02/28/2012 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Woolan's Park Wetland Bank Part B: Appendix 2 Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. January, 17th 2012 Page 4 of 8 Seeding /Planting Zone Map For most of the wetland banking area, plant establishment will primarily be from the release of dormant viable seed from the existing seed bank. These areas which will be released following thatch removal, prescribed burning, and initial herbicide treatments may have additional overseeding of imported native seed taking place where needed. Custom seed mixes will be created that are highly suitable for peatland systems of the Anoka Sand Plain (such as Anoka Sand Plain Rich Fen and Anoka Sand Plain Wet Meadow seed mixes developed by CCES on a site - specific basis). Seed mixes will be similar to BWSR generated seed mixes, but will be tailored to meet site - specific conditions and performance standards. Appendix 2, Figure 1 depicts the planting and management zones within the proposed wetland banking site with the management treatments and acreages for each zone listed. Seeding /Planting Methods For areas that will require overseeding, dormant seeding of imported local ecotype seed will be implemented, as needed, each fall during the five year vegetation establishment and management process. Mechanical and manual broadcast methods will be used to sow native seed following any fall prescribed burn or herbicide treatment and prior to the establishment of frost. As previously mentioned, native seed mixes will be tailored to the specific conditions of the site (such as peatland soils, fine sandy loam soils, and fine sandy soils), but will be mode led after established seed mixes that have been created for Anoka Sand Plain wetland restorations. Seeding rates will be consistent with BWSR recommended seeding rates, typically 8.0 -12.0 lbs of pure live seed per acre. However, overall diversity of seed mixes and ratios of graminoids to forbs to cover crop will be tailored to achieve the overall vegetation establishment and restoration goals and performance standards of this specific wetland bank project. Vegetation Maintenance Established native herbaceous vegetation and plant communities within the banking site will be managed primarily with prescribed fire and herbicide treatments in both wetland and upland plant communities. Within the wetland areas, re- introduction of fire and herbicide treatments will help control the re- establishment of undesirable native and non - native species like reed canary grass, glossy buckthorn, and quaking aspen. Within upland areas being restored, management activities will mainly involve buckthorn removal and herbicide treatment to cut stumps along with some prescribed burning where appropriate. For areas that cannot be managed by fire or with herbicide, periodic brush mowing may be implemented to help reduce any problematic woody plant growth that may persist within these areas. Vegetation maintenance will be monitored throughout each season and tailored in such a way to best manage the banking site based on results from previous management treatments.