06-11-1998 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

CITY OF LINO LAKES FOCUS GROUP MEETING JUNE 11,1998 5. Remnants of heritage are still present in the area. Steve stated that the degraded land examples include areas modified by development, chemical use on the land, dried up wetlands, and lakes that have been dammed. He stated that all of these techniques have a ripple effect on the environment. INTRODUCTION OF PRELIMINARY ECOLOGICAL PROTOTYPES Steve explained that the definition of a prototype is a type of condition. Many healthy prototypes and unhealthy prototypes were found in the areas tested. Healthy prototypes include savanna, bog, sedge meadow, emergent, lakes, and dry/mesic prairie. Unhealthy prototypes include savanna, dry/mesic prairie, wet prairie, sedge meadow, bog emergent, lake, and mesic forest. There are many different healthy and unhealthy plant species within each category. Steve stated than when erosion occurs, top soil is lost. When top soil is lost, it is very difficult to restore healthy gradients in the landscape. Systems can be managed to keep the healthy prototypes healthy. Steve stated that the areas scoured showed few examples of mesic prairie. Mesic prairies is historically very rare. Steve indicated that wonderful tamarack bog systems were present. However, some areas have been altered within the tamarack and blackash. Steve stated that the lake shores within the area are in various states of degradation. He explained that most of the lakes within the area have been highly altered. He stated that the area showed some very interesting rare lake communities while some lake communities have become very degraded. Steve explained that as degradation occurs, water level is reduced. The dewatering impact has become evident on upland sites. Dewatering allows for very quick plant and tree degradation. The areas had many 50 to 160 year old Oak trees. Oaks at that age start to degrade. Steve explained that because of the Oak degradation, many of the oak trees were lost in the May, 1998, storm. When there is a lack of shade, there is no Oak regeneration. The savannah system will convert to unhealthy prototypes. Steve stated that most of the trees in Lino Lakes are at the age where they will collapse. This is a main concern for developers. Many prospective home buyers look for wooded lots. Decisions must be made within the community to save the trees. Steve reviewed the following changes that have occurred in the landscape: 1. Hydro period (water elevations of lakes) K