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GRASS LAKE WATER MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION AGENDA ITEM Date: 10/28/99 Prepared by: Karl Keel Item: C-1 Reports Item Description: Water Management Planning-Barr Engineering Progress Report Wetland Classification and Mana ement At the last meeting, the Board spent considerable time discussing the draft "Wetland Classification and Management" portion of the 2ntl generation plan. Anew draft with modifications based on the Board's discussion is attached. Basically, the current draft proposes to classify wetlands in much the same way as the Ramsey- Washington Metro Watershed District. It is proposed that GLWMO establish the wetland classification system and set wetland management goals. The actual task of classifying and managing each. wetland would be delegated to each member city as part of their respective 2°d generation plans. The proposed classification system consists of the following four categories: ^ A -Protect: High quality natural basins, unique habitats, rare/threatened/endangered species, high quality adjacent uplands ^ B -High Management: Moderate to high quality basins, some receive direct stormwater, high quality adjacent uplands ^ C -Low Management: Highly impacted to moderate quality natural basins, most receive direct stormwater, low diversity or monotypes ^ D -Utilize: Created basins, highly impacted natural basins, isolated monotypes The proposed goals for each of these classifications is contained as Table 2 on page 7 of the attached "Wetland Classification and Management" information. Following a discussion, it is recommended that the Board make any necessary changes and approve, at lease preliminarily, the proposed "Wetland Classification and Management" system. Water Body Classification The Boards discussion to date has focussed primarily on the "Wetland Classification and Management" section of the plan. Considerably less time has been spent discussing the proposed "Water Body Classification" section. The attached draft proposes to classify water bodies into five categories. Category L This category includes water bodies with the highest/best water quality. Typically, these water bodies are used for direct contact recreational activities such as swimming, scuba diving and water skiing. Examples could include Lake Owasso, Lake Wabasso and Snail Lake. Category II: These water bodies generally have lower water quality than Category I water bodies but are used for indirect recreational activities such as sail boating, motor boating, canoeing and fishing. Examples could include Bennett Lake or Lake Emily.