Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/28/2012 Env Bd Packet• • • City of Lino Lakes Environmental Board Meeting February 28, 2012 6:30 p.m. AGENDA 1. CaII to Order 2. Swearing in of Board Members: Theresa Klaman and Paula Andrzejewski 3. Approval of Minutes January 25, 2012 4. Approval of Agenda 5. Open Mike 6. Action Items A. Wollan's Park Wetland Bank, Part B: Wetland Bank Supplement 7. Discussion Items A. Waste Reduction and the People- Power - Planet ( PPP) Program, Trish Curtis B. Recycling Program Discussion with Amy Ulbricht/Anoka County Commercial Waste Management Specialist • Staff Meeting with Waste Haulers • Commercial and Industrial Recycling a. Who is Recycling b. Survey c. Chamber of Commerce d. Can Collection as a Fundraiser? C. Peltier Island Heron Maintenance Day Summary. D. Earth Day — April 21St, 2012 E. Community Garden update 8. Adjourn • ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING DATE TIME STARTED TIME ENDED MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF PRESENT CITY OF LINO LAKES January 25, 2012 : January 25, 2012 . 6:34 P.M. . 8:05 P.M. : Mary Jo O'Dea, Barbara Bor, Paula Andrzejewski, Martha DeHaven, Steve Heiskary, Theresa Klaman and Nancie Kelbba : None. : Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson 1. CALL TO ORDER Ms. O'Dea called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. 2. VOTE CHAIR AND VICE -CHAIR FOR 2012 Paula Andrzejewski nominated Ms. O'Dea as Chair and Ms. Bor as Vice Chair. The nomination was seconded by Ms. Klaman. The nomination was unanimously approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 26, 2011 Minutes — First page, paragraph one. Change to read Ms. O'Dea not Ms. Bor. Page three, delete second paragraph. Page five, E, last sentence change from their to the. Mr. Heiskary made a motion to approve the October 26, 2011 minutes. Ms. Andrzejewski seconded the motion to approve the minutes. Motion carried unanimously 4. APPROVE MEETING DATES FOR 2012 Ms. O'Dea requested to change the February 29th meeting date to February 28th. Ms. Bor made a motion to approve the 2012 Environmental Board meeting dates with one date change. Ms. DeHaven seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously 5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA REMOVE 8B - Recycling Discussion ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING January 25, 2012 8C -2. - Forest Bonding Grant ADD 8G - Add: Community Garden Plot fee discussion for 2012. Ms. Andrzejewski made a motion to approve the agenda. Ms. DeHaven seconded the motion to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously 6. OPEN MIKE Open mike closed at 6:40 p.m. 7. ACTION ITEMS No action items. • 8. DISCUSSION ITEM A. IDDE Incident Mr. Asleson presented the Board with a packet pertaining to an indicent of Illicit Discharge located at Black Duck Drive South on the pond. Mr. Asleson stated the first procedure is to call the Minnesota Duty Officer to report the illicit discharge. From there, the Duty Officer calls the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and notifies them. Mr. Asleson also contacted the Lino Lakes Police Department and a police report is also required to be filled out. City crews responded to clean up the oil spill. The clean -up cost the City and residents at least $1,000. Ms. Bor suggested to put door hangers around the surrounding area of the incident to notify residents not to dump oil or debris on ponds, culverts, etc. It was also suggested to put an article in the City Newsletter to inform residents about the City's Illicit Discharge ordinance. B. Recycling Discussion: Commercial, City, Schools and Residential Recycling and presentation by Trish Curtis (PPP). — Removed from the agenda C. Grants DRAFT MINUTES 2 • • • ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING January 25, 2012 1. Surface Water Protection Plan Implementation Grant/ Wellhead Protection/Joint Powers Activities. Mr. Asleson stated engineering applied for a grant in the amount of $6,000.00. He will not be able to apply for a grant until March of 2012. The grant would be in the amount of $10,000 and would most likely be used to fill existing unused wells. Ms. O'Dea questioned if City staff knows the location of wells. He stated he has an approximate location of well heads from the GIS map. Mr. Asleson stated the City signed a Joint Powers Agreement with Anoka County. He stated they talked about sharing resources. He would like to come up with educational materials for residents. The first three meetings will take place February 9, 15 and 23rd in Circle Pines. 2. Forest Bonding Grant 2012 -2014 — Removed from the agenda. D. Heron Rookery Update for February 6th work - session. Mayor Reinert requested an update on the Blue Herons. Mr. Asleson inquired if Ms. Bor knew of anyone who would be interested in corning to a council meeting to give an update. Mr. Asleson stated Andy VonDuke counted 37 nests on Peltier Island. He stated he counted 50 nests. He stated there are roughly 70 new chicks as well as a few egrets nesting. He stated the last time Egrets were on the island was approximately 2003. E. Going to Paperless Environmental Board Packets. Emailing Environmental Board packets was discussed among members. It was decided if there is a small packet, it would be okay to email. If the packet had documents that would need to be reviewed at a meeting, we will continued to have packets delivered. F. Landscaping City Hall Mr. Asleson stated there was a City Council work session discussion regarding weeds growing in the cracks on sidewalks around City Hall. The discussion turned into completely re -doing the landscape and island in front of City Hall. Mr. Asleson stated the original plan was to set an example for water quality using native grasses. Mr. Asleson stated the island in front of City Hall had trees donated and planted by residents. The plan was to integrate the island into the Regional Park. Mr. Asleson is requesting an opinion from the Board. Ms. O'Dea stated if the point is ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING January 25, 2012 to make a more manicured look, it would be a shame to damage the trees. Ms. Bor suggested using a natural fill with more color, flowers, etc. Ms. DeHaven stated hostas would work in the shaded areas Ms. Klaman stated they should complement what is already out there. It was stated that maintaining the trees is an important consensus of the Board. The trees should remsin as is and every attempt be made to maintain the root system. Ms. Bor stated we do not want to contribute to storm water flow, irrigation systems, etc. Ms. O'Dea suggested changing the island as the tree cover grows. Adapt to the surroundings and make changes when necessary to accommodate. Ms. DeHaven suggested using Rugosa Roses. Mr. Asleson stated they are planted by the sidewalk and are very hearty. Ms. Bor questioned which company made the recommendations for the plantings on the island. Mr. Asleson stated Brauer & Associated, Ltd. It was suggested that the Environmental Board will monitor the island and keep it up to date monthly. Board members stated they agree to the eyebrow plan from Brauer & Associates. The Board would like a closer look at what is being planted at next meeting. Mr. Heiskary stated a lot of nonsense to put staff out there and waste time on this. Mr. Asleson stated in the next weeks he with email suggestions for the "eye brow" plantings on the island. It was recommended to plant the donated Chestnut tree seeds on island. Ms. Andrzejewski made a Motion to forward recommendations to the City Council. Ms. Klaman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. G. Add: Community Garden Plot prices for 2012 There was a short discussion on the Community Garden plot amount for 2012. It was decided the plot amount will be $15.00 Mr. Asleson was asked to contact the man from Columbus to see if he would be willing to donate compost to the gardens again this year. DRAFT MINVI S 4 • to • • • ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING January 25, 2012 7. ADJOURN It was noted that the next meeting of the Environmental Board will be on Tuesday, February 28, 2012at 6:30 p.m. There being no further business, Mr. Heiskary moved to adjourn at 8:05 p.m. Ms. DeHaven seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Transcribed by: Lisa Hogstad Community Development Secretary DRAFT MINUTES 5 • Environmental Board AGENDA ITEM 6A STAFF ORIGINATOR: Marty Asleson MEETING DATE: February 28, 2012 TOPIC: Wollan's Park, Minnesota Wetland Bank Plan Application, Part B: Wetland Bank Plan Supplement. INTRODUCTION The Environmental Board has as a goal the wetland banking of Wollan's Park. BACKGROUND The Wollan's Park wetland bank was first proposed in 2009. The Environmental Board Reviewed and commented on the Draft Wollan's Park, Part A, Wetland Delineation on December 16, 2009. The Board recommended that the document be forwarded on to the City Council for signing and then on to BWSR. Attachment 1 is Part B of the Wetland Bank Application. Staff wishes to receive comments and a recommendation from the Board to forward this on to the City Council for processing. The deed information is in Part A of the December 16, 2009 meeting. The estimated budget for the wetland bank project is on