9.1. SR 07-21-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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To further apply the above management principles, the following recommendations apply to the following plant community/ natural resources categories on the Cedar Creek Conservation Area: Prairies: Approximately 250 acres have been identified to either re-construct or restore to various -native prairie grassland habitats. The prairie reconstruction will occur primarily where there were formerly tilled agricultural fields. Site preparation will include herbicide and cultivation applications prior to seed drilling a diverse mix of at least 30 species of locally native grasses, sedges and forbs. The remnant prairie sites will be restored by prescribed burning, mechanical removal of invasive species, spot spraying non-native invasive species, and over- seeding with a diverse mix of locally native prairie species. The target prairie communities include tall-grass wet prairie, short-grass dry prairie, mixed-height mesic prairie, and barrens sand-gavel prairie. Forests: Approximately 150 acres of forests and woodlands have been identified to reconstruct or restore. The woodland re-construction will occur on approximately 20 acres in the northwest corner of the conservation area to provide wildlife edge habitat and to screen the neighbors to the north. Site preparation will include an herbicide application and planting native oaks and shrubs. The remnant forested areas will be restored by removing invasive species and supplemental plantings of native trees and shrubs that have a high wildlife value. The target forest communities include dry and mesic oak forest, mixed-hardwood forest, maple-basswood forest, and floodplain forest. Wetlands: Approximately 150 acres of wetland has been identified for restoration. The wetland restorations will include removing non-native invasive species by mechanical methods and to introduce prescribed fire. In addition, these wetlands must be protected negative hyrdrologic alterations, nutrient rich runoff, stormwater runoff, and incremental damage by dredging or filling. Monitoring for such disturbances will be the key. The wetlands will also be restored with supplemental seeding and plantings of native grasses, sedges, rushes, forbs and shrubs. The target communities include shrub swamps, mixed emergent marshes, sedge meadows, cattail marshes and poor fens. Water Resources: The Rum River and Cedar Creek are the two most critically important water features to monitor, manage, and restore for fisheries and wildlife habitat. Some of the primary management strategies will focus on maintaining and improving water quality, identify and correct non-point source pollutants, and exercise conventional approaches towards stormwater management. Streambank restorations and erosion reduction projects will be implemented in areas where sediment loading is occurring, with project designs that will enhance game fish and waterfowl habitat. Also, integrating sound ecological practices with the local community development plans will be important to coordinate efforts across jurisdictional boundaries that will ultimately protect and preserve the integrity of the Rum River and Cedar Creek. 61 Page