Agenda - Council - 08/09/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

COMMENTS & RESPONSES C[TY OF P~qMSEY Anoka Conservation D/stria 16015 Central Ave. NE # 103 Ham Lake, MN 55304 Ph (763) 434-2030 Fax (763) 434-2094 AnokaNaturalP, esource$,com City of Ramsey Ann: Sylvia Frolik 15153 Nowthen Blvd. N W Ramsey, MN55303 SuDjecE Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) Sweetbay Ridge Development, City of Ramsey, Minnesota. 55303 Dear Ms. Frolik, The Anoka Conservation District (ACD) has reviewed the EAW dated 6/15/2005. The folldwing are the numbered sections corresponding with the EAW document, followed by our concerns and issues that we would like addressed. 11. Fish, Wildlife and Ecologically Sensitive Resources The proposed development is located in a wildlife corridor connecting other wildlife comdors and habitat types. Nearby resources including Alpine Park, Elmcrest Park, Rum River Boy Scout Camp and Trott Brook. The homes along the wetland complex will have significant impacts on the resources during development and as backyards expand to the wetland edge. Protection of the forest buffer along the large wetland on the eastern edge is important for area wildlife. This buffer and the wetland should be covered by a conservation easement to ensure the integrity of this habitat is maintained in perpetuity. The EAW states that some species will thrive in the wooded preserves maintained on the site; however, on the concept-ual layout it does not show any such preserve. The layout of the proposed development does not allow for connected wildlife habitat. Impacts to the natural resources on site can and should be reduced. I suggest the developer and the City develop and alternative development plan that Ousters the homes on the more disturbed areas of the site. By shifting homes away from the eas~m edge where forested and wetland habitat exist the connectivity of the site is maintained. This can be done without sacrificing any housing units. Additional benefits include less road surface, less infrastructure costs associated with the roads, sewer and water and less overall impervious surfaces reducing the impact on water resources. 12. Physical Impacts on Water Resources: As seen in similar developments, it is common practice for homeowners to claim as much back yard as possible and kew it manicured up to and beyond the wetland edge. The use of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides will no doubt have an overalI negative impact on the wetland ecology. Adequate wedand buffers of native vegetation should be established and maintained around ali existing and created wetlands and stom~ water ponds. Buffers should be protected by a conservation easement to maintain their integrity. P.10