Natural Resource Management and Environmental Protection...Natural Resource Management 7 and...

Natural Resources/Environmental Protec tion | 7-12030 Comprehensive Plan July 2010

7Natural Resource Management and Environmental Protec tion

The Comprehensive Plan guides the use of land and the actions of city government to provide a sustainable quality of life, mak-ing careful and effective use of available natural, human and economic resources and ensuring that resources exist to maintain and enhance the quality of life for future residents.

The City of Woodbury faces the challenge of controlling urban growth at the urban-rural fringe. As growth occurs, stress is placed on the physical environment and natural resource base. Developing and implementing environmental protection tools and strategies is essential in protecting the community’s natural resources. Natural resources are important features in Woodbury providing stormwater management and flood control, contrib-uting to air quality, increasing property values and creating a sense of place and identity for the community.

SustainabilityIt is the City’s responsibility to establish and implement goals, policies, guide-lines and strategic actions to protect air and water quality, preserve natural resources, conserve energy and reduce waste. This chapter builds on many of the principles, goals and policies established in previous comprehensive plans as well as other chapters of this plan.

This chapter addresses the management of natural resources and identifies strategies to assist Woodbury in becoming a more sustainable community. Through sustainable development and efficient use of resources, both local and global, the City seeks to maintain or enhance economic opportunity and community well-being while protecting and restoring the natural environ-ment upon which people and economies depend. Woodbury strives to meet the needs of the present generation without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Chapter Contents

Sustainability ................................... 7-1

Background...................................... 7-2

Resource Inventory .......................... 7-2Global Resources .......................................7-2Wildlife and Vegetation Resources .........7-2Geologic Resources ...................................7-7Surface Water Resources ..........................7-7Groundwater Resources .........................7-11

Natural Resource Issues ................ 7-13Global Resources .....................................7-13Wildlife and Vegetation Resources .......7-13Geologic Resources .................................7-14Surface Water Resources ........................7-15Groundwater Resources .........................7-16

Goals and Policies .......................... 7-17Global Resources .....................................7-17Wildlife and Vegetation Resources ......7-18Geologic Resources ................................7-19Surface Water Resources ........................7-19Groundwater Resources ........................7-20

Implementation ............................ 7-21Global Resources .....................................7-21Wildlife and Vegetation Resources ......7-23Geologic Resources ................................7-25Surface Water Resources ........................7-26Groundwater Resources ........................7-28Public Education and Involvement .....7-29Intergovernmental Cooperation ..........7-29

7-2 | Natural Resources/ Environmental Protec tion Cit y of Woodbur yJuly 2010

BackgroundPre-settlement, the City of Woodbury was an area of oak savannas, wetlands and prairies. As Europeans settled the area in the 1800s, the more level and dry land was turned into fields and pastures. Nearly all the land suitable for agriculture was cleared for farming by the early 1900s. The southwest corner of the City, too hilly to farm, has retained a canopy of mature oak trees under which homes have been built. Wetlands that were not drained or tiled have remained as habitat refuges for wildlife. The Tamarack Swamp is a unique natural amenity that provides an opportunity to see a rare plant community. The lakes in Woodbury provide places for fishing, canoeing and wildlife observation. Some of the lakes also offer boating and swimming opportunities. Productive agricultural lands in the southeast are valued as a community asset and preserve a part of the once rural character of Woodbury.

As growth continues, it is important to protect sig-nificant environmental resources. In order to protect these resources, Woodbury needs to have policies and management strategies to preserve and restore these features. This chapter addresses the protection of global resources, such as air quality and energy, that are essential for healthy communities everywhere as well as resources that are specific to Woodbury including wildlife and vegetation, geologic resources, surface water and groundwater.

Resource Inventory

Global Resources

A key element in environmental stewardship is respon-sible use of global resources, or those resources that may not be unique to Woodbury, but which affect the livability of the community on a broader scale. In 2006, the City adopted a sustainability resolution committing to making Woodbury a more sustainable community by setting policies and promoting initiatives such as energy conservation, sustainable design, increased recycling and material reuse and decreased environmental impacts at the local and global level. Within this document, global

resources will address energy, climate change, air quality, sustainable design, recycling and waste reduction.

Wildlife and Vegetation Resources

Few high quality natural areas remain within the met-ropolitan area and priority should go to preservation efforts over creating or restoring sites of lower quality. In Woodbury, most of the native vegetation has been removed for agricultural needs but small areas of natural communities remain. The Tamarack Swamp and other wetlands remain because of the difficulty in farming these areas and canopies of oak trees also remain because of the original use as cattle shade and wind breaks.

The City completed a Natural Resources Inventory Report in 1997 that provides a detailed description and ranking system for the remaining major natural areas within Woodbury. Figure 7-1 shows the areas identified in the Natural Resources Inventory Report and their ecological status. The ecological status helps define the quality of the area in terms of disturbance and species diversity. An A is defined as “excellent quality” while a D is “poor quality.”

Another useful tool in understanding vegetation pat-terns is the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS). The MLCCS categorizes urban areas in terms of land cover rather than land use. The classification system consists of five hierarchical levels. At the most general level, land cover is divided into either natural/semi-natural cover types or cultural cover types. The cultural cover types identify development vegetation patterns and imperviousness. The areas of Woodbury that have been mapped using the MLCCS are shown in Figure 7-2.

A Parks, Trails and Recreation element is included in this Comprehensive Plan. See Chapter 8 for detailed information on the plans for future park, open space and greenway areas within the City. Figure 7-3 shows the current parks and open space within the City.


Legend

Figure 7-1: Ecological Status of Natural Areas

Woodbury 2030 Comprehensive Plan

Map Prepared by Hoisington Koegler Group Inc.


Legend

Figure 7-2: Minnesota Land Cover Classification



Aft

onA

fton

New

port

New

port

Cottage GroveCottage Grove

Lake ElmoLake ElmoOakdaleOakdale

Map

lew

ood

Map

lew

ood

LandfallLandfallInterstate 94

Wei

r Driv

e

Military Road (CSAH 20)

Pion

eer D

rive

Cen

tury

Ave

nue

(CSA

H 2

5)

Woo

dbur

y D

rive

(CSA

H 1

9)

Mile

Driv

e

Rad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Man

ning

Ave

nue

(STH

95)

Valley Creek Road (CSAH 16)

Lake Road

Bie

lenb

erg

Driv

e

Futu

re P

ione

er D

rive

Future Century Avenue

§̈¦94

Woo

dwin

ds D

rive

EB I94 to Radio Dr

Bailey Road (CSAH 18)

Rad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Woo

dbur

y D

rive

(CSA

H 1

9)

Lake Road

Tamarack Road

Woo

dlan

e D

rive

Future Eastview Road

Hudson Road

Cot

tage

Gro

ve D

rive

LA LAKE

COLBY LAKE

BATTLE CREEK LAKE

BAILEY LAKE

POWERS LAKE

CD-P85

CARVER LAKE

MARKGRAFS LAKE

FISH LAKE

WILMES LAKE

WILMES LAKE

RIA LAKE

0 10.5

MilesE Map Updated: 26 June 2008

LegendDNR Public Waters

Artificial Surfaces

Planted or Cultivated Vegetation

Forest

Woodland

Herbaceous

Shrubland

Aft

onA

fton

New

port

New

port



Map

lew

ood

Map

lew

ood


Wei

r Driv

e


Pion

eer D

rive

Cen

tury

Ave

nue

(CSA

H 2

5)

Woo

dbur

y D

rive

(CSA

H 1

9)

Mile

Driv

e

Rad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Man

ning

Ave

nue

(STH

95)


Lake Road

Bie

lenb

erg

Driv

e

Futu

re P

ione

er D

rive


§̈¦94

Woo

dwin

ds D

rive

EB I94 to Radio Dr


Rad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Woo

dbur

y D

rive

(CSA

H 1

9)

Lake Road

Tamarack Road

Woo

dlan

e D

rive


Hudson Road

Cot

tage

Gro

ve D

rive

LA LAKE

COLBY LAKE

BATTLE CREEK LAKE

BAILEY LAKE

POWERS LAKE

CD-P85

CARVER LAKE

MARKGRAFS LAKE

FISH LAKE

WILMES LAKE

WILMES LAKE

RIA LAKE

0 10.5



Artificial Surfaces


Forest

Woodland

Herbaceous

Shrubland

Aft

onA

fton

New

port

New

port



Map

lew

ood

Map

lew

ood


Wei

r Driv

e


Pion

eer D

rive

Cen

tury

Ave

nue

(CSA

H 2

5)

Woo

dbur

y D

rive

(CSA

H 1

9)

Mile

Driv

e

Rad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Man

ning

Ave

nue

(STH

95)


Lake Road

Bie

lenb

erg

Driv

e

Futu

re P

ione

er D

rive


§̈¦94

Woo

dwin

ds D

rive

EB I94 to Radio Dr


Rad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Woo

dbur

y D

rive

(CSA

H 1

9)

Lake Road

Tamarack Road

Woo

dlan

e D

rive


Hudson Road

Cot

tage

Gro

ve D

rive

LA LAKE

COLBY LAKE

BATTLE CREEK LAKE

BAILEY LAKE

POWERS LAKE

CD-P85

CARVER LAKE

MARKGRAFS LAKE

FISH LAKE

WILMES LAKE

WILMES LAKE

RIA LAKE

0 10.5



Artificial Surfaces


Forest

Woodland

Herbaceous

Shrubland

Aft

onA

fton

New

port

New

port



Map

lew

ood

Map

lew

ood


Wei

r Driv

e


Pion

eer D

rive

Cen

tury

Ave

nue

(CSA

H 2

5)

Woo

dbur

y D

rive

(CSA

H 1

9)

Mile

Driv

e

Rad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Man

ning

Ave

nue

(STH

95)


