CCP 01-11-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I v ~ . I . . , . . it I I I I I I Ie I I 3h1 Related Infrastructure Improvements A new roadway, Rice Creek Parkway, will be constructed from County Road J on the north through the U of M and MnDOT properties to County Road I on the south. South of the MnDOT property, the roadway crosses Ramsey County Rice Creek North Regional Corridor property and City of St. Paul Water Utility property, The alternate development site requires water distribution service to the site, Trunk water main will be "looped" through the Rice Creek North property, the development site and connected to the City of Shoreview's existing system at Schutta Road and Lexington Avenue. The alternate development is expected to have a trail connection across thenRice Creek North property to the existing trail on the other side of Rice Creek. 1.4 ANTICIPA TED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS As documented in the DEIS, the impacts associated with the alternative project are substantially the same as the proposed project. 1.4.1 Wetlands Nine wetland areas have been identified and delineated within the project area. Eight of the wetlands are hydrologically altered type 1 wetlands dominated by reed canary grass. The ninth wetland is. located along the floodplain fringe of Rice Creek, south of the project site. This wetland contains at least two cover types within the project area including type 1 floodplain forest dominated by boxeJder, jewelweed and reed canary grass, and a type 2/6 shrub carr dominated by willow, dogwood and sedges. Most of the wetland resources on the project site and within the adjacent Rice Creek floodplain complex will not be affected by the proposed development. The project will result in a maximum wetland impact of 4.70 acres, including the corporate park development, the construction of Rice Creek Parkway, and the construction of a trail crossing over Rice Creek. All proposed wetland activities will require permit approvals or review from a number of agencies. As details on the final design for the road and trail crossing are completed, permit applications will be put together for submittal to the Rice Creek Watershed District, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). These permit applications will include specific wetland impacts, alternatives, and wetland mitigation plans. 1.4.2 Fish, Wildlife and Ecologically Sensitive Resources The site has been previously disturbed by agricultural activities, and used as an airport, landfill and storage site. As a result, the vegetation of the site has been reduced to monotypic communities with very low plant diversity. Low plant diversity directly correlates to low wildlife habitat value, WISP ARK Rice Creek Corporate Park Draft EIS December 10. 1998 Page 3