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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/26/2000 Env Bd PacketCity of Lino Lakes Environmental Board Meeting Lino Lakes City Hall July 26, 2000 6:30 PM Agenda 1. Call To Order/Pass Sign -In Sheet Approval of Minutes 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Citizen Comments 5. Project Review Environmental Board Business A. Commercial Area Landscape Discussion B. DNR Project/Updates C. Environmental Education PacketlWebpage/Newsletter D. Letter of Recommendation/Brauer &AES Program/Project Updates A. Restoration Updates B. Forestry Updates C. Solid Waste/Recycling Updates 7. Other Discussion Items A. 4H Community Tree Plant Program B. "Rescue Tree" Program 9. Close Meeting and Confirm Next Meeting Date • • • ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING DATE TIME STARTED TIME ENDED MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT CITY OF LINO LAKES MINUTES MAY 31, 2000 : May 31, 2000 . 6:30 P.M. . 8:57 P.M. : Maurene Davidson, Amy Donlin (arrived at 6:39 p.m.), Rod Kukonen, Scott Lanyon, Dave Mach, Teresa O'Connell, and Mike Trehus : None. Staff members present: Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson CALL TO ORDER Acting Chair Lanyon called the meeting to order at 6:36 p. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. March 29, 2000 - Davidson asked if the Asleson advised that the Board elects it the meeting minutes reflect they w el Davidson noted that Lanyon elected as the Chair. Asl Acting Chair until he d with his work co stated this is correct :'' gges d Vice Chair were elected or nominated. r and Vice Chair. Davidson asked that "Acting Chair" but she thought he was hat it was decided that Lanyon would be the wh- er he could accommodate that responsibility along the issue would be raised again. Acting Chair Lanyon ed it be addressed later in the meeting. Kukonen move Donlin seconde e the March 29, 2000 meeting minutes as amended above. ton. Motion carried unanimously. B. April 26, 2000 - ukonen requested a correction to Page 4, B, third paragraph, to indicate "Wetlands filter ..." rather than "Wetland filter ..." In response to Davidson regarding the preceding sentence, Asleson stated the minutes should indicate: "Houses are being built along the buffered areas and residents are starting to get concerned because fences are coming down." Donlin arrived at 6:39 p.m. Davidson moved to approve the April 26, 2000 meeting minutes as amended above. Kukonen seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 1 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APPROVAL OF AGENDA MAY 31, 2000 In consideration of audience members, Asleson requested that Agenda Item 6A be considered following Item 4. The Board agreed. The following items were added to the meeting agenda: 8A. Tree Mitigation Negotiations 8B. Landscape Ordinance 8C. Lighting Ordinance The agenda was approved as amended above. CITIZEN COMMENTS Asleson noted the attendance of Nancy Klebba, interested resi t ist at Tamarack Nature Center. No other comments were made. PROJECT REVIEW A. • GM Development / Apollo Drive CUP Business District is located on Apollo and west of the Correctional Facili H consultant for G.M. Developme Development would like to s the northeast corner, fill (includes a length of pi and build a berm o 'les - Asleson explained the Apollo grading area consideration is just south e letter from John Johnson, engineering vibes the project request. G.M. ate base material in an existing borrow pit on and drainage swale, build a new pond and swale surface elevations on the south side of the project, John Johnson, _in the Apollo Bus to the low eleva they are proposin eer e applicant, presented an explanation of the background of ct and their attempt to develop the site. He explained that due , t ' =y believe they have lost several potential sales. Because of that, grading plan to import soils to bring the elevation up to a higher level. Mr. Johnson stated they would like to begin that process to import soils and also plan to undertake the drainage solutions necessary to serve this property, except for the far western edge. He stated they made application to the City to begin initial stockpiling which can be done up to 5,000 yards per parcel and then applied for a SUP to conduct the necessary grading and to exceed more than 5,000 yards. Mr. Johnson presented the proposed grading plan and explained the elevation changes that would occur. He requested the Environmental Board's review of this preliminary grading plan and to put into place drainage elements. Mr. Johnson reviewed the direction of drainage, existing storm sewer system, and NURP ponds. He stated they are attempting to install a good drainage system and understand staff has some different ideas 2 • • ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 31, 2000 which they would like to discuss. Mr. Johnson noted the joint access points and advised of the County's restriction on access points and need to extend the culvert to get beyond the joint driveways. Mr. Johnson stated Mr. Uhde planted clover on the site several years ago and staff has indicated there are now areas of natural vegetation. Donlin requested an explanation of the location of this site in relationship to the proposed automobile site. Asleson pointed out the subject site. Donlin stated there is beautiful prairie bush clover on this site. Gary Uhde, representing G.M. Development, stated he planted the clover on the site. Asleson noted there are other plants as well on the site. Asleson stated this is a commercial /industrial area. He noted the location of the stockpile and stated there is nothing wrong with this request as long as th ,Creek Watershed District engineers approve the request. Asleson explained th fall the ter from the subwatershed district ends up on this parcel before drainin n arsh Lake and noted the area that drainage will be captured prior to drainin to e 1, J e used a map to identify the surrounding areas which drain to the sub Mr. Johnson added further details regarding t ain a are and noted the area that is very flat. Asleson stated from the landscape scale from ending up on his site. He not he direct water toward the pondin may be more acceptable tha needed to direct drainage expensive to construct, , the applicant cannot stop the drainage and being proposed and suggestion to n stated that, perhaps, a biodiverse screen e noted the location of a pipe that would be of Apollo Drive, which would be quite Discussion ensued re ng th '' "`size of area to be buffered, sandy soil types, and need for mitigation. Asleson summ . wed t M e outstanding issues are the berm, biodiversity aspects, and the water surface trea $ ent. Mr. Johnson reviewed the elevations of the site and Apollo Drive and stated he is not sure it is possible to place a pipe under Apollo Drive. Because of that, he is attempting to use what they have and create a pond to take care of what they need. He stated they cannot be the solution for the entire area which he estimated to be several hundred acres in size. Mr. Johnson stated he is willing to consider alternatives, if a feasible one is presented. Acting Chair Lanyon explained that sometimes ponds are designed with steep sides which do not add much to the community so if it is possible to develop a train of ponds to treat and retain water, it would be better. 3 • ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 31, 2000 Mr. Johnson stated the culvert under Apollo Drive is lower than the culvert under the freeway by several feet and the pond is several feet under that. The outlet will then go to another pond with a submerged outlet that is slightly lower than the elevation of Apollo Drive which will force the water to leave the site at a different rate than exists today. Trehus asked how much water will leave the site. Mr. Johnson stated he has made that calculation but does not have that information available tonight. He estimated 34.5 acres will be incorporated into this plan and drain through a ponding system and out of the site. The rest of the acreage is kept in on -site ponds. Mr. Johnson advised of the Rice Creek Watershed District restriction to not allow a higher run -off rate than exists today. He estimated there will be 60% impervious surface. Donlin asked how rain events would be handled that are similar to what occurred several years ago where there were three back -to -back 100 -year events..hnson reviewed the criteria the ponds can handle and how that criteria is esta Mach asked if staff's concern is the volume of water or explained the NURP ponds are designed to store a v event but after large rain events, there is a peak of r. Asleson or a certain rain Davidson noted the NURP ponds remove about he nutrients, whereas, it would • be ideal to remove a higher percentage. Mr. Johnson explained that the NU from low rain events, such as a event impacts the NURP po rather than expecting the • good job of removing contaminants a 1. He then explained how a larger rain eir intention to address the drainage issues 1 owners to do so. Donlin compliments; o on his past work on these types of projects. Mach asked if. ' ere is p s. ial for reconstruction of some of the ponds to function to hold the flow .,tr reatment. Asleson explained how the ponds have been designed to do b Trehus stated he becomes concerned about any project that places more water into one of the City's lakes. Asleson asked if they can look at the feasibility of placing the pipe under Apollo Drive and possible methods of financing that cost. Acting Chair Lanyon asked if there is a way to have Pond 1 service more acreage to provide additional on -site infiltration, or if additional ponds can be placed. Donlin noted a lot of infiltration will occur since the ponds will have a sand bottom, at least until the pond silts up. Asleson commented on the importance of properly designing these ponds to assure infiltration. 4 • • ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 31, 2000 Mr. Johnson commented on the natural water table in this area and impact caused by the construction of the road, deep sanitary sewer, and other projects. He advised that all of the ponds are in nonhydric soils and are dry because of the low water table level. Trehus asked about the suggestion of staff to connect Pond 1 to the other side of Apollo Drive. Mr. Johnson stated Pond 2 is on the south side of Apollo Drive and the proposal is to divert water from the freeway culvert to the west into Pond 2 until it is at an elevation to outflow into the culvert under Apollo Drive. Staff's proposal is to connect Pond 1 with Pond 2 via a pipe under Apollo Drive. Mach asked if there is an opportunity to install a cattail wetland to act as a filter to Marshan Lake. Asleson stated he understands the desire for a vegetated filter strip but he does not think there is an opportunity to do so. Mr. Johnson stated this site is a long way (three - quarters to one mile) upstream from that point and he doe . now what is available from Lake Drive to Marshan Lake to provide additi trea sent. Also, the area is very flat. Mach advised of a different project that successfully filter. Acting Chair Lanyon asked the members to addres ents via a vegetative Donlin suggested plantings that do not uire e' nsive watering such as prairie stock and oak trees. Davidson noted that resident o visual year -round screen. Asleson stated a plan can be presented to t . - en hat area including the option of a vegetation buffer with a wooded t r` ^ uatio as well as prairie vegetation. He suggested oak trees planted in laye O'Connell as ! if a be .. vegetation would better block sounds. Mr. Johnson stated he does not kn ._ • "` uses will be but the City has previously indicated the uses on that edge must b om atible with the residential homes to the west. He agreed that landscaping will vide a better visual buffer a story and a half off the ground than a berm would provide. Acting Chair Lanyon asked why there is a need to do anything on the berm at this point. Mr. Johnson stated they now have the opportunity to obtain fill material at a lower cost. Because of that, they would like the ability to accept that fill material and stockpile it until it is needed. Acting Chair Lanyon stated that depending on what is built, a berm may be better or a vegetative screen may be better. Until it is known what is being built, that decision can be delayed. 