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PART III FACTORS AFFECTING DEVELOPMENT There
are man-made and natural barriers acting as constraints to development
such as water, topography, soil conditions, and regulatory controls.
In many situations it is possible to overcome these barriers through
costly development methods. However, the purpose of analyzing soils
and identifying areas according to their development limitations is
not intended to restrict development but rather to act as warning signals
of potential problems that may be costly to overcome. Following are
descriptions of some man made and natural development limitations considered: Background Most of " Glacial Deposits The most extensive glacial-lake deposits in the Lower
Chippewa basin consist of interlayered silts and clays in the Chippewa
and Red Cedar Valleys that were deposited when the margins of a glacier
located in Glacial outwash is present in the Red Cedar Valley. Bedrock Geology Most of the bedrock geology found outcropping in the
Town of Spring Brook consists of Cambrian-age (approximately 520 million
years old) sandstone. Many outcrops
around the Town exhibit the sandstone that makes up the majority of
the Township. The Trempealeau Group, consisting of the Jordan
and Sources: Bedrock Geology
of Myers, and W.S.
Cordua, 1987, Survey Regional Map Series (Map 87-11). Bedrock Geology of Geological and Natural History Survey
Regional Map series. Depth to Bedrock of Dunn Series. Soils Soils in the town have been mapped, analyzed and categorized
as to their development suitability. Soil characteristics within the
first few feet of the surface play an important role in the amount and
quality of water entering the groundwater. Specific development limitation
information can help decision makers determine the suitability of specific
areas for particular types of development. Some limitations can be overcome,
or their effects minimized if proper measures are taken. The Town should
encourage development where public services can be maximized and where
the limiting factors can be avoided. In areas with severe limitations,
questions regarding the economic and environmental feasibility of such
development should be posed. It is also important to note that the following
information is generalized for planning purposes and that these materials
do not replace the need for site-specific evaluation. Septic Suitability Soils place limitations on the construction and function
of septic systems. The entire town has some soil conditions unsuited
to septic development due to predominance of soils that are well or
excessively drained, steep topography, or soils with shallow depth to
groundwater or bedrock. In areas with shallow soils that are excessively
drained, concentration of septic systems could threaten groundwater
quality. Current septic system regulations only require a minimal soil
depth, sufficient water infiltration into soil, and minimal separation
between wells and drain fields. These regulations may not fully address
the potential impacts of unsewered development in the Township. Basement Suitability Soil limitations affecting basement construction are
mostly due to friable soils and shallow depths to bedrock or groundwater.
Basements can be built where friable soils exist, but usually result
in higher excavation, backfilling and erosion control costs. Basements
often cannot be built on shallow bedrock or in areas with a shallow
groundwater depth. Flood Plains The Town of Spring Brook has a number of areas adjacent
to rivers and streams where water fluctuations can cause flooding. To
protect property and public investments, Wisconsin Statutes 87.30(1)
requires counties, cities and villages to implement Floodplain Zoning.
Development in a floodplain is usually determined through
the use of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 100-year floodplain
maps. While these FEMA flood insurance maps delineate the floodplain,
past experience indicates these maps are old and errors have been found.
Another method is to map soils that show evidence of flood conditions.
For the purpose of this plan the flooded soils have been mapped, and,
as is the case with the FEMA maps, errors have been found. Therefore,
it is important to note that the following information is generalized
for planning purposes and that these materials do not replace the need
for site-specific evaluation. Prime Agricultural
Land This land
is necessary for the continuation of the production of food or fiber
and was defined strictly by soil productivity.
The maps do not reflect whether the land is currently being cropped
or has a history of cropping. For
planning purposes, soils are considered to be of high or medium production
if they meet the criteria as described in the Agricultural section of
the plan (see High and Medium productive Soils Appendix E
Steep Slopes See Steep Slopes in LAND
USE section. Surface Water
Surface water resources include water that is standing still or flowing,
navigable or intermittent, which collects and channels overland runoff.
Rivers and streams are the primary components that make up surface waters
in the Township and of primary concern is shoreland
protection. Shore lands provide habitat for both aquatic and terrestrial
animals and vegetation. Shore lands act as buffers to protect the water
quality of these resources. However, shore lands are also prime areas
for residential development and are receiving increased exposure to
contamination from residential development and recreation use. The State
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