1995-10-11 MNDNR EAW Review
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Who Values Diversity
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Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155-40_ 10
October 11, 1995
Garrison Hale, City Administrator
City of Albertville
5975 Main Avenue NE
Albertville, MN 55301
RE: Parkside Third Addition
Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EA W)
Dear Mr. Hale:
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has reviewed the EA W for the Parkside
Third Addition project. We offer the following comments for your consideration.
Item 12 addresses physical impacts on water resources and indicates the project will be
consistent with existing wetland regulations. No DNR protected wetlands are located
onsite, thus no DNR protected waters permits are required. However, permits may be
required for impacts to jurisdictional wetlands protected by the Wetlands Conservation Act
(WCA) or by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act administered by the Corps of Engineers.
Impacts to these wetlands should be avoided if possible, minimized where they occur, and
required compensatory mitigation should be provided at a minimum 2: 1 ratio. Please
contact the designated local governmental unit (LGU) to ensure full compliance with
WCA guidelines.
The EA W indicates that adjacent parcels are likely to be developed, and according to the
preliminary plat, access will apparently be provided by extending Kalinda Drive and 55th
Street NE. Both roads appear to "stop" within wetlands as :portrayed in the plat. This is not
advised because not only will permits be required for entenng wetlands now, but permits
will be required again when the roadways are continued. We strongly recommend avoiding
these wetlands at this time by not stubbmg the roadways into them. Such an approach
allows for more uniform regulation of future wetland alteration proposals.
Item 17 indicates sedimentation ponds "will be in place after construction." Tnese ponds
should be in place prior to major grading.
Most of the lots abut and thus drain into wetlands. These wetlands will be sensitive to
pesticides, fertilizers, or other agents contained in runoff. Buffer strips and conservation
easements would help to protect wetland integrity. Buffer strips should be at least one rod
(16 feet) deep and covered by a conservation easement which prevents the alteration of
ve~etation. The buffer strips should be delineated and clearly marked prior to the lots
bemg sold. Homeowners should be made aware of their obligation to protect the integrity
of the buffer strips.
The EA W was prepared because required sanitary sewer infrastructure will service not
only the Parkside Third Addition project, but will also service future development on
adjacent properties. Given the understanding that future development will occur, we
recommend consideration of employing more comprehensive environmental review
mechanisms, particularly the Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR), to address
DNR Information: 612-296-6157,1-800-766-6000 . TTY: 612-296-5484,1-800-657-3929
Garrison Hale, City Administrator
October 11, 1995
Page 2
potential environmental concerns. Once completed, future environmental review within
the AUAR area is not required unless projects deviate from development profile
assumptions. Because an AUAR identifies potential concerns and Incorporates a
comprehensive environmental protection framework into ongoing land-use planning
initiatives, the City and its citizens, project proposers, and the environment all benefit.
Thank you for the opportunity to review this project. The preparation of an environmental
impact statement (EIS) is not necessary in our opinion. We look forward to receiving your
record of decision and responses to comments. Minnesota Rules part 4410.1700, subparts 4
& 5, require you to send us your Record of Decision within five days of deciding this action.
Please contact Bill Johnson of my staff at (612) 296-9229 if you have questions regarding
this letter.
Sincerely,
~~~e~
Thomas W. Balcom, Supervisor
Natural Resources EnvIronmental Review Section
Office of Planning
c: Bob Hance
Steve Colvin
Pete Otterson
Ellen Heneghan
Lynn M. Lewis, USFWS
Gregg Downing, EQB
Kent Roessler, Kenco Construction, Inc.
#960055-01
ER18.PARKSIDE.DOC