5 • • ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 31, 2000 Mr. Uhde stated at the site plan review the Board will have the opportunity to identify acceptable plantings for the user to put into place. However, if the berm is not identified until that point, it would be quite costly to import the soil needed for the berm. Kukonen asked if the residents want a berm. Mr. Uhde stated when the property was rezoned they were told a berm would be put into place. Another neighborhood meeting will be held next Tuesday and the issue will be raised again. Acting Chair Lanyon stated he thinks there will be support for a visual barrier but he would encourage them to consider options other than a berm. Mr. Johnson stated a berm is beneficial at ground level and may be more perceived than real. Mr. Johnson stated he thinks residents will perceive a need for a vertical component that is more than a row of trees. Donlin stated when the theater property was developed, a six buffer their property from night -time vehicle lights. She c benefit of having a visual screen and not being able to as created to the psychological Trehus asked if the Board needs to stipulate a buffer n th -aside of the site, or if it is a "given." Mr. Johnson stated they will listen , e r. iden .. Trehus suggested a berm be required and then the applicant can assure it is -e y designed and appropriate. Mr. Johnson stated he would like to he can with the drainage plan or is the nature of the buffer /screening o March stated he thinks th screening as opposed t pine. He stated his Davidson stat environmentall issues: 1) have they done what they ore they should evaluate; and, 2) the of the project. advise people of the benefits of vegetative d rt and recommended a mix of red oaks and white vegetative screens as opposed to berms. her agr nt and suggestion that a woodland buffer, which is d and beautiful, be presented to the residents. Trehus asked if t `' , onds can be made deeper. Asleson stated that will not matter due to the level of the water table. Mr. Johnson advised of their monitoring well findings. Kukonen stated he believes the drainage issues have been satisfied but he would support further investigation of staff's proposal for a pipe under Apollo Drive. O'Connell asked if the applicant would object to a Board Member attending the neighborhood meeting next Tuesday to present the option of a vegetative berm. Mr. Johnson stated they would welcome that opportunity. O'Connell stated she will plan to attend that meeting. 6 • ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 31, 2000 Trehus raised the issue of the short-term impact of stockpiling the soil on the site. Asleson stated they already have a storage permit up to 5,000 cubic feet. Mr. Uhde explained the CUP will allow additional storage and relocation of drainage ditch and berm. Donlin expressed concern with the stockpiling of road aggregate and possible leachate into the soil. She urged the developer to not lean heavily toward stockpiling that type of material. Mr. Johnson noted the material will be used under road pavements and parking lots and building pads. He pointed out the proposed stockpile location is centrally located so it will not have to be moved often until it is used. Mr. Johnson stated they already have a stockpiling permit but they are asking to stockpile additional material which will be needed to raise the elevation of the lots to match the criteria established by the County. Davidson moved to require a buffer on the west side of the proje woodland buffer is to be presented to the residents, to reco vegetative buffer rather than a berm for environmental an staff to research the feasibility of connecting Pond 1 wi Donlin seconded the motion. Motion carried unani ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD BUSINESS A. New Members - The Environmental Bo B. DNR Project - Asleson noted the Agenda, their April 20, 2000 m DNR. He presented an upda Use and inventory infor requested information. a vegetative dland and ons, and to direct h of Apollo Drive. hers introduced themselves. cal Unit of Government Work Group nutes, and "Useful ... Guidelines" drafted by the t and the DNR request for Lino Lakes Land stated his involvement is to provide the In response to David `:: • sles s n stated the Anoka Conservation District submitted a Greenway Co ion gr. s • plication but it is not yet approved. Kukonen asked ' e Wildlife fieldwork is to include Lino Lakes and Hugo. Asleson stated it could inc .e both. Acting Chair Lanyon asked if there is an opportunity for Lino Lakes to be more heavily involved to improve its inventory data of the areas involved. Asleson stated that is correct and data on rare and endangered species will also be identified. Donlin advised that a site along Elmcrest was viewed and an area with a beautiful wetland was found which contained three pairs of yellow- headed blackbirds. She stated this project is very exciting and she finds it to be a "golden opportunity" to fill in the missing pieces. 7 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 31, 2000 • C. Environmental Education Packet - Acting Chair Lanyon noted the environmental education packets which would be distributed to homeowners, particularly those in ecological sensitive areas. He stated he does not have a good idea of what to do with this information, other than on Earth Day, and asked if all new buyers will get one. • • Asleson suggested homeowners along the buffer and greenway areas or adjacent to wetlands receive a copy. Acting Chair Lanyon agreed and stated he thought certain parcels would be targeted within buffer zones to receive this information. Davidson reviewed how the last flyer was compiled and copied. Acting Chair Lanyon noted that some of the material can be photocopied and updated brochures requested. He stated that he thinks a significant percentage of homebuyers have web access either at work or at home. He suggested the B •a 'nsider a web site that allows access to this information and volunteered to crea such a : b site that provides links to other sites such as the DNR, University i sota xtension, etc. Davidson suggested some of that information also b informational packet. Acting Chair Lanyon stated it may also be Press point newcomers to this web page possibility. Consensus was reached that the Plants, Butterfly Gardening, Management, Yard Wast eve the Star Tribune and Pioneer cated he would check into that ge headings should be: Benefits of Native and Habitat, Lawn Care, Shoreline ng, and Aquascaping. Davidson suggeste a. �� , the City's newsletter advertise the availability of this information at City Acting Chair L refrigerator mag information is av ated support to find a sponsor to provide an informational Connell stated residents could also be informed that additional ble at City Hall. Mach noted that new homeowners often want to landscape quickly so it would be nice to provide them with some information and alternatives. However, he agreed the full informational packet may be too much information. Acting Chair Lanyon stated he will investigate the opportunity for a refrigerator magnet and the web page option. Consensus was reached to direct staff to reproduce the information with the cost funded from the budget, to remove the canoe and include "Compliments of the Environmental Board" under the words Lino Lakes, staff to research options for green colored folders, 8 • • • ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 31, 2000 the Board to volunteer to assemble the folders /information, Donlin to contact Doug Voss regarding the waterfowl information, quantity of 250 folders will be created, Davidson to provide editing of information, and staff to include a reference in the City newsletter that this environmental packet is available at the City Hall. D. Letter of Recommendation / Brauer & AES - Davidson stated she volunteered to put this information together based on the Board's input. Kukonen stated he has some information to provide. Acting Chair Lanyon suggested that this information be provided to Davidson by June 15, 2000 so she can prepare a draft letter which can be included in the next meeting packet for consideration at the June meeting. E. PCA Volunteer Groundwater Monitoring and Assessment P : - Asleson explained that Donlin has added this agenda item to discuss and w r quality. He noted the information regarding the PCA "Ground Water •n ng a • Assessment Program" (GWMAP) which is a volunteer program. H 3'evi we ity program for well monitoring and testing for coliform and nitrate ere • :x • work with the Board if they are interested in pursuing groundwater momt Donlin asked if the test packets can be made avai City received a limited number of free te, for them. He stated he will check to se Hall. PROJECT REVIEW the City Hall. Asleson stated the but the County usually charges a fee sible to have them available at the City A. GM Development / A ve CtIP / Stockpiles - This item was considered earlier in the meeting. PROJECT UPDAT A. Behms / Rice L Y'e E . tes Park Prairie Projects - Asleson reported the Behms / Rice Lake Estates Par ' airie projects will be seeded with native materials in about a week and will be interesting to watch. B. Clearwater Creek III Environmental Updates - Asleson noted the draft environmental educational handout for Clearwater Creek and the rendering of the 6" by 9" buffer signs that will be posted along the buffer area about three feet off the ground. He advised the developer is working on the eradication of Buckhorn and there is also some Purple Loosestrife in the area. Northern Prairie Restoration will be seeding the area soon and is also working on the invasive plant issues. 