Aesthetics/Recreation/Cultural/Education. Wood-Rill is a sizeable remnant of the original "Big Woods," within the steep hills of the St. Croix moraine. This undisturbed old-growth maple-basswood forest varies from 120 to 400 years old. An , upland canopy of red oak, basswood, sugar maple, and white oak. A lake, ponds, wet meadows— glacial legacy of ice block wetlands—lie scattered about the site (MnDNR, 1999). A total of 17 wetlands were identified and assessed completely or partially within Wood-Rill. The wetlands are primarily classified as forested, wet meadow, shallow marsh wetlands (Table 4.1). Four wetlands were rated with Exceptional and four with High Vegetative Diversity/Integrity. Thirteen of the seventeen wetlands are rated as having Exceptional Aesthetics/Recreation/Cultural/Education. \\fred\wp�23�27\D06\Reports�Final Report\Wetland mgmt�lan dit01 1503.doc 4-19