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<br />. <br /> <br />~~TrnT~@tr~ <br />~DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />PHONE NO. DMSION OF WATERS, P.O. BOX 370, ST. CLOUD, MN 56302 FILENO <br />(612) 255-4278 <br /> <br />December 8, 1992 <br /> <br />I~'~~', V ~U DEe 9 tin <br /> <br />City of Elk River <br />Janelle Szklarski, Zoning Assist. <br />720 Dodge Ave. NW <br />Elk River, MN 55330 <br /> <br />Dear Janelle; <br /> <br />COMMENTS ON STEVEN SHOEMAKER WETLAND EXCA V A TION PROPOSAL <br /> <br />Thank you for sending me the plan and hearing notice for the proposed 31,000 cubic yard wetland excavation located <br />in Royal Oaks Ridge and proposed by Steven Shoemaker. If excavated, the resulting pond would be roughly 3 acres <br />in area and averaging five feet in depth. <br /> <br />This proposal will not affect any public water wetlands. Therefore, approval of the DNR is not required for this <br />project. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />However, as I have noted in previous discussions with city officials. the DNR is not always in favor of this type of <br />project. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's National Wetland Inventory indicates that a type 3 wetland already exists <br />at this location. Excavation of this wetland may not benefit wildlife in the area. A heavily vegetated wetland often <br />provides more habitat for various species of wildlife than does open water. Also, the vegetated wetland often provides <br />for better fIltration of run-off than does an open water pond. While I do not necessarily oppose this particular project, <br />I feel that it should not be considered a wildlife habitat improvement. The real purpose of the project appears to be <br />to either provide black dirt for the contractor or to create an open water view for several home owners. <br /> <br />If the City decides to approve this project. I would suggest some modifications to the proposal. The shoreline slope <br />should be made more gradual. A 10 to 1 slope is recommended by wildlife managers because it allows for a wider band <br />of emergent aquatic vegetation and it is considered safer for children playing around the pond. The proposed 5 foot <br />depth is excessive for wildlife habitat and much too shallow for fish habitat. More than 12 foot depths are required <br />to have a chance of supporting fish through a Minnesota winter: Even then, aeration will probably still be required. <br />Depths more than 2 to 3 feet are considered unnecessary for most waterfowl species. It is recommended that the pond <br />have variable depths (see attached brochure). Finally, irregularly shaped ponds provide more attractive wildlife habitat. <br />The shape proposed for "phase 1" is preferred. Adding the "phase 2" area will not enhance the quality of this wetland. <br /> <br />Thank you for your consideration of these comments. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. <br /> <br />Sincerely; <br /> <br />O-vC/~ <br /> <br />Dale E. Homuth <br />Area Hydrologist <br /> <br />ENCLOSURE <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />cc: Dave Hills, Regional Hydrologist <br />Dale Ebel, Area Conservation Officer <br /> <br />AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />