HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-21-1997 Council Packet Special Meetingcoa/vci
May 2x 1997
^HYqp
^ONO
AGENDA FOR SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING SET FOR
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1997, 6:00 P.M.
ORONO COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 2780 KELLEY PARKWAY, ORONO, MINNESOTA
ROLL CALL
1. Spring Hill Golf Course EAW
2. County Road 6 Upgrade and the City’s Community Management Plan
i
SiPublic Attendance q-
Meeting D ate HI a V CJ ^
)sr Council
Planning C ommission
Park C ommission
Other
Please fill out the infowation
REQUESTED BELOW FOR OUR CITY RECORDS.
NAME (please print)ADDRESS
PRESENT FOR (from agenda)
NAME OR NUMBER
4.
5..
6.
7..
8..
9.
10..
11..
12.
13..
14.
15.
09U95.4
r ^t-
COUNCIL MEETJi
MAY 21 1997
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Item No.:
Department:
Name: Michael P. GafTro
Title: Asst. Planning & Zoning Administrator
Administrator Approval;Agenda Section:
Zoning
Item Description: #2209 Spring Hill Golf Club - EAW - Decision on Need for EIS - Resolution
Attachments;
A - Draft Resolution - Record of Decision inch proposed responses
B - Information Packet from Schoell & Madson
The infonnation requested by Council in response to the DNR's request, was delivered mid-day
today and is enclosed as Attachment B. Staff has only briefly reviewed this submittal but it appears
to contain the expected information.
A 'Record of Decision' resolution is attaciied for adoption should Council so choose. The resolution
provides findings of fact in support of a negative declaration, i.e. determining that an EIS will not
be required. This document is currently being reviewed by the City Attorney for adequacy.
Attached to the Resolution will be copies of all comment letters received and the responses to those
comments.
Council Action Requested:
If Council concludes that the submittal provides the lacking infoiniation needed in order to make
a fully informed decision regarding the need for an EIS, Council may adopt the resolution declaring
no need for an EIS, directing staff to forward the Record of Decision to the EQB and forward the
approved responses to the commenters.
RECORD OF DECISION
ON THE
SPRING HILL GOLF CLUB PROJECT
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET
WHEREAS, the Environmental Assessment Worksheet ("E AW") for the Spring Hill
Golf Club Project ("Project") has been reviewed by the City Council of the City of Orono,
Minnesota ("City") to determine whether an Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS") is required
for the Project; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the record in this matter, including the
EAW, comments from governmental agencies and members of the public, responses to these
comments, and reports of meetings between its staff and governmental agencies. Based on this
review the City Council makes the following findings of fact and conclusions.
FINDINGS OF FACT
1. The EAW was prepared in compliance with the procedures of the Minnesota
Environmental Policy Act and Minnesota Rules Parts 4410.0200 to 4410.6500 (1993) as follows:
a.The Proposer of the Project is Spring Hill Golf Club, a Minnesota Corporation
(the "Proposer").
b. The project involves the creation and operation of an 18-hole private golf
course.
c.The Project falls within the mandatory EAW category of Minn. Rules Part
4410.4300, subp. 28 because the Project involves the permanent conversion
of 80 or more acres of agricultural, forest or naturally vegetated land to a more
intensive, developed land use.
d.Tlie Responsible Government Unit ("RGU") is the local governmental unit,
the City of Orono. Minn. Rules Part 4410.4300, subp.l4 (1993). The City
Council of the City of Medina, in which a small portion of the Project is
Page 1 of 8
!
]
e.
f.
g-
h.
1.
J
k.
1.
located, by resolution confirmed such a designation
An EAW was prepared by the City with assistance from the Proposer, who
submitted completed data portions of the EAW to the RGU. Minn. Rules Part
4410.1400(1993).
The EAW was prepared using the form approved by the Minnesota
Environmental Quality Board ("MEQB") for EAWs. Minn. Rules Part
4410.1300(1993).
The City issued the EAW on March 9, 1997, and provided a copy to the
MEQB on March 9, :991.
On March 9, 1997, the City submitted one copy of the EAW to all agencies
listed on the official MEQB mailing list.
On March 6,1997 the City provided a press release to the Lakeshore Weekly
News, the Laker and Pioneer, and the Sun Newspapers, which contained a
notice of the availability of the EAW for public review. The press release also
included the name and location of the Project, a brief description of the
Project, the locations at which copies of the EAW were available for review,
the date the comment period would expire, and the procedures for
commenting.
Notice of availability of the EAW and a summary of the EAW were published
in the EQB Monitor on March 12, 1997.
The 30-day comment period on the EAW began on March 10,1997 and ended
at 4:30 p.m. on April 9,1997. Minn. Rules Part 4410.21, subp. 3 (1993).
During the 30-day comment period written comments were submitted as
described on Attachment A.
m. After the close of the 30-day coment period written comments were received
as deseribed on Attachment B.
Page 2 of 8
i
1
%
n.
2.
3.
4.
Responses to the comments were prepared by the City with assistance from
the Proposer as attached on Attachment C.
Substantive comments received during and after the comment period have been
responded to by the City and the Proposer.
The present zoning of the property upon which the Project is proposed in each of the
cities of Orono and Medina permits the construction and operation of a golf course
with a Conditional Use Permit ("CUP").
During the EAW process and in the public meetings in Orono and Medina involving
the CUP and related issues, concerns were raised with respect to approximately 43
acres of a maple/basswood forest on the northerly portion of the Project site
containing many characteristics of the "Big Woods" forest which predominated in
this area prior to settlement. With respect to such forest area:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
The forest consists mostly of second growth trees of an age and diversity
resulting in many of the characteristsics found in the "Big Woods".
This forest has been designated Medina 26 in the DNR County Biological
Survey and has been ranked "BC". The nearby Wolsfeld Woods Scientific and
Natural Area (ranked "AB") and Wood Rill Scientific and Natural Area
(ranked "B") are deemed to be of greater ecological significance and contain
some areas of primary forest.
The creation of a 'green belt' of approximately 200 acres located between the
two above noted Scientific and Natural Areas is deemed to be complimentary
to the existing, public areas of the former "Big Woods".
There are no legal protections for "Big Woods" ecotypes as there are for
wetlands. None of the regulatory agencies with authority over the Project have
specific regulations related to retention or management of forested areas.
Residential development of the forested areas, as presently permitted under
applicable zoning codes, would result in the loss of the "Big Woods" character
Page 3 of 8
because of the fragmentation of the tree canopy by driveways, houses and
other residential uses.
f.
g-
h.
1.
The Project does not require • subdivision approval by either city which limits
the ability of the cities to designate park areas, obtain trail easements and the
like.
The Proposer has taken various steps to mitigate adverse effects on the
forested areas including:
i. The design of the golf course has been altered through numerous
iterations to provide for less intensive use of the land in the forested
areas than in the non-forested areas.
ii. Relocation and replanting of trees will ameliorate some of the effects
of placing the golf course in forested areas.
iii. The course has been planned in such a way as to reduce the potential
for "islands" of forested areas and has attempted to link forested areas
together as well as to retain forested areas in conjunction with adjacent
properties.
The Proposer has responded to the concerns of the Department of Natural
Resources and the request of the the Council for additional analysis and
documentation of the specific anticipated impacts on Medina 26, and has
provided or v/iil be providing such documentation, including documentation
of the changes and impacts to the Big Woods and how those impacts have
been minimized; an assessment of habitat changes by covertype for the entire
site, identifying impacts to wildlife, and identifying mitigation available to
address those impacts; development of a Tree Protection Plan; development
of a detailed Erosion Control Plan.
It is the conclusion of the Council that while the golf course will have
certain environmental effects related to the forested areas, those effects have
been substantially documented. There have been and will continue to be
Page 4 of 8
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
efforts made to mitigate the impacts. The impacts are not considered by the
Council to be significant environmental effects, and no additional information
would be gathered if an Environmental Impact Statement was ordered.
Wetland impacts have been addressed and include substantial mitigation resulting in
a net gain in wetland acreage. Other permitting organizations, including the
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, will review wetland impacts.
Permitting during the Project will result in further review of the wetlands areas,
including, for example, the required DNR Waters Permit and the DNR Water
Appropriations Permit.
Other potential environmental impacts which do occur, such as storm water runoff
and traffic are mitigated by the Project design and subject to control through County
permits and regulations as well as City ordinances.
The golf course will preserve the open space character of the area and will maintain
natural rural vistas which is consistent with the guide plans of tlie cities for the Project
area. Further, the Proposer will work with the City in incorporating a public trail
system on the perimeter of the Property.
The Council has compared the impacts that may reasonably be expected to occur from
the project with the following criteria:
a. Type, extent and reversibility of environmental effects.
1.A total of 21 wetlands comprising an area of approximately 23.6 acres
are located within the property, of which 1.41 acres are proposed to
be filled. However, 3.12 acres of new wetland will be created from
uplands. The Council finds that the mitigation actions proposed by
the Proposer will more than offset the loss of the 1.41 acres.
11.A portion of the land is currently in a forested or naturally vegetated
state, a portion is currently developed for institutional-type use and
a portion is formerly agricultural but not used agriculturally for many
Page 5 of 8
J
years. The property is planned by both cities for uses other than
undeveloped open space, and the Council finds that this land
use conversion does not have a potential for significant environmental
effects.
iii. The Project will generate minor amounts of additional traffic. The
transportation analysis indicates that the existing roadway system can
readily accomodate the expected traffic volumes, and the Council finds
that additional traffic does not have the potential for significant
environmental effect.
iv. Golf course use of agricultural chemicals has a potential to impact
surface and groundwater. However, extensive water quality modeling
performed to satisfy EAW requirements, including a nutrient budget
analysis for Long Lake, indicates that the proposed NURP ponds and
related site design elements provide a system which is predicted to
result in an overall reduction in the pollutant loadings to Long Lake
as compared to runoff associated with the current land use. The
Proposer has indicated a commitment to sound environmental
management of the golf course, including implementation of such
practices as turf management, integrated pest management, use of Best
Management Practices including use and management of grass swales,
and recycling of runoff via a pond-based irrigation system. The
Council finds that the presence and use of agricultural chemicals does
not have a potential for significant environmental effects.
Cumulative potential effects of related or anticipated future projects.
i. The City of Orono anticipates future rural residential growth
throughout the surrounding area. The cumulative environmental effects
of the Project combined with other nearby developments, will be
typical of urbanization: increased land use, higher traffic volumes,
increased water use, etc.
Extent to which environmental effects are subject to mitigation by ongoing
Page 6 of 8
public regulatory authority.
d.
i. The Council fmds that impacts to wetlands, and the mitigation of those
impacts, are subject to review and permit by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, the Mirmesota Department of Natural Resources, and the
Mirmehaha Creek Watershed District.
ii. The Council fmds that should the golf course cause degradation of
surface or groundwater, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota
Department of Health have the authority to order corrective action and
or remediation of the problem.
iii. The City will continue to have the ability to mitigate any impacts
through its Conditional Use Permit authority.
Extent to which environmental effects can be anticipated and controlled as
a result of other enviromnental studies undertaken by public agencies or
the Proposer.
I.The Council finds that the Project does not limit the options for fiirther
mitigation of impacts available to other regulatory agencies.
CONCLUSIONS AND DETERMINATIONS
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Orono,
Minnesota that based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact which incorporate the EAW, the
comments to the EAW and the subsequent responses, public testimony and the other materials
submitted to the public record, the Council as the Responsible Government Unit makes the following
determinations:
1. The proposed Project taken in its entirety as a 200-acre site and considering various
Page 7 of 8
mitigating factors does not have the potential for significant environmental effects.
2.The requirements of the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act have been met by the
Environmental Assessment Worksheet and responses to public comments prepared
for this Project.
3.An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will not be required for the Spring Hill
Golf Club Project defined in the Environmental As.«?essment Worksheet.
Adopted by the Orono City Council on tliis 21st day of May, 1997.
Gabriel Jabbour, Mayor
Attest:
Dorothy M. Hallin, City Clerk
Page 8 of S
■ -is;vj
~fl - - — ----- ■ -I — ■ — • .
r^ •1
ATTACHMENT 'A'
'r
f'i
WRITTEN EAW COMMENTS
RECEIVED WITHIN THE 30-DAY COMMENT PERIOD
l t
(COPIES OF ALL LETfERS RECEIVED)
P‘
• 'jr 'r-tM' rt r irr^-^ '■ ~~ -nr 1 Utdihm mmgnaauittaHta J
ATTACHMENT 'B'
WRITTEN EAW COMMENTS
RECEIVED AFTER THE 30-DAY COMMENT PERIOD
(COPIES OF LETTERS RECEIVED)
I
tI
I
ATTACHMENT 'C
RESPONSES TO COMMENTS RECEIVED
DNR RESPONSE
Big Woods Impacts
Item 11a
1. Comment: “The EAW should note that the site’s biological diversity will decline post-
project to eventually exhibit a habitat profile common to more intensively developed
areas, thus favoring species more tolerant of human intrusion and activity than those
species found at the site now.’’ (DNR letter 4/9/97, page 3)
“The discussion... in general implies that fragmentation of the forested areas, and the
resulting creation of more open areas and forest fringe, will have a positive effect on
wildlife. On the contraiy, the proposed course layout will have the effect of changing the
“forest’’ habitat... The edge zone will be drier and less shady than the current forest
interior, favoring shade-intolerant xeric (dry-loving) plants over the typical mesic (moist-
loving) forest plants. It is likely that some trees that remain will be subject to
blowdown.” (DNR letter 4/9/97, page 3)
“The EAW should indicate that fragmentation and creation of the golf course will benefit
species such as deer and geese, species that are (already) considered a nuisance in the
area. Deer now present...will cause damage and increase the probability of deer-vehicle
collisions. It is also likely that creation of a golf course will attract more Canada geese to
the area.” (DNR letter 4/9/97, page 3)
Response: The EAW does address that habitat will change due to the fragmenting of the Woods,
which will create more open areas and forest fringe. Some forest song birds will be affected due
to predation and competition.
In general, the fragmenting of the forest will create greater “biodiversity” as a greater number of
species are found in forest fringe areas, as opposed to dense forested areas. That is not to say that
the greater biodiversity is an improvement over the specialist species which occur in a Big Wood
type ecosystem. There are few species which exist solely in Big Woods habitat. Mature
deciduous trees are a common habitat requirement, and there will be many mature deciduous
trees remaining on this site.
Human intrusion and activity will only be present on the site from sunrise till sunset for 5 months
out of the years. Therefore, species remaining on site would need to be less tolerant of people
than if it were a park.
We agree with the DNR that microclimate conditions will change due to the edge effect. Some
spring ephemerals may be affected. However, the plant community would not evolve toward
“shade intolerant” species, because they would remain in at least 50% cover. In addition, the
golf club will maintain an open forest edge by removing exotics, such as common buckthorn,
honeysuckle, and other understory shrub species.
(
f
I
Because the fairways are only approximately 150 feet wide, the possibility of “blow down ” due
to increased winds, is minimal.
♦Please see attached fact sheets on specific wildlife species identified by the DNR
We concur that the golf course will attract more Canada geese to the property. The golf course
will continue to provide habitat for white tailed deer.
Item 11b
2. Comment: We do not believe this text (Item 1 lb), or the figure provided, support the
assertion that ‘ impacts have been minimized.” Rather, it supports a conclusion that the
project eliminates the stand ’s remaining ecological, historic, and aesthetic value as a Big
Woods forest. The EA W should offer detail on whether avoidance of impacts is possible,
and if not, how impacts have been minimized in terms retaining the existing forest’s
value as a “community,” not a patchwork of trees. (DNR letter 4/9/97, page 2)
Response: Impacts to the Big Woods have been minimized in several aspects throughout the
golf course design. Eleven different routings were prepared and reviewed for the site. A
comparison of densities of golf holes on the property south of Co. Rd. 6 and north of Co. Rd. 6
shows that 11.80 Acres per hole of land is proposed, compared to a more dense 9.07 Acres per
hole in less sensitive areas. The density is significantly lower in the Big Woods.