Lake Road

Bie

lenb

erg

Driv

e

Futu

re P

ione

er D

rive


§̈¦94

Woo

dwin

ds D

rive

EB I94 to Radio Dr


Rad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Woo

dbur

y D

rive

(CSA

H 1

9)

Lake Road

Tamarack Road

Woo

dlan

e D

rive


Hudson Road

Cot

tage

Gro

ve D

rive

LA LAKE

COLBY LAKE

BATTLE CREEK LAKE

BAILEY LAKE

POWERS LAKE

CD-P85

CARVER LAKE

MARKGRAFS LAKE

FISH LAKE

WILMES LAKE

WILMES LAKE

RIA LAKE

0 10.5



Artificial Surfaces


Forest

Woodland

Herbaceous

Shrubland


Legend

Figure 7-3: Current Parks and Open Space



Aft

onA

fton

New

port

New

port



Map

lew

ood

Map

lew

ood

LandfallLandfall

Prestwick Golf Club

DancingWaters

StonemillFarms Park

Sundown

Colby Lake

HeritagePark

Bailey'sArbor

Turnberry

MN DOT

WatershedDistrict

Washington County

OJIBWAY

CARVERLAKE

BIELENBERGSPORTSCENTER

TAMARACKNATUREPRESERVE

SEASONS

LA LAKEOPEN SPACE

EVERGREENWEST

PIONEER

STONEMILLFARMS NORTH

KARGEL

DALE ROADOPEN SPACE

MARKGRAFS LAKE

MARSHCREEK

HASEN-BANK

COLBYLAKE

BAILEY LAKEOPEN SPACE

WILMES-LAKE

POWERSLAKE

CITY HALL

VALLEY CREEKOPEN SPACE -NORTH

RIDGEVICTORIA

SHAWNEE

EVERGREENEAST

WEDGE-WOOD

ODAWA

TURNBERRY

EAGLE VALLEYGOLF COURSE

POTAWATOMI

MENOMINI

PONDVIEW

FOX RUN

LAKEVIEW

SUMMITPOINTE

EDGE-WATER

EAGLEVALLEY

CREE

BAILEY'SARBOR

CHIPPEWA

FAIRWAYMEADOWSCENTRAL

PARK

TIMBERLEA

WINDWOODPASSAGE

MARSHCREEK

COBBLESTONE

WEDGEWOODHEIGHTS

STONEMILLFARMS SOUTH

RIDGEGATE

BROOK-VIEW

WOODLANEHILLS

POWERSLAKE EAST

WESTVIEW

GARBEWELLSITE

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

Interstate 94

Wei

rD

rive


Pion

eer

Dri

ve

Cen

tury

Ave

nue

(CSA

H25

)

Woo

dbur

yD

rive

(CS

AH

19)

Mile

Dri

ve

Rad

ioD

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Man

ning

Ave

nue

(STH

95)


Lake Road

Bie

lenb

erg

Driv

e

Futu

reP

ione

erD

rive

FutureCentury

Avenue

94

Woo

dwin

dsD

rive

EB I94 to Radio Dr


Rad

ioD

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Woo

dbur

yD

rive

(CS

AH

19)

Lake Road

Tamarack Road

Woo

dlan

eD

rive


Hudson Road

Cot

tage

Gro

veD

rive

LA LAKE

COLBY LAKE

BATTLE CREEK LAKE

BAILEY LAKE

POWERS LAKE

CD-P85

CARVER LAKE

MARKGRAFS LAKE

FISH LAKE

WILMES LAKE

WILMES LAKE

RIA LAKE

LJHS

WSHS

BaileySt. Ambrose

New Life

Future High School

Middleton

Red Rock

Crosswinds

WJHS

Valley Crossing

Liberty Ridge

Woodbury

Footprints

Royal Oaks

M&S

gCity Parks, Trails, and Open Space

Parks

Wetland & Storm Ponding Areas

Trail KiosksTrail Underpasses

Existing Natural Surface TrailsExisting Paved Trails

Non-City Parks and Open Space

Private Golf Course

Non-city government open space

Schools

Trails and Bikeways in Adjacent Communities

Private Neighborhood Center

Private Home Owners Association Land

NC


Legend

Figure 7-4: Soil Permeability



Aft

onA

fton

New

port

New

port



Map

lew

ood

Map

lew

ood


Wei

rDri

ve


Pion

eer

Driv

e

Cen

tury

Ave

nue

(CSA

H25

)

Woo

dbur

yD

rive

(CS

AH

19)

Mile

Dri

ve

Rad

ioD

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Man

ning

Ave

nue

(STH

95)


Lake Road

Bie

lenb

erg

Driv

e

Futu

reP

ione

erD

rive

FutureCentury Avenue

94

Woo

dwin

dsD

rive

EB I94 to Radio Dr


Rad

ioD

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Woo

dbur

yD

rive

(CS

AH

19)

Lake Road

Tamarack Road

Woo

dlan

eD

rive


Hudson Road

Cot

tage

Gro

veD

rive

Hydrolic Soil Group

A

A/D

B

B/D

C

D

WATER

Hydrologic Soil Group


Geologic Resources

TopographyWoodbury’s topography is gently rolling with a wide cen-tral draw running north to south. The central draw drains approximately two-thirds of the City’s surface water and includes a chain of lakes and wetlands. The remainder of the City drains either west toward the Mississippi River or east toward the St. Croix River. The rolling topography results in many landlocked depressions.

SoilsThe Washington County Geologic Atlas is the primary source for information about the geology of Woodbury. Surficial geology consists generally of glacial till in the northwestern and northeastern parts of the City, with outwash plains in the central and far southwestern parts of the City. The glacial till is chiefly sandy-loam textured unsorted sediment, with pebbles, cobbles and boulders. Sand, gravel lenses and beds are also common. It is com-monly overlain by 2 to 5 feet of loess1 or thin sand. The outwash plains consist of sand, loamy sand and gravel, also often overlain by 2 to 5 feet of loess.

The Soil Survey of Washington and Ramsey Counties provides detailed information on soils in Woodbury. Woodbury has soils ranging from the relatively coarse hydrologic group A soils to the tight, clayey soils in hy-drologic group D. These hydrologic soil categories are shown in Figure 7-4. While hydrologic group A soils are best for infiltration of stormwater, the coarse texture of the soils can potentially allow pollutants to quickly make their way to the aquifers below.

BedrockThe bedrock geology of the City consists of various lay-ers. The first bedrock unit encountered varies depending on the location. From highest to lowest, the bedrock units encountered are: Decorah shale, the Platteville and Glenwood formations, St. Peter Sandstone, the Prairie du Chien group and the Jordan Sandstone.

1 Nonstratified sediment composed of silt-sized particles deposited by the wind. These windblown dust deposits were derived from glacial materials.

The most prominent feature of the bedrock geology is the buried bedrock valley that runs north and south, roughly following the same alignment as the broad surface swale that drains the central portion of the City. This bedrock valley is eroded to the Jordan Sandstone.

Karst TopographySinkholes caused by karst features have the potential to form in the eastern part of the City. Karst features can in-clude solution cavities caused by dissolution of limestone as water runs through it; collapse features; or fractures in limestone or sandstone formations. In 2005, a major sinkhole collapse occurred in a regional stormwater pond in the Dancing Waters development. Geologic condi-tions similar to the area where the collapse occurred are found in a large portion of the eastern part of the City, primarily east of County Road 19. Figure 7-5 shows the areas that have similar geologic conditions to the Dancing Waters development and have the potential for sinkhole development.

Aggregate ResourcesIn 2000, the Metropolitan Council in cooperation with the Minnesota Geological Survey produced a report entitled “Aggregate Resources Inventory of the Seven-County Metropolitan Area, Minnesota.” The report indicated that there are significant deposits of natural ag-gregate (sand and gravel) in the southern part of Wood-bury, specifically Sections 26, 27, 34 and 35. Figure 7-6 shows the type and location of these aggregate resources. The report estimated that there are over 38 million tons of sand and gravel within these four sections.

Surface Water Resources

WatershedsA watershed is an area of land where all surface water discharges to the same lake, stream or river. The City of Woodbury is divided into many subwatersheds that are part of three separately managed larger watersheds. Figure 7-7 shows the water bodies within Woodbury and the boundaries of the three watershed districts. A ma-jority of Woodbury is in South Washington Watershed District (SWWD) and ultimately drains south toward the Mississippi River. The northwest corner of the City


Legend

Figure 7-5: Areas of Geologic Conditions for Potential Sinkholes




Legend

Figure 7-6: Signifi cant Aggregate Deposits




Legend

Figure 7-7: Watershed Districts and DNR Public Waters



Aft

onA

fton

New

port

New

port



Map

lew

ood

Map

lew

ood


Wei

r Driv

e


Pion

eer D

rive

Cen

tury

Ave

nue

(CSA

H 2

5)

Woo

dbur

y D

rive

(CSA

H 1

9)

Mile

Driv

e

Rad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Man

ning

Ave

nue

(STH

95)


Lake Road

Bie

lenb

erg

Driv

e

Futu

re P

ione

er D

rive


§̈¦94

Woo

dwin

ds D

rive

EB I94 to Radio Dr


Rad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Woo

dbur

y D

rive

(CSA

H 1

9)

Lake Road

Tamarack Road

Woo

dlan

e D

rive


Hudson Road

Cot

tage

Gro

ve D

rive

LA LAKE

COLBY LAKE

BATTLE CREEK LAKE

BAILEY LAKE

POWERS LAKE

CD-P85

CARVER LAKE

MARKGRAFS LAKE

FISH LAKE

WILMES LAKE

WILMES LAKE

RIA LAKE

SOUTH WASHINGTON COUNTY

VALLEY BRANCH

RAMSEY/WASHINGTON/METRO

LOWER ST. CROIX

0 10.5


LegendWatershed Districts

DNR Public Waters

Aft

onA

fton

New

port

New

port



Map

lew

ood

Map

lew

ood


Wei

r Driv

e


Pion

eer D

rive

Cen

tury

Ave

nue

(CSA

H 2

5)

Woo

dbur

y D

rive

(CSA

H 1

9)

Mile

Driv

e

Rad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Man

ning

Ave

nue

(STH

95)


Lake Road

Bie

lenb

erg

Driv

e

Futu

re P

ione

er D

rive


§̈¦94

Woo

dwin

ds D

rive

EB I94 to Radio Dr


Rad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Woo

dbur

y D

rive

(CSA

H 1

9)

Lake Road

Tamarack Road

Woo

dlan

e D

rive


Hudson Road

Cot

tage

Gro

ve D

rive

LA LAKE

COLBY LAKE

BATTLE CREEK LAKE

BAILEY LAKE

POWERS LAKE

CD-P85

CARVER LAKE

MARKGRAFS LAKE

FISH LAKE

WILMES LAKE

WILMES LAKE

RIA LAKE

SOUTH WASHINGTON COUNTY

VALLEY BRANCH

RAMSEY/WASHINGTON/METRO

LOWER ST. CROIX

0 10.5


LegendWatershed Districts

DNR Public Waters


is part of Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District (RWMWD) and drains west to the Mississippi River. The northeast corner of the City is in Valley Branch Watershed District (VBWD) and drains east to the St. Croix River.