9 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 31, 2000 • C. Forestry Updates - Asleson advised that the Forestry Division planted Hackberries on the boulevard areas that were included in the last fall contract. Trees that died from last year are being replaced. • • D. Solid Waste / Recycling Updates - Asleson presented the summary tonnage report for Spring Recycling Day. He advised that almost 51 tons of recyclables were brought in this spring as compared to 33 tons for last fall. He commented that this was a very successful event. Donlin commented on the Earth Day cleanup and "Band -Aid" approach currently being taken to clean the parks and roadsides and, yet, no one is learning about the negative consequence of littering and dumping debris. She suggested a discussion be held of strict enforcement of littering violations so it is no longer tolerated. Donlin also suggested a sign be posted at the City's border warning of the consequences ring. Asleson stated that the Police Department can be contacte Acting Chair Lanyon asked Donlin to draft a letter t artment for consideration at the next meeting. Donlin agreed. OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Tree Mitigation Negotiations - Due to e late ur, this item was postponed to the June 28, 2000 meeting. B. Landscape Ordinance As e n `taff is working on the Landscape Ordinance and it will be presented a a 00 meeting. C. Lighting Ordinan us d if any revisions have been made to the Lighting Ordinance and comm . on t e importance of having one to address the new commercial . dustri <. velopments. Asleson stated h ill etermine the status of that ordinance. This item was postponed to the June 28, 2000 meeting. D. Election of Chair - Trehus moved to elect Scott Lanyon as the Chair and Maurine Davidson as the Vice Chair of the Environmental Board. Donlin seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 10 • ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 31, 2000 • CLOSE MEETING AND CONFIRM NEXT MEETING DATE • • It was noted that the next meeting of the Environmental Board will be on June 28, 2000. There being no further business, Davidson moved to adjourn at 8:57 p.m. Trehus seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Transcribed by: Carla Wirth TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. • Memo To: Lino Lakes Environmental Board From: Marty Asleson Date: 07/20/00 Re: Landscape Design in Commercial Development Environmental Division The Environmental Board has reviewed several landscape designs for new commercial development areas coming into the City of Lino Lakes. Recommendations have been made to integrate native plantings into the landscape design of the projects reviewed. There are sound ecological reasons behind these recommendations. There is however, the "cultural" part of the three -ring modal adopted for Conservation Development that needs to be looked at more closely in the commercial development areas. Recently, we have experienced a business community that reflects a different cultural view of landscape design. We need to look more closely at this and address the concerns of the business community. We also need to look at the ecological concerns in relationship to these cultural views. Certainly, we need to look at our site resources and sometimes go beyond the boarders with historical vegetation types. It seems to me that the important ecological principals to look at are preserving remnant historic vegetation types, protecting and minimizing or eliminating resource impacts, and restoring ecological systems where the opportunity exists. The principals of "Surface Water Treatment Train" and water retention/hydro - restoration in conjunction with soil management are very important issues to look at for the restoration/buffering / and or preservation of development sites. Water resources are looked at from a flow rate - control standard, yet tremendous additional volumes of water are leaving development sites. Plant communities that have developed over time are adapted to certain historic water requirements. Our lake ecosystems are adapted to certain natural water schedules. The question of how we can address the cultural landscape design issues of the business community and at the same time addressee ecological concerns is now on the table. • Page 1 • I have copied several sections from our Handbook for Environmental Planning that focuses in on the issue at hand. For the long -term ecological health of the city, a well- defined, ongoing natural resource restoration and management plan will be required. As will be defined in this section, ecological restoration and management refers to a practical management strategy that uses scientifically -based ecological processes to maintain ecosystem composition, structure, and function and with minimal human intervention. This section provides an overview of the restoration and management issues and a framework for plan development and implementation. Two Perspectives on Achievability and Sustainability of Ecological Restoration and Management Programs As a lead into this section, it is important to recognize right up front that restoring and managing ecological resources must be done in a manner that is both achievable and sustainable. Achievable refers to what is scientifically and economically feasible. Sustainable refers to the level to which restoration and management programs can be scientifically and economially sustained over an extended period of time. The following considers achievability and sustainability from the two distinct but interrelated perspectives of ecology and economy (human /economic capital). From an economic perspective what is achievable and sustainable is based on the amount of human and economic capital that a community chooses to and /or can realistically afford to put into ecological programs now and in the future. Economic (Human /Economic Capital) Perspective From an economic perspective, what is achievable and sustainable is based on the amount of human and economic capital that a community chooses to and /or can realistically afford to put into ecological programs now and in the future. The importance of this cannot be overstated in that the long -term viability of any ecological program undertaken is directly related to the long -term commitment made to it in terms of human and economic resources. This commitment can be viewed in the same context as commitments made to schools, parks, trails, roads, public utilities, and business /commercial development. Ultimately, how the collective community values land stewardship and ecological health relative to other quality of life issues will define the extent to which ecological programs can be successfully mp�rt rated C run this com : ,,.entfrom • Page 2 • • • management programs must be in sync with the community's commitment if long -term success is to be assured. Recognizing this, it is critical that the city roll -out ecological programs in a pragmatic and paced manner that is in sync with available resources. As discussed in this section, the first steps toward creating a sustainable local ecology includes: • Working closely with the development community and community leaders to embrace a conservation development approach to planning so that the type of ecological impacts caused by past development patterns are not repeated in the future - only to become the next generations ecological concerns. • Focusing on educational programs to help residents better understand the issues and build a base of support for ecological programs. • Undertaking testing and smaller restoration projects to develop scientific underpinnings and experience. The framework presented here suggests That the city seek to achieve a sustainable landscape qualify. The framework presented here suggests that the city seek to achieve a sustainable landscape quality. A sustainable landscape is defined as the point at which the city can indefinitely maintain a certain acceptable level of resource quality within the context of human development and uses of the land. This sustainable level is contingent upon three primary factors: • Public understanding of and commitment to land preservation and stewardship programs. • Adopting a conservation development approach to land development. • Undertaking ecological restoration and management programs. Individual and community values, policy -maker support, and financial resource commitment will ultimately define the extent to which restoration and management programs are implemented within the city. that the city seek to achieve a sustainable landscape qualify. The framework presented here suggests that the city seek to achieve a sustainable landscape quality. A sustainable landscape is defined as the point at which the city can indefinitely maintain a certain acceptable level of resource quality within the context of human development and uses of the land. This sustainable level is contingent upon three primary factors: • Public understanding of and commitment to land preservation and stewardship programs. • Adopting a conservation development approach to land development. • Undertaking ecological restoration and management programs. Individual and community values, policy - maker support, and financial resource commitment will ultimately define the extent to which restoration and management programs are implemented within the city. Overview of Conservation Development Conservation development focuses on land development that service human needs and values while minimizing impacts on the integrity, quality, and sustainability of the surrounding • Page 3 • • • ecological systems. Conservation development focuses on developing the land for human uses without compromising the integrity, quality, and sustainability of the surrounding ecological systems. Conservation developments also emphasize creating interesting, appealing, and compelling living environments that foster a strong and vibrant sense of place - one that cultivates a close relationship between humans and the natural environment. This section considers the fundamental aspects of a conservation development approach to planning. Ecological Restoration and Management Philosophy An ecosystem Is essentially where things live and represents an interacting group physical elements (soils, water, eta), Plants, animals, and human communities that Inhabit a particu place. ........................ The plan outlined here promotes an ecological system -based approach to restoration and management. An ecosystem is essentially where things live and represents an interacting group of physical elements (soils, water, etc.), plants, animals, and human communities that inhabit a particular place. All of these elements and their interactions need to be considered in developing goals and plans for management, Ecosystem -based management views people as part of the community, and that maintaining a healthy ecosystem is the best way to meet human needs as well as those of other organisms in the community. General goals of this philosophy include: • To protect or enhance the health of the ecosystems in Lino Lakes and native biological diversity of its habitats. • To provide an appropriate balance between resource preservation, recreational use, and community growth. • To maintain the natural, historic, and rural character and integrity of Lino Lakes while meeting the demand for recreational uses and community growth. • To establish partnerships and stakeholder involvement with a variety of agencies and citizens in the community to perpetuate sustainable resources in Lino Lakes and surrounding areas. Figure 7.5- Stormwater Treatment Train. The Stormwater Treatment Train is an approach to stormwater management that relies on passive, overland routing of runoff as opposed to storm sewers and other built structures. The figure illustrates the four components of the stormwater treatment train. It also illustrates the anticipated general stormwater management and water quality benefits associated with each element. Incorporating the buffer zones as previously defined provides the upland land area necessary for treatment train • Page 4 • use as standard practice for conservation development planning. This provides both ecological as well as economic benefits. Stormwater Treatment Train The stormwater treatment is an approach to stormwater management that relies on passive, overland routing of runoff as opposed to storm sewers and other built structures. This approach offers a couple of distinct advantag over conventional storm sewer systems: 1) Treatment of introduced contaminants picked up by runoff is removed at the initial stages of water flowage rather than being transported to downstream locations and accumulating in wetland and lake systems. This greatly reduces degradation to water quality and vegetative health in downstream systems. 