Laserfiche WebLink
s s <br /> 2845 Little Orchard <br /> July 17, 2001 <br /> Page 2 <br /> conditions, specifically the Covenants, Section 10(B) including: <br /> - complete removal of understory in center 1/3 of lot <br /> - removal of understory beyond the minimum extent necessary to gain a partially <br /> obstructed view of the lake <br /> - natural vegetative groundcover has been removed in a few azeas, causing high <br /> erosion potential <br /> Construction of a stone stairway to the shore was also underway without the necessary permit. <br /> Erosion control measures were required immediately,and the new owner was advised to obtain the <br /> services of a surveyor and a landscape professional to verify the easement locations,and to establish <br /> an appropriate restoration plan. <br /> In a number of ineetings with Mr. Fleischhaker since he was advised his property was in violation <br /> of the easement, it has became clear that he is very willing to complete an understory restoration <br /> program to remedy the violations caused by his predecessor. Fleischhaker has been very cooperative, <br /> responsive to our concerns and has made every effort to comply with City requirements. Erosion <br /> control measure are currently in place. <br /> Buckthorn Removal <br /> As we have worked through the various restoration issues, removal of Buckthorn has been the most <br /> vexing problem. Buckthorn is a woody plant that grows up to 20' in height, and has been declared <br /> as a"restricted noxious weed"by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.The declaration means <br /> that sale, transportation or movement of this non-native, invasive plant is prohibited statewide. <br /> While there is no specific state requirement that buckthorn be removed, Orono has been trying to <br /> eradicate it from City parklands, and Orono's private property maintenance ordinances do require <br /> the removal of"noxious weeds" (Section 9.55, Subd. 1). Eradication of smaller buckthorn plants <br /> (stems up to 3/8" diameter) can be accomplished by uprooting them. Anything larger will require <br /> cutting the buckthorn plant at the base, then applying herbicide to the stump. <br /> At the Little Orchard site,and on adjoining properties,the buckthorn has reached a height of 15'-20' <br /> and has trunks as large as 4-6"in diameter.At the time the Little Orchard preservation easement was <br /> established,staff did not realize that buckthorn was so well established or pervasive on the protected <br /> slopes, and at that time it had not yet been declared as a noxious weed by the MDA. Based on the <br /> remaining stumps and comparing with the adjacent wooded shore area that wasn't cut,we estimate <br /> that between 1/2 and 2/3 of the understory removed from the Fleischhaker site was buckthorn. <br /> Where it has become the dominant understory species, complete removal of buckthorn leaves the <br /> shoreline relatively bare except for overstory trees. This suggests that either an aggressive vegetation <br />