LakesThere are seven surface water bodies in Woodbury that are commonly referred to as lakes: Markgrafs, Wilmes, Powers, Colby, Carver, Battle Creek and La. Most of these waters are defined as Public Waters Wetlands by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The lakes in Woodbury provide many benefits includ-ing recreation, groundwater recharge, flood retention, and fish and wildlife habitat. Undisturbed shoreland is important to the water quality and habitat of lakes. The City has acquired much of the shoreland around the major lakes through a riparian dedication requirement at the time of property development, providing an op-portunity to manage the quality of the lakes by protecting the shoreland area.

WetlandsWetlands perform many functions in the environment. Some functions include providing stormwater storage, acting as groundwater recharge areas, reducing nutrient loads to lakes, providing wildlife habitat and providing aesthetic and recreational enjoyment. The National Wetland Inventory (NWI) provides information on the location and type of wetlands. Figure 7-8 shows the wetlands identified in Woodbury on the NWI maps. Other sources for wetland mapping include the DNR and watershed districts.

Stormwater PondsThe City of Woodbury also has approximately 450 storm-water ponds that have been constructed to help control runoff volume and water quality in developed areas. The ponds are designed as part of the stormwater system but are often seen as aesthetic amenities in neighborhoods.

StreamsThere are few streams in the City of Woodbury. Battle Creek starts on the west side of Battle Creek Lake and runs west into the City of Maplewood through a

residential neighborhood. Valley Creek, a valuable trout stream in southern Washington County, is mapped with its headwaters within Woodbury, though physically the creek begins to the east of Woodbury in the City of Af-ton. There is also an unnamed stream in southwestern Woodbury that drains to the City of Cottage Grove.

Groundwater Resources

The Washington County Groundwater Plan 2003-2013 emphasizes the importance of groundwater throughout Washington County:

“Groundwater provides 100 percent of the drinking wa-ter, and virtually all the water for commercial, industrial and irrigation needs of Washington County. Groundwa-ter is also vital for maintaining the quality and quantity of water in many lakes, wetlands and streams. Much of Washington County groundwater originates almost entirely within its own borders. The greater County-wide community must manage, protect and conserve this resource.”

There is one minor bedrock aquifer and three major bedrock aquifers in the Woodbury area. The St. Peter aquifer, the shallowest aquifer at a depth of about 60 feet, is seldom used for drinking water purposes. The Prairie du Chien – Jordan aquifer is the aquifer used for most domestic water supply in Woodbury.

Most private wells in the Urban Reserve and Rural Estate areas are located in the Prairie du Chien aquifer at depths of about 100 – 200 feet. The barrier between the Prairie du Chien and the Jordan aquifer is somewhat porous, so the two aquifers are not totally isolated from one another.

The Jordan aquifer is used for all of Woodbury’s mu-nicipal wells and some private wells at depths of about 400 feet. The City wells are located from west to east throughout central Woodbury. The Franconia-Ironton-Galesville aquifer is not currently used for water supply, and is located at a depth of about 650 feet. The Mount Simon aquifer, at a depth of about 900 feet is also not currently used.


Legend

Figure 7-8: National Wetlands Inventory



Aft

onA

fton

New

port

New

port



Map

lew

ood

Map

lew

ood


Wei

r Driv

e


Pion

eer D

rive

Cen

tury

Ave

nue

(CSA

H 2

5)

Woo

dbur

y D

rive

(CSA

H 1

9)

Mile

Driv

e

Rad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Man

ning

Ave

nue

(STH

95)


Lake Road

Bie

lenb

erg

Driv

e

Futu

re P

ione

er D

rive


§̈¦94

Woo

dwin

ds D

rive

EB I94 to Radio Dr


Rad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Woo

dbur

y D

rive

(CSA

H 1

9)

Lake Road

Tamarack Road

Woo

dlan

e D

rive


Hudson Road

Cot

tage

Gro

ve D

rive

LA LAKE

COLBY LAKE

BATTLE CREEK LAKE

BAILEY LAKE

POWERS LAKE

CD-P85

CARVER LAKE

MARKGRAFS LAKE

FISH LAKE

WILMES LAKE

WILMES LAKE

RIA LAKE

0 10.5


LegendNational Wetland Inventory

Aft

onA

fton

New

port

New

port



Map

lew

ood

Map

lew

ood


Wei

r Driv

e


Pion

eer D

rive

Cen

tury

Ave

nue

(CSA

H 2

5)

Woo

dbur

y D

rive

(CSA

H 1

9)

Mile

Driv

e

Rad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Man

ning

Ave

nue

(STH

95)


Lake Road

Bie

lenb

erg

Driv

e

Futu

re P

ione

er D

rive


§̈¦94

Woo

dwin

ds D

rive

EB I94 to Radio Dr


Rad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Woo

dbur

y D

rive

(CSA

H 1

9)

Lake Road

Tamarack Road

Woo

dlan

e D

rive


Hudson Road

Cot

tage

Gro

ve D

rive

LA LAKE

COLBY LAKE

BATTLE CREEK LAKE

BAILEY LAKE

POWERS LAKE

CD-P85

CARVER LAKE

MARKGRAFS LAKE

FISH LAKE

WILMES LAKE

WILMES LAKE

RIA LAKE

0 10.5


LegendNational Wetland Inventory


Natural Resource Issues To protect environmental resources, specific areas and current issues that impact the natural environment must be identified, and guidelines to help minimize negative impacts on the environment must be established. This section includes a discussion of current issues identi-fied for the five resource areas described above (global resources, wildlife and vegetation, geologic resources, surface water and groundwater).

Global Resources

EnergyEnergy conservation and the use of renewable energy can minimize the impact on global climate change and reduce dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels. In 2004, the City implemented a comprehensive energy conservation policy to promote energy conservation and efficiency and the use of alternative energy resources in City build-ings. The City recognizes that although it is important to implement these practices in City operations, it is also critical to promote energy conservation and the use of renewable energy resources in private development and to encourage residents to use energy efficiently.

Climate Change and Air QualityThe international community’s most respected as-semblage of scientists has linked the significant rise in greenhouse gases to global warming, stating that hu-man activities are largely responsible for the increased concentration of global warming pollution. A significant amount of outdoor pollution stems from the use of fos-sil fuels to power vehicles and for heating, cooling and operating buildings. Making responsible decisions at the City level and promoting responsible actions within the community can help to reduce demands on natural resources and improve air quality.

Sustainable DesignThe concept of sustainable design as it applies to the built environment incorporates the principles of economic, social and ecological sustainability. The City views the incorporation of these elements into development as crucial to its goal of becoming a sustainable community

and enhancing livability for its citizens. These design ele-ments should be utilized in private construction as well as within City buildings. The City also encourages envi-ronmental purchasing both in design and construction as well as throughout the lifecycle of the development.

Recycling and Waste ReductionThe City of Woodbury has an open collection system for solid waste and recycling. This system allows residents to choose any hauler provided the hauler is licensed by the City. Private haulers are required to offer residential curbside and apartment pickup of recyclable materials, including magazines, catalogs, phone books, mixed paper and junk mail, newspaper and inserts, shredded paper, plastic bottles, aluminum and steel cans, glass bottles and jars, cardboard and boxboard. A County drop-off site accepting household hazardous waste and electronics is also available to Woodbury residents. The City also encourages composting by residents on their property and through use of the yard waste site in Woodbury. It is important to continue current recycling and waste reduction practices as well as encourage increased efforts throughout the City.


Native Vegetation Preservation and RestorationFew areas of native vegetation remain in pre-settlement condition as a result of past land use decisions. Areas that may not have experienced significant disturbance may contain less native species than once existed. The City recognizes the importance of preserving larger areas of native vegetation that still exist in the community and the importance of restoration activities.

Tree Preservation, Restoration and ManagementAs stated above, few areas of native vegetation remain in Woodbury. Of special importance is the fact that few sizable stands of trees remain because of intensive farming since the 1900s. Pests and disease including Dutch elm disease and oak wilt threaten the current tree population without proper management. The preserva-tion and proper management of existing tree stands is an important natural resource goal.


Invasive SpeciesIn addition to the loss of native vegetation through past land use decisions, existing areas of native species are threatened by invasive species. One example is the unique plant community of the Tamarack Swamp that is being threatened by several invasive species including purple loosestrife, buckthorn and reed canary grass. The rare species may disappear from the swamp if these ag-gressive invasive species begin to dominate the swamp ecosystem.

