Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 12/01/2014

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Zimmerman-Isanti-Lino Association This soil association is mainly a broad undulating sand plain. The naturally occurring high water table is at or near the surface in most depressed areas. Steeper slopes occur next to drainage ways and large depressions. This association makes up about 50% of the county. It is about 45% Zimmerman, 15% Isanti, 10% Lino and 30% soils of minor extent. Much of this association is well suited to urban development. In some areas, however, a high water table severely limits many uses. The association is moderately well suited to farming and provides sites for recreational facilities. Fertility and available water capacity are low. Main concerns of management are controlling soils blowing, improving fertility, and controlling the level of the water table in low lying areas. Much of this association is used for urban development, with additional areas being urbanized every year. Small acreages are used as rural residences or are farmed. Corn, soybeans, and alfalfa are the crops commonly grown. Many former farm fields are planted to coniferous trees which are harvested as Christmas trees. Truck crops and cultural sod are grown on drained organic soils. Additional acres provide wildlife habitat and sites for recreational facilities. Rifle-Isanti Association This soil association is a series of large level bogs and wetlands dominated by organic soils and small sandy island -like features that rise several feet above the level of the surrounding bogs. The water table is high. This association makes up about 17% of the county. It is about 60% Rifle, 20% Isanti, and 20% soils of minor extent. Most of this association is poorly suited to urban, farm and recreational uses. Natural fertility is moderate to low. Available water capacity is low to very high. The chief management need is controlling the level of the water table. Drained organics are largely planted with sod and vegetables but have more recently been converted to uses such as golf courses. Hubbard-Nvmore Association This soil association is mainly a nearly level to gently sloping outwash plain that is dissected by drainage -ways and pitted by large depressions. Steeper slopes occur next to these large depressions and drainage -ways. This association makes up about 15% of the county. It is about 40% Hubbard, 35% Nymore and 25% soils of minor extent. It is well suited to most urban uses and is moderately well suited to farming and recreation. Fertility and available water capacity are low. The chief management needs are controlling soil blowing, improving fertility, and controlling the level of the water table in low-lying areas. Much of this association is under urban development. Small areas are cultivated. At a few locations, potatoes are grown under irrigation. Poorly drained areas are used for permanent pasture, recreation and wildlife. Hevder-Kinoslev-Havden Association This soil association is a gently undulating to steep morainic landscape of short irregular slopes, scattered small lakes, and scattered depression of organic soils. This association makes up 10% of the county. It is about 40% Heyder, 20% Kingsley, 10% Hayden and 30% soils of minor extent. Much of this association is well suited to urban development. In some areas, however, poor drainage severely limits many uses. The association is well suited to farming and provides recreational facilities. Fertility and page 2 Anoka Conservation District Comprehensive Plan October 2014