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Home My WebLink About014-942-25-3313-LUP-2003-623WETLAND DELINEATION REPORT JOHANSEN PROPERTY TOWN OF LENROOT, SAWYER COUNTY, WISCONSIN DULY 26, 2004 NRC Project # 04-090 NATURAL RESOURCES CONSULTING, INCORPORATED P.O. BOX 128 COTTAGE GROVE, WISCONSIN 53527-0128 (608) 839-1998 www.nrc-inc.net WETLAND DETERMINATION AND DELINEATION REPORT JOHANSEN PROPERTY TOWN OF LENROOT SAWYER COUNTY, WISCONSIN July 26, 2004 Prepared For: Mr. Charles Johansen RR # 3, Box 3384-B Hayward, Wisconsin 54843 Prepared By: Natural Resources Consulting, Incorporated P.O. Box 128 119 South Main Street, Suite D Cottage Grove, Wisconsin 53527-0128 phone: 608-839-1998 fax:608-839-1995 www.nrc-inc.net NRC Project # 04-090 Jeff Kraemer Environmental Scientist/Botanist Natural Resources Consulting, Inc. Specializing in wetland, biological and environmental permitting services Johansen Property Wetland Determination and Delineation Mr. Charles Johansen Town of Lenroot, Sawyer County, Wisconsin July 26, 2004 NRC Project # 04-090 INTRODUCTION Natural Resources Consulting conducted a wetland determination and delineation within a portion of the Johansen Property (the "Property") on July 1, 2004. The Property lies in Section 25, Township 42 North, Range 9 West in the Town of Lenroot, Sawyer County, Wisconsin (Figure 1). The Property is located northeast and adjacent to Tannings Point Road and southwest and adjacent to Nelson Lake near the northern end of Tannings Point. The Property is comprised of an undeveloped and maintained lake front lot and lake fringe wetlands associated with Nelson Lake. The objective of the wetland determination and delineation was to provide an estimate of the extent and spatial arrangement of wetlands within the Property. Most wetlands are considered waters of the U.S. and are therefore subject to regulation under the Clean Water Act (CWA). Specifically, non -isolated wetlands are regulated under Section 404 of the CWA and the jurisdictional regulatory authority lies with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Additionally, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) has regulatory authority over wetlands, navigable waters, and adjacent lands under Chapter 30 Wisconsin State Statutes, Act 6, and NR 103 Wisconsin Administrative Code. The Town of Lenroot and/or Sawyer County may have additional regulatory authority through shoreland or wetland zoning ordinances. NRC understands the requested services to include: 1. Complete wetland determinations within the Property. 2. Flag wetland/upland boundaries within the Property. Natural Resources Consulting, Inc. Page 1 Specializing in wetland, biological and environmental permitting services Johansen Property Mr. Charles Johansen July 26, 2004 METHODS Wetland Delineation Wetland Determination and Delineation Town of Lenroot, Sawyer County, Wisconsin NRC Project # 04-090 The initial steps in the wetland determination and delineation process included a review of the following documents: • U.S. Geological Survey 7.5 minute Wisconsin quadrangle map; • Aerial Photographs of the area; and • The Wisconsin Wetland Inventory (WWI) Map for the area. These documents provide information on where wetlands have been previously identified or areas that possess a high likelihood of wetlands occurring. These initially identified areas were then visited to make on -site determinations, and where necessary, complete delineations of the uppermost wetland boundary. Wetland determinations were made using the criteria and methods outlined in the USACE Manual (USACE 1987), subsequent guidance documents (USACE 1991, 1992), Guidelines for Submitting Wetland Delineations in Wisconsin to the St. Paul District Corps of Engineers (USACE 1996), and the Basic Guide to Wisconsin's Wetlands and their Boundaries (Wisconsin Department of Administration Coastal Management Program 1995). The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wetland definition is included below. "Areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and under normal circumstances do support a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions." The State of Wisconsin wetland definition differs slightly, however, their code also