Greenway Corridors Many of Woodbury’s remaining natural areas are frag-mented, separated by urban development or agricultural lands. The greenway corridor plan strives to identify and connect Woodbury’s natural systems and areas. Greenways are often defined as continuous corridors that provide for the movement of wildlife and protec-tion of natural resources. They are generally vegetated, linear in shape, and often follow natural waterways or land features such as wetlands, slopes, valleys and rid-gelines. Greenways enhance the ecological function and aesthetic quality of natural areas and open spaces by interconnecting them, thereby countering habitat fragmentation and loss.

Establishing guidelines for greenway corridors is the first step in the goal of keeping natural systems intact, incor-porating them into developments in an environmentally sensitive way and expanding the corridors within the community. Special management guidelines will be developed to preserve and improve the habitat, natural functions and scenic qualities of greenways.

Geologic Resources

Karst Topography Woodbury first became aware that karst features existed in the City when a major sinkhole collapse occurred in 2005 in a regional stormwater pond. The collapse caused the water in the pond to drain within 48 hours presenting a number of groundwater concerns. As surface water moves quickly into karst features, the potential exists to quickly spread pollutants in surface water to drinking water aquifers. The normal underground pathways for

water movement are “short circuited” allowing surface water to quickly move long distances through fissures, cracks and collapse features in the bedrock. The City will need to be alert to the potential for the presence of karst features as development continues.

Soils The characteristics of native soils can have an impact on stormwater management. Requirements adopted by Woodbury in 2003, and additional requirements adopted by the three watershed districts with jurisdic-tion in the City, make infiltration of stormwater a man-datory requirement for all new development. Coarser hydrologic group A soils infiltrate water rapidly, while the tighter hydrologic group D soils infiltrate water very slowly. Hydrologic group B and C soils fall somewhere in between. These natural differences in infiltration rates have implications for stormwater management. Development occurring on tighter soils will require larger infiltration facilities and a greater percentage of the site dedicated to infiltration than development oc-curring on the coarser soils. Hydrologic group A soils, while able to accomplish the required infiltration with proportionally smaller facilities, have the concern of infiltrating too fast. This rapid infiltration can present the potential for groundwater contamination, as the soil does not have enough contact time with stormwater to reduce pollutant loads.

Erosion and Sediment Control In a developing suburb, soil erosion during the develop-ment process is often the single biggest contributor of pollution to receiving waters. Multiple developments, each with multiple builders, can create challenges to successfully implementing an erosion and sediment control program.

Soil CompactionDuring the development process, soils can become com-pacted as a result of site grading and heavy equipment on the site. When the soil profile becomes compacted, its ability to infiltrate water is greatly reduced resulting in greater stormwater runoff from the site.


Aggregate ResourcesThe Metropolitan Council estimates that the local sup-ply of aggregate materials in the metropolitan area will be exhausted by 2029 at the current projected rates of consumption. Calculations of aggregate use in Min-nesota estimate that each person consumes 10.5 tons of aggregate every year through such projects as road construction and maintenance, infrastructure develop-ment and building construction. In a developing suburb, aggregate use is probably higher than average on a per capita basis.

The Miller-Danner gravel pit at the southwest corner of Bailey Road and Mile Drive is the only gravel pit cur-rently providing aggregate materials for local construc-tion projects in Woodbury. This pit is scheduled to close in 2009. Gravel pits do exist outside the City boundaries, but the cost of aggregate increases as the distance hauled increases. In 2001, it was estimated that an increase in hauling distance of 10 miles would cause Woodbury developers and residents to pay an additional $600,000 per year in aggregate costs.

Countering the advantages of a locally available source of gravel is the nuisance aspect of gravel mining. Gravel mining generates dust, noise and heavy truck traffic. Mining activities can have an adverse impact on adjacent residential areas.


Impaired WatersThe Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is re-quired to publish a list of impaired waters in the state that are not meeting federal water quality standards. For each waterbody on the list, the MPCA is required to conduct a study to determine the allowable Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for each pollutant that exceeds the stan-dards. Impaired waters within Woodbury include Battle Creek Lake, Battle Creek, Carver Lake, Colby Lake, Markgrafs Lake and Wilmes Lake. These waterbodies are listed and described with their impairment and af-fected use in the City’s Surface Water Management Plan. The Surface Water Management Plan is summarized in Chapter 12 of the Comprehensive Plan.

Stormwater PollutionThe MPCA is the permitting authority in Minnesota for the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, the federal program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency to address stormwater runoff pollution. In compliance with the provisions of the federal Clean Water Act, the NPDES permit authorizes stormwater discharges from storm sewer systems.

Woodbury was required to obtain NPDES permit cover-age in 2003. To obtain coverage, the City of Woodbury was required to develop a stormwater pollution preven-tion program (SWPPP) that addresses specific control measures outlined in the permit.

In addition to the original requirements of the 2003 NPDES permit, the MPCA revised the NPDES permit program in 2006 to require 30 municipalities across the state to complete a nondegradation review. The review will be used by the MPCA to determine if nondegrada-tion rules are being met. Minnesota nondegradation rules for all waters require that discharges to surface wa-ters that have occurred since 1989 do not degrade water quality. They support state policy to protect Minnesota waters from significant degradation and to maintain uses, habitats and water quality in these waters by limiting the loading of pollutants.

Woodbury was one of the 30 municipalities to which the nondegradation review requirement applied. The nondegradation review included conducting a pollutant loading assessment, writing a nondegradation report and modifying the City’s SWPPP to address the findings of the assessment and to incorporate any changes proposed in the plan. Woodbury submitted its nondegradation review materials to the MPCA and is currently waiting for review and approval by the MPCA.

Valley Branch Watershed District/Northeast WoodburyThe northeastern area of the City, within VBWD, has several stormwater related challenges that will need to be addressed in the near future as development occurs. These unique concerns are discussed below according


to the three subwatersheds within the district as well as watershed-wide concerns.

The northernmost portion of the district, generally north of Hudson Road and east of Cottage Grove Drive, discharges stormwater to the I-94 freeway ditch system and eventually to the St. Croix River, an Outstanding Resource Value Water (ORVW). A full discussion of the implications of this issue can be found in the St. Croix River ORVW Restricted Discharge Water Plan prepared by the City of Woodbury for the MPCA. Lake St. Croix was also recently listed as an impaired water, creating more concern over future discharge to the river.

The middle portion of the district, generally south of Hudson Road and north of the future Eastview Road extension, drains toward Woodbury’s eastern bound-ary and into Fahlstrom Pond within the City of Afton. Woodbury’s future land use plan (see Chapter 4) indi-cates residential and commercial development in this area that would typically increase runoff from the current agricultural condition. VBWD has performed detailed modeling showing structures adjacent to Fahlstrom Pond are already at risk for flooding in large events be-cause the pond is landlocked, and there are no plans for providing an outlet. The City of Woodbury will need to plan for a stormwater management system in this area so that structures adjacent to the pond are not subject to an increased flood risk.

The southern portion of the district, generally south of the future Eastview Road extension, drains toward Valley Creek. Valley Creek is one of the few naturally reproducing trout streams in the metro area. Currently, the area that drains toward Valley Creek is designated as Urban Reserve. At some point after 2030, it is likely that development will occur in the area and special develop-ment standards will be necessary to protect the cold water fishery of Valley Creek.

Throughout the Valley Branch Watershed District there are concerns regarding karst topography (described in the Geologic Resources issues) that will likely have a significant impact on the types of stormwater practices that can be utilized in the area. Large regional ponds with significant storage that are typically utilized in de-

veloped areas may not be able to be used due to the risk of sinkholes and groundwater contamination.

Tamarack Swamp ManagementThe Tamarack Swamp is one of the most southern plant communities of its type and is listed on the Minnesota Biological Survey as a Significant Natural Plant Com-munity. Surrounded by development, its water quality and quantity is difficult to manage. The Comprehensive Vegetation Survey of Tamarack Swamp, March 1999, discusses the management issues.

Powers Lake ManagementThe South Washington Watershed District completed a Powers Lake Management Plan in 2000. The majority of the tributary drainage area to Powers Lake west of St. John’s Drive was developed at that time. The 2000 plan developed water quality goals for Powers Lake to keep phosphorus concentrations within average values for the region. The methods for control included stormwater management practices such as ponding, erosion control and aquatic plant management. Since the 2000 plan, the construction of the Fish Lake outlet was completed, doubling the tributary drainage area to Powers Lake. Monitoring has shown some signs of declining water quality, raising concerns about the long-term water quality of the lake.

Floodplain ManagementMinimizing losses associated with flooding promotes public health, safety and general welfare. The key to floodplain management is determining the floodplain areas that are at risk for flooding. Once those areas have been identified, ordinances should be written and en-forced to restrict the building of structures within those areas determined to be at risk. It is also important to educate residents about purchasing flood insurance whether they are required to do so or as optional protec-tion for their property.


Groundwater resources issues within the City of Wood-bury can be divided into two major categories, ground-water quantity and groundwater quality.


Groundwater QuantityTwo main factors affecting groundwater abundance are the volume of recharge of aquifers from rainfall and snow melt and the amount of groundwater pumped out of aquifers. Climate and weather cannot be controlled. However, effects on the land surface where groundwa-ter recharge occurs can be. Development of the land generally increases the amount of impervious surfaces, reducing the natural ability of precipitation to infiltrate and recharge aquifers.

Accompanying development and increased impervious surfaces is a growth in population that increases the need for groundwater pumping to serve household, commercial and industrial needs. Historically, the City’s aquifers have had abundant water; however, there may be limits to the amount of water available for pumping before aquifers are depleted, lake levels are lowered and stream flows are diminished.

Peak residential water consumption during the summer is a concern in Woodbury. Water consumption rose to an all-time high in 2006 in Woodbury and prompted the City Council to analyze water conservation initiatives. These initiatives are discussed in Chapter 10, Water Sup-ply, of the Comprehensive Plan. In addition to residential consumption, there are also concerns about private well users that pump large amounts of groundwater for uses such as contamination remediation or irrigation.

