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2007-12-27 Replacement Wetland Monitoring Report Year IIISVOBODA ECOLOGICAL RESOURCES Providing the Sharper Edge in Natural Resources & Environmental Consulting December 27, 2007 Adam Nafstad, City Engineer City of Albertville 5975 Main Avenue NE Albertville, MN 55301-0009 RE: SER Project Name: Outlets at Albertville — Phase III (Albertville Premium Outlets, Phase III) SER Project No: 2007-014-26 Location: SW t/a of Section 36, T121N, R24W, City of Albertville, Wright County, MN Project type: Replacement Wetland Monitoring Report — Year III Dear Mr. Nafstad: r Pursuant to the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) — Section 8420.0620, Svoboda Ecological Resources (SER) staff visited the above -referenced site on June 18th, August 3`d and September 271h, 2007, to monitor the progress of the replacement wetlands. Hydrology measurements were taken during the September 27th visit. This is the third year that SER has monitored these wetland basins to determine if replacement wetlands satisfy replacement of functions and values lost by permitted wetland fill. Monitoring was inadvertently not completed for the years 2005 and 2006; therefore these wetlands are five years old. SER ecologists located the boundaries of these 3 basins using a sub -meter accurate GPS system to verify that the basins are within the sizes as stated in the original Replacement Plan Application (RPA). This report details wetland characteristics, including water depths and vegetation community descriptions, as specified in WCA monitoring report requirements. Proiect History Approximately 13,637 ft2 (0.31 acre) of wetland fill is associated with this project. As a result, 27,274 ft2 (0.63 acre) of New Wetland Creation (NWC) was proposed under the Wetland Replacement Plan Application submitted by the client. The last mitigation monitoring report, for Year Two, was submitted to the city in 2004. No monitoring was completed in the years of 2005, and 2006, and although the basins have been in existence for 5 years, monitoring is in the third year. The plans proposed that three new wetland creation areas be constructed in the Svoboda Ecological Resources Outlets at Albertville — Phase III Year III Project No.: 2007-014-26 1 Sally Dufner — Chelsea Property Group, Inc. 0,.w eastern portion of the site along the shores of School Lake. During out site visits, these three mitigation areas were observed. OBSERVATIONS Mitigation Area 1 Mitigation Area 1 is located in the northeastern corner of the property, and is the northernmost of the 3 mitigation areas. The replacement plan application stated that the proposed area was 19,118 ft2 (0.44 acres) in size. Using sub -meter accurate GPS technology, SER determined the basin to be 19,957 ft2 (0.46 acres), which is 839 ft2 in excess of what the area required. SER identified this wetland as a Type 3 PEMF wetland. The adjacent side slopes were generally greater than 10:1. Water was noted to be ponded up to 12" in some areas in this basin. Minor trash was observed within this mitigation area. A Red -winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) was noted and various frogs were heard while visiting the area. No formation problems were noted within the basin at anytime during the 2007 site visits. During the June 18th 2007 visit, dominant vegetation in the wetland area included 40% Needle Spike Rush (Eleocharis acicularis, OBL), and 40% Narrow -leaved cattail (Typha angustifolia, OBL). 30% of the wetland was noted to have open water. n Dominant vegetation remained the same during the August P visit, although no open water was noted within the wetland area. Dominant buffer area vegetation included 25% Kentucky Bluegrass, (Poa pratensis, FAC-), and 20% Reed Canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea, FACW+), which is present in the wetland adjacent to this mitigation area. Vegetation remained the same during the August 8th visit, with the addition of Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta, FACU). 