11/28/2001 Environmental Board Minutes

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ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING NOVEMBER 28, 2001 Chair Kukonen inquired if staff had visited Evergreen Trail. Asleson stated that there was deplotia blight and pine bark beetle present. White pines were the only ones native to the area. Staff indicated that the risk needed to be reduced and stands needed to be thinned. Donlin commented that the push for red pines may have been a mistake for the DNR. Grundhofer stated that in the southwest comer of the map there was a stand of oaks, and expressed concern about fire risk. Asle4gnswered that the risk was not as high as for pines. He added that the Ineso4a land classification that the DNR was putting together wo4d 1fitke issues. Donlin inquired regarding how much credibility.1.fad who was contracted to do the project for the DNR. Aste4.61,02nded that he was an astute botanist, and had the trust of the DNR. andCity staff. Donlin questioned his years of experience,: AsicSOn-Inswered that he had years of researching, and had worketfgr4irikon Environmental. The DNR found that Lino Lakes had ve7IliritWOosystems, the most of any in the local area. The project resCWIRQ helig'determine the locations of the greenways, and identify locitfion'illoegotiate protection. Staff noted that the proposed deadline for W61,clw?) 81,: -Ls November 7, and he was in 0- • tti,m+P-,,,,-4;47 . the process of organizing,th.. inIoimthon, which mcluded Carlos Avery and probably Hugo. Grundhofer prese R; b6�1 that was available through the DNR regarding opportunities thAtain funds to purchase land. Asleson responded that hettt the grant book, had applied for a 50/50 cost share grant,. and DNR.stated that it would pay 100%. But, because it was to be ,e was no rush to purchase, they decided to wait. .0 ofer adc1eSsed the issue of the land behind the elementary school. eseitif Wred mat the City needed a Conservation Ordinance. He a ;#the College of Natural Resources was doing a wetland 0.4t ass -ssment of the area, looking at hypothetical wetland protection. O'Connell inquired about whether the older developments with fire risk had been shown to the Economic Development people. Asleson stated Mr. Bennett was going to take the lead on the project, and staff would be a resource. He indicated that it could be incorporated into zoning laws. Donlin expressed concern about discussing prescribed bums and the fear that might surround the issue due to the assessment. Asleson noted that the areas were small and easy to contain, and prescribed bums would actually 7