Groundwater QualitySources of groundwater contamination include residen-tial, commercial and industrial waste disposal; landfills; leaking petroleum tanks; septic systems; stormwater contamination from karst topography and fertilizer and pesticide inputs. High quality groundwater is available in most of Woodbury; however, there are locations where contaminants have been found. In these areas, there are added financial and social costs to managing the affected water supply.

In 2003, Washington County completed a nitrate con-tamination study in the Cottage Grove area. The study found generally elevated levels of nitrate in the Prairie du Chien aquifer; particularly where the Prairie du Chien was the upper bedrock formation and agricultural land

uses were predominate. There are large areas in southern and eastern Woodbury that also meet these conditions. Data gathered by Washington County through their private well testing program has confirmed the presence of elevated nitrate levels in the Prairie du Chien aquifer in Woodbury.

In 2007, the Minnesota Department of Health an-nounced that low levels of the chemical perfluorobu-tanoic acid (PFBA) had been detected in municipal wells in Woodbury. The Department of Health’s established health-based values suggest the chemical at these levels does not pose an immediate health risk to Woodbury residents and businesses. The City is working with public health and pollution control experts from the Depart-ment of Health, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Washington County Department of Public Health and Environment as well as 3M to obtain more information about PFBA and keep residents informed on emerging issues related to the contamination.

Goals and PoliciesValuable resources such as clean water and air and en-ergy conservation have no boundaries. Local choices affect the quality of both the City’s natural resources and resources at a global scale. Thus, Woodbury has a set of goals and policies that apply not only to protecting the natural resources of the community but reflect the City’s desire to responsibly manage its impact to global resources.

Global Resources

GoalsCreate a sustainable community that provides bal-1. ance between a growing economy, protection for the environment and social responsibility to enhance quality of life while preserving the same for future generations.

Create a livable community where development 2. incorporates sustainable design elements such as resource and energy conservation and use of renew-able energy.


Protect and enhance air quality and reduce the emis-3. sion of greenhouse gases and control the impact of climate change locally and globally.

Reduce waste stream toxicity and amount; minimize 4. generation of hazardous waste and increase reuse, recycling composting and purchasing of environ-mentally preferred products with minimal or no packaging.

PoliciesPromote the use of high performance or sustainable 1. design practices during all phases of development including design, deconstruction, construction and building operation and maintenance.

Promote national and regional sustainable building 2. design programs including utility-sponsored renew-able energy and conservation programs.

Encourage energy and resource conservation strate-3. gies to limit the effects of climate change, including decreased use of fossil fuels and a shift to renewable energy sources.

Promote the use of renewable energy, including solar 4. energy, in new residential developments.

Review the potential for use of renewable energy, 5. including solar energy, in all new public buildings.

Consider varying setback requirements within PUDs 6. in residential zoning districts as a means of protect-ing solar access.

Encourage alternative transportation by providing 7. sidewalks and trails and encouraging transit op-portunities.

Educate and inform businesses and residents about 8. opportunities and incentives to increase the utiliza-tion of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydro and biomass.

Improve the City’s environmental performance 9. by setting targets, using innovative approaches, encouraging employees to conserve resources and improving the existing recycling program.

Support and encourage community efforts in envi-10. ronmental awareness and education.

Support waste reduction activities including recy-11. cling, reuse and composting through policies and educational outreach opportunities for citizens and businesses.

Emphasize the importance of directing waste that 12. cannot be reused, recycled or composted to facilities that recover some of the energy value in garbage, and use landfilling as a last alternative.

Promote a sustainable solid waste program in exist-13. ing and future residential developments.

Continue to provide and encourage curbside re-14. cycling of reusable waste materials through educa-tional events, promotional materials and volunteer efforts.


GoalsPreserve and protect existing significant areas of 1. native vegetation.

Protect existing trees and woodlots to the extent 2. feasible as property is developed. When protection is not a feasible option, require tree replacement.

Increase tree canopy coverage throughout the 3. City.

Manage City property to discourage growth of inva-4. sive species and promote removal of invasive species throughout the community.

Create a continuous green corridor that connects 5. existing natural resource areas, providing a more ecologically sound system of open spaces.

PoliciesEncourage revegetation and management of natural 1. areas to restore native habitat and natural aesthetic qualities.

Encourage limited and responsible use of herbicides, 2. pesticides and fertilizers on residential and City property.

Continue an active disease and pest control program 3. on City property.


Encourage native tree planting and restoration ef-4. forts on private property and continue planting, management and restoration programs on City property.

Encourage tree planting along roads and boulevards, 5. as appropriate.

Use open space to link other park and open spaces 6. whenever possible.

Require open space within a new development to be 7. coordinated with and contiguous to the open space of existing adjacent development as appropriate.

Establish and maintain open space for wildlife man-8. agement and educational and scientific purposes.

Develop a greenway corridor plan that links areas of 9. natural resources that include wetlands, slopes, tree canopies, drainage ways and other significant natural features to create a continuous greenway corridor.

Create mechanisms that allow landowners to achieve 10. reasonable development while preserving a portion of the land as greenway as appropriate.

Allow opportunities for neighborhood parks to oc-11. cur within or adjacent to greenway corridors. Physi-cal development of a neighborhood park should minimize disturbance of natural areas.

Develop partnerships with non-profit, government 12. or private organizations for the purpose of acquiring targeted open spaces for greenways.

Promote management efforts that work to improve 13. the habitat and scenic qualities of greenway cor-ridors.

Geologic Resources

GoalsRecognize limits on development imposed by geo-1. logic conditions and accommodate them within the design of the development.

Utilize soil resources to gain maximum benefit for 2. stormwater treatment through infiltration while protecting groundwater resources.

Limit the movement of soils off site and the impacts 3. of sediment on receiving waters during the develop-ment process.

Use aggregate resources in areas where multiple 4. City objectives can be accomplished through min-ing activity.

PoliciesEstablish a karst overlay district with special require-1. ments in areas known or suspected to have karst topography.

Require the same amount of stormwater infiltration 2. on all soil types, but allow flexibility in meeting the infiltration targets by allowing a variety of best man-agement practices.

Enforce the land disturbance and erosion and sedi-3. ment control ordinance and permit to limit move-ment of soil to receiving waters during the develop-ment process.

Review options for establishing a program for post-4. development soil decompaction.

Allow gravel mines through interim conditional use 5. permits if they provide other City benefits, such as stormwater management or open space. Where pos-sible, using naturally occurring aggregate on site or exporting it as development occurs is preferred to actually establishing gravel mines.


GoalsImprove the water quality of lakes, wetlands and 1. streams by reducing loading of phosphorus, total suspended solids and water volume. At a mini-mum, there will be no increase in phosphorus, total suspended solids and water volume discharge over current conditions.

Reduce or maintain existing flows to lakes, wetlands 2. and streams to control flooding and maintain the natural communities associated with surface water resources.

Require infiltration of stormwater runoff to the 3. maximum extent practicable to reduce loading of


phosphorus, total suspended solids and water vol-ume to lakes, wetlands and streams.

Manage time of inundation, bounce and water qual-4. ity in lakes and wetlands so that lake and wetland function and values are preserved.

Monitor long-term surface water quality trends 5. through a comprehensive program.

PoliciesEncourage sustainable site design including reduc-1. tion of impervious surfaces, alternative landscaping practices and low impact development.

Require the use of watershed best management prac-2. tices to minimize pollutants in stormwater runoff.

Design detention basins with appropriate capacity 3. and to meet flow rate performance criteria.

Require infiltration on all new development and 4. redevelopment projects to reduce nutrient loading and volume.

Base all drainage system analyses and designs on 5. proposed full development land use patterns and in accordance with appropriate ordinances and standards.

Require installation of best management practices 6. on new development and redevelopment projects and construct stormwater management facilities to reduce post-development runoff volume.

Apply the nondegradation strategies of no increase 7. in total phosphorus, total suspended solids and wa-ter volume to discharge to DNR public waters and public watercourses, not on a City-wide basis.

Discourage wetland disturbance. Wetlands must 8. not be drained or filled, wholly or partially, unless replaced by restoring, enhancing or creating wetland areas of an equal public value, as permitted by the Wetland Conservation Act.

Encourage the restoration of degraded wetlands.9.

Protect wetland function and values from develop-10. ment impacts where possible. Where function and values cannot be maintained, the City will mitigate these wetlands in accordance with the replacement requirements of the Wetland Conservation Act.

Prohibit clearing and grading within designated 11. wetland buffers.

Manage high priority lakes with specific lake man-12. agement plans.

Continue or enhance the existing program to collect 13. long-term water quality data.


GoalsManage surface water runoff to protect drinking 1. water and wells.

Manage surface water runoff to promote ground-2. water recharge.

Promote sustainable and efficient use of groundwater 3. resources by balancing aquifer use and recharge.

PoliciesRequire infiltration practices that promote the re-1. charge of groundwater where appropriate.

Encourage alternative landscaping techniques and 2. other water conservation efforts.

Follow the Water Emergency and Conservation Plan 3. and encourage responsible water use by residents.

Develop programs to minimize water usage during 4. periods of prolonged drought.

Follow the City of Woodbury’s approved wellhead 5. protection plan.

Refer all plans for individual sewage treatment sys-6. tems to Washington County for review and approval in accordance with established agreement.

Protect drinking water and wells by restricting in-7. filtration where underlying karst formations may convey untreated surface water directly into ground-water aquifers.

Encourage residents with private wells to partici-8. pate in Washington County’s private well testing program.

Provide educational opportunities for residents re-9. garding the proper use of lawn fertilizers to minimize the amount of nitrate reaching the groundwater.


Utilize planning, land use regulations and appropri-10. ate controls to promote Washington County’s goal of protecting groundwater through sustainable growth, integrated land use and integrated groundwater-surface water management.

Work with Washington County to develop plans for 11. groundwater protection related to new commercial and industrial development.

