07/26/2000 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Compass Points Reg nal News Regional managers organize Earth Day cleanup "It's really awful the way people leave their garbage around," I overheard one Region 2 manager say to another. "Someone ought to organize a cleanup effort for Earth Day," another answered. Enough said. A conversation about a favorite shooting site, littered with debris, turned into a cleanup of four rural sites near Grand Rap- ids on Earth Day. The sites were not on state land, but they were places DNR employees visited or drove past frequently. Several regional managers recruited volunteers from DNR staff and citizens, and organized the equipment and supplies necessary to help the volunteers. "We were pleased with the project. We had some great aunteers, from a judge to some girl scouts," said Les la, regional trails and waterways supervisor, one of the project organizers. Volunteers met at the regional office and spent from two to four hours at one of four sites cleaning up litter. So much was collected, in fact, that MCC crews needed to help haul the waste to the landfill. Itasca County waived the tipping fee. DNR provided vehicles, garbage bags, and gloves for the volunteers. Wildland Urban Interface project promotes smart growth Amid all the buzz about sustainability and smart growth, DNR Metro staff are working to help the Twin Cities region retain a healthy base of natural resources. Spurred by a $50,000 U.S.D.A. Forest Service grant, and led by Forestry staff, the Wildland Urban Interface project involves a partnership with the communities of Hugo and Lino Lakes. By this time next year, says Metro Region Forestry Supervisor Peggy Sand, both cities are expected to have inventoried and mapped their remaining natural resources and developed ordinances and policies aimed at conservation and stewardship. The *rust, will also entail working with the Minnesota Land ust, landowners and developers to come up with actual conservation subdivision plans for a specific 80- to 200 -acre site that is yet to be selected. 8 In addition to tangible benefits for Hugo and Lino Lakes, the Wildland Urban Interface project will develop a natural resource management handbook for a growing group of landowners who have been underserved by traditional forestry programs —those owning 5 to 20 acres. The project is also expected to help other suburban and exurban communities by assembling model ordinances, natural resources inventories, comprehensive plans and other tools designed to balance growth and conservation. Region 3 foresters host Russian visitors When the CL -215 roared over the heads of five Russian foresters, their cameras clicked and their eyes widened. They couldn't wait to head into the woods and have their picture taken next to the foam retardant hanging from the trees like snow. DNR Region 3 foresters hosted four Russian foresters and one interpreter on April 28 as part of a tour sponsored by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Through the inter- preter they talked about the equipment available for fighting forest fires and the complexities of the landscape each had to battle. Region 3 gave the Russian foresters a tour through the CL -215. DNR foresters later demonstrated how the CL -215 picks up water from the lake and releases it on a fire. The helicopter was also demonstrated at the air . tanker base. A few war stories about battling fire crept into the conversation over lunch. A sunny day, along with hamburgers and brats served on the grill, gave the air - tanker base the smell and feel of a good old American picnic. Russian foresters inspect a CL -215 at the Brainerd Air Tanker Base.