2"-6" of standing water was observed in this basin during the September 27th site visit. For a list of all field observations, please see the Field Data Sheet section of this report. Mitigation Area 2 Mitigation Area 2 is located directly south of Mitigation Area 1. The replacement plan application stated that the proposed area was 836 ft2 (0.019) in size. Using sub -meter accurate GPS technology, SER determined the basin to be 809 ft2 (0.018 acres), which is 27 ft2 under the planned amount. SER identified this wetland as a Type 2 PEMB wetland. The adjacent side slopes were generally greater than 10:1. The basin was saturated at the surface during the June 18th visit, and water was noted to be present within the borehole between 6-12" in various areas during the August visit. Canada Thistle, a state "Prohibited noxious weed", was noted to be present in the buffer area. A red -winged blackbird was noted, various songbirds were heard in the vicinity as well as several species of frogs. No major formation problems were noted within the basin at anytime during the 2007 site visits, although the buffer area is heavily Svoboda Ecological Resources Outlets at Albertville — Phase III Year III Project No.: 2007-014-26 2 Sally Dufner — Chelsea Property Group, Inc. dominated by Reed Canarygrass. Reed Canarygrass encroachment may be an issue in the future. During the June 18th 2007 visit, dominant vegetation in the wetland area included Narrow -leaved cattail, Needle Spike Rush and a species of Bugleweed (Lycopus spp, OBL.). Dominant vegetation remained the same for the August 3rd visit. Dominant buffer area vegetation included Reed Canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea, FACW+), which is present in the wetland adjacent to this mitigation area. 2"-6" of standing water was observed in this basin during the September 27th site visit. For a list of all field observations, please see the Field Data Sheet section of this report. Mitigation Area 3 Mitigation Area 3 is located directly south of Mitigation Area 1 and 2, along the shoreline of School Lake. The replacement plan application stated that the proposed area was 7,320 ft2 (0.17 acres) in size. Using sub -meter accurate GPS technology, SER determined the basin to be 7,341 ft2 (0.46 acres), which is 21 ft2 in excess. SER identified this wetland as a Type 3 PEMF wetland. The adjacent side slopes were generally greater than 10:1. The basin was saturated at the surface during both visits, along with pockets of standing water. Canada Thistle, a state "Prohibited noxious weed", was noted to be present in the buffer area. Minor trash was observed in the basin during the August 3rd visit. No major formation problems were noted within the basin at anytime during the 2007 site visits, although Reed Canarygrass is prevalent along the eastern side of the wetland, from an exisiting basin. During the June 18th 2007 visit, dominant vegetation in the wetland area included Narrow -leaved cattail, and Soft -Stemmed Bulrush (Scirpus validus, OBL). Dominant vegetation remained the same for the August 3rd visit. Dominant buffer area vegetation included Reed Canarygrass (present predominantly on the eastern side, adjacent to an existing wetland) and Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis, FAC-). Buffer vegetation remained the same for the August 3rd visit, with the addition of Black Eyed Susan. 