Fairway design is as narrow' as possible in sensitive areas such as Big Woods and wetlands.
In addition, an area (0.64 acres) has been set aside as upland buffer area, for protection under the
Wetland Conservation Act. In total, this area is approximately 4.6 contiguous acres of Big
Woods. This portion of the property lies adjacent to other Big Woods tracts of residential
property. Another area where fairways were designed to minimize impacts, allow for a 2 acre
parcel of Big Woods. Most Big Wood tracts are connected so as not to leave “islands ” of
isolated areas. The historical evaluation of the site did not reveal any historic significance to this
tract of Big Woods.
The clearing process on this golf course will go thru many stages. The first stage w ill be a
clearing, 30 feet either side of the center line of the golf hole. After this initial clearing is
completed, all of the clearing from that point on will be flagged. Any tree that is in question to
remain or be removed will be left until the golf hole has been roughed in, at that point a decision
will be made on the trees.
3.Comment: “...the EAW anticipates minimal impacts to wildlife that *jse the site’s
wetlands (21 defined basins). This assessment ignores the amphibians that are present
that depend on both the wetlands and the surrounding forest.’
(DNR letter 4/9/97, page 3)
Response: Wetland buffers between 16.5 and 35 ft. are being maintained except in wetland
impact areas (7 basins out of 21 total). Maintaining buffers on wetland fill areas would require
filling additional wetland to create the buffer. Total wetland impacts are 1.45 acres out of 23.6
total wetland acres. An additional upland buffer of 0.64 acres of Big Woods is being preserved
at the southeast portion of basin 17. The buffer areas will maintain the riparian and upland
vegetation, including the mature hardwoods. Restoration of wetlands by blocking of the
drainage ditches will increase water levels by up to 1.5 feet. The drainage ditches were created
in the 1930's or 1940's, and occur throughout the Big Woods and the rest of the property. In
addition to partially restoring these wetlands to their pre-ditched condition, the weirs will delay
runoff which will improve water quality and provide better aquatic habitat. Restoring these water
levels will enhance habitat especially for amphibians as it will create more stable water regimes
necessary for more consistent reproduction. Compared to a subdivision and the accompanying
road networks, amphibian species in particular will be at much less risk of being killed during
migration.
4.Comment: “...the EAW should indicate that the project results in a net loss of high
quality habitat. Species that use the site now will be forced to compete on what (if any)
suitable habitat that remains, or will be displaced offsite to neighboring areas. The
ensuing competition with populations already in place will eventually result in an overall
population decline. Therefore, project-related habitat losses result in project-related
wildlife losses. (DNR letter 4/9/97, page 4)
Response: The Big Woods remnant is rated as medium quality (BC) by the DNR. As stated in
the EAW, 45.56 wooded acres and 24.6 wetland acres will remain on the property after
construction. There is no question that much habitat for the species currently on the property
will remain. Many stands of trees will remain undisturbed, and an effort has been made to
maintain corridors of woods to facilitate wildlife movement.
5.Comment: “Regarding potential fishery impacts to Long Lake, Item 1 la is incomplete
because it does not discuss how fish resources would be affected by the project nor is any
discussion offered on how impacts can be avoided or minimized.” (DNR letter 4/9/97,
page 4)
Response: There are no impacts anticipated on fish resources in Long Lake. Runoff will be
treated prior to leaving the site. And nutrient loading is anticipated to be less than current
conditions. See Items 12 (Physical Impacts on Water Resources) and 18 (Water Quality)
Item 18
6. Comment: “It is unclear from the information provided in Item 18, Surface Water
Runoff, and Table 2, Long Lake Nutrient Loading Budget, whether the project will
change the quality of this fisher>'. Will the project diminish the habitat value of Long
Lake for fish and other species? Will the project affect the quality of this fishery?’
(DNR letter 4/9/97, page 4)
Response: No. See response #5.
Item 12
7. Comment: “An adjustable outlet weir is shown at the wetland outlet. A protected waters
permit would be required for this structure.” “...’’construction or reconstruction of water
level control facilities shall not be allowed where it is intended to manipulate water levels
solely to satisfy private interests.” It is unlikely that the structure as proposed can be
approved. Furthermore, the plans do not state what the proposed control elevation is, nor
is an explanation offered for the operational criteria.” (DNR letter 4/9/97, page 4)
Response: The need for a permit has been discussed with the Area Hydrologist at the DNR late
last year. The weir structure is not only intended to increase water levels for aesthetics, but also
to restore the wetland to pre-ditched conditions, and to detain the water for longer treatment. The
Minnehaha Creek Watershed is using similar methods of water treatment for contributing
watersheds into Long Lake. Proposed control elevation is approximately 1.5 feet. The DNR
Protected Waters permit is listed in Item 8 in the EAW. It is to be requested.
8.Comment: “An official ordinary high water (OHW) elevation has not been determined
for the basin. A permit may be required for this crossing.” (DNR letter 4/9/97, page 4)
Response:. The boardwalk crossing will be installed outside of the OHW. This also had been
discussed with the Area Hydrologist. The OHW was to be determined by the DNR after snow
melted this spring, and the board walk will be placed outside the OHW.
9. Comment: “An area adjacent to #27-837W is delineated as being 0.57 acres of
mitigation (Mitigation Area A). In general. Wetlands Conservation Act (WCA) sites are
not allowed to be directly connected to state protected wetlands. DNR approval would be
required.” (DNR letter 4/9/97, page 4)
Response: The DNR Protected Waters permit is listed in Item 5 cf the EAW. It is to be
requested. Design of the mitigation area is flexible as this area will be excavated. For wildlife
purposes, it is believed that being connected to each other is better. However, if the DNR feels
that this is inappropriate in this instance, then the mitigation area will be separated by a narrow
strip of upland. This will likely cause higher predation to susceptible species.
10. Comment: “The entire perimeter of this basin [DNR Protected Water 27-837W] is to be
graded. No explanation is offered regarding what specific erosion control practices will
be used during construction other than standard usage of silt fencing.... No detail is
provided on how disturbed areas will be revegetated.” (DNR letter 4/9/97, page 4)
Response: A 26 foot upland buffer zone will be maintained around the DNR protected water
(designated as wetland 15 in the EAW). Silt fencing will be maintain around all wetland areas,
and a quick turn around time between grading and turf establishment is also proposed. Best
Management practices to avoid and minimize erosion during construction are included in the
design. A seeding plan was distributed to the City of Orono.
11. Comment: “Detail is lacking on how the project will change the contributing watershed
areas for #27-837W. Drastically changing the flows through the basin could lead to
shoreline erosion and sedimentation, thus leading to basin degradation.” (DNR letter
4/9/97, page 4)
Response: Details on any change in the watershed are in the grading plan. No significant
changes to the contributing watershed are proposed. Buffer areas are maintained to protect
against shoreline erosion and sedimentation.
Item 18
12. Comment: “It is unclear from the discussion in Item 18, Storm Water Runoff, whether
runoff will be pretreated prior to discharge to wetlands. In general we recommend
pretreatment of all runoff prior to discharge to basins. In this instance, we would view
favorably the restoration of pre-existing conditions, but new weir structures at the
wetland outlets would impound runoff up to a two-foot depth. (DNR letter 4/9/97, page
5)
Response: Runoff from the fairways will first come into contact with buffer zones, in the case of
DNR #27-837W, a 26 foot buffer zone. Weirs will retain water longer before discharging into
the existing drainage system. The water will then enter a series of wetlands and eventually the
NURP basins before leaving the site. A total of 208 acres of off-site runoff will also be treated in
the proposed design.
Item 13
13. Comment: “...indicates an existing well will be used to pump water into an irrigation
pond. Is this an existing pond? No description of the irrigation system is offered in the
EAW. The required DNR Water Appropriation Permit process will require a full
description of this system.” (DNR letter 4/9/97, page 5)
Response: The DNR Vv v.er Appropriations permit is listed in Item 8. It is to be requested and
will detail the proposed ’rrigation system. The need for a permit was discussed with the Area
Hydrologist at the DNR late last year. An appropriation permit has been issued for the current
use of the well. Becaure of the change of use to include irrigation purposes, a new appropriation
permit will be needed.
Item 17
14. Comment: “Erosion and Sedimentation should offer greater detail on measures proposed
to manage the grading/excavation of approximately 80 acres of land by moving almost
340,000 cubic yards of soil material. No grading plan is provided.”
Response: Best Management practices to avoid and minimize erosion during construction are
included in the design. A seeding plan was distributed to the Cities. A comp ete set of site
construction plans was distributed to the Cities of Orono and Medina, and the Minnehaha Creek
Watershed District. The City of Orono supplied a complete set of plans to the DNR at their
request.
No soil will be moved off site. In addition, earthwork is balanced on each side of Co. Rd. 6, so
no soil moving vehicles will have to cross the road.
Item 32, Summary of Issues
Comment: “...the analysis and consideration of impacts, including examination of the
“alternative measures to mitigate the project ’s impact on the Big Woods remnant” should
not be deferred to later permitting for a resource of this significance. The possibility of
impact avoidance or minimization should be fully evaluated as part of the environmental
review process. The EAW does not include this information.” (DNR letter 4/9/97, page
2)
Response: Impacts are being reviewed concurrently for the Conditional Use Permit as well as
the EAW. It is important to note that the golf course is a permitted use of the Conditional Use
Permit.
Impacts to the Big Woods have been minimized in several aspects throughout the golf course
design. Eleven different routings were prepared and reviewed for the site. A comparison of
densities of golf holes on the property south of Co. Rd. 6 and north of Co. Rd. 6 shows that 11.80
Acres per hole of land is proposed, compared to a more dense 9.07 Acres per hole in less
sensitive areas. The density is significantly lower in the Big Woods.
Fairway design is as narrow as possible in sensitive areas such as Big Woods and wetlands.
In addition, an area (0.64 acres) has been set aside as upland buffer area, for protection under the
Wetland Conservation Act. This upland area is adjacent to residential off-site Big Woods tracts.
This area, on the golf course property is in total, approximately 4.6 contiguous acres of Big
Wc ds. Another area where fairways were designed to minimize impacts, allows for a 2 acre
parcel of Big Woods. Most Big Wood tracts are connected so as not to leave “islands” of
isolated areas. Non-impacted wooded areas adjacent to Big Woods will also lessen the island
effect.
The clearing process on this golf course will go thru many stages. The first stage will be a
clearing, 30 feet either side of the center line of the golf hole. After this initial clearing is
completed, all of the clearing from that point on will be flagged. Any tree that is in question to
BOl
remain or be removed will be left until the golf hole has been roughed in, at that point a decision
will be made on the trees.
Concluding Remarks
Comment: “The EAW does not sufficiently evaluate or portray project-related effects to
a natural resources, particularly as they relate to Medina 26 and existing habitat. The
project as proposed will eliminate the Big Woods stand ’s forest community function and
replace it with a series of woodland strips. No information has been presented on how
the project avoids or minimizes impacts to Medina 26 in terms of its current value as a
high quality natural resource of ecological significance. In addition, post-project tree
mortality could be high, the fishery of Long Lake could be detrimentally affected, and no
information has been provided on whether impacts to state protected water 27-837 have
been avoided. Without such information, it is our opinion that insufficient information is
available for informed decision-making on the need for an EIS and we would recommend
preparation of an EIS to collect the missing information.” (DNR letter 4/9/97, page 5)
Response: All comments have been responded to and adequately investigated. The golf course
is a permitted use with the CUP. No impacts are proposed to Long Lake or to the DNR protected
water #27-837, except for partial restoration to its pre-ditched condition, which the DNR
generally encourages. The weir will be placed outside the OHW. Impacts to the Big Woods
have been minimized through the golf course design process, and much mature hardwood,
wetland and some Big Woods habitat will remain.
”... When the tree canopy is fragmented by driveways, houses, and trails, the cool and moist
conditions characteristic of the shady interior of the forest are altered. More sunlight reaches
the forest floor and the shade-tolerant species typical of the forest are replaced by species more
typical of open habitats and forest edges.
There is no immediately life-threatening reason to worry about the loss of more maple-
basswoodforests from Hennepin county. If the remaining maple-ba.sswood forests in the county
were bulldozed away tomorrow and replaced by subdivisions or malls, few people would
perceive the difference. But the county would be more biologically impoverished, we would have
lost some of our natural heritage, and we would have destroyed sites that provide unique
aesthetic and educational opportunities. ”
1995 State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources
There are no legal protections for Big Wood eco-types, as there are for wetlands. An effort has
been made to provide legal protection for a small area under the Wetland Conservation Act
(WCA), as upland buffer. However, in order to abide by the WCA and avoid wetland impacts,
larger areas of the woods are impacted.
Finally, in reviewing the impact of the golf course, consideration should be given to the creation
of a green belt of approximately 200 acres, located between the two Scientific and Natural areas
using property zoned for residential development.
Response to Hennepin County
Comment 1: ...The improvements on County Road 6 must be designed to meet State
Aid standards and plans must be reviewed and approved by the County.
Response: No turn lanes are proposed at this time. If the City determines that traffic safety
improvements related to this project are needed in the future, they will be designed to State Aid
standards.
Comment 2: ...The design of the culvert must be performed by a registered Professional
Engineer and must conform to State Aid standards. The plans must be reviewed by the
appropriate county officials.
Response: The County was contacted by Schoell & Madson, Inc. engineering staff to discuss
culvert design in January 1997. Preliminary plans, designed by a registered Professional
Engineer, were then forwarded to County staff for review and comment. Final plans will be
prepared based on County staff comments and designed by a registered Professional Engineer
Comment 3: Well U 161437/27 is not 178 feet as stated but 429 feet from the Minnesota
[Geological Sur\'ey’s( MGS) ] County Well Index, CWI.
Response: Additional information included in the original drillers log and stated on the CWI
index as the final well depth, indicate that the well was drilled to a depth of429 feet. However,
it was then grouted between 429 and 178, and a 8" stainless steel screen was installed in the sand
and gravel unit. This information was apparently left out of the CWI. A copy of the original
driller’s log is enclosed.
Comment 4: Also the County encourages the city to reduce to the extent possible the
developments impact on the “Big Woods”
Response: Efforts have been made to minimize impacts to the “Big Woods”
Metropolitan Council
Item 11. Fish, Wildlife and Ecologically Sensitive Resources
Comment: “Further study should be done with regard to the impact the golf course will
have on the Big Woods forest tract located on the site Council staff is specifically
concerned about the proposed location of golf course holes 8-13 within one of the three
tracts of Big Woods trees located in the northwest comer of the proposed site.
...The extent of the impact this alteration would have on specific plants, trees and wildlife
was not thoroughly discussed in the EAW,
The developer should design the golf course in such a manner that the impact to the Big
Woods tract located within the site plan is minimized, and natural characteristics are
maintained.” (Metropolitan Council letter, March 4, 1997, page 1 and 2)
Response: The EAW does address that habitat will change due to the fragmenting of the
Woods, which will create more open areas and forest fringe. Some forest song birds will be
affected due to predation and competition.
In general, the fragmenting of the forest will create greater “biodiversity” as a greater number of
species are found in forest fringe areas, as opposed to dense forested areas. That is not to say that
the greater biodiversity is an improvement over the specialist species which occur in a Big Wood
type ecosystem. There are few species which exist solely in Big Woods habitat. Mature
deciduous trees are a common habitat requirement, and there will be many mature deciduous
trees remaining on this site.
Human intrusion and activity will only be present on the site from sunrise till sunset for 5 months
out of the years. Therefore, species remaining on site would need to be less tolerant of people
than if it were a park.
