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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-19-14-WS-- Dave McClung Ed Werner www.cityofardenhills.org Arden Hills is a strong community that values its unique environmental setting, strong residential neighborhoods, vital business community, wellmaintained infrastructure, fiscal soundness, and our longstanding tradition as a desirable City in which to live, work, and play. CALL TO ORDER AGENDA ITEMS 1.A.Round Lake Discussion Patrick Klaers, City Administrator Documents:MEMO.PDF,MEETING SUMMARY 05 16 11.PDF, ROUND LAKE CONCEPUTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 08 06 13.PDF, ROUND LAKE BRIEFING 04 22 14.PDF 1.B.TCAAP Financial Update Heather Worthington, Ramsey County Stacie Kvilvang, Ehlers Documents:MEMO.PDF,ATTACHMENT A.PDF, ATTACHMENT B.PDF TCAAP Residential Development And Densities Jill Hutmacher, Community Development Director Documents:MEMO.PDF TCAAP Flex Space Land Use Jill Hutmacher, Community Development Director Documents:MEMO.PDF COUNCIL/STAFF COMMENTS MEMORANDUM DATE: May 12, 2014 TO:Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Patrick Klaers, City Administrator SUBJECT: Round Lake Background Congresswoman Betty McCollum scheduled a Round Lake briefing on April 22, 2014. This meeting was held at City Hall. Mayor Grant and Council Members Werner and Holden, Senator Scalze, Representative Yarusso, and representatives of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, the MPCA, and the EPA attended this briefing. At the April 28, 2014, City Council meeting, staff was directed to put Round Lake on this th May 19 work session agenda for a Council discussion. Attached for your information are: 1.) the Summary Notes from the 5/16/11 City Council Round Lake discussion, 2.) the Updated (Draft) August 6, 2013 Round Lake Conceptual Management Plan from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and nd 3.) the Summary Notes from the April 22 briefing. (Please note that the summary notes were drafted by City staff and are not an official record of the meetings.) Round Lake Meeting Summary May 16, 2011 The Arden Hills City Council invited representatives of the U.S. Army, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tothe May 16, 2011, City Council work sessionmeeting.The City Council and invited agency representatives discussed plans to identify a remedy for sediment contamination at Round Lake. Agency Representatives Mike Fix, U.S. Army Commander’s Representative The U.S. Army (Army) is the responsible party for contamination associated with the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plan (TCAAP)site. Charles Blair, Refuge Manager, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) purchased Round Lake in 1974 and is mandated to manage the lake as a productive waterfowl area. Deepa DeAlwis, Project Leader Superfund Program, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ultimate authority over the cleanup of the TCAAP site. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) acts as the EPA’s local agent. Background Environmental contamination was discovered at TCAAP in 1981, and the site was placed on the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1983. As a Superfund site, the investigation and mitigation of contaminants at TCAAP is governed by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA). In 1984 an Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) was completed for Round Lake. The ERA determined that there were unacceptable ecological risks atRound Lake that must be addressed by the Army. Between 1984 and 2010, little activity occurred related to Round Lake. The EPA’s and MPCA’s first priority were situations in which there was an immediate risk to human health such as the groundwater contamination that affected New Brighton’s and St. Anthony’s water supply. The water in Round Lake has been tested and has met State standards, but testing has shown that organisms in the sediment layer such as worms, clams, snails, and bugsare being damaged. Some of these organisms spend part of their life cycle in the sediment, but then rise into water or air and become part of the larger ecosystem. It is the view of the USFWSthat if one part of the ecosystem is adversely impacted, the entire ecosystem suffers. City of Arden Hills 1245 West Highway 96 55112 Phone 651.634.5120 www.ci.arden-hills.mn.us Sewer pipes connecting TCAAP to Round Lake that originally contaminated the lake were sealed in the 1990’s. Becausethere is no public or private access to the lake, the contamination at Round Lake poses only an ecological risk and was not a priority for immediate action. The sediment contamination, however, must be addressed and a remedy approved prior to TCAAP’s removal from the NPL.As the responsible party, the U.S. Army must pay for any required remedy. 2011 Feasibility Study The Army has proposed a No Action remedy in which contamination is mitigated through the restriction of public and private access to thelake. The EPA has not approved a No Action remedy because itdoes not address the ecological damage. Also, the EPA and MPCA are concerned that a significant drought could lower the lake’s water level, similar to what has occurred at White Bear Lake in recent years, so that the sediment layer is exposed. If the sediment layer is exposed and dried, particles of lead or other contaminants could become airborne and affect human health. Little new sediment accrues on the lake, so contaminants are still inthe top layer of sediment on the lake’s bottom. Prior to identifying a remedy for Round Lake, a feasibility study must be drafted and approved. The feasibility study will define the problem and identify potential remedies including cost estimates for those remedies. Although feasibility studies have been drafted by the Army in the past, prior draft feasibility studies have not been approved by the EPA. After the most recent draft feasibility study was completed in April 2010, the MPCA and the EPA required the Army to do additional testingwhich was completed in January and February 2011.An agencymeeting is scheduled for June 2011 to discuss the results of the recent sampling. The next draft of a feasibility study is expected to be completed in Fall2011 at the very earliest. Public involvement usually occurs after the feasibility study and prior to the planning phase. In this case, however, due to the high level of citizen interest, a public meeting will likely be scheduled prior to the feasibility studybeing finalized. Potential Remedies for Sediment Contamination Options for a remedy vary from No Action to dredging the entire lake. Options such as installing a cap of manmade or natural materials are also possible. The eventual remedy selected may utilize a combination of remedies such as taking no action on parts of the lake, and installing a cap or dredging in other areas. If health risks are removed, the USFWSwould like to manage the lake so that it might be open to the public for activities such as fishing and bird watching. USFWS may want to occasionally draw down the water level in the lake by a foot or two to allow growthof vegetationin shallow areas. Vegetation would filter storm water runoff and provide wildlife habitat. The lake’s depth, up to 26 feet at some locations, ensures that the lake will always have open water. Residents expressed concerns that the lake couldbecome a wetland with little open water. They were concerned that dredging the lake could stir up sediment and that any activity on the lake could be harmful for wildlifeincluding turtles and bald eagles which have a nest on Round Lake. City of Arden Hills It may be up to two years before a Record of Decision (ROD) is adopted. A ROD is a public document that explains which cleanup alternatives will be used to clean up a Superfund site and is created from information generated during the remedial investigation and feasibility study. The EPA will make the final selection of a remedy. As new information becomes available, it will be posted on the City’s website. City of Arden Hills ROUND LAKE CONCEPTUAL MANAGEMENT PLAN Round Lake Unit (Arden Hills, Minnesota) Updated (Draft) August 6, 2013 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Bloomington, Minnesota Tim Bodeen, Refuge Manager ROUND LAKE CONCEPTUAL MANAGEMENT PLAN Round Lake Unit (Arden Hills, Minnesota) February 28, 2012 (DRAFT) UpdatedAugust 6, 2013 U.S. Fish and WildlifeService Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Bloomington, Minnesota Tim Bodeen, Refuge Manager 8/6/2013 ii USFWS RLMP EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of the Round Lake Conceptual Management Plan is to provide a framework for future management of the Round Lake Unit (Unit) of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). It will remain a draft plan until a remedy is selected to address the heavy metal and PCB contamination in the sediments of the wetland basin known as Round Lake. These contaminants are attributed to the previous ownership and management of the area by the Department of the Army as part of the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) remains actively engaged with the regulatory agencies responsible for the clean-up of the TCAAP contamination on Round Lake Unit with the goal of returning the Unit to its intended functions. Based upon the remedy selected, elements of this draft plan may be modified to best meet the Refuge’s responsibilities while considering the remediated ecological health of the Round Lake Unit.As new information becomes available, the Service will update this management plan. The vision