2"-6" of standing water was observed in this basin during the September 271h site visit. For a list of all field observations, please see the Field Data Sheet section of this report. Svoboda Ecological Resources Outlets at Albertville — Phase III Year III Project No.: 2007-014-26 3 Sally Dufner — Chelsea Property Group, Inc. MANAGEMENT CONCERNS AND CONCLUSIONS One potential area of concern regarding the 2007 visits: ➢ Reed canarygrass is present in significant amounts (i.e., 15% or greater coverage), in the buffers of all 3 of the mitigation areas. While it has not encroached to significant amounts in the mitigation areas themselves, this may be a problem in the future, as reed canarygrass is highly invasive. This situation will continue to be monitored in 2008. Based on our observations at the time of our visits, the mitigation areas are well under development. The project required 27,274 ft2 of New Wetland Credit (NWC) to mitigate for the 13,637 ft2 of approved impact. According to our calculations, the site currently has 28,107 ft2 of NWC. This is 833 ft2 in excess. No significant differences between as -built specifications and design specifications were noted at this time. The site will continue to be monitored according to the monitoring plan outlined in the Wetland Replacement Plan Application. As this is the fifth year in existence for these wetlands, and because of the excess NWC and the overall high quality of these replacement wetlands, SER proposes closing out this project in the 2008 year (Year 6 in existence, Year 4 of monitoring). Please contact us at (952) 471-1100 if you have any questions regarding this report. Sincerely, Svoboda Ecological Resources Franklin J. Svoboda, CWB, PWS President cc: Sally Dufner, Chelsea Property Group, Inc. Emmy rvi e Wetland Ecologist Attachments: Figure 1: GPS'd Mitigation Area Boundaries Photo Log Field Data Sheets Svoboda Ecological Resources Project No.: 2007-014-26 Outlets at Albertville — Phase III Year III 4 Sally Dufner — Chelsea Property Group, Inc. n Svoboda Ecological Resources Project No.: 2007-014-26 FIGURES Outlets at Albertville — Phase III Year III Sally Dufner — Chelsea Property Group, Inc. Mitigation Area 1 19,957 sq. ft. Mitigation Area 2 809 sq. ft. X art of the NW % of the SW % Mitigation Area Boundaries (GPS) Data Projected in North American Datum of1983, Figure 1 of Section 36, T1 21 N, R24W Universal Transverse 450 14'38" N, 93° 39'37" W w k Overlaid on 2003Aerial Photography Mercator Zone 15N s Approximate Parcel Boundary 2007-014 ` I �;5 V B �A 0 Mitigation Area Boundary 570 Albertville Malls ' Ecological Resources Feet Albertville, n Svoboda Ecological Resources Project No.: 2007-014-26 PHOTO LOG Outlets at Albertville — Phase III Year III Sally Dufner — Chelsea Property Group, Inc. PHOTO 1: Mitigation Area 1, facing south from the north end. Photo was taken June 18th, 2007. Photo is similar to Photo 3 in the 2004 report. PHOTOS 2 and 3: Mitigation Area 1, from a similar angle as the photo above. Photo was taken August 3rd, 2007. PHOTO LOG OF SITE `� SVOBODA Ecological Resources Albertville Premium Outlets Phase III Mitigation Monitoring - Year III Page 1 of 4 PHOTO 4 & 5: Mitigation Area 1, facing north from the south end. Photo above was taken June 18th, 2007 and the below photo was taken August 3rd, 2007. Photos are similar to Photo 2 in the 2004 report. PHOTO LOG OF SITE Albertville Premium Outlets Phase III ft*SVOBODA Mitigation Monitoring - Year III �i Ecological Resources Page 2 of PHOTOS 6 & 7: Mitigation Area 2, facing northeast from the southwest end. Above photo is dated June 18th, 2007, the photo below is dated August 3rd, 2007. Similar to photo numbers 4 & 5 in the 2004 report. PHOTO LOG OF SITE 1I Albertville Premium Outlets Phase III SV O B O DA Mitigation Monitoring - Year III t='F Ecological Resources Page 3 of 4 PHOTO 8 & 9: Mitigation Area 3, facing south from the north end. Above photo is dated June 18th, the photo be- low is dated August 3rd. Photos are similar to Photo 8 in the 2004 report. PHOTO LOG OF SITE Albertville Premium Outlets Phase III �,WV O B O DA Mitigation Monitoring - Year III "' Ecological Resources Page 4 of 4 5 n n Svoboda Ecological Resources Project No.: 2007-014-26 DATA SHEETS Outlets at Albertville — Phase III Year III Sally Dufner — Chelsea Property Group, Inc. SVOBODA ECOLOGICAL RESOURCES Replacement Wetland Monitoring Form Site Name: Albertville Outlets Phase III Wetland Type*: Type 3 PEMF Basin Name: Mitigation Area 1 Slope: >10:1 Observer: BPC Water Level: dry Date: 6/18/2007 Monitoring Year: 010 20 3 []4 05 []6+ Visit Number: �✓ 1❑203 