Microclimate conditions will change due to the edge effect. Some spring ephemerals may be
affected. However, the plant community would remain in at least 50% shade cover. In addition,
the golf club will maintain an open forest edge by removing exotics, such as common buckthorn,
honeysuckle, and other understory shrub species.
Because the fairways are only approximately 150 feet wide, the possibility of “blow down” due
to increased winds, is minimal.
♦Please see attached fact sheets on specific wildlife species identified by the DNR
Impacts to the Big Woods have been minimized in several aspects throughout the golf course
design. Eleven different routings were prepared and reviewed for the site. A comparison of
densities of golf holes on the property south of Co. Rd. 6 and north of Co. Rd. 6 shows that 11.80
Acres per hole of land is proposed, compared to a more dense 9.07 Acres per hole in less
sensitive areas. The density is significantly lov er in the Big Woods.
Fairway design is as narrow as possible in sensitive areas such as Big Woods and wetlands.
In addition, an area (0.64 acres) has been set aside as upland buffer area, for protection under the
Wetland Conservation Act. In total, this area is approximately 4.6 contiguous acres of Big
Woods. This portion of the property lies adjacent to other Big Woods tracts of residential
property. Another area where fairways were designed to minimize impacts, allow for a 2 acre
parcel of Big Woods. Most Big Wood tracts are connected .so as not to leave “islands ” of
isolated areas. The historical evaluation of the site did not reveal any historic significance to this
tract of Big Woods.
The clearing process on this golf course will go thru many stages. The first stage will be a
clearing, 30 feet either side of the center line of the golf hole. After this initial clearing is
completed, all of the clearing from that point on will be flagged. Any tree that is in question to
remain or be removed will be left until the golf hole has been roughed in, at that point a decision
will be made on the trees.
Item 18. Water Quality
Comment: “This section cites a study written by John Barten, Suburban Hennepin
County Park District, regarding the storm water runoff from golf course sites. As the
Barten study concentrated only on four metropolitan area golf courses, was conducted
over a limited period (one year) of time, and the courses were self-selected, the RGU
should be cautious in applying the conclusions of that study on the proposed golf course’
(Metropolitan Council letter, March 4, 1997, page 2)
Response: The study by John Barten represents the only local research available on the
pollutant loadings of golf course stormwater runoff known to this author. The data from the
study gives a good estimation of some actual pollutant loadings from well managed golf courses.
It is this authors opinion that using data from a reputable source, even though the research period
was limited is better than using the broad range data found in the other literature used to
approximate nutrient budgets and loadings.
The proposed stormwater management plan includes three large NURP basins which are
expected to reduce the off-site pollutant loading levels to below existing pollutants loading to
Long Lake. Best Management practices are being used throughout the design of the project.
The golf course grounds will also be managed to reduce the pollutant levels leaving the site.
Item 28. Compatibility with plans
Comment: “As proposed the golf course would remove a substantial part of the forest
tract. This appears to be incompatible with the city of Medina ’s Comprehensive Plan,
Sections 2 and 4.
"Preservation of woodlands is important both aesthetically andfunctionally. ”
Section 4.A.P3, General Development Policies, also encourages the preservation of
natural resources:
"Allow low-density, rural residential development if no damage would be done to natural
resources and adequate permeable soils are available to meet the City‘s on-site system
requirements. " (Metropolitan Council letter, March 4, 1997, page 2 and 3)
Response: The City of Medina is responsible for interpretation and implementation of its
Comprehensive Plan. The excerpts cited are general in nature. The Medina City Council has
granted conceptual approval for the project, and has concluded that "the Applicant's proposed use
of the property is not likely to adversely affect the development of adjacent property for uses for
which it is zoned". (City of Medina Resolution dated April 15, 1997)
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Response
WETLAND IMPACT
Comment: “It is not clear on page 6 of the EAW what wetland acreage will be filled.
One section of the text states Aat 1.41 acres are proposed to be filled. A 2:1 mitigation in
combination with the existing 23.6 acres would yield 25.01 acres of wetland after
mitigation, yet the text states 24.6 acres will be present after mitigation, “(letter April 9,
1997, page 1)
Response: The golf course is proposing to fill 1.41 acres of wetland. The proposed mitigation
ratio is actually 5.01:1. The break down is as follows:
Upland Buffer: 0.64 ac.
NURP Credits: 0.61 ac.
PVC Credits: 3.51 ac.
Created Wetlands: 2.51 ac.
Total: 7.27 ac.
Comment: “The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) is the LGU for wetlands
located in Orono; projects impacting these wetlands must comply withe MCWD rules
and will require a permit from the MCWD. Once the design has been finalized the
MCWD will review the design and accompanying materials to determine if it me -ts the
District’s rules before issuing a permit.” (letter April 9, 1997)
Response: A complete set of grading plans, as well as the wetland permit application, has been
submitted to the MCWD.
STORMWATER TREATMENT
Comment: “Treatment of stormwater runoff from the project will be treated by three
NURP ponds to be constructed on site. The depth of the ponds constructed by wetland
excavation wiil affect the amount of wetland mitigation required.” (letter April 9, 1997)
Response: Wetland excavation area has been included in the mitigation.
Comment: “There was some indication that one of the ponds will be used as a holding
area for irrigation water and will be refilled by pumping from a nearby well. The proper
functioning of the treatment pond will depend in part on the withdrawal and renll rates.
When the design is finalized, the MCWD will review the project for compliance with
MCWD rules and BMP before issuing a permit.” (letter April 9, 1997)
Response: The irrigation system will use BMP’s and will comply with MCWT) rules.
Public and Private Organization Comments
Comment: Janet Green of the Conservation Committee Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union
comments on the fragmentation of the Big Woods. Ms. Green “urges” that the Big
Woods not be fragmented by the golf course development. And if this cannot be done,
they request an EIS to adequately document the measures that are taken to minimize or
avoid this significant adverse impact and what alternative measures have been
considered.
Response: Impacts to the Big Woods have been minimized in several aspects throughout the
golf course design. Eleven different routings were prepared and reviewed for the site. A
comparison of densities of golf holes on the property south of Co. Rd. 6 and north of Co. Rd. 6
shows that 11.80 Acres per hole of land is proposed, compared to a more dense 9.07 Acres per
hole in less sensitive areas. The density is significantly lower in the Big Woods.
Fairway design is as narrow as possible in sensitive areas such as Big Woods and wetlands.
Average fairway width is approximately 150 feet.
In addition, an area (0.64 acres) has been set aside as upland buffer area, for protection under the
Wetland Conservation Act. In total, this area is approximately 4.6 contiguous acres of Big
Woods. This portion of the property lies adjacent to other Big Woods tracts of residential
property. Another area where fairways were designed to minimize impacts, allow for a 2 acre
parcel of Big Woods. Most Big Wood tracts are connected so as not to leave “islands ” of
isolated areas. Non-impacted wooded areas adjacent to Big Woods will also lessen the island
effect.
The clearing process on this golf course will go thru many stages. The first stage will be a
clearing, 30 feet either side of the center line of the golf hole. After this initial clearing is
completed, all of the clearing from that point on will be flagged. Any tree that is in question to
remain or be removed will be left until the golf hole has been roughed in, at that point a decision
will be made on the trees.
Comment: Mr. Bill Busse, from Greenpeace comments, “Given that there are very few
examples of Big Woods remnants left in Minnesota and virtually none left in the Twin
City Metropolitan Area, and Given that there are already more than 100 Public and
Private golf courses in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. I believe that no action should
be taken to advance this project.” (letter March 27, 1997)
Response: There are no legal requirements protecting Big Woods. The DNR states in their 1995
Circular;
"... When the tree canopy is fragmented by driveways, houses, and trails, the cool and moist
conditions characteristic of the shady interior of the forest are altered. More sunlight reaches
1
1
the forest floor and the shade-tolerant species typical of the forest are replaced by species more
typical of open habitats andforest edges.
There is no immediately life-threatening reason to worry about the loss of more maple-
basswoodforests from Hennepin county. If the remaining maple-basswoodforests in the county
were bulldozed away tomorrow and replaced by subdivisions or malls, few people would
perceive the difference. But the county would be more biologically impoverished, we would have
lost some of our natural heritage, and we would have destroyed sites that provide unique
aesthetic and educational opportunities."
1995 State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources
The Big Woods in the City of Medina is zoned as rural residential. It is important to note that the
golf course is a permitted use of the Cities of Medina and Orono Conditional Use Permits.
Comment: Ms. Elizabeth Weir comments, “Reading the EAW, I am distressed by the
lack of scientific information regarding the impact of the complete fiagmentation
proposed by the Spring Hill Golf Club (see before and after construction EAW maps in
Appendix B) upon specialized species within Medina 26.” (letter April 9,1997)
Response: The EAW does address that habitat will change due to the fragmenting of the
Woods, which will create more open areas and forest fringe. Some forest song birds will be
afTected due to predation and competition.
In general, the fragmenting of the forest will create greater “biodiversity” as a greater number of
species are found in forest fringe areas, as opposed to dense forested areas. That is not to say that
the greater biodiversity is an improvement over the specialist species which occur in a Big Wood
type ecosystem. There arc few species which exist solely in Big Woods habitat. Mature
deciduous trees are a common habitat requirement, and there will be many mature deciduous
trees remaining on this site.
*Please see attached fact sheets on specific wildlife species
Human intrusion and activity will only be present on the site from sunrise till sunset for 5 months
out of the years. Therefore, species remaining on site would need to be less tolerant of people
than if it were a park.
Microclimate conditions will change due to the edge effect. Some spring ephemerals may be
affected. However, the plant community would not evolve toward “shade intolerant ” species,
because they would remain in at least 50% cover. In addition, the golf club will maintain an
open forest edge by removing exotics, such as common buckthorn, honeysuckle, and other
understory shrub species.
Because the fairways are only approximately 150 feet wide, the possibility of “blow down” due
to increased winds, is minimal.
y
The DNR Biological Survey inspected this property on May 31, 1995. It is important to note
that no threatened, endangered or special concern species were identified as possibly existing in
this Big Woods parcel.
Comment: Ms. Borgert of Long Lake comments on bald eagles in the area, “Desirable
eagle habitat in locale? Is there a growing eagle population in vicinity to which we must
be sensitive?”
Response: The DNR Biological Survey inspected this property on May 31, 1995. It is
important to note that no threatened, endangered or special concern species were identified as
existing in this Big Woods parcel.
Comment: Ms. Borgert’s second concern is regarding water contamination due to runoff:
“Water contamination (wetlands, lake) from chemical use on golf course, esp. mercury
(used to prevent snow mold). No way to monitor/regulate use of chems on private
course.”
Response: Runoff from the fairways will first come into contact with buffer zones. Weirs will
retain water longer before discharging into the existing drainage system. The water will then
enter a series of wetlands and eventually the NURP basins before leaving the site. A total of 208
acres of off-site runoff will also be treated in the proposed design. This design is similar to the
approach the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District is using to improve water quality and
decrease nutrient loading in Long Lake.
Mercury based fungicides are no longer produced. The production and use of mercury based
fungicides ceased in the early 1990's.
Comment: Mr. Richard Krueger, resident of the City of Orono comments, “I urge the
cities of Orono and Medina to consider the possibility of facilitating the acquisition of the
property, along with the Springhill property, as a nature preserve through a combination
of public and private financing.
1 also suggest that you ask DNR officials to inspect “Medina 26" in May to insure that
there are no endangered plants or animals living on this property” (letter March 20, 1997)
Response: City acquisition of the Spring Hill property is financially prohibitive. The applicants
have indicated their costs of acquisition of the property are in excess of $5 million. No public or
private entity has stepped forward offering funding for acquisition of the property. The owner of
the Big Woods parcels in Medina has indicated if the golf course project does not go forward, he
expects the property will be sold for residential development or developed by himself for that
purpose. He indicates he has no intent to donate the Big Woods property to the DNR nor to
grant conservation easements over it.
The DNR Biological Survey inspected this property on May 31,1995. It is important to note
that no threatened, endangered or special concern species were identified as possibly existing in
this Big Woods parcel. No rare, threatened, endangered or special concern species are located in
the Wolsfeld Woods or Wood-Rill Scientific and Natural Areas. Schoell & Madson, Inc.,
Environmental Specialists inspected the property in October, 1996 and identified no rare,
threatened, endangered or special concern species.
"... When the tree canopy is fragmented by driveways, houses, and trails, the cool and moist
conditions characteristic of the shady interior of the forest are altered. More sunlight reaches
the forest floor and the shade-tolerant species typical of the forest are replaced by species more
typical of open habitats and forest edges.
There is no immediately life-threatening reason to worry about the loss of more maple-
basswoodforests from Hennepin county. If the remaining maple-basswood forests in the county
were bulldozed away tomorrow and replaced by subdivisions or malls, few people would
perceive the difference. But the county would be more biologically impoverished, we would have
lost some of our natural heritage, and we would have de.stroyed sites that provide tmique
aesthetic and educational opportunities."
1995 State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources
Comment: Mr. Richard Krueger also comments, “If the golf course is approved, the
wetland on my property will be negatively impacted by the small dam placed at the
southern end of Wetland 17. Asa result of this dam, the wetland on my land will be
significantly drier.” (letter March 20, 1997)
Response: A meeting was held with Mr. Krueger regarding the potential impacts on his wetland,
An agreement between the two parties has been reached and the issue has been satisfactorily
resolved.
Comment: 1 he Native American Rainbow Network comments, “No impacts are
anticipated from the proposed golf course... An added charge for a rush job has also been
attached.” (letter March 27, 1997)
Response: The National Heritage Program request was asked to be rushed do to the short time
frame for preparation for the EAW. The request is for a data base file review, which is not
compromised by a shorter turn around time.
Comment: The Native American Rainbow Network comments, “In 1856 the Big Woods
in Hennepin County covered 154,000 acres....Fragmentation of forests in the metropolitan
area has resulted in loss of habitat for...plants and animals.”
Response: The City acknowledges that 150 years of development in Hennepin County has
resulted in irreversible changes to its natural environment.
Comment: The comment from the Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis is: “We appeal to
the golf course developers to avoid this [Big Woods] forest entirely. We also urge the
citizens and city councils of Orono and Medina, as well as prospective golf course
members, to value this woods. Springhill Golf Course will undo what a it took nature
hundreds, if not thousands of years to create.”
Response: Impacts to the Big Woods have been minimized in several aspects throughout the
golf course design. Eleven different routings were prepared and reviewed for the site. A
comparison of densities of golf holes on the property south of Co. Rd. 6 and north of Co. Rd. 6
shows that 11.80 Acres per hole of land is proposed, compared to a more dense 9.07 Acres per
hole in less sensitive areas. The density is significantly lower in the Big Woods.
Fairway design is as narrow as possible in sensitive areas such as Big Woods and wetlands.
In addition, an area (0.64 acres) has been set aside as upland buffer area, for protection under the
Wetland Conservation Act. In total, this area is approximately 4.6 contiguous acres of Big
Woods. This portion of the property lies adjacent to ocher Big Woods tracts of residential
property. Another area where fairways were designed to minimize impacts, allow for a 2 acre
parcel of Big Woods. Most Big Wood tracts are connected so as not to leave “islands” of
isolated areas. The historical evaluation of the site did not reveal any historic significance to this
tract of Big Woods.
The clearing process on this golf course will go thru many stages. The first stage will be a
clearing, 30 feet either side of the center line of the golf hole. After this initial clearing is
completed, all of the clearing fr.)m that point on will be flagged. Any tree that is in question to
remain or be removed will be left until the golf hole has been roughed in, at that point a decision
will be made on the trees.