2) Stormwater flow rates and volumes more closely emulate natural conditions. This greatly reduces unnatural fluctuations in water levels in downstream systems (wetlands and lakes) and therefore reduces impacts to the natural condition of water systems and vegetation. Treatment train systems typically consist of a four key components, each of which perform in sequence to treat the water before it enters central weflands and lakes. Initially, stormwater runoff from the built environment is routed into swales planted with native prairie and wetland vegetation. These swales convey runoff from built up areas into expansive prairies while also providing a modest amount of infiltration and setting of solids. The prairies are the second component of the treatment train, where they serve to slowly convey Stormwater as diffuse overland flow to the wetland systems bordering wetlands or lakes. The prairies infiltrate a substantial portion of the annual surface runoff volume due to their very deep root system. They also provide additional solids settling and biological treatment. The wetlands are the third component of the treatment train system and provide both stormwater detention and biological treatment prior to runoff entering the lake. The final treatment component is the lake, which provides stormwater detention, additional solids settling and biological treatment. Figure 7.5 illustrates the treatment train system. Stormwater Treatment Train Figure 7.6 - Annual hydrograph comparison. With respect to stormwater flow rates • Page 5 • • • and volumes, the use of a stormwater treatment train .roduces a much more flows and higher base flows relative to The hydrograph of a typical engineered approach. With respect to stormwater flow rates and volumes, the use of a stormwater treatment train produces a much more natural hydrograph with lower peak flows and higher base flows relative to the hydrograph of a typical engineered approach. Figure 7.6 is instructive in that it illustrates the difference between an engineering and ecological approach to stormwater management. With certainly, the ecological approach to hydrology is desirable when ecological health is one of the principles being adhered to during development planning. An additional point about the treatment train approach to stormwater management is the potential it offers to recapture development dollars by avoiding the costs of putting in storm sewer systems when a more ecological -sound approach is workable. By redirecting limited development dollars, a developer can often offer more flexibility toward other development issues, such as setting aside additional land as open space. The Built Environment The built environment consists of all infrastructural components that service human needs and create a safe and appealing place to live and work. The built environment consists of all infrastructural components that service human needs and create a safe and appealing place to live and work. It includes housing, transportation, businesses, commercial areas, schools, and so forty Fc r the purposes of this handbook, the primary focus is on resident'al conservation developments. It should be noted :however, that these same basic principles and ideals °can be applied to other types of.development areas, ranging from the Town Center;site to light industrial areas and school s This handbook di sa does not directly address issues of zoning and guided lard uses, which are considered in the city's comprehensive plan. That document should be referred to for further discussion on these issues. • Page 6 • • r"Onee 7,, 7 - ild4111;ing Avukivrel tkwx€ ics o(P.,v :Anti , to wakandt.dfaKa »ti4:�y Balancing Pkrteived Benefits <f I .irks and Recreation Checklist of Review Items and Factors to be Considered Apply Conservation Development Planning Model and Principles to project (collaborative between City and developer teams): 0 Ecological - "Conservation and land stewardship" : • Natural Resources inventory and management plan. • Protection of natural resources and ecological systems - buffers, stormwater treatment, water quality, etc. • Greenway systems. O Cultural - "Livable communities offering a high quality of life" : • Parks, trails, recreation, natural open space, and public /social space. • Cluster housing and traditional neighborhood design. • Mixed -use development (social and economic variables). • Sense of place and community • ArchiitecturaI character and standards. O Economic - "Economically viable development" • Proforma and market analysis. • Public infrastructure requirements. Figure 7.1 - Overarching Factors associated with successful conservation development Conservation Development Guidelines Overview of Conservation Development • Page 7 • • Conservation development focuses on land development that service human needs and values while minimizing impacts on the integrity, qualify, and sustainability of the surrounding ecological systems. Conservation development focuses on developing the land for human uses without compromising the integrity, quality, and sustainability of the surrounding ecological systems. Conservation developments also emphasize creating interesting, appealing, and compelling living environments that foster a strong and vibrant sense of place - one that cultivates a close relationship between humans and the natural environment. This section considers the fundamental aspects of a conservation development approach to planning. Overarching Factors Associated with Successful Conservation Developments OtirriEr ririnr .•,f r,ri.d�rl 44'ir: S.Ic c4th.1 Cc, is.r},aton timeinprnenti Vision refers to the need to internalize and uphold the broad vision for the community and then adhere to these core beliefs as the community is developed. Imagination refers to the organizational and individual capacity to overcome the inherent uncertainties and challenges associated with a vision that is a counter to the conventional development practices used in the past. Collaboration refers to the need to have internal and external teams with • Page 8 • • • the professional competence and technical wear - with -all to accomplish the tasks at hand and deal with project challenges. Success toward realizing the community vision of preserving the natural character of the city through a conservation development approach to planning requires a steadfast commitment to that vision and the tenacity and teamwork to make it happen. As figure 7.1 illustrates, there are three overarching factors associated with successful conservation developments. The Apollo Business District consists of two sections. The section to the north was designed with sodded frontages. For the most part the landscaping was completed prior to the completion of our management plan. The Business District needs a uniform and consistent landscape theme. In light of the questions raised about the visual landscape expectations in our commercial areas, the landscape ordinance is on hold until we have a discussion of the process and product of commercial landscape design. • Page 9 24 June 2000 In the spring of 1998, the city of Lino Lakes hired Brauer & Associates, Ltd. and Applied Ecological Services, Inc. (AES) to complete a natural resources inventory and management plan. Due to its proximity to Minneapolis and St. Paul, the city was facing increased development pressure, and it was decided that this would be a very useful planning tool as the city developed. 5i Overall, we were pleased with the product, which consists of three parts: a technical report, a planning handbook, and a Geographic Information System (GIS). Of the three components, the IA GIS is the most powerful and most used planning tool. Our city environmental coordinator ( ?) 11 \ has become adept at operating the software, and often uses it when discussing new development ' • projects. The ability to change the database to reflect changes in land use is most valuable. The focus of the planning handbook is conservation development, which is excellent. The entire process from planning to implementation is carefully laid out. There are also strong guidelines for buffering valuable natural areas from neighboring development, as well as for storm water management. The technical report is perhaps the weakest component. The natural resources inventory was done as a "broad brush" rather than a detailed inventory, and the report reflects the general nature of the data. They do, however, use a prototype -based system of rating the health of ecosystems, and for restoration programs, which is a useful tool. Our board was not heavily involved in the process itself, with the exception of the focus group and the design charrettes. (sp ?) The charrettes were excellent, bringing together developers and conservationists in an effort to find some common ground. The charrettes were limited to one type of open -space development; different conservation development techniques may have been interesting. If your city is considering hiring these consultants, we recommend that you have a clear understanding of how much detail to expect in the inventory piece. This will affect the cost of the project. Also, we recommend that you understand whether the inventory will occur on primarily private or public land. We also recommend that your focus group is made up of representatives of different development philosophies. This group should meet regularly and often, and all lines of communication should be kept open during the project. It will ensure that the product meets your expectations when the project is completed. We didn't do this very well, and it resulted in a great deal of discussion and "fixing" at the end of the project. Submitted by the Lino Lakes Environmental Board June, 2000 »Include phone numbers of Board members ?? • • Memorandum To: Lino Lakes Environmental Board From: Marty Asleson Date: 07/20/00 Re: DNR Urban Interface I have enclosed all of the information that I have to date on the DNR Wild Land Urban Interface Project. There have been no meetings since the last Environmental Board Meeting. The next scheduled team meeting is in August. 