Wetland Vegetation/Cover saturated inches below the soil surface ponded 2-12" inches above the soil surface other: Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Eleocharis acicularis 40 Eleocharis obtusa 5 Typha angustifolia 40 Phalaris arundinacea 5 Open Water 30 Scirpus atrovirens 5 Lycopus spp. 10 Glyceria grandis 5 Scirpus validus 10 Alisma subcordatum 5-10 Populus spp. 5 Salix exigua 5 Are Federal or State Noxious Weeds Present? Buffer Vegetation/Cover Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Poa pratensis 25 Asclepias syriaca 5 Phalaris arundinacea 20 Aster spp. 5 Bromus inermis 15 Agropyron repens 5 Salvia spp. 10-15 Cirsium arvense 5-10 Phleum pratense 5-10 Rumex crispus 5-10 Fraxinus pennsylvanica 5 Are Federal or State Noxious Weeds Present? Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle) Formation Problems (e.g., siltation, trash, encroachment) minor trash Wildlife Viewed: red winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) Additional Notes: nice diversity Photo # I Photo Description �- see report report Additional info on the back of this sheet? no If more than one wetland type present, sketch map of different communities on back of sheet no SVOBODA ECOLOGICAL RESOURCES Replacement Wetland Monitoring Form Site Name: Albertville Outlets Phase III Basin Name: Mitigation Area 1 Observer: BPC Date: 8/3/07 Monitoring Year: ❑ 1 Q 20 3 04 []5 []6+ Visit Number: ❑ 1 �✓ 2 []3 Wetland Vegetation/Cover Wetland Type*: Type 3 PEMF Slope: >10:1 Water Level: dry saturated surfaceinches below the soil surface ponded inches above the sal surface other: Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Typha angustifolia 50 Salix exigua 5 Eleocharis acicularis 40 Phalaris arundinacea 5 Lycopus spp. 15 Scirpus atrovirens 5 Polygonum pensylvanicum 10-15 Populus spp. 5 Alisma subcordatum 10-15 Verbena hastata <5 Scirpus validus 5-10 Eleocharis obtusa 5-10 Glyceria grandis 5-10 Are Federal or State Noxious Weeds Present? Buffer Vegetation/Cover Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Poa pratensis 25 Ascleplas synaca 5 Rudbeckia hirta 25 Aster spp. 5 Phalaris arundinacea 20 Agropyron repens 5 Bromus inermis 15 Fraxinus pennsylvanica 5 Salvia spp. 10-15 Cirsium arvense 5-10 Phleum pratense 5-10 Rumex crispus 5-10 Are Federal or State Noxious Weeds Present? Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle) Formation Problems (e.g., siltation, trash, encroachment) minor trash Wildlife Viewed: Additional Notes: songbirds Photo # Photo Description see report Additional info on the back of this sheet? no If more than one wetland type present, sketch map of different communities on back of sheet no SVOBODA ECOLOGICAL RESOURCES Replacement Wetland Monitoring Form Site Name: Albertville Outlets Phase III Wetland Type*: Type 2 PEMB Basin Name: Mitigation Area 2 Slope: >10:1 Observer: BPC Water Level: dry Date: 6/18/2007 Monitoring Year: ❑ 1 ❑ 20 3 []4 []5 []6+ Visit Number: �✓ 1 [-]2 []3 Wetland Vegetation/Cover saturated surfaceinches below the soil surface ponded inches above the sal surface other: Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Lycopus spp. 30 Alisma subcordatum 5 Typha angustifolia 20 Scirpus validus 5 Eleocharis acicularis 20 Phalaris arundinacea 10 Eleocharis obtusa 5-10 Glyceria grandis 5-10 Carex culpinoidea 5-10 Other 5-10 Are Federal or State Noxious Weeds Present? Buffer Vegetation/Cover Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Phalaris arundiancea 90 Typha angustifolia 20 Cirsium arvense 10 Juncus tenius 5 Are Federal or State Noxious Weeds Present? ulraium arvense (uanaaa rnisne) Formation Problems (e.g., siltation, trash, encroachment) ok Wildlife Viewed: frogs red winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), Additional Notes: dry Photo # Photo Description see report Additional info on the back of this sheet? no If more than one wetland type present, sketch map of different communities on back of sheet no SVOBODA ECOLOGICAL RESOURCES Replacement Wetland Monitoring Form Site