05/30/2001 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

Open fields In the southeastern quadrant there are some very large areas dominated by dry prairie remnant species. These areas vary from domination by little bluestem grass to areas with domination by other grasses, such as purple love grass (Eragrostis spectabilis), in which little bluestem is a scattered element. Throughout the dry prairie areas one finds other panic grasses, prairie rose (Rosa carolina), thimbleweed (Anemone cylindracea), round headed bush - clover (Lespedeza capitata), showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa), old field goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis), cliff cudweed (Gnapthalium obtusifolium), pinweed (Lechea intermedia), Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), and bergamot (Monarda fistulosa). Many non - native herbaceous species are also present, including yarrow, smooth brome, and quack grass. Immediately south of 35W is an open old -field (2c1) with scattered trees and a sand blasting operation. Numerous areas within the field have remnant prairie plants and disturbances associated with earth moving (2c1 -old borrow site), including scraping, creation of piles of excavated materials, some borrowing, and wind rowing. Large parts of the open field areas are primarily dominated by smooth brome grass, blue grass, sand drop seed, wormwood, several native panic grass species (Panicum spp.), sweet clovers (Melilotus spp.), and bush clover, with scattered Indian grass (Sorgastrum nutans), white sage (Artemesia ludoviciana), and little bluestem. An invasive non - native weed is abundant. An extensive moss (Nostoc sp.) mat is found beneath areas of sparse grass and forb cover. Cottonwood, boxelder, red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), and perhaps planted or blown -in seed of Scotch and red pine (Pinus sylvestris, P. sylvestris) are also found in the old -field area. Siberian elm and cottonwood have invaded into the area dominated by Kentucky blue grass and smooth brome. Occasional patches of little bluestem are present as well. Within the old field south of the road that leads to the sand blasting facility is a 24 -28" DBH bur oak tree (3d) and a remnant patch of prairie cord grass. A historic depression is found immediately north of the tree and grass colony and supports a patch of marsh hedge nettle (Stachys tenuifolia hispida), a species of historic wetland swales. Recommendation: This depressiona! area provides an opportunity to restore a wet prairie /swale feature that could be integrated with the storm water management system for the project. It is currently dominated by brome grass, which would have to be herbicided. A tile survey might be worth conducting to determine any drainage impacts. The area could then be vegetated with native species such as cord grass. Old -field areas could be restored to dry prairie as previously described. S:98629:040999 11 Lino Lakes Town Center Natural Resource Inventory Report