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--- <br /> can intercept surface flow and improve water quality. In addition, you have already <br /> seen, at the meeting of March 28, 1991, photographs documenting the negative <br /> impact of this fill on water quality. This sediment-laden runoff was the result of very <br /> poor erosion control measures; even these ineffective erosion control measures were <br /> only installed at the site after the County ordered Mr. Fox's company to do so. <br /> Second, the Dane County Shoreland-Wetland zoning ordinance states, in <br /> section 11.10(2), "A wetland, or a portion thereof, in the shoreland-wetland <br /> district shall not be re-zoned if the proposed re-zoning may result in a <br /> significant adverse impact upon any of the following: (a) Storm and flood water <br /> storage capacity; (b) Maintenance of dry season stream flow, the discharge of <br /> groundwater to a wetland, the recharge of groundwater from a wetland to <br /> another area, or the flow of groundwater through a wetland; (c) Filtering or <br /> storage of sediments, nutrients, heavy metals or organic compounds that would <br /> otherwise drain into navigable waters; (d) Shoreline protection against soil <br /> erosion; (e) Fish spawning, breeding, nursery or feeding grounds; (f) Wildlife <br /> habitat; or (g) Areas of special recreational, scenic or scientific interest, <br /> including scarce wetland types." As explained above, allowing the fill to remain in <br /> place in this wetland will definitely have a significant adverse impact on at least the <br /> wetland functions a, b, c, d and g listed in the ordinance. <br /> Third, Mr. Fox's company claims that the road is only a temporary road, needed <br /> to gain access for construction in the uplands. I question whether or not this road is <br /> really just temporary. Mr. Fox's own plat maps show this road as one of the <br /> permanent elements of the development. In addition, the road is much wider than that <br /> which would be needed for access by construction equipment; inspection of the site <br /> reveals that it is the perfect size for a cul-de-sac, with two prime waterfront lots on the <br /> other side of the filled area. Lastly, the road is not needed even for temporary access, <br /> as construction equipment can get to the upland sites on the other side of the filled <br /> area via Sherman Avenue. <br /> Fourth, Mr. Fox claims that he did not know that the area was a wetland <br /> because his own engineers steered him wrong, but this is not an excuse. I agree <br /> wholeheartedly with Mr. Fox that the laws are very confusing, but the wetland in <br /> question is not a marginal, half-drained, rarely-wet wetland; it is/was a very wet area, <br /> with many very obvious plant species which are indicators of wetlands. Just because <br /> the area is several feet above the level of the River does not mean that it cannot be a <br /> wetland area. <br /> Being so close to Cherokee Marsh and the Yahara River, and depending so <br /> much on the beauty of these natural resources to make the homes he sells so <br /> desirable, Mr. Fox should, more than anyone, appreciate and respect the laws which <br /> protect our wetlands and water resources. He needs to hire a professional wetland <br /> 2 <br />