09-21-2009 Planning Commission Packet

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� � , ' PC Exhibit I � ., ;,` � i ,� �` :` SVOBODA ECOLOGICAL RESOURCES '� '�°' Provlding the Sharper Edge in Natural Resources�Envlronmental Consulting , '.I'��L . r "r��; July 28,2009 Natalie White Minnehaha Creek Watershed District 18202 Minnetonka Blvd Deephaven,MN 55391 RE: SER Project Name: 1095 Ferndale Road SER Project No.: 2009-028-15 Project Location: Part of Section 2,T117N,R23W,City of Orono, Hennepin County,Minnesota Letter Purpose: Soil Evaluation and Aerial Photo Review Report Dear Ms. White: We are providing the clarifying information that you requested in your letter dated October 17,2008. This letter addresses the request for a review of aerial photos and we also conducted a series of additional soil borings to determine if the area was pre-existing wetland.The results of the two tasks are described below. Site Soil Evaluation On July 21, 2009 SER Ecologists visited the above referenced site to evaluate the soils within the Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) area at the northern portion of the property and the soils adjacent to the swale located within the wooded area to the south. See attached Figure 1 for the approximate locations of the sample points and the attached data sheets describing the soils data information for select points within the evaluated area. Photos were also taken depicting the field conditions during the time of the site visit on July 21,2009. See photos below. Based on our analysis, the open grassy area contains some areas where the soil is hydric and some are not (see data sheets). Every soil boring that was evaluated revealed the presence of fill material. Most of this material was present below at least 6 inches of topsoil down to 40 inches at some points.The observed soil did not resemble the hydric soil unit of the Muskego, Blue Earth and Houghton defined on the Hennepin County Soil Survey for this azea. Several points yielded an impervious surface within this area. The shallowest impervious surface point was discovered at SP-CC at 5 inches and the deepest was discovered at SP-D at 20 inches. The soils evaluated adjacent to the swale within the wooded area were all non-hydric.They somewhat resemble the colors associated with the mapped Lester soil unit found on the Hennepin County Soil Survey for this portion of the evaluated area. The soil textures were unlike the Lester Series, however. There appeared to be an impervious surface located about 20 to 30 inches below the soil surface. The swale itself is generally linear with no evidence suggesting natural origins. Rather the configuration of the swale is straight with a uniform depth and slightly sloped side banks.