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c. Existing Natural & Recreational Resources The following information is a distillation of the important natural resource issues of the TCMP. It is based on a significant amount of background information gathered by many local naturalists and resource professionals. Figures 8 and 9 show much of this information in visual form. 1. Natural Characteristics of the Site Geology, Soils and Topography The high "hill" on TCMP, actually a kame, is the higbest point in Ramsey County and offers vistas in all directions. This hill is of particular importance to the natural history of the area as a relict of the glacial landscape that once occupied most of Minnesota. These glacial hills, known as kames, are a less common feature of the landscape here than in other parts of Minnesota. The TCMP kame has been recorded in the Minnesota natural history database as a geologic feature of the glacial period, and it provides a diverse environment for plant and anirnallife fonns. Upland soils surrounding the kame are a variety of well- to moderately well-draining loamy fme sands. The steeper slopes of the kame are sandy loam with high erosion potential. The Rice Creek corridor contains poorly draining loamy sand. The soil has low organic matter and drains rapidly, but flooding and a high water table make it a seasonal wetland. Erosion potential is severe in the disturbed gravel pit area atop the kame. Phase I measures being undertaken now include revegetation with prairie sandreed grass in trial areas. Phase II measures will be implemented soon through a 1992 SCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) erosion control and surface-water management plan. Surface Water Surface water drains into the Rice Creek Watershed. Most of the water flows into the Marsden Lake wetlands, then uorth, eventually to Rice Creek. In the northwest corner of the site water flows directly into Rice Creek. This drainage includes water from the west slope of the kame. The quality of the wetlands on TCAAP supports a diversity of wetland wildlife (see following discussion). Maintaining good water quality requires management of both the quantity and quality of storm water runoff from developed areas. Fluctuations in water levels above existing conditions will adversely impact habitat for several wetland wildlife species, including Blanding's turtle and trumpeter swan. Proposed new stormwater runoff will include treatment measures with features that avoid changes in existing water quality and levels in the wetlands. Wetlands The TCAAP wetlands, as well as Sunfish Lake, are identified by the State of Minnesota as protected waters and wetlands. Three major wetland areas in particular are worth noting for their value within the natural community: . Riparian wetlands are located along Rice Creek. Riparian wetlands buffer the flow of flood waters and diversify the aquatic stream habitat. . A large complex of small wetlands and interspersed uplaud extends in an arc around the north region of Turtle Lake. The western tail of this complex extends onto the northern portion ofTCAAP. Interspersed upland and wetland complexes are generally known for a high level of biodiversity -- that is, the numbers of species typically finding a home in the upland-wetland edge is very bigh compared to other habitat areas. . Marsden Lake is a large wetland complex of deep and shallow marsh, scrub-shrub, and wet meadow. The only Camiros. Ltd.lSEH. Inc.lLHDL. Ltd. TCAAP Framework Plan Page 13 Chapter II I J I I I I I I I .. I - I I I - .- I I