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' 4 7 <br /> � . <br /> Ms. Barbara Walther � <br /> Ms.Becky Houdek � <br /> Mr. 7ohn smyth �ECEI!/ED <br /> January 15, 2010 <br /> Page 4 JAN � 8 2010 <br /> . ORONO ' <br /> addition to the dominance of reed canary grass,the sideslopes of the drainage ditch range <br /> between 2:1 and 3:1 along much of the ditch. The steep sideslopes are causing material to <br /> slough into the drainage ditch and therefore allowi.ng sediment to flow downstream and <br /> fiu ther degrading downstream waters. Finally, common practices of golf course management <br /> include the application of pesticides and fertilizers to establish and maintain a course that is <br /> desired by the membership. As most of these materials are utilized by the iurf grass on the <br /> course,there are small amounts that make their way into the dra.inage ditch and further <br /> downstream. The addition of the stormwater pond will help in treating these contaminants <br /> prior to entering downstream waters. Because the proposed stormwater pond benefits the <br /> environment and users of downstream waters,the applicant believes the no-build alternative <br /> is not a feasible and prudent alternative. <br /> Alternative Site . <br /> The nature of the project does not justify the use of an alternative site. The proposed project <br /> involves the ponding of stormwater on the applicant's property prior to entering Lake <br /> Minnetonka and an amenity to the golf course.Although there are other potential locations to <br /> construct a stormwater pond within the existing drainage ditch downsfiream,many of those <br /> . locations are either too sma11 to accomplish the proposed project and involve multiple . <br /> landowners,which would hamper a feasible and efficient project. In addition, constructing <br /> the stormwater pond at an alternative location would deny the applicant to construct the <br /> desired amenity to the existing golf course. The proposed project provides wetland mitigation <br /> on-site and a 1��INNRAM of the proposed mitigation location indicates that the proposed <br /> mitigation basin will exhibit wetland functions and values that are greater than the existing <br /> drainage ditch. <br /> Alternative Site Design <br /> Although an alternative site design that avoids wetland impacts is possible,it would not serve <br /> the purpose of the proposed project. The applicant could construct a stormwater pond <br /> adjacent to the existing drainage ditch,however this may effect the current hydrology of the <br /> existing drai.nage ditch, interfere with the existing fairways, and not be a sensible design. The <br /> preferred site plan utilizes the existing grades to capture and treat stormwater that flows from <br /> adjacent fairways and neighboring properties prior to entering Lake Minnetonka. Placing the <br /> proposed stormwater pond outside of the existing drainage ditch would not provide the <br /> treatment of stormwater from the northern portion of the subject property and negate the <br /> purpose of the project. <br /> The applicant has demonstrated that the wetland functions and values of the existing drainage <br /> ditch/Wetland 1 are low to medium. The applicant has identified a location within the golf <br /> course where wetland mitigation has recently been established and additional expansion of <br /> � this area is possible and will further improve wetland functions and values <br />