Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 07/18/2005

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Mailing Address, E-Mail Address, & Telephone Number of Project Sponsor: 15153 Nowthen Blvd NW, Ramsey, MN 55303 canderson(a �ci.ramsey.mn.us 763-433-9905 Project Title: Ramsey Wetland Buffering Project Total Project Cost: $91,000 Grant Request Amount: $67,000 Project Summary including information on water resource benefiting (Include a short description of the project, goals, objectives, budget, and project timeline.) Background The City of Ramsey is bordered to the east by the Rum River and to the south by the Mississippi River. In addition to these two waterways, there are a number of lakes, tributaries and wetlands within the limits of Ramsey. These ecological features are subject to nonpoint source pollution as the result of the growing number of higher density developments. The City is crafting a wetland buffer ordinance to counteract some of the negative environmental impacts of development and urbanization. Wetland buffers of varied widths will be required based on the quality of a wetland. Higher quality wetlands will require wider buffer strips. An inventory and assessment of wetlands within the City needs to be performed to determine the environmental attributes of each individual wetland. The data collected through the inventory and assessment process will be used to classify each wetland based on MnRAM (Minnesota Routine Assessment Method) criteria. That classification will determine the minimum, maximum and average buffer strip widths for a particular wetland as well as serve as a baseline for evaluating their impacts and performance across time. Purpose The intent of the wetland buffer ordinance is to protect water quality and provide a biologically sensitive planning tool for the City. Collecting baseline data on all of the City's wetlands, through an inventory and assessment process, is necessary to accomplish both. Furthermore, this information will also help satisfy criteria for a natural resources inventory component in Ramsey's comprehensive plan update. Project Goals By requiring wetland buffer strips, the City intends to accomplish the following: 1. Reduce contamination and eutrophication of downstream water bodies by filtering out sediments, chemicals, and other nutrients prior to storm water runoff entering a wetland. 2. Protect and enhance wetland functions and values through the use of native vegetative buffer strips. 3. Protect shoreline areas from erosive forces such as currents and waves. 4. Protect and/or enhance riparian habitat (i.e. biology and ecology) for amphibians, birds, mammals and insects. Objectives • Conduct an inventory and assessment of each of the roughly 330 wetlands within the City. • Compile a report and map documenting the City's wetland resources and the general hydro -geomorphic and ecological status of each wetland. • Officially adopt a Municipal Wetland Management Classification (MWMC) map. • Add a layer to the MLCCS for local species characteristics based on collected data. • Develop citizen involvement in local water quality monitoring.