Attachment 2. This is the cost if we had consultants do the actual physical restoration work. The cost is compared to an anticipated bank price of possibly $275000, The City would have some costs associated with project administration by Critical Connections, otherwise the City will be doing the actual vegetation restoration and management. According to the wetland delineation there are 13.38 acres of wetland and 4.24 acres of upland in this park. The proposed bank would be minus the pipeline easement (1.16 acres) and future trail. We will be seeking banking for the restoration of all wetland and upland areas of Wollan's Park. The City should get a 50% land banking credit ratio (50% of the acreage at the current banking price.). The uplands will be compensated for at a lesser rate. RECOMMENDATION Recommend forwarding the document on to the council with comments and recommendations /changes made by the Environmental Board. One change that staff has already communicated to Critical Connections is that we have a restricted deed for the park, and that we would need to maintain this area as a park (passive), with a trail either implied on the plan or the trail placed on the plan or both, and language in the document stating the trail and park use of this area. Additional land would need to be subtracted from the bank figures to compensate for the trail use. • ATTACHMENTS A. Draft Wollan's Park, Part A, Wetland Delineation B. Wollan's Park, Minnesota Wetland Bank Plan Application, Part B: Wetland Bank Plan Supplement. • Wetland Bank Plan Application Part B Wetland Bank Plan Supplement & Appendices 1- 4 • spy -AFT • For LGU Use Only Project Name: Project Identification No.:'' Minnesota Wetland Bank Plan Application PART B: WETLAND BANK PLAN SUPPLEMENT GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS To seek approval for the establishment of a wetland bank, applicants must complete and submit both Part A (Scoping Document) and Part B (Bank Plan Supplement) of this application package. An approved wetland bank application does not guarantee the success of a wetland bank project, nor does it guarantee how many wetland credits will result from the project. Approval of both Part A and Part B constitutes an approved Wetland Bank Plan Application. Instructions for completing a Wetland Bank Application and how to submit it for review can be obtained from the BWSR web site at (www. bws r.state.m n. u s ) Project Name: Woolen's Park Wetland Bank County: Anoka The following supporting documents are required components of Part B of the Minnesota Wetland Bank Plan Application. Please refer to each respective appendix for specific details of the information required. Appendix 1 - Design and Construction Plan Requirements Appendix 2 - Vegetation Establishment and Management Plan Requirements Appendix 3 - Summary of Existing Wetlands and Credits Expected Appendix 4 - Monitoring Plan Requirements The applicant is responsible for providing all information required in the Wetland Bank Plan Application, which includes all required information from the appendices listed above. These appendices may include supplemental reports, maps, plans, drawings, narratives, figures, and other information. Part B of the Wetland Bank Plan Application will be considered incomplete if it is not signed or if any appendix, or a component of an appendix, is not completed and submitted to the Local Governmental Unit administering the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA LGU). Do not proceed with your project until you have received approval of your completed Wetland Bank Plan Application from your WCA LGU. Wetland bank sites that are restored or created prior to WCA LGU approval of a completed Wetland Bank Plan Application are not eligible for deposit into the State Wetland Bank. APPLICANT'S AFFIDAVIT The undersigned Applicant hereby applies to the designated Local Governmental Unit administering the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA LGU) to establish the above- described wetland banking credits with the intention of ultimately depositing such credits in the Minnesota Wetland Bank. As a condition for the deposit, the Landowner /Applicant represents, acknowledges and attests as follows: 1. I hold, or will hold prior to restoring or creating the wetland bank, a fee simple or other sufficient interest in the real property described above on which the proposed wetland bank project will be established. Any property interest held by the landowner /applicant must include the rights to restore the bank site in accordance with the enclosed plans, specifications, and supporting documents, as well as granting of a perpetual conservation easement to the State of Minnesota (State) in accordance with item (2) below. 2. I agree to grant, convey and warrant to the State a perpetual easement, which must include provisions for reasonable access, prepared by the State prior to any request to deposit eligible credits that result from the successful implementation of the approved bank plan. 3. I understand that the sale of any portion of or interest in the real property prior to granting and recording of a perpetual easement to the State could jeopardize the establishment of an account in the State Wetland Bank unless I as the seller have reserved the rights and interests sufficient to protect the interests of the applicant and the State. 4. I agree to provide at my cost a legal description of the easement boundary, including a description for a legal access that is acceptable to the state as part of conveying the perpetual easement to the State. I also agree to establish and maintain visible monuments such as signs, fence posts and/or survey posts at prominent locations along the easement boundary. (V. 1.0 for MS WORD) 6/14/06 Page 1 of 2 Wetland Bank Plan Application Form — Part B • • Project Name: For LGUUse Only Project Identification No.: 5. I agree to provide a Policy of Title Insurance for the benefit of the State of Minnesota and naming the State of Minnesota as insured, which shall include such terms and be subject to only such exceptions as are acceptable to the State. To ensure acceptability of said policy to the State, a Commitment to Insure shall be provided to the State within thirty (30) days from the date the Grantor receives a written request for the Commitment to Insure. The Grantor will be responsible for obtaining all consents and subordination to the easement for all mortgages, liens and other holders of interests in the Grantor's property, as required by the State. I understand that I will be responsible for all costs associated with obtaining the Commitment to Insure and the Policy of Title Insurance, including but not limited to the cost of updating the abstract of the property being acquired. 6. That all other holders of interests in the real property on which the proposed wetland bank, or any necessary access easement, will be located (e.g., spouses, mortgagees, fee owners, etc.) if any, will either join in the conveyance or consent by signing a Consent and Subordination Agreement or similar document, which will be recorded with the perpetual easement. 7. That there are no hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants in or on the proposed wetland bank area or within 200 feet of it. 8. That any abandoned vehicles, junkpiles, or other dumpsite materials on or within 200 feet of the proposed wetland bank area will be cleaned up with the items properly removed or otherwise disposed of in accordance with local ordinances and state codes prior to or as part of implementing the wetland bank project. 9. That the proposed wetland bank area was not previously restored or created under a prior approved replacement plan. 10. That the proposed wetland bank area was not or will not be restored for other unrelated regulatory purposes. 11. That the proposed wetland bank area was not drained or filled under an exemption during the previous ten years. 12. That the proposed wetland bank area was not or will not be restored or designed with financial assistance from a public conservation program, or if it was or will be, the public conservation program was or will be fully reimbursed. Further, no portion of the proposed wetland bank area is currently enrolled in a public conservation program. ( "Public conservation program" includes the Federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the Federal Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), the Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Program, the Federal or State of Minnesota Water Bank programs, or other similar conservation programs.) 13. That the proposed wetland bank area was not previously restored using private funds other than those of the landowner, unless the funds are paid back with interest to the individual or organization that funded the restoration and the individual or organization notifies the local government unit in writing that the restored wetland may be considered for replacement. 14. I understand that the said easement to be conveyed to the State requires that I or my successors will be responsible for establishing and maintaining the wetlands and plant communities identified in the Wetland Bank Plan Application. 