of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the Round Lake Unit is to have a fully functioning unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System. This means providing quality habitat for focal species to promote their conservation and management and providing priority public 1 useopportunities where appropriate and compatible. This plan echoes similar proposed actions identified in earlier Unit management documents to accomplish Service objectives for the Round Lake Unit. Active management of the aquatic resources (e.g., water levels) on the Unit ceased in mid-1980s based on a Service decision to use high water levels to separate wildlife and the public as much as possible from contaminants found in the lake’s sediments. Atthis time the public use was restricted to non-consumptive uses on the upland areas of the Unit. The Service continues to allow use of a hiking trail constructed and maintain within a City of Arden Hills right-of-way on Service property along the west side of the Unit away from the water’s edge. Some limited wildlife observation and photography likely occurs along this trail. Prior to use restrictions, the Unit was open to fishing, wildlife observation,and photography. The Service’s vision for the Round Lake Unit consists of managing the natural resources primarily asmigratory habitat for diving ducks,other migratory waterfowl,and water dependent birds.. This requires maintaining water clarity and requires water depths that follow a cycle of fluctuating water levels. During the summer, resource management activities would focus on providing habitat for nesting bysome dabbling duck, marsh bird, and riparian nesting species. Management actions to accomplish this includesactive water level management, biological monitoring to measure the success of management actions, invasive species management and upland vegetation manipulation. Water manipulation cyclesgenerallywouldoccur every 3 to5 years.Timing of manipulations wouldbe determined by using growing season vegetation surveys to track plant and invertebrate community health. Due to the capability of water control structure that is currently in place, water levels would be actively manipulated to fluctuate 2 to3 1 National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 defines priority public uses as: hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, environmental educat facilitate these uses. 8/6/2013 ii USFWS RLMP feet or less. Natural drought cycles may (andhistorically havebeen documented to) bring water levels below that which can be attainedby the water control structure. In addition to resource management, the Service would provide public use opportunities to include wildlife observationandphotography,fishing,structured and self-led interpretive programs.Environmental Education opportunitieswould include pond studies (including dip netting), water quality, fishing and fish ecology, wetland/upland plant and tree identification, habitat ecology, wildlife management.. Management actions to facilitate these public uses include expanding the existing trail, and constructing a fishing pier and a platform that could be used for wildlife viewing as well as environmental education. Weexpect to continue our partnership with City of Arden Hills and support the City’s efforts to expand the use of their parklands at south end of lake. Potential exists to link the park property to Refuge property and provide access to Service facilities on the shores of Round Lake (e.g., fishing pier,environmental education/wildlife observation platform) for visitors to the City Park. Due to the urban character of this Unit, the Service is not considering offering hunting opportunities at this time. Thefuture value of the Round Lake Unit of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge for wildlife conservation and publicuse for wildlife-dependent recreation depends upon the level of clean-up attained via the Superfund remediation project. The Servicepresumes that the current ecological risk posed to the Round Lake ecosystem will be mitigated via the actions of the Superfund remediation project in a manner that enablesthis vision to be fulfilled. 8/6/2013 iii USFWS RLMP CONTENTS PURPOSE OF THIS PLAN……………………………………………………………..……… 1 MINNESOTA VALLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE PURPOSE………………..…… 1 ROUND LAKE UNIT DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND ……………………….........… 2 FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF THE ROUND LAKE UNIT……………………………......… 4 Vision………………………………………………………………………………….… 4 Resource Management …………………………………………………………... 5 Public Use Management ………………………………………………………… 5 Resource Management Concepts………………………………………………….….…. 6 Water Management……………………………………………………….……... 6 Water Quality …………………………………………………………...……… 13 Upland Habitats ……………………………………………………...………… 13 Public Use Concepts………………………………………………………………….... 14 Historical Context ……………………………………………………...……… 14 Environmental Education and Interpretation ………………………...………… 15 Fishing………………………………………………………..………………... 15 Disallowed Activities ……………………………………….…………………. 15 Resource Management Activities ……………………………………..………...……...16 Infrastructure ……………………………………………….……….………….. 16 Resource Monitoring …………………………………………………………...16 Epilogue ………………………………………………………………………………... 17 REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………………………18 FIGURES Figure 1. USFWS Ownership at Round Lake Unit ……………………………………………... 3 Figure 2. Round LakeManagement Public Use Overview ……………………..………………..7 Figure 3. Round Lake Management Public Use South Shore …………………………………..8 Figure 4. Round Lake Basin Configuration.…………………………………………………...12 TABLES Table 1. Round Lake Acreage Based on Bathymetry Data …………………………………….9 8/6/2013 iv USFWS RLMP PURPOSE OF THIS PLAN The purpose of this draft plan is to serve as a framework for future management of the Round Lake Unit (Unit) of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge(Refuge).It also provides background foruse indiscussions regarding the resolutionof contaminantissues at the Round LakeUnit. It will remain a draft plan until a remedy is selected to address onsite contamination. The final disposition of the contaminants inthe Round Lakebasin, and therefore the status of the ecological health of the Round Lake Unit, has the potential to change the ability of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to fully implement this plan. Based upon the remedy selected, elements of this draft plan may be modified to best meet the Refuge’s responsibilities while considering the constraints posed by the remediated ecological health of the Round Lake Unit. MINNESOTA VALLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE PURPOSE The National Wildlife Refuge System ImprovementAct of 1997 (P.L. 105-57) established several important mandates aimed at making the management of lands within the National Wildlife Refuge System (System) more cohesive. The preparation of a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for each national wildlife refuge and wetland management district within the System is one of those mandates. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is one of more than 550National Wildlife Refugesand 37 Wetland Management Districts in the National Wildlife Refuge System.The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge Systemis to “administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.” The CCP outlines the overall management direction for a refuge or district based on the mission of the System andthepurposes for which a refuge or district was established. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge was established by Congress in 1976 through the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Act (Public Law 94-466; October 8, 1976). In general, its purposes are to (1) provide habitat for a large number of migratory waterfowl, fish, and other wildlife species; (2) to provide environmental education, wildlife recreational opportunities, and interpretive programs for hundreds of thousands of Twin Cities residents; (3) to protect important natural resource areas from degradation; and to (4) protect the Minnesota River valley's unique social, educational, and environmental assets. The CCPfor the Refuge was completed in 2004(USFWS 2004)and outlines the management direction for the Refuge,includingobjectives for 15 years of implementation (i.e., 2004 –2019). This Conceptual Management Planfor the Round Lake Unitrefines the management objectives and the potential strategies listed in the CCP to meet the objectives for the Unit into amore specific proposal. 