ENTER AGENDA SECTION HERE- Rebecca Haug, Water Resources Manager
Title
Main Street Wetland Bank Update (Pioneer Park)
Background
The city and Critical Connections Ecological Services (CCES) met with the regulatory agencies; Coon Creek Watershed District (CCWD), Anoka Conservation District (ACD), MN Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) and Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) on June 25, 2020. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the status of the Wetland Mitigation Proposal (Prospectus) or concept plan for the Main Street Wetland Bank (Pioneer Park).
An overview of the history of the project was discussed as well as the next steps for moving forward with the Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI), which is the full application document. The overall consensus from the regulatory agencies is to continue moving forward with the project. It is viewed as a viable wetland bank for the area.
The regulatory agencies are still in the comment period for the Prospectus and plan to have comments ready the first part of August. Another update will be provided to the Board after the comments are received and if the comments are positive, a recommendation will be required to move forward with the MBI.
Part of the requirements for the project are to have groundwater data. Six monitoring wells have been installed on the site with the cooperation of the CCWD and ACD. A tree inventory has also been completed to determine the number of trees, type of trees and health of trees. This information will be helpful when speaking with the public about the restoration work. Two potential trail/boardwalk options have also been added to the plan along the west side of the project. It is easier to include the trails from the start of the project rather than later.
Next steps include a virtual drone inspection with the ACOE and receiving comments from the regulatory agencies.
Recommendation
Informational