Work with Washington County toward implementa-12. tion of the Washington County Groundwater Plan 2003-2013, especially where the City is listed as the “lead” or a “team member” for Implementation Actions.

Implementation Identifying strategies and tools for implementation of the goals and policies described within this chapter is a critical component to preserving natural resources and ensuring that development recognizes the inherent value of open space and environmental protection. The “build-ing blocks” of an effective implementation plan include the work of commissions and committees; ordinances, permit programs and other regulatory mechanisms; design guidelines and performance standards; program implementation and enforcement; public education and involvement and intergovernmental cooperation. While use and structure of the first four components varies widely, public education and involvement and intergovernmental cooperation involve many of the same tools and governmental units for all of the natural resource areas in this chapter.

Global Resources

Environmental Advisory CommissionThe City Code establishes an Environmental Advisory Commission (EAC), a citizen group to advise the City Council regarding policies and procedures related to sustainability issues. The commission is charged with encouraging the conservation and preservation of water, air, land, energy and other natural resources in order to achieve a more sustainable community. The commission also serves as a forum for the citizens of Woodbury to

voice their opinions regarding environmental educa-tion.

The commission sponsors several events throughout the year to increase environmental awareness, including the annual Environmental Landscape Workshop and the Earth Day Recycling Event. Additional outreach events focus on recycling, waste reduction and conservation.

Sustainability Committee In 2007, the Sustainability Committee was established as a subcommittee of the Environmental Advisory Commis-sion (EAC). It consists of up to eight residents. The City Council assigned the following tasks to the committee: development of a high performance building program for City buildings and private development; amending the “Natural Environment” critical success factor to incorporate sustainability and developing performance measures pertaining to energy use/conservation, green building and related sustainability issues.

High Performance Building Program The City Council assigned the Sustainability Committee with the task of developing a high performance building program for private development. The green building subgroup of the committee has researched existing na-tional and regional high performance building standards to determine what type of program would best fit the City’s goals. The committee has made recommenda-tions to the City Council regarding a program for City buildings and private development. The subgroup also developed a High Performance Building Idea List for commercial and residential new construction and re-modeling projects. The idea list will be distributed to developers, who are encouraged to incorporate as many high performance features as possible into their design. Once a high performance building standard is formally adopted, the City will begin monitoring progress toward sustainable design.

Critical Success FactorThe City Council has identified seven critical success factors as crucial to Woodbury’s success as a community. These are the guiding principles that govern the Coun-cil’s strategic planning for the future. In 2007, the City Council broadened the Natural Environment Critical


Success Factor to incorporate “Sustainability” with the following description:

Woodbury strives to be a sustainable community that promotes community health and wellness through the protection of the environment. The City assesses and improves its development practices, City and community energy use, and use of its natural resources in order to not use resources at the expense of future generations. The City’s role is to establish and implement policies, guidelines, goals and strategic actions to protect air and water quality, preserve natural areas, conserve energy and reduce waste.

Performance MeasuresThe Sustainability Committee, in cooperation with the EAC, is working on a formal system to measure the City’s progress toward sustainability. Initiatives that are currently underway include the establishment of tracking procedures for energy use in City buildings, high performance building in private development, com-munity awareness of sustainability and sustainability in relation to the City vehicle fleet. In addition, an action plan will be developed that will serve as a guide for staff and residents as the City moves forward with its goal of aiding in the reduction of carbon emissions related to climate change.

In regard to recycling, the City has a formal procedure in place to track tonnages collected through curbside pick-up, community recycling events and drop-off at private businesses. Recycling tonnages will continue to be monitored.

Recycling and Waste ReductionThe City of Woodbury requires trash haulers to provide curbside recycling service for residential customers, including all single-family and multi-family units. The City Code outlines the requirements for both hauling companies and residents.

City Buildings and OperationThe City has committed to energy reduction and sus-tainability in City buildings and operations through a number of initiatives. Steps that have been taken include

the use of non-toxic cleaning products, purchasing a hybrid gas-electric vehicle, flex-fuel vehicles, increased use of bio-diesel, installing LED lights in traffic signals, using high efficiency motors in water wells and sewage lift stations, retrofits for lighting, occupancy sensors, and high efficiency heating and cooling systems. In addition, a re-commissioning study has been completed for all City buildings, and suggested retrofits have either been completed or are scheduled for completion by the end of 2010. All of these conservation measures represent an investment that will pay off in ongoing energy savings.

The City has also decided to lead by example through the remodeling and expansion of City Hall, completed in 2007. Sustainable design features incorporated into City Hall include: a geothermal system for heating and cooling; a green roof; energy efficient mechanical and electrical systems; stormwater improvements such as porous pavers, rain gardens and other innovative tech-niques; low-flow plumbing fixtures; and maximized use of natural daylight. Providing the development commu-nity and citizens with a demonstration project such as City Hall provides a compelling example of the economic and environmental benefits of sustainable design.

A sustainability audit of all City properties, buildings, services and operations will be completed. The audit will select performance indicators appropriate for the City, collect baseline data, determine goals and establish a schedule for periodic audits of City performance. Op-tions for adopting a formal sustainable design standard for City buildings will be considered and would be ap-plied to any new buildings as well as remodeling and expansion projects.

U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection AgreementIn 2007, the City Council endorsed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. In joining more than 780 other U.S. cities that have endorsed the agreement, Woodbury has committed to take the fol-lowing three actions:

Strive to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets (7 �percent greenhouse gas reduction from 1990 levels by 2012) through actions ranging from anti-sprawl


land-use policies to urban forest restoration projects to public information campaigns,

Encourage state and federal governments to enact �policies and programs to meet or beat the green-house gas emission reduction target suggested for the United States in the Kyoto Protocol,

Encourage the U.S. Congress to pass bipartisan �greenhouse gas reduction legislation to establish a national emission trading system.


Planned Unit Development (PUD) The purpose of the existing Planned Unit Development ordinance is to encourage a more creative and efficient development of land and its improvements through the preservation of natural features and amenities than is possible under the more restrictive application of zon-ing requirements. The application of a PUD can also be utilized to support the use of low impact development (LID) concepts. The ordinance allows for modifications from the zoning code such as non-standard lot sizes, private streets and driveways, reduced rights-of-way and street widths, zero lot lines and reduced building setbacks. The changes must meet the standards and purposes of the Comprehensive Plan while preserving the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City. One of the goals of the ordinance is to ensure concentration of open space into more usable areas and preservation of natural resources. The ordinance also establishes standards for granting approval including specific standards for open space within a PUD. The development review process allows for proper implementation of this ordinance to successfully protect open space and preserve important wildlife and vegetation resources.

Greenway CorridorsThe purpose of designated greenway corridors is to provide protection and preservation for corridors of continuous open space throughout the City. Develop-ment is already restricted in some areas, such as within and near wetlands and lakes. The greenway corridor is intended to protect as permanent open space lands that have other desired natural features or open space characteristics which may not already be protected un-

der existing laws including natural habitat, tree canopy, drainage ways or excessive slopes. While these natural features are presently disconnected, an opportunity exists to reconnect these systems through revegetation to create continuous greenways that will function more like natural systems, creating better habitat and surface water management.

Land within this corridor will be a combination of public and private open space. Developable lands that contain part of the greenway system should not lose density but should plan development to minimally impact the greenway, preserving the greenway as permanent open space. It is intended that the greenway corridors will work in conjunction with other open space preservation techniques such as those allowed by the PUD.

The greenway corridor map, Figure 7-9, reflects pre-ferred opportunities for the greenway corridor. The actual physical location of the greenway corridor will be delineated as property develops. This map uses lines to represent desired routes for the greenway, following such natural features as wetlands, drainage ways, woodlands and ridgelines. Also reflected on the map are routes that may not contain significant natural resources, but could be important in creating a continuous greenway corridor system. These areas have the potential to be restored or may have existing easements for other purposes such as utilities or stormwater management.

Further delineation of the greenway corridors will be based on additional natural resource inventories done at the time of development. These inventories will help designate a continuous corridor that connects exist-ing wetlands, drainage ways, woods, natural areas, hill crests and community parks. Appropriate widths for the greenway will vary depending on habitat, scenic or functional requirements placed on the particular piece. Species requirements can vary from 100 feet for some songbirds and reptiles and amphibians, to 300-600 feet for warblers and raptors. Hydrological systems such as wetlands and lakes should have an adequate buffer of undisturbed vegetation. No part of the greenway should fall below 100 feet in width, where practical.


Legend

Figure 7-9: Greenway Map


Note: The greenway corridors reflect preferred opportunities for protecting and preserving continuous open space throughout the City. Further delineation of the greenway corridors will be based on additional natural resource inventories done at the time of development. No part of the greenway should fall below 100 feet in width, where practical.


Map created by Hoisington Kogler Group Inc.

