03/28/2001 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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AGENDA ITEM 7E STAFF ORIGINATOR: Marty Asleson MEETING DATE: March 26, 2001 TOPIC: Conservation Partners Grant/Buckthorn Control BACKGROUND: The Purpose of the Conservation Partners Grant Program is to encourage the enhancement of fish, wildlife, and native plant habitats and research and surveys of fish and wildlife directly related to specific habitat improvement projects through cooperation by private organizations and local governments. The grant program funds a maximum of 50% of the total eligible project costs not to exceed a maximum grant of $20,000. Applications are due by March 31, 2001. The City of Lino Lakes Conservation Partners Grant Program submittal is intended to restore a woodland in the Birchwood Acres neighborhood area by removing existing buckthorn from the understory. City maintenance staff and neighborhood volunteers will perform this work. The grant is also intended to initiate a 3 to 5 year volunteer education and maintenance "follow -up ", with the residents in Birchwood Acres and the Clearwater Creek areas. Residents will be encouraged to volunteer for removal of buckthorn on private property and be given opportunities for a common chipping schedule. Clearwater Creek is presently under an initial invasive plant removal program funded through the Conservation Development Management Plan Agreement. The grant request to The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is for $8197.97. The City portion of the grant is $4098.98, of which $2,203.69 is a soft match of our labor hours and equipment costs. The rest of the monies would be to purchase the necessary chemicals for invasive removal, provide for an updated Environmental Board education packet to be distributed to residents involved, and a contingency of $1500 for ground story replacement plants should a sufficient seed bank be unavailable. OPTIONS: 1. Approve the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Grant Application submittal and adopt Resolution 01-48, A Resolution To Support 2001 Minnesota Department Of Natural Resources Conservation Partners Grant For Buckthorn Control. 2. Do not approve the Grant. RECOMMENDATION: Option 1.