8/6/2013 1 USFWS RLMP ROUND LAKE UNIT DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND The Round Lake Unitof the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is located in the community of Arden Hills in Ramsey County, Minnesota. Ecologically, it lies within an area of Minnesota known as the Anoka Sand Plain, which was historically characterized by oak savanna and sand prairie. Anoka Sand Plaintopography is highly variable and its upland soils support a heterogeneous mixture of grassland, trees and shrubs. The Unitis comprised of about 154 acres of land held in fee title and managed as habitat for wildlife. About125of these acres are occupied by a permanently flooded basinnamedRound Lake(Figure 1). Round Lake is located at the top of the watershed and is dominated by hydric soils, with open water and a fringe of emergent vegetation. The remainder of the Unitis comprised of 29 acres of upland. This upland habitat occupies a relatively narrow zone, typically about 200 feet wide, around the lake. Most of this area supports Oak Savanna or Oak- Maple Woodland communities. An additional 7+/-acres areheld as a permanent easement that contains a 48-inch diameter pipeline that was usedas a sewer lineunder previous ownership and was transferred with the property to the Service in 1974. The Unit is bounded on the west by light industrial development and on the south and east by private homes. This Unit is northeast of St. Paulandabout 22 miles from the Refuge Headquarters in Bloomington, Minnesota. Prior to Service ownership, the Round Lake Unit was under the ownership and management of the Department of the Army (Army) as part of the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP). The area, designated by the Army as TCAAP Area H, was operated as part of TCAAP’s stormwater and wastewater systems. Area H was declared excess by Army in 1973 and made available for transfer to another federal agency. In 1974, the General Services Administration transferredthe area to the Department of the Interior (Interior) for the purpose of wildlife conservation under the authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Interior assigned the area to Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge to be managed as the Ramsey County Waterfowl Production Area(WPA). In 1979, the Service transferred the management of Ramsey County WPAto Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and it became designated as the Round Lake Unit of this Refuge. Contaminants were identified in the groundwater immediately adjacent to the Unit in 1981. These contaminants are attributed to discharges from the TCAAP (MPCA 1981). Part of the Unit was declared a Superfund site by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in 1983 under the provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act. Subsequent testing by Army found PCBs and heavy metals in Round Lake sediments near sanitary/industrial gravity flow sewer line outfalls (USFWS 1988). Further sediment testingfound this contamination to be more widespread than originally thought (Wenck 2010,2011).As part of the ongoing clean-up of the larger TCAAP site, the drainage of wastewater from TCAAP into Round Lake was halted in 1991. However, Round Lakecontinues to receive stormwater inputs from the watershed, including overland flow from the TCAAP site. 8/6/2013 2 USFWS RLMP The Service stopped active management of the aquatic resources and public uses on the Unit in the mid-1980sbased on a management decision to use high water levels to separate wildlife and the public as much as possible from contaminants in the lake’s sediments(USFWS 1981,1994). The Unit has remained in “caretaker status” with minimal active management since then. The Service became a partner in working with the regulatory agencies and responsible party to resolve contaminant concerns on the Round Lake Unit in 1981. The Service remains actively engaged with the regulatory agencies responsible for the clean-up of TCAAP-source contamination on the Round Lake Unit with the goal ofreturningthe Unit to its intended functions(USFWS 2004). FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF THE ROUND LAKE UNIT Vision The future value of the Round Lake Unit of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge for wildlife and its use by humans depends upon the level of clean-up attained via the Superfund remediation project.Prior to the discovery of contamination, Round Lake was considered to be valuable area for migrating waterfowl and otherwater birds. It was selected to become a part of the National Wildlife Refuge System because of itsknown migratory bird use, the quality of the lake and surrounding habitat, and the recognized threatfrom developmentto it and similar areas on the edge of an expanding metropolitan area. The vision of the Service since it acquired the Round Lake Unit has been to have a fully functioning unitof the National Wildlife Refuge System. This means providing quality habitat to support the natural resources entrusted to the Service by the American people. It also means facilitatingpriority public use opportunities where those public uses would beappropriate and compatible with the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System and the purposes of the Refuge.Priority public uses are defined as environmental education and interpretation, wildlife observation and photography, fishing, and hunting(Public Law105-57). On August 24, 1999, a public open house was held at Bethel College and Seminary, Arden Hills, Minnesota as part of the planning process for the development of Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge’s Comprehensive Conservation Plan. The primary purpose of this event was to obtain public input into the future management of the Round Lake Unit.The objective and potential strategies to meet management goalsfor the Round Lake Unit, asidentified in the CCP, reflect the results ofthat workshop.The CCP also notesthe limitations on Unit management resulting from continued contamination. This plan further refines the CCP objectivesand strategiesspecific to this Unit of the Refuge. A summary of comments given to the Service by the open house attendees are asfollows: Recommend caution with trail locations (relative to residential development adjacent to the Refuge on east side of the Unit). Provide more wildlife viewing opportunities. Maximize wildlife habitat. Develop environmental education and interpretation partnerships with Bethel College and local schools. 8/6/2013 4 USFWS RLMP Maintain the water quality of Round Lake. There would be support of some water level manipulation if it improves habitat. More public access would increase public support for the Round Lake Unit as a community asset rather than it being viewed as simply a stormwater sewer. Resource Management.Round Lake will be managed primarily as habitat for migrating waterfowl. It is well suited to providing migratory habitat for diving ducks given itsbasin configuration, submergent plant community, and low levels of human disturbance.Round Lake will also support some dabbling duck,marsh bird, and riparian nesting speciesreproduction. Management actions to support the primarywildlife use will focus on establishing and maintaining a productive submergent plant communityas a food source for migratory birdson portions of the lake basin.This will be accomplishedby maintaining water quality and clarity andbyhaving water depthsmanipulated to follow an annual cycle of fluctuating waterlevels typical for wetlands and shallow lake basins in this part of Minnesota.Management for nesting marshbirds and dabbling ducks will also benefit from water level management that will maintain and enhance the emergent vegetation within the basin. Management for riparian wildlife species will consist of restoring and maintaining a healthy upland plant community adjacent to the wetland basin. As we do on other Refuge Units, we will implement active resource management on the Round Lake Unit for the benefit of wildlife. These management activities include biological monitoring, water level adjustments, andvegetation management. Biological monitoring activities will be conducted by Refuge staff and volunteers. Examples of monitoring activities are water level observations, marsh bird surveys, migratory bird counts, bald eagle productivity surveys, fish populationsurveys, andlake vegetationsurveys. Adjusting water levels is a tool used throughout the Refuge to stimulate food and plant cover conditions that provide quality habitat for migratory and resident wildlife.Vegetation management projects toremove or control undesirableor invasive species such as purple loosestrife or European buckthorn will be conducted. Public UseManagement.Public use will be expanded on a small portion of the Unit from the existing wildlife observation to include environmental education and interpretation,as well as public fishing.Presently, most public use is along a trail developed and maintained by the City of Arden Hills that follows the westernshoreof Round Lake(Figure 2). The Service granted an easement to the City of Arden Hills to enable the construction of this public use facility. Environmental education and interpretationactivities will be focused on an outdoor classroom and natural areaalonga small portion ofthe Lake’s south shore(Figure 3). We envision hosting formal programs for school groups and the general public as well as providing less formal opportunities for independent environmental studies.Formal programs would include activities that give participants hands-on experiences with nature, as is done on other Refuge Units. Less formal activitieswill range from birding to outdoor photography tosimply watching flocks of waterfowl come into the lake. We intend to provide fishing opportunities on this Unit, as we do on other Refuge Units. Several Refuge lakes, ponds, and marshes are included in the Fishing in the Neighborhood(FIN) programmanaged by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR). We 8/6/2013 5 USFWS RLMP anticipate hosting fishingopportunities on Round Lake similar to these areas and propose to partnerwith MNDNR to bring FIN program activities to Round Lake.Fishing in the Neighborhood seeks to increase angling opportunities, public awareness and environmental stewardship within the metro region.Fishing will be allowed from the shore and a designated fishing platform. No boats will be allowed on the lake in order to minimize disturbance to wildlife using other parts of Round Lake. Some improvements to Service infrastructure are central to providing these public uses (Figure 2, Figure 3). We propose a spur trail that would extend from the existing trail