Aft

onA

fton

New

port

New

port



Map

lew

ood

Map

lew

ood


Wei

r D

rive


Pion

eer

Dri

ve

Cen

tury

Ave

nue

(CS

AH

25)

Woo

dbur

y D

rive

(CS

AH

19)

Mile

Dri

veRad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Man

ning

Ave

nue

(STH

95)


Lake Road

Bie

lenb

erg

Dri

ve

Futu

re P

ione

er D

rive


§̈¦94

Woo

dwin

ds D

rive

EB I94 to Radio Dr


Rad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13) W

oodb

ury

Driv

e (C

SA

H 1

9)

Lake Road

Tamarack Road

Woo

dlan

e D

rive


Hudson Road

Cot

tage

Gro

ve D

riveLA LAKE

COLBY LAKE

BATTLE CREEK LAKE

BAILEY LAKE

POWERS LAKE

CD-P85

CARVER LAKE

MARKGRAFS LAKE

FISH LAKE

WILMES LAKE

WILMES LAKE

RIA LAKE

LegendCity Parks


Future Regional Ponding

Natural Resource Inventory B (highest quality)

B/C

C

C/D

D (lowest quality)

NA

Original Parcels

Priority Parcels

Additional Parcels

Trails

Easements

Existing Greenways

Proposed Greenways

0 10.5

Miles

EMap Updated: April 6, 2009


Aft

onA

fton

New

port

New

port



Map

lew

ood

Map

lew

ood


Wei

r D

rive


Pion

eer

Dri

ve

Cen

tury

Ave

nue

(CS

AH

25)

Woo

dbur

y D

rive

(CS

AH

19)

Mile

Dri

veRad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Man

ning

Ave

nue

(STH

95)


Lake Road

Bie

lenb

erg

Dri

ve

Futu

re P

ione

er D

rive


§̈¦94

Woo

dwin

ds D

rive

EB I94 to Radio Dr


Rad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13) W

oodb

ury

Driv

e (C

SA

H 1

9)

Lake Road

Tamarack Road

Woo

dlan

e D

rive


Hudson Road

Cot

tage

Gro

ve D

riveLA LAKE

COLBY LAKE

BATTLE CREEK LAKE

BAILEY LAKE

POWERS LAKE

CD-P85

CARVER LAKE

MARKGRAFS LAKE

FISH LAKE

WILMES LAKE

WILMES LAKE

RIA LAKE

LegendCity Parks




B/C

C

C/D

D (lowest quality)

NA

Original Parcels

Priority Parcels

Additional Parcels

Trails

Easements

Existing Greenways

Proposed Greenways

0 10.5

Miles



Aft

onA

fton

New

port

New

port



Map

lew

ood

Map

lew

ood


Wei

r D

rive


Pion

eer

Dri

ve

Cen

tury

Ave

nue

(CS

AH

25)

Woo

dbur

y D

rive

(CS

AH

19)

Mile

Dri

veRad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Man

ning

Ave

nue

(STH

95)


Lake Road

Bie

lenb

erg

Dri

ve

Futu

re P

ione

er D

rive


§̈¦94

Woo

dwin

ds D

rive

EB I94 to Radio Dr


Rad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13) W

oodb

ury

Driv

e (C

SA

H 1

9)

Lake Road

Tamarack Road

Woo

dlan

e D

rive


Hudson Road

Cot

tage

Gro

ve D

riveLA LAKE

COLBY LAKE

BATTLE CREEK LAKE

BAILEY LAKE

POWERS LAKE

CD-P85

CARVER LAKE

MARKGRAFS LAKE

FISH LAKE

WILMES LAKE

WILMES LAKE

RIA LAKE

LegendCity Parks




B/C

C

C/D

D (lowest quality)

NA

Original Parcels

Priority Parcels

Additional Parcels

Trails

Easements

Existing Greenways

Proposed Greenways

0 10.5

Miles



Aft

onA

fton

New

port

New

port



Map

lew

ood

Map

lew

ood


Wei

r D

rive


Pion

eer

Dri

ve

Cen

tury

Ave

nue

(CS

AH

25)

Woo

dbur

y D

rive

(CS

AH

19)

Mile

Dri

veRad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Man

ning

Ave

nue

(STH

95)


Lake Road

Bie

lenb

erg

Dri

ve

Futu

re P

ione

er D

rive


§̈¦94

Woo

dwin

ds D

rive

EB I94 to Radio Dr


Rad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13) W

oodb

ury

Driv

e (C

SA

H 1

9)

Lake Road

Tamarack Road

Woo

dlan

e D

rive


Hudson Road

Cot

tage

Gro

ve D

riveLA LAKE

COLBY LAKE

BATTLE CREEK LAKE

BAILEY LAKE

POWERS LAKE

CD-P85

CARVER LAKE

MARKGRAFS LAKE

FISH LAKE

WILMES LAKE

WILMES LAKE

RIA LAKE

LegendCity Parks




B/C

C

C/D

D (lowest quality)

NA

Original Parcels

Priority Parcels

Additional Parcels

Trails

Easements

Existing Greenways

Proposed Greenways

0 10.5

Miles



Aft

onA

fton

New

port

New

port



Map

lew

ood

Map

lew

ood


Wei

r D

rive


Pion

eer

Dri

ve

Cen

tury

Ave

nue

(CS

AH

25)

Woo

dbur

y D

rive

(CS

AH

19)

Mile

Dri

veRad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13)

Man

ning

Ave

nue

(STH

95)


Lake Road

Bie

lenb

erg

Dri

ve

Futu

re P

ione

er D

rive


§̈¦94

Woo

dwin

ds D

rive

EB I94 to Radio Dr


Rad

io D

rive

(CS

AH

13) W

oodb

ury

Driv

e (C

SA

H 1

9)

Lake Road

Tamarack Road

Woo

dlan

e D

rive


Hudson Road

Cot

tage

Gro

ve D

riveLA LAKE

COLBY LAKE

BATTLE CREEK LAKE

BAILEY LAKE

POWERS LAKE

CD-P85

CARVER LAKE

MARKGRAFS LAKE

FISH LAKE

WILMES LAKE

WILMES LAKE

RIA LAKE

LegendCity Parks




B/C

C

C/D

D (lowest quality)

NA

Original Parcels

Priority Parcels

Additional Parcels

Trails

Easements

Existing Greenways

Proposed Greenways

0 10.5

Miles



Tree Preservation, Restoration and ManagementTrees can function as windbreaks, snow fences and buf-fers between incompatible land uses. Trees reduce wind erosion, improve water quality, screen unsightly areas, provide habitat for wildlife, reduce energy consumption, enhance community identity and image and improve the quality of air and water.

The existing tree preservation ordinance establishes minimum size thresholds for significant trees and speci-fies replanting requirements for significant trees that are removed. Trees that are lost to development that meet minimum size criteria must be replaced. The minimum size threshold and replacement requirements vary based on tree species, with higher value hardwood species such as oak and walnut requiring greater amounts of replacement, and lesser value softwood species such as cottonwood and box elder requiring less replacement. Tree replacement should occur on the same site as the trees that were removed when possible. When same-site tree replacement is not possible, the City accepts tree planting on City property if desired by the City or payment of a fee per diameter inch to be used for tree planting activities elsewhere. Woodbury will continue to refine and enforce the current tree ordinance, as part of the Environmental Management ordinance.

The City also has an active tree planting, trimming and management program. Management includes disease and pest control for Dutch elm disease and oak wilt. In addition, a tree planting incentive program is also run by the City, reimbursing homeowners for planting specific tree species on private property.

The City also requires the planting of trees on a per lot basis for residential development regardless if original trees were removed or not as well as tree planting on commercial properties through site plan review.

The City will also begin investigating the potential to complete an urban tree canopy (UTC) cover assessment. The assessment of current cover could then be used to aid in goal setting and the determination of methods to increase UTC throughout the City long-term.

Parks and Open SpaceThe City of Woodbury has developed a comprehensive Parks, Trails and Recreation Plan (see Chapter 8 of this Comprehensive Plan) to guide the development of future park and recreation amenities within the City. The City Code requires park and open space dedication for new developments that is enforced through the development review process.

In addition to land or money dedicated through devel-opment for parks and open space, Woodbury voters approved a $6 million referendum in 2005 to purchase sites that have significant natural features and to obtain land adjacent to current parks and open space to create larger open space and park areas.

The City has also developed management plans for sev-eral priority open space areas and encourages minimizing turf and related herbicide, pesticide and fertilizer use by planting native vegetation on public lands.

Geologic Resources

Karst Overlay DistrictThe City will develop a karst overlay district to be used in areas known or suspected to have karst topography. The karst overlay district will specify steps that must be taken before development occurs to analyze existing bedrock conditions and identify surficial karst features. Within the karst overlay district, soil borings will be required to determine appropriate separation between any excavation and bedrock before development occurs. This information will be used to restrict the location of structures and stormwater management facilities to avoid conflicts with karst features. As development occurs within the karst overlay district, geologic information will be gathered and compiled to update maps and other data sets that can increase knowledge of karst conditions and related problems in the area.

Land Disturbance and Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance and PermitThe Land Disturbance and Erosion and Sediment Con-trol Ordinance ensures that soil erosion on development and construction sites does not reach receiving waters. The City issues a land disturbance permit before any


grading of more than 50 cubic yards takes place on a site. Before a permit is issued, a detailed grading plan must be submitted. The grading plan is reviewed for compliance with the City’s ordinance and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System construction permit requirements. Inspectors visit active construction sites to ensure compliance.

Post Construction Soil Decompaction ProgramBenefits of a successful soil decompaction program after construction include improved plant growth and improved infiltration capacity of the soil. Ordinances or policies supporting a soil decompaction program have been suggested as an item to include in the City’s Surface Water Management Plan and the Comprehensive Plan by many entities including the Metropolitan Council, watershed districts and the MPCA. There are many challenges to implementing such a program including the best time during the construction process to perform the decompaction and site constraints on residential construction sites. The City of Woodbury will review established programs and determine if a program can be developed that can be implemented, monitored and enforced successfully.

Aggregate ResourcesThe Woodbury City Council identified gravel mining as a strategic issue in 2001, and held several workshops to discuss the issue. From those meetings, a set of criteria was developed to guide the location of future gravel pits within the City limits. The criteria are as follows:

A gravel mine must fit with City stormwater drain- �age plans and be able to interconnect with existing stormwater drainage areas.

After the gravel mine is exhausted, it would have to �be able to be utilized as open space or a greenway corridor that complies with the City’s Comprehen-sive Plan.

The gravel mine would have to ultimately provide a �reduction in stormwater volumes delivered to Bailey Lake or the downstream stormwater management system.

The gravel mine would have to result in a public �asset.

The property utilized for stormwater management �and greenway corridors would have to be dedicated to the City in addition to the normal park dedica-tion.

The gravel mining permit would have a sunset �clause.

It was also decided that development projects that use the naturally occurring aggregate material on site or export the material as the area develops are preferable to actual gravel mining operations.