cites the usage of the 1987 Manual. Wetland determinations were made using the three criteria of assessment approach defined in the 1987 Manual. According to procedures described in this Manual, areas that under normal circumstances reflect a predominance of hydrophytic (water loving) vegetation, hydric soils, and wetland hydrology (e.g., inundated or saturated soils) are considered wetlands. Since the wetland boundaries at the Property were relatively abrupt, the Routine Method for Small Areas was employed. A preliminary reconnaissance of the Property was used to determine the general topography and plant communities at the Property and to identify suitable locations for sampling transacts. In general, transects are linear features aligned perpendicular to site contours such that they cross representative locations of wetlands and adjacent uplands. The three criteria were evaluated by placing an observation point within a representative location of each plant community encountered along the transect. Natural Resources Consulting, Inc. Page 2 Specializing in wetland, biological and environmental permitting services Johansen Property Mr. Charles Johansen July 26, 2004 At each observation point: Wetland Determination and Delineation Town of Lenroot, Sawyer County, Wisconsin NRC Project # 04-090 1. The presence or absence of normal circumstances was determined. 2. The plant community was characterized by identifying dominant plant species using the "50/20" rule. For each stratum in the plant community, dominant species are the most abundant (when ranked in descending order of abundance and cumulatively totaled) that immediately exceed 50% of the total dominance measure for the stratum, plus any additional species comprising 20% or more of the total dominance measure for the stratum. Wetland indicator status is ranked by percent probability of the species occurrence in wetlands as follows: OBL = Obligate Wetland, occurs with an estimated 99 percent probability of occurrence in wetlands FACW = Facultative Wetland, estimated 67 to 99 percent probability of occurrence in wetlands FAC = Facultative equally likely to occur in wetlands and non -wetlands (34 to 66 percent probability) FACU = Facultative upland, 67 to 99 percent probability in non -wetlands, 1 to 33 percent in wetlands UPL = Obligate Upland, greater than 99 percent probability in non -wetlands in this region NI = No indicator, insufficient information available to determine an indicator status Wetland indicator status can be modified with a positive sign (+) to indicate a frequency toward the higher end of the category, while a minus sign (-) indicates a frequency toward the lower end of the category (Resource Management Group, 1995); 3. Soil pits were dug to a depth of at least 18 inches when possible and the soil was evaluated for hydric soil characteristics; and 4. Hydrology was assessed by observing for primary (i.e., inundation, saturation within the root zone, water marks, etc.) and secondary (i.e., oxidized pore linings, water stained leaves, etc.) indicators of wetland hydrology. The transects were initiated at a representative location within each wetland to first complete the wetland determination. The uppermost wetland boundary was identified once an upland. site was encountered along the transect. The uppermost wetland boundary was flagged using consecutively numbered surveyors flagging. Subject to weathering, the flagging will remain in the field for use during a USACE / WDNR site visit and for a guide during construction. Natural Resources Consulting, Inc. Page 3 Specializing in wetland, biological and environmental permitting services Johansen Property Wetland Determination and Delineation Mr. Charles Johansen Town of Lenroot, Sawyer County, Wisconsin July 26, 2004 NRC Project # 04-090 RESULTS The Wisconsin Wetland Inventory map indicates the presence of a wetland less than 2 acres in size near the Property (Figure 2). The topography within the Property is relatively flat. Upland portions consist of graded land that appeared to be historically filled. Wetland swales associated with the lake fringe transect the Property and ultimately slope towards Nelson Lake. The topographic high occurs along the graded portions at the