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DEPARTMENT OF <br /> NATURAL RESOURCES <br /> Division of Ecological and Water Resources Transmitted by Email <br /> Region 3 Headquarters <br /> 1200 Warner Road <br /> Saint Paul, MN 55106 <br /> October 28, 2021 <br /> Bruce Westby <br /> City Engineer <br /> City of Ramsey <br /> 7550 Sunwood Drive NW <br /> Ramsey, MN 55303 <br /> Dear Bruce Westby, <br /> Thank you for the opportunity to review the Trott Brook Crossing EAW. The DNR respectfully submits <br /> the following comments for your consideration: <br /> 1. Page 3, Project Description. A projected start date of April 2022 would not allow sufficient time <br /> to address rare species concerns due to the necessity of surveying for rare plants at the <br /> appropriate time during the growing season. <br /> 2. Page 7, Shorelands. Trott Brook is an impaired stream, therefore the DNR does not recommend <br /> increasing the amount of impervious surfaces currently allowed under the shoreland ordinance <br /> beyond the 25% impervious surfaces threshold. These residential lots are also directly adjacent <br /> to sensitive wetlands that could be impacted by additional stormwater pollutants, especially as <br /> the topography of the site slopes from north to south. <br /> 3. Page 11, Table 5. Wetland 4 is DNR Public Water Wetland 02-0319-OOW. Because the DNR has <br /> jurisdiction over activities that occur below the Ordinary High Water Level of DNR Public Water <br /> Wetland 02-0319-00W, the document should clearly state that DNR Public Water Wetland <br /> exists on the site and show its location on Figure 6. <br /> 4. Page 12, Groundwater. The presence of seeps indicates that there is a groundwater connection <br /> to the surface at various points throughout the project area. Observed water levels may not <br /> reflect normal conditions due to the drought experienced during 2021. Are the piezometers still <br /> in place in case further monitoring is necessary? <br /> 5. Page 15, Wastewater. The proposed plan to add up to 275 residential units would presumably <br /> add a comparable number of residential water softeners due to the water hardness levels of <br /> the City of Ramsey municipal water supply. Many Minnesota municipalities are wrestling with <br /> high chloride levels in their wastewater (See this recent study on sources of chloride in <br />