proposal for the halverson-dimler restoration project...proposal for the halverson-dimler...

Prepared byEmmons & Olivier Resources, Inc.for the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District

August 17, 2012

Proposal for the Halverson-Dimler Restoration Project

w a t e r e c o l o g y c o m m u n i t y

http://eorinc.com

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EOR is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer

Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc. 651 Hale Ave N Oakdale, MN 55128 T/ 651.770.8448 F/ 651.770.2552 www.eorinc.com

August 17, 2012

Tiffany Forner

Minnehaha Creek Watershed District

18202 Minnetonka Blvd.

Deephaven, MN 55391

RE: Halverson-Dimler Restoration

Dear Tiffany:

We are pleased to submit the attached proposal for the Halverson-Dimler Restoration Project. Our team

is lead by Jason Naber, a senior biologist, who has successfully managed many ecosystem restoration

projects. Tony DeMars of Cross River Consulting will be part of the team focusing on the management

planning components. Tony has extensive experience with this site having inventoried the property during

different times of the year. This work included a detailed natural resource inventory of plant communities,

preliminary mapping of tiles and ditches, historical land use review, identification of trail alignments and

the establishment of restoration targets and strategies. Tony has also completed property assessments and

landscape-level management plans for the Six Mile Marsh Corridor, Upland Farms and Woodland Cove

Development Projects. Through these projects and his work on the Halverson-Dimler parcels, Tony

brings an intimate knowledge of ecological characteristics as well as an understanding of the

local/regional restoration context that is key to working successfully with project partners. Jason and

Tony have a long history of working together on projects and have demonstrated their effective

partnership through the implementation of many similar restoration projects including the District’s large

wetland restoration project along Painter Creek.

Jason and Tony are supported by a strong staff of professionals at EOR including Annie Weeks who

recently completed extensive research on agricultural field restoration for a Master’s program. Our lead

engineer for the project will be Jay R Hill. Jay brings decades of design and construction contract

management experience. Jay also is a registered land surveyor who will oversee site surveying activities

and can address utility easement issues as needed. EOR’s support staff cover disciplines including

wetland science, landscape architecture and ecosystem restoration. Many of our staff have experience

working with MCWD on similar successful restoration projects.

Our restoration plan and design will emphasize a cost-effective, incremental approach to achieving long

term restoration of the Halverson-Dimler parcels. The restoration plan and design will provide a

neighborhood amenity with key ecological attributes integrated into a trail plan.

EOR’s team is available to start immediately in order to develop plans and specifications that can be

publically bid early fall 2012.

Sincerely,

Jason R. Naber - Project Manager

MCWD – Halverson-Dimler Restoration

Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc.

w a t e r | e c o l o g y | c o m m u n i t y

1

FIRM PROFILE

Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc. (EOR)

Is a collaborative group of environmental and design

professionals passionate about protecting our waters,

restoring healthy ecosystems, and enhancing our

community's unique sense of place. We are an employee

owned, multi-disciplinary water resource-based firm that

specializes in:

water-resources engineering, watershed planning, and modeling

environmental compliance, biological surveying, and restoration

sustainable site design, planning, and landscape architecture

History

Formed in 1997, Brett Emmons & Cecilio Olivier recognized

the critical need for sustainable, alternative approaches to

resources management that would provide long-term,

holistic solutions. Having developed many unique

applications and advanced sustainable technologies, EOR

continues to monitor and refine our designs to address

multiple functions.

Approach

At EOR, scientific study and design are inherently

intertwined in the pursuit of sustainability. The analytical

and creative richness of our solutions derives from this

characteristic integration and results in the highest social,

environmental, and economic returns for our clients.