southwest corner of the Property with an elevation of approximately 1266 feet above mean sea level (msl). Topographic lows occur near the lake margin with an elevation of approximately 1259 feet (msl) (Figure 1). An on -site wetland delineation was completed on July 1, 2004. USACE date sheets were completed for three sample points along one transect and are included in Appendix A. The transect and sample point locations were chosen within representative plant communities and at various landscape positions. Wetlands The on -site delineation identified one wetland area located primarily along the toe of slope at the edge of the historically filled lot and along the toe of slope of a naturally occurring ridge near the lake shoreline (Wetland 1) (Figure 3). Wetland 1 is primarily comprised of disturbed fresh meadow and shrub-carr communities associated with the fringe of Nelson Lake. The dominant vegetation consisted of Canada bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), nodding sedge (Carex gynandra), lady fern (Athyrium fclix femina), red -raspberry (Rubus idaeus), and tag alder (Alnus rugosa). The wetland appeared to contain seasonally saturated/inundated soils fed by shallow groundwater and local surface water runoff. Primary indicators of wetland hydrology included saturation within the upper 12 inches of the soil surface and drainage patterns evident within the wetland swales. Secondary indicators included positive FAC-Neutral tests. The soils within the wetland area were comprised of loams and silt loams. A depleted matrix with common and distinct redoximorphic features was present within 4 inches of the soil surface. Uplands The uplands within the Property consisted of an undeveloped and maintained lot located adjacent to Tannings Point Road. This area appeared to have been historically filled and consisted of a shallow mineral soil (3 inches) overlying gravel material. The upland areas on the northern and eastern portions of the Property were comprised of natural knolls/rock outcroppings consisting of a shallow mineral soil surface (6 inches) overlying bedrock. The upland knolls were dominated by moderately sized paper birch (Betula papyrifera) and graceful sedge (Carex gracillima). No indicators of wetland hydrology were observed in the upland areas. Natural Resources Consultin , Inc. Page 4 Specializing in wetland, biological and environmental permitting services Johansen Property Mr. Charles Johansen July 26, 2004 Other Environmental Considerations Wetland Determination and Delineation Town of Lenroot, Sawyer County, Wisconsin NRC Project # 04-090 This report is limited to the identification of state and/or federally regulated wetlands. In addition, there may be other regulated environmental features within the Property. These environmental features may include but are not limited to historical or archeological features, endangered or threatened species, designated environmental corridors, floodplains, and/or navigable waters. Prior to beginning work at this site or disturbing or altering wetlands, waterways, or adjacent lands in any way, NRC strongly recommends that the owner obtain the necessary permits or other agency regulatory review and concurrence with regard to the proposed work in order to comply with applicable regulations. NRC would be happy to assist with any additional resources inventory or identification work at your request, to the extent that the work is within our range of expertise. Natural Resources Consulting, Inc. Page 5 Specializing in wetland, biological and environmental permitting services Johansen Property Wetland Determination and Delineation Mr. Charles Johansen Town of Lenroot, Sawyer County, Wisconsin July 26, 2004 NRC Project # 04-090 NRC performed a wetland determination and delineation within the Johansen Property ("the Property") in the Town of Lenroot, Sawyer County, Wisconsin. The Property is located northeast of and adjacent to Tannings Point Road and southwest of and adjacent to Nelson Lake near the northern end of Tannings Point. The Property is comprised of an undeveloped and maintained lake front lot and lake fringe wetlands associated with Nelson Lake. Please note that this delineation identified the wetland boundary per current