15. I accept and agree to comply with the monitoring conditions identified in Appendix 4 of this Wetland Banking Application document and as defined in Minnesota Rules Chapter 8420.0600 to 8420.0630. 16. I am aware of and agree to pay to the BWSR all fees assessed for managing wetland bank accounts and transactions, as defined in Minnesota Statutes 103G.2242, Subd. 14 and Minnesota Rules Chapter 8420.0720, Subp. 13. 17. I understand that the State or local government units, and the officers, employees, and agents thereof, make no warranty or representation as to the value of wetland banking credits. 18. I understand that the use of wetland banking credits is subject to compliance with regulatory requirements, including but not limited to the requirement that the user of credits must obtain approval from the Local Governmental Unit (LGU) for a replacement plan or other regulatory approval that designates the use of the credits as the means of replacement or mitigation. I hereby accept the conditions and affirm that this application and affidavit are correct and truthful to the best of my knowledge. (please provide in writing and attach as necessary any further explanation or clarification regarding any of the above items) Signature ofLandowner /Applicant: Date: NOTE: The landowner of the proposed wetland bank property must sign this block Anyone other than the landowner signing the block must have power of attorney for the landowner (include copy of power of attorney). (V. 1.0 for MS WORD) 6/14/06 Page 2 of 2 Wetland Bank Plan Application Form — Part B Woolan's Park Wetland Bank Part B: Appendix 1 Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. January, 17th 2012 Appendix 1: Design and Construction Plan Requirements Definition of Existing Conditions Page 1 of 3 Existing Conditions: Woolan's Park is a 17.62 acre city park that is located at the north end of Diane Street in the SW 1/4 of the NW % of Section 4 of Township 31 North, Range 22 West, Lino Lakes, Anoka County, Minnesota (Appendix A, Figure 1). Located within the Woolan's Park boundary is a large wetland complex that covers much of the park itself along with several upland oak and aspen woodlands. Parts of the large wetland complex are classified as palustrine emergent saturated flooded wetland (PEMBd; Circular 39 Type 2), palustrine emergent seasonally flooded wetland. (PEMC; Circular 39 Type 3), and palustrine emergent semipermanently flooded wetland (PEMF; Circular 39 Type 3). Areas bordering the uplands throughout the wetland complex consist primarily of a PEMB wetland fringe that is dominated by reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) and Canada blue -joint grass (Calamagrostis canadensis). The outer fringe of this wetland transitions to wetter palustrine emergent hydrologic regimes that include PEMC and PEMF. The area of PEMC and PEMF wetland occur further out in the center of the wetland complex and is dominated primarily by wiregrass "sedge (Carex lasiocarpa). Site Topography: Overall the site is relatively level with only a few feet of elevation change across the property. The topography of the site ranges in elevation from 902.0 in the wetland areas to 906.0 in the oak uplands (Appendix A, Figure ,2) A ditch .is'. present off,- siter along the northwestern property boundary. In general water on -site drains to the southwest toward Pin Oak Lake through the wetland complex that connects the two areas. Existing Easement: ., A natural gas pipeline is located within the north end of the park and extends from the east to west boundaries of the park. The pipeline is owned and maintained by Minnesota Pipeline Company, LLC. The easement over this pipeline covers approximately 1.16 acres and is 60' wide. This pipeline easement is maintained by periodic brushing of woody vegetation. Current Land Uses: Current land uses surrounding Woolan's Park include: residential housing immediately to the south, large lot residential to the east, woodlands to the north and northwest, and a large wetland complex to the southwest that connects to Pin Oak Lake. Within the watershed surrounding the city park, residential housing is located primarily to the south and southwest. To the north and east is more open space including wetlands, lakes, and woodland /forest areas with less residential housing. Agricultural uses can also be found within a half of a mile from the site but is not a dominant land use of the area. • • • • Woolan's Park Wetland Bank Part B: Appendix 1 Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. January, 17th 2012 Page 2 of 3 Soils: Soils mapped within the park include: Isanti fine sandy loam (hydric), Soderville fine sand (non - hydric), and Zimmerman fine sand (non - hydric). Hydric soils cover approximately 90% of the site with non - hydric soils found typically in the northeastern and southeastern parts of the property (Appendix A, Figure 3). Design Report Proposed Work: The goal for wetland banking at Woolan's Park will be to restore and enhance both wetland and upland native plant communities found within the park property. The wetland areas to be restored and enhanced total 12.28 acres and upland areas total 4.18 acres. In all 16.46 acres will be restored and included in the wetland bank for the City of Lino Lakes at Woolan's Park. These areas do not include the utility easement that is located within the northern part of the park: Restoration activities may take place within the easement with the understanding that no banking credit will be gained from this area In general to achieve banking credits, restoration tasks will focus primarily on the conversion of non- native, invasive dominated areas to native dominated plant communities. Areas to be restored and enhanced will have non - native, invasive plants like reed canary grass controlled and converted to a native - dominated plant community. Ultimately the restored areas will contain a higher diversity of native plants that are typical of wet meadows found within the Anoka Sand Plain. In areas of upland (oak, paper birch, and quaking aspen woodlands), the restoration and enhancement tasks will focus on the removal of non - native, invasive woody plants like common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) and glossy buckthorn ( Rhamnus frangula) as well as edges of woodlands /wetlands which include reed canary grass. No water control structures will; be a part of the restoration and enhancement of the wetlands within Woolan's Park. Existing hydrology will not be influenced or modified for this project on -site. Capability of the Site: Since much of the site is an existing wetland with natural hydrology, hydric soils, and established hydric vegetation, the capability of the site to maintain itself as wetland will continue. Hydrology within this wetland complex is derived from the immediately surrounding watershed, the ditch located along the western side, and water discharging from within the wetland itself. Areas of wetland restoration currently have the hydrology to support wetland characteristics and are not considered to be altered in any way for this wetland banking project. Soils mapped within the current wetland boundary are all mapped as hydric soils which will help support the site's ability to be restored from its current condition to a higher quality wet meadow plant community. The topography of the site is generally flat within the existing wetland boundary with some elevation change to the surrounding upland plant communities. Much of the vegetative restoration will be taking place within the current wetland boundary where the level terrain of the site will be conducive to maintaining adequate wetland hydrology. Upland areas within the property boundary are slightly higher in elevation than the wetlands and are dominated by oak woodland and forest. Since no change in site hydrology is anticipated for this project, the upland Woolan's Park Wetland Bank Part B: Appendix 1 Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. January, 17th 2012 Page 3 of 3 areas will remain in forest /woodland and will be dominated by woody plants typical of oak forests and woodlands found within the Anoka Sand Plain. Subsurface Investigation and Analysis: No subsurface investigation and analysis were part of this proposed wetland bank due to no construction taking place to create the wetland bank. This wetland bank is based on vegetative restoration and not creation of new wetland. Hydrologic and hydraulic Analyses: The wetland bank is based on vegetative restoration; no hydrologic and hydraulic analyses were performed. Cost Estimate for Construction Component: The wetland bank is based on vegetative restoration which will involve no construction features, no cost estimate is provided. Construction Plans and Specification';. The wetland bank is based on vegetative restoration, no construction plans or specifications were created. Construction Inspection and Certification Plan The wetland bank is based on vegetative restoration, no construction inspection and certification plans were created. • • • • Legend Woolan's Park Boundary 17.62 Acres Upland, Wetland, & Utility Easement Acreage Existing Upland Area Outside of Utility Easment Area = 4.18 Acres (To. Be Included in Wetland Banking) Existing Wetland Area Outside of Utility Easement Area = 12.28 Acres (To Be Included in Wetland Banking) Utility Easment Approximately 60' Wide (1.16 