on the west side of the Unit to a new fishing platform on the southwest side of Round Lake. Another trail will be placed on Refuge property adjacent to the Round Lake outlet. This trail will start at Old Highway 10 and follow the lake outlet channel to the southern lakeshore. From there the trail willfollow the lakeshore to the west and link up with either the existing trail on the west side of the lake or the City’s park property midway along the southern shore. Prior to the Round Lake Unit being placed in caretaker status in the early 1980s, the City of Arden Hills was actively discussing linking the city park with the Unit. We envision that will finally occur. A new observation platform specifically designed for environmental education and interpretive programming will be constructed on the Service lakeshore either near the outlet channel or adjacent to the city park. This platform would be designed to provide both a good view of the entire lake surface as well as easy access to the wetland habitat along the shore. Similar proposed actions to accomplish Service objectives for the Round Lake Unit were identified in earlier Unit management documents in 1979, 1982, and 1998 (USFWS 1979, 1982, 1998). The Service’s planned management actions were modified to manage ecological risk upon discovery of significant contamination of the Round Lake ecosystem in the early 1980s (USFWS 1981). The Service presumes that the current ecological risk posed to the Round Lake ecosystem will be mitigated via the actions of the Superfund remediation project in such a manner that enable this vision to be fulfilled. Resource Management Concepts Water Management. The dominating feature of the Round Lake Unit is Round Lake itself. The lake is about 125 acres at a surface elevation of 890 msl (Table 1). At this elevation, the lake has a maximum depth of nearly 22 feet. Since about the mid-1980s the lake elevation has been managed to try and maintain a level of 891 msl in order to reduce the exposure of wildlife and people to the contaminated sediments. A 1978 survey of the lake showed substrate consisting of 20% sand and rocks, 20% muck, and 60% detritus (Joarnt and Kenow, 1978). More recent samplingin 2011showed 6% sand, 1% silt, 43% muck, and 50% peat in the upper 0.5 ft. of the substrate; and showed 10% sand, 2% silt, 22% muck, and 66% peat in the 0.5 ft. to 1.0 ft. layer 8/6/2013 6 USFWS RLMP Table 1. Round Lake Acreage based on Bathymetry Data 1 ElevationMaximum Wetted % of Volume 2 CumulativeComments 2 2 DepthAreaBasin Volume 2 Wetted (ft. msl)(ft.)(acres)(percent)(ac. ft.)(ac. ft.) 890.024.6126100222832Water elevationat time of purchase; approx. upper range of active water management. 889.023.612095117610 888.022.611490110493 887.020.610785103383Existing water control structure sill 886.020.6997991280 885.019.6836668189Minimum observed& documented during droughts 884.018.6534240121 883.017.626201981Light penetration with water elev. @887.0 882.016.614111262 881.015.61191050 880.014.69.27940 879.013.67.661231 877.011.65.24919 875.09.63.335.110 873.07.62.023.24.9 871.05.61.1<11.41.7 869.03.60.3<10.30.3 865.400.0000.0 1 Source: Analysis by Wenck Associates, Inc. (2012)of contour map identified as Figure 4 in this report. 2 Added by USFWS of the substrate (Wenck 2011). Samples from deeper in the substrate show less muck and more silt and sand.This buildup of muck and peat is consistent with what would be expected with prolonged stable water levels that do not go through a low water or drought cycle which enables dead vegetation to consolidate or oxidize when dried out. During a lake survey in 1978, Joarnt and Kenow noted that emergent (10 –20% of locations) or submergent (70 –80% of locations) plant species were observed at 90% of their sampling locations. They found submergent plants in water over 6 ft. deep (correlating to a bottom 8/6/2013 9 USFWS RLMP elevation of 883 msl). They identified 15 plant species: 8 rooted submergent species; 4 emergent species; and, 3 floating species. Nine of the species they observed rank as excellent to good waterfowl foods (e.g., slender and softstem bulrush, chara). The Service didnot conduct quantitative vegetation surveys for nearly 30 years after contaminants were discovered in the early 1980s. Recent observations by Refuge staff found 10species of submergent plants and 14 species ofemergent plants.Coontailwas the dominant submergent species and cattailwas the dominat emergent species. Noteably, cattail was present in less than 20% of the basinsampling locations. (USFWS 13).White water lilly was found in about 35% of the sampling locations. Waterfowl migration surveys conducted on Round Lake from 1975 through 1978 routinely recorded large flocks of waterfowl numbering between 1,000and9,000individuals.The most abundant species were diving ducks (e.g., ring-necked duck, scaup, merganser, bufflehead,coot) with slightly fewer dabbling ducks (e.g., American widgeon, mallard) (Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge field reports). Round Lakewaterfowl observations during 2010,2011, and 2012fallmigration showed that use of the lake is variable across the migration period. Numbers of waterfowl observed on the lake at any one time ranged from a few hundred to a few thousand (USFWS 2010,2011,2012).Diving ducks were more abundant than dabbling ducks. In 2012, Round Lake had disproportionately high duck use (more than 10 times) compared to nearby waterbodies. Diving ducks used Round Lake in higher proportions than nearby waterbodies. Following the remediation of contaminants in the Round Lake basin, water management activities on the Round Lake Unit will focus on maintaining healthy emergent and submergent plant communitiesas well as maintaining water quality. Attaining these habitat goals will provide a plant and animal food base and suitable cover to support not only habitat requirements for waterbirds in migration but also the annual lifecycle needs of several migratory and resident wildlife species.This will require active water management. There are some key elevations and concepts related to water level management. At an elevation of 892.0 msl water starts to cause damage to adjacent properties. This could be characterized as a “maximum” water elevation, although it is possible that runoff from significant rainfall events may cause this elevation to be exceeded. An elevation of 890.0 msl is the historical “normal” water level for the lake(Anon. 1947). This elevation is a likely target for water elevations to maximize use of emergent vegetationbydabbling ducks during fall migration. At this elevation we would expect about 6 –7% of the lake to have emergent vegetation. The sill of the existing water control structure is887.0 msl. This would be a likely maximum “draw down” elevation because water levels cannot be movedlowerthan this without special techniques, such as pumping or siphoning.Historical Round Lake observations have recorded water levels as low as 885 –886 msl due to evaporation during natural “droughts.” Prior to the Service’s decision to hold water levels in Round Lake highdue to the contaminated sediments, water levels were regularlytargeted to this 887.0 levelfor management purposes.Based on recent bathymetry informationshown in Table 1(Wenck2010),at an elevation of 887.0msl, 90 % of the basin would still be covered with water. 8/6/2013 10 USFWS RLMP The elevation of 883msl represents the likely limiting depth for light penetration and therefore presence ofrooted submergent vegetation. Secchi disc readings taken on Round Lake through 1992 found water clarity to an average depth of around 4.5 feet below the water surface (MPCA 2011). With water levels at 887.0 msl and Round Lake water clarity following historical trends, sunlight will penetrate to at least this depth and stimulate submergent plant growth. Sunlight penetration to this depth would promote submergent vegetation over about 75% of the lake bottom. Joarnt and Kenow (1978) observed rooted submergent vegetation to this depth coincident with the time period when Service staff observed the highestwaterfowl use on Round Lake. Recent sampling found water clarity to 5.5 feet(USFWS 2013). The Round Lake basin configuration is shown in Figure 4(Wenck 2011).This configuration is based on 2011basin mapping.Figure 5 shows how the key elevations identified above are distributed throughout the basin. A general concept for water level management on Round Lake would be similar to what we do on other wetland basins of this type on the Refuge and is described below: Remove stoplogs to bring the water levels down as soon as possible in early spring to facilitate light penetration to the maximum depth. This facilitates the germination of emergent and submergent vegetation and also exposes flats for migrating shorebirds, and consolidates muck and detritus. Hold the water at this level through mid-summer to allow successful nesting of water dependent birds. After the over water nesting species fledge, gradually bring water levels up to a level that will promote maximum submergent plant growth without drowning out or uprooting the emergent plant growth that hasbegun in the more shallow areas of the basin. Hold the water at this level until fall when the seed, which provides a food source for migrating waterfowl, matures on annual emergent plant species and migration approaches. Raise water levels up to the optimum depth for fall waterfowl migration. This targeted optimum water depth is where the majority of the seeds produced through the summer are at a depth above or below the water’s surface that can be accessed by the waterfowl. Water levels oftenare increasedinsmall increments through the fall migration season as food resources are eaten out. Increasing water levels makes new areas accessible and providesa continuous food resource. Undertypical water management scenarios,water levelscan fluctuate anywhere from 2 to 5 feet depending on the basin configuration. Due to the capability of the water control structure that is currently in place on Round Lake, we expect that water levels would be actively managed to fluctuate 2 to 3 feet, or less.Rapid changes in water levels would be counterproductive to establishing and maintaining vegetation and, therefore, wildlife management success. In addition, water levels are generally not manipulated every year. Typical water management employs the manipulation model outlined above every 3 to 5 years. 