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

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COMMENTS & RESPONSES A~/G-O~-2005 09:J0 CITY OF RAMSEY 76~427554J P.03 ;'Sw~eCoay Ridge EAW July 19, 2005 Page 2 _Fish, Wildlife and Ecolo,qically Sensitive Resources (Item No. 11) As mentioned in Item No. 17, runoff from the site will discharge to Trott Brook, The DNR Fisheries Section surveyed Trott Brook in July of 2002 and determined that, during periods of normal water level, the stream serves as a nursery area for northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and black crappie, It is also the home for many species of minnows and shiners. This also may be true for the ditch located'on the site. A DNR Protected Waters permit issued tn 2003 allowed for the removal of approximately 360 cubic yards of rrlaterial from the ditch. This not only improved the water flow, but also increased the potential for gamefish migration during high flow periods. We recommend that the developer take care to protect and maintain the characteristics of both the drainage dftch and Trott Brook. Additionally, we are concerned about the cumulative impacts to Trott Brook (Item No. 29). Sweetbay Ridge is only one of many developments discharging storm water into Trott Brook. As the contributions of individual actions accumulate, the habitat characteristics of the stream will also change. _.P._hy. sical Impacts on Water Resoumes (Item No. 12) Public waters wetland No. 2-341W exists along the majority of the east side of this parcel and has an ordinary high water level (OHW) of 869,4' (NGVD 1929), Any work at or below the OHW is subject to public waters permit regulations and may need a permit. The proposed wetland crossing of the northern road may require a permit from thE; DNR. However, the EAW does not contain sufficient information about the location of the road relative to the OHW. We recommend that the project proposer evaluate options for eliminating fill below the OHW. In addition to the Best Management Practices listed in the last paragraph of this section, we recommend that the developer establish permanent wetland buffers to significantly reduce - development impacts on the wetlands, which are such a prominent part of this project.. Permanent monuments marking the buffer will help minimize encroachment into the buffer. _Water Use (Item No. 13) The EAW projects water use from this development based on an average water use of 150 ga(Ions per person per day. As we commented on the Sommerset Station EAW, the metro average is 75 gallons per person per day and in 2002 the City of Ramsey reported a use of 99 gallons/person/day. To encourage the conservation of a limited water resource, we recommend that the City apply stricter restrictions on lawn watering and promote drought tolerant landscaping and appropriate site preparation. If there is a good reason for using the 150 gallon/person/day figure, the EAW should explain it. An t';qual Opl~orlunib, Employer Who Values Diversity DNR Information: 651-296-6157 1-888`646-6367 T'r'f: 651-296-5484 1-800-657-3929