Acres) �l +sly, Woolen's Park Wetland Bank Existing Conditions Map City of Lino Lakes, Minnesota &ideal Cortnectiorrs Ecological Snakes, Inc Aerial Photo: 2010 0 62.5 125 250 375 Feet 500 Appendix 1, Figure 1 Woolan's Park Wetland Bank Topographic Survey Map City of Lino Lakes, Minnesota Cr/thnt Connertfons ECN031r01 Servkex Inc U�Idy.Easrnent. Approximately 60' Wide (1.16 Acres) AN Aerial Photo: 2010 Feet 0 50 100 200 300 40110 Appendix 1, Figure 2 • • Le9end Woolen's Park Boundary 17.62 Acres Wetland Boundary Utility Easement. Approximately 60' Wide (1.16 Acres) Hydric Soil Want' fine sandy loam Non -Hydric Soils Zimmerman fine sand, 0-2% slopes Zimmerman fine sand, 2 -6% slopes Soderville fine sand, 0-3% slopes Woolan's Park Wetland Bank Anoka County Soil Survey City of Lino Lakes, Minnesota Critical Connections Eniingicot Services, Inc A Aerial Photo: 2010 Appendix 1, Figure 3 Woolan's Park Wetland Bank Part B: Appendix 2 Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. January, 17th 2012 Page 1 of 8 Appendix 2: Vegetation Establishment & Management Plan Requirements On behalf of the City of Lino Lakes (applicant /landowner), Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. has prepared the following Vegetation Establishment and Management Plan for the proposed Woolen's Park Wetland Banking project. The vegetation establishment and management methods provided hereafter have been developed and successfully implemented on similar wetland restoration sites in adjacent municipalities within the Anoka Sand Plain of Minnesota. Woolan's Park Wetland Bank, Vegetation Establishment and Management Plan: Restoration Approach: Vegetation restoration, establishment, and management within Woolen's Park wetland banking site will rely on viable native seed banks, wherever possible,:to serve as the primary .propagule source for re- establishing native vegetation- and - plant communities -In addition to the - existing seed banksource, the importing of local native seed will also be used when needeck to provide adequate vegetative coverage. Re- introduction of natural disturbance (i.e prescribed fire) will serve as the main mechanism that fosters the re- establishment of native communities, 'controls woody vegetation and associated plant competition, and controls invasive and /ornon- native plant species populations. The initial phase of the vegetation establishment and management plan (i.e. site preparation) includes removal of native and non - native tree and shrub species that have established as a result of fire suppression and ditching. Herbaceous thatch of :native and non- native /herbaceousspecies(such as lake sedge, Canada blue joint, reed canarygrass, narrow leaf and hybrid cattail) has also accumulated over decades of fire suppression. In addition, accumulated' saturated herbaceous thatch will be removed mechanically during winter months to help promote germination of the native seed bank and reduce hazards of initial prescribed burns associated with accumulated fine fuel. Following initial site preparation (as described above); re- emerging invasive and non native species will be treated with appropriate wetland approved herbicide (such as Rodeo and /or AquaNeat, both ' glyphosate -based herbicides). Native seed bank viability will be closely monitored in the growing season following initial site preparation and herbicide treatments. Prescribed burning will be implemented as a management tool to promote fire - adaptive native species establishment and reduce competition from invasive /non- native species. The vegetation establishment and management plan will be based on an adaptive management approach. At the end of th'first complete growing season following site preparation and herbicide treatments of invasive species, the entire wetland banking site will be assessed for areas requiring augmentation with imported local- ecotype native seed mixes due to poor vegetation re- establishment from native seed banks. In the final three to four years of management, prescribed burning and herbicide treatments of undesirable invasive /non- native plant species will be coupled with interseeding of native propagules (where necessary) to re- establish viable and appropriate native wetland plant communities to this wetland complex. • • • • • Woolen's Park Wetland Bank Part B: Appendix 2 Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. January, 17`h 2012 Page 2 of 8 Site Preparation Site preparation will occur in the later fall, winter, and early spring of the first year of wetland restoration. Site preparation will be implemented with the ultimate goals of removing woody and herbaceous biomass that has accumulated as a result of prolonged fire suppression, invasive and aggressive exotic species establishment, and drainage of wetlands. Removal of accumulated saturated herbaceous biomass is critical to promoting the germination and establishment of an existing viable native seed bank. Prescribed burning alone is not able to remove accumulated saturated herbaceous biomass from the peatland surface; mechanical removal during frozen soil conditional is necessary. Removal of native and exotic trees and shrubs is critical to reducing competition from shading, and removing volatile woody biomass to promote safe, efficient, and effective prescribed burning. Following the removal of accumulated herbaceous and woody biomass, herbicide treatments of invasive species and woody plant stumps will be implemented. Seed Mixes and Plant Materials Data collected from the wetland bank site indicates the potential presence of a suppressed and diverse native seed bank. This vegetation establishment and restoration approach will rely on an existing viable (but suppressed) native seed bank as the primary source of plant propagules for the re- vegetation of the wetland bank site. Such an approach has been successfully implemented on similar peatland restoration sites in adjacent municipalities within the Anoka Sand Plain. When necessary, native vegetation re- establishment will be augmented with local ecotype native seed mixes in areas where the existing native seed bank is not viable, depleted, and /or is not performing adequately. Origin certified Minnesota Yellow Tag seed will be used when \any additional seeding is needed. The following are seed mixes developed by CCES for use in restoration of, plant communities that are found within the site boundary. Table 1. Anoka Sand Plain Rich Fen (Seeding Rate: 8 -12.0 PLS Ibs /acre) 100.0% Common Name Botanical Name % of Mix Grasses Canada blue joint grass Calamagrostis canadensis 15.0% Tall manna -grass Glyceria grandis 15.0% Graminoids , "Interior sedge Carex interior 10.0% :Sedge, wiregrass Carex lasiocarpa 15.0% Poor sedge Carex paupercula 10.0% Wooly sedge Carex pellita 15.0% Forbs Red- stemmed aster Asterpuniceus 1.0% Bellflower, marsh Campanula aparinoides 5.0% Linear - leaved willow -herb Elipobium leptophyllum 1.0% Loosestrife, tufted Lysimachia thrysiflora 1.0% Cinquefoil, marsh Potentilla palustris 5.0% Marsh skullcap Scutellaria galericulata 5.0% Goldenrod, northem bog Solidago uliginosa 1.0% Northem marsh fem Thelypteris palustris 1.0% 100.0% Woolan's Park Wetland Bank Part B: Appendix 2 Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. January, 17th 2012 Table 2. Anoka Sand Plain Wet Meadow (Seeding Rate: 8 -12.0 PLS Ibs /acre) Page 3 of 8 Table 3. Dry Oak Forest /Woodland (Seeding Rate: 8-12.0 PLS Ibs /acre) 100.0% Common Name Botanical Name % of Mix Grasses Fringed brome Bromus ciliatus 10.0% Sedges Canada blue joint grass Calamagrostis canadensis 15.0% Rattlesnake manna grass Glyceria canadensis 10.0% Prairie cordgrass Spartina pectinata 15.0% Graminoids Northeastern sedge Carex cryptolepis 10.0% Interior sedge Carex interior 10.0% Forbs Wiregrass sedge Carex lasiocarpa 10.0% Wooly sedge Carex pellita 10.0% Forbs Marsh milkweed Asclepia incamata 2.0% Flat top aster Aster umbellatus 1.0% Joe -pye weed `r Eupatorium maculatum 2.0% Common boneset Eupatorium perfoliatum 1.0% Grass-leaved goldenrod= Euthamia- graminifolia- 1.0% = Zig Zag Goldenrod Tall blazingstar Liatns pycnostachya 1.0% Virginia mountainmint ,'Pycnanthemum virginianum 1.0% Giant goldenrod Solidago gigantea 1.0% Table 3. Dry Oak Forest /Woodland (Seeding Rate: 8-12.0 PLS Ibs /acre) 100.0% 100.0% • • • Common Name Botanical Name % of Mix Grasses & Sprengel's Sedge 'Carex sprengelii 15.0% Sedges .Straight- styled Wood Sedge Carex radiata 15.0% Curly- styled Wood Sedge Carex rosea 15.0% Bottle -brush grass.:: Elymus hystrix 10.0% Silky wild' -rye Elymus villosus 10.0% Virginia wild -rye Elymus virginicus 10.0% Forbs Columbine \ Aquilegia canadensis 1.0% ■ Jack -in- the - Pulpit Arisaema triphylium 4.0% Large- leaved aster Aster macrophyllus 5.0% Wild,Geranium Geranium maculatum 5.0% Virginia Waterleaf Hydrophylium virginianum 2.0% False Solomon's Seal Maianthemun racemosa 5.0% Sweet Cicely Osmorhiza claytonii 2.0% Zig Zag Goldenrod Solidago flexicaulis 1.0% 100.0% • • • 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. Woolan's Park Wetland Bank Part B: Appendix 2 Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. January, 17th 2012 Schedule of Activities Year 1 Vegetation Establishment and Management Schedule: Winter: Page 5 of 8 Cut, chip, and remove invasive native and non - native