8/6/2013 11 USFWS RLMP Figure 4. Round Lake Basin Configuration (Wenck 2011). 8/6/2013 12 USFWS RLMP Figure 4. Round Lake Basin Key Elevations. 8/6/2013 13 USFWS RLMP The frequency of water level drawdowns would be determined by using growing season vegetation surveys to track plant and invertebrate community health. Key factors in developing alternative water level depths, duration, and frequency would be the need to account for species’ annual cycles, wildlife use, and vegetation disturbance activities. Annual monitoring results would be incorporated into annual water management plans, including planning to not adjust water levels, based upon Adaptive Management principles. Water Quality. In addition to water levels, water quality is a key component of wildlife habitat. Water quality affects the character and composition of invertebrate communities at the base of the food chain. Of the constituents normally monitored in surface waters, nutrients, sediment and chlorides are of particular interest in Round Lake. Nutrients and sediments have the potential to affect water clarity and oxygen levels. Water clarity is key to light penetration and growth of submergent plants, which in turn provide habitat for invertebrate and food for waterfowl. Chlorides and oxygen levels can dramatically alter invertebrate communities. As with other Refuge Units, we will monitor water quality parameters, including results of sampling conducted by other agencies such as MPCA.We would continue to actively work with regulatory agencies and units of local government to identify non-TCAAP sources of water quality degradation, such as road improvement projects, that adversely affect the water quality in Round Lake and prevent its degradation. The sediments of the Round Lake basin have elevated concentrations of heavy metals and PCBs (MPCA 1981). The origin of these contaminants was the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant, which during World War II allowed industrial pollutants to enter area surface waters and consequently, some of these contaminants found their way into Round Lake. Ongoing investigations by the U.S. Army in cooperation with Service staff and several other agencies have determined that these contaminants threaten the biological communities of this area.This aspect of Round Lake is an overriding factor currentlyreducing thebiological integrity and limiting the public use of the Round Lake Unit. We will continue to work with Army, the US Environmental Protection Agency, and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to remedy this threat to the biotic community of Round Lake and public use of the Round Lake Unit of Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. We alsowillpartner with these agencies to monitor the Lake’s recovery and suitability for public use. Upland Habitats.The majority of the upland on the Unit is contained within a relatively narrow zone of vegetation that rings the wetland area. These uplandssupport a mixture of trees and shrubs.Although upland habitats occupy only about29acres of the154acreRound Lake Unit, they are important to the Unit in several ways. Ecologically, they provide an area that buffers the runoff from surrounding residential and light industrial developmentbefore it reaches Round Lake.These habitats also providenesting habitat for migratory songbirds, raptors,and cavity nesting birds, including some waterfowl such as wood ducks and hooded mergansers. Thereis a documented bald eagle nest currently on the Unit. 8/6/2013 14 USFWS RLMP Thefocus for management activitiesin these upland habitats will be to restore and maintain quality native habitats. Some of the natural upland habitat has been removed by adjacent property owners. There are opportunities to restore native habitat in these areasusing existing Service programs such as Partners for Fish and Wildlife.Thereduction of non-native species, such as European or glossy buckthorn,alsowill be a focus. There also may be opportunities to showcase native plantings for interpretive and environmental education purposes. Public UseConcepts. Historical Context.Under Department of Army management, Area H(i.e., the Round Lake Unit) was “closed” to the publicwithaccesscontrol consisting of 3-strand barbed wire fence and signagethat, at times, was in disrepair to the extent that neighboring landowners asked Army to clean and repair it (Thorne 1956). Service records of Unit inspections shortly after assuming management responsibility identifiedpast trespass, encroachment, dumping, and other unauthorized use of the newly acquired area(USFWS 1975b).When the Service acquired Area H and it became the Ramsey County Waterfowl Production Area, it also became open to public use andrecreational activities,such as hunting, fishing and wildlife observation, that did not conflict with its primary purpose of waterfowl production. In 1975, shortly after acquiring the Ramsey County WPA,the Service supported the Ramsey County Open Space Proposal that wouldincorporate some portions of the WPA in the County’s plan as public use areas (USFWS 1975a).Public uses of the Round Lake area proposed in the Open Space Proposal included:bicycle and walking trails; nature oriented education, interpretation, and recreation; snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. In itsfirst formal management plan for the WPA (USFWS 1979), the Service evaluated expanding public use of the area. Subsequent Unit Management Plans (USFWS 1982, 1998) also proposed to increase recreational use, environmental education, and nature observation activities that would be appropriate and compatible with the wildlife management goals for the Unit. With the discovery of contamination and the subsequent declaration of the Unit as part of the New Brighton-Arden Hills Superfund site, the 1982 Management Plan for the Round Lake Unit was completed and approved but not implemented(USFWS 1981, 1994).At that time, due to human health concerns, the Service made a management decision to suspendpublic use onthe Unit and withhold the development of public use facilities and programs pending the clean-up of the contamination at the Round Lake Unit(USFWS 1981). In October, 1999, the Service granted a right-of-way to the City of Arden Hills to enable the construction of a public hiking trail on the upland portions of Service property along the west side of Round Lake. This was implemented after anAugust, 1999 open house was held at Bethel College and Seminary, Arden Hills, Minnesota as part of the planning process for the development of Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge’s Comprehensive Conservation Plan. At this open house the Service heardrenewed public support for more wildlife viewing opportunities and development of environmental education and interpretation opportunities and partnerships on the Round Lake Unit. 8/6/2013 15 USFWS RLMP Once remediation of the contamination of Round Lake is complete, we intend to continue and enhance our partnership with Cityand Countyas we work together to provide for additional public use on the Round Lake Unit by expanding theexisting trail, as appropriate. We also support the City’sefforts to expand the use of theirparklands at south end of lake. We believe that there is an opportunity to link the existing trail, and the City parklands,to the Service access area near the Round Lake outlet. Such a trail link would facilitate wildlife observation and photography, as well as self-directed wildlife interpretation opportunities Environmental Education and Interpretation.Significant opportunities to expand the environmental education programmingand interpretation opportunitieson the Round Lake Unit exist with relatively small investment in infrastructure on Service and City lands at the south end of Round Lake. The development of a trail, boardwalk, and teaching platform adjacent to the City’s parkland would expand the potential for programs and activities hosted jointly by the Service and other organizations. With this development,the area would be suited to outdoor classroom or interpretiveactivitiesin a natural habitat and provide a contrast to the highly developed areas that surround it. It would serve Arden Hills and nearby communitiesas a location for these types of programs.Education and interpretive components would be formal or self-led in partnership with Refuge staff and volunteers. The site would be availablefor use by educators who participate in theRefuge’s Partner Teacherprogram.This program offers a teacher-led environmental education program that emphasizes teacher training, fieldtrip planning support and multi-disciplinary, standard based curriculum.The Refuge Partner Teacher Program is open to any teacher interested in using the Refuge as anoutdoor classroomto give studentshands-on, real life experiences with plants and wildlife. Examples of programming