11/30/2011 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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wetland soils and from surrounding degraded uplands have caused a shift in City wetlands to vegetation types adapted to these conditions. This includes the introduced, Southeast Asian Reed Canary Grass and Giant Reed Grass, which form dense mono - cultures. These species, along with cattail, comprise approximately 75% of the City's wetland cover. In many locations, uplands bordering wetlands have also become seriously impacted. Where previously open and semi -open conditions were found, dense shading by boxelder, green ash, cottonwood, and elm now prevent the growth of diverse, soil - stabilizing ground cover vegetation and lead to erosion and loss of the native seed bank. In several locations of shade suppression, non - native plant species have invaded. These include garlic mustard and creeping charley. RMP: The primary issues for Lino Lakes to address through the RMP process are restoring groundwater hydrology to groundwater- dependent wetlands, restoring naturally fluctuating hydrology to wetland open space systems, maintaining ditch systems being used for agricultural benefit, establishing habitat complexes and connected greenways, mitigating flood -prone areas, and reducing phosphorus loading to impaired lakes. Comp Plan: The primary issues for Lino Lakes to address through implementing the RMP are restoring groundwater hydrology to groundwater- dependent wetlands, restoring naturally fluctuating hydrology to wetland open space systems, maintaining ditch systems being used for agricultural benefit, establishing habitat complexes and connected greenways, mitigating flood -prone areas, and reducing phosphorus loading to impaired lakes. Urban land use most notably affects these resources through stormwater volume. As such, a strategy of broad -based source reduction in volume is needed. Goals & Policies Goal: Protection of City wetlands in accordance with current rules and regulations. Policy: Provide leadership in the management of wetland resources by coordination with RCWD and VLAWMO. RMP2 Goal: The goal is to provide for the surface hydrology that will serve existing, continuing and anticipated new land uses for the foreseeable future without injuring the natural hydrological system of the watershed or the functions it provides. JD4 RMP Goal: Preserve both acreage and function (quantity and quality) of wetlands and related resources 1D4 Policy: Require that wetland quality (function) is equal or greater in importance to wetland quantity (acreage). Use the full complement of wetland functions for land planning and permit decisions. JD4 Policy: Integrate watershed characteristics and wetland functions for 'watershed- based' management. Establish hydrologic management units with goals for no net loss and enhancement. 1D4 Policy: Provide additional incentive to avoid impacts to higher functioning wetlands that are connected and interdependent on the landscape, unique groundwater resources, relatively rare, City of Lino Lakes SWMP I October 2011 11 •