tree and shrub species from wetland banking area that include both wetland and upland restoration areas. Tree and shrub species to be removed may include: green ash (Fraxinus nigra), box elder (Acer negundo), black willow (Salix nigra), quaking aspen ( Populus tremuloides), cottonwood (Populus deltoides), common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula), tartarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica), and amur maple (Acer ginnala). Recycle usable woody biomass material (late November 'through February). Treat invasive woody stumps with appropriate wetland herbicides; ,such as Rodeo or AquaNeat (glyphosate -based herbicides). Any cut stumps of native woody shrub species (such as shrub willows, and dogwoods) will not be treated with herbicide, and will be allowed to re- sprout. Native shrub species will be managed, over the long term, with prescribed fire" (late November through February). Mow existing native and non - native herbaceous wetland vegetation. Mechanically remove saturated and dry thatch during winter months to, promote seed bank germination and effective management with prescribed fire. Mechanically remove herbaceous material from wetland restoration site (late February through early April weather permitting). Spring: In late spring,_ apply appropriate wetland herbicideto re- emerging invasive woody and herbaceous species, such as reed canary grass, phragmites, narrow leaf and hybrid cattails, common and glossy buckthorn, amur maple,. and honeysuckle (late May June). Summer: In late summer,, apply appropriate wetland herbicide to re- emerging invasive woody and herbaceous species, such as reedreanary grass, phragmites, narrow leaf and hybrid cattails, common and glossy buckthorn, amur maple, and honeysuckle (September). Create prescribed burn plan and acquire necessary burn permits (August / September). Fall: Monitor vegetation establishment prior to implementing prescribed burn. Note areas with poor native seed bank viability. Plan seeding of such areas for late fall, following prescribed burn and prior to snow cover and frost establishment (September). Order native seed if necessary (September). • • • • Woolan's Park Wetland Bank Part B: Appendix 2 Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. January, 17th 2012 Page 6 of 8 Mow and create required burn breaks, and implement prescribed burn plan in October of first year (October). Broadcast native seed (if additional seed is utilized) to prescribed seeding areas following prescribed burn (October through November). Year 2 Vegetation Establishment and Management Schedule: Spring: Apply herbicide to re- emerging invasive species populations, including reed canary grass, phragmites, cattail, common and glossy buckthorn, honeysuckle, and amur maple (May and June). Monitor overall vegetation establishment from existing seed bank and areas seeded with native seed mixes the prior fall (June). Summer: Monitor areas that have been allowed to establish with existing seed bank and where seeded areas with native seed mixes took place the prior fall (June through September). In late summer, apply appropriate wetland herbicide to re- emerging invasive woody and herbaceous species, such as reed canary grass, phragmites, cattail, common and glossy buckthorn, honeysuckle, and amur maple. Broadcast and spot treatment of invasive species will likely be necessary (September). Fall: Monitor vegetation establishment during second growing season. Note areas with poor native seed bank viability. Plan seeding of such areas for late fall (September). Order native seed, if necessary (September). Broadcast native seed to prescribed seeding areas prior to snow cover and frost establishment (October through November). Year 3 Vegetation Establishment and Management Schedule: Spring: Spot treat areas of re- emerging invasive species, including reed canary grass, phragmites, cattail, common and glossy buckthorn, honeysuckle, and amur maple (May and June). Monitor overall vegetation establishment from existing seed bank and areas seeded with native seed mixes the prior fall (June). Woolan's Park Wetland Bank Part B: Appendix 2 Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. January, 17th 2012 Summer: Monitor areas seeded with native seed mixes the prior fall (June through September). Page 7 of 8 In late summer, apply appropriate wetland herbicide to re- emerging invasive woody and herbaceous species, such as reed canary grass, phragmites, cattail, common and glossy buckthorn, honeysuckle, and amur maple. Broadcast and spot treatment of invasive species will likely be necessary (September). Fall: Monitor vegetation establishment during third growing season. Note areas with poor native seed bank viability. Plan additional seeding of such areas for late fall, if necessary (September). Order native seed, if necessary (September). If necessary, broadcast native seed to prescribed seeding areas prior to snow cover and frost establishment (October through November). !Y' Year 4 Vegetation Establishment and Management Schedule: Spring: In late spring, implement = herbicide'' spot treatments to re- emerging invasive woody and herbaceous species, such as reed canary phragmites, cattail, common and glossy buckthorn, honeysuckle, and amur maple (late May and'June). Monitor overall vegetation establishment from existing seed bank and areas seeded with native seed mixes the prior fall (June): Summer: In late summer, apply appropriate wetland herbicide to re- emerging invasive woody and herbaceous species, such as reed canary grass, phragmites, cattail, common and glossy buckthorn, honeysuckle, and amur maple (September). Create prescribed burn plan and acquire necessary burn permits (August / September). Fall: Monitor vegetation establishment prior to implementing prescribed burn. Note areas with poor native seed bank viability. If necessary, plan seeding of such areas for late fall, following prescribed burn and prior to snow cover and frost establishment (September). • • • • • Woolen's Park Wetland Bank Part B: Appendix 2 Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. January, 17th 2012 Order native seed, if necessary (September). Page 8 of 8 Mow and create required burn breaks, and implement prescribed burn plan in October of first year (October). if necessary, broadcast native seed to prescribed seeding areas following prescribed burn (October through November). Year 5 Vegetation Establishment and Management Schedule: Spring: Apply spot treatments of herbicide to remaining invasive species populations, including reed canary grass, phragmites, cattail, common and glossy buckthorn, honeysuckle, and amur maple (May and June). Monitor overall vegetation establishment, remaining invasive species populations, and areas seeded with native seed mixes the prior fall (June). Summer: Monitor overall vegetation establishment (June through September). Fall: Apply spot treatments of herbicide to remainingin'vasive species populations, including reed canary grass, phragmites, cattail, common and glossy buckthorn, honeysuckle, and amur maple (May and June). Future Management: Under (this planned restoration and management approach, it is assumed that vegetation monitoring and spot treatment of invasive species will be conducted by the City of Lino Lakes on a biennial schedule from year six onward. Prescribed burning will be used as the primary management tool, with prescribed burns of the wetland banking site being implemented on a three to five year cycle. Legend Woolan's Park Boundary (17.62 Acres) Utility Easement(1.16 acres) Planting & Management Zones (17.62 Acres Canarygrass Zone (6.52 ac.) Treatments: Thatch Removal, Herbiciding, Burning & Overseeding Sedge!Canarygrass Zone (1.8 ac.) -- Treatments: Thatch Removal, Herblciding, & Burning Cattail/Sedge Zone (4.53 ac) Treatments: Buming & Some Thatch Removal Upland/Wetland Zone (0.59 ac.) Treaments: Herbidding & Burning Woodland /Forest Zones (4.18 ac.) Treaments: Buckthorn Removal, Herbiciding,, Burning & Some Overseeding Woolan's Park Wetland Bank Planting and Management Zone Map City of Lino Lakes, Minnesota Criticoi Connections £colo?koi Semites, iris. 0 62.5 125 N A 250 Aerial Photo: 2010 375 5 Appendix 2, Figure 1 • • Legend Woolan's Park Boundary 17.62 Acres Utility Easement (1.16 acres) Proposed Vegetation and Natural Communities ' - Rich Fen (1228 acres) 3 Dry Oak Forest/Woodland (3.17 acres) Paper Birch Woodland (0.07 acre) Woolan's Park Wetland Bank Aerial Photo: 2010 Proposed Vegetation & Natural Plant Communities Nlap A City of Lino Lakes, Minnesota I Feet 0 62.5 125 250 375 500 Chticnt Connections &okgfcot Services, Inc Appendix 2, Figure 2 Woolan's Park Wetland Bank Part B: Appendix 3 Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. January, 17th 2012 Appendix 3: Summary of Existing Wetlands and Credits Expected Wetland Delineation Wetland delineator: Ken Arndt, Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. Date of wetland delineation field work: May 27th, 2010 Page 1 of 1 Relevant Wetland Delineation Information: See enclosed copy of wetland delineation report for Woolan's Park Existing Wetland Map See enclosed Existing Wetland Map (Appendix 3, Figure 1).'