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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Trott Brook Corridor is estimated by the authors of this report to cover 2,000 acres on the Anoka Sandplain in the City of Ramsey. The Trott Brook Corridor occupies the lowlands adjacent to the brook, extending to upland portion of the channel until the slope exceeds 3%. Trott Brook begins at Eagle Lake and extends five miles east to the Rum River. The sandplain base of the Trott Brook watershed was formed 20,000 years ago during the Wisconsin glaciation period by meltwaters from glacial Lake Grantsburg. The area was next shaped by prairie fires of Native Americans. In the last one hundred years, the area has been impacted by clearing and draining for agriculture. Currently, the area is under pressure from urbanization and its impacts. The terrestrial components of the Trott Brook Corridor include both vegetation and soil resources. Trott Brook has three diverse habitats that support native and exotic species. These habitats are identified as a dry oak forest, an oak woodlandlbrushland, and a willow swamp. The dry oak forest is dominated by pin, bur, and red oak species present on the upland portion of the Trott Brook Corridor. The oak woodlandlbrushland is located in transition areas between the uplands and lowlands and is similar to the dry oak forest but composed of more open spaces. The willow swamp covers the greatest area of the Trott Brook Corridor. The habitat contains willow, alder, and dogwood shrubs but is dominated by reed canary grass, a non-native species. The Hubbard-Nymore and Zimmerman-Isanti-Lino soil associations comprise the majority of soils in the Trott Brook Corridor. The Rifle soil series also constitutes a large proportion of soils in the Trott Brook Corridor. Other soils present in lesser amounts include: alluvial land, Anoka, Braham, Dalbo, Dickman, Markey muck, and Seeleyville muck. Environmental impacts to consider when constructing a trail system include disturbances to wildlife, vegetation, and soil erosion, as well as dust and noise generated. Trail placement depended on soil capabilities and location to the Brook as well as past, present, and future land uses. The proposed trail has been placed on the south side of the B~ook due to topographical considerations, zoning, and proximity to Trott Brook. Trail surface options range from a low maintenance chip bark trail to a high cost boardwalk system. A crushed limestone surface is the most economical choice but some types of users may be limited on this trail. The total cost per mile for a ten foot crushed limestone trail, including site preparation, is approximately $31,900. An asphalt trail is the most expensive choice but it also serves the widest spectrum of users. The cost per mile for installing a ten foot asphalt trail is $44,500. The surface quality of the trail can be maintained with the use ofa soil Vlll