5. SR 09-12-1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. ~~T~\i~@LJc% ~LNDEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AUG 1 9 1994 500 LAFAYETIE ROAD . ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA . 55155-40 10 DNR INFORMA liON (612) 296-6157 August 15, 1994 Stephen Rohlf Elk River Building & Zoning Administrator 13065 Orono Parkway Elk River, MN 55330 RE: Hillside Estates & Hillside Crossing . Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EA W) Dear Mr. Rohlf: The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has'reviewed the EA W for the Hillside Estates and Hillside Crossing project. We offer the following comments for your consideration. The legal land description provided in Item 5 requires clarification because it appears that part of the project is located in Section 27, T33N, R26W. Item 6 details measures which will be taken to protect trees. We encourage these efforts and recommend thatthe City develop a tree ordinance which will detail activities allowed and prohibited by future landowners. . We' are concerned that the project may result in wetland impacts. We have attached for your reference a map detailing seven wetlands (in ~reen) which may be directly or indirectly impacted from this development. The EA W text indicates that one of these wetlands will be rmpacted by road fill. The remaining six wetlands have lots platted through them, which could result in significant impacts by future landowners from such activities as placing fill for increased yard space or building space, mowing the wetland, increased runoff reaching the wetland, and entry of runoff which contains herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers. W estrongly suggest the placement of permanent conservation easements around each wetland which includes a 50-foot ve.\letative buffer stnp. Conservation easements are designed to prevent all activities such as filling and mowmg from occurring, which in turns assists in retaining the current wildlife benefits of the area. Bill Penning, Fish & Wildlife Environmental Assessment Biologist, is available at (612) 297-4219 to provide more information in this regard. Furthermore, Item 12 indicates that most of the runoff from the site will eventually enter natural wetlands. We strongly recommend pretreatment of all stormwater runoff prior to discharge into natural waterbodies. Water retention should be designed so there is no net increase in runoff following development. Treatment pond designs should meet National Urban Runoff Program (NURP) standards because this will improve water quality and reduce the stormwater "bounce" in the natural wetlands. The creation of additional impervious surface and decreased infiltration rates heightens our concerns in this regard because untreated stormwater or unmanaged bounce could convert the wetlands to stormwater treatment ponds. The EA W indicates that one wetland lies in the area slated for commercial development. Will this wetland eventually be filled or turned into a stormwater detention pond? .one area appears to be wetland and is highlighted in our attachment in yellow. Is this area in fact etland? AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER