05/30/2001 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

Summary The city center facilities located in both the northeastern and southeastern quadrants are ideally located to be integrated with the magnificent remnant natural resource systems that are present in these areas. In addition, extension of these degraded or historic systems into locations of previous occupancy can also contribute significantly to the natural resource benefits within the Town Center facility. Existing depressional areas can be integrated with restored native upland vegetation to create Stormwater Treatment Train features. These alternative treatment systems would provide opportunities for managing stormwater on -site utilizing low- maintenance native vegetation, while improving the quality of water entering adjacent wetland systems. The Stormwater Treatment Train concept would be essential to stabilize and offer long -term protection to existing natural resource systems. In short, the restoration of savanna, dry prairie, wet prairie, forested wetland, native plantings within the context of a Stormwater Treatment Train, an upland buffer system, and native landscaping integrated within the development proposals for the Town Center site all can be integrated within the context of the historic Anoka Sand Plains and the adjacent lake and wetland systems that distinguish the Lino Lakes community and Town Center site. There is some urgency associated with some of the restoration management treatments as follows: 1. Large pathologically mature oaks are starting to decline at a very rampant rate. In other studies we have conducted around the region, the rate of decline, including limb senescence, tree -fall, and simple mortality of trees has been measured at 20% per year. Regenerating oaks is an imperative, if the community wants these magnificent oaks to distinguish the Town Center. 2. Dry prairie remnants within the existing Town Center facility are invaded by non - native, cool- season grasses (quack, brome, etc.). Restoration of these areas will occur very rapidly with the introduction of prescribed fire and will, in all likelihood, require the addition of native plant seeds to accentuate, diversify, and beautify the dry prairie remnants. Seeding and plant introduction to the savanna remnants may be necessary to diversify, beautify, and increase the opportunity for acceptance of these plant communities within the context of the developing Town Center. 3. Wetland remnants within the Town Center facility are extremely vulnerable to water quality and hydrologic modifications. Very careful integration of water quality and water rate and volume delivery should be taken very seriously in the early design and planning S:98629:040999 13 Lino Lakes Town Center Natural Resource Inventory Report