Mission + Values:

We care for the earth and its inhabitants

we collaborate with environmentally

conscious customers

we attract passionate, creative professionals

we work in an aspiring and healthy environment

we foster a culture of ownership

we support the communities we serve

policy and ordinance development

we believe now is the time to act




2

PROFILE + SERVICES

Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc. (EOR)

Is a collaborative group of environmental and design

professionals passionate about protecting our waters,

restoring healthy ecosystems, and enhancing our

community's unique sense of place. We are an employee

owned, multi-disciplinary water resource-based firm that

specializes in:

water-resources engineering, watershed planning,

and modeling

environmental compliance, biological surveying, and

restoration

sustainable site design, planning, and landscape

architecture

Services – water I ecology I community

Watersheds and Water Resources

floodplain management • geologic and hydrogeologic

investigations • groundwater modeling, planning, &

mgmt • hydrologic and hydraulic modeling • lake and

wetland mgmt. plans • policy & ordinance development

• stormwater management and outreach • stream

assessment, restoration, and monitoring • TMDL and

watershed protection studies • water quality

monitoring and modeling

Ecosystems and Natural Resources

ecological restoration design • environmental

compliance • environmental planning and mgmt. •

invasive species documentation • vegetation

assessment and classification • wetland regulatory

activities • wildlife surveys and monitoring

Civil Engineering, Landscape Architecture,

and Planning

campus & community planning • civil design,

construction mgmt,, & land surveying • green

infrastructure • low impact development &

conservation design • parks & trails planning • public participation, input, & project awareness •

sediment control & conservation practices • ustainable site design (SITES) & LEED strategies •

sustainability planning




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PRIMARY TEAM MEMBERS

Jason Naber – Senior Partner and Biologist

BA Biology, St. John’s University, 1992

Jason Naber has 23 years of experience in natural and water resources

management, GIS mapping, and threatened and endangered wildlife surveys.

Jason has been involved with the development of several resource management

plans (RMP), comprehensive wetland management plans (CWMP), and in the

implementation of total maximum daily load (TMDL) studies including several

Watershed Restoration Assessment and Protection (WRAP) plans. Jason is very

well versed in local, state and federal environmental regulations and permitting

programs. Jason will serve as the project manager and also a technical expert on

all aspects of the project.

Anthony R. DeMars – Natural Resources Specialist BS Natural Resources and Environmental Studies. University of Minnesota, 1994

Tony DeMars is senior natural resources specialist/wetland scientist with over 27

years of experience. Tony has a diverse background in natural resources, water

resources, environmental review/permitting and natural resources-based land use

planning. He routinely performs natural resources inventories and conducts

ecological assessments of terrestrial, wetland and riverine resources, including

rare plants, plant communities and wildlife habitat. Mr. DeMars has prepared

natural resources management and ecological restoration plans for variety of

projects ranging from brownfield sites to regional-scale comprehensive plans.

Jay R. Hill, PE, PLS – Civil Engineer + Land Surveyor BS Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota – Moorhead, 1991

Jay Hill has 21 years of civil engineering & land surveying experience for both

the public and private sectors. Having served as a Department of Transportation

crew chief and head of testing, Jay lends a depth of knowledge to several of

EOR’s development and design projects. Providing overall project and

construction management services, Jay’s skills ensure that projects proceed

smoothly through all phases of construction form initial design concept through

to final project close out.

Annie Weeks – Restoration Ecologist MS Biology, University of Central Florida, 2012 BS Biology, University of Minnesota, 2005

Annie has 6 years of experience as a restoration ecologist conducting research on

invaded upland habitats, with an emphasis on abandoned agricultural lands. Her

thesis research studied the effects of soils and invasive species on native,

sandplain grassland species establishment on former agricultural lands in

Massachusetts. Annie has worked in collaboration with land managers from state

and federal agencies, TNC, and researchers from various academic institutions,

to design restorations, prepare Adaptive Management Plans, Baseline Property

Reports, and survey for rare plant species.




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SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERS

Kevin Biehn, ASLA, CPESC, LEED AP – Partner MLA, Minor in Water Resources Science, University of Minnesota, 2000 BS Environmental Design, University of Minnesota, 1998

Kevin Biehn has 16 years of experience as a landscape architect and ecosystem

restoration specialist. An emphasis of Kevin’s work has been in riparian systems

rehabilitation and erosion control. This experience includes stream classification,

channel assessment, natural channel design, soil bioengineering, erosion and

sediment control plans, vegetation stabilization and riparian buffer re-

establishment.