already developed for other units of the Refuge that would be applicable to this Unit are pond studies (including dip netting), fishing and fish ecology, wildlife management,uplandand wetlandplant identification, water quality, and habitat ecology. The Round Lake Unit also would be a site to support local scouting and other community youth development or service programs. Itwould support environmental studies programming for Bethel Collegeandother institutions of higher learning. Fishing.Historically, Round Lake supported a fishery that included sunfish, crappie, bass, and other game fish. Pending the clean-up of TCAAP-sourced contaminants, Round Lake would again be opened to public fishing. Access would be limited to bank fishing onlyto reduce disturbance to the larger expanse of open water in the basin. The trails along the south and west sides are likely access points. There is the potential for a designated fishingpier off the southeast shore. We would seek a partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) to include a rehabilitated Round Lake in the “Fishing in the Neighborhood” program. With this program, the MNDNR would list the lake on itswebsite and build the fishery via stocking. Disallowed Activities.Some public use activities would not be allowed on the Round Lake Unit. The Unit is designated as closed to general public hunting programsin our recent Refuge Visitor Services Plan. We have no intention of opening the Unit topublichunting due to the size and urban characterof the Unit. All public boating activities, regardless of method of propulsion, currently are prohibited on the Unit to reduce wildlife disturbance.This prohibition would remain in place in the future. Activities that are not priority public uses and therefore not 8/6/2013 16 USFWS RLMP wildlife dependent public uses are generally prohibited on refuges across the nation. Examples of activities that would be prohibited on the Round Lake Unit are all types of motorized vehicle use, including snowmobiles and ORVs,swimming,wading, camping, and cutting or destroying vegetation. Resource Management Activities Resource management activitieswill continue into the future. These can be grouped in to 2 general categories: Infrastructure maintenance and improvement,andnatural resource monitoring. Infrastructure.The Round Lake outlet and water control structure are critical infrastructure components on the Unit. Since TCAAP-sourcecontaminants were identified in Round Lake in the early 1980s, the Service has kept water levels high to minimize exposureof wildlife and humans to contaminated sediments. The strategy of maintainingwater levelsat higher elevations has been balanced with the goal of not causing damage to public infrastructure and private property. At times, beaver-caused obstructions have been removed from the outlet channel to prevent flooding of the CASH96 embankment. The water control structure itself was constructedby Army in 1942. The Service has no pending plans to modify the structure. The concrete portions appear to still be adequate for the present; however, the wooden stoplogs currently used to adjust water levels will need to be replaced periodically.Boundary signs will be replaced as they weather, as will signs providing information to public users. Additional regulatory and interpretive signs will be added as the Unit becomes open to public useonce againafter contaminant remediation. The Servicewill continue to monitor and take corrective actions related to trespass, encroachmentby neighboring property owners, and vandalism. Unauthorized activities of this nature typically increase wildlife disturbance and adversely affect habitat conditionsas well as water quality. We also monitor nearby off-refuge activitiesin the watershed, such as road constructionand commercial development, to evaluate the likelihood that proposed projects will adversely affect thehabitat and wildlife populationsonthe Round Lake Unit. We will continue to review these types of projects and will recommend modifications that would maintain the quality of the Unitand nearby natural areas. We are particularlyinterested in stormwater and activitiesthat relate to where, when, and how much stormwater is delivered to Round Lake because of the potential for runoff to be detrimental to the lake ecosystem. As the Service continues to develop infrastructure, such as trails, environmental education and wildlifeobservation platforms, and fishingpiers on the Unit, we will have additional infrastructure related activities. Resource Monitoring.We willcontinue, and expand as needed, natural resource monitoring activities. Water levelmonitoring ona frequency that ranges from weekly to monthlywill continue, depending on the time of yearand the status of water management activities. We anticipate that water quality monitoring activities will continue for the typical constituents such as nutrients, fecal coliform, oxygen, chlorides, and water clarity. Some water quality monitoring for constituents (e.g., total phosphorus, chlorophyll-a, fecal coliform)will be conducted by other entities, such as MPCA(MPCA 2011),in coordination and cooperationwith the Service. As 8/6/2013 17 USFWS RLMP noted earlier in this document, aquatic vegetation, invertebrate and water quality monitoring (e.g., dissolved oxygen, clarity, salinity) will be conducted by Refuge staffand volunteers. Monitoring not only providescritical information regarding the health of Round Lake, it providesinformation regardingthe condition and abundance of waterfowl foods. Information obtained by sampling aquatic vegetation and invertebrateswill be used to track the results of water level management activities. We expect to conduct vegetation surveys at intervals ranging from 1 –5 years, depending on water level management activitiesor natural climatic events, such as droughts.Regular monitoring and sampling of aquatic invertebrates, including those residing in the substrate, also isnecessary becausethey provide an additional source of waterfowl foods. Habitat monitoring in the uplands alsoisimportant. The ability of a habitat to support wildlife is dependent on the species composition and structure of the habitat. Surveys to identify thesecomponents, aswell asthe presence of invasive species,will be performed. The monitoring results will enable refuge staff to identify what management actions are necessary and appropriate. Wildlife monitoring will include surveys relating to eagle nest success, bird migration, invasive species, amphibians,and reptiles. Surveys specifically targeted for listed state or federal species, such as Blanding’sturtles, as well as general wildlife use will be conducted as needed.As with other Refuge waterbodies, fish surveys will be conducted on a 3 –5 year cycle. Fish surveys provide information regarding habitat management and also support the Refuge fishing program, and potentially,the MNDNR FIN program. Following the remediation of TCAAP-sourcecontamination in Round Lake, we expect that there will be additional monitoring of natural resources in the larger environment within which the Round Lake Unit is located.While we do not anticipate being the lead agency for such landscape level natural resource monitoring, we will be actively involved as a natural resource partner in that monitoring as well. Epilogue The future value of the Round Lake Unit of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge for wildlife conservation and its use by othersfor wildlife-dependent recreation depends upon the level of clean-up attained via the Superfund remediation project. The Service presumes that the current ecological risk posed to the Round Lake ecosystem will be mitigated via the actions of the Superfund remediation project in such a manner that enable this vision to be fulfilled. 8/6/2013 18 USFWS RLMP REFERENCES Anonymous. 1947.Summary paper: History of Round Lake. 17Mar. 1947. Joarnt, R.I.and Kenow. 1978. Round Lake WPA preliminary investigation.Field data collected by Joarnt & Kenow, 29 Aug.1978. MPCA.1981.M. Kanner, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency,letter to R. Bartelt, US Environmental Protection Agency,Sep.1981. 4 MPCA. 2011. Environmental Data Access. (online). Available from: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/topics/environmental-data/eda-environmental-data- access/eda-surface-water-searches/eda-surface-water-search-text-based.html.Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. 6 Jun.2011. Thorne. 1956. H.O. Thorne, Round Lake Improvement Association, letterto E.H. Hillsman, Dept. of Army.12 Mar.1956. USFWS. 1975a. G.H. Hansen, USFWS, letter to B.L. Edmonds, Director, Ramsey County Parks & Recreation. 11 Feb. 1975. USFWS. 1975b.E.Murgeh field reportto Refuge Manager, SherburneNational Wildlife Refuge,USFWS. Zimmerman, MN. 1p. & photographs.20 Jun. 1975. USFWS. 1979. Round Lake Waterfowl Production Area Management Alternatives. Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, USFWS, Zimmerman, MN. 13p. USFWS.1981.E.S. Crozier, Refuge Manager, Minnesota Valley NWR, Round Lake Information Updateto “Round Lake Mailing list.”17Jun.1981. USFWS. 1982. A Proposal for the Management of the Round Lake Unit of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Minnesota Valley NWR, USFWS, Bloomington, MN. 75p. USFWS. 1988. R.F. Welford, Twin Cities Field Office, USFWS, letter to A.W. Kleinrath, US Environmental Protection Agency. 21 Sep.1988. USFWS.1994.Refuge Manager, Minnesota Valley NWR, USFWS,memoto Field Supervisor, Twin Cities Field Office, USFWS.25Aug.1994. USFWS. 