Comment: Another comment from the Audubon Society is regarding a public buyout:
“The neighboring communities of Eden Prairie, Plymouth and Maple Grove, have
implemented public buyouts of ecologically significant tracts such as this. Perhaps it’s
not too late for Orono and Medina to consider this option.” (letter March 27, 1997)
Response: City acquisition of the Spring Hill property is financially prohibitive. The applicants
have indicated their costs of acquisition of the property are in excess of $5 million. No public or
private entity has stepped forward offering funding for acquisition of the property. The owner of
the Big Woods parcels in Medina has indicated if the golf course project does not go forward, he
expects the property will be sold for residential development or developed by himself for that
purpose. He indicates he has no intent to donate the Big Woods property to the DNR nor to
grant conservation easements over it.
r^'
Comment: Ms. Lisa Ringer comments: “One issue I am personally concerned with is the
potential impact to bird nesting and migration.”
“I urge you to note the comments on the EAW written by Fred Harris of the DNR.
(letter April 9, 1997)
Response: The EAW does address that habitat will change due to the fragmenting of the
Woods, which will create more open areas and forest fringe. Some forest song birds will be
affected due to predation and competition.
Human intrusion and activity will only be present on the site from sunrise till sunset for 5 months
out of the years. Therefore, species remaining on site would need to be less tolerant of people
than if it were a park.
Impacts to the Big Woods have been minimized in several aspects throughout the golf course
design. Eleven different routings were prepared and reviewed for the site. A comparison of
densities of golf holes on the property south of Co. Rd. 6 and north of Co. Rd. 6 shows that 11.80
Acres per hole of land is proposed, compared to a more dense 9.07 Acres per hole in less
sensitive areas. The density is significantly lower in the Big Woods.
Fairway design is as narrow as possible in sensitive areas such as Big Woods and wetlands.
In addition, an area (0.64 acres) has been set aside as upland buffer area, for protection under the
Wetland Conservation Act. In total, this area is approximately 4.6 contiguous acres of Big
Woods. This portion of the property lies adjacent to other Big Woods tracts of residential
property. Another area where fairways were designed to minimize impacts, allow for a 2 acre
parcel of Big Woods. Most Big Wood tracts are connected so as not to leave “islands” of
isolated areas. The historical evaluation of the site did not reveal any historic significance to this
tract of Big Woods.
All of Mr. Harris’s comments have been addressed.
1
f'
A Schoell Si Madson, Inc.
EnginBors • Surveyors • R/anners
So/7 Testing • Environ/nenta! Services
1Q5SO Wayzata Boulevard. Suite 1 Minnetonka. MN 55305-1525
Office B12-54B-7B01 Fax 61 2-5<4B-90B5
Mike Gaffron
Assistant Planning and Zoning Administrator
City of Orono
P.6. Bo,\ 66
Crystal Bay, MN 55323
May 21,1997
Subject:Spring Hill Golf Club
Response to DNR^request
for further information
Dear Mr. Gaffron,
On May 1, 1997, in a meeting with several representatives from the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources. Spring Hill Golf Club agreed to provide further information
regarding several aspects ot the golf course design. Areas of concern were the Big Woods,
Habitat Impacts, Tree Preser\ ation. Protected Waters and Erosion Control. Below are the
responses using DNR suggested techniques to the issues raised.
1.Big Woods
a. Three configurations, concept, preliminary' and final design, have been submitted for
DNR information. Impacts to the Big Woods are lessened and mitigated with each design. The
degree of impact of each design is best defined by three measures: acres per hole, total yards of
fainvays and average fairway width. The area has been analyzed as the 84 acre parcel lying
north of County Road 6, with special focus and detail on the Big Woods area.
e'Kutce
Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Employer
SCHOELL & MAOSON, INC.
Mr. Mike Gaffron May 21, 1997
Design
Preliminary
Intermediate
Final
Acres/Hole
9.33
12.00
12.00
Total Yards of
Fairways
3.160 vds
2,835 yds
2,619 vds
Average Width
of Fairway
200 ft.
100 to 200 ft.
100 to 150 ft.
Analysis includes the entire 84 acres north of Co. Rd. 6
The concept design would have resulted in the greatest impact to both the Big Woods and
wetlands. It had the longest and widest fairways. The largest strip of Big Woods to remain
would have been approximately 100 ft. wide and 750 ft. long. This plan also included impacts to
the DNR Protected Water.
The preliminary' design incorporated revisions to avoid and mitigate Big Woods impacts.
Most significant is the number of golf holes through the area. The hole number was decreased
from 9 to 7 holes north of County Road 6. This change increased the number of acres per hole
and decreased the total number of yards of fairway on this area. In addition, the intermediate
plan began to set aside larger tracts of undisturbed woods, because the status of the wooded area
had been identified as a Big Woods remnant. This plan preserves a 3.3 acre area in the northwest
corner of the property, which was later identified as a stand of approximately 150 year old white
oaks. In addition to the fairway impacts, this plan incorporated a rest station in the north western
portion of the property which included an additional 100 sq. ft. of Big Woods impact.
The final design has improved on the mitigation measures incorporated into tlie
preliminary plan, and made additional changes to preserv e larger tracts of Big Woods. The final
plan continues to maintain the 7 golf holes, but has decreased the total number of yards from the
intermediate plan by over 200 yards. In addition to the 3.3 acre parcel in the northwest comer,
approximately 2.5 contiguous acres in the western portion of tlie property and 2.3 acres in the
southeast area of Big Woods will not be impacted. An additional 0.64 acres will also be
classified as upland buffer for the wetland and will be protected under the Wetland Conservation
Act. Where feasible, the travelways from greens to tees will not be cut in order to provide
travelways for wildlife from wooded area to wooded area. Lastly, the rest station, which was
originally placed in the Big Woods, has been moved to a grassland area, just north of County
Road 6.
b. The Big Woods radial plot survey was conducted on May 12. 1997. Please see the
attached analysis prepared by Dr. Lee Frehlich from the University of Minnesota. Department of
Forestr)'. Lists of wildlife species commonly found in Big Woods is al.so attached.
1
SCHOELL & MADSON, INC.
Mr. Mike Gaffron May 21,1997
2. Habitat Impact Assessment
a. Covertypes were defined again, this time using 1994 aerial photographs and by walking
through each plant community type. The covertypes w'ere first divided into broad categories
found in the EAW. The categories were wetlands, urbaiVsuburban lawn, wooded/forest,
brush/grassland, impervious surface, and other (defined as golf course area post construction).
The covertypes focused on for further definition were wooded/forest and brush/grassland
(wetlands were extensively defined in the wetland delineation report included in the EAW and
urban/suburban lawn consists of the bluegrass areas around the conference center). Lists of
plants, noting dominant species were made for each covertype.
^^ooded/Forest
The wooded/forest covertype covers approximately 90 acres of the property. Forty three
of the 90 acres are considered Big Woods and have been addressed in detail under section 1. Of
the remaining 47 acres, approximately 13.5 acres are comprised of planted red pine, white pine
and spruce stands. Three of the planted coniferous stands are approximately 4 acres in size,
others are less than 1 acre. One contiguous 13.5 acre stand of deciduous trees is located in the
central portion of the property located south of County Road 6. The stand is comprised of bur
oaks, basswood, red pine and sugar maples The remaining 20 wooded acres are comprised of
small stands containing primarily boxelder and buckthorn. The largest of the remaining parcels
is approximately 4.5 acres, others are less than one acre in size.
Wildlife observed on-site in the wooded areas are: wxen. nuthatch, chickadee, owl.
crows, cowbird, woodchuck, garter snake and white-tailed deer.
Brush/Grassland
The combined categories of Brush and Grassland comprise approximatt ly 71.8 acres.
Grasslap.'i consists of open areas vegetated with grasses and forbs. Bnishland is vegetated w ith a
high pe* eenw :e of shrubs and young trees under 20 feet in height. Grassland accounts for
approx*: '. :ly 51 acres of this category, w hile brushland comprises the remaining 20.8 acres.
The laigest areas of grassland are found in the portion of the property located south of
County Road 6. They are dominated by non-native grasses, primarily smooth brome and
Kentucky bluegrass. Forbs found in these areas are mustard, mullein and goldcnrod. These
areas also include patches of invading shrubs and saplings such as red cedar, sumac, boxelder or
remnant domestic plantings such as apple trees or the rows of ash and boxelder. In general, this
tends to be the least diverse community type on the site due to the high percentage of smooth
brome grass, which limits diversity of plants species for food, cover and nesting sites.
SCHOELL & MADSON, INC.
MikcGaffron May 21, 1997
Wildlife observed in the grassland areas are: tree sparrows, blue birds, gold finch,
redwing black bird and white tailed deer.
Brushland areas are small and scattered patches throughout the property. The largest area
of brushland is approximately 5.5 acres, and is located along the north property boundary. The
brush areas arc former pasture land which have been abandoned and invaded by sumac, prickly
ash and/or aspen saplings. These areas are slowly succeeding into forest as evidenced by maple
saplings, and occasional black cherry and American eln Species c mposition is dependent on
adjacent forest community types.
b. Inherent in the overall design process, the designer prepares a number of designs
progressing from a concept design to preliminary design to final design. Each step of the design
process has an increased level of detail. Because of this, the post construction characterization of
covertypes for the concept and preliminary designs are less defined and lack detail for plantings,
as well as NURP ponds and wetland mitigation areas.
In general, the portion of the golf course which was defined innerms of covertypes of
grassland, brushland and woodland can only be compared using the details provided in each
design. This detail is the area converted into golf course and areas which will be maintained in a
more natural character. A detail map of the final design grass and landscaping plan is available.
The Spring Hill Golf Club area located south of County Road 6 is approximately 110
acres in size.
Design Acres/Hole
not including
practice area
Total Yards of
Fairways
Average Width
of Fainvay
Preliminary 12 3,370 yds 200 ft.
Intermediate 10 4,135 yds 100 to 200 ft.
Final 10 4.293 yds 150 to 200 ft.
* Anaivsis includes the entire 110 acres south of Co. Rd. 6
The decrease in acres per hole and the increase in total yards of fairway in the
intermediate and final designs are a result of removing the two fairways from the northern
property in order to avoid Big Woods impacts.
Vegetation in most grasskuid and brush areas detailed in the final design will be changed.
The wooded areas will be left with the same dominant vegetative cover type. The final design
incorporates construction of natural areas that will be planted with native gra.sses such as big
I
SCHOELL S MADSON, INC.
Mr. Mike Gaffron May 21,1997
bluestem, little bluestem, sideoats grama, switch grass, Indian grass, western wheatgrass and
assorted forbs. Other areas will be planted with trees such as basswood, maple, oak, white pine,
scotch pine, green ash, locust, river birch, red oak, hawthorn, sumac, serviceberry, gray
dogwood, chokecherry and amur maple. Wetland mitigation areas will be planted with MnDOT
wet meadow mix and water tolerant trees and shrubs.
A natural wooded area, approximately 2 acres in size, will be preserved in the north
central area of the site. Trees in some impact areas will be transplanted to other areas on site.
See the tree preserv ation plan and the Grassing and Landscape Plan.
c.Of the wildlife species identified on site, all are anticipated to find suitable habitat on the
golf course property post construction. However, the number of species able to benefit from the
resources available will diminish. For effects of Big Wood fragmentation on wildlife species
potentially occurring at Spring Hill, see the attached list of Wildlife Commonly Found in Big
Woods.
d. The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, (ACSP) promotes
sustainable resource management — using natural resources without depleting them -- in ways
that will support human activity. The ACSP was created to aid in establishing these programs
for schools, backyards, corporate and business properties, and golf courses. The programs
provide a comprehensive integrated approach to environmental planning for these developments.
Spring Hill Golf Club has endorsed this program as another way to assure that it will
provide the most environmentally sensitive golf course possible. Following our submittal to the
ACSP of the golf course plans, their staff will prepare a report exclusively designed for Spring
Hill Golf Club. The report will supply Spring Hill Golf Club with the appropriate
recommendations on conserv ation and habitat enhancement projects. For tlie next two years.
Spring Hill will be implementing these recommendations in an effort to achieve ACSP’s
"Certification Status." The certification process is designed to recognize these developments that
have worked to ensure a high degree of environmental sensitivity and quality.
This process takes an average of two years to complete the certification process. Tliere
are seven categories within the ACSP for golf courses:
Environmental planning
Public involvement
Wildlife cover enhancement
Wildlife food enhancement
Integrated pest management
Water conserv ation
Water enliancements
1
SCHOELL Gi MADSON, INC.
Mr. Mike Gaffron May 21, 1997
Many of these categories have been addressed in our golf course and water management plans.
Restoring an estimated 30 acres of native prairie grasses and fescues, restoring wetlands to their
predrained state, designing a state-of-the-art computerized irrigation system with environmental
monitoring devices (E.T., temp, humidity rain shutoff), and a plan to save all bluebird bo.xes on
site for further use. are a few steps we have already taken toward the certification process. We
feel this program is a proactive step to take toward environmental harmony.
e.Habitat impacts have been mitigated throughout the design process. Buffer areas around
wetland areas range from 16.5 ft. to 35 ft. except in fill areas. E.xotic species, such as common
buckthorn and honeysuckle, will be manually controlled by the golf course during operation.
Native prairie species will be planted in natural areas, and some trees in areas of impact will be
transplanted in other natural areas.
3.Tree Preservation and Reforestation
a. DNR Region 6 Forester, Larry W'esterburg. recommended that the tree protection
guidelines used by the Minnesota Department of Transportation would be appropriate for the
Sp,: .ig Hill Golf Course site. These guidelines obtained from the MnDOT Standards and
Specifications for Construction; 1995 Edition.
Tree Relocation
The trees that are to be relocated are cum grow ing on the site. They are of good
form, and. to the best of our knowledge, free of d ...ise. The existing tree stock being relocated
is hardy for this area as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture's Plant
Hardiness Zone Map. Additional trees will be purchased for transplanting.
The trees that are machine-transplants of on site collected stock will be moved within the
site and measures will be taken to insure minimal damage to the stems, roots, branches, and
trunks of the trees, thus preventing opportunity for infection of the tree by various pathogens.
Where feasible to do so. the transplanted trees will be pruned within 24 hours. This will
serve to balance the area of the crown with the area of the roots thus minimizing branch diebaek
and potentially hazardous limbs.
While the majority of the trees to be planted are derived from on site stock, these trees
w ill be supplemented with additional nursery trees. As with the machine-transplanted trees,
those trees of nursery stock w ill be hardy for this area as defined by the USDA's Plant Hardiness
Zone Map and w ill be of good form; free from obvious defects and pathogens.
Measures will be taken around the planting bed area to provide for temporary' erosion
prevention. El forts to reduce the duration the soil is exposed to the erosive forces of rain and
i
I
SCHOELL & MADSON, INC.
Mr. Mike Gafiron May 21,1997
wind in the planting area will be made. Additional soil erosion control measures are in section
Da.
Tree Preservation
All suitable trees to be removed will be harvested for lumber. All grubbed materials will
be disposed of via chipping, burning or burying. Efforts will be taken during the grubbing to
fell trees away from areas to be preserved and into future fairway areas.
In an aim to prevent the spread of diseases, primarily Oak Wilt, any grubbing and
construction done during the months of May and June shall be done in such a manner as to
minimize wounding of any trees of the Red Oak family. Where economically feasible to do so.
trees of this t> pe that are inadvertently wounded will be dressed.
Trees of the Red Oak family and Elm family that are grubbed will be disposed of via
burning or chipping. This eliminates potential overw intering sites for members of the
XitUiuliciea beetle family in oaks and Scolytus mullistrionis and Hylurgopinus riifipes in elms.
These beetles are vectors of Oak Wilt and Dutch Elm Disease respectively.