federal and state guidelines. The city, county or municipal planning organization may restrict land use in close proximity to the wetland through setbacks, zoning, buffers or environmental corridors. The information provided regarding wetland boundaries is an estimate of the wetland boundary and the opinions presented are best estimates of the conditions at the time the wetlands were viewed. The ultimate decision on the boundaries defining regulatory jurisdiction over wetlands rests with the USACE and, in some cases, the WDNR, or a local unit of government. As a result, there may be adjustments to boundaries based upon review of a regulatory agency. An agency determination can vary from time to time depending on various factors including, but not limited to precipitation patterns and the season of the year. In addition, the physical characteristics of the site can change with time, depending on the weather, vegetation patterns, drainage, activities on adjacent parcels, or other events. Any of these factors can change the nature and extent of wetlands on the site. It is recommended the Client obtain an opinion and authority from regulating government agencies before proceeding with any development or utilization of the Study Area. If the Client proceeds to change, modify or utilize the Property in question without obtaining authorization from the regulating governmental agency, it will be done at the Client's own risk and Natural Resources Consulting, Inc. will not be responsible or liable for any resulting damages. Natural Resources Consulting, Inc. Page 6 Specializing in wetland, biological and environmental permitting services Johansen Property Wetland Determination and Delineation Mr. Charles Johansen Town of Lenroot, Sawyer County, Wisconsin July 26, 2004 NRC Project # 04-090 I " 01 e["I DeLorme 3-D TopoQuads, 1999; United States Geological Survey, Wisconsin 7.5 Minute Series (Topographic) Maps. Resource Management Group, National List of Plant Species that Occur in Wetland Region 3, North Central, 1995. United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual, 1987. USACE, Questions and Answers on the 1987 Manual, October 7, 1991. USACE, Clarification and Interpretation of the 1987 Manual, March 6, 1992. USACE, Guidelines for Submitting Wetland Delineations in Wisconsin to the St. Paul District Corps of Engineers, May 22, 1996. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Wetlands Inventory, Sawyer County, Wisconsin Natural Resources Consulting, Inc. Page 7 Specializing in wetland, biological and environmental permitting services Johansen Property Wetland Determination and Delineation Mr. Charles Johansen Town of Lenroot, Sawyer County, Wisconsin July 26, 2004 NRC Project # 04-090 REPORT FIGURES Natural Resources Consulting, Inc Specializing in wetland, biological and environmental permitting services ♦ii♦ � f C / Approximate Site .. '� "ti•. �^ _ T�ir'r�ll�1�� Location Point 5 1`',�j'•. r j V lei Boat i r 7 ,+ ' �~' I � Ili s � � � � I' •4 � ��-. FIGURE 1. Site Location and Topography N NRC Johansen Property 119 South Main Street, Suite D Mr. Charles Johansen. P.O. Box 128 Cottage Grove, W1 53527-0128 Section 25, Township 42 North, Range 9 West, Phone: 608-839-1998 Town of Lenroot, Sawyer County, Wisconsin Fax:608-839-1995 www.nrc-inc.net NRC Project Number: 04-090 July 26, 2004 .ti •l�y� � ti (� ,� 1 � R iy .M NL +�r - ' i �'• it I' •i' A �L S Approximate Site , '.- Location J. • . M 1 dog r" i S R NRCFIGURE 2. Wisconsin Wetland Inventory Map N` Johansen Property 119 South Main Street, Suite D Mr. Charles Johansen. P.O. 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Specializing in wetland, biological and environmental permitting services U7 DATA FORM ROUTINE WETLAND DETERMINATION f1987 COE Wetland Delineation Manual) Project/Site: Johansen Property NRC Project # 04-090 Date: July 1, 2004 Applicant/Owner: Mr. Charles Johansen County: Sawyer Investigator: Jeff Kraemer, NRC State: Wisconsin Do normal circumstances exist on this site? Ye No Community ID: Is the site significantly disturbed (Atypical Situation)? Yes �I�� Transect ID: I th 't a otential toblem area? Yes ,o Plot ID: s este p p VEGETATION Plant Species Stratum % Cover Indi�c�ator Plant Species Stratum % Cover Indicator jrC r4r,11 ��6e . 