Beth Markhart, PWS – Plant Ecologist MS Plant Physiology, University of Minnesota, 1986 BS Environmental Biology, University of Colorado, 1979

Beth Markhart has 31 years of experience in the inventory and mgmt. of

terrestrial and wetland communities. She has led multiple plant community

inventories, management plans, and environmental review projects. Beth has

also conducted advanced wetland delineations and performed specialized

botanical surveys for restoration response monitoring and rare species. Beth

contributes to the growing use of vegetated best management practices for

stormwater management and analyzes natural resource inventories to create

standards and rules for wetlands, and when contributing to vegetation restoration

design.

Melissa Arikian – Plant Ecologist MS Forestry, University of Minnesota, 2001 BS Environmental, Forest Biology & Forest Resources Mgmt., SUNY ESF at Syracuse, 1997

Melissa Arikian has 14 years of experience as an ecologist, specializing in plant

and forest ecology. In addition to creating comprehensive wetland management

plans, Melissa conducts natural resource inventories and assessments. She is also

experienced in the use of several state and national land cover classification

systems and GIS. Melissa excels in combining her fieldwork within a larger

management context – providing recommendations, implementation procedures,

and impact assessments. Melissa will serve as a restoration ecologist for this

project.

Mike Majeski – Biologist BA Environmental Biology, Saint Mary’s University, 2002

Mike Majeski is a biologist with 11 years of experience in wildlife biology,

environmental monitoring, and land surveying. Mike is conversant with many

types of land survey and monitoring equipment including RTK GPS and total

station. Projects include upland and wetland topography surveys, lake and river

bathymetry, stream cross-section/profile surveying, municipal structure

inventories, and construction staking and as-builts. Mike has conducted several

rare and endangered raptor and amphibian studies in both Wisconsin and

Minnesota. Mike’s role will be field surveyor and natural resources field

technician.




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REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS

Prairie / Wetland Restoration Design

ACD 53-62 Restoration

Silver Creek Corridor Eco-Restoration

Hardwood Creek Corridor Easement Restorations

Carlson Site and Hwy. 26 Wetland Restorations

Parley Lake Wetland Restoration Plan

Big Island Restoration Feasibility Study and Design

Trail Design and Neighborhood Integration Amery Regional Medical Center

Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary

Harriet Island Park Improvements

Wetter Farms Conservation Development

Permitting

Lino Lakes Special Area Management Plan (SAMP)

Highway 212 Wetland Permitting and Mitigation Design

NPDES General Permit Assistance to EPA

Construction Documents and Bidding

Rice Creek Meander

Credit Valley Conservation Authority Low Impact Development Manual

Raspberry Island Stabilization

University of Minnesota Regional Infiltration Basin

Coldwater Stream Improvements for Golf Course

Monitoring and Vegetation Management

Glacial Ridge Ecoregional Restoration Vegetation Surveys

Afton Natural Resources Inventory and Stewardship Plan

Argonne Villages Wetland Mitigation and Monitoring

Calcareous Fen Monitoring

Kettle Bog Monitoring

Resource Mgmt. Plans in the Rice Creek Watershed District

South Washington Natural Area Plan

Select projects are highlighted on subsequent pages




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REPRESENTATIVE PROJECT DETAILS

ACD 53-62 Wetland Feasibility Report This subwatershed contains many wetlands impacted by agricultural

drainage systems that are upstream of Golden Lake, a nutrient-impaired

waterbody. Restoration of these wetlands offer an important opportunity

regarding state wetland mitigation credits for the Twin Cities Metro Area,

while providing an opportunity for investigating the nutrient dynamics of

wetlands upstream of impaired waters. EOR’s study identified the

vegetative and hydrologic restoration features that would yield the most

wetland restoration credits under both the State and Federal wetland credit

programs. These areas were further evaluated and one 500-acre site is

currently undergoing extensive restoration as part of a State-approved

Wetland Bank.

