Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 08/07/2006

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. . . CASE # 1 Wetlands Study Contract Status By: Chris Anderson, Zoning & Recycling Coordinator Background: As you know, the City secured the services of Peterson Environmental Consulting, Inc, now known as Westwood Professional Services, to conduct a wetlands functions and values study. The City opted for a complete GIS/data analysis review of all wetlands followed by ground- truthing of all Preserve and Manage 1 wetlands. The cost for this work, which assumed about twenty percent (20%) of the wetlands would require ground-truthing (about 60 or so wetlands), based on studies completed in other communities, was estimated at $33,320.00. In July of2005, City Council authorized a transfer of $35,000.00 from the Landfill Tipping Fee Fund to the General Fund to cover the expenses of this project. Observations: The GIS/data analysis portion of the study revealed approximately 135 wetlands that were preliminarily classified as either Manage 1 or Preserve, which is a little more than twice the number of wetlands originally anticipated being field-verified. This number does include several out-of-scope activities including ground-truthing portions of Trott Brook that were preliminarily classified as Manage 2 and several wetlands that would have been preliminarily classified as Manage 3 had it not been for the occurrence of rare and/or endangered species. At present time, approximately 80-90% of the field work has been completed. However, due to the greater number of wetlands requiring field-verification, the cost to complete the project will exceed the amount originally authorized by City Council. Staff has requested a summary of yet- to-be completed tasks and associated costs from Westwood Professional Services essential to complete the project. If available, Staffwill distribute copies of the summary at the meeting. Recommendation: While it is unfortunate that additional funds are necessary to complete this project, there is a silver lining, which is that it appears many of Ramsey's wetlands are still ecologically healthy. Staff would recommend authorizing an additional transfer of funds from the Landfill Tipping Fee Fund to the General Fund that enables the completion of this project. EPB Action Motion by Board member and seconded by Board member to recommend that City Council authorize the transfer of funds from the Landfill Tipping Fee Fund to the General Fund for the completion of the wetlands study. EPB: 8/7/06