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K:\017347-000\Admin\Permits\20.15 The Meadows\replacementapp\Memorandum_HugoCityCouncil_TheMeadowsatHugo_042921.docx 178 E 9TH STREET | SUITE 200 | SAINT PAUL, MN | 55101 | 651.286.8450 | WSBENG.COM Memorandum To: Tom Weidt, Mayor, City of Hugo Hugo City Council CC: Rachel Juba, Community Development Director, City of Hugo Emily Weber, Community Development Assistant, City of Hugo Mark Erichson, City Engineer, WSB From: Tony Havranek, Senior Ecologist, WSB Date: April 29, 2021 Re: City Project No. 20.15 The Meadows at Hugo WSB Project No. 013597-00 The purpose of this memo is to recommend approval of a MN Joint Application received from Wayne Jacobson (Jacobson Environmental) on behalf of Peter Knaeble requesting approval for wetland replacement for The Meadows at Hugo Development Project. The proposed project plan (preferred alternative from the applicant) results in 1.78 acres of wetland impact across the site (see Figure W1.0). The original delineation, completed in 2018 and approved in 2019, shows that there are roughly 5.92 acres of wetland on the site (Figure 5, attached). All of these wetlands have been impacted by agricultural practices and invasive species. Based on this, the TEP has approved sequencing flexibility for impacts to the existing wetlands since they are considered degraded. The applicant is required to replace for these impacts at a 2:1 ratio; meaning they would need at least 3.56 acres of wetland credit. To replace for these impacts, the applicant has proposed to create and restore wetlands and upland buffers on site to receive credit. These actions are planned to result in a total of 3.98 acres of credit. The applicant has submitted a wetland establishment and monitoring plan, along with specific vegetation and hydrology performance standards. An annual monitoring report will be submitted each year for the next five (5) years which will indicate if each of the restored and/or created areas are meeting or have met the performance standards. At the conclusion of the five (5) year monitoring period, the TEP will certify the number of credits that meet the performance standards outlined and determine if the minimum number of replacement credits have been generated by the on-site restoration and creation actions. If there is a deficit, the applicant will need to purchase bank credits to meet the minimum replacement amount. Based on this, the City should require escrow to cover the cost of purchasing wetland bank credits. The existing plan also accounts for potential corrective actions to be taken by the applicant to mitigate any circumstance that will negatively impact the ability of the creation/restoration sites to meet the performance standards outlined in the wetland management plan. I will continue to work with the applicant and the applicant’s consultants to update the performance standards and monitoring methodology, prior to issuing the formal Notice of Decision, but based on the information provided in the application, pre-application meeting, and