Agenda - Council - 07/26/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASE # INTRODUCE WETLAND BUFFER ORDINANCE; CASE OF CITY OF RAMSEY By: Chris Anderson/Recycling & Zoning Coordinator Background: As you know, the Environmental Policy Board, with the services of the Hoisington Koegler Group and Peterson Environmental Consulting Inc, has been working on' the creation of a wetland buffer ordinance. A draft ordinance has been completed and is ready for formal introduction. Observations: In general, the purpose of the ordinance is to provide protection of wetlands in the City based on their quality and other relevant factors through the establishment of natural vegetative buffers. 't'hese buffers provide an additional level of protection to the functions and values of wetlands. These natural wetland edges serve a number of other purposes in maintaining wetland functions and values such as providing areas for wildlife habitat, pollutant filtration, and the promotion of biodiversity. Wetland bul'fers will be established when triggered by development and on a voluntary basis for existing lots. The width of a buffer is based on wetland quality, topography, soils, and other environmental conditions. Generally, a natural vegetative strip serving as a wetland buffer will range between five (5) and fifty (50) feet. Wetland buffer monumentation will be required at the edge of buffer strips.. These monuments will not only denote the boundary of the buffer area but also advise subsequent property owners that no mowing or clearing of vegetation beyond that point is permitted. These monuments will need to be purchased through the City and installed by the developer as part of the Stage II Improvements. A wetlands inventory and assessment by the City is an important and necessary aspect of determining the appropriate buffer width. As a'result of this study, a Municipal Wetland Management Classification map will be created that would categorize each wetland into one of fimr (4) management classifications, which, in turn, will be used to determine the minimmm, maximum, and average buffer widths required for a particular wetland. StalT has obtained two proposals from Peterson Environmental Consulting for a wetlands study. Both quotes include not only field work but also a full report and generation of a Municipal Wetland Management Classification map. There are two options to consider: Vull MnRAM (Minnesota Routine Assessment Method) analysis of Preserve and Manage I (highest quality wetlands) wetlands with a partial, off-site MnRAM analysis of Manage 2 and Manage 3 wetlands (lower quality wetlands)--S33,320.00, based on the assumption that approximately 20% of all wetlands will be categorized as Preserve and/or Manage 1.