6.9. SR 09-06-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Development will be required to remove and properly dispose of trash and debris located within the site. • Screening between residential neighborhoods, the rail line, and other intensive land uses will be required in accordance with the City zoning ordinance. • Changes will need to be made to the City's Comprehensive Plan and zoning ordinances through the City's amendment processes if any of the components of the land uses proposed in Scenario 2 or 3 are implemented. 10. COVER TYPES. Provide a cover type map and overlay map showing anticipated development. A Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) inventory was completed for the City in 2004 and this information was supplemented with information from a field review to create the existing cover types map shown on Figure 10-1. The acreages of each cover type are summarized in Table 10-1. Based on this information and field review of the study area, the following land cover types are found in the study area: • Cropland: Much of the site is currently cropland with wheat and alfalfa. Based on historic photo review, the majority of the site has been in agricultural production for many years. • Wetland: There are a few isolated wetland complexes in the study area and a linear wetland that crosses the study area in the northern portion of the site. The wetlands have been impacted by agricultural activities either by past tilling or by sediment runoff. Wetlands are mostly dominated by Phalaris arundinacea (reed canary grass) and Typha species (cattail). Salix species (willow) is also present in the northern wetland. The wetlands are Type 2 and 3 wetlands. While some of the wetlands are isolated in the southern portion of the site, the northern wetlands are part of a larger system that extends outside of the study area. • Wooded/Forested: The wooded areas consist of the wooded slope along the Mississippi River, wind breaks along the agricultural fields, and isolated patches of wooded area that surround wetlands. Figure 10-1 shows the wooded areas and these are described in more detail as follows based on MLCCS data and a field review: Area 1: Oak forest (dry subtype). This is a small, isolated oak forest area. This area received a "C" ranking based on the DNR's Natural Heritage's Element Occurrence Ranking Guidelines. A "C" ranking means this area is a moderate condition community with past disturbance and some invasive species, but still retains a dominant native plant community. City of Elk River Draft Alternative. Urban Areawide Review August 2011 Page 26 of 90