.': Wetland Credits Areas: See enclosed Wetland Credit Areas Map (Appendix -3, Figure 2) Summary Table: Anticipated wetland bank credits Credit Sub -Group Credit Area -: (Acres) Wetland . Type Wetland Plant Community , . Type' . Action Eligible for Credit Cattail /Sedge Zone/ 4.53 3 ,. ,Shallow. Marsh ENRV projects Sedge /RCG Zone..; 1.8 , 2/3 ``, Sedge Meadow ENRV projects Reed Canarygrass Zone ' 5.95 i ` 2 Fresh (Wet) Meadow ENRV projects Upland -Zones , . .:4 18 , ' _. U Upland Upland Buffer Totals - 16.46 - create a separate sub -group for each wetland or wetland area'that >has different wetland characteristics use Circular,39 type for wetland type example: 1c11, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, U for upland buffer Use Eggers and Reed for wetland plant community typing - reference appropriate ; subpart section from M.R. 8420.0541 (see item 9 from Part A: Wetland Bank Scoping Document) • • plandArea E 0.07 Acres land Area Acres Legend Woolen's Park Boundary 17.62 Acres Upland, Wetland, & Utility Easement Acreage Existing Upland Area Outside of Utility Easment (4.18 Acres) Existing Wetland Area Outside of Utility Easement (12.28 Acres) Utility Easment Approximately 60' Wide (1.16 Acres) Woolan's Park Wetland Bank Existing Wetland Map City of Lino Lakes, Minnesota Ulcrml conneetrora EN1o3kot Servkes, Inc Aerial Photo: 2010 Fee 0 65 130 260 390 520 Appendix 3, Figure 1 Woolan's Park Wetland Bank Wetland Credit Areas Map City of Lino Lakes, Minnesota CrItka Cnanectfans froloilcat Seivices. Inc 0 62.5 125 250 Aerial Photo: 2010 375 Feet Appendix 3, Figure 2 • • Woolan's Park Wetland Bank Part B: Appendix 4 Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. January, 17th 2012 Appendix 4: Monitoring Plan Requirements Page 1 of 8 In accordance with Minnesota Rules Chapter 8420.0750 Subpart 2, and 8420.0600 to 8420.0630, the City of Lino Lakes shall monitor the easement site after wetland credits are deposited into the State Wetland Bank. Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. has prepared the following five year monitoring plan for the City of Lino Lakes' Woolan's Park wetland banking project. This monitoring plan shall be implemented on an annual basis, and shall continue for a period of five (5) years after deposit, or until the Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP) concludes that the wetland banking area is fully functional. The LGU may, by written notification, extend the annual monitoring period up to an additional five (5) years. Woolan's Park Wetland Bank Monitoring Plan The City of Lino Lakes (landowner /applicant) will implement the following Monitoring Plan for the established wetland bank at Woolan's Park. Monitoring will be conducted during each growing season (April through October) for five (5) years following initial establishment of the wetland banking site Monitoring will include observations of native > vegetation (plant community) establishment, hydrology, easements (establishment, signage, enforcement), wildlife, and non - native /invasive plant species abundance, cover, and locations. An annual monitoring report will be provided to the LGU, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) at the end of each of the five (5) field seasons that monitoring is conducted. The annual monitoring report will address the performance of the wetland bank's structural, biotic, and abiotic characteristics as compared to the wetland banking plan, and will discuss any adaptive restoration and management approaches undertaken to ensure the established wetland bank complies with the perforrnance standards provided in the approved wetland banking plan. Wetland Monitoring Methods The following methods will be used to conduct annual monitoring of the proposed Woolan's Park Wetland. Banking Site: Year 1 Monitoring: For the first year of monitoring the wetland boundaries will be delineated and recorded with GPS, based on the wetland delineation methods consistent with the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act. Changes in wetland boundaries following restoration of vegetation will be noted in the 1t annual monitoring report. Two staff gauges will be installed to monitor the site's hydrology; one near the center of the wetland complex and one near the fringe of the wetland. Surface hydrology will be measured and monitored in the field on three dates during the first growing season following installation. Hydrologic measurements will be included in the 1t annual monitoring report. Woolan's Park Wetland Bank Part B: Appendix 4 Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. January, 17th 2012 Page 2 of 8 Vegetation and natural communities will be monitored and mapped during the first growing season following implementation of the initial Year 1 vegetation restoration and management tasks. Natural communities (wetland and upland) will be monitored during the growing season, and will be mapped using recent aerial photography and a global positioning system (GPS). Natural community quality will be assessed using Minnesota DNR Natural Heritage Program Element Occurrence Ranking and MNRAM 3.4 assessment methods. Species lists that include cover, abundance, and frequency estimates for each species will be collected for each natural community mapped. Invasive and /or non - native plant species will be assessed for cover, abundance, and frequency, and will be mapped in the field with a GPS. The location and abundance of state - listed or otherwise rare plant species will be documented in the field. Vegetation data collected in the field will be processed and summarized in the 1st annual monitoring report. Reference photographs will be taken at fixed photo reference points throughout the wetland mitigation bank site In the first year of monitoring, fixed photo reference point locations will be documented with a global positioning system. Reference photographs will be taken in August of each year to provide visual documentation of hydrologic and 'vegetative conditions. Reference photographs will be re -taken from the same fixed locations during each of the five years of monitoring and will be provided in the 1st annual monitoring report. Observations regarding changes in soils' or topography will be noted in the field and will be included in the 1st annual monitoring report. Perpetual conservation easement signage will be located-in the field with a GPS, and will be compared to the location of recorded easement boundaries. These data will be provided in the 1st annual monitoring report. :Potential easement infractions (such as unauthorized uses, filling, etc.) will be assessed in the field, and will also be reported in the annual monitoring report. An annual monitoring report will be prepared by the City of Lino Lakes and project consultants and submitted to the LGU, BWSR, and'-USACOE in December following the first growing season. The 1st annual, report will present all field data collected and will summarize the quality and performance of the wetland mitigation site over the initial growing season. Year 2 Monitoring: Surface hydrology will be .`measured and monitored in the field on three dates during the second growing season following installation. Hydrologic measurements will be included in the 2 "d annual monitoring report. Vegetation and natural communities will be monitored and mapped during the second growing season following implementation of the Year 2 vegetation restoration and management tasks. Both wetland and upland natural communities will be monitored during the growing season and their natural community quality will be assessed using Minnesota DNR Natural Heritage Program Element Occurrence Rankings and MNRAM 3.4 assessment methods. Species lists that • • • • • • WooIan's Park Wetland Bank Part B: Appendix 4 Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. January, 17th 2012 Page 3 of 8 include cover, abundance, and frequency estimates for each species will be collected for each natural community mapped. Invasive and /or non - native plant species will be assessed for cover, abundance, and frequency, and will be mapped in the field with a GPS. The location and abundance of state - listed or otherwise rare plant species will be documented in the field. Vegetation data collected in the field will be processed and summarized in the 2nd annual monitoring report. Reference photographs will be taken at the fixed photo reference point set during the initial year of monitoring of the mitigation bank site. Fixed photo reference point locations will be relocated with a global positioning system during field monitoring. Reference photographs will be taken in August and will provide visual documentation of hydrologic and vegetative conditions. These reference photographs will be provided in the 2nd annual monitoring report. Observations regarding changes in soils or topography will be noted in the field and will be included in the 2nd annual monitoring report. Potential easement infractions (such as unauthorized uses, filling, etc.) will be assessed in the field, and will be reported in the 2"d annual monitoring report. An annual monitoring report will be prepared by the City of Lino Lakes and project consultants and submitted to the LGU, BWSR, and USACOE in December following the second growing season. The 2nd annual report will present all field data collected and will summarize the quality and performance of the wetland mitigation site over the second growing season (see Annual Monitoring Report on Page 7 of this appendix). Year 3 Monitoring: ); Surface hydrology will be measured and monitored in the field on three dates during the third growing,.