1 • • Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)- Local Unit of Government Workgroup ( LUG) Minutes from 5/25/00 Work Group Meeting Attendance: Meredith Cornett, Lillian Baker, Suzann Willhite, Peter Leete, Con Christianson, Joan Galli, Marty Asleson (Lino Lakes), Kate Drewry (Rice Creek Watershed District), Molly Shodeen, Jean Mouelle, Dave Zumeta, Tom Polasik, Dan Cornejo (SEH for Hugo), Peggy Sand (chair). Attendees introduced themselves, agreed to the agenda, and accepted the 3/14/00 minutes, the work group member list (revised 5 /25/00), and the Work Assignment Matrix (revised 5/18/00). (Electronic or hard copies of these are available from Peggy S.) The group set the next meeting date for Tuesday, June 20, 1:30 p.m. Announcements included: • Harland Hiemstra has prepared an article on the WUI LUG project for the June 2000 issue of the DNR Review. • Peggy Sand will be attending a national 5 -day training session called "The Wildland Urban Interface: Balancing Growth with Natural Resource Management and Conservation" during the last week of June. She and Dave Schuller have prepared updated briefing papers on both aspects of the Minnesota WUI project (the LUG project and the landowner guidebook project). Copies of the most recent versions of these documents are attached. Any corrections or additions are needed by the work group meetings on 6/20/00. PROJECT STATUS & PROGRESS ON WORK TO DATE - Reports & Discussion Basic Tools for Working with LUG's Meredith Cornett presented a draft of "Site Based Management Plan Checklist for Natural Areas" (5/25/00) which was discussed. This is the first draft of one of several checklists which are to be developed through this project. For this management plan checklist, Suzann Willhite & Dave Zumeta suggested additional considerations on recreation, trails and access, and contextual information, e.g. on land use, ownership, and land management plans of adjoining properties. Copies of a revised checklist will be available from Meredith at the 6/25 meeting. Peggy Sand handed out partial working draft (5/35/00) of a "Commercial Development Site Plan Review Ordinance Checklist ". All or parts of it may become a DNR document through this process; additions are needed related to hydrology; one consideration is whether it should address site issues such as vehicular and pedestrian access which are indirectly related to natural resources. Don Cornejo reported that Hugo is looking at possible code language that would require developers to assess impervious surfaces for new development and their zoning ordinance may set maximum allowed impervious surface coverage for various areas using overlay districts. From a broader smart growth perspective, Dave Zumeta supported including these considerations as well as more on trails. Joan Galli stated the need to document why these issues (e.g. imperviousness) are important for natural resources. Marty Asleson pointed out the problem with soil bulk density in areas thought to be pervious, such that Lino Lakes is considering applying soil protection zones. 1 Meredith requested people to look at the Metro 2040 "Addressing Natural Resources in the Comprehensive Plan" (prepared by Meredith & Hannah last year and handed out at a previous meeting) regarding additional ideas etc that should be in a Comprehensive Plan checklist. Meredith requested comments by mid -June. The 5/25/00 draft of a table called "Useful Natural Resource Documents/Language for Local Government: Examples, Checklists, and Guidelines" was discussed. Kate Drewry provided some copies of several documents of use in this project which should be added to this table: • Rice Creek Watershed District's "Stormwater Infiltration Guidance" 4pp (blue) • Rice Creek Watershed District's "Stormwater Infiltration Overview" 4pp (ivory) • Environmental Land Planning Series Site Planning for Urban Stream Protection. • Center for Watershed Protection Better Site Design: A Handbook for Changing Development Rules in Your Community: • Watershed Protection Techniques, Vol 3, No 2. "I. An Introduction to Better Site Design" & "IV. Changing Development Rules in Your Community" Joan Galli suggested adding Henderson's Lakescaping for Wildlife and Water Quality. Meredith will add a reference from Restoration Ecology. Suzann will provide some trails references and Marty will provide some on urban soils. Please submit information_ electronically to Peggy Gabriel (DNR Forestry) (including a "comments" statement) on these and any additional references for the table. Assistance to LUG's - Citywide Scale NR Inventory & Assessments Large copies of the preliminary GIS maps were displayed (& are available for field work) for both Hugo and Lino Lakes of: • Minnesota County Biological Survey Data (which also includes National Wetland Inventory polygons) • Forest Cover • Hydric Soils Each of these maps also shows Metropolitan Councils Growth Management Policy Areas (more commonly called the MUSA urban service lifts) for the existing urban area, the illustrative 2020 MUSA, and the Urban Reserve/Permanent Rural Area. Smaller maps of these boundaries were handed out. For Hugo, these are NOT the same boundaries as recognized by the City in its planning documents. Peter Leete reported on the status of the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) was discussed and a sample of the output displayed. Joan expressed concerns that the native plant community quality modifiers not be used to discriminate against sites (e.g. old field) which are good for wildlife habitat. Peggy stated that the MLCCS system in itself is "value neutral"; it will be up to the various specialists working on this project to interpret the land cover information for its value for various natural resource management purposes. Joan expressed concern that we are building a system that we don't have enough resource staff to use. Peter Leete will check out a system of being developed in the Brainerd region for assessing wildlife habitat values. DNR and SEH are meeting to determine if SEH can do the MLCCS for Hugo. 2 • • Joan Galli, Con Christianson, and Bill Penning conducted a "bio- blitz" wildlife survey in Lino Lakes and Hugo on May 23rd and 24th. Wildlife is also contracting with Steve Peetgrass to conduct a Blanding's Turtle study looking at soils and known distribution to delineate quality Blanding's habitat in those areas. Lillian Baker reported on progress on the wildfire risk assessment including meetings with the local fire chiefs. She distributed a copy of a existing fire prone property survey worksheet which will be used. Consideration will also be given to railroads and other risk factors found in the 1999 Andover fire complex. Marty Asleson suggested that the assessment look at and guidelines be developed for prescribed burn use for habitat management, including managing risk in properties adjoining prescribed burn sites. Dave suggested developing a GIS map of such properties. Suzann Willhite reported that Metropolitan Council is in the process of final validation of a 7- county border -to- border trail inventory whose data we will be able to used, including trail connections beyond the 2 cities. Dan Cornejo asked about information and planning for snowmobile trails which is an issue in Hugo. Status of LUG plans / Review & Comment on LUG Documents Dan Cornejo talked about the status of Hugo's development moratorium whose anniversary is August 18, 2000. It may be extended 3 -6 months (to Dec -Feb) to allow changes to their codes, but with the understanding that by Mar -Apr. development review will be proceeding. Dan invited DNR to feed ideas into the Request for Proposals (RFP) to be developed in the next month or two for Hugo's charette process. Peggy Sand has started to review Hugo's Comp Plan which was done in 1996. Other disciplines are requested to assist in reviewing all the various LUG documents. Marty Asleson explained that Lino Lake's Comprehensive Plan needs to be approved by Met Council (hopefully by fall) because the city is down to only 12 acres of developable land left within MUSA in effect putting a hold on development. The City is taking the position to not make any more changes in the Comp Plan at this time in order to expedite Met Council's approval process. Instead the City wants to fir"cus on (and encourages DNR input on) implementation tools (e.g. ordinances). Other discussion included: Dan Cornejo pointed out a problem he faced in New York when environmental rules exceeded the capacity of staff to do substantive review. Dave Zumeta pointed out the work that is being done at the UofMn Center for Transportation Studies and by Professor Lance Neckar on smart growth, hydrology, and 3 levels of development density (looking at St. Paul, Cottage Grove, Woodbury, and Hastings). Marty mentioned new model developments he's visited: Jackson Meadows (Marine on the St. Croix) and Liberty on the Lake (Stillwater) and how the later didn't address environmental concerns well. Assistance to LUG's on Subdivision Planning Marty reiterated that until Met Council approves their Comp Plan, Lino has no developable land, so it is difficult to start any subdivision process. However, he will identify some areas of future interest that warrant a closer look in our inventory process. 3 Peggy Sand met with the new Hugo City Administrator Mike Ericson and Planning Commissioner Dave Schumann and discussed the need for Hugo to identify an area that could be used for model subdivision planning. They are talking to some landowners in an area east of Highway 61 (and west of Oneka Lake) that has various environmental issues and is a possible site for mixed used development. Dan Comejo pointed out that by Aug -Sept, Hugo should have a charette consultant on board. This process is linked to the City needing to adopt some housing goals in order to get some Met Council Livable Communities funds. The idea was raised to consider looking at a contiguous area with coordinated development between Lino Lakes and Hugo, e.g. including the Wenzel Farms property and a possible green strip along Clearwater Creek. Jean Mouelle reinforced the consistency of this with the project's broader perspective. Next Steps By June, the smaller groups working on this project should have developed checklists. Each group should know what it will be doing for the natural resource inventory and analysis and by when. 4 /hGoo° -Ja Rice Creek Corridor Expansion Planning Grant Application January 28, 2000 1. Project Title: Rice Creek Corridor Expansion 2. Lead Organization: Anoka Conservation District 3. Project Lead: Chris Lord, District Manager 'i 13 4. Address: 16015 Central Ave NE, Ham Lake, MN 55304 5. Phone: 612.434.2030 Fax: 612.434.2094 email: anokacon • 6. Total Project Cost: $41,100 7. Amount of Funding Requested: $15,500 PROJECT SUMMARY 8. Project Purpose: The primary objectives of this proposal are to: 1) Classify land cover using the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS, 1999) for 38,643 acres of public and private lands including and between the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes, Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area, and up to the City of Blaine Corporate Limits, 2) Educate watershed district staff, local natural resource managers, local governments, private developers and local citizens on the MLCCS and its numerous uses for watershed planning, wetlands assessment, land use planning, greenway and open space planning and design, ecological restoration prioritization, and development review, 3) Acquire these data to set the stage for landscape -scale analysis of potential ecological and cultural connections between these two regionally - significant open space systems, 4) Contribute toward completion of a county -wide land cover GIS layer for Anoka County within the next two years, through collaboration with ongoing and proposed land cover classification projects, and, 5) Inventory natural communities and semi - natural areas to compliment additional biological survey work proposed for the same project area for the 2000 -2001 field seasons. Educated local managers on the location, extent, and unique characteristics of rare communities and additional high- quality natural areas discovered during this land cover classification process. 