10. - yy 2 -jet � 1- l I . ��r s r .► OIL 12 . 5. 14. _ 6. 15. 7. 16. 8. 17. n 18. Percent of Dominant Species that are OBL, FACW, or FAC - �� (excluding FAC-). Remarks: *Dominant Species HYDROLOGY Recorded Data (Describe in Remarks) Wetland Hydrology Indicators Stream, Lake, or Tide Gauge Primary Indicators Aerial Photographs Inundated Other FSA aerial photographs Saturated in Upper 12 inches ✓ No Recorded Data Available Water Marks Drift Lines Sediment Deposits Field Observations: Drainage Patterns in Wetlands Depth of Surface Water: (in) Secondary Indicators (2 or more required) Depth to Free Water in Pit: (in) Oxidized Root Channels Water -Stained Leaves Depth to Saturated Soil: (in) Local Soil Survey Data FAC-Neutral Test Other (explain in remarks) Remarks: CD �jl 77c-!C410, CD !- m co o a o p o �p�p CD CD °c°u o E.O NO' CCD Voo �' o R' � o " o i b D p c y w t� CD r* 0 1 �. ro ro ro � Tv o Orr-. 5-0 C w 0 0 o' 0 0 c zr1� cn I d oroCD o 0 o a wCD CD o o' g r o w CD 0 ��. w r 0 y � C CD s p' a Cl) x n CC CD CD n o o r°CD C o a DATA FORM ROUTINE WETLAND DETERMINATION 19by uuE Wetland Denneatton Project/Site: Johansen Property NRC Project # 04-090 Applicant/Owner: Mr. Charles Johansen Investigator: Jeff Kraemer, NRC Date: July 1, 2004 County: Sawyer State: Wisconsin Do normal circumstances exist on this site? Ye No Community ID:�� Is the site significantly disturbed (Atypical Situation)? Yes N❑ Transect ID: 7—/ Is the site a potential problem area? Yes �No Plot ID: VEGETATION Plant Species Stratum % Cover Indicator Plant Species Stratum % Cover Indicator 4.1� I +L ^+ i I % -Q*►.R S.q1//G�S i G'/�G"lij 1�Q I.A11103u a S 1 c71 C% F�C /�✓ LJJ1 +� 12, 13. - 14. - 15, 7. 16. S. 17, 9. 18. Percent of Dominant Species that are OBL, FACW, or FAC (excluding FAC-). ( G� Remarks: *Dominant Species HYDROLOGY Recorded Data (Describe in Remarks) Wetland Hydrology Indicators Stream, Lake, or Tide Gauge Primary Indicators Aerial Photographs Inundated Other FSA aerial photographsSaturated in Upper 12 inches ✓ Nn Recorded Data Available Water Marks Drift Lines Field Observations: Sediment Deposits Drainage Patterns in Wetlands Depth of Surface Water: (in) Secondary Indicators (2 or more required) Depth to Free Water in Pit: (in) Oxidized Root Channels Water -Stained Leaves Depth to Saturated Soil: (in) Local Soil Survey Data FAC-Neutral 'lest Other (explain in remarks) Remarks: m � � m ❑ I o°° o Ob m rntp� C' o o p 0 0 ti n �. CD Z o OCrrp��r91 CD n Cn n O f7. U7 • n 5' a 1 4o 0 o to H CD r i C� nCD CD cn 0 � O 0 00 42. yty'' az� C d oil tv o C "z° DATA FORM ROUTINE WETLAND DETERMINATION 1987 COE Wetland Delineation Manual) Project/Site: Johansen Property NRC Project # 04-090 Date: July 1, 2004 Applicant/Owner: Mr. Charles Johansen County: Sawyer Investigator: Jeff Kraemer, NRC State: Wisconsin Do normal circumstances exist on this site? Yes No Community ID:"V Is the site significantly disturbed (Atypical Situation)? Yes q)o Transect ID:_7_ Is the site a potential problem area? Yes Plot ID: VEGETATION Plant Species Stratum % Cover Indiccattoor Plant Species D ti -q" -1� F ` n— to. 4s a t-rve 4 11,f 5_ 'f l .J 0/— i t- 14. .� O sv AI 15. k'I 'er 4 + Q�/ 16 17. /. r Stratum % Cover Indicator Percent of Dominant Species that are OBL, FACW, or FAC a� _ s �f �-�}G '" ""'� (excluding FAC-). Remarks: *Dominant Species HYDROLOGY Data (Describe in Remarks) Wetland Hydrology Indicators Stream, Lake, or Tide Gauge Primary Indicators Aerial Photographs Inundated recorded Other FSA aerial photographs Saturated in Upper 12 inches oRecorded Data Available Water Marks Drift Lines Sediment Deposits Field Observations: Drainage Patterns in Wetlands Depth of Surface Water: (in) Secondary Indicators (2 or more required) �� Depth to Free Water in Pit: Oxidized Root Channels (in) Water -Stained Leaves Depth to Saturated Soil: (in) Local Soil Survey Data FAC-Neutral Test Other (explain in remarks Remarks: x a C7 CD d 1 C w v v4 CD U CD `C O `C Z 0 x CD a d CD oa CD m o CD 0 0 ., a CD ^a by N. p aro � n . T c`"o It ZCD o p vo � 0 101 w coo • Z n o 0 a CC C'C C� 1 LV o 0 CD co CD co ... � YvJ 1 O o 3' �S orro n �CD ro z rz � o o CD v' L CD f. 0 T CD ro 1 Vi En CD , X p ` F� •- cnCD " n J n cu CD -11