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Minnesota Department of Natural Resources <br />Ecological and Water Resource <br />1200 Warner Road <br />St. Paul, MN 55106 <br />May 16, 2017 <br />Tim Gladhill <br />Community Development Director <br />7550 Sunwood Drive NW <br />Ramsey, MN 5303 <br />Re: Riverstone Addition EAW <br />Transmitted Electronically <br />Dear Tim Gladhill, <br />The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has reviewed the Environmental Assessment Worksheet <br />(EAW) for the Riverstone Addition located in Ramsey, MN. We offer the following comments for your <br />consideration. <br />Shorelands (page 7) <br />The EAW acknowledges that a portion of the site is in the Shoreland Overlay District of Lake Itasca, but suggests <br />that the shoreland in the project area is eligible to be reduced because Alpine Drive NW functions as a drainage <br />divide, such that the project area will not drain north to Lake Itasca. Please note that any removal of shoreland <br />district area is subject to review and approval by DNR and it is unlikely that this request would be approved. <br />Shoreland throughout the state contains roads (topographic divides) that have changed the drainage direction <br />of overland sheet flow. Allowing land to be removed from a shoreland because of these human modifications to <br />the landscape would defeat the purpose of the shoreland program. Shoreland is defined as a specific distance <br />from a water body, not by topographic divide. Therefore, the portion of the development within the 1,000 foot <br />shoreland district of Lake Itasca should be designed to comply with the standards in the City's Shoreland <br />ordinance. <br />Floodplains (page 7) <br />The EAW indicates that in connection with a previous development, a water level analysis showed that Lake <br />Itasca does not outlet during 100-year snowmelt and rainfall events, but modeled water levels came close to <br />reaching the outlet on the south side of the lake, so the City of Ramsey proposed to install an outlet for the lake. <br />It is not clear from the EAW discussion whether that outlet was previously installed or is being proposed in <br />connection with this development proposal. Please note that any change to the existing outlet characteristics of <br />the lake will likely require a Public Waters Work Permit. <br />Surface/Groundwater Appropriations (pages 15 - 16) <br />We recommend that ground water conservation measures, such as stormwater reuse for irrigation and use of <br />drought tolerant native plants for landscaping, be incorporated into the development design. <br />Fish, Wildlife, Plant Communities and Sensitive Ecological Resources (Rare Features) (pages 20 -22) <br />As stated in DNR's NHIS letter, the Blanding's turtle flyer and fact sheet should be provided to all contractors <br />working in the area (see Appendix D of EAW). If Blanding's turtles are in imminent danger they should be moved <br />by hand out of harm's way, otherwise they should be left undisturbed. Please remember that state law and rules <br />prohibit the destruction of threatened or endangered species, except under certain prescribed conditions. <br />Minnesota Department of Natural Resources • Ecological and Water Resources <br />1200 Warner Road, St. Paul, MN 55106 <br />