HomeMy WebLinkAbout4. Environmental Protection Element i
` , Environmental Pratection Eiement
L� For�Tlolvs
Rosemount's physical geography has been impacted Assuming a standard level of management, except in
by glaciers more than any other geologic event. The the azeas of extreme slope, the soil group does not
glacial imprint has divided the city into two have serious erosion difficulties. Since construction
generalized areas based on the location of the glacier does not pose a serious erosion threat, it is a good
and the alteration of the land as the glacier receded. soil for residential structures, since construction
does not pose a serious erosion threat. 5pecial
Rosemount is almost entirely situated on the caution must be taken to protect septic tank
Mississippi Valley Outwash Plain. The outwash absorption fields however, because the
plain was created by recurrent flooding of an early characteristics of the soil increase the risk of
river system as it carried deposits of sand and gravel contamination.2
away from the melting ice of a glacier. This area
includes most of the Southern half of the city and all The second soil group, the Kingsley-Mahtomedi,
of the Eastern portion. However, the lowest areas of dominates in the Northwest and the North central
the river valley in the Northeast corner are heavily portion of the city, (the part situated on the
influenced by the more recent activity of the moraine.) Unlike the first group, this group is
Mississippi River and are composed of floodplain rarely level, and is generally gently sloping to steep.
alluvium deposited by flooding. Like the first group, these soils are also dark,
usually black or dark grayish brown, but they are
The Northwestern third of the city is within the generally loamy instead of silty and are only 5-8
Eastern St. Croix Moraine. Moraines atso are inches thick.
created by glacial activity. They are an accumulation
of rock debris carried or deposited by a glacier. This soil group is also noted for its reserves of sand
Generally the debris is not sorted by size or content, and gravel, but they aze not suited for cultivated
but is a mixture of cobbles, boulders, sand and crops as their steep slopes have a tendency to erode.
graveL Moraines are also characterized by scattered In addition, the risk of erosion also call for certain
small lakes, rolling hills and generally high water precautions to be taken when constructing either
tables, as are noted in this portion of Rosemount. buildings or septic systems.3
Refer to the Soil Survey of Dakota County,
►S�ILS` Minnesota (published by the United States
Department of Agriculture's Soil Conservation
The majority of soils within the city of Rosemount Service) for more specific information about soil
fall into two groups. The first group, the Waukegan- tYPes and drainage capacities.
Wadena-Hawick, dominates in the Northeast and the
South half of the city, (the part of the ciry situated
on the outwash plain.) (See Soil Map) The slopes WATER RESOIIRCES
of this group vary from the nearly level Waukegan
to the sometimes very steep Hawick. �nese soi�s are Surface Waters
made up of silt and loam sediment and aze generally
black, dark brown or dark grayish brown and about There are more than 30 lakes and ponds within the
8-12 inches thick.l Although irrigation may be Rosemount city limits, with the majority in the
necessary, this soil group is well suited to Northwest corner. However, the most significant of
agriculture, especially for corn, soybeans and small Rosemount's waters is the Mississippi River and its
grains. The group is also noted for its reserves of 500 acre spring-fed backwater, Spring Lake, located
sand and gravel. in the Northeastern tip of the city. Because of its
CITY OF ROSEMOUNT �..I 7ANUARY, 1993
.
y importance, both to the State of Minnesota and to G�'Ound WaterS
other states further downstream, all development on
the river and its shores are strictly regulated not The Prairie du Chien-Jordan Aquifer underlies most
only by the City's zoning and shoreland overlay of Dakota County. Rosemount, as well as many
regulations, but also by several state and federal other communities, relies heavily on this aquifer for
agencies, such as the US Fish and Wildlife agency, the majority of the water used in the city.
the Army Corp of Engineers, the Minnesota Rosemount is also located over various gravel
Department of Natural Resources, etc. aquifers. However, these aquifers are used primarily
for agricultural uses.
