7.0 natural resources. 178 Natural Resources

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1 7.0 natural resources 178 Natural Resources

2 7.0 Natural Resources 7.1 Natural Areas and Agricultural Features Sibley County is rich in vast areas of cropland and steeped in the agricultural industry. While agriculture dominates about 80 percent of the land uses in the county (USDA 1997), there are a number of natural resource features associated with wetlands, creeks, streams, rivers, lakes, woodlands and forests, and prairies throughout the county. This chapter summarizes the various natural landscape features, including prime farmland, found in the county by displaying these features graphically and quantifying their areas per acre and by percent cover in the county. The present-day landscape of Sibley County is owed primarily to the glacial drift deposited during four glacial advances and recessions of the Wisconsin stage of glaciation. The last of the glacial advances, the Des Moines lobe, moved south from the Winnipeg lowlands in Canada along the Minnesota River lowland covering the entire present-day area of Sibley County. This glacial advance brought a distinctive shale-rich, calcareous till soil deposited over the entire county. As the Des Moines lobe melted back toward the present-day Red River of the North, a vast expanse of ponded water forming Glacial Lake Agassiz eventually overtopped its banks at its southern end (near Browns Valley, in extreme west-central Minnesota) where one major outlet formed the glacial River Warren. This massive discharge of glacial waters is responsible for carving the present-day Minnesota River, which gives the eastern portion of Sibley County it s distinctive and dramatic topographical relief and associated natural areas. Most of the soils in the county formed in loamy glacial till, although areas of loamy and sandy glacial outwash, loamy and sandy alluvial sediments, and clayey glacial lacustrine sediments are prevalent. The soils in the county are deep and dark colored, owing to their formation under prairie grasses prior to settlement. Presettlement vegetation was tall and medium prairie grasses in the west and central part of the county, which formed the deep, dark, surface soils that make an excellent medium for agriculture in the county. The eastern part of the county included oak savanna, brush, and deciduous forests prior to settlement, some of which remains today, particularly along rivers and streams. Natural Resources 179

3 7.2 Topography Sibley County is located in an area of Minnesota with relatively flat to rolling terrain. The Soil Survey of Sibley County, Minnesota reports the highest elevation as 1,085 feet found in Grafton Township in the northwestern portion of the county. The lowest elevation in the county is 700 feet and is at that point where the Minnesota River leaves county along the northeastern border of the county (U.S. Department of the Interior 1967). The landscape is a nearly level to gently sloping till plain (95 percent of slopes between 0-6% slopes) with local relief of 3-10 feet (Map 7-1, Table 7-1). The southern and south-central parts of the county have a gently sloping and sloping till plain with local relief of feet. Very steep terrain (over 18% slopes) is present in the county. In the eastern part of the county, in particular Henderson and Faxon Townships, there is a moderately sloping till plain with local relief of feet. These steeper slopes are associated with streams and riverine features associated with the Minnesota River, although this makes up less than 5 percent of the county (Table 7-1). Glacial outwash deposits of sand and gravel are found on high terraces along the Minnesota River valley escarpment as remnants of the glacial River Warren. In the southeastern part of the county, a nearly level lake plain joins adjacent Lake Prairie Township in neighboring Nicollet County. The Minnesota River with its mostly wooded, steep slopes and ravines provide the most dramatic landscape in Sibley County. The escarpment between the till plain to the west and the floodplain along the river have slopes that range from 35-70% and are about 250 feet high. Outwash terraces are found about midway up the steep river slopes as remnants of the glacial River Warren. This terrain is contrast to the nearly level 1-1½ mile wide Minnesota River floodplain characterized by large depressions and oxbows. Map 7-1 graphically depicts the general topography of the county and Table 7-1 quantifies percent slopes by area in the county. Table 7-1 Percent Slopes by Area and Percent Cover. Slopes Acres Square Miles % of County 0 to 6% 366, % 6 to 12% 8, % 12 to 18% % Over 18% 7, % Total 384,280 acres 600 sq. mi % 180 Natural Resources