1998. Round Lake Unit Management Plan Update. Minnesota Valley NWR, Bloomington, MN. 5p. USFWS.2004. Comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment for Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and Wetland Management District. USFWS, Region 3, Fort Snelling, MN. 284p. 8/6/2013 19 USFWS RLMP USFWS. 2010. Round Lake Observations 2010: R.L. Horton field reports Oct. thru. Dec. 2010. USFWS. 2011.Round Lake Observations2011:R.L. Horton and A. Davies field reports Jan., Feb., Apr. thru. Jun. 2011. USFWS.2011. Round Lake Species List 2011: A. Davies field reportsOct. thru. Dec. 2011. USFWS. 2012. Round Lake Observations 2012: G. Shimek and N. Menard field reports Oct. thru. Nov. 2012. USFWS. 2013. Round Lake Shallow Lake Protocol 2013: N. Menard, A. Jordan, S. McNamara, Pers. Obs. Wenck Associates, Inc. 2010.Feasibility Study for Aquatic Sites New Brighton/Arden Hills Superfund Site (Draft Redlined Report April 2010). Wenck Associates, Inc., Maple Plain, MN. 156p. & appendices. Wenck Associates, Inc. 2011. Draft Summary of Investigation Findings Round Lake Sediment Investigation New Brighton/Arden Hills Superfund Site.Wenck Associates, Inc., Maple Plain, MN. 59p. & appendices. Wenck Associates, Inc. 2012.Round Lake Feasibility Study New Brighton/Arden Hills Superfund Site (July 2012 Draft Report). Wenck Associates, Inc., Maple Plain, MN. 136p. & appendices. 8/6/2013 20 USFWS RLMP Round Lake Briefing April 22, 2014 Meeting Notes Congresswoman Betty McCollum scheduled a Round Lake Briefing tha on Tuesday, April 22, 2014. The meeting agenda is attached. T briefing: Congresswoman Betty McCollum Mayor David Grant, City of Arden Hills Councilmember Ed Werner, City of Arden Hills Councilmember Brenda Holden, City of Arden Hills Senator Bev Scalze Representative Barb Yarusso Tim Bodeen, US Fish and Wildlife Service Dave Warburton, US Fish and Wildlife Service Jim Leach, US Fish and Wildlife Service Thomas Barounis, US Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 Amy Hadiaris, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Stephen Lee, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Gary Krueger, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Patrick Klaers, City Administrator, City of Arden Hills Heather Worthington, Ramsey County Jill Hutmacher, City of Arden Hills The MPCA presented background information on contamination at TCRound Lake is connected to TCAAP by two means: 1) a sanitary sewer empipe that has never been used and 2) a stormwater outlet that has been used. Heavy metals contamination from TCAAP was deposited in the sediment of Round Lake through the stormwat Regarding the deep groundwater contamination, chemicals includin of the TCAAP manufacturing buildings. The TCE quickly moved through the sand where the contamination remains and is being cleaned. Tests hav contamination in the soils where the dumping occurred. The dumpot creating additional contamination, have been covered with clean soils, and are consi contamination is in the aquifer and does not affect Round Lake. No further action is required for surface water areas including eek, Marsden Marsh, and Sunfish Lake. Data collection on Round Lake began in 1991. In 2004 a final ec which identified unacceptable risk to benthic (the bottom of a body of water) organisms in Round Lake. The US Army submitted feasibility studies in 2004 and 2009, however both were rejected by the MPCA and EPA. An extensive investigation of Round Lake sediment was conducted grid pattern every 200 feet across the lake. Up to seven samples at different depths were taken from every core. The investigation showed that most of the heavy met copper, zinc, chromium, and cadmium) was in the uppermost six in contamination was heavier in locations nearest the outflow pipe from TCAAP. The US Army submitted revised feasibility studies in 2012 and 2013, which were also rejected by the MPCA an. In response to a question, MPCA and EPA staff replied that their produced no reason to suspect that barrels may have been dumped in Round Lake. Non contamination from any source other than stormwater runoff. Representatives of the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) discusine of their acquisition of Round Lake as follows: 1973 The US Army determined Round Lake to be surplus. 1974 Round Lake plus approximately 29 acres of upland land was transf Department of the Interior. 1976 The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (MVNWR) was created. 1978 Round Lake became a management unit of MVNWR. 1997 Congress approved the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvemen Although FWS owns Round Lake, the US Army remains legally responnd any remediation or restoration required. The lake is being kept at human or waterfowl exposure to the contaminated sediment. Accor healthier and provide better aquatic habitat if the lake level was allowed to naturally fluctuate. Long- term FWS plans for Round Lake include a trail around the entire k for fishing and observation. FWS wants to see a two-part solution that addresses not only remediation, but also restoration of natural resources. The EPA presented information on the superfund process and the F Army is the lead agency for the Feasibility Study, however the EWhen evaluating the proposed alternatives for action, the EPA considers the following: 1.To what extent does the remedy reduce contaminants? 2.To what extent does the remedy reduce risks to humans and wildli 3.What is the short-term effectiveness of the remedy? 4.What is the long-term effectiveness of the remedy? 5.With what degree of difficulty/ease can the remedy be implemente 6.What is the cost of the remedy? 7.Is the remedy acceptable to the State? 8.Is the remedy acceptable to the community? In past feasibility studies that have been rejected by the MPCA Action remedy. In other words, the Army has proposed maintainin acceptable resolution. The MPCA has given the Army 30 days to revise and resubmit the Feasibility Study. The Army will likely request an extension of that deadline. Assuming that the Army was to submit a study that could be acceptable to the EPA and MPCA, the would be 2015. A public meeting would be held prior to any official approval. MEMORANDUM DATE: May 19, 2014 TO:Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Patrick Klaers, City Administrator SUBJECT: TCAAP Financial Update Background Ramsey County Heather Worthington, Deputy County Manager, and Mark Ruff, Ehlers, will be presenting the TCAAP financial information that was presented and discussed by the Ramsey County Board on May13. City of Arden Hills Stacie Kvilvang, Ehlers, has been working with City staff to provide additional financial osts are to be recaptured as redevelopment occurs. Attachments: Attachment A: TCAAP Infrastructure Improvements Update report dated May 13, 2014 Attachment B: Cover memo and three (3) pages of financial notes from Stacie Kvilvang MEMORANDUM DATE: May 19, 2014 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers Patrick Klaers, City Administrator FROM: Jill Hutmacher, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Residential Development and Densities Background In April the City Council was given options for a self-guided development tour to see examples of recent residential developments that mixed types of housing and/or were infill redevelopment projects in town centers or transit areas. These development projects are relevant to TCAAP because they demonstrate how types of housing can be mixed, and how density can be successfully achieved. The following memo is intended to outline concepts related to density in preparation for further City Council discussion on this topic. Density Density is a difficult statistic for comparison purposes because it is measured in many different ways. Gross density is the simplest calculation just divide the total number of units by the total development area. Gross density, however, does not take wetlands, open space, road infrastructure, and other undevelopable areas into account. Net density is a more accurate measurement for comparison purposes, but it can be calculated in different ways. For example, the Metropolitan Council deducts the following from net density calculations: wetlands, water bodies, ponds; public parks, open space, and trail corridors; arterial road rights-of-way steep slopes, bluffs, and other undevelopable acres protected by local ordinances The Metropolitan Council, however, does not deduct interior roads, private open space, or stormwater ponds/setbacks, whereas some communities will include these factors in their net density calculations. Net density can be more simply calculated as the number of units divided by total area of developable lots. The difference between varying calculations of density can be significant. For 16 Page of example, Stonemill Farms in Woodbury is a large residential development project consisting mostly of single-family homes of varying lot sizes (lot widths range from 50 to 105 feet) and a small amount of commercial and townhomes. The following chart shows the varying density calculations for Stonemill Farms. Table 1 Density calculations for Stonemill Farms, Woodbury Metropolitan Council net density 1 4.2 du/ac 2 for single-family Developer net density (lot size/units)3 2.7 du/ac for single-family Gross density (includes townhomes and private open space; 2.1du/ac overall gross density 3 excludes acreage for commercial, public school, and public park) 1 Provided by the Metropolitan Council 2 Dwelling units per acre (du/ac) 3 Calculated by staff based on developer data The following chart shows density calculations for the residential development projects included in the self-guided tour. The calculations below are what could be obtained from