Efforts shall be made to avoid the entiy of grubbing and construction equipment w ithin
the area designated for tree preserv'ation to avoid compaction of the soil and fracturing of roots
by roping or temporaiy fencing. Additionally, topsoil that is removed and set aside during the
grading will not be placed in areas designated as tree preser\'ation to avoid effectively-
suffocating the rootlets.
b. The possibility of change in the local w ater table can not be quantitatively determined
w ithout an in depth hydrologic analysis. It is recognized that the conversion of forested areas to
fairways will decrease the amount of evapotranspiration. The conversion may result in a slightly
larger volume of w ater in wetland areas. The only basins this may have an impact on are the two
isolated basins, not connected to the natural drainage system. This potential increase will not
sieniflcantlv effect the functions or values of these wetlands.
c. Trees in some areas of impacts arc proposed to be transplanted in natural areas on site,
(See 2 b. Assessment of Habitat Impacts. 2 e. Mitigation of Habitat Impacts and 3 a. Tree
Preseivation) Other mitigation measures have been addiesscd through project design.
SCHOELL & MADSON, INC.
Mr. Mike Gaffron 8 May 21,1997
4.Protected Waters
a. DNR acting area hydrologist Peter Leedt identified the Ordinary' High Water mark on the
DNR protected water 837W as 976.67'. The DNR has requested that no weir be installed at the
outlet to stabilize water levels. The weir will not be installed.
Two boardwalks are proposed to cross over the north end along a narrow arm that angles
to the northeast. The boardwalk design will be 8' width, with a low profile wood construction.
These boardwalks are to accommodate both golfers and equipment. A permit application will be
submitted before June 1,1997.
At the request of the DNR, the mitigation area proposed to be constructed along the
southern edge of the protected water will not be attached to the protected w'ater. No other actions
affecting the basin are proposed.
0.Erosion Control
a. Measures for erosion control are according to MPCA specifications. Silt fencing will be
placed around all wetland areas (see grading plan) and will be placed so that flow cannot bypass
the ends. If slopes will be inactive for more than 45 days, slopes will be temporarily seeded.
When seeding occurs, the areas will be mulched until vegetation is established. All slopes
greater than 3:1 will be permanently or temporarily seeded, mulched and covered with a
woodfiber mat.
Very truly yours.
SCHOELL & MADSON, INC.
Marshal Braman
Senior Environmental Specialist
05-19-1997 13:12 612 625 5212 UM FOREST RESOURCES P.02/09
Compoiition md itnicture of the vegetstlon of Medina 26 woodi. A report for Spring HIU
Golf Qub, by Lee E. Frelich. May 19,1997.
Methodi
Scanpling. A stratified random sampling strategy was used. The ‘bigwoodi’ forest area was
divided into 6 units prior to visiting the Kte in the field. The distribution of wetlands and other
non-bigwoods vegetation types, and topography suggested the logical division into 6 units. A
total of 30 plots were placed throughout the bigwoods area, and the number of plots in each of
the 6 units was proportional to its area.
Nested fixed radius plots were used in which an outer circle delimited the area within which all
trees were sampled, and a nested inner circle delimited the area within which seedlings, shrubs and
herbs were sampled. Initial experimentation in the field suggested that a fix^ radius of 7 meters
would be large enough to obtain an adequate number of trees for analysis, without taking a lot of
redundant dau. All trees >1.4 meters in height were tallied, and diameter was measured for all
those Uees >3.0 cm dbh. Additional data recorded for each tree included species, crown class
(overstoiy, receiving direct sunli^t firom above, or understoiy, not receiving direct sunlight firom
above), and quality of the tree (scale of 1-5; 1-perfect forest grown form and free from defect to
5=formerly open grown tree vwth many low branch stubs and rotten trunk). At this time of year it
is difficult to separate sugar maple from black maple, and therefore these two taxonomic units
were merged into sugar maple. A total of 4618 square meters of land area were sampled among
the 30 tree plots, approximately 3.9% of the total bigwoods area.
The nested plots were 2 m in radius. All species of tree seedlings, shrubs, and herbs were taUied
and assigned to abundance classes (1-5,6-10,11-20,21-50 and >50 individuals present).
Approximately 0.3% of the total bigwoods area was included in this analysis. Addition^ species
that occurred in the bigwoods, but not on the plots, were also noted so that a total species list
could be constructed.
Data analysis. Diameter-frequency distributions for all trees, all trees >10 cm dbh, overstory
trees, and understory trees allow interpretation of the structure of the forest.
To examine species composition, the number of live stems and proportion in each species, and the
live basal area of each species was calculated for all 30 plots combined. Experimentation with the
data showed that proportion of live basal area in each species was the most informative, and so
that was calculated separately for each of the 6 sampling units.
For tree seedlings, shrubs, and herbs, the frequency was calculated as the proportion of the 30
plots on which each species occurred. The mean number of herbaceous species among the 30
plots (area-12.6 square meters) was also calculated.
05-19-1997 13:12 612 625 5212 UM FOREST RESOURCES P.03/09
Reiults
Forest structure. A total of642 trees were tallied among the 30 plots. 175 of these were >10 cm
dbh, and 131 of them were overttoty trees, which had a mean dbh of 31 cm. The total basal was
13.4 square meters, or about 29 square meten / hectare. This is a typical basal for mature maple-
basswood-oak forest stands in the upper KGdwest. The diameter distribution fbr all trees shows a
typical negative exponential shape (fig 1). However, there are so many small saplings that the
shape of the distribution for sizable trees is obscured by the scale effect on the graph. In addition,
dbh distributions with all of the understory trees shown do not give a good representation of stand
structure as it relates to disturbance history.
Figure 2 shows overstory trees only. The complex history of the stand is apparent. Trees from
45 to 75 cm dbh mostly deviate substantially from forest-grown growth form (rated as 4 or 5 in
this analysis). These are trees that existed prior to the establishment of the modem forest (80
years ago or more) in the form of scattered open-grown trees and small groves of trees. The one
exception to this is a grove of v^e oaks in the northwest comer of the site arc large and have
good forest-grown growth form, indicating that there was a small area (1-2 hectares) of closed-
canopy forest there 100-150 years ago. Trees from 25-45 cm dbh have moderate to good forest
growth form and are 60-100 years old; they are the main cohort that dominate the current forest
and they filled in the open areas that formerly existed around the older trees. Trees from 0-25 cm
dbh, that are nevertheless in the canopy, are those that are filling in gaps that form when the older
trees (those that were formerly open grown) die. Trees of poor forest grown form were present
on 16 of 30 plots, which occurred in ail 6 sampling units.
Understory trees are virtually all sugar maple and ironwood, and range in size from 0-25 cm dbh
(Fig. 3). These trees will continue to replace the older oaks and sugar maples as they die.
Forest composition. Of the 642 trees tallied, 605 are live, and these are heavily dominated by
sugar maple and ironwood (89.2% of all live trees). Oaks and basswood make up only a small
portion of the stems, but a relatively large proportion of basal area (Table 1). Sugar maple, white
t)Uf Qak, red oak and basswood are the dominant species, together composing more than
90% of the basal area. A comparison of the basal area dominance of all 30 plots (Table 1), with
the six sampling units (Table 2) indicates that the stand is basically dominated by sugar maple,
with oaks or basswood scattered at various locations around the site. For example, white oak
occurs in abundance (>10%) in sampling units 4 and 6; bur oak in 3 and 6; red oak in 3; and
basswood in 2 and 3. In addition, bigtooth aspen occurs in abundance in sampling unit 5, ud red
maple in sampling unit 3. Thus, the spatial pattern of the site is a matrix of sugar maple with
small groves of the other species emb^ded within lt--a very typical spatial pattern for Midwestern
forests.
I 05-19-1997 13:13 61S 625 5212 DM FOREST RESOURCES P.04/09
Table 1. Tree Bpeciet compoihion of the 30 ploti combined.
Species Nuihber of Stems Basal Area %
Dead Live Live*/«
Servicebeny 1 9 1.5 •
Bigtooth Aspen 3 0.5 2.0
Yellowbud Hickory 1 0.2
Green Ash**0 0 0
Bur Oak 4 0.7 6.9
Red Oak 1 8 1.3 7-8
White Oak 9 1.5 13.0
Black Cherry 3 4 0.7 1.0
Basswood 15 2.4 7.1
Ironwood 9 197 32.1 1.0
American Elm 11 9 1.5 1.9
Hackberry 1 0.2 02
Red Maple 1 3 0.5 2.3
Sugar Maple 11 350 57.1 55.5
Total 37 605 100 100
^Indicates a trace amount occurred, which roundi to 0 when significant digits arc taken into
account (<0.1%). u ■in i ♦
••Green ash was noted to occur within bigwoods on the site, but did not occur on the 30 plots
except as seedlings.
0S-1S-1997 13:13 612 625 5212 UM FOREST RESOURCES P.05/09
Tible 2. Tree speciei compontion of the six sampling units, shown as percentage of live basal
area within each sampling unit. Blank indicates none in the sample, • indicates a trace as in table
1, Parenthesea after each sampling unit nuniber, indicate the number of plots, which were pooled
in this analysis.
Species Sampling Unit
1(6)2(S)3(3)4(8)5(5)6(3)
Serviceberry tn
Bigtooth Aspen 10.4
Yellowbud Hickory
Bur Oak 9.4 24.2 22.7
Red Oak 7.9 28.9 5.1 9.0
White Oak 35.0 42.2
Bkck Cherry ♦3.0 4.5
Basswood 21.4 16.1 3.0 5.1 0.3
Ironwood 3.3 5.8 1.4 1.5 «2.7
American Elm 0.6 4.0 9.6
Hackberry
1 1.5
Red Maple l.l 11.0 3.3
Sugar Maple 77.7 72.7 18.3 52.0 68.4 16.4
Total 100 100 100 100 100 100
Understory Composition. Sugar maple, black cherry and ironwood are the dominant species of
tree seedlings, along with a smattering of other species (Table 3). Relativdy few ironwood and
black cherry ever become mature dominant trees, and there few oak seedlings, indicating that
sugar maple will become more dominant in the ftiture. Gooseberries (2-3 species which were not
differentiated) arc the most frequent native shrubs, and buckthorn is the most frequent non-native
shrub (Table 3). Twenty-four species of native herbs were noted in the field, 17 of which
occurred on the sample plots. Sedges (probably Carex pennsylvanica), wood anemone and Jack-
in-the-pu!pit are the most frequent herbs. The non-native herb garlic mustard is also found on 30
of the 30 plots (Table 3).
05-19-1997 13:14 612 625 5212 UM FOREST RESOURCES P.06/09
Table 3. Species composition of seedlings, shrubs, and herbs. Frequency (# of plots out of 30) is
Herbs Shrubs Tree Seedlings
Caret penn.12 Prickly Ash 2 BT Aspen 1
Carexblanda 1 Ribessap.12 Ironwood 11
}ack-in-the»pulpit 8 Red raspberry 1 B. Cherry 10
Nodding trillium Lonicera sp.1 W.Oak 1
Cut-leaf toothwort t Red-osier Dogwood R. Oak 1
Bellwort $European Buckthorn 10 Basswood 2
Solomon’s Plume 1 A Elm 1
Small Solomon’s seal 5 Green Ash 4
Blue cohosh 2 Hackberry 1
Small-flowered buttercup 4 Red Maple 1
Geum ap. (Avens)2 S. Maple 17
Rue anemone 4
Wood anemone 7
Bloodroot 3
Galium sp. (Bedatraw)1
Wild geranium 1
Waterleaf
Yellow violet 1
Blue wood violet 1
Aster sp.3
Ladyfem 1
Ostrich fern
Evergreen Woodfem
Garlic mustard 3
05-19-1997 13:14 612 625 5212 UM FOREST RESOURCES P.07/09
)
i
i
300 -
I “O
100 -
4
05-19-1997 13:14 612 625 5212
25 -
20 -
c 15 -I
0)
lio-J u.
5 -
0 -
1
20
UM FOREST RESOURCES
M26 Overstory tree size distribulion
All species
30 40
06
60 80
P.00/09
.... *r. ■
f 05-19-1997 13:15 612 625 5212 DM FOREST RESOURCES P.09/09
L
f h <
300 -
^ 200
0)
3
O’s
“■ 100
0 -
M26 Understory tree size distribution
Ail species
P
1
I
10
1
20
dbhu
Wildlife Commonly Found in Big Woods
Taken from:
Forest Wildlife: A technical paper for a generic environmental impact
statement on timber harvesting and forest management in Minnesota.
Jaakko Poeyry Consulting Incorporated, 1992
Bird Species
Coopers Hawk
Black Billtd Cuckoo
Yellow Billed Cuckoo
Eastern Screech Owl
Barred Owl
Red Headed Woodpecker
Red Bellied Woodpecker
Yellow Bellied Sap Sucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Pee-wee
Least Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Blue Jay
Black Capped Chickadee
Wliite Breasted Nuthatch
Veery
Wood Thrush
Yellow Tliroated Vireo
Red Eyed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Ovenbird
Scarlet Tananger
Rosebreasted Grosebeak
Northern Oriole
Orchard Oriole
Amphibian Species
Blue Spotted Salmander
Spring Peeper
Eastern Gray Trcclrog
Wood Frog
Fragmentation Effect
Not effected
Positively effected
Positively effected
Positively and Negatively effected
Unknown
Positively effected
Positivelv effected
Unknown
Positively and Negatively effected
Positively and Negatively effected
Positivelv and Neizativelv effected
- - '
Unknown
Negatively effected
Positively and Negatively effected
Not effected
Positively and Negatively effected
Negatively impacted
Negatively impacted
Negatively effected
Negatively effected, probably not currently present
Negatively effected p»’obj ‘'ly not currently present
Positively and Negatively effected
Neaativelv effected
W ^
Negatively effected
Positively effected
Positively effected
Positively and Negatively effected
Eastern Garter Snake
Ring Neck Snake
Fragmentation Effect
No effect as long as wetland edge remains forested
No effect as lung as wetland edge remains forested
No effect as long as wetland edge remains forested
No effect as long as wetland edge remains forested, north facing
slopes
No effect
Possitix e effect as long course woody debris remains
I
Jt
Eastern Newt
Red Backed Salamander
Mammal Species
Eastern Chipmunk
Gray Squirrel
Southern Flying Squirrel
White Footed Mouse
Common Racoon
White Tailed Deer
Southern Red Backed Vole
Meado .</ Vole
Meadow Jumping Mouse
Red Fox
Grav Fox
Fox Squirrel
No effect as long as wetland edge remains forested
No effect as long as wetland edge remains forested
Fragmentation Effect
Not effected
Possitively and Negatively effected
Negatively effected, fewer oaks
Negatively effected
Not effected
Not effected
Negatively effected
Possitively effected
Possitively effected
Not effected
Negatively effected
Not effected
Bird Checklists of the United States
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Bloomingion, Minnesota
Like many refuges, Minnesota Valley attracts an international clientele. Nighthawks, wood
thrushes, all of our vireos, three-fourths of our warblers and another 32 species of landbirds
that use this refuge spend 9 months every year in Latin American tropical forests. You may
have heard that these forests are being decimated. If they disappear, so will many of "our"
birds.
Breeding and wintering areas have been identified for most North American birds. Critical
stopover areas are not as well known. Because of its location along one of America's main
migration corridors, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge helps to provide important
stopover habitat. Refuge managers use prescribed burns, water level manipulation, and
mowing to maintain prairie, marshes, and bottomland forests. This habitat matrix attracts about
260 bird species to the refuge each year. One hundred and twenty-one of these are known or
presumed to nest here.
Should you see species not on this list or notice changes in status, we would apprecste
hearing from you.
* - observed nesting within the refuge
- presumed to be nesting within the refuge but not confirmed
Solid lines indicate approximate taxonomic divisions by family.