4 7.3 Prime Farmland Sibley County is largely agrarian with production of row crops throughout most of the county. About 80 percent of the land area in Sibley County is farmed (USDA 1997) with corn and soybeans as the predominant crops. Smaller acreages of oats, wheat, hay, and specialty crops (e.g., peas, sugar beets, and sweet corn) are also prevalent. The principle livestock produced include hogs, dairy cattle, and poultry, but some beef cattle and sheep are also produced in the county. The rich glacial deposits remaining after the recession of the Des Moines lobe of the Wisconsin glaciation have provided for excellent farmland in Sibley County. Over 70 percent of the county is designated as prime farmland (28 percent), prime farmland if drained (56 percent), or prime farmland if protected from flooding or not frequently flooded during the growing season (2 percent) (Map 7-2, Table 7-2). Prime farmland is a soil designation defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that identifies land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops and is available for these uses. It may be cultivated land, pasture, woodland, or other land, but it is not urban or built-up land or water areas. The soil qualities, growing season, and moisture supply are those needed for a well managed soil to Table 7-2 Farmland Designations by Area and Percent Cover. Farmland Designation Acres Square Miles % of County All areas are prime farmland 108, % Farmland of statewide importance 24, % Not prime farmland 25, % Prime farmland if drained 218, % Prime farmland if protected from flooding or not frequently flooded 7, % during the growing season Total 384,280 acres 600 sq. mi % Source: USDA Soil Survey of Sibley County, Minnesota; Web Soil Survey USDA-NRCS Web Soil Survey. Natural Resources 181

5 GREEN ISLE New Auburn Washington Lake NEW AUBURN Grafton Green Isle 25 Faxon 5 22 ARLINGTON Belle Arlington Bismarck Transit Moltke Dryden Jessenland 19 WINTHROP GAYLORD GIBBON Legend HENDERSON Soil Slopes Grade Cornish Severance 15 Alfsborg Sibley Kelso < 6% Henderson 6-12% 12-18% > 18% Map Document: (E:\DATA\mplsoffice\Sibley\MXDs\Slopes2.mxd) 7/27/ :27:37 PM Le Sueur Sources: MNDOT, MNDNR, LMIC, SIBLEY COUNTY, NRCS STEEP SLOPES SIBLEY COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN " = 3 miles Miles 3 MAP 7.1

6 GREEN ISLE Grafton Twp New Auburn Twp NEW AUBURN Green Isle Twp Washington Lake Twp 25 5 Faxon Twp 22 ARLINGTON Moltke Twp Bismarck Twp Transit Twp Dryden Twp Arlington Twp Jessenland Twp 19 WINTHROP GAYLORD GIBBON HENDERSON Severance Twp Cornish Twp 15 Alfsborg Twp Sibley Twp Kelso Twp Henderson Twp Map Document: (E:\DATA\mplsoffice\Sibley\MXDs\PRIME FARMLANDS.mxd) 7/27/ :19:41 PM PRIME FARMLAND SOILS SIBLEY COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Legend All areas are prime farmland Prime farmland if drained Farmland of statewide importance Prime farmland if protected from flooding or not frequently flooded during the growing season Not prime farmland SOURCES:MNDOT, MNDNR, LMIC, SIBLEY COUNTY, NRCS Miles " = 3 miles MAP 7.2

7 farmland is permeable to water and air. It is not excessively erodible or saturated with water for long periods, and it either is not frequently flooded during the growing season or is protected from flooding. Slope ranges mainly from 0 to 6 percent. For some of the soils identified in the table as prime farmland, measures that overcome a hazard or limitation, such as flooding, wetness, and droughtiness, are needed. These areas are identified as prime farmland if drained or prime farmland if protected from flooding or not frequently flooded during the growing season. Onsite evaluation is needed to determine whether or not the hazard or limitation has been overcome by corrective measures. produce a sustained high yield of crops in an economic manner. Prime farmland produces the highest yields with minimal expenditure of energy and economic resources, and farming it results in the least damage to the environment. In general, prime farmland has an adequate and dependable supply of moisture from precipitation or irrigation, a favorable temperature and growing season, acceptable acidity or alkalinity, an acceptable salt and sodium content, and few or no rocks. The water supply is dependable and of adequate quality. Prime In some areas, land that does not meet the criteria for prime or unique farmland is considered to be farmland of statewide importance for the production of food, feed, fiber, forage, and oilseed crops. The criteria for defining and delineating farmland of statewide importance are determined by the appropriate state agencies. Generally, this land includes areas of soils that nearly meet the requirements for prime farmland and that economically produce high yields of crops when treated and managed according to acceptable farming methods. Some areas may produce as high a yield as prime farmland if conditions are favorable. 184 Natural Resources

