Title
Resolution to Approve a Land Management Plan for the Conservation Easement at the Ann Arbor Maintenance Facility (Wheeler Service Center) Wetland Mitigation Area
Memorandum
Attached for your review and action is a resolution to approve a Land Management Plan as Exhibit E to the existing Conservation Easement at the Ann Arbor Maintenance Facility (Wheeler Service Center) wetland mitigation area.
The corrective action plan for restoration of the wetland mitigation area as part of ITB-4192 includes the planting of 250 trees in 2.23 acres of forested wetland. This quantity was negotiated with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and Pittsfield Township, and reflects a fifty-nine percent (59%) reduction in the number of trees that would have otherwise been required to meet the conditions of the MDEQ and Township wetland permits. This reduction represents a density of 162 trees per acre surviving at the end of the monitoring period rather than the original permit requirement of 300 trees per acre. This change allows 609 fewer trees to be planted during the current project than would have otherwise been required, based on Township planting guidelines that allow for 20% mortality.
The reduction in tree density was desired by the City because the other conditions of the MDEQ and Township permits will be more achievable if the tree density is decreased. In particular, the permit requires less than ten percent (10%) cover by invasive species, maintained by practices such as herbicide and prescribed burning, which are currently used by the City on site. If trees are planted in the wetland area at the original density of 300 trees per acre-the equivalent of one tree every thirteen (13) feet on-center-the logistical constraints for using these invasive species control methods will reduce effectiveness and add cost. A density reduction was also desired so that greater attention could be given to the survival of the trees that are planted rathe...
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