- season following installation. Hydrologic measurements will be included in the 3rd • annual monitoring report. Vegetation and natural communities will be monitored and mapped during the third growing season following implementation of the Year 3 vegetation restoration and management tasks. Natural communities (wetland 'and upland) will be monitored during the growing season, and will be mapped using recent aerial photography and a global positioning system (GPS). Natural community quality will be assessed using Minnesota DNR Natural Heritage Program Element Occurrence Rankings and MNRAM 3.4 assessment methods. Species lists that include cover, abundance, and frequency estimates for each species will be collected for each natural community mapped. Invasive and /or non - native plant species will be assessed for cover, abundance, and frequency, and will be mapped in the field with a GPS. The location and abundance of state - listed or otherwise rare plant species will be documented in the field. Vegetation data collected in the field will be processed and summarized in the 3rd annual monitoring report. Woolan's Park Wetland Bank Part B: Appendix 4 Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. January, 17th 2012 Page 4 of 8 Reference photographs will be taken at the fixed photo reference point set during the initial year of monitoring of the mitigation bank site. Fixed photo reference point locations will be relocated with a global positioning system during field monitoring. Reference photographs will be taken in August of each year to provide visual documentation of hydrologic and vegetative conditions. Reference photographs will be re -taken from the same fixed locations during each of the five years of monitoring, and reference photographs will be provided in the 3rd annual monitoring report. Observations regarding changes in soils or topography will be noted in the field and will be included in the 3`d annual monitoring report. Possible easement infractions (such as unauthorized uses, filling, etc.) will be assessed in the field, and will be reported in the 3`d annual monitoring,report: , An annual monitoring report will be prepared by the City of Lino Lakes and project consultants and submitted to the LGU, BWSR, and- USACOE- in-December- following- the -third growing season: The 3rd annual report will present all field data collected and will summarize the quality and performance of the wetland mitigation site over the/third growing season (see Annual Monitoring Report below). Year 4 Monitoring: • Surface hydrology will be measured and`monitored in the field on three dates during the fourth • growing season following,: installation. Hydrologic measurements will be included in the 4th annual monitoring report. Vegetation and natural communities will be monitored and mapped during the fourth growing season following implementation :of. .the Year 4 vegetation restoration and management tasks. Natural,: communities (wetland..and upland) will be .monitored during the growing season, and will be mapped using recent aerial photography. and a global positioning system (GPS). Natural community quality will be,'assessed using Minnesota DNR Natural Heritage Program Element Occurrence\Rankings and MNRAM 3.4-assessment methods. Species lists that include cover, abundance, and frequency estimates for each species will be collected for each natural community mapped. Invasive and /or non - native plant species will be assessed for cover, abundance, and frequency, and will be mapped in the field with a GPS. The location and abundance of state - listed or otherwise rare plant species will be documented in the field. Vegetation data collected in'the field will be processed and summarized in the 4th annual monitoring report. Reference photographs will be taken at the fixed photo reference point set during the initial year of monitoring of the mitigation bank site. Fixed photo reference point locations will be relocated with a global positioning system during field monitoring. Reference photographs will be taken in August of each year to provide visual documentation of hydrologic and vegetative conditions. Reference photographs will be re -taken from the same fixed locations during each • • • • WooIan's Park Wetland Bank Part B: Appendix 4 Page 5 of 8 Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. January, 17th 2012 of the five years of monitoring, and reference photographs will be provided in the 4th annual monitoring report. Observations regarding changes in soils or topography will be noted in the field and will be included in the 4th annual monitoring report. Possible conservation easement infractions and /or violations (such as unauthorized uses, filling, etc.) will be assessed in the field, and will be reported in the 4th annual monitoring report. An annual monitoring report will be prepared by the City of Lino Lakes and project consultants and submitted to the LGU, BWSR, and USACOE in December following the fourth growing season. The 4th annual report will present all field data collected and will summarize the quality and performance of the wetland mitigation site over the fouth growing season (see Annual Monitoring Report below). Year 5 Monitoring: Surface hydrology will be measured and monitored in the field on three dates during the fifth growing season following installation. Hydrologic measurements will be included in the 5th annual monitoring report. In Year 5 a final delineation of the wetland boundaries will be recorded with GPS, based on the wetland delineation methods consistent, with the US Army' Corps of Engineers and the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act. Changes in wetland boundaries following restoration of hydrology and /or vegetation will be noted in this final monitoring report. Vegetation and natural communities will be monitored and mapped during the fifth growing season following implementation of the Year 5 vegetation restoration and management tasks. Natural communities (wetland and upland) will be . monitored during the growing season, and will be mapped using recent aerial photography and a global positioning system. Natural community quality will be assessed using Minnesota DNR Natural Heritage Program Element Occurrence Rankings and MNRAM 3.4 assessment methods. Species lists that include cover, abundance, and frequency estimates for each species will be collected for each natural community mapped. Invasive and /or non - native plant species will be assessed for cover, abundance, and frequency, and will be mapped in the field with a GPS. The location and abundance of state - listed or otherwise rare plant species will be documented in the field. Vegetation data collected in the field will be processed and summarized in the 5th annual monitoring report. Reference photographs will be taken at the fixed photo reference point set during the initial year of monitoring of the mitigation bank site. Fixed photo reference point locations will be relocated with a global positioning system during field monitoring. Reference photographs will be taken in August of each year to provide visual documentation of hydrologic and vegetative conditions. Reference photographs will be re -taken from the same fixed locations during each Woolan's Park Wetland Bank Part B: Appendix 4 Page 6 of 8 Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. January, 17th 2012 of the five years of monitoring, and reference photographs will be provided in the 5th annual monitoring report. Observations regarding changes in soils or topography will be noted in the field and will be included in the 5th annual monitoring report. Possible conservation easement infractions and /or violations (such as unauthorized uses, filling, etc.) will be assessed in the field, and will be reported in the 5th annual monitoring report. A final annual monitoring report will be prepared by the City of Lino Lakes and project consultants and submitted to the LGU, BWSR, and USACOE in December following the fifth growing season. The 5th annual report will present allfield data collected and will summarize the quality and performance of the wetland mitigation site 'over the fifth growing season (see Annual Monitoring Report below). Performance Standards • In order to assure timely credit release, performance standards will be-:implemented for the wetland banking site as goals to be met during the five year monitoring period. MNRAM has been the preferred methodology of BWSR and other municipal, watershed, state, and federal wetland regulatory agencies to assess pre- restoration wetland condition. This methodology will be used to assess and track post- restoration and 'management condition as well as improvements to wetland functions and values. MNRAM assessment criteria and associated vegetative quality thresholds have been recommended for previous wetland banking projects in the Anoka Sand (Plain" by the TEP members as the preferred performance standard(s) for assessing wetland vegetation quality and invasive species cover within each restored plant community, determining, improvements