2004-09-22 Response to DNR EAWMEYER-R®HLIN, INC.
ENG/NEERS-LAND SURVEYORS 1111 Hwy. 25 N., Buffalo, MN 56313 Fax 763-682-9492
Phone 763-682-1781 1-800-563-1781
September 22, 2004
Larry R Kruse
City of Albertville
5975 Main Avenue NE
Albertville, MN 55301
RE: Hunters Pass EAW
Response to DNR comments dated 9/13/04
Please accept this as our formal response to the DNR comment letter dated September 13,
2004.
1) (Item No. 8) - We will be seeking permit approval through. the Corps of Engineers
during the wetland permit phase.
2) (Item No. 10) -The DNR recommends the city contact Jean Mouelle, Regional
Forest Utilitzation and Marketing Specialist (651-772-7567) for advice on
woodland/forest preservation. Minnesota Development Agency has set np and
appointment with this organization on Friday, September 24, 2004 to seek advice
on the wooded/forest issue.
They also recommend that removal of the vegetation not occur during the
migratory bird-nesting season (mid-April through mid-August). Vegetation
removal will most likely happen in late winter (February/March, 2005).
Therefore, this should not be an issue.
3) (Item No. 11) -The site can be broken into 3 areas were there is a potential for
wildlife habitat. The first would be the lake/wetland area. Mud Lake is buffered
by a large wetland along the entire upland delineation of the property. No impact
to wildlife habitat is expected within the lake or wetland buffer due to the
restriction of recreation on the lake and the inclusion of a 30-foot wetland
buffer/setback beyond the delineated wetland line. The second area would be the
open grassland. This ground has traditionally been farmed and has only had the
opportunity to be naturally vegetated for the passed four to five years. Therefore,
whatever wildlife habitat that resides in the grassland area is essentially new and
may not have had enough time to settle and become accustom to the area. The
third area for wildlife habitat would be the woodland area. A majority of the
woodland area is located in the delineated wetland and will remain. An effort will
be made to save as much woodland area in the upland elevations (especially in the
wetland buffer areas) as possible to preserve the existing habitat. I have included
Thore P. Meyer, Professional Engineer Robert Rohlin, Licensed Land Surveyor
a copy of the DNR Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program letter
discussing the no known occurrences of rare species or natural communities.
4) (Item No. 12) -The DNR comment letter states that the 3.5 acres of wetland
impact is excessive on a project of this size. This may be true, but almost half on
the impact is due to the alignment of the MacIver access with 67t" street. The
comment letter suggests meeting with the TEP panel for input. An initial input
meeting has taken place with the TEP panel on August 6, 2004. We were given
suggestions on lowering our impact amounts. Consideration was taken into
account. Further investigation into lowering impact will take place during the
wetland mitigation procedure, which is currently under way.
5) (Item No. 14) - A meeting was held between the developer, City of Albertville
and the DNR Area Hydrologist, Patty Fowler, on March 19, 2004 to discuss this
very project. Agreements were made on shoreland setbacks and requirements. The
preliminary plat has been drawn in accordance with the agreed setbacks and
requirements discussed at that meeting. More specifically, the Ordinary High
Water Mark (OHWM) was established as being 947.3. All structures must be no
closer than 75-feet from the ordinary high water mark and/or 30-feet from the
delineated wetland line, which ever is greater. It was also determined that the
delineated wetlands will be included in outlots and will not be privately owned.
6) (Item No. 29) -Again, the developer will be consulting with the forest
preservation specialist recommended by the DNR to discuss the woodland/forest
issue. The existing tree base will be preserved whereever possible to diminish the
impacts on utilitarian, ecological, recreational, cultural, and spiritual values.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to receiving your record of
decision and responses to the comments. Please call me if you have any questions.
Dwiglit R. Gunnarson, E.LT.
Project Engineer
CC: Bob Moberg, S.E.H.
Joe Huber, Minnesota Development Agency
Al Brixious, NAC
File #: 04115EAW