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<br />Exhibit 1 <br /> <br />Type 7-Wooded Swamps <br />These wetlands don't look like "classic" wetlands but provide important habitat and <br />floodwater protection. Soil is waterlogged at least to within a few inches of the <br />surface during the growing season and can be covered with as much as one (1) foot of <br />water. Plant life includes tamarack, northern white cedar, black spruce, balsam fir, red <br />maple and black ash. Duckweed and smart weed are often found in Type 7 wetlands. <br />Benefits include water quality, low flow augmentation in times of drought, <br />floodwater retention and timber harvesting. <br /> <br />Type 8-Bogs <br />Most prevalent in northern Minnesota, bogs are usually waterlogged organic matter <br />known as peat. Plant life usually consists of mosses, cranberry, leatherleaf, <br />cottongrass and sedge. Stunted black spruce and tamarack may also occur. Benefits <br />include peat harvesting, water quality, augmentation of low flow during times of <br />drought and shoreline protection. <br /> <br />What are Wetland Buffers and what Benefits do they Offer? <br /> <br />A wetland buffer is like the trim on the house. It protects the house and makes it look better. Wetland buffers <br />are strips of land, adjacent to a wetland, with natural vegetation designed to intercept pollutants and manage <br />other environmental concerns. Wetland buffers slow water runoff, trap sediment and enhance infiltration. <br />Buffers trap fertilizers, pathogens and heavy metals in addition to trapping snow and reducing blowing soil <br />and snow in windy conditions. They also provide food, nesting cover and shelter for many wildlife species. <br />Studies have shown that they can filter runoff by removing up to fifty percent (50%) or more of nutrients and <br />pesticides; remove up to sixty percent (60%) or more of certain pathogens; remove up to seventy-five <br />percent (75%) or more of sediment. <br /> <br />Wetland buffers are beneficial because they: <br />. Control soil erosion by wind and water <br />. Improve soil and water quality <br />. Maintain Water Quality <br />. Remove sediment, fertilizers, pesticides, pathogens and other contaminants from runoff before storm <br />water enters a wetland <br />. Enhance fish and wildlife habitat <br />. Reduce flooding <br />. Conserve energy <br />. Protect buildings, roads and livestock <br />. Conserve a diverse ecosystem <br />. Enhance and preserve scenic areas <br /> <br />