9. Project Location: Counties: Eastern Anoka County Townships and Sections: T32 R33 Sec 35; T32 R22 Sec 1 -23, 26 -35; T32 R23 Sec 25, 33 -36 ; T31 R22 Sec 2 -11, 14-22, 28 -31; and T31 R31 Sec 25, 26, 35, 36 (attachment #1). Municipalities: Rice Creek Watershed District, Coon Creek Watershed District, Sunrise Watershed Management Organization, portions of Circle Pines, Lexington, Centerville, Shoreview, Lino Lakes, Ham Lake, and Columbus Township (please see ecological boundary in attachment #1). Required Attachment #1. GIS Map of Project Area over MCBS Anoka County Base Map. This map include relevant socio - political boundaries (e.g., watershed districts, wildlife management areas) and ecological information (e.g., soil landscape boundaries and landscape- scale natural features) that were used to prioritize and define the proposed project area. 10. Project Size: 38,643 acres (based on ArcView GIS analysis, please see attachment #1) 11. Summary of Key Proposed Activities: 1) Conduct land cover classification of over 38,600 acres of public and private lands between and including the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park System, Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area, and up to the City of Blaine corporate limits. 2) Educate watershed and natural resource managers on conducting and applying the newly created Minnesota Land Cover Classification System. Educate, inform, and collaborate with local landowners and municipalities. 3) Develop an ArcView GIS land cover layer for the purposes of greenway and open space planning, landscape -scale watershed analysis, wetlands assessment, land cover and land use analysis, land acquisition prioritization, landscape scale analysis of natural area connectivity, and prioritization of future restoration and management areas between and among two regionally- significant open space corrid9rs. 4) Inventory and gain additional information on the extend of natural and semi - natural land cover types to assist with and compliment ongoing `second -wave' biological surveys and associated analysis of biotic and abiotic landscape characteristics within the project area, 5) Form collaborative relationships among municipalities and governing agencies, and strengthen existing collaborative inter- agency efforts in the region, with the long -term goal of completing a comprehensive land cover classification for all of Anoka County and use these data to develop a unified regional greenway plan and vision, 6) Disseminate the results of the land cover classification to collaborating agencies, local municipalities, and other stakeholders. Rice Creek Corridor Expansion Greenway Planning Grant Page 2 of 11 Anoka Conservation District and Collaborating Agencies January 28, 2000 • 12. Proposed Time Line: May 2000 through June 2001 (please see proposed work plan for detailed timeline and associated tasks, attachment #2). Required Attachment #2: Proposed Work Plan Task 1. Project coordination and data compilation • Compile available GIS data (such layers include ecological data such as the digital soil survey, County Biological Survey natural communities, municipal natural resource inventories (e.g., Blaine, Lino Lakes), NWI wetlands, and cultural layers such as watershed boundaries, municipal boundaries, County plat data, etc.). • Compile %z sections for project area (to be acquired by the County surveyor's office) • Set up landowner contact system among watershed districts, Anoka County Parks and Recreation, DNR, and local government staff. • Provide a basic introduction to key collaborators of the MN Land Cover Classification System and proposed project methods. Timeline: May 2000 Task 2. Public and agency orientation on Minnesota Land Cover Classification System • Hold informational meetings with agency staff explaining the MLCCS and its application to watershed planning, modeling and analysis, greenway and open space planning, restoration prioritization, and other natural resource and land use planning activities. Explain similarities and differences of MLCCS as compared to other available data layers, and its unique qualities and applications • Hold critical public informational meetings to inform local residents, municipalities, and area land owners of the project objectives and potential public and private applications of MLCCS data layers. Timeline: May 2000 Task 3. Land cover classification from aerial photograph interpretation • The natural resource consultant and key collaborators will conduct the preliminary land cover classification of the entire 38,643 acre project area. All polygons will be classified to at least level three of the classification system. Areas with public access, distinct color infra -red aerial photograph signatures, and/or private permission to access will be classified to level four and five. The objective is to classify land cover to level four for as much of the project area as possible /permissible. Timeline: June through September 2000 Task 4. Land cover field checking • Areas requiring access permission to field check will be identified in Task 3. The natural resource consultant will coordinate with landowner liaisons at local government agencies (watershed districts, conservation district, and county) to acquire permission to access areas requiring ground truthing. For public relation purposes, landowner permission will be obtained prior to site visits for all private land. The natural resource consultant will collaborate closely with the Anoka County Parks Natural Resource Specialist, maximizing the total amount of field checking by allowing Parks staff to ground -truth familiar County Park Property. Rice Creek Corridor Expansion Greenway Planning Grant Page 3 of 11 Anoka Conservation District and Collaborating Agencies January 28, 2000 • Once permission to access is granted, parcels will be visited for field verification to level four or higher of the land cover classification system. Timeline: July 2000 through February 2001 Task 5. Ecological/botanical field sessions for agency staff and tech panel members • If/when additional rare species populations and/or rare communities are encountered, the natural resource consultant will hold two field sessions for local agency staff. • Staff will be instructed on the key characteristics of these rare natural communities and how to identify rare Sand Plain species in the field at various points in their phenology. • The natural resource consultant is offering these informational field sessions as an in- kind donation to the overall project (2 field sessions assumed, 16 hours total plus informational materials) Timeline: June through August 2000 (flexible) Task 6. Finalize GIS land cover data • Once land cover has been classified on 1/2 section aerial photographs (hard -copy printouts), the land cover polygons will be transferred into the GIS using on- screen digitizing over 1997 Metropolitan Council black and white digital ortho photoquads (DOQ's). • As data is checked in the field, edits and refinements will be transferred from field notes to the digital layers. Data quality assurance /quality control methods will be implemented throughout the digitization and field checking process to ensure data quality. Timeline: February through May 2001 Task 7. Produce final GIS layers and `hard -copy' maps. Public presentations, reports, and make data available for collaborators, local municipalities, and other stakeholders • One interim progress report will be submitted to Metro Greenways and project collaborators by the natural resource consultant during December 2000. • A final summary report will be submitted by the natural resource consultant on behalf of the lead organization to the Metro Greenways Grant Program and project collaborators in June 2001. R•= • Finalized ArcView GIS data layers will be burned to CDROM disks for distribution to project collaborators, local government agencies, and other stakeholders. The data may be provided to the Land Management Information Center (LMIC) for distribution through their GIS data clearinghouse. • The natural resource consultant will offer GIS assistance to project collaborators on how to begin to use the land cover classification data layer(s) for watershed planning and analysis, greenway planning and design and other land planning applications. • The natural resource consultant will assist project collaborators to acquire existing land cover data for adjacent areas in the County, and merge these data with land cover information acquired through the proposed project. Timeline: December 2000 through June 2001 Rice Creek Corridor Expansion Greenway Planning Grant Anoka Conservation District and Collaborating Agencies Page 4 of 11 January 28, 2000 • • 13. Adherence to Grant Program Criteria: The proposed project area presents an important opportunity to begin to connect and enhance two significant regional open space corridors in eastern Anoka County. The project area has been identified in the Metro Greenprint as the potential greenway link between the urban areas of northern St. Paul and Minneapolis, the Mississippi River corridor, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park System, Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area, and `potential natural areas' to the north (Metro Greenprint Potential Greenway Map, 1995). Within the proposed project area, urban and suburban development is rapidly occurring along the Interstate 35W corridor and at the Municipal Urban Service Area (MUSA) edge. Landscape fragmentation, water resource modification, and wildlife habitat losses are among a few of the numerous landscape -scale changes that are occurring in this corridor. Furthermore, recent natural resource inventories within the City of Blaine have identified numerous additional rare species populations and rare natural communities not detected by the 1989 Minnesota County Biological Survey of Anoka County. Local and regional natural resource managers have realized the need for a comprehensive natural and cultural resource inventory of this area, which can be achieved with the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS). Furthermore, additional and proposed land cover classification projects for adjacent areas in Anoka County (e.g., Cedar Creek Greenway, City of Blaine Greenway Planning Grant) present opportunities for collaboration to achieve a completed land cover classification of the entire county in the coming years. This comprehensive coverage will be a critical tool in numerous natural resource and land planning applications at numerous scales, such as greenway and open space planning, watershed analysis and planning, baseline wetland inventories and function and values assessment, development planning and design review. Please note that although the primary objective of this proposed project is not to survey for rare plant populations or rare natural communities, the proposed land cover classification will greatly increase the effectiveness of additional biological survey work proposed for the same project area through the DNR Conservation Biology Grant Program for the 2000 -2001 field seasons. A high - priority search area for `phase -two' biological surveys for rare species and rare plant communities was defined by Jason Husveth and Hannah Dunevitz based on soil landscape associations and other abiotic characteristics of element occurrence records discovered in southeastern Anoka County during the 1998 -1999 field season. This high priority search area is defined in attachment #1 as a green polygon, and closely coincides with the project area proposed in this grant application. Land cover classification and analysis will increase the scientific understanding of landscape -scale vegetation patterns and land use impacts to natural communities and wetland systems of the Anoka Sand Plain and will serve to compliment additional detailed studies and analysis mentioned in this document. Furthermore, once the land cover data is compiled for the proposed project area, it will serve as an invaluable tool for developing ecologically sound management plans for existing rare plant populations and rare natural communities