Letter to City from Resident 11/4/2022
Dear Mayor Elise and City Council Members,
We are writing in response to the proposed housing development on 581 Fox Hill Drive,
Chanhassen.
We have read and reviewed the most current plans of 10-21-22, and we appreciate that all
areas discussed, seem to be thoughtful and reasonable. However, we would like to add some
additional information, for your consideration.
We believe that the importance of natural forest and woodlands ecosystems to human well-
being, and to all of life, cannot be overstated.
“In forests and woodlands, ecosystem components such as microorganisms, soils, and
vegetative cover, interact to purify air and water, regulate the climate, and recycle nutrients
and wastes. Without these and many other ecosystem goods and services, life as we know it
would not be possible.” (Douglas D. Kreiger, Ph. D).
Health of Lotus Lake
We consulted with a Wetlands Specialist, and we include her feedback. She determined that
Lotus Lake is a shallow and eutrophic lake. Our lake has become eutrophic, caused by the
presence of high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous, as run-off into the lake, created by
increased housing development on the shoreline. The presence of land, trees, and plants near
to the lake, serves as a buffer by absorbing harmful nutrients, especially nitrogen and
phosphorous, from flowing into the lake. Increased amounts of these nutrients, creates algal
blooms, organisms which produce harmful toxins. With more housing development, especially
on the lakeshore, and in this instance on Fox Hill Drive, with the removal of trees and plant
matter, that take up the nitrogen and phosphorous nutrients, these nutrients will now flow
directly into the lake, increasing eutrophic reactions. The Wetland Specialist predicted further
eutrophic conditions and problems for Lotus Lake, as algae organisms increase, and levels of
phosphorous flowing into the lake increases, and as the lake water warms.
Health of Wetlands
With regards to the Big Woods and wetlands, located at 581 Fox Hill Drive, Chanhassen, our
Wetlands Specialist described an “interconnected system” and symbiotic relationship between
the woods and wetlands. The presence and health of one ecological feature “woods”, responds
in kind with the health and wellness and well-being of the other, the “wetlands”. The presence
and function of each, is beneficial to the other. Our Big Woods and wetlands work together as
the “filters of our natural system, combating pollution, absorbing carbon, and releasing oxygen
to sustain all life. Together they remove excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous and
others) and securing fresh drinking water for surrounding and downstream communities. They
provide critical protection from dangerous flooding in vulnerable regions.
There are two wetlands in this area of Chanhassen-the wetland on Fox Hill Drive, and the
wetland behind the home on Carver Beach Road, located at the bottom of Fox Hill Drive. Fox
Hill Drive residents describe accumulated and excess rainwater, gushes down Fox Hill Drive,
towards the home at the bottom of the street, and towards the adjoining wetlands. Wetlands
function as a network and to damage or remove one forces all others to do more work, causing
stress to the system. To disturb this woodlands-wetland interconnected and symbiotic
relationship, is to threaten the continued well-being of both existing wetlands, and the Big
Woods. Caution needs to be utilized when dealing with this whole ecological system. The
addition of housing disturbs the wetlands including woodlands and residential areas.
Community Value
The presence of the Big Woods and wetlands, in our immediate neighborhood, is a natural and
ecological feature that is valued, loved, and cherished by residents, and visitors. The presence
and accessibility of the Big Woods and wetlands, within our immediate neighborhood, is a
highly desirable ecological and living feature.
Considering a New Path
We are now asking for the proposed plans for the housing development of the wooded area of
the Big Woods and wetlands, to be reviewed again including information shared. The best long-
term outcome for these woodlands and wetland, is for this area to be preserved and
designated a land heritage. We ask that this park and natural preserve be retained in its natural
state, and that its inherent ecological services including the mature tree functions remain
intact.
Services developed and provided by the American Forest Foundation and The Nature
Conservancy offer a Family Forest Carbon Program that allows landowners to earn income from
their land while preserving the ecological functions, namely carbon sequestration. These
services could be used in the preservation of this land.
Inclusion of Tree Function
Included is a table that collates information related to each of the trees that are planned for
removal in the 581 Fox Hill Drive location. This table outlines the ecological services and
functions that these trees provide. Calculations estimate the lifetime function of these trees
and are outlined in the document below.
Thank you for your time and consideration
Kind regards,
Elizabeth and Matthew Kohane
Chanhassen, MN
Quotations found along the way:
“Any ecosystem goods and services that do not have monetary values are generally not
accounted for in the decision calculus”
“Perhaps the most significant factor is that few ecosystem services have clearly established
monetary values, and this can have a strong impact, considering that many decisions about
resource use are made by comparing benefits and cost.”
“Neither is the fact is that the benefits of many resource use decisions are usually enjoyed by
small, fairly cohesive groups of people or the current generation, while the costs of foregone
ecosystem goods and services are born by larger more dispersed groups of future generations.”
“When we make decisions to alter natural forest or woodlands ecosystems, we often give little
thought to the consequences that change may have on forest and woodlands ecosystem
services or to the ultimate cost of losing those services. This oversight stems from our
incomplete knowledge about how changes in ecosystems affect the level of services that the
systems provide, and our inadequate understanding of the roles played by seemingly trivial
ecosystems components.”
From: Economic Value of Forest Ecosystem Services: A Review
By: Douglas J Kreiger,Ph.D.
Find the attached excel document here:
Tree Function.xlsx