Chapter 03. Natural ResourcesIII. NATURAL RESOURCES
Scandia's original vegetation was the result of glacial processes that created the topographic
landscape features and soil types. As the landscape was modified during settlement and
development, most areas with soils suitable for crop production were cleared for planting. Natural
areas on steep slopes, hydric soils, and poor soils were left alone or used as pasture. This has led to
Scandia's current landscape - a mosaic of agricultural lands, residential and commercial
development, and areas of natural vegetated cover.
As development continues, plans to manage future growth should be based on a thorough
understanding of the natural resources within the city's boundaries. The purpose of this section is to
summarize available information regarding natural resources in the City of Scandia and to discuss
the relationship between natural resources and land use planning. Water resources, such as lakes,
rivers, and streams, are discussed in detail in the Water Resources Chapter.
A. Natural Resources Goals and Objectives
Goal: Protect natural resources and look for opportunities to connect large areas of open space.
Obiectives•
• Coordinate with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Washington
County on plans for the long-term acquisition and development of William O'Brien
State Park and Big Marine Park Reserve.
• Prioritize the preservation and treatment of open space in planning and review of
all types of development within the City.
Goal: Preserve high quality natural areas
Obiectives•
• Work with property owners seeking to utilize Transfer of Development Rights and
Purchase of Development Rights, as appropriate, to obtain and protect high quality
natural areas while compensating landowners who give up development rights to
meet community land use and natural resource goals.
Goal: Eliminate, reduce or mitigate the negative effects of invasive species on natural areas
Obiectives•
• Provide educational resources and materials to residents and businesses regarding
invasive species.
Goal: Recognize and enhance publicly owned lands and improve public access to such lands where
appropriate.
Objectives:
• Promote preservation and restoration of publicly owned and other lands
permanently protected from development through education and cooperation with
other governmental agencies and community groups.
• Improve designated physical access to the St. Croix River corridor and other
important or high quality natural areas where public lands may provide access
opportunities while preserving natural and historical integrity.
• Encourage for the preservation and establishment of scenic views throughout the
City.
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Goal: Work with property owners to protect and preserve native, endangered, threatened and
unique plants and animals on privately owned land.
Obiectives•
• Provide educational resources and materials to residents and businesses regarding
invasive species.
• Encourage connections to high quality natural areas through natural corridors on
private land in order to allow for wildlife movement among habitats as part of
development.
B. Aggregate Resources
In 2000, the Metropolitan Council, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Minnesota
Geological Survey collaborated on an aggregate resource inventory of the seven -county
metropolitan area. The inventory identified and categorized likely areas of dolostone deposits,
and sand and gravel deposits. Areas identified as "dolostone" represent significant potential
deposits of Prairie du Chien dolostone suitable for crushed aggregate with less than 10 feet of
overburden. The sand and gravel deposits are classified into three categories according to type
and quality (based on percent of gravel content), thickness of deposit, amount of overlying
material, relationship to water table, and reliability of the mapping. Table III -A summarizes the
estimated areas of the dolostone deposits and the categories of sand and gravel deposits found
in the City of Scandia. Aggregate resource deposits are shown on Figure III -A — Natural and
Special Resources.
C. Regionally Significant Natural Areas
The MN DNR completed an analysis of regionally significant Terrestrial and Wetland
Ecological Areas in the seven -county metropolitan area in 2004. The analysis assessed
remaining forest, grassland, and wetland areas. The scores were determined by examining
important ecological attributes of the natural areas, including size, shape, cover type diversity,
and adjacent land use. This analysis was included in the previous comprehensive plan and is
maintained here to inform and guide the city's land use, as protecting natural resources is one
of the city's four overarching goals for the future. These areas are shown in Figure III -A.
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Natural Resources
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D. Special Resource Protection
1. Agriculture Preserve
The Agriculture Preserves District (AP) plans for the continuation of the Agricultural
Preserves Program is Scandia. This land use district is intended to encourage the
continuation of agriculture through ensuring the availability of the program to qualifying
agricultural landowners. While Scandia plans for long-term agriculture through the use of
the Agricultural Preserve Program, it is the choice of a landowner to enroll in the
Agricultural Preserves Program. The Agricultural Preserves Program has set requirements,
including maximum housing densities, that determine the eligibility of parcels to enroll in
the program. Parcels zoned as Agricultural Core in the Future Land Use (see Figure II -F -
Future Land Use) meet the density requirements to qualify to enroll in the Agricultural
Preserve Program. Participating parcels as of 2014 are shown in Figure II -G.
2. Historic Protections
a) National Register of Historic Places
John Copas House: The John Copas House was built in 1880 on the site of an 1857
homestead. It was the home of John Copas, an early settler, merchant, and farmer. John
was also a founding member of the Copas community. The home is currently used as a
single family dwelling. It is located in the southeast corner of Scandia on Highway 95.
Johannes Erickson House: The Johannes Erickson House is a log dwelling with a
gambrel style rook. The house was built in 1868 by Swedish immigrant Erickson. The
house is part of the Gammelgarden Museum.
Hay Lake School: The Hay Lake School is a brick school with bell tower. The school
was built in 1895 by Scandia residents and was Scandia's first school. Hay Lake
School served as the community's school until services were moved to Elim Church.
The building is currently run by the Washington County Historical Society as a
museum and is located on County Road 3 and Old Maine Trail.
b) Historic Settlements
Scandia Village Center: The Village Center is literally and figuratively the heart of
the community. The street pattern is characterized by triangles formed by converging
major roads at a high point between valleys, interconnected by a grid of local streets.
Local landmarks include historic commercial buildings, Elim Lutheran Church and
cemetery, and the Gammelgarden Museum. Cultural and civic activities focus on the
same buildings as well as the Community Center and park. The Village Center is
architecturally diverse with a variety of early 20t'' -century commercial building types,
the 1850's Swedish Farmhouse style museum and its outbuildings, and the Gothic
Revival style of the church, built in 1931. The formal gardens of the Elim Cemetery
offer an attractive site for community events.
Copas: Once a free-standing village centered on a Soo Line railroad depot (the railroad
between the Twin Cities and Duluth located west of Highway 95), Copas is now a
largely residential hamlet with a few historic and commercial buildings fronting State
Highway 95. The majority of the remaining buildings are located on a number of tree -
lined residential streets that parallel the St. Croix River.
Former Hamlets and Historical Localities: Otisville, Big Lake, and Panola (a post
office located just north of the city boundary) were all rural settlements of the region,
but few traces of these communities remain. The Log House Landing site near the
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former hamlet of Otisville remains as a public water access. The Big Lake School and
Goose Lake School sites also remain, harkening to Scandia's and the region's history.
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