Minn. Wetland Conservation Act notice of Decision-2005

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. , ��l��ehaha Creek `�� I�iatel�shed District Improving Quality of Water, Quality of Life Established in 1967 MEMORANDUM The Minnehaha Creek DATE: November 16, 2005 Watershed District is committed to a TO: Judy PluCker Brian Burgner, Svoboda Ecological Resources leadership role in Cc: All Entities Copied on WCA Decision Notices protecting, improving, FROM: Jane M Byron, District Representative and managing the su�face ware�s and RE: Local Government Unit Findings and Conclusions 2640 & 2650 Fox St, Orono affiliated groundwater Request for Wetland Type Change resour-ces within the The LGU has completed a review of the wetland type change request for 2640 & 2650 Fox St, Orono, Hennepin County, Minnesota. The sites are contained within District, includingrheir two parcels with the following Property Identification Number (PID's) 04-117-23- relationships to the 42-0008 and 04-117-23-41-0003. Field review for type change was performed on 11/14/05. The LGU is denying a request for wetland type change based on the ecosystems of��hich they following observations and rationale: ar-e an integral part, . A MnRAM performed on the site by the LGU in 2002 indicated the through regulation, dominant wetland type for all 3 basins was that of a Type 3 wetland. All 3 wetlands are connected and are part of the same wetland capital projects, complex. • Several inches of standing water were observed in most areas of all education,cooperarive three wetland basins and all areas were waterlogged/saturated in all three basins at the time of field review on 11/14/05, which is endeavors,and othe�� consistent with Circular 39 description of a type 3 basin. programs based o�r • Reed Canary Grass is the dominant species in those areas of the wetland complex contained on the two properties in question. sound science, However, dominance by reed canary grass on its own is not sufficient enough evidence to change wetland type from 3 to 2, innovative thinking,an especially considering the aggressive nature of reed canary grass. infor�aledandengaged Additionalfy, there are some cattails within the basins on the properties and there are significant areas of cattails that occur within constituency,and the the same wetland complex/basin off of the property. costef{ective use ofpublic As a reminder, all wetlands will have fringe or sub-areas that differ from the overall dominant wetland type, but the WCA wetland type is decision based on funds. the dominant wetland type of the entire wetland basin. In addition, the City of Orono ordinances regarding wetland protection, more specifically those relating to the establishment of buffers around wetlands, are based on wetland function and not wetland type. A MnRAM assessment to determine wetland function has been completed for the wetlands located on these properties. For more information on the on the wetland functional assessment for the wetlands on the property, contact the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District at 952-471-0590. For more information on City of Orono ordinance please call 952-249-4600. MCWD looks forward to working with you again in the future. 18202 Minnetonka Boulevard,Deephaven Minnesota 55391 • Phone:952-471-0590 • Fax 952-471-0682 • www.minnehahacreek.org