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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—October 12, 2009 7 SC. Purchase of Wetland Banking Credit (continued) At the June 15, 2009 Council Work Session, Staff presented the wetland mitigation requirements that would be necessary in order to receive final approval through the DNR and Rice Creek Watershed District. Two wetlands, identified as DNR protected waters, have been identified directly adjacent to or partially within the existing right of way of the pathway planned for the south side of County Road E2. It is estimated that 4,000 square feet of impact is not avoidable to the eastern wetland, while impact to the western wetland can be avoided through construction of a 375 foot long retaining wall. Mitigation for the wetland impacts is required and can be accommodated via purchasing credits from a wetland bank. In addition to the estimated 4,000 square foot of impacts identified in June, Staff also identified 400 square feet of impacts as a result of the construction of the culvert crossing. The final purchase price for the wetland credits needed to mitigate these impacts is $13,198.68. There is also a permit fee of $857.91 due to the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR). The City Attorney has reviewed the documents. The deadline for all environmental documentation to be submitted for the ARRA Elmer L. Anderson Memorial Trail Connection Project is November 13, 2009. The purchase agreement for wetland banking credits must be submitted before the City can receive a final permit from Rice Creek Watershed District. Councilmember Homes asked for clarification on what the wetland banking credits were for. Parks and Recreation Manager Olson stated that there would be impacts that could not be avoided for 4000 square feet on the south side of County Road E and - 400 square feet of impacts as a result of construction of the culvert crossing on the north side of County Road E and the wetland credits would allow the City to move forward with the project. - Mayor Pro Tem Grant stated that banking credits were something that the City paid for impacting wetlands. He asked if Arden Hills has any existing banking credits. Parks and Recreation Manager Olson stated that the City does not. Councilmember Holden asked how high the retaining wall is. Parks and Recreation Manger Olson stated that she did not have this information with her and was not prepared to answer. The wall is tall enough to require a fence/guardrail.