02/27/2008 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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In accordance with the approved residential site plan, 0.69 acres (25,267 square feet) of existing wetland within the northwest corner of the site will be excavated and filled with sandy subsoil to facilitate grading for residential lots. As previously estimated, CCES estimates that 537 cubic yards of organic wetland soil could be excavated and stockpiled from this wetland soil `donor' site and spread within the planned 1.99 acre wetland mitigation area at a depth of 2 inches, to better facilitate the successful establishment of a diverse wetland plant community within the wetland mitigation area. Furthermore, CCES recommends that the surface wetland soils containing weed species (such as Reed Canary Grass) should be removed and discarded prior to the excavation of suitable organic wetland subsoils that are free of weed species. In order to achieve the planned final grade and spot elevations of the mitigation wetland, the sandy subsurface soils of the wetland mitigation area will need to be graded below final grade to accommodate the spreading of the native organic wetland soils donated from other areas of the site. Final grade and spot elevations of the wetland mitigation area will be met with the re- distribution of the native organic wetland soil during final grading and prior to seeding. Wildlife Observations During the spring and summer surveys of the Foxborough site, CCES ecologists observed five species of mammals, six amphibian species, three reptile species, and eighteen bird species. Table 1 provides a summary of all animal species observed within, or adjacent to, the Foxborough property while conducting the 2005 surveys. Additional focused faunal surveys in future years will likely result in additional wildlife species observations. Rare Plants and Animals Two animal species observed during the ecological surveys of Foxborough are listed as Special Concern in Minnesota by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Snapping Turtle and American White Pelican). Special Concern species are not protected under Minnesota's endangered and threatened species legislation (Minnesota Statutes 84.0895). Furthermore, the observation of numerous American White Pelicans was a high - altitude migratory fly -over, and was not directly associated with the natural areas of the Foxborough property. No state - listed vascular plant species were documented within the Foxborough site during the 2005 surveys. However, several rare plant populations have been recently documented by CCES ecologists and Marty Asleson (City of Lino Lakes) within close proximity to the Foxborough property. Such species include: Tubercled Rein Orchid (Platanthera flava var. herbiola; State Endangered), Lance - Leaved Violet (Viola lanceolata; State Threatened), and Clinton's Bulrush (Scirpus clintonii; State Special Concern). Marginal suitable habitat exists within Foxborough's conservation areas for all three of these species. Moreover, future restoration and management of natural vegetation may result in the voluntary re- establishment of these and other associated rare species within Foxborough's conservation areas. Future monitoring of restored and managed natural areas should include rare plant surveys for rare plant species of the Anoka Sand Plain. Foxborough Conservation Development Restoration and Management Plan 12