8 7.4 Lakes, Wetlands, and Shoreland Lakes, wetlands, and associated shoreland are major landscape features throughout Sibley County (Map 7-3). Most of the lakes and wetlands are concentrated in the northeastern portion of the county, although the western and central portions of the county still retain a number of lake and wetland features intermixed with the agrarian setting of the county. Designated shoreland areas are associated with several lakes, wetlands, streams, and rivers throughout the county (Map 7-3). Three major watersheds intersect Sibley County including the Minnesota River- Shakopee, Minnesota River-Mankato, and South Fork Crow River major watersheds. The Minnesota River-Shakopee major watershed covers the majority of the county. The Minnesota River-Mankato major watershed is restricted to the very northwestern corner of the county in Severance and Moltke Townships. The South Fork Crow River major watershed is within a small portion of Grafton, New Auburn, and Green Isle Townships along the northern border of the county. Public Waters and Public Waters Wetlands Although Sibley County is not as rich in lakes as other areas of Minnesota, there are a number of notable lakes and other aquatic resources such as wetlands, shoreland areas, streams, and rivers that contribute to the aquatic ecological landscape of Sibley County. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) Protected Waters Inventory (PWI), there are 35 water bodies identified as Public Waters that are either entirely within or intersecting the county border with adjacent counties (Table 7-3). Also included in the PWI are 11 wetlands identified as Public Waters Wetlands (Map 7-3). Natural Resources 185

9 The special aquatic features identified by the MNDNR as Public Waters and Public Waters Wetlands receive special protection by the state of Minnesota under a set of statutes separate from those Minnesota statutes and rules and federal regulations that protect features identified more broadly as wetlands. Public Waters and Public Waters Wetlands are defined in Minnesota Statute 103G.005, Subd. 15 and Subd. 15(a), respectively, in the following way: Table 7-3 Quantity of Public Waters and Public Waters Wetlands By Township* and Area. Township** Protected Waters Number of Basins Protected Waters Wetlands Acres Alfsborg Bismarck Dryden 6 1 1,810 Faxon Grafton Green Isle 3 0 1,443 Henderson Jessenland New Auburn 6 4 3,342 Severance 4 0 1,206 Sibley Transit Washington Lake 2 0 1,643 Totals ,728 acres * Includes basins within municipal boundaries. ** Basin location by township based in MNDNR PWI data; basin may intersect more than one township. Subd. 15. Public waters. (a) Public waters means: (1) water basins assigned a shoreland management classification by the commissioner under sections 103F.201 to 103F.221; (2) waters of the state that have been finally determined to be public waters or navigable waters by a court of competent jurisdiction; (3) meandered lakes, excluding lakes that have been legally drained; (4) water basins previously designated by the commissioner for management for a specific purpose such as trout lakes and game lakes pursuant to applicable laws; (5) water basins designated as scientific and natural areas under section ; (6) water basins located within and totally surrounded by publicly owned lands; (7) water basins where the state of Minnesota or the federal government holds title to any of the beds or shores, unless the owner declares that the water is not necessary for the purposes of the public ownership; (8) water basins where there is a publicly owned and controlled access that is intended to provide for public access to the water basin; (9) natural and altered watercourses with a total drainage area greater than two square miles; (10) natural and altered watercourses designated by the commissioner as trout streams; and (11) public waters wetlands, unless the statute expressly states otherwise. (b) Public waters are not determined exclusively by the proprietorship of the underlying, overlying, or surrounding land or by whether it is a body or stream of water that was navigable 186 Natural Resources