Surface Water Management PlanThe City’s SWMP is a comprehensive document that will be used to guide decision making regarding many of the concerns identified in the Natural Resource Issues section under Surface Water Resources. In particular, the SWMP includes specific reference to the Impaired Waters program and the City’s commitment to the TMDL study process for the impaired waters within Woodbury. The SWMP also incorporates all aspects and requirements of the City’s NPDES permit including the City’s SWPPP and Nondegradation Review. The SWMP also determines a structure for prioritizing the completion of lake management plans, with Powers Lake being the highest priority lake. The SWMP depends on an implementation program of ordinances, standards, enforcement, an inspection and maintenance program and Capital Improvement Projects to be successfully implemented. The SWMP is being completed in con-junction with this Comprehensive Plan but is a separate document. The SWMP is summarized in Chapter 12.

Design GuideThe requirements of the SWMP, appropriate ordinances and Woodbury design guidelines and standards for sur-face water management will be summarized in a Design Guide to aid in the development process and identify criteria used in the review and approval process by the City. The document will be available after the SWMP is adopted.


Environmental Management OrdinanceThe Environmental Management chapter of City Code includes many ordinances designed to protect surface water resources within the City. It includes the Shore-land Overlay Zone, Wetland Protection and Stormwater Management ordinances. The purpose of the chapter is to preserve and enhance the quality of existing natural resources in the City of Woodbury.

Many of the ordinances within the Environmental Management chapter will require updates after adoption of the SWMP including infiltration requirements and stormwater management requirements for redevelop-ment projects.

Northeast Area Alternative Urban Areawide Review (NE Area AUAR)The NE Area AUAR considers multiple potential land use scenarios for the northeast portion of the City along Interstate 94 and Manning Avenue in Valley Branch Wa-tershed District. Consistent among these scenarios is the inclusion of a mix of land uses including business park, residential, retail and open space. The AUAR reviews concerns regarding karst topography and stormwater management as well as open space and tree preserva-tion and presents a mitigation plan that addresses these issues. The study specifically addresses the area that drains to Fahlstrom Pond in Afton and to the Interstate 94 ditch that is tributary to the St. Croix River. The AUAR identifies measures to reduce runoff volumes with development, while protecting groundwater, to minimize impacts downstream.

Tamarack Swamp ManagementThe Comprehensive Vegetation Survey of Tamarack Swamp, March 1999 summarizes the challenges of man-agement of the Tamarack Swamp. The Ramsey-Wash-ington Metro Watershed District has studied various methods to preserve the valuable plant species found in the swamp while accommodating the increase in surface water runoff from surrounding developments. The City will continue to work with the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District to accomplish these goals. New initiatives that could benefit from increased em-

phasis include resident participation in invasive species removal and the planting of tamarack trees.

Powers Lake Management PlanThe South Washington Watershed District completed a Powers Lake Management Plan in 2000. This plan was recently updated by the City because of the expanded tributary drainage area east of St. John’s Drive. The plan presents water quality goals for Powers Lake to keep phosphorus concentrations within ecoregion values and maintain current uses of the lake with an emphasis on fishing and aesthetic qualities. The implementation methods include management practices such as ponding, erosion control, infiltration and aquatic plant manage-ment. The first implementation project was completed in late 2008.

Floodplain ManagementIn 2001, the City of Woodbury enrolled as a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program. The City has been in the Emergency Phase of the program while the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) completed floodplain maps for the City. FEMA released a preliminary flood insurance study and preliminary flood insurance rate maps for all of Washington County in 2007. The maps establish the 100-year flood risk zones – identifying high risk properties that have a one percent annual chance of flooding – for many of the lakes, wetlands and ponds in Woodbury. The National Flood Insurance Program requires that all cities adopt, enforce and administer a floodplain zoning ordinance utilizing the minimum standards set forth by the Min-nesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at the time of formal map adoption under the state Floodplain Management Act.

Chapter 25 of the Woodbury City Code contains the cur-rent floodplain ordinance. The purpose of the ordinance is to promote the public health, safety and general welfare and to minimize the losses associated with flooding. This ordinance will require updating at the time of adoption of the final Flood Insurance Study and Flood Insurance Rate Maps.

The City will assist residents regarding the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program, including an-


swering questions regarding affected properties and the Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) process.


Surface Water Management PlanThe SWMP described above under Surface Water Resources also addresses groundwater resources, spe-cifically issues related to ensuring the protection of groundwater quality where surface water-groundwater interactions occur. The SWMP outlines goals and poli-cies as well as implementation steps for groundwater pro-tection that are consistent with the Washington County Groundwater Plan 2003-2013. In addition, Chapter 11, Water Supply, of this Comprehensive Plan, includes groundwater conservation and protection elements.

Wellhead Protection Plan The purpose of a wellhead protection program is to ensure that the siting of public wells provides for clean drinking water and that surrounding land uses pose a minimal threat for groundwater contamination. As new wells are developed, the City is required by the Minnesota Department of Health to identify wellhead protection areas. The City must also do potential con-taminant source inventories for these areas. The City has an approved Wellhead Protection Plan. As part of the wellhead protection program, the City will develop a Wellhead Protection Ordinance as a next step in protect-ing groundwater quality and will update the ordinance as new municipal wells become necessary.

Individual Sewage Treatment Systems Management The City of Woodbury currently has approximately 600 individual sewage treatment systems (ISTS), most of which are located in the Rural Estate and Urban Reserve areas. The City has an agreement with Washington County to perform the review of plans for all new ISTS as well as the inspection of all existing systems. The poten-tial number of new systems within Woodbury is relatively low; most new homes are planned to be served by sani-tary sewer. In addition, the sanitary sewer in southern Woodbury will be sized appropriately to accommodate service to the Rural Estate areas if necessary in the future.

Chapter 10, Sanitary Sewer, of this Comprehensive Plan provides a detailed discussion of ISTS.

Nitrate ContaminationThe Cottage Grove Area Nitrate Study Report done by Washington County in 2003 hypothesized that urban development replacing agricultural activities in sensitive recharge areas would reduce the amount of nitrate in the groundwater over the long term. A significant amount of this land use conversion will occur in Woodbury over the time period of this Comprehensive Plan. Public education activities targeted towards proper use of lawn fertilizers will help reduce nitrate levels more quickly as this land use conversion occurs.

Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) ContaminationThe City of Woodbury will advocate for mitigation and work with the Minnesota Department of Health, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and 3M and inform residents regarding current issues. The City will also use the results of research to determine the location of future municipal wells and appropriate locations for new private wells.

Water Conservation The most significant conservation efforts have revolved around modification of the water pricing structure. Other conservation initiative ideas have included an education effort, an internal audit of City practices, a rain sensor program, the addition of an emergency watering restric-tion, improved enforcement and use of drought tolerant soil amendments and turf on City projects. Some work has proceeded on these ideas; however, more work is needed in all areas. Another idea is the possibility of a water auditing service being made available to large irrigation system users and residents. A continued ef-fort to explore the effectiveness of alternative landscap-ing techniques may also yield benefits. In addition, to promote aquifer conservation, the City will work on conservation measures with large water users on private wells. The City will continue to work with the MPCA on a mitigation plan for the 3M disposal site in southeast Woodbury that would minimize the need for extensive groundwater extraction to conserve the aquifer.


Public Education and Involvement

An important implementation strategy for natural re-source protection is educational outreach. The City of Woodbury has several programs that promote resource protection among residents and businesses.

In the area of global resources, public education and outreach are important components for the successful implementation of programs and strategies. Current City initiatives that inform and promote efficient use of these resources include the annual Environmental Landscape Workshop, the Earth Day Recycling Event and publica-tion of the Green Times newsletter. The Environmental Advisory Commission (EAC) sponsors and participates in a variety of programs to promote waste reduction, composting and recycling including Woodbury Days and elementary school events. In addition, the Sustain-ability Committee, a subcommittee of the EAC also sponsors programs to educate citizens on sustainable resource use.

Public education programs and activities that promote wildlife and vegetation management include the Alter-native Landscaping Grant Program, the Tree Planting Incentive Program, the Environmental Landscape Work-shop, the Buckthorn Busting Program and articles in the Woodbury City Update.

Public education and involvement is a priority in water resource management. The City’s NPDES permit has specific education requirements that include an educa-tional component related to each of the six Minimum Control Measures listed in the permit.

The City has included an Educational Goals and Activi-ties section in the SWPPP to specifically address these requirements. The City will continue to support and be a partner with organizations whose mission is to edu-cate the public about surface water management issues including Watershed Partners, specifically the Metro Media Campaign.

An important implementation strategy for groundwa-ter resource protection is public education. Education covers both water quantity and water quality issues. The City has been actively educating citizens on wa-

ter conservation strategies since 2005. Groundwater quality education has become significant recently with the discovery of PFBA contamination in groundwater throughout Washington County. The City of Woodbury will continue to utilize material produced by the Min-nesota Department of Health and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to educate residents.

Partners and resources in educational outreach include the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Department of Health, Master Gardeners, Washington County, Washington Conservation District and water-shed districts. Many departments and commissions at the City also cooperate on natural resource management issues including Parks, Engineering, Public Works, Plan-ning and Administration staff as well as the Environmen-tal Advisory Commission, the Sustainability Committee and the Park and Recreation Commission.

Intergovernmental Cooperation

Woodbury will continue to work with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Minnesota Pol-lution Control Agency, the Minnesota Department of Health, the University of Minnesota, Washington County, Washington Conservation District, watershed districts and adjacent communities to protect natural resources and promote sustainability.

This page

intentionally

left blank

7-30 | Natural Resources/ Environmental Protec tion Cit y of Woodbur y DRAFT - Apri l 2009

Natural Resource Management and Environmental Protection...Natural Resource Management 7 and...

Documents

Transcript of Natural Resource Management and Environmental Protection...Natural Resource Management 7 and...