Silver Creek Corridor Eco-Restoration

Private lands restoration activities were carried out in two of seven corridor

segments. EOR visited with and developed construction conservation

agreements with five landowners and secured state cost-share funds. In the

hydrologically disturbed stream reach, rock vanes, rootwad revetments,

brush-grids, wattles, coir logs, and other soil bioengineering methods were

employed. Within another stream reach, a multi-year plant community

restoration was completed. This involved large areas of oak and riparian

forest restoration, emergent wetland creation in sod fields, as well as reed

canary grass treatment cycles in the sedge meadow areas, consisting of

prescribed burning & herbicide wicking. EOR coordinated site activities

with Minnesota Conservation Corps and other contractors.

Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary The historic, sacred Carver’s Cave and early Mississippi River settlement

area (now known as the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary) was restored from

brownfield conditions to include a 870 foot groundwater-fed stream, 3

wetlands, black and tamarack seepage swamps, and 4 acres of bedrock bluff

prairie. The ecological restoration was integrated with park design concepts

and 1.4 trail miles were also constructed for future paving. This project

required complex collaboration with park planning, historic preservation,

and tribal resource protection efforts. Design services included: various

public and project partner presentations, wetland permitting, coordinating

with the contaminated area’s Response Action Plan, and construction

oversight.

Lino Lakes Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) Current wetland policies, including the Federal Mitigation Rule & MN’s Wetland

Conservation Act, stress the importance of a watershed-based approach for

broader water resource benefits. This approach to mitigation can provide

permitting flexibility by demonstrating that a comprehensive planning approach

was taken to evaluate development alternatives and prioritize actions that are least

environmentally damaging. MN’s first Special Area Management Plan (SAMP)

was based on data from the state-adopted Comprehensive Wetland Protection and

Management Plan, City’s Comprehensive Plan, and several Total Maximum

Daily Load (TMDL) studies within and adjacent to the City. Working together

with the City, the Watershed District, and the USACE, EOR’s integrated planning effort includes a strategy that accommodates growth while protecting high valued

resources through a well-coordinated wetland permitting program.




7

Cold Water Stream Improvements for a Golf Course

This ongoing project will restore a critical stretch of Brown’s Creek, a

coldwater fishery. The 1700 lin.ft. reach traverses through a public golf

course and is continuously maintained with little to no buffer along its

bank. As a result, the increasingly warming stream has become over-

widened with no discernible creek features typical of cold water creeks

such as pools or riffles. Temperature Modeling (SSTEMP) completed by

EOR estimates that this project will reduce mean temperature by 0.5° F

and the estimated maximum temperature by 6° F. Construction of this

water quality and trout habitat enhancement project is slated for the Fall

of 2011. The design restores stream continuity and reduces instream

warming while meeting the specific playability expectations of the golf

course.

Baseline Vegetation Surveys To begin the long-term restoration monitoring of over 30,000 acres of eco-

regional prairie and wetlands, a pilot field-testing was conducted of The

Nature Conservancy’s new methodology on a 2,400 acre unit for the Key

Ecological Attribute of species composition of plant communities. Data

acquisition occurred during one seasonal window in mid-August. A 2-

person team logged 90 field hrs. to cover the unit that was divided into 18

plots. Created was a database designed for future GIS link-and-query, long-

term (15-yr) use, and data analysis. Combining the results of meander

surveys with Braun Blanquet cover classes formed a viable method that,

with additional GPS data entry, can be used for restoration management,

such as the planning of site-specific invasive species and the sub-unit

mapping of micro-habitats for rare species recovery.

Afton Natural Resource Inventory & Stewardship Plan Watershed Best Management Practices (BMPs), landowner guidance, and

local community implementation strategies were developed into a

Stewardship Plan based upon EOR’s inventory of natural communities and

public involvement process. Over 6,500 acres and 345 natural communities,

including bluffland farming areas, sloping ravines, and hill slope seepages

comprise the GIS database with attributes such as MLCCS classification,

custom ecological ranking, wildlife habitat ranking, rare features,

groundwater protection, & management class. Landscape units established

in the Stewardship Plan are discussed in terms of riparian buffers, springs

protection, eroding ravines, livestock mgmt., exotic species storm drains,

and fragmentation/greenways.




8

PROJECT TASKS

Project Kickoff and Data Collection

Initial Project Meeting. One project team member will participate in a project

kickoff meeting with you at the MCWD office to review tasks, schedule, and

communication.