10 in fact or susceptible of being used as a highway for commerce at the time this state was admitted to the union. Subd. 15a. Public waters wetlands. Public waters wetlands means all types 3, 4, and 5 wetlands, as defined in United States Fish and Wildlife Service Circular No. 39 (1971 edition), not included within the definition of public waters, that are ten or more acres in size in unincorporated areas or 2-1/2 or more acres in incorporated areas. Also protected by Minnesota Statutes are shoreland wetland protection zones, which are defined in M.S. 103G.005. In Sibley County, shoreland wetland protection zones would follow those statues established for local governments that do not have a shoreland management ordinance approved under M.S. 103F.201 to 103F.221, which is M.S. 103G.005, Subd. 15b, Subpart (2), as follows: Subd. 15b. Shoreland wetland protection zone. (2) for local government units that do not have a shoreland management ordinance approved under sections 103F.201 to 103F.221, the shoreland wetland protection zone is: (ii) 300 feet from the ordinary high water level of a watercourse identified by the public waters inventory under section 103G.201. Wetlands, Streams, and Rivers There are also numerous wetland features such as wet prairies and meadows, shallow and deep marshes, scrub-shrub and forested wetlands, streams, and rivers throughout the county that are identified by the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) as mapped by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS 1991) and classified by USFWS Circular 39, Wetlands of the United States. Wetlands are defined jointly by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) [33 CFR328.3(b)] as follows: Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas. (i) 1,000 feet from the ordinary high water level of a water basin that is a public water that is at least ten acres in size within municipalities and at least 25 acres in size in unincorporated areas; or Natural Resources 187

11 The State of Minnesota defines wetlands in Minnesota Rules Chapter subp. 52 as follows: Wetlands, a wetland, the wetland, or wetland area means lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water. Wetlands must (1) have a predominance of hydric soils; (2) be inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support a prevalence of hydrophytic vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions; and (3) under normal circumstances, support a prevalence of hydrophytic vegetation. According to the National Wetlands Inventory (USFWS 1991), wetlands cover approximately 48 square miles or approximately 8% of Sibley County. Shallow marsh habitats are the most prevalent wetland type in the county covering approximately 13,849 acres of the county. Seasonally flooded basins/ flats (8,266) and shallow marsh (5,768) are the next most prevalent wetland types, respectively. Because the NWI was developed through 1991 aerial imagery, the actual quantity and type of wetlands in the county may differ due to land use changes. Without exhaustive inventory of all wetlands in the county, the actual quantity of wetlands present is unknown, but for planning purposes, the NWI provides a relatively accurate depiction of the quantity and type of wetlands in the county. Table 7-4 summarizes the quantity of wetlands by type, area, and percent cover. The USFWS Circular 39 classification (Shaw and Fredine 1971) is given as this wetland classification system is used under Minnesota Statute when for regulatory purposes (M.S. s 14.06; 103B.101; 103B.3355; and 103G.2242). Under Minnesota Rules (M.R ), classification of wetlands is also required for regulatory purposes following Wetlands Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota & Wisconsin (Eggers and Reed 1997). This classification system focuses more specifically on plant community dynamics in defining wetland type. Wetlands in the U.S. underwent massive drainage during the s for land use conversion to agriculture. Artificial drainage using subsurface tile and open ditches dramatically increases crop production in areas of otherwise saturated soils; Sibley County is no exception, where artificial drainage efficiently removes surface water from depressions and saturated soils, giving crops a more favorable growing environment. However, this loss of wetlands and subsequent adverse affects on downstream aquatic resources such as lakes, shoreland, rivers, and streams and the requisite flora and fauna inhabitants prompted regulations 188 Natural Resources