Sp - March-May
S - June-August
F - September-November
W - December-February
a - abundant: common species that is very numerous
c - common: certain to be seen in suitable habitat
u - uncommon: present but not certain to be seen
o - occasional: seen only a few times during a season
r - rare: seen at intervals of 2 to 5 years
X - accidental: seen only once or twice
LOONS (Order Gaviiformes)Sp
Common Loon
GREBES (Order Podicipediformes)Sp
Pied-biJled Grebe*
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Eared Grebe
Western Grebe
PELICANS (Order Pelecaniformes)
American White Pelican
CORMORANTS (Order Pelecaniformes)
Double-crested Cormorant
HERONS (Order Ciconiiformes)
American Bittern*
Least Bittern
Great Blue Heron*
Great Egret*
Little Blue Heron
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Yellow-crowned Niaht-Heron
WATERFOWL (Order Anseriformes)
Tundra Swan (Whistling Swan)
Greater White-fronted Goose
Snow Goi .e
Canada Goose*
Wood Duck*
Green-winaed Teal
American Black Duck
o
o
o
r
Sp
u
Sp
c
Sp
u
o
a
c
r
c
c
r
Sp
c
r
u
c
c
c
c
S
u
o
a
c
c
c
c
c
o
o
u
F
c
F
u
o
a
c
c
c
r
F
u
r
u
c
c
c
u
r
w
r
W
i
f.4
Mallard*
Northern Pintail
Blue-winged Teal*
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Canvasback
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Oldsquaw
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck*
a
u
a
c
c
c
u
u
c
c
r
r
r
c
VULTURES (Order Falconiformes)
c
c
c
u
u
Sp
a
o
a
u
a
c
c
c
u
u
c
r
c
r
c
o
r
c
u
S
c
c
c
u
u
F
r
r
r
c
r
r
c
Turkey Vulture
HAWKS (Order Falconiformes)
r
S
u
F
Osprey
Bald Eagle*
u
u
a
u
►
Northern Harrier (Marsh Hawk)
Sharp-shinned Hawk*
Cooper's Hawk
Northern Goshawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk*
Rough-legged Hawk
FALCONS (Order Falconiforraes)
American Kestrel*
Peregrine Falcon
GROUSE (Order Galliformes)
Gray Partridge
Ring-necked Pheasant*
Ruffed Grouse
Wild Turkey*
Northern Bobwhite
RAILS (Order Gruiformes)
King Rail
Virginia Rail*
Sora
Common Moorhen*
American Coot*
CRANES (Order Gruiformes)
u
u
o
r
u
c
o
Sp
c
r
Sp
r
c
r
c
c
o
a
So
o
o
u
c
3
r
c
r
u
r
S
r
c
c
o
a
S
u
u
o
o
r
u
c
o
F
c
r
F
r
c
r
u
r
F
c
c
o
a
F
o
u
o
u
u
w
r
c
r
u
r
w
r
W
1
Sandhill Crane
PLOVERS (Order Charadriiformes)
Black-bellied Plover
American Golden-Plover (Lesser Gol-Pl.)
Semipalmated Plover
Killdeer*
A.VOCETS (Order Charadr iiformes)
o
u
u
c
Sp
c
S
o
r
u
c
F
American Avocet
SANDPIPERS (Order Charadriiformes)
r
S
r
F
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Solitary Sandpiper
Willet
Spotted Sandpiper
Upland Sandpiper'^
Hudsonian Godwit
Marbled Godwit
_ _ Ruddy Turnstone
Sanderlinq
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Baird's Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Dunlin
Stilt Sandpiper
c
c
c
u
c
u
o
u
u
u
c
u
u
u
u
u
c
u
c
c
c
u
c
u
r
r
u
u
c
u
r
u
Ruff
Short-billed Dowitcher
Long-billed Dowitcher
Common Snipe*
American Woodcock*
Wilson•s Phalarope
Red-necked Phalarope
GULLS, TERNS (Order Charadriiformes)
Franklin's Gull
Bonaparte's Gull
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Thayer's Gull
Iceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Glaucous Gull
Caspian Tern
Common Tern
Forster's Tern
Black Tern*
DOVES (Order Columbiformes)
Rock Dove*
Mourning Dove
CUCKOOS (Order Cuculiformes)
r
r
u
c
c
u
o
Sp
u
u
a
o
c
u
u
o
u
u
Sp
c
r
u
o
u
u
u
S
a
a
S
r
u
c
o
c
c
F
u
u
a
o
c
u
c
u
u
o
u
u
F
a
a
F
u
o
r
a
o
W
A
Black-billed Cuckoo*
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
OV/LS (Order Strigiformes)
u
Sp
u
S
u
F
Eastern Screech-Owl*
Great Horned Owl*
Snowy Owl
Barred Owl^
Long-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
u
u
GOATSUCKERS (Order Caprimulgiformes)
u
o
r
r
Sp
u
u
u
r
r
r
S
u
u
u
o
r
r
F
u
u
r
u
u
r
r
w
Common Nighthawk*
Whip-poor-will*
SWIFTS (Order Apodiformes)
c
r
Sp
c
r
F
Chimney Swift*
HUMMINGBIRDS (Order Apodiformes)
c
Sp
c
S
c
F
Ruby-throated Hummingbird*
KINGFISHERS (Order Coraciiformes)
c
Sp
c
S
c
F
Beltea Kingfisher
WOODPECKERS (Order Piciformes)
c
Sp
c
S
c
F
o
W
Red-headed Woodpecker*
Red-bellied Woodpecker*
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
u
c
u
c
o
u
c
c
r
c
hi
Downy Woocpecker*
Hairy Woodpecker*
Northern Flicker (Common Flicker)*
Pileated Woodpecker*
FLYCATCHERS (Order Passeriformes)
c
c
a
u
Sp
c
c
c
u
s
c
c
a
u
F
c
c
o
u
w
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher'^
Willow Flycatcher'"
Least Flycatcher'"
Eastern Phoebe*
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird*
Western Kingbird
LARKS (Order Passeriformes)
u
u
u
u
u
c
c
u
u
r
Sp
c
c
c
u
u
r
S
u
u
u
u
u
c
c
u
u
r
F
Horned Lark*
SWALLOWS (Order Passeriformes)
u
S
u
W
Purple Martin*
Tree Swallow*
Northern Rough-winged Swallow*
Bank Swallovr*
Cliff Swallow*
Barn Swallow*
JAYS, CROWS (Order Passeriformes)
u
a
c
u
u
c
sp
u
a
c
c
u
c
S
u
a
c
u
u
c
F
Blue Jay*^
American Crow*
CHICKADEES (Order Passeriformes)
Black-capped Chickadee*
Tufted Titmouse
a
a
Sp
NUTHATCHES (Order Passeriformes)
a
r
Sp
a
a
S
a
r
S
a
a
F
a
r
F
a
a
W
a
r
w
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch*
CREEPERS (Order Passeriformes)
u
a
Sp
a
S
u
a
F
u
a
W
Brown Creeper
WRENS (Order Passeriformes)
c
Sp
c
F
u
W
House Wren*
Winter Wren
Sedge Wren
Marsh Wren
THRUSHES (Order Passeriformes)
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher*
Eastern Bluebird*
Veery
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Swainson's Thrush*
a
u
u
u
Sp
c
c
u
c
u
u
u
s
a
u
u
u
F
c
c
u
c
u
u
Hermit Thrush c —c
Wood Thrush''u u u -
American Robin*a a a u
THPj\SHERS (Order Passeriformes)Sp S F w
Gray Catbird*c c c —
Brown Thrasher*u u u -
PIPITS (Ordf.r Passeriformes)sp S F w
American Pipit (Water Pipit)u -u —
WAXWINGS (Order Passeriformes)sp S F W
Bohemian Waxwing o -o u
_ _Cedar Waxwing''u c c
SHRIKES (Order Passeriformes)s F w
Northern Shrixe u —u u
Loggei.head Shrike^r r r -
STARLINGS (Order Passeriformes)Sp S F w
European Starling*a a a a
VIREOS (Order Passeriformes)Sp S F W
Bell's -.reo*r r r -
Solitary Vireo u -u -
Yellow-throated Vireo*u u u -
Warbling V^reo'c c c -
Philadelphia Vireo u -u —
Red-eyed Vireo'c c c -
WARBLERS TO BLACKBIRDS (Order Passeriformes)
Blue-winged Warbler'"
Golden-winged Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler^
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Maanolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Black-i:iroated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumoed Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart'"
P.'othonotary Warbler*
Ovenbird'"
Northern VJaterthrush
Connecticut Warbler
Mourning Warbler
r
r
c
c
c
r
c
u
u
u
r
a
u
u
o
c
u
u
r
c
c
r
c
u
r
u
r
r
c
o
u
r
r
c
c
c
r
c
u
u
u
a
u
u
o
c
u
u
r
c
c
r
c
u
r
Common Yellowthroat*
Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler
Yellow-breasted Chat
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal*
Rose-breasted Grosbeak*
Indigo Bunting
Dickcissel*
Rufous-sided Towhee
American Tree Sparrow*
Chipping Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow
Field Sparrow*
Vesper Sparrow*
Lark Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
LeConte's Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow*
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow''
White-throated Sparrow
ViJhite-crowned Sparrow
Harris' Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Lapland Longsnur
a
u
u
r
u
c
c
c
u
u
c
c
c
u
o
u
u
o
c
c
c
c
c
Snow Bunting
u
u
c
o
o
r
u
c
c
c
u
u
c
u
c
u
o
u
u
a
u
u
o
u
c
c
c
u
u
c
c
c
c
u
o
u
o
u
c
c
c
c
c
u
u
c
o
o
r
r
c
o
o
Bobolink
Red-winged Blackbird*
Eastern Meadowlark
Western Meadowlark
Yellow-headed Blackbird*
Rusty Blackbird
Brewer * s Blackbird*
Common Crackle*
Brown-headed Cowbird*
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole*
FINCHES (Order Passeriformes)
Purple Finch
Red Crossbill
White-winged Crossbill
Common Redpoll
Hoary Redpoll
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch*
House Finch*
Eveninc! Grosbeak
WEAVER FINCH (Order Passeriformes)
House Sparrow*
ACCIDENTALS
_ _ Magnificent Frigatebird
c
a
c
c
u
c
c
a
a
r
c
Sp
u
c
c
a
Sp
c
a
c
c
u
c
a
a
r
c
S
c
c
a
S
c
a
c
c
u
c
c
a
c
r
c
F
u
c
c
a
F
u
o
c
r
r
u
o
u
c
c
u
w
a
W
2
Snowy Egret
Tricolored Heron
Cattle Egret
Glossy Ibis
Trumpeter Swan
Mute Swan (Feral)
Whooper Swan (Feral)
Cinnamon Teal
White-faced Ibis
Piping Plover
Blaclc-neclced Stilt
Harlequin Duclc
Merlin
Prairie Falcon
Western Sandpiper
Great Blaclc-backed Gull
Blaclc-legged Kittiwalce
Carolina Wren
White-eyed Vireo
Louisiana Waterthrush
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Common names from: Minnesota Ornithologists' Union, Field Checklist of Minnesota Birds: 1988.
Checklists of the United States
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Bloomington, Minnesota
MAMMALS
This land had been carved by glaciers and scoured by the River Warren when the last
ice age ended about 11,000 years ago. The earth warmed to the sun again. Life
returned and primitive man followed the herds into the Minnesota Valley.
Buffalo, elk, bear, and wolves all lived here. The Dakota Indians knew them as an
integral part of their lives and legends. To most of us, they are no more than pictures in
a book, flat with neither dimension nor life... they have been gone too long.
This is a checklist of the 50 mammals which remain and the habitats where they may
be found. Many are fairly common, adaptable, and readily seen. Others are rare,
secretive, or appear only at night. Should you spot an unlisted, rare, or uncommon
species: please contact the refuge office. We would appreciate your help in updating
our records.
Scientific names and the order in which they appear follow Jones, et al., "Revised
Checklist of North American Mammals North of Mexico, 1975"; \^ile common names
are taken from Burt & Grossenheider "A Field Guide to the Mammals, 1952."
Codes used for habitat types and occurrence are:
1 - oak savanna and dry prairie uplands
2 - floodplain forest and low prairie or meadow
3 - marsh and open water
a - abundant
c - common
u - uncommon
r- rare
OPOSSUM 1 2 3
Virginia Opossum r r
{Didelphis Virginian a)
The 'possum is cat-sized but heavier with a white face, thin black ears.
