11/30/2011 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Policy: Promote the use of quality and environmentally sound buffer areas between areas with differing land uses. Policy: Continue to use the Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) process to assess the impact of development on the city's natural resources and infrastructure. RCWD Goal: Capitalize on opportunities to enhance water quality, reduce runoff volume and flood damages, and enhance ecological resources by using open space and greenways. RCWD Policy: Encourage the use of open space in the design of district sponsored projects when multiple benefits are realized and the benefits are consistent with the mission of the District. RCWD Policy: Capitalize on the efforts of others responsible for managing open space to enhance their ongoing recreational programs, when these programs are related to the water and resource management effort and are consistent with District open space priorities. RCWD Policy: Seek opportunities to enhance habitat function and integrity, to benefit water resources and eco- systems. 4.4. Wetlands Issues Wetlands are a priority issue for the City. Wetlands are very important for migratory wildlife including ducks, and especially for migratory birds and frogs. Frogs, in particular, use these wetlands when in proximity to woodland areas. Several species of frogs use these woodlands as a place to hibernate in the winter and others use it as a place to forage in the summer. Other benefits attributed to wetlands include floodwater storage and retention, nutrient assimilation, sediment entrapment, ground water recharge, low flow augmentation, shore land anchoring and erosion control, aesthetics, and recreation and education. In some areas of the City, the higher quality wetland areas have experienced shrub invasions that are contributing to shade - suppression and the decline of ground story plants. Other areas have been ditched and modified in ways that have allowed the invasion by reed canary grass, buckthorn, giant reed grass, and other weeds. Additionally, some sedge meadow areas have been hydrologically modified by stabilization of water levels and even though sedges persist, much of the diversity of a healthy sedge meadow has been lost. In developing its "Handbook for Environmental Planning and Conservation Development ", the City conducted a wetland survey that found widespread wetland modification. Alterations in the water level dynamics, particularly the elevation and stabilization of water levels were observed, resulting from the construction of roads and ditches and the damming of streams. The resulting wetlands represent a significant (19 %) cover type in the City. These conditions have favored the establishment of the extensive cattail communities that occupy the shallow waters of all lake shorelines. Additionally, stream down- cutting and ditching have lowered ground water levels, leading to the seasonal dry -down of the upper wetland substrates. This allows for decomposition and the liberation of nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients that are typically organically bound and held tightly under submerged, saturated and anaerobic conditions. The resulting increases in sediment, salt and nutrient loading from decomposed City of Lino Lakes SWMP 1 October 2011 1 10 • • •