CCP 04-10-1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I. The proposed project site contains three delineated wetlands according to the 1991 I National Wetlands Survey. See Exhibit B (attached). The developer's engineering report erroneously claims that the "NWI map shows no weIlands on the site." See Exhibit C (attached). I The proposed project site is adjacent to Ramsey County Open Space, which contains two protected wetlands, and Valentine Lake, which is a protected water. The "Soil Survey of Washington and Ramsey Counties Minnesota" prepared by the United States Department of I Agriculture (April 1980) (Soil Survey) characterizes the subject property's soil as excessively wet and subject to severe frost action making it an excellent wetland, but a poor site for construction of residential units. I The Soil Survey specifies soil categories 544 and 1055 for the site in question. Category 544 is "Cathro Muck" which is "a level, very poorly drained soil. . . . Much of this soil is in I native vegetation or is cleared and used for pasture. . .. It has poor potential as building sites. . . [and] has good potential for wetland wildlife habitat. . . . This soil is poorly suited 10 building site development and sanitary facilities because of wetness and flooding. The high susceptibility to frost action and low soil strength also add to overall poor construction characteristics. If this I soil is to be used for building, the organic material should be completely removed before fill is added." Soil Survev at 80. I Category 1055---"Aquolis and Histosois, ponded"---"consists of level, very poorly drained mineral and organic soils around lakes or rivers and in depressions of till plains and outwash plains. Some areas are dry late in summer or during periods of drought, but most areas I- are continuously ponded. . .. Because the water table is high and there is a lack of suitable outlets, this. . . [soil] has poor potential for crops, pasture, woodland, and community development. However, it has good pOlential for food and cover for wetland wildlife. . .. This . . . [area] provides nesting, mating, and escape areas for waterfowl, furbearers, and upland I game. Many of these areas are impractical to drain because of the proximity of nearby streams or lakes. However, if suitable ouIlets are available, this unit can be drained. Areas to be drained need preliminary on-site investigation of the nature and thickness of soil material. This I investigation helps determine what management or engineering practices are needed and whether drainage is feasible." Id. at 92. This property's ability to support stable construction has nOI been demonstrated. I Adequate soil analysis, including soil borings to appropriate depths, has not been completed. The nature of the soils on this property suggests poor suitability for development and implies that significant soil correction would be necessary prior to construction. Such soil correction would I require removal of vasl amounts of native organic material resulting in unknown adverse effects upon site-specific and adjacent wetlands and wildlife habitat. I The proposed project has the potential for other negative environmental effects. The developer proposes a storm drain in which excess waters from the weIland and run-off would be pumped and piped to a proposed stagnant holding pond and directed into Valentine Lake which is a protected water. The Rice Creek Watershed District is investigating whether this engineering I system will dewater the wetland on site. See Exhibit D (attached). This artificial drainage system has the potential for diminishing and damaging Valentine Lake. Storm drain run-off containing salts and chemicals, including pesticides and herbicides, will be pumped into the holding pond I and into a protected water (Valentine Lake). Creation of the holding pond itself appears to sacrifice and destroy a natural wetland on the property. I- I 2