1. Wetland restoration after a mega-storm Jyneen Thatcher, Wetland Scientist Washington Conservation District Paul Bockenstedt, Ecologist Stantec

2. Prior conditions South Twin Lake- an impaired waters Brown’s Creek – a designated trout stream Wetland delineation

3. Approved development

4. Site conditions

5. Rainfall

6. August 14, 2007 Sediment and mulch against silt fence

7. August 14, 2007 Brown’s Creek Sediment plume

8. Site observations

9. Pond Brown’s Creek Slope Floodplain Old excavation (1980s) Old blow-out to Creek (1990s) Sediment flow ------

10. My observations

11. Problem list - wetlands Sediment fill into seepage wetlands and upland buffer Sediment into floodplain wetland and excavation Old blow-out into stream Hierarchy of impacts across the site Design of restoration order Buried bottle gentian in seepage area

12. Planning the restoration Timing of restoration What/how to restore Impact on private land Coordination with other agencies (DNR, BCWD, PCA) Responsive developer

13. First steps Stabilize site against more damage Stabilize outlet to Creek Develop restoration plan –Hire ecologist

14. Next steps Better stabilization of pond outlet Discuss options with ecologists

15. Restoration plan development Summarized conditions Identified areas for restoration –Areas with sediment –Surrounding invasive, nonnative areas –Outlet design for previously drained wetland Identify locations for monitoring Outline implementation specific to each sedimentation area

16. Restoration implementation Initial Restoration –Supplemental native seeding with diverse, local ecotype seed mix 45 spp. forbs, 5 spp. graminoids –Cut/treat invasive, nonnative vegetation

17. Restoration implementation Initial Restoration of Stone wetland –Reconstruct outlet of previously drained wetland –Sediment removal –Native seeding of disturbed areas with BWSR mix Grow-in maintenance –Spot spray, spot mow, hand weed

18. Monitoring Initial data collection at monitoring points in fall 2007 Annual monitoring 2008- 2011 –Data collected at five locations Within sedimentation areas In wetland with reconstructed outlet

19. Monitoring Results after 4 years –Buried seepage wetlands exhibit overall diminished quality Loss of some desirable natives in areas with ~4-6+ inches of sediment (i.e. bottle gentian) –Some desirable native species stable, post-sedimentation –Rebound of nonnatives and invasive natives in some areas Bottle gentian and foxglove beardtongue in buried seepage area

20. Monitoring Results after 4 years –Overall reduction of invasive, nonnative cover –Good establishment of seeded native grasses and forbs 20+ spp. established 35-45% cover (A1 - C1) –Vegetation management along Brown’s Creek contributes to long- term improvement Area cleared of dense buckthorn/honeysuckle and seeded to natives (top 2009, bottom 2010)

21. Site A-1 September 2008

22. Site B-1 September 2008

23. Site A-1July 2010

24. Site B-1 July 2010

25. Monitoring Results after 4 years –Restoration of pond is success, with good diversity of vegetation and stabilized outlet

26. What went right Spirit of cooperation, trust and mutual respect among agency and private sector staff involved Reasonable proposals for timing Cooperative developer/landowner Agreement with private landowner Support by other agencies for this process

27. Wetland restoration after a mega-storm Jyneen Thatcher, Wetland Scientist Washington Conservation District jyneen.thatcher@mnwcd.org 651.275.1136 ext.37 Paul Bockenstedt, Ecologist paul.bockenstedt@stantec.com 651.604.4812 Thank you!Questions?