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Scott Thelen (Pinnacle Engineering, Inc.) submitted a MN Joint Application on October 23, 2017 on behalf of Bruce Molitor requesting a wetland type confirmation and a wetland boundary concurrence for the Schwieters expansion site (Molitor Property). The wetland boundaries and types were approved as part of a Notice of Decision submitted on December 29, 2017. This Notice of Decision is in response to a sequencing and replacement plan application submitted on February 6, 2018 and noticed on February 12, 2018. The application included sequencing and replacement for 1.58 acres of type 3 wetland impact. Under this application the applicant is proposing to impact 0.44 acres of wetland 1 (a type 3 wetland) and 1.14 acres of wetland 2 (a type 3 wetland) to allow for expansion of the Schwieters Manufacturing Division. Wetland 3 is not proposed to be impacted under this application. The application includes a sequencing analysis. This anlysis is based on MN Rule 8420.0520 and includes three (3) project alternatives that completely avoid wetland impacts, as well as impact minimization, and relacement of unavoidable wetland impacts. The replacement plan application addressed MN Rule 8420.0515 subps. 2-10 and found no rare natural communities, blanding's turtle not on site, but 0.25 miles away, no special fish and wildlife resources, no historic sites, the project would not adversely affect groundwater or surface waters, the site is not used for education or reasearch, the site is not identified as having hazardous waste, and is consistent with local plans. Sequencing Mn Rule 8420.0520 lists specific sequencing requirements. As part of the applicant's sequencing process five (5) alternatives were considered as part of project planning. Three (3) of these alternatives resulted in no wetland impacts (alternatives 1-3). The first was the no -build option. This alternative was rejected since its does not meet the project purpose and does not meet the physical, economic, or demographic requirements of the project. The second was an alternative location search. The Schwieters expansion had two primary concerns when vetting locations; railway access and a site with the proper layout to accommodate the manufacturing process, outbuildings, parking, and semi access. Schwieters retained a consultant to complete a property search and vetted two proerties; one in Blaine and the other in Columbus. Both sites met some of the criteria, but not all; specifically railway access. Based on the search criteria, this alternative was rejected. The third alternative included using the site and avoiding all impacts. To do this, city parking requirements would not be met. Also, semis accessing the site would not have enough space to navigate safely. Lastly, Schwieters unique manufacturing process, which is completed in a linear fashion, could not be implemented; due to the reduced size of the development area. Based on potential safety, access, and engineering concerns, this alternative was rejected. Alternative 4 utulized a majority of the parcel to accommodate stormwater facilities, outdoor product storage, parking, screening, and office buildings. This alternative would have resulted in 2.13 acres of wetland impact. While this alternative would have allowed the Schweiters company maximum utilization of the site, it did not take into account wetland impact minimization, and was therefore rejected. Alterantive 5, is the preferred alternative. Under this design, Schwieters worked with the city to minimize wetland impacts by adjusting the size and layout of stormwater facilities, parking areas, office buildings, and storage. The office buildings were resized and rather than strictly used as office space, warehousing was included in the building's use. This resulted in a reduction in squre footage needed for storage and parking spaces (107 parking spaces were eliminated). One of the proposed cold storage buildings was reshaped and shifted to the west, and the cold storage building access from 1401 Street was eliminated. Stormwater facilities were reshaped and shifted west. While stormwater is proposed to be routed to wetland 1, it will be pre-treated; resulting in an increase in water quantity, but no decrease in water quality. Minimization efforts as part of alternative 5, resulted in a reduction of wetland impacts of 0.55 acres. BWSR Forms 11-25-09 Page 2 of 4