and a scaly rat-like tail. They are North America's only marsupial (head
and body = 15"-20")
•••«•♦«»#
SHREWS 1 2 3
Masked Shrew
{Sorex cinereus)
Gray brown and mouselike, masked and other shrews must consume at least
their own weight in small animals and Insects daily to keep their hearts
beating more than 1200 times/minute (2"-2 1/2")
Arctic Shrew
(Sorex a retie us)
Dull brown in the summer, their winter coat is tricolored with a dark brewn
back, light brown sides, and a lighter belly (2 3/4"-3")
Pigmy Shrew
{Mierosorex hoyi)
Minnesota's smallest mammal, the pygmy shrew weighs about as much as a
dime (2"-2 1/2")
Shorttail Shrew r c u
{Blarina brevieauda)
Lead-colored with no external ears and very small eyes, the saliva of this
shrew is poisonous (3"-4")
MOLES 1 2 3
Eastern Mole u u
{Scalopus aquaticus)
Makes ridge-covered burrows just under the surface of the ground by
pushing through the soil with its piglike snout and spadelike front feet
(4 1/2"-6 1/2")
Starnose Mole
{Condylura cristata)
A small dark brown mammal which compensates for a poor sense of smell by
having 22 fingerlike tentacles around the end of its nose (4 1/2"-5")
BATS 1 2 3
Little Brown Myotis c
{Myotis lucifugus)
Long glossy tips on the back of this small brown bat help to identify this
summer resident (1 1/2"-2")
Keen Myotis
{Myotis keenii)
A dark brown, larger-eared bat which may hibernate here during the winter
(1 1/2"-2")
Silver-haired Bat
{Lasionycteris noctivagans)
A dark brown bat easily recognized by white-tipped hairs in the middle of
its back (2 1/3")
Eastern Pipistrel - r -
{Pipistrellus subfiavus)
A slow, erratic flyer; this small bat is a yellow to drab brown (2")
Big Brown Bat - c -
{Eptesicus fuscus)
A large dark brown bat with black membranes which lives throughout North
America (2 3/4")
Red Bat c c
{Lasiurus borealis)
This bat is brick to rusty red colored with white-tipped hairs (2")
Hoary Bat - c -
{Lasiurus cinereus)
Yellow brown to mahogany-brown, also with white-tipped hairs over most of
A
its body (3 1/3")1
RABBITS 1 2 3
Eastern Cottontail c a u
{Sylvilagus floridanus)
This rabbit is America's most important small game mammal but winter
concentrations can wreak havoc to shrubs and small trees (14"-17")
Whitetail Jackrabbit
{Lepus townsendii)
A nocturnal species which prefers sand prairies and is distinguished from
the Eastern Cottontail by its long ears and larger size (18"-20")
RODENTS 1 2 3
Woodchuck a c
{Marmota monax)
Sometimes considered pests, their extensive burrows provide home or refuge
for many other mammals. Brown with frosted hairs (16"-20")
Richardson Ground Squirrel
(Citellus richardsoni)
Smoky gray with light bordered brownish tails, "picket pins" sometimes
establish colonies around old dumps (7 3/4"-9 1/2")
Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel c u
{Citellus tridecemlineatus)
True to its name, this small rodent has 13 white stripes on its sides and
back (4 1/2"-6 1/2")
Franklin Ground Squirrel u u
{Citellus franklinii)
This long-tailed gray gopher can climb trees but is usually seenxjn the
ground on sunny days (9"-10")
Eastern Chipmunk a c
{Tamias striatus)
A pert little squirrel-like mammal which runs with its tail straight up and
will climb trees if you approach too closely (5"-6")
Eastern Gray Squirrel c c
{Sciurns Carolinensis)
The common town and country squirrel with a very bushy tail bordered with
white-tipped hairs These squirrels have become unwitting foresters
because they never find all the nuts and acorns they store in the ground
••
(8"-1 0")
Eastern Fox Squirrel - c -
{Sciurus niger)
Rich yellowish red in color, these squirrels spend much of their time on
the ground along wooded field edges (10 ”"15")
Red Squirrel - c -
{Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
Noisy little squirrels with a light ring around their eyes, they store their
food in caches and can cause considerable damage around canapsites (7"-8")
Southern Flying Squirrel - u -
{Glaucomys vofans)
Olive brown fur above and white below but rarely seen because they are
nocturnal. A folded layer of loose skin along each side of their bodies
enables these animals to glide from tree to tree (5 1/2")
Plains Pocket Gopher a - -
{Geomys bursarius)
These solitary dwellers like open areas with loose soil where they build
large fan-shaped mounds when excavating their tunnels (6"-9")
Plains Pocket Mouse
{Perognathus flavescens)
Pale yellow with a white belly, these small mammals are nocturnal, have
fur-lined cheek pouches and prefer sandy soil (2 1/2"-2 3/4")
Beaver
{Castor canadensis)
The largest rodent in Minnesota, beavers build stick and mud lodges and dams
where suitable trees are abundant, and bank dens elsewhere in the Minnesota
Valley (25"-30")
Western Harvest Mouse
{Reithrodontomys megalotis)
Rare in the area, this prairie mouse builds grass nests in dense vegetation
(2 4/5"-3")
Deer Mouse
{Peromyscus maniculatus)l
Grey buff to deep red-brown with a handsome two-colored tail that is dark
above and light below (3"-4")
White-footed Mouse c c
{Peromyscus leucopus)
upper parts pale to rich red-brown, belly and feet white. Prefers
deciduous woods and brushy areas (3 3/5"-4 1/5”)
Capper's Red-backed Vole
{Clethrionomys gappen)
Distinctive for its rusty-red and yellowish color, It can be found on damp
forest floors where there are rotting logs and stumps (2 2/3"-4 2/3")
Meadow Vole
{Microtus pennsylvanicus)
Most widely distributed of the voles. Usually dark brown fur on top with a
silvery or gray belly (3 1/2"- 5")
Muskrat
{Ondatra zibethica)
Dense rich brown fur and a long scaly tail distinguish one of the most
important mammals on the refuge. They build conical houses in the marsh
and are important managers of marsh vegetation (10"-14")
Norway Rat
{Rattus non/egicus)
Commonly found in areas of human habitation where it finds suitable food
and cover (7"-10")
1
*
House Mouse
{Mus musculus)
Occasionally found in fields and uplands near buildings, this is another
urban immigrant from the Old World (3 1/5"-3 2/5")
Meadow Jumping Mouse r c
{Zapus hudsonicus)
Small with long tails and large hind feet, these olive-yellow mice have
been mistaken for frogs (3"-3 1/3")
4
COYOTE/FOX 1 2 3
Coyote
{Can is latrans)
Like a medium-sized dog except with a more pointed nose and bushier tail,
coyotes are adaptable but rare here (32"-37")
Red Fox c u
(Vulpes fulva)
Dark red-yellow back with a white belly and bushy tail. Legs and feet are
black (22"-25")
Gray Fox
{Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
Salt and pepper coat except for the rusty yellow sides of its neck, ears,
legs, and feet. Gray foxes are mostly nocturnal and secretive (21 "-29")
RACCOON 1 2 3
Raccoon c c
{Procyon lotoi)
Widely distributed mammals with black bandit masks, 'coons' are primarily
nocturnal and will eat almost anything (18"-28")
WEASEUSKUNK/OTTER 1 2 3
Ermine/Shorttail Weasel - u
{Mustela ermina)
Ermine are dark brown with white underparts and feet in the summer and are
all white in the winter except for their black-tipped tails (6"-9")
Least Weasel
(Mustela rixosa)
Looks like a small version of the Ermine except that it has no black tip at
the end of its tail. Feeds primarily on mice (5 1/2"-6 1/2")
Longtail Weasel - u -
{Mustela frenata)
Most widely distributed weasel. Larger than the Ermine but without the
white line down the inside of that species' hind leg (8"-10 1/2")
Mink
{Mustela vison)
Mink have valuable rich dark brown fur with a white chin patch and are
never found very far from water (12"-17")
Badger r - -
(Taxidea taxus)
Yellow-gray with a white stripe from the nose over the top of its head.
Biack feet. Badgers are furious diggers and fearless if cornered (18"-22")
Spotted Skunk u u -
{Spilogale putoris)
Black with a white spot on its forehead and under each ear and 4 broken
white stripes along its neck, back, and sides. Known some places as the
Hydrophobia Cat because they may occasionally have rabies (9"-13 1/2")
Striped Skunk c c
{Mephitis mephitis)
The size of a house cat and easily recognized by its black body and narrow
white stripe up the middle of its forehead (13"-18")
River Otter
{Lutra canadensis)
A large weasel-like mammal with valuable rich brown fur, otters will often
den In abandoned beaver bank lodges. They are playful, sociable, and rare
(26"-30")
DEER 1 2 3
Whitetail Deer c a c
{Odocoileus virginianus)
The most visible mammal on the refuge easily identified by the white flag
of its tail moving back and forth as It runs into the forest (3-3 1/2 feet
tall)
Bird Checklists of the United States
Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge
Zimmerman, Minnesota
Solid lines indicate approximate taxonomic categories.
Sp - March-May
S - June-August
F - September-November
W - December-February
a - abundant: common species that is very numerous
c - common: certain to be seen in suitable habitat
u - uncommon: present but not certain to be seen
o - occasional: seen at intervals of 2 to 5 years
r - rare: seen less often than every five years
LOONS
Common Loon
GREBES
« i
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Eared Grebe
PELICANS. CORMORANTS
American White Pelican
Double-crested Cormorant
c c c
r - u
r - r
BITTERNS. HERONS
American Bittern
Least Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
u u u
r r
c c c
c a a
c c c
u u
SWANS. GEESE. DUCKS Sp S F W
Tundra Swan (Whistling Swan)
Trumpeter Swan
Snow Goose
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Green-winged Teal
American Black Duck
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
0 0 0
o o u
a c c r
c c c o
c u c 0
u o u •
a c a o
c o c -
a c a -
u o u -
American Wigeon c r c
Canvasback
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Common Goldeneye
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
r r r -
o r u -
a u a
c 0 c
c - u
c - u -
u u u
0 0 0
VULTURES Sp S F W
Turkey Vulture u u u
HAWKS. EAGLES Sp S F W
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier (Marsh Hawk)
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
u u u
u u c o
c u c u
u u u
u u u
Northern Goshawk u u
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
u o o
u u u
'"■I
Swainson's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Golden Eagle
FALCONS
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
PHEASANT, GROUSE
Ring-necked Pheasant
Ruffed Grouse
Sharp-tailed Grouse
RAILS
Virginia Rail
Sora
Common Moorhen
American Coot
CRANES
u u u -
u c u -
0 0 0
c c a -
Sp S F W
J
I
Sandhill Crane
PLOVERS
Semipalmated Plover
Killdeer
SHOREBIRDS, PHALAROPES
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Solitary Sandpiper
Spotted Sandpiper
Upland Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Short-billed Dowitcher
Long-billed Dowitcher
Common Snipe
American Woodcock
Wilson ’s Phalarope
GULLS. TERNS
u
u
u
u
r
r
u
u
u
u
0
u 0
0
u u
0
r
0
c u c -
u u u -
o - - -
Sp S F W
Franklin's Gull
Bonaparte's Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Caspian Tern
Common Tern
Forster's Tern
Black Tern
DOVES
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
CUCKOOS
Black-billed Cuckoo
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
OWLS
Eastern Screech-Owl
Great Horned Owl
Snowy Owl
Barred Owl
0-0
U U 0
Long-eared Owl 0 0 0
Short-eared Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
o 0 o r
u u u u
GOATSUCKERS Sp S F W
__Common Nighthawk u c u
Whip-poor-will u u
SWIFTS Sp S F W
Chimney Swift c c
HUMMINGBIRDS Sp S F W
Ruby-throated Hummingbird u u u
KINGFISHERS Sp S F W
Belted Kingfisher c c c r
WOODPECKERS Sp S F W
Red-headed Woodpecker u u u o
Red-bellied Woodpecker c u u u
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker u c u r
Downy Woodpecker c c c c
Hairy Woodpecker c c c c
#
Northern Flicker (Common Flicker) c c c u
Pileated Woodpecker
FLYCATCHERS
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Willow Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
Western Kingbird
Eastern Kingbird
LARKS
Horned Lark
SWALLOWS
Purple Martin
Tree Swallow
u u u u
Sp S F W
u u r
c c
r - r
u u -
u
ecu
c c c
ecu
r r
c c c
Sp S F W
c o o c
Sp S F W
u u u
a a a
Northern Rough-winged Swallow u c u
Bank Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
JAYS. MAGPIES. CROWS
Blue Jay
American Crow
CHICKADEES
Black-capped Chickadee
NUTHATCHES
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
CREEPERS
Brown Creeper
WRENS
House Wren
Winter Wren
Sedge Wren
Marsh Wren
u u u
u c c
c c c
Sp S F W
c c c c
a a a a
Sp S F W
c c c c
Sp S F W
O 0
c c c c
Sp S F W
0 0 u
Sp S F W
c
0
u
c
c c
u u
c c
1
. . •
KINGLETS. THRUSHES
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
Veery
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Swainson's Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
THRASHERS
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
WAXWINGS
Bohemian Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing
SHRIKES
i
I
Northern Shrike
Loggerhead Shrike
STARLINGS
European Starling
VIREOS
Solitary Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
WOOD WARBLERS
Golden-winged Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
u u
0 u u 0
Sp S F W
c c c u
Sp S F W
u u u
c c
c c c
Sp S F W
U 0 0
cue
r r r
cue
0 0 0
ecu
u u u
u - u
u - u
c r c
•^3
. • ••
I
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Palm Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Prothonotary Warbler
u
0 0
r c
u u
r
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
u u
o
Connecticut Warbler
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
GROSBEAKS, BUNTINGS. SPARROWS
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
1
Dickcissei
Rufous-sided Towhee
American Tree Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Henslow's Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Harris' Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Lapland Longspur
Snow Bunting
c u u
u u u
c c c
a a a
u c -
u u u
u u
r
u - u
a a c
r
u u u
u - c
o - u
MEADOWLARKS. BLACKBIRDS. ORIOLES
, .
i
Bobolink
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Western Meadowlark
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Rusty 'ickbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Common Crackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
FINCHES
Pine Grosbeak
Purple Finch
Red Crossbill
White-winged Crossbill
Common Redpoll
Hoary Redpoll
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak
c
u
c
u
c
u
c
r u
r r
r
u
*• . .
OLD WORLD SPARROWS
House Sparrow
Sp S F W
coco
SEE n
OVERSIZED
DOCUMEIITI!
‘■t*>-
\
I
I. ! fivicCOMBS-KNUTSON ASSOCIATES, INC.I ■m «•»
C0N$Ultl\6 |I«CIM(RS l*M0 SU«VttO"S $tU Pl*NS(R$
October 17, 1977
Honorable Mayor
& Members of the City Council
City of Orono
P.O. Box 66
Crystal Bay, Minnesota
Subject: Ring Route Construction
Gentlemen:
As requested, we are submitting herewith a Preliminary
Enaineerinc Report for the construction of the Ring Route
from the intersection of County State-Aid Highways No. x9 and
84, northerly and northeasterly to the Intersection of County
State-Aid Highway No. 6 and Watertown Hoad.
the State Aid Fund.
If you have any questions or require further information
on this Report, we hil be pleaded to discuss this further with
you at your convenience.
Very^truly yours.
McC( MBS-KNUTSON a/sOCIATES, INC.
GF:PP/J1
Enclosure
19A0« OLSON memorial HICHWAV. MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 65441 TELEPHONE
SOOT’rE?T”rNoTtmN^'mV':^';jN?M^ (5011 63J.6a20
* • •»
I t
i'- ** * •
p *1
k: ' V .
mi
i
-i
0;’.m
af:
Hi i f I f... i
i
GENERAL
The Minnesota State Aid System was established in Orono
in 1962. The criteria generally used in establishing the
system was to designate those streets which:
1)
2)
Carry relatively heavier traffic volumes.
Connect points of major traffic use within a
municipality.
Provide a connection with routes of community
Interest and carry major traffic into and through
the municipality.
Form a system which will effectively carry traffic
within the municipality.
Based on this criteria, the State Aid System provides
an integrated system of streets and forms the basis for a
long range street Improvement program.
At the present time the onl^ streets in Orono on the
MSA System are Old Crystal Bay Road and Willow Drive.
The primary function of the Ring Route is to relieve
m
traffic on *'*'?.nty Road No. 15 by providing an alternate
route that extends from the downtown area of Mound to County
Road No. 6 and U.S. Highway 12.
Several years ago the Hennepin County Highway Department
proposed widening County Road 15 from Mound to Wayzata
-1-
iV.A •
■
t-#:-
tM.
-I*/ **
Mn-
mf:-Nvi::r*<-V
f
fe-.
. !
i
• •
bccnusc of cho hich traffic volume on the Road. The need to
relieve the traffic problems was recoenized by the entire
North MinnetonV.a area, but Orono had serious environmental
concerns with respect to actually upgrading County Road No.
15. In its present state. County Road No. 15 is a particularly
scei.ic drive that overlooks Lake Minnetonka. Any upgrading
would result in disruption of the existing vegetation adjacent
to the road's surface, and could be expected to result in
attracting more traffic thus creating a new problem. Further,
the volume of vehicle generated oils, deicing salts, etc.,
could be expected to increase proportionately along the
route of an upgraded County Road No. 15 and would have an
adverse environmental impact on Lake Minnetonka.'
As an alternate to upgrading County Road No. 15. Oi.ono
has authorized this Study. Although the Rinr. Rou^te proposed
in this Report consists only of construction from the intersection
of County Road No. 19 and 84 to County Road 6 and Watertown
Road, the proposed alternate traffic route includes County
Road No. 110 extending northward from County Ro«d No. 15 in
downtovm Mound to County Road No. 151. thence eastward on
County Road No. 151 and northward on County Road No. 19 to
the proposed Ring Route.
-2
i”‘it-•.ft
i ‘i"'
\
K '
k #• s
k I
3’’ •
r ’ <
t ,
mm
. > ^7
3’ i '■-J silpWj>.-‘r>.:i'pn'rV‘Vjfe'kmm The Rin^ Route will bo ;route connecting downtown Moi County Road Ko. 6, which are and should draw a significant 'County Road IS.One of the concerns expr Project was the traffic accid the increased traffic volumeRoad No. 6 and trunk Highway Department of Transportation design stage for plans to upg constructed, the Improvements problems which may result fro generated by the constructionConstruction of the inteito be completed in 1979. Cons of passing lanes along the Eas traffic lanes, the removal ofCounty Road No. 6 to West bour the installation of an overheaSTATE AID FUNDINGEach year, Orono recei which in turn is used for sState Aid (MSA) streets within
fill
fm
*W'\l-^i.
■U’c'v“^3 / .
,‘^hr
.‘.vI'Tm::-
I'i'-V-'i-fe
m
Mm
m
m
mSi
m
JjSM
The Rir»3 Route will bo nn attractive alternate traffic
route connecting downtown Mound to U.S. Highway 12 and
County Road No. 6, which are both major roadways to Minneapolis
and should draw a significant amount of traffic away front
'County Road 15.
One of Che concerns expressed at Public Hearings on this
Project was the traffic accident potential resulting from
the Increased traffic volume at the intersection of County
Road No. 6 and trunk Highway No. 12. At present, the Minnesota
Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is in the preliminary
design stage for plans to upgrade the intersection. When
constructed, the Improvements should eliminate any traffic
problems which may result from the increased traffic flow
generated by the construction of the Ring Route.