12 to protect these valuable natural aquatic resources. Lakes, wetlands, shoreland, streams, and rivers are protected by a series of local, state, and federal regulations. Wetlands in Sibley County that are regulated by Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act (specifically, the Minnesota River) and Sections 404 of the federal Clean Water Act come under the jurisdictional authority of the St. Paul District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Wetlands, including streams and rivers, in the county are also regulated under the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) of In Sibley County, the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has accepted responsibility for administration of the WCA throughout the county. Public Waters and Public Waters Wetlands also receive special protection under Minnesota Statute. This includes some streams and rivers in the county that have shoreland wetland protection zones as generally depicted in Map 7-3. The reader should refer to the MNDNR Protected Waters and Wetlands Inventory (PWI) for a more accurate depiction of streams and rivers that are identified in the PWI as Public Waters (MNDNR 1988). The MNDNR regulates activities that affect Public Waters and Public Waters Wetlands; in some instances, activities within shoreland wetland protection zones may also come under the regulatory authority of the MNDNR. Table 7-4 Wetlands by Type, Area, and Percent Cover. Wetland Classification by Type* Circular 39 Type 1 Seasonally flooded basin or flat Type 2 Inland fresh meadow Type 3 Inland shallow fresh marsh Type 4 Inland deep fresh marsh Type 5 Inland, open fresh water Eggers and Reed Floodplain forest, fresh (wet) meadow, seasonally flooded basin, or wet to wetmesic prairie Calcareous fen, fresh (wet) meadow, sedge meadow, or wet to wet-mesic prairie Acres Square Miles % in County 8, % % Shallow marsh 13, % Deep marsh % Shallow, open water 5, % Type 6 Shrub swamp Shrub-carr or alder thicket % Type 7 Wooded swamps Hardwood swamp or coniferous swamp 1, % Riverine systems n/a % Total Wetland Area 30,515 acres 48 miles** 8.0% Municipal and industrial activities % * Classification following Shaw and Fredine, 1971, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Circular 39 Wetlands of the United States. ; and Eggers, S.D., and D.M. Reed Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, St. Paul, Minnesota. ** Total quantity of wetlands in the county does not include those features identified by NWI as municipal or industrial activities (e.g., wastewater treatment ponds, gravel pits, etc.). Natural Resources 189

13 GREEN ISLE NN ee ww AA uu bb uu rr nn TT ww pp NEW AUBURN G G rr aa ff tt oo nn TT ww pp G G rr ee ee nn II ss ll ee TT ww pp W W aa ss hh ii nn gg tt oo nn LL aa kk ee TT ww pp 25 FF aa xx oo nn TT ww pp 5 22 ARLINGTON Belle TT rr aa nn ss ii tt TT ww pp BB ii ss m m aa rr cc kk TT ww pp M M oo ll tt kk ee TT ww pp DD rr yy dd ee nn TT ww pp AA rr ll ii nn gg tt oo nn TT ww pp JJ ee ss ss ee nn ll aa nn dd TT ww pp 19 WINTHROP 19 Legend GAYLORD Streams GIBBON Floodplain HENDERSON DNR Protected Waters Inventory 93 Map Document: (E:\DATA\mplsoffice\Sibley\MXDs\Lakes and Wetlands.mxd) 7/21/ :16:01 PM SS ee vv ee rr aa nn cc ee TT ww pp CC oo rr nn ii ss hh TT ww pp 15 AA ll ff ss bb oo rr gg TT ww pp SS ii bb ll ee yy TT ww pp KK ee ll ss oo TT ww pp HH ee nn dd ee rr ss oo nn TT ww pp Lakes Wetlands (NWI) Shoreland Wetland Protection Zone Le Sueur Township Major Watershed Minn R-Mankato Minn R-Shakopee South Fork Crow R Minor Watershed Sources: MNDOT, MNDNR, LMIC, SIBLEY COUNTY LAKES AND WETLANDS SIBLEY COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN " = 3 miles Miles 3 MAP 7.3

14 New Auburn GREEN ISLE Grafton NEW AUBURN Green Isle Washington Lake 25 Faxon 5 22 ARLINGTON Moltke Bismarck Transit Dryden Arlington Jessenland 19 WINTHROP GAYLORD GIBBON HENDERSON Legend Basswood - Bur Oak - (Green Ash) Forest Severance Cornish 15 Alfsborg Sibley Kelso Henderson Dry Sand - Gravel Oak Savanna (Southern) Dry Sand - Gravel Prairie (Southern) Elm - Basswood - Black Ash - (Hackberry) Forest Mesic Prairie (Southern) Map Document: (E:\DATA\mplsoffice\Sibley\MXDs\Ecological Patches 0723.mxd) 7/27/ :34:52 PM ECOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION SIBLEY COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Pin Oak - Bur Oak Woodland Red Oak - Sugar Maple - Basswood - (Bitternut Hickory) Forest Silver Maple - (Virginia Creeper) Floodplain Forest Southern Mesic Maple - Basswood Forest Sugar Maple - Basswood - (Bitternut Hickory) Forest Sugar Maple Forest (Big Woods) Wet Prairie (Southern) Ecological Provinces Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province Prairie Parkland Province Sources: MNDOT, MNDNR, LMIC, SIBLEY COUNTY, NRCS Miles " = 3 miles MAP 7.4

