HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 06_95 Swift StreetFitzgerald Environmental Associates, LLC.
Applied Watershed Science & Ecology
164 Main Street · Suite 2 · Colchester · Vermont · 05446
Tel. 802.876.7778 · www.fitzgeraldenvironmental.com
MEMORANDUM
To: Monika Ingalls, Stormwater Project Manager, DPW City of South Burlington
From: Rodrigue Spinette, PhD. Wetland Scientist. FEA
Re: Farrell St Dog Park Improvement Project and Wetland Impacts
Date: September 16, 2024
FEA was retained by the City of South Burlington in March 2024 to delineate the wetlands in proximity
to the existing dog park located at the end of Farrell St, and furthermore to determine if the surveyed
wetlands or their buffers would be impacted by several improvements to the dog park.
FEA investigated the property on 5/21/24 and 7/8/24 and delineated several wetlands near the dog park
(See Attachment 1). Per standard practice in the state of Vermont, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(USACE) Wetland Delineation Methodology (Northcentral and Northeast Regional Supplement) was
followed, with all wetland boundaries marked with flagging spaced 25-50 feet apart. The location of the
wetland flags was recorded with a Trimble Geo7x (centimeter grade accuracy) and overlaid onto maps
and plans. Because of their size and their connection to streams, the wetlands that were surveyed were
all determined to be jurisdictional class II wetlands, and therefore include a 50-ft buffer.
Based on our review of the project site, we believe that the area around the dog park is one that
suffered significant historic impacts. These include encroachments on the wetland/buffers with fill,
alterations in surface hydrology by ditching/stream channelization/culverts, and vegetation
management with tree clearing/mowing. Nevertheless, the wetland south of the dog park is still large
and supports important functions (See attachment 2): water storage, surface and groundwater
protection, and wildlife habitat.
Photo 1. View of the wetland south of the Farrell
St dog park
Photo 2. View of the wetland south of the Farrell
St dog park
City of South Burlington 2
Farrell St Dog Park Improvements – Wetland Impacts September 16, 2024
Fitzgerald
Environmental
The proposed project consists in expanding the dog park to the north into an area that is currently a
gravel parking lot and re-grading the top surface of the existing dog park to address recurring ponding
issues after rain events (See plans from CSB for further details). The expansion of the dog park will
largely take place outside the wetland/buffers and the proposed regrading will take place in wetland
buffer which is currently managed as lawn. Neither improvement is expected to have a negative impact
on the wetland. Both improvements will benefit the wetland by limiting the potential for surface runoff
flowing towards the wetland during rain events. The first improvement achieves this by decreasing the
extent of impervious area upslope and near the wetland. The second improvement will allow grass to
grow better within the dog park, therefore reducing contact between water and bare soil, and
eliminating a potential source of sediment to downstream areas during large rain events.
On balance, we do not find that the proposed improvements to the dog park will have a negative impact
on the wetland and buffers. Rather, we find that the proposed improvements should reduce the
possibility of runoff, with a certain sediment load, flowing into the wetland.