within eastern Anoka County, and to incorporate rare features into a regional greenway plan. Rice Creek Corridor Expansion Greenway Planning Grant Page 5 of 11 Anoka Conservation District and Collaborating Agencies January 28, 2000 14. Project Collaborators: * See Appendix A for resumes of individuals conducting land cover classification and natural resource inventories. ca 0 U o bA A � •N ca 0, O b 0 0 . Y O .2 04 Ca W O 0 6)U C3 a) O U aQ • Required Attachment #3: Letters of Support from Project Collaborators (minimum of two) Rice Creek Corridor Expansion Greenway Planning Grant Page 7 of 11 Anoka Conservation District and Collaborating Agencies January 28, 2000 January 27, 2000 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry 1200 Warner Road Saint Paul, MN 55106 (612) 772 -7925 / (612) 772 -7599 Sharon Pfeifer Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 1200 Warner Road St. Paul, MN 55106 Dear Ms. Pfeifer, This is a letter of support for the Anoka Soil and Water Conservation District's Rice Creek Corridor Expansion proposal for a Metro Greenways planning grant. Metro Greenways funding for Anoka SWCD will make possible a cooperative natural resource assessment between the Rice Creek Corridor Expansion project and our Forest Service - supported project called "Integrating Natural Resource Guidance to Enhance Smart Growth in Wildland -Urban Interface Communities" (short name - Wildland Urban Interface Project). Specifically, as part of the SWCD's grant proposal, we will contribute up to $6,000 (in federal dollars) for land cover mapping in Lino Lakes. In addition, significant DNR and Minnesota Land Trust staff time in the Wildland Urban Interface project will contribute towards the Rice Creek Corridor expansion project's natural resource assessment and accomplishments in Lino Lakes. A major goal of our Wildland Urban Interface project is to work intensively with one or more local units of government (along with the Minnesota Land Trust) on specific measures for incorporating integrated natural resource conservation and management (including greenways) in their city plans, policies, and particularly their subdivision ordinances and plans. Completing natural resource assessment and mapping using the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System is critical to this project. We only have $12;00 in federal dollars for mapping. By working cooperatively with the SWCD, Rice Creek Watershed, the local units, Metro Greenways, etc. we will be able to complete mapping for two large urban fringe cities rather than one. Thus, Metro Greenways investment in the Rice Creek Corridor Expansion project will greatly improve the scope and effectiveness of our project as well as allow us to contribute to their project. Thank you for your support for the Rice Creek Corridor Expansion Project. Sincerely, Margaret (Peggy) Sand Metro Region Forestry Manager cc: Hannah Dunevitz Jason Husveth DNR Information: 651 -296 -6157 • 1- 888 -646 -6367 • TTY: 651- 296 -5484 • 1 -800- 657 -3929 A. R ..ol nnnnm,nity Employer If Printarl nn Recycled Paper Containing a John K. VonDeLinde Director Anoka County Department of Parks & Recreation 550 Bunker Lake Boulevard NW - Andover, Minnesota 55304 January 27, 2000 Telephone (612) 757 -3920 • FAX (612) 755 -0230 Sharon Pfeifer, Metro Region Planner Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 1200 Warner Road St. Paul, MN 55106 Dear Ms. Pfeifer, It is with great pleasure that the Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department is submitting this letter of support regarding the proposed Rice Creek Corridor Expansion Project in Anoka County. The need to develop a higher level of and cover -type classification and a detailed • inventory of natural communities and rare plants in eastern Anoka County is apparent to assist various local units of government and private landowners in making well- Informed land use and resource management decisions. This proposed project is consistent with the greenways and land stewardship goals outlined in Anoka County's recently adopted 2020 Vision Park System Plan. Anoka County is willing to contribute the following in -kind services towards obtaining the objectives of this proposed project: 1) Provide existing cover type and rare plants data (1998) for the 2,500 acre Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park Reserve. (8 hours labor) 2) Provide technical assistance with aerial photo Interpretation, ground truthing, and plant Inventories. (Year 2000; 125 hours labor) (Year 2001; 125 hours labor) 3) Total in-kind contribution of 258 hgurs of labor pro -rated at $27.13 per hour $7,000 The Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department values inter - agency partnerships of this magnitude which will provide a wide spectrum of opportunity and provide Tong -term benefits to the unique ecological systems in Anoka County. We look forward to the anticipated approval and implementation of The Rice Creek Corridor Expansion Project! Sincerely, Jeff Perry Natural Resources Specialist Anoka County Department of Parks and Recreation PH (612) 767 -2896 Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer 15. Official Support: Agency Match Amount Match Type Rice Creek Watershed District $10,000 Cash Contribution Federal Urban Interface Project $6,000 Cash Contribution Anoka County Parks and Recreation $7,000 In- Kind/Staff Time Natural Resource Consultant $600 In -Kind Professional Services Coon Creek Watershed District $1000 In- Kind/Staff Time Anoka Conservation District $1000 In- Kind/Staff Time Total $25,600 Required Attachment #4: Signed and Dated Resolution(s) Rice Creek Corridor Expansion Greenway Planning Grant Page 8 of 11 Anoka Conservation District and Collaborating Agencies January 28, 2000 • • 16. Application and/or Dissemination of Project Results, Products, and Data Required Attachment #5: Explanation of dissemination of project results, products, and data, and public information. The final products for the proposed project will be a comprehensive land cover data layer for the proposed 38,643 acre project area. Land cover will be classified to a minimum of level three for all polygons, and to level four or greater for areas with distinct aerial photograph signatures and/or permission to access and field check. Newly developed areas will be field checked and recorded, providing a current (1999 -2000) representation of land cover within the proposed project area. The land cover classification data collected and field checked during the course of this proposed project will be entered into ArcView GIS data layers. The format of these data layers will be fully compliant with the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System standards and methodology, and the MetroGIS project's metadata standards. Land cover will be digitized in UTM NAD83 coordinate system, and can easily be transformed to fit to the Anoka County coordinate system or other coordinate systems. Furthermore, these data will be readily transferable for use with the ArcInfo GIS software system. GIS data will be `burned' onto writable CD -ROMs or made available through other data clearinghouses within the metro area. The intent of this project is to fully collaborate with other municipalities and government agencies conducting land cover classification and GIS data development within the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Some administrative and data- transfer costs may be required, depending on the demand for this information and availability of staff time and resources. In addition to creating a the digital land cover data layer(s), `hard -copy' printouts will be produced for circulation among collaborating organizations and local units of government. Furthermore, public presentations will be given to inform municipalities and local citizens of the purpose of the project and the applications of land cover data to the planning and development process. Ultimately, the land cover data will be used to conduct landscape -scale analyses of current vegetation and land use patterns, identify potential areas for ecological and cultural landscape connections, assist in the prioritization of acquisition and restoration sites, and provide a comprehensive systems for landscape planning and design review. Watershed districts collaborating in this project will be able to use these data to assess extent and condition of wetland resources in the project area, including such factors as wetland hydrologic regime, connectivity, vegetation type and complexity, and wildlife habitat functions and values, and many other upland and wetland characteristics. Rice Creek Corridor Expansion Greenway Planning Grant Anoka Conservation District and Collaborating Agencies Page 9 of 11 January 28, 2000 17. Budget: 50:50 Match Required SCHEDULE AND COST ESTIMATE Collaborator Match $ (dollars) O O r. o O� 0 00 O O an O" O V:, 0 1.••• O M O N FIR DNR Greenway $ (dollars) 0 N O N OON M vi 0 0 C vO '- 0 h N 0 In V'� .-4 dR Natural Resource Consultant Fees (dollars) O VI .r N .-- 0 O S O 00 , 0 00 N o Cel NO $27,825 o 0 vy O 0 O vn N O ;i n i O v1 -'- O O h O U7 CA NFfi Expenses ( Data costs Printing/ materials 122 half sections Mileage Presentation materials and mileage Mileage Presentation materials, report production costs, digital medium Totals Timeline May 2000 May 2000 June through September 2000 July 2000 through January 2001 June through August 2000 February through May 2001 December 2000, February through June 2001 Task Description Project Coordination and Data Compilation MLCCS Public Information and Agency Orientation Land Cover Classification from Aerial Photography Land Cover Field Checking Ecological/botanical field sessions to inform local managers and land owners of rare resources Finalize GIS Land Cover Layers Produce final GIS layers and `hard -copy' maps. Disseminate data. Interim and final summary report. Present fmal product to project collaborators and public. Assist with local capacity to use MLCCS in GIS. x `n F - N M e• V1 ,O IN • vi ru p 00 0 to e0 q 1 3 U b 0 0 U CZ 1.4 0.1 CO) wQ 0 0 Cie tU U S4 0 O • • 18. Other DNR Funding Applied For By Project Collaborators: Jason Husveth is applying for a DNR Conservation Biology Grant Program ($15,000 applied for the 2000 - 2001 field seasons to survey for endangered vascular plant species and poorly understood rare plant communities within the proposed project area). 