Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 07/23/2007

Home

for them. That budget recommendation will be written into the draft plan. If the easements were negotiated, the first priority would be to establish native prairie grasses. There would also be a cost involved in that. Chairperson McDilda stated the EPB has run into discussion with newer development because there appears to be less acreage to develop as a result of a buffer, and it is regarded as a taking. He questioned whether the City has a way of funding or can pay in- kind for the easements. He requested that Bolton and Menk, Inc. render their professional opinion about the risk factor of not having buffers around wetlands. The EPB has looked at wetlands with the philosophy toward management for preservation, to eliminate the risk of losing wetlands to further encroachment of natural areas. There is a strong feeling within the City that wetlands manage themselves so help isn't needed to manage them. The citizens of the City hold an attitude that will require education. The City is working on development and preservation at the same time. Board Member Max stated there is still the train of thought that by doing some preservation, the value of the properties and the City valuation is actually increasing. That is an easier sell, but to try to talk about existing and privately held places is a bigger challenge. Chairperson McDilda asked Mr. Douglas to paint a scenario to the City in his report about what could happen if the wetlands were to disappear. He stated it would be important to address what would happen if the City lost twenty (20%) percent of the natural filtration that wetlands are doing now; what would that do to the City as far as additional sed ponds, 'potential litigation, fines, surface water and filtration needs; and considerations if wetlands aren't managed and they go away. Board Member Max added that Mr. Douglas should address the impacts of aquifers, wells, sprinkling, drinking water, and things that most people don't consider. Chairperson McDilda stated that the initial Westwood Professional Service study included 23 wetlands that are no longer being classified as wetlands. He questioned whether they were actually wetlands to begin with. Mr. Douglas responded that it appears the wetlands which were taken out of the study are currently functioning as detention basins. The, question is, were they wetlands prior to the 1991 Wetland Conservation Act. Mr. Javens stated his plan is to further break down the 23 wetlands, setting them up as storm water retention ponds if applicable. Some of the 23 wetlands were located in housing areas in the middle of an intersection. He stated there were a few wetlands that were graded out and disappeared when roads were established. Mr. Douglas stated he believed the wetlands originally identified, initiated from the National Wetland Inventory map. That map isn't necessarily one-hundred (100%) percent reliable or accUrate. Envirorimental Policy Board/July 23, 2007 Page 3 of 16