Data Collection. Our team has already worked with MCWD on this site and

does not need to be spend time on initial site reconnaissance. We will utilize

site data previously collected and provided in reports to you by Tony DeMars

of Cross River Consulting. Previously collected data: identification of twelve

separate wetland basins that are land-locked or semi-landlocked depressions, or

with a tile outlet or shallow ditch. Building on the previously collected data, at

the kickoff meeting we will verify with you the new data to be collected that

meets the objectives for design and construction. Anticipated new data:

agricultural drainage features – elevations/locations for tiles, ditches, culverts,

and wetlands; utilities; other easements; key educational features for

incorporating into trail design.

60% Preliminary Ecological Restoration Design

The EOR team proposes an ecological restoration trajectory1 with this project focused on the first four

years ‘initial’ phase to restore soil carbon and water holding capacity and initial phase vegetation. The

baseline vegetation for agricultural areas will consist of simple native grassland seed mixes selected for

dry, mesic, or moist conditions. Previously collected data by Cross River Consulting was used to

determine that prior to European settlement and agricultural drainage, the wetlands identified at the site

were seasonally flooded, ephemeral basins that would have supported zones of shallow marsh and wet

meadow or hardwood swamp.

The EOR team with Cross River Consulting proposes 60% design plans that lay out the approach for

removing or disabling agricultural drainage elements for the wetlands. Based upon existing site data

collected by Cross River Consulting, an exception to this approach will be for the three wetland basins

that are adjacent to the Turtle Creek subdivision. Restoration design for these basins will be focused on

reducing the magnitude and duration of stormwater bounce, and reed canary grass rhizome mat scraping

for vegetation management.

From data collected by Cross River Consulting, existing oak woodland extends for over 3000 linear feet

along the shore of Six Mile marsh. As previously reported to you, this woodland contains buckthorn and

is generally of low quality, can play an important role in restoring much of the adjoining upland

agricultural areas to oak savanna-woodland, and provides a high diversity of habitat conditions including

interior, edge and open areas, each of which support their own suite of plants. The EOR and Cross River

Team proposes to establish during the 4-year initial restoration phase the conditions to encourage oak

savanna establishment adjoining the existing oak woodland corridor.

The 60% plans will include a summary of previously collected data on existing conditions, restoration

trajectory initial phase goals and potential future condition, trail location with sites for educational

features, plan for utilizing partners such as Minnesota Conservation Corps and Tree Trust and volunteer

enthusiasts, schedule, preliminary cost estimate, and plans sheets (site plan, tiles and ditches, wetlands,

utilities, trails, and vegetation. Optional Burroughs Easement. One additional plan sheet shall be

provided to integrate this easement. Meetings. One staff meeting, one public meeting, and one board

meeting are proposed.

1 Jordan et al. 1987. Restoration Ecology. Cambridge University Press.




9

Permitting Assistance

The 60% design will be used for coordination with permit and approval staff. The reviewed and approved

preliminary design will be submitted for review and determination of permit requirements. EOR shall

provide necessary permit applications for SWPPP and wetlands. As necessary for a joint wetland permit

application, field delineation of wetland boundaries inside the project area will be performed.

Design Final Construction Documents (90% and 100%)

These plans shall factor in final review and comment, as well as factors identified in meetings with

permitting and approvals staff. After that the cost estimate and bid package will be prepared. This task

includes EOR coordination of the bid process.

Construction Observation

Tile breaking, soil ripping, and prairie grassland seeding shall be the focus of construction observation

and preparation of as-built surveys and plans. Up to 10 observation site visits are anticipated. This task

shall also involve a 3-year warranty inspection of seeding and other plant materials installed, with up to

12 visits. All items listed in your RFP have been factored into our task cost estimate.

Post Construction Monitoring (4 yrs)

The initial phase ecological restoration trajectory will be mapped out through measurements of key

ecological attributes2, KEAs, aspects of structure, function and composition that are key to the integrity of

the prairie wetland ecosystem. This will include measurements of vegetation (cover class estimates of

native vs. non-native, invasive species, and essential species) and abiotic (soil carbon, soil water holding

capacity) system characteristics. As requested in your RFP, EOR will establish a detailed monitoring

protocol, establish quality control and oversight of vegetation management activities, and submit annual

monitoring reports to you for four years. The fourth report will provide an outline of recommended

hydrologic modeling to determine the contribution of soil/vegetation initial restoration to watershed

hydrology restoration.