15 27 ARLINGTON Faxon Jessenland Arlington HENDERSON Map Document: (E:\DATA\mplsoffice\Sibley\MXDs\Ecological Patches 0723.mxd) 7/23/ :40:34 AM Kelso 18 8 Henderson Legend ECOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION AREAS OF DENSE OCCURRENCES IN EASTERN SIBLEY COUNTY SIBLEY COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Basswood - Bur Oak - (Green Ash) Forest Dry Sand - Gravel Oak Savanna (Southern) Dry Sand - Gravel Prairie (Southern) Elm - Basswood - Black Ash - (Hackberry) Forest Mesic Prairie (Southern) Pin Oak - Bur Oak Woodland Red Oak - Sugar Maple - Basswood - (Bitternut Hickory) Forest Silver Maple - (Virginia Creeper) Floodplain Forest Southern Mesic Maple - Basswood Forest Sugar Maple - Basswood - (Bitternut Hickory) Forest Sugar Maple Forest (Big Woods) Wet Prairie (Southern) Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province Prairie Parkland Province Sources: MNDOT, MNDNR, LMIC, SIBLEY COUNTY, NRCS Miles MAP 7.5

16 7.5 Ecological Landscapes and Native Plant Communities Ecological landscapes mapped in Sibley County include both the Prairie Parkland and Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province as Table 7-5 Ecological Provinces and Native Plant Communities by Type, Area, and Percent Cover Ecological Province Acres Square Miles % in County Prairie Parkland Province 266, % Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province 117, % Total Area for Ecological Provinces 384, % Native Plant Communities Woodlands and Forests Acres Square Miles % in County Basswood - Bur Oak - (Green Ash) Forest % Dry Sand - Gravel Oak Savanna (Southern) % Elm - Basswood - Black Ash - (Hackberry) Forest % Pin Oak - Bur Oak Woodland % Red Oak - Sugar Maple - Basswood - (Bitternut Hickory) Forest Silver Maple - (Virginia Creeper) Floodplain Forest 1, % % Southern Mesic Maple - Basswood Forest % Sugar Maple - Basswood - (Bitternut Hickory) Forest 1, % Sugar Maple Forest (Big Woods) % Subtotal Woodland and Forest Communities 5, % Native Plant Communities Prairies Acres Square Miles % in County Dry Sand - Gravel Prairie (Southern) % Mesic Prairie (Southern) % Wet Prairie (Southern) % Subtotal Prairie Communities % Total Area Native Plant Communities 5,542 acres 8.66 miles 1.42% defined by the Minnesota DNR Ecological Classification System (MNDNR 2005a and 2005b) (Map 7-5). Provinces are land units defined by using major climate zones, native vegetation, and biomes such as prairies, deciduous forests, or boreal forests (MNDNR 2005a, 2005b). The eastern quarter of the county is within the Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province (approximately 30% of the county), which is proximal to the forested stream and riverine natural communities associated with the Minnesota River. The Prairie Parkland Province covers the remaining portion of the county (about 70% of the land area). Native plant communities remaining in each of these two provinces constitute less than 1.5% of the total county area (Table 7-5). Less than nine square miles of native plant communities are present in the county, most of which are in the Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province. Although the majority of the county is in the Prairie Parkland Province, less than 0.02% of the county (approximately 92 acres) contains remnant prairie. The low amount of remaining prairie habitat in Sibley County is not unexpected, as it is estimated that less than one percent of the 200 million acres of North American prairie grasslands remains today (MNDNR 2000), primarily due to land use conversion to agriculture or other uses. 192 Natural Resources