Another protected surface water source is the City's
numerous wetlands. Wetlands are areas where land Most of Rosemount is situated on soils and
and water meet. They may be covered with surface substratum that are highly porus and thus
water or saturated with ground water long enough particularly conducive to groundwater
during the growing season for vegetaxion to adapt to contamination. In some areas, surface contamination
growing in these situations° can reach the aquifer within a matter of weeks or
years. The level of sensitivity is linked to the soil
While there are many types of wetlands, all have type. The areas of the city where the VJaukegan-
three basic characteristics in common. First, even Wadena-Hawick soils dominate have low to
though wetlands may be dry periodically, all moderate sensitivity and the azeas where the
wetlands must have water saturation present for at Kingsley-Mahtometii dominate aze highly sensitive
least two weeks. Second, a wetland must have to groundwater contamination.
hydrophytic vegetation, (meaning plants which can
live in wet conditions.) Finally, a wetland must
have hydric soils. Hydric soils are soils that are VEGETATTON
saturated, flooded or ponded long enough during the
growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in Three native plant communities once dominated the
the upper layers.s area: oak-savanna, short grass prairie, and the
Mississippi River upland and bottomland
Wetlands have an important impact on the natural environments. Oak-savanna was the dominant
environment. They perform many valuable services vegetation of the Northwestern portion of the City.
for a community including water recharge, Savannas are open, densely grassed areas with
floodwater storage and retention, provide wildlife deciduous tree cover. In Rosemount, oaks are the
habitat, control erosion, and trap sediment from most numerous trees in the savanna areas.
rapidly flowing water.b
Short-grass prairie characterizes the majority of the
Most all of the 30 lakes and ponds, as well as many area that today makes up most of Rosemount's
smaller wetland areas, aze designated as protected farmland and industrial areas. This type of
waters and wetlands by the Minnesota Department vegetation is well suited for the driest parts of the
of Natural Resources. The Wetland Conservation prairie and is home to two different grass species,
Act of 1991, by the Minnesota Legislature goes buffalo and grama.
beyond the DNR protected wetland by seeking to
increase the quantity, quality, and biological The last native vegetation group is influenced by the
diversity of the state's wetlands by restoring or Mississippi River. The river valley supports two
enhancing diminished or drained wetlands, avoiding distinctly differently types of vegetation. The
direct or indirect impacts from activities that destroy floodplain is home to cottonwood, willow, elm,
or diminish wetlands; and replacing wetlands were aspen and basswood trees and supports a substantial
destroying the wetland can not be avoided. water-related wildlife population. The river bluffs
have a mixture of oak, maple and elm which protect
the steep slopes from erosion.
CITY OF ROSEMOUNT � �Q JANUARY, 19 3
� WILDLIFE HABITAT
j TO BE ADDED)
HISTORIC PRESERVATION --
To date, Rosemount has no buildings or landmarks
on the State Historical Records Directory. However,
15 sites aze currently being considered. The
following is an inventory put together from a recent
survey of Rosemount by the State Historic
Preservation Off'ice.
Sia�<oF HisfolucnL S[cx�[car�c�<
Location Site Descript�on
3505 145th St.W. Rosemount House
14520 South Robert Trail Catholic Temperance League Hall
145th St.&So Robert Trail Commercial Buildings(razed)
145th St.&So.Robert Trail Commercial Building
14375 So.Robert Trail St.7oseph Catholic Church
145th St.&Biscayne Way Houses
14625 Cameo Avenue Old Baptist Church
140th&Blaine Avenue School
Highway 38&55 House
12101 Dodd Boulevard Kirschner Farm
125th St&Canada CouR House&Rosemount High Schoot
13575 Dodd Boulevard Old Rectory
Mendota-Big Sioux Rd(Dodd Rd)
Pine Bend
CITY OF ROSEMOUNT _ yi� JANUARY, 1993
ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION PLAN
OBJECTIVES FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
l. Conservation of unique and essential natural Waters per the City's Shoreland Overlay
resources. Regulation.
2. Integration of urban development with the 5. To protect areas susceptible to flooding from
natural environment in an environmentally encroachments which could result in property
responsible manner. damage or impede the hydraulic efficiency of the
3. Protection of people and property from natural water body in accordance with State and Federal
and manmade hazards. floodway standards.
4. Conservation of energy resources. 6. To reduce nonpoint source pollution per the
5. Protection and preservation of scenic and adoption of the Metropolitan Council Model
historical resources. Stormwater Ordinance.
Ground Water Policies
Soils and steep slope Policies
1. To prohibit the use of groundwater for once-
1. To require site plan review and strict erosion through heating and cooling.
control measures for any development of slopes 2. To promote water conservation programs to
in excess of 12% and prohibit any development diminish the public and private use of water for
of slopes in excess of 18% except as allowed by nonessential purposes.
the Mississippi River Corridor Ordinance. 3. To investigate methods and programs which will
2. To promote agriculture in designated areas which minimize the use of applied chemicals for lawn
contain prime agricultural soils. care, agriculture, and public street maintenance.