Name: Albertville Outlets Phase III Wetland Type*: Type 3 PEMB Basin Name: Mitigation Area 2 Slope: >10:1 Observer: BPC Water Level: dry El 6-12" X Date: 8/3/07 saturated inches below the soil surface Monitoring Year: []1[]203[]4[]5❑6+ ponded inches above the sal surface Visit Number: 1 E]2 []3 other: Wetland Vegetation/Cover Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Eleocharis acicularis 25 Bidens spp. 5 Lycopus spp. 25 Carex vulpinoidea 5 Phalaris arundinacea 20 Alisma subcordatum 5 Juncus tenius 10 Glyceria grandis 5 Typha angustifolia 10 Poa palustris 5 Verbena hastata 1 10 Scirpus cyperinus <5 Cyperus esculentus (nut sedge) 10 Scirpus validus 5-10 Are Federal or State Noxious Weeds Present? Buffer Vegetation/Cover Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Poa pratensis 25 Asclepias syriaca 5 Rudbeckia hirta 25 Aster spp. 5 Phalaris arundinacea 20 Agropyron repens 5 Bromus inermis 15 Fraxinus pennsylvanica 5 Salvia spp. 10-15 Cirsium arvense 5-10 Phleum pratense 5-10 Rumex crispus 5-10 Are Federal or State Noxious Weeds Present? Girsium arvense (canada rtnsrie) Formation Problems (e.g., siltation, trash, encroachment) reed canarygrass abundance in wetland and buffer area Wildlife Viewed: frogs/songbirds Additional Notes: Photo # I Photo Description see report Additional info on the back of this sheet? no If more than one wetland type present, sketch map of different communities on back of sheet no SVOBODA ECOLOGICAL RESOURCES Replacement Wetland Monitoring Form Site Name: Albertville Outlets Phase III Basin Name: Mitigation Area 3 Observer: BPC Date: 6/18/2007 Monitoring Year: ❑ 1[] 2©3 []4 []5 []6+ Visit Number: ✓❑ 1 ❑2 []3 Wetland Vegetation/Cover Wetland Type*: Type 2 PEMB Slope: >10:1 Water Level: dry ❑ saturated surfaceinches below the soil surface ponded inches above the soil surface Other: minor pickets of standing water Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Typha angustifolia 95 Scirpus validus 20 Phalaris arundinacea 5 Salix exigua 5 Scirpus cyperinus 5 Are Federal or State Noxious Weeds Present? Buffer Vegetation/Cover Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Phalaris arundiancea 50 Lotus corniculatus 5 Poa pratensis 20 Vicia sativa 5 Rudbekia hirta 20 Acer negundo 5 Juncus tenius 5-10 Picea spp. 5 Achillea millefolium 5 Salvia spp. 5 Cirsium arvense 5 Are Federal or State Noxious Weeds Present? uIrsium arvense (uanaaa rrnsrie) Formation Problems (e.g., siltation, trash, encroachment) minor trash Wildlife Viewed: song birds Additional Notes: Photo # Photo Description see report Additional info on the back of this sheet? no If more than one wetland type present, sketch map of different communities on back of sheet no SVOBODA ECOLOGICAL RESOURCES Replacement Wetland Monitoring Form Site Name: Albertville Outlets Phase III Wetland Type*: Type 2 PEMB Basin Name: Mitigation Area 3 Slope: >10:1 Observer: BPC Water Level: dry Date: 8/3/07 Monitoring Year: []1❑203Q4[]5[]6+ Visit Number: E 1 []2 []3 Wetland Vegetation/Cover saturated surface inches below the soil surface ponded inches above the sal surface other: minor pickets of standing water Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Typha angustifolia 95 Scirpus validus 20 Phalaris arundinacea 5 Salix exigua 5 Scirpus cyperinus 5 Are Federal or State Noxious Weeds Present? Buffer Vegetation/Cover Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Species Name/Cover Type % Cover Phalaris arundiancea 50 Lotus corniculatus 5 Poa pratensis 20 Vicia sativa 5 Rudbekia hirta 20 Acer negundo 5 Juncus tenius 5-10 Picea spp. 5 Achillea millefolium 5 Salvia spp. 5 Cirsium arvense 5 Are Federal or State Noxious Weeds Present? Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle) Formation Problems (e.g., siltation, trash, encroachment) minor trash Wildlife Viewed: song birds Additional Notes: Photo # Photo Description see report Additional info on the back of this sheet? no If more than one wetland type present, sketch map of different communities on back of sheet no