Vegetation Management Plan

Desired future condition (ecological objectives) for agricultural areas restoration will be the long-term

post-initial restoration objectives for the site. This will be important to keep in mind during the 4-year

initial restoration phase, although it is not essential to know which direction to go at the onset of initial

restoration. Possible future conditions are: open prairie-wetland complex, mixed prairie-wetland-

woodland, and oak savanna, as well as permaculture for selected sites. Any or all of these possible future

conditions would be feasible after the initial restoration phase. Future conditions for existing woodland

communities are assumed to remain woodland.

The initial restoration objective will be the focus of the vegetation management plan. This initial phase of

the ecological restoration trajectory is focused on vegetation establishment for post-agricultural soil

carbon and water holding capacity restoration. The vegetation shall not only serve this function but also

establish an initial vegetation baseline for the longer term desired future condition. The simple mixed

condition prairie grassland seed mix establishment shall be the focus of vegetation management, and will

use several tools, including prescribed burning, overwinter broadcast seeding into microsites, exclosures

for desired tree groves, additional species introductions during the 4-year monitoring/initial restoration

phase that are consistent with the desired future condition. Minnesota Conservation Corps, Tree Trust,

and local volunteer enthusiasts are proposed for much of the implementation of vegetation management.

2 Brown et al. 2005. Glacial Ridge Master Plan. The Nature Conservancy.




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CONTACT INFORMATION AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Contact Information

Jason Naber

Biologist – Sr. Partner

Emmons & Olivier Resources Inc.

651 Hale Ave North

Oakdale, MN 55128

P: 651-203-6028

F: 651-770-2552

[email protected]

Anthony R. DeMars

Cross River Consulting, LLC

3909 12th Ave. S.

Minneapolis, MN 55407

P: 612.360.0928

[email protected]

Conflict of Interest Statement

Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc. and Cross River Consulting, LLC have no organizational or

personal conflicts of interest associated with this project or the Minnehaha Creek Watershed

District.

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

MCWD –Halverson-Dimler Restoration



PROJECT BUDGET

Scope of Work Budget Worksheet -Halverson-Dimler Restoration Project

Task Description

Estimated

Hours Budget Schedule

Initial Project Meeting Prepare for and meet with MCWD & project partners 4 $ 628.00 Aug-Sept 2012

Data Collection Field surveys to supplement existing site data by Cross River 8 $ 840.00 Aug-Sept 2012

60% Preliminary Design

Plan sheets (restoration site plan, utilities, tile and ditch,

vegetation, trails) and preliminary cost estimate 46 $ 4,519.00 September 2012

Staff/Partner Meeting; Board

Presentation Review 60% design with staff. Present to MCWD Board 14 $ 1,908.00 September 2012

Public meeting Present 60% design to public for comment 8 $ 996.00 September 2012

Optional Burroughs Easement Restoration design sheet for the Burroughs Easement 6 $ 612.00 September 2012

Permitting Assistance Assist in preparing all required permit applications & materials 13 $ 1,162.00 October 2012

Final Design Design Final Construction Documents 34 $ 4,448.00 October 2012

Construction Observation Observation, Staking, As-Built Drawings 141 $ 12,590.00

November 2012*

(thru 2016**)

Post-Construction Monitoring Vegetation Monitoring, Reporting 87 $ 7,072.00 2013-2017

Develop Veg. Mgmt Plan Vegetation Mgmt Plant for post-restoration 22 $ 1,752.00 December 2012

Hourly Rate Hourly rate for additional work beyond scope $ 90.00

Total $ 36,527.00

* Weather depending

** includes extended schedule for Veg Warranty Inspections

Key Team Members

Time

Allocation

Jason Naber 11%

Kevin Biehn 1%

Mike Majeski 6%

Jay Hill 16%

Annie Weeks 47%

Tony DeMars 18%

100%