the cities or consultants involved with some these projects. Table 2 Densities of Residential Development Projects Project Unit Type Net Density Gross Density Clover Ridge Single Family Range of 0-64 du/ac Overall gross density of 3 du/ac Chaska Townhomes per block Apartments Excelsior/Grand Condominiums 43 du/ac St. Louis Park Apartments Wooddale Station Townhomes --- St. Louis Park Apartments Up to 75 du/ac Centennial Lakes Townhomes 10 du/ac Edina Apartments 37 du/ac Cobblestone Lake Single Family --- Up to 4 du/ac Apple Valley Townhomes --- Up to 11/du/ac Senior Housing 27.8 du/ac Overall project density is 10.4 du/ac Design reveals nothing about physical form. Two neighborhoods with the different as night and day. Although they measure out at the samensity they are not necessarily perceived to be equally dense. What really matters i how the land is subdivided, how the buildings are arranged and d planted, where the sidewalks lead. These are all Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, attention paid to design. The following elements are critical: Diversity in architectural styles and building materials; Variation in building size, alignment, and the development pattern; 26 Page of Pedestrian-friendly streetscape that contributes to a sense of community; and Open/public spaces that provide visual relief to the development pattern and provide opportunities for active and passive recreation. The City Council will be addressing these issues in the regulations and policies work of the master planning process through zoning regulations and design standards. Life-Cycle Housing Life-cycle housing refers to the idea that a community offers appropriate housing for every stage of life apartments for people beginning their careers, townhomes and starter homes for young professionals, move-up homes for growing families, and housing suitable for seniors from active empty nesters to the frail elderly. The current housing stock in Arden Hills consists mainly of large, single-family homes on large lots. The City has relatively little housing stock for recent college graduates, young professionals, and active seniors wanting to downsize but not ready for a senior housing community. Meanwhile, housing preferences for the millennial generation (generally considered to be people are currently shifting towards rental housing. According to developers, the average age of tenants in rental, multi-family housing, is increasing and is now at 28. Developers assume that this is related to the challenging job market for college graduates in recent years, the shift to marrying and starting families later in life, high college debt, and risk aversion related to housing investment. Developers have seen that renters Recent multi-family developments have larger units with more amenities, but are being built at higher densities (up to 75 units per acre with five or six stories). As millenials begin to settle down and have children, their housing preferences may shift to single-family homes. As a generation that has been highly socialized through a childhood emphasizing group projects, team sports, and organized activities, however, they will likely seek Incorporating life-cycle housing into TCAAP may benefit the long-new and existing neighborhoods. Infrastructure Revenues and Expenditures The park, open space, stormwater and utilities infrastructure are being planned to accommodate development in the low- to mid-range of the AUAR, or 1,500 to 1,800 dwelling units. Approximately the same amount of parks/infrastructure is needed for 1,500 units as for 1,800 units, so the capital expenditures within that range are constant. Fee revenue to support park and infrastructure costs, however, will vary depending on the number of units. Many cities have moved towards charging park dedication fees on a per unit basis for residential property. For example, St. Louis Park currently charges $1,500 per unit per park dedication and $225 per unit for trails. The City of Brooklyn Center currently charges $4,600 per unit for park dedication. The City of Arden Hills will need to revise its park 36 Page of dedication ordinance prior to TCAAP development, and establishing a per unit park dedication fee for residential property is something the City Council may want to consider. Sewer and water availability charges are also billed on a per unit basis in many cities. Ehlers provided the following information on local SAC and WAC charges per residential unit. A City Council discussion on sewer and water rates is scheduled for June. Table 3 SAC and WAC per unit charges SAC City WAC (excluding MCES) Arden Hills $525 $525 New Brighton $285 $545 Brooklyn Park NA $1,825 Chaska $1,295 $3,832 Inver Grove Heights $1,905 $2,900 Chanhassen $2,288 $6,287 Blaine NA $1,630 Allowing a moderate level of overall density allows the capital costs for park and infrastructure development to be spread over a larger number of users. Residential Development Scenarios Density on the TCAAP site could be achieved in several different ways. The charts below show three scenarios for development of approximately 1,650 residential units along with a comparison to the Ryan Plan. Scenario A: Unit types distributed across Hill, Creek, and Town neighborhoods with some apartments, townhomes and senior housing in Hill and Town neighborhoods. Scenario B: No apartments or senior housing in Creek and Town neighborhoods. Scenario C: Eliminate small single-family lots. Maximize acreage for large and medium single-family lots. Increase density in town neighborhood. Table 4 Number of units per neighborhood in each scenario Scenario Scenario Scenario Ryan A B C Plan Creek 295 237 176 Hill 475 390 307 Town 881 1022 1165 Total 1651 1649 1649 1750 46 Page of Table 5 Overall density per housing type and number of units in each sce Net Units Scenario Scenario Scenario Ryan per Acre A B C Plan Large SF 2.75 71 39 58 130 Med SF 5 137 98 225 150 Small SF 8.5 207 284 0 40 Townhome 11/16 347 556 561 470 Condo/Apt 23/40 451 405 505 480 Senior 33/40 438 268 300 480 Total 1651 1649 1649 1750 The following charts show a comparison between the number of units per type of housing (Chart A same data as Table 5) with the amount of acreage used by type of housing (Chart B). Chart A Units by type and scenario (same data as Table 5) 2000 1800 1600 1400 Senior 1200 Condo/Apt Townhome 1000 Small SF 800 Medium SF 600 Large SF 400 200 0 Scenario AScenario BScenario CRyan Plan 56 Page of Chart B Unit types by net residential acreage and scenario 180.0 160.0 140.0 Senior 120.0 Condo/Apt 100.0 Townhome 80.0 Small SF Medium SF 60.0 Large SF 40.0 20.0 0.0 Scenario AScenario BScenario CRyan Plan Scenarios A, B, and C are only three examples of how a specific number of dwelling units could be distributed amongst different unit types across the three neighborhoods. With Council direction, more scenarios showing a different number of units, or different distribution of units could be prepared. City Council approval of the master plan land use map is scheduled for June 30, 2014. Density is not required to be addressed on the land use map, unless the Council wants to designate specific areas for low-, medium-, or high-density housing. As previously noted, most of the and policies component of the master planning process. That said, any City Council policy direction regarding density and unit types that can be provided would be appreciated. Discussion Questions: 1.What characteristics did the Council observe on the development tour that should be either achieved or avoided at TCAAP? 2.Does the City Council have comments on the distribution of unit types across neighborhoods? 3.Does the City Council want to set a minimum or maximum number of units overall, per neighborhood, or per type of housing unit? If the City Council chooses to set limits on numbers/types of units, should that policy decision be made now or during the regulations and policies component of the master planning process? 4.Are there any density-related issues that the City Council would like to see specifically addressed? This input would help staff and the consultants as we start working on the regulations and policies. 66 Page of MEMORANDUM DATE: May 19, 2014 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers Patrick Klaers, City Administrator FROM: Jill Hutmacher, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Flex Space Land Use Background The options for a self-guided development tour included examples of what is being described as flex space land use. This type of land use is also commonly called a business or office park. Development examples were located in St. Paul, Mendota Heights, and Minnetonka and included the following uses: Medical clinic Hotel For-profit educational institution Office Warehousing/distribution Manufacturing Research facilities In many cases, buildings had a mix of uses, for example high-quality office facing the street with manufacturing and distribution uses at the side or rear of the building. During the regulations and policies component of the master planning process, the City Council may want to set zoning regulations that limit warehousing/distribution or other types of uses. Design standards that specify building materials and façade appearance, screening of truck docks or mechanical equipment, and landscaping requirements would be appropriate. Discussion Questions 1.Is the City Council supportive of the amount and location of flex space land use depicted on the draft master plan land use map? 2.Are there any specific issues related to the flex space land use that the Council would like to see addressed with the regulations and policies? 11 Page of