10/24/2001 Environmental Board Minutes

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ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING OCTOBER 24, 2001 at the vegetation. Powell explained that the property owner needed updated information. Many times the resident did not know what they were purchasing in terms of easements. Grundhofer questioned where education would come into effect. Powell responded that signage on the property stating the area was a wetland easement, or development a packet of information which could be given to new homeowners, or it could be put into the building permit process. Asleson indicated it was done at Clearwater Creek with the buffer area that was signed by the residents and since then has received calls on planting requiaMqnts because it was difficult to mow. It should be expanded to new developments. 'Cli:Alukonen added that the City worked with Mr. Quigley on the signage. Trehus pointed out that it may be helpful for follow throu o rcquirc,:aisigned document showing that they received the information. Powell indipitOalthoughit would increase bureaucracy, it would ensure that they did revik,yQiuration. Asleson stated that the demonstration areas were a gOOAwafto"educate and maybe have a brochure available—but to get the residents ints491y, 440 Trehus asked about water volumes, and indif4d4hat the City should go above and beyond what the watershed district was rorigirintlowell responded that the requirements for volumes are focusedAnkle)con41. He noted that the City did not have enough information gathered on the cVec `iji4Stof the tubes, specifically the maintenance was an issue. Asleson stated that in promoting st ractices the City has gone beyond, especially in getting the landowner to receive hOlin establishing it for the -first two to three years. Trehus pointed out that in 'additionci'e fact that native plantings increase diversity it qpi ••,-• - also increases iafiltratio ,., Powell indicated that 'makes money when it sells water, however infiltration might havg,unexpecte f11 4f! v uences. If it was near to a septic system, it might affect the -,•-,,t,,-,. septic sysir ' effectivcness10ere the water table was high. He encourages infiltration, -. -C:ff4,y and noted4lia bel eex was one of the more aggressive watershed districts. C4t- Grundhofer s she read about ditch runoff and tiles, and inquired about the difference between pipingd overland flow. She asked what was the best management practice to allow infiltration'. Powell responded that the piping speeds up the time it took for the water to reach the sewers, so he would encourage shallow ditches. In the past, farmland ditch laws established in the late 1800's to early 1900's encouraged the draining of the ditches with tiles to move the water as quickly as possible. The goal now is to increase infiltration. Hugo was an example of wetlands being created upstream, but now reduced use of pipe drain the wetlands which were created. 5