The ecology of this site

From local environmental consultant Brett Ostby:

Steep forested slopes and adjacent floodplains of Cascade Creek provide ecological services that sustain Rochester and Olmsted County. This property is part of an approximately 140-acre contiguous forest patch. It is part of a forested and natural corridor extending into Rochester. This ecosystem provides numerous ecological services, including but not limited to improved water quality, flood mitigation, drinking water protection, thermal regulation, carbon sequestration and wildlife habitat.

Development of this area could threaten a $1.5 million stream reconstruction and habitat restoration project managed by Olmsted Soil and Water Conservation District. The project is located approximately 1.1 river miles downstream. This project was likely designed to accommodate hydrology associated with present land use and not the loss of forest which would have a disproportionately significant effect on hydrology of Cascade Creek.

Threat to flood mitigation projects managed by the South Zumbro Watershed Joint Powers Board. This system is intended to protect residents and properties. Loss of forest will increase the rate and volume of flow that enters this system during rainfall events, further threatening Rochester. Proposed development may result in additional sediment deposition in flood control structures.

Further degradation of an impaired water identified in Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) for the Zumbro Watershed. This document noted that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) found Cascade Creek had an impaired invertebrate and fish fauna due to turbidity, lack of habitat and flow alteration. All these causes of degradation will be exacerbated and worsened by the proposed development.

Photo by Michael Melford