Construction of the intersection improvement is scheduled
to be completed in 1979. Construction includes installation
of passing lanes along the East and West bound Highway 12
traffic lanes, the removal of the free right turn lane from
County Road No. 6 to West bound trunk Highway No. 12, and
the installation of an overhead flasher.
STATE AID FUNDING
Each year, Orono receives funds from the State Gas Tax
which in turn is used for street construction on Municipal
State Aid (MSA) streets within the City. The 1976 apportionment
-3-
I-
]
j
I
1
:
tpanrpo RTATION JUNE, 1980
The projected population is in line with Orono's rural land use preservation
policies and with the proposed public facilities plans of Orono, the State
Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission.
Changes in population trends and projections have brought on modifications
in mt.tropolitan facilities effecting our transportation planning. Regional
sewer facilities capacities have changed drastically. Original plans
called for sewering all of Orono with capacity for 37,000 people. But
the final Orono-Long Lake Interceptor was relocated and is inplace with
a design capacity for less than 8,400 Orono residents and a service area
limited to the existing urban and lakeshore neighborhoods. In addition,
regional transportation plans have been changed as commuters move in
toward the center city. The State of Minnesota has dropped plans for
relocating and expanding Highway 12 through Orono as had been shown in
our 1974 Comprehensive Guide Plan. Interstate 394 may be built between
Minneapolis and Interstate 494, but there are no plans for additional
^'-grading of State Highway 12 west of Wayzata. Indeed, Highway 12 was
ir/esurfaced in 1978 after statewide priorities shifted from Highway 12
Highway 212 as the major east-west arterial for central Minnesota.
COMMERCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HAVE ALWAYS BEEN CENTERED
if g- THE HISTORIC TOWN CENTERS.
The shopping, employment, educational and social needs of Orono residents
have been more than amply met by commercial facilities and shopping centers
located in Navarre and in surrounding communities. Rural and urban residents
alike utilize these facilities and in fact, the commercial stability of the
neighboring cities relies in part upon the regional service area that in
cludes all of Orono. Orono's transportation plans therefore address the
local service needs of our residential neighborhoods and the transportation
links between these neighborhoods and the established town center commercial
areas.
A PRINCIPAL GOAL OF ORONO'S PLANNING PROGRAM IS THE PROTECTION OF NATURAL
RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL AMENITIES, PARTICULARLY THE WATER QUALITY OF
LAKE MINNETONKA. This goal has its most profound impact on Orono's land
use policies and is therefore indirectly linked to transportation concerns.
The most direct connection, however, is that occasioned by County Road 15's
location along Lake Minnetonka's shoreline.
As the western Lake Minnetonka communities have grown and developed they
have generated more commuters and the resulting traffic on County Road 15
has increased significantly. Yet there is no room to expand the road
without filling into the lake oi removing a significant number of lakeshore
homes. Any increase in road size, or any appreciable increase in roadway
use, will only create an intollerable barrier between these homes and
their platted riparian shoreline.
if
CMP 7-5
transportation
JUNE, 1980 li
Thu., Orono.s aeep
commuter. , .n4 the gener.l public's ability
to experience a slow-paced journey along Lake Minnetonka's most scenxc
and most accessible shoreline.
MASS TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES ARE SCARCE IN ORONO AND OTHER LAKE
MTMMPfpnNKA PITIES Reqion-Wide, mass transit has been the neglected
“™pcM?foftJf;os?!2ar auto ioom. Ever since Minneapolis's last
n^ee^car ran in ?954, the only public transit has been a less than
adequate bus system supplemented by expensive taxis.
Mss^-irnnniitan Transit Authority control of the bus network has increased
"ervi« levels including the provision of regularly scheduled route,
service service is provided through Navarre and most of
oSr«o« Sen.;iy populated urban neighborhoods, but schedules are spread
out and off-peak service is minimal.
ese.4n.Ani*sl ''TonkamoblIs" fixed time-flexible route service is
A new ^Mrservice will fill a previous void of service
betwle“M*varre and'Excelsior, but additional service within Orono is
Still to be desired.
RAIL TRANSIT OR LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT ALTERNATIVES DESERVE RENE^D INVESTIGATION
?Jere^ bLrno rail passenger service to Orono since the last train
^rom Mound ran in 1958. At one time up to 18 trains daily ran on hourly
headwayrbe^ween Mound and Minneapolis with five stops inside Orono and
twenty^minuta service to downtown. The increased population of the lake
area, the increasing energy problems, the increasingly crowde roa s,
and the decreasing roadway maintenance budgets all combine to make the
time ripe to reinvestigate alternative transportation modes such as
light rail transit utilizing the existing under-used rail right-of-way
through urban Orono.
Bsil freight service operates along both of Orono'8 Burlington Northern
i4noe Main line seTvice is provided on the east west line alon?
Hlghwiy past thrSrono Industrial Park. Local freight service operates
weekly'^on the branch line paralleling County Road 15, although no 0”“°
properties are served because this line traverses residential neighborhoods
in Orono.
m
m
m
a
a
a
a
a
i
■
■
i
■
CMP 7-6 I
TPAMRPQRTATION JUNE, 1980
jpansportatton GOAI ^ and policies
illilliiiiii
Plan.
transportation goals
1.TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE, SATE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK SUFFICIENT TO
SERVE THE NEEDS OF ALL ORONO RESIDENTS.
2.S§DEf S5S\^5^™cls ?rMOsf S ^SoSs™°
3.TO PROVIDE A COORDINATED PLAN FOR LAKE AREA TRANSPORTATION WHICH WILL
SATISFY BOTH ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS.
4. TO ACHIEVE THE ABOVE GOALS WITHIN THE FINANCIAL CAPABILITIES OF THE
CITY AND ITS CITIZENS.
f;PNFRAI, TRANSPORTATION POLICIES
1.COMMUTER AND GENERAL ARTERIAL TRAFFIC MUST BE DIRECTED AWAY FROM
LAKE MINNETONKA. County Road 15 has become the
"Main Street- of the Lake Area primarily because
of habit and the lack of alternative routes.
Shoreline Drive was originally built as a military
road in the 1860*s. The road provides the only
access to Minnetonka Beach and to many Orono
residences. Meanwhile, traffic has increased
substantially to where the road is crowded because
of commuter traffic. The sensitive environment of
Lake Knnetonka, and the property rights of the
riparian landowners, are being damaged by continued
reliance on this outmoded roadway location.
2.ORONO WILL ACTIVELY PROMOTE THE RING ROUTE CONCEPT TO PROVIDE VIABLE
EFFICIENT ALTERNATIVES TO CONTINUED OVER-USE OF COUNTY ROAD 15.
^)^e City has constructed one link in this system which
already has reduced travel time by up to ten minutes
between Mound and Wayzata. With additional linkages
and intersection improvements, a transportation corridor
can be developed to handle the majority of truck traffic
and commuter trips from the Westonka area while relieving
the strain from County Road 15.
V
1^
!M
B
M
B
II
B
fl
• u
-s*
■
i
1
TRANSPORTATION JUNE, 1980
-
6.THE CITY WILL PURSUE ADDITIONAL PEDESTRIAN AND BIKE-HIKE TRAIL
FACILITIES. The completion of an Interconnected
bike-hike trail system is important to the further
ance of alternative transportation incentives. The
City will encourage Hennepin County to speedily
implement the planned bike-hike trail system along
several county roads. The separation of bicycle and
pedestrian traffic from vehicular traffic is of the
utmost importance - in accident prevention.
7.THE CITY WILL PROMOTE IMPROVED MASS TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR URBAN
NEIGHBORHOODS. Orono has established a Park and
Ride Transit System. Orono encourages improved
bus scheduling and improved service, especially
at off-peak hours. Orono strongly supports the
"Tonkamobile" program and encourages expansion to
provide improved Excelsior-Wayzata service via
Orono*s North Shore neighborhoods.
RURAL TRANSPORTATION POLICIES
1.PUBLIC STREETS IN THE RURAL AREA WILL BE PRIMARILY LIMITED TO THE
EXISTING COLLECTOR AND ARTERIAL GRID SYSTEM.
The low rural land use density does not require
nor can it economically support an extensive
public street system. Rural lot arrangements
have always been served by the existing grid
streets and are capable of subdivision to the
planned rural density without requiring additional
public street investments.
2.
D
I
THE RING ROUTE CONCEPT UTILIZES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE THE EXISTING
RURAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM. The principal corridor for
traffic from Minnetrista and points west utilizes
Hennepin County Roads No. 6 and 19 and State Highway
12. The City of Orono has constructed a key link
between County Roads 6 and 19. Additional ring
route traffic uses the existing north-south collector
roads to travel away from the Lake toward these
principal travel routes.
3.
I
THE CITY OF ORONO WILL ENCOURAGE ALL NECESSARY.-ROAD SURFACE AND
INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRED TO ACCOMMODATE AND TO FACILITATE
THROUGH TRAFFIC ON THE RING ROUTE. This will include
cooperation with the City of Long Lake in accommodating
traffic on Highway 12.
j
I CMP 7-11
TRANSPORTATION JUNE, 1980
THF TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Orono's location on the perimeter of the Metropolitan Urban Service Area
has pretty well dictated that our Transportation Plan will be essentially
a plan for streets and roads. Orono has no planning needs for airports,
and has little planning requirement for mass transit. The principal need
is a plan to provide for local movement between residential neighborhoods
and commercial centers, and for efficient commuter movement away from the
congested, environmentally sensitive lakeshore.
The principle components of Orono's Transportation Plan are as follows:
1. DEVELOPING THE RING ROUTE CONCEPT including designation of collectors
and minor arterials to direct traffic away from Lake Minnetonka.
2. DEVELOPING THE SCENIC PARKWAY CONCEPT including designation of
parkways for slow-speed recreational access along the Lake Minnetonka
shoreline and other scenically attractive routes.
3. developing the private road concept for access to low density rural
residential properties.
4. PROMOTING REASONABLE LEVELS OF PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICE FOR ORONO'S
URBAN NEIGHBORHOODS including maintenance of the existing MTC bus
routes and investigation of alternative public transit modes for
commuter travel to the center of the Twin Cities region.
QRQNQ's roadway classification SYSTEM
A.-commonly accepted way to describe and analyze a transportation system
is through a classification system which Indicates different levels of
services and different levels of construction standards. This Plan follows
the classification system developed and adopted by the Minnesota Department
of Transportation as applied to the types of roadways serving Orono.
MAP NO. 14 INDICATES THE CLASSIFICATION PLAN FOR bJREFTS AND ROADS IN
ORONO. This plan is consistent with the regional transportation plans
and facilities of the Metropolitan Council, the Minnesota Department of
Transportation and the Hennepin County Department of Transportation.
This plan is consistent with the roadway systems of adjoining municipalities
and with Orono's urban and rural land use plans. The* following descriptions
provide detailed explanations of edch of Orono's roadway classifications.
I
I
I
t
1
■
■
9
i
i
i
i
i
CMP 7-14
I
TRANSPORTATION JUNE, 1980
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
MAP NO. 15 INDICATES THE EXISTING EXTENT OF PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICE IN
ORONO. The most frequent service is provided on Shoreline Drive through
the heart of the Navarre commercial area and closest to the greatest
number of Orono's urban residents. Commuter frequency service is provided
through the remainder of Orono's urban area and the experimental service
provides flexible-route service to local urban neighborhoods.
EXISTING RAIL FACILITIES PROVIDE THE POTENTIAL FOR FUTURE PUBLIC TRANSIT
AND FOR FUTURE INDUSTRIAL FREIGHT SERVICE. The branch rail line through
southern Orono once had frequent passenger service to Minneapolis and
has the potential for renewed service as a part of a region-wide alternative
light-rail transportation system. The main rail line through northern
Orono has immediate potential for providing direct rail freight service to
the Orono Industrial Park should such service ever be desired by one or
more of the industries located there.
THE PROPOSED RECREATIONAL TRAIL SYSTEM OFFERS ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION
FACILITIES. The complete bike-hike and recreational trail system is
described in Chapter 8 and is shown on Map No. 16. These trails provide
a coordinated alternative to auto transportation for local trips by almost
all Orono residents.
EXPECTED TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS
NO MAJOR CHANGES OR IMPROVEMENTS ARE EXPECTED IN ORONO**S PUBLIC STREET
SYSTEM. The existing public road grid system is properly located and of
adequate capacity to serve all of Orono's expected rural developments
without new public street requirements. New rural residential developments
are expected to rely entirely on private roads where new access is required
by new lot arrangements.
In the urban area, a few short local street extensions r<~y occur within
the next ten years. Map Mo. 11 indicates forecast urbn-^ development in
three locations each of which will probably be served b'. t ;ew public
street cul-de-sac. No new urban collector capacity wi;i required
because of the limited number of dwellings in these developments.
Orono's major forecast street improvement was the construction of McCulley
Road as a link in the Ring Route between County Road 6 and County Road 19.
This entirely new road is expected to be completely finished early in the
summer of 1980.
CMP 7-18
I
I
■
i
i
■
»
m
i
i
m
s
■
m
*
TPANSPORTATION JUNE, 1980
■
m
m
m
1
p
I *m
m
mw
II
Vvm
P
1
IE
• •
■
C..
1
the state of MINNESOTA DOES NOT EXPECT TO IMPROVE OR RELOCATE HIGHWAY 12.
When the 1974 Orono Village Comprehensive Guide Plan was prepared, the
State Highway Department was reviewing plans to relocate and upgrade
Highway 12 into a principal arterial. These plans have now been completely
dropped from State planning consideration at least until after the year
2000. The only physical improvements scheduled or expected are as follows:
OLD CRYSTAL BAY ROAD INTERSECTION - Scheduled to receive turn
lanes and traTfic signals in 1981. Orono actively pursued this
project and heartily recommends early completion because of the
heavy school traffic and school bus traffic utilizing this
intersection.
COUNTY ROAD 6 INTERSECTION - Scheduled to receive turn lane
improvements in 1980. This intersection has many turning
movements complicated by an odd street crossing, a closely
located rail crossing, and poor sight distance to the east.
Orono encourages early completion of this work to facilitate
improved Ring Route traffic safety. Orono encourages further
planning for improvement in the sight distance and for possible
signaling or rail crossing changes to further improve traffic
movements through the intersection.
HENNEPIN COUNTY IS UNDERTAKING BRDIGE IMPROVEMENTS AFFECTING TRAFFIC IN
ORONO. Improvements have been completed on Tanager Lake Bridge, Boy
Scout Bridge, Noerenberg Bridge and Coffee Bridge. Areola Bridge is
scheduled for major redecking work in 1980 and 1981. The Narrows Bridge
and Hendrickson Bridge are scheduled for work in following years. While
essentially of a maintenance nature, the.-se are major construction jobs
requiring partial or total bridge closuie.
Therefore, Orono and adjoining municipalities have been deeply involved
to assure reasonable traffic flow and emergency access during the
construction. In addition, Orono is concerned that all bridge alterations
provide completed roadways of a width compatible with our sc^r.ic parkway
plans including provision for adequate walking and bicycle paths over the
channels.
MOUND AND SPRING PARK ARE CONTEMPLATING CHANGING THEIR PORTION OF COUNTY
ROAD 15 TO FOUR LANE WIDTH. This does not directly affect Orono, but does
have the indirect complication of increasing traffic flow toward ':he center
of Lake Minnetonka. Orono is opposed to any widening of County Koad 15
within Orono. Orono would like to discourage widening of County Road 15
at any location. Instead, Orono is encouraging completion of the Ring
Route concept to take traffic volume off of County Road 15, thereby
effectively increasing its local service capacity. The completion of a
two lane ring route connection north from Mound to McCulley Road in Orono
will greatly reduce travel time to Wayzata and will be consistent with
the transportation needs of the Westonka Area and the transportation plans
of Minnetrista and Orono. Orono further encourages the development of a
new or improved connection south to Highway 7 for areas west of Orono
as another alternative commuter link to the metropolitan area.
CMP 7-19