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Environmental Board <br />April 24, 2024 <br />Page 3 <br /> <br />DRAFT MINUTES <br /> <br />these areas to support restoration efforts. He added conservation developments <br />like Foxborough and the Preserve have long-term stewardship plans in place. <br /> <br />Mr. Nelson said without active management or natural disturbance that natural <br />systems degrade over time and invasive plants become dominant. This leads to <br />native plants vanishing. Long-term active management helps to preserve <br />biodiversity in native plant communities and developed areas. <br /> <br />Mr. Nelson explained that planting the number of mitigation trees indicated by <br />initial estimates is not reasonable for this site, and will not lead to the best long- <br />term outcome for the outlots. He also said that excessive tree planting is <br />detrimental to both wetland and oak savanna plant communities and long-term <br />stewardship and active management will yield the best result. He stressed the <br />long-term plan will require active collaboration between the Environmental Board, <br />other City groups, the developer, and the developer’s consultants. <br /> <br />Mr. Nelson recommended collaboration with the developer to initiate a process to <br />achieve a final product with higher value than tree mitigation alone would <br />provide. He also stated there is potential on this site for a solution that includes <br />establishment and restoration, enhanced greenway system components and <br />overall benefits of biodiversity that may not be possible to this extent on other <br />sites. The next steps will be to establish baseline conditions for the site, <br />incorporate workshops, evaluate alternatives and restoration options, establish <br />long-term maintenance criteria and funding and perform a site assessment to <br />gage restoration efforts. <br /> <br />It was the consensus on the Board that they were concerned over the number of <br />trees that were being removed for this development. Mr. Sullivan said he would <br />like to look at other developments to understand what was done and to have an <br />idea of what we can do with this new development. Mr. Nelson said we could <br />have a special meeting or workshop to go over the development and discuss the <br />options for this project. <br /> <br />Ms. Holmes thought it would be beneficial to drive through Foxborough to see <br />what they had done. She also thought it would be important to poll the residents <br />to find out how they want to see Lino Lakes developed. <br /> <br />Mr. Sullivan inquired if anyone surveys wildlife before land is developed. Mr. <br />Nelson said DNR maintains a database of rare, threatened, and special concern <br />species. The results of these Natural Heritage Information System requests may <br />necessitate additional plant and/or animals surveys and mitigation. Mr. Sullivan <br />thought it was important that this type of information was provided. <br />