17 Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province Many of the native woodland and forest communities in Sibley County are associated with the Minnesota River and its many tributaries in the eastern portion of the county (Map 7-5). There are nine native woodland or forest communities in Sibley County covering a total of 5,450 acres (or 1.41%) of the county. Kelso, Henderson, Jessenland, and Faxon Townships have several examples of native woodlands and forests that were classified by the MNDNR and qualified for being sites of significant biodiversity (Map 7-4). The majority of native plant communities in the Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province are Sugar Maple - Basswood - (Bitternut Hickory) Forest (1,926 acres) and Red Oak - Sugar Maple - Basswood - (Bitternut Hickory) Forest (1,311 acres) (Table 7-5). Lesser amounts of the seven other woodland and forest communities are scattered throughout the eastern part of the county. Prairie Parkland Province The Prairie Parkland Province covers western Minnesota extending northwest to Manitoba, Canada, west to the Dakotas, and south to Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas (MNDNR 2005b). In Minnesota, the province covers 16 million acres, of which Sibley County contains over 266,000 acres. This landscape is characterized by low winter precipitation, short duration snow cover, and drying westerly winds promoting spring fire seasons that favor grassland communities over forests (MNDNR 2005b). In Sibley County, nearly all of the native prairie grasslands have been converted to agriculture or other uses. Only a few scattered native prairie grassland remnants remain, which are restricted to railroad right-of-way that essentially parallels Trunk Highway (TH) 5 northeast of Arlington (Arlington and Green Isle Townships) and between the cities of Arlington and Gaylord (Dryden and Arlington Townships); and parallel to TH 19 east of Winthrop (Transit Township) and west of Winthrop (Cornish Township) (Map 7-5). There is one additional prairie area (3 acres) classified as Dry Sand - Gravel Prairie (Southern) adjacent to Sugar Maple - Basswood - (Bitternut Hickory) Forest located in Jessenland Township (Figures 7-4). The prairie remnants along the railroad right-of-way are all classified as Mesic Prairie (Southern) (82 acres) or Wet Prairie (Southern) (7 acres) by the Minnesota County Biological Survey. The native prairie communities in Sibley County total about 92 acres (0.02%). Natural Resources 193

18 Sites of Biodiversity Significance Several native plant communities within Sibley County have been identified by the Minnesota County Biological Survey (MCBS) because of their significance in having quality habitat and biodiversity, being relatively intact with representative natural characteristics of Minnesota s native vegetation, and/or contain protected or otherwise rare species, geology, or hydrologic features. These native plant communities have been classified using the MNDNR Ecological Classification System (Map 7-6, Table 7-6), but have also received a ranking because of their biodiversity significance. or water. This definition of biodiversity significance is adapted from Guidelines for MCBS Statewide Biodiversity Significance Rank. The Minnesota County Biological Survey uses a statewide ranking system to evaluate and communicate the biodiversity significance of surveyed areas ( MCBS sites ) to natural resource professionals, state and local government officials, and the public. MCBS sites are ranked according to several factors, including the quality and types of Element Occurrences, the size and quality of native plant communities, and the size and condition of the landscape within the Site. Biodiversity (or biological diversity) refers to the variety and abundance of species, their genetic composition, and the communities and landscapes in which they occur, including the ecological structures, functions, and processes occurring at all of these levels. Biodiversity significance refers to the relative value, in terms of size, condition and quality, of native biological diversity for a given area of land Table 7-6 Total Area of Minnesota County Biological Survey Sites of Biodiversity Significance MCBC Sites of Biodiversity Significance Acres Square Miles Site with high biodiversity significance 1,601 3 Site with moderate biodiversity significance 8, Site below minimum biodiversity significance threshold 5,353 8 Total Area of MCBS Sites 15, Natural Resources