3. To prohibit the construction of on-site sewer 4. To require land alteration and erosion control
systems in areas having severe or very severe plans for all developments during construction.
soil limitations for such systems except where 5. To require the maintenance of natural vegetation,
alternative systems can be designed and shorelines, and wetland fringes of and require
maintained. minimum setbacks from protected waters as a
4. To prohibit the construction of on site sewer means to protect water quality and wildlife
systems in wetlands or flood plains. habitat.
6. To encourage a dual pond concept per U.S. Fish
Surface Water Policies and Wildlife Service guidelines to buffer
protected waters from sediment and chemical
1. To prohibit the alteration of all wetlands which incursions.
are identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 7. To continue to work with the MPCA and the
Natural Wetlands Inventory unless University of Minnesota to remedy all waste
replacement/mitigation is provided in the ration contamination.
of two acres of mitigated wetlands for each acre 8. To protect groundwaters by insuring that water
of drained or filled wetland. wells are capped in accordance with State
2. To require that any wetland mitigation comply regulations.
with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Criteria for 9, To establish a City-wide water quality
wetland quantity, character, and diversity. management plan to protect surface and ground
3. To prohibit the use of Type 3, 4, or 5 wetland waters.
(open water) as a primary sediment-trap during 10. To assist the Metropolitan Council as directed to
or after construction. achieve interagency cooperation among federal,
4. To protect designated Recreational Development, state, regional and local water management
General Development, and Natural Environment agencies, and to coordinate and facilitate water-
related programs.
CI'i'Y OF ROSEMOUNT ' � JANUARY, 1993
Vegetation Policies Wildlife Habitat Protection Policies
1. To minimize the loss of significant trees on 1. To protect the existing wildlife habitat City-wide
public and private property. Where loss is through protective easements or open space
unavoidable, require replacement with acceptable protection.
substitute plant materials in the subdivision ° 2. To support the preservation and management of
development process. rare, unique, endangered and threatened plants
2. To preserve remnants of the three major natural and animals and prohibit any action that would
plant communities (oak/savannah, short grass reduce or degrade the habitat supporting such
prairie and upland hardwoods/bottomland shrubs species.
and brush,) on public and private lands where 3. Ta protect natural habitat corridors which link
possible and require appropriate replacement major habitat areas.
when loss in unavoidable. 4. To encourage the use of yard plantings which
3. To require, as an element of site plan review, also serve as wildlife habitat.
the identification of significant trees and tree
stands and proposals for tree preservation and Historical, SCe11iC ailtl Lalldrilark
replacement with species native to Minnesota and POjiC1eS.
the region.
4. To require screening, landscaping, and tree 1. To protect historic, scenic, and landrnark
replacement as an element of development plans. features, wherever practicable.
5. .To req�zire that protected trees be rnarked and 2. To incorporate known historical, scenic, and
fenced prior to the start of construction to landrnark resources, as identified by the City or
minimize damage and future loss. other agencies which proposed development and
redevelopment projeets and, where loss is
Energy Conservation Policies unavoidable, to mitigate losses.
3. To cooperate with and assist the State Historical
1. To consider energy conservation during site plan Society in locating, evaluating, and, where
review including solar access pratection and the appropriate, preserving historical sites and
use of vegetation to facilitate summer shading structures having significant historical or
and winter solar gain. architectural values.
2. To prohibit developments from shading
residential structures during the winter heating
season (from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
3. To use availabie grant and loan programs to
provide for the increase energy efficiency of the
City's housing stock.
4. To promote alternative means of commuting,
such as the increased use of public, (including
park-and-ride facilities,) and non-motorized
transit and ride-shazing as a means to reduce
energy consumption.
1.Soil Surve�of Dakota County. Minnesota. 1983. pp. 6-7.
2.Ibid pp.6-7.
3.Ibid, pp. 15-16.
CrrY oF RosEMovrrr ,. S� JarruaRY, 1993
/
+ 4.National Wetland Science Training Cooperative. A Collection of Federal Laws Re¢ulations, and Policv
Documents PertaininQ to Wetlands Protection. p. 429.
S.Federal Manual for ldentif+L'ms and Delineatimg Jurisdictional VJetlands. p. 69.
6. "Wetland Types and Definitions," Circulaz 39. US Fisl�and VJildlife. 197L
CrrY oF RosEMourrr JaivuaRY, 1993
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