11-06-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve Practices, objectives, and models used during the restoration process may lead to reassessment of the problem, new questions, and new options to try in a continual cycle of improvement for a given project. Management and stewardship practices for natural resources maintenance in the park will include periodic mowing, prescriptive fire management, invasive species surveys, hazard tree assessments, seed collection and propagation, invasive species removal, turf management, brush and tree maintenance, erosion control, forest health assessments and maintenance, wildlife surveys and management as needed, and interpretive signage. Maintenance and stewardship practices also include regular pruning of trees and vegetation along roadways, trail corridors, park facilities and structures. Priority projects for natural resources within the park will focus on the following native community restorations: 1. Mesic Prairie 2. Colonial Water Bird Nesting Habitat 3. Higher Quality Wetland Complexes 4. Higher Quality Woodlands These projects will be conducted in an on-going basis with an average annual cost of $25,000. Review of the Natural Heritage Information System (NNIS) conducted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) revealed that there is known occurrences of threatened and special concern features within the park, as well as others that are on a watch list. Some of the unique features within the park reserve include a Heron Rookery, Bald Eagles, Tubercled Rein -Orchid, Least Moonwort, St. Lawrence Grapefern, and Bell's Vireo. Prior to implementation of these projects, a flora and fauna survey will be conducted to ensure rare features are located and protected. For projects where avoidance of a rare feature is unavoidable, the County will work closely with the DNR and follow DNR recommendations and guidelines pertaining to the rare feature. Flora & Fauna within the park 26