19 Areas are ranked as Outstanding, High, Moderate, or Below the Minimum Threshold for statewide biodiversity significance. Definitions for each ranking is provided as follows: Outstanding Sites of Biodiversity Significance: Those containing the best occurrences of the rarest species, the most outstanding examples of the rarest native plant communities, and/or the largest, most intact functional landscapes present in the state. High Sites of Biodiversity Significance: Those containing the best of the rest, such as sites with very good quality occurrences of the rarest species, high quality examples of the rarest native plant communities, and/or important functional landscapes. Moderate Sites of Biodiversity Significance: Those sites containing significant occurrences of rare species, and/or moderately disturbed native plant communities and landscapes that have a strong potential for recovery. Sites Below the Minimum Threshold: Those lacking significant populations of rare species and/or natural features that meet MCBS minimum standards for size and condition. These include areas of conservation value at the local level, such as habitat for native plants and animals, corridors for animal movements, buffers surrounding higher quality natural areas, and open space areas. Sibley County contains approximately 15,710 acres of MCBS that were ranked because of their biodiversity significance (Map 7-6, Table 7-6). There are no sites within the county that have been ranked as Outstanding, but there are sites that have been qualified under the other three rankings. The majority of the MCBS sites in Sibley County are considered as having moderate biodiversity significance (8,756 acres) or below the minimum biodiversity significance threshold (5,353 acres). Two notable sites that have been identified as having moderate biodiversity significance are the water and immediately surrounding landscape of High Island Lake in New Auburn Township and Titlow Lake in Dryden Township just outside of Gaylord. Although these two lakes have not been identified as significant because of their native plant communities present, they have been ranked as moderate in biodiversity significance because they are both identified as colonial waterbird nesting sites (MNDNR 2007). More specific data and locations on rare species and animal aggregations within Sibley County is available online from the MCBS map for Sibley County ( mn.us/eco/mcbs/maps.html). Natural Resources 195

20 7.6 Sibley County Water Plan Executive Summary of the Water Plan The water plan is the second revision and is the third generation water plan. The third generation CLWP took effect in January The CLWP is reviewed annually when the Natural Resources Block Grant is submitted. The priorities are reviewed and high priority actions are put into the workplan. Medium priorities are occasionally put in the workplan because issues have changed since the revised water plan was adopted. The workplan is shown to the Water Resource Advisory Committee for comments. The WRAC amends the plan as issues and priorities change. This occurred once during regarding septic systems. Progress of implementing the water plan is communicated to the public through an annual news release. Progress of the plan is reported to the WRAC and to the Board of Commissioners through out the year. The WRAC meets quarterly and is open to the public. A presentation of current programs and projects is made to Township Board members at their annual meeting held in April at the Courthouse. to landowners-rural and urban; the water plan coordinator attended local ag and civic organizations to distribute surveys. Surveys were also handed out to agricultural producers who visited the SWCD office. Surveys were also made available at the county fair. The townships that had concerns submitted their comments. A public input meeting also enabled citizen participation. The major difference between the third generation water plan from the secondgeneration water plan is a more intensive watershed approach. The third generation survey shows that attitudes have changed directions since the first survey was done in 1988 with the first generation water plan. The 2000 survey is located in Section Nine on page 91 in the Water Plan. Relationship to the Comprehensive Plan When the Water Plan is updated the Comprehensive Plan should be updated to reflect the information found in the water plan. The Water Plan can be looked at as another chapter or an appendix to the County Comprehensive Plan. Likewise, the County Water Plan should refer to the County Comprehensive Plan to ensure consistent goals and policies. During the revision process, the WRAC met quarterly and communicated through the mail, surveys were randomly sent 196 Natural Resources

21 Natural Resources 197

22 GREEN ISLE NEW AUBURN ARLINGTON Legend GIBBON 19 WINTHROP GAYLORD 19 HENDERSON 93 Native Prairie within Railroad R-O-W Sites of Biodiversity Significance (MCBS) Outstanding 15 High Moderate Below Map Document: (E:\DATA\mplsoffice\Sibley\MXDs\Biodiversity2.mxd) 7/27/ :33:55 PM BIODIVERSITY SITES SIBLEY COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Sources: MNDOT, MNDNR, LMIC, SIBLEY COUNTY This data layer represents areas with varying levels of native biodiversity that may contain high quality native plant communities, rare plants, rare animals, and/or animal aggregations. A biodiversity significance rank is assigned on the basis of the number of rare species, the quality of the native plant communities, size of the site, and context within the landscape. Following field investigations, site boundaries sometimes are revised, or sites added, to incorporate critical habitat for rare plants and rare animals. In these instances, the quality of native plant communities is not the primary criteria for ranking the site. MCBS Sites that are found to be disturbed are retained in the layer as negative data and are given the Biodiversity Significance rank of "Below." Those disturbed areas within MCBS Sites and all areas outside MCBS Sites are lands where native plant communities have been seriously altered or destroyed by human activities such as farming, recent logging, draining, and development. Miles " = 3 miles MAP 7.6