in vegetation quality over time, and evaluating the percent of mitigation credits to be awarded during the 5 year implementation of the proposed Woolan's Park banking plan. In order to meet the proposed credit release schedule, the invasive species percent cover thresholds'will have to meet, or. exceed_ (ie. be of higher quality than) the MNRAM vegetation quality criteria for medium quality plant communities after year three, and high quality plant communities after,year five to receive full wetland banking credit. Referencing the MNRAM 3.4 methodology, the correlated invasive species performance standards would be as follows for most (if not all) communities` included in the MNRAM guidance: High Quality Plant Community: Invasive herbaceous species (such as reed canary grass, purple loosestrife, stinging nettle and /or other invasive species) are absent or cumulatively comprise less than 20 percent cover in the herbaceous stratum; and /or non - native buckthorns absent or comprise less than 10 percent cover within the plant community. • • Woolan's Park Wetland Bank Part B: Appendix 4 Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. January, 17th 2012 Medium Quality Plant Community: Page 7 of 8 Invasive herbaceous species listed above cumulatively comprise 20 to 50 percent cover; and /or non - native buckthorns comprise 10 to 30 percent cover within the plant community. Implementation of the proposed vegetation- restoration plan should achieve the above mentioned vegetation performance standards by Year 3 (medium quality) and Year 5 (high quality) for all restored plant communities prescribed within the Woolan's Park wetland banking area. Annual Monitoring Report As per the annual monitoring and reporting requirements set forth in Minnesota Rules 8420.0750, Subpart 2, annual monitoring data and results will be presented to the LGU (Rice Creek Watershed District), the Minnesota Board' of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) in the form of an annual monitoring report. The City of Lino Lakes (and their consultants) will prepare the report at the end of each growing season, and submit the report to the LGU, BWSR, and USACOE in December of each year, for up to five (5) years following the establishment of the we tland banking site Each annual monitoring report will include the following; information: • A comparison of the as -built project plan versus the plan approved with the application III(first annual report only) and rational for any significant changes; • A description of the project location,'" size, and current wetland types (Cowardin classification) compared to planned and /or anticipated wetland types(s); • Hydrology measurements: seasonal water level elevations or aerial coverage measurements during the period of April through October; • A map of plant communities within the boundaries of the banking site, including hydrologic indicators observed, including the presence and abundance of invasive species within the restored and preserved plant communities of the wetland banking site; • A description of actual wetland and upland management activities completed during the past year and activities planned for the upcoming year. This will include changes to the original restoration and management plan that may arise due to the adaptive management approach specified in the Woolan's Park Vegetation Establishment and Management Plan (see Appendix 2 of the Woolan's Park Wetland Banking Application - Part B); • Color photographs of the project area taken anytime during the growing season from fixed photographic reference points; and, • Woolan's Park Wetland Bank Part B: Appendix 4 Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. January, 17th 2012 Page 8 of 8 • Other information as require by the Wetland Conservation Act LGU (Rice Creek Watershed District), the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers including corrective measures or specific performance standards. Future Monitoring The City of Lino Lakes (applicant /landowner) or successor will be responsible to maintain the wetland bank site in accordance with the terms and conditions of the easement prepared by and conveyed to the State of Minnesota. In addition, the State and /or its agents will regularly inspect the easement area to ensure that the banked wetland continues to substantially meet the specifications in the approved bank plan. As a result of these regular inspections, the State may prescribe corrective measures that must be taken by the City of Lino Lakes (applicant /landowner) to bring the bank project back into compliance with the banking rule and the state's easement. • Coal -Tar Sealcoat a Major Source of PAHs to Air and to Children Living Nearby Four new reports examine the contaminants polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) found in house dust, streams, lakes, soil, and air • • Coal -tar -based sealants are emitting polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into the air at rates that may be greater than annual emissions from vehicles in the United States, according to new reports by the U.S. Geological Survey, published in the scientific journals Chemosphere and Atmospheric Environment. Children living near coal- tar -sealed pavement are exposed to twice as many PAHs from ingestion of contaminated house dust than from food, according to a separate new study by Baylor University and the USGS, published in the journal Environmental Pollution. Several PAHs are probable human carcinogens and many are toxic to fish and other aquatic life. These results and those of previous research on environmental contamination and coal-tar -based pavement sealants are summarized in a feature article appearing today in the journal Environmental Science and Technology. The article is jointly authored by researchers with the USGS, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, University of New Hampshire, City of Austin, Texas, and Baylor University. Links to the four new articles on this topic can be found on the USGS website on PAHs and sealcoat. Coal-tar -based sealant is the black liquid sprayed or painted on many parking lots, driveways, and playgrounds. An estimated 85 million gallons are used each year, primarily in the central and eastern U.S. Coal tar is known to cause cancer in humans and is made up of more than 50 percent PAHs. "The value of this research is that it identifies the pathways by which PAHs move from pavements to people and measures the contribution in relation to other sources," said USGS director Marcia McNutt. "The most striking fording is that pavement sealcoat contaminates virtually every part of our every -day surroundings, including our air and our homes. Scientists estimate that the amount of PAHs released to air nationwide each year from new applications of coal-tar -based sealant are similar to or greater than annual PAH emissions from vehicles. USGS scientists measured PAHs in air above parking lots, with and without sealcoat, in suburban Austin, Texas. In a second study, PAH levels in air and in dried sealant were tracked for one year following sealant application to a parking lot. Two hours after sealcoat application, PAH emissions were 30,000 times higher than those from unsealed pavement. Parking lots with three to eight -year -old sealant released 60 times more PAHs to the air than parking lots without sealant. Coal-tar -based sealcoat causes contamination indoors as well as outdoors. Baylor University scientist Spencer Williams used USGS measurements of PAHs in house dust to estimate the potential ingestion of PAHs by young children living near coal -tar -sealed parking lots. Ingestion of PAHs from food has long been thought to be the primary route by which children are exposed to PAHs. Williams' analysis indicated that children living in apartments adjacent to parking lots with coal -tar -based sealcoat likely receive more than twice as much PAHs from incidental ingestion of house dust than from their diet. PAH ingestion by children in those settings was estimated to be 14 times higher than by children in apartments adjacent to unsealed parking lots. Some governments have taken action on use of coal -tar -based sealcoat. Fifteen municipalities and two counties in four states (Minnesota, New York, Texas, and Wisconsin), the District of Columbia, and the state of Washington all have enacted some type of ban, affecting almost 10.4 million people. Several national and regional hardware and home - improvement retailers have voluntarily ceased selling coal- tar -based driveway- sealer products. Two kinds of sealcoat products are widely used: coal -tar -based and asphalt -based. The coal -tar products have PAH levels about 1,000 times higher than the asphalt products. Asphalt -based sealcoat is more commonly used on the West Coast and coal -tar -based sealcoat is more commonly used in the Midwest, the South, and the East. Consumers can determine whether a product contains coal tar by reading the product label or the associated Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), available from the applicator, retailer, or on the Internet. • USGS provides science for a changing world. Visit USGS.gov, and follow us on Twitter USGS and our other social media channels. Subscribe to our news releases via e -mail, RSS or Twitter. • •