19. DNR staff members contacted regarding this proposed project: Staff: Hannah Dunevitz, Metro DNR Dates: August 1999 through January 2000 Bill Penning, Metro DNR November 1999 through January 2000 Al Singer, Metro DNR December 1999 through January 2000 Welby Smith, DNR Central Office August 1999 through January 2000 Richard Baker, DNR Central Office December 1999 through January 2000 In addition, a large meeting with representatives from many of the collaborating municipalities and agencies included in this grant proposal was held at Wargo Nature Center on Tuesday, January 12, 2000 to discuss this project and define goals and objectives for this proposal, and future high - priority projects within the proposed project area. Rice Creek Corridor Expansion Greenway Planning Grant Page 11 of 11 Anoka Conservation District and Collaborating Agencies January 28, 2000 Appendix A Resumes • JASON J. HUSVETH Landscape Ecologist/Botanist EDUCATION University of Minnesota — St. Paul, Minnesota Masters of Science, Landscape Architecture, July 1999 Rutgers University — New Brunswick, New Jersey Bachelor of Science, Environmental Planning and Design Landscape Architecture Option, Highest Honors, May 1995 Clemson University - Clemson, South Carolina College of Mathematical Sciences, Statistics Option, 1990 -1991 PROFESSIONAL Great River Greening — St. Paul, Minnesota EXPERIENCE Restoration Ecologist/Big Rivers Partnership Program Manager Land cover classification, ecological inventories, rare species surveys, coordination of large restoration collaborative, GIS development and analysis. July 1999 — Present Spatial Strategies, Inc. — Jordan, Minnesota Land Cover Classification Sub - consultant for Sand Creek Greenway Project Land cover classification, ground truthing, ecological inventories and rare species surveys. August 1999 — Present Peterson Environmental Consulting, Inc. — Mendota Heights, Minnesota Landscape Ecologist/Botanists/Restoration Designer Interstate wetland inventories, functions and values assessment, restoration design, rare species surveys, ecological inventories, watershed and stormwater modeling and analysis, natural resource inventories, open space and greenway planning and design, GIS development and analysis, report writing and permitting. July 1997 — July 1999 University of Minnesota, Dept. of Horticultural Sciences — St. Paul, Minnesota Research Assistant: `Assessing Wetland Quality with Ecological Indicators' Land use analysis, watershed modeling, biological inventories (invertebrates, amphibians, vegetation, and birds), stormwater modeling, analysis, and systems design, statistical analysis of biological and cultural data. Report writing and publishing of scientific joumal articles. May R:a 1995 — June 1997 SELECTED PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS Husveth, Jason J. 1999. Stormwater Impacts to the Plant Communities of Glacial Marshes of the Minneapolis /St. Paul Metropolitan Area of Minnesota, USA. Master's Thesis in Landscape Architecture. University of Minnesota, St. Paul. Husveth, Jason J, S.M. Galatowitsch, and R.D. Sykes, In Review. Stormwater Impacts to the Plant Communities of Glacial Marshes of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Metropolitan Area of Minnesota, USA. Wetlands. Lawrence, KS. Husveth, Jason J., and Galatowitsch, S. M. 1997. Impacts of Urban Stormwater on Depressional Wetland Plant Communities, Poster Presentation, Society of Wetland Scientists Annual Meeting, Bozeman, MT. Galatowitsch, S. M., D. Whited, J. Tester, J. Husveth, R. Lehtinen, and K. Schik , In Review. Importance and Influence of Landscape Characteristics on Patterns of Biodiversity in Depressional Wetlands, Wetlands Ecology and Management. Galatowitsch, S. M., D. Whited, J. Husveth, R. Lehtinen, K. Schik In Review. The Vegetation of Wet Meadows in Relationship to Their Land Use, Environmental Monitoring and Management, The Netherlands. 02/10/2000 10:14 651 - 766 -4196 • RICE CREEK W DIST COPY • RICE CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT (RCWD) PAGE 02 inGov - ) • Resolution in Support of Rice Creek Corridor Planning Grant Application WHEREAS, The RCWD Board of Managers strongly supports the project purpose as outlined in the Grant application; and WHEREAS, The technical products developed by this project will be of great value in RCWD's on -going watershed planning and implementation programs; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED That RCWD hereby commits to a cash contribution of $10,000 toward this project. RICE CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT DATED: February 9, 2000 By; Etene Peterson, President RCWD Board of Managers • Preservation Development Packet v' Process Summary Summarizes steps in the process and who will be involved in each step. "Beyond Clustering" article by Randall Arendt, Civil Engineering News, January 1998 Explains the model process. Specific elements will vary with each project. Potential impacts on the environment will be examined regarding drainage and other aspects. Stormwater Infiltration Overview, Rice Creek Watershed District Fact Sheet, Gives general philosophy. Specific requirements must be discussed with the City Engineer. Guidelines for Subdivision Conservation Easements, Minnesota Land Trust Conservation easements may not be appropriate• on every project. If conservation easements are appropriate to a project, we should keep these guidelines in mind when designing the open space to be protected. Preservation development will be a planned development overlay to allow the flexibility needed to design to the natural features of the site. • A planned development overlay is a rezoning in Lino Lakes. PRESERVATION DEVELOPMENT PROCESS SUMMARY OCTOBER 1999 Citizen boards include: Planning & Zoning Board, Environmental Board, Park Board, and (if appropriate) Town Center Committee, Economic Development Advisory Committee *Data submittal requirements: Ten (10) copies of plans to include the following information. Plans must include natural features data for land within 100 feet beyond site boundaries whenever feasible. • boundary survey •public rights of way •easements •tree cover • shoreland •wetland delineation •existing structures •topography, two -foot contours •soils assessment, including suitability •floodplain •well locations •total area of site •total area in wetlands, lake, creek, other water • Application and Review Steps Applicant City Staff City's Consultant Citizen Boards, City Council 1 Pre- application meeting (mandatory) - preservation develop. principles - review process -data submission requirements X • X _ 2 Submit data and escrow to City X _ 3 Examine data X X 4 Visit site X X 5 Collaborative site design meeting X X X 6 Preliminary plan, prepare draft X 7 Discuss project with citizen boards X X X 8 Review, redesign, iterative process X X X 9 Preliminary plat, formal submittal, fee X 10 Present preliminary plat to citizen boards (public hearing) 11 Preliminary plat approval X 12 Development agreement including - conservation easements -land management plan X X X • 13 Final plat, prepare and submit X 14 Final plat, present to City Council X X X 15 Final plat approval. X • Citizen boards include: Planning & Zoning Board, Environmental Board, Park Board, and (if appropriate) Town Center Committee, Economic Development Advisory Committee *Data submittal requirements: Ten (10) copies of plans to include the following information. Plans must include natural features data for land within 100 feet beyond site boundaries whenever feasible. • boundary survey •public rights of way •easements •tree cover • shoreland •wetland delineation •existing structures •topography, two -foot contours •soils assessment, including suitability •floodplain •well locations •total area of site •total area in wetlands, lake, creek, other water • ni HP Deerfield Knoll, in Chester County, Pa., reflects a style of conservation subdivision design that pleases homeowners and developers. Beyond clustering A 4-step design process for conservation subdivisions Ily Randall Artsndt 4H • Civil Ftigittttitring News araila•y 1 'PM , • Workshop mm time to time articles have ap- peared in Civil Engineering News that describe the decades -old tech- nique commonly referred to as "clustering." Unfortunately, that concept suf- fers a very poor reputation in many commu- nities because it has been used mostly for the convenience of developers who have taken advantage of the lot size flexibility it offers -in order to locate more homes on difficult properties with environmental constraints. As typically practiced, cluster design of- . ten createstwo difficulties for subdivision ap- plicants. First, increasing overall density tends to trigger neighborhood complaints automati- cally, regardless of the quality of the site de- sign. Second, neighbors and local officials have become disenchanted with cluster de- velopment proposals where all or most of the open space consists -of. unusable wetlands, steep slopes, stormwater detention facilities, land under high - tension lines, and other Fri- endly undesirable areas. As a practicing site designer, author, and frequentiectu er on the topic of conservation Figure 2 (below).ldentiying primary conservation areas. design, I would like to introduce readers of . this magazine to what I feel is a much im- proved version of clustering, one that I call conservation subdivision design. The rel- evance for civil engineers is that the tech - nique can help them look at site design through a slightly different kind of lens, one. . that could improve community receptivity to— flexible layouts, enhance marketing and sales of the final housing product, and enlarge cli- ents' overall profit margins. Figure 1 (above).Yieid plan showing 32 lots. EVEN NON - GOLFERS LIE GOLF COURSE LOTS A growing body of evidence suggests that as borne buyers become more discriminat- ing, they are demonstrating a clear prefer- ence for homes in creatively designed devel- opments that offer more than just house lots and streets_One indication of the home buy- ing public's increasing interest in site ameni- ties and neighborhood open space is the ris- ing popularity of golf course communities. Interestingly, though, national statistics show that an estimated 40 percent of golf commu- nity residents do not play golf. Non - golfers choose golf communities because they pre- fer to live in park -like settings with views that are more uplifting and pleasing than the . sight of their neighbors' garage doors across the street or the gas grill and patio set in the abutting backyard. • Outside Tampa, the developers of Hunter's Oreen report that although many buyers want to see. fairways from their living rooms, an- other large group specifically desires a view of wetland areas, where trees are draped in Spanish moss and herons are frequent visi- tors. And in the Philadelphia suburbs, one recent survey of residents in new golf course communities found that up to 80 percent of new home buyers play little or no golf. What can .civil engineers and residential developers learn from this? A much less ex- pensive way of satisfying many people's de- sire to live near open space is to build con- servation subdivisions that offer greenways in place of fairways and community greens instead of putting greets. Rather than shift- ing around several million cubic yards of so and recontouring the landscape into a price 18 -hole golf course complete with irrigation systems and special turf, developers can use the natural features that already distinguish their properties to create conservation subdi- visions at little or no additional cost. This is not to suggest that new golf course • Workshop Figure 3 (above). Identifying secondary conservation areas. Figure 4 (below).ldentifying potential development areas. developments will be unnecessary in the fu- ture; indeed, there will always .be a strong "market for them among avid golfers. How- . iver, conservation subdivisions offer a means of satisfying the yearning for natural vistas and neighborhood open space among '• many home *buyers in the non- golfing ma- ' jor'ity of the American public • A FOUR -STEP PROCESS The golf course analogy does notend here, •ee • rr..0 o...$..�s.... u..... however. The same simple four -step meth- odology used for decades by designers of successful golf communities can be used to create highly marketable conservation sub- divisions. • The first step calls for "greenlining" the open .spaces. Greenlined areas consist not only of the unbuildable wetlands, flood - plains, and steep slopes that typically com- ' : prise much of the open space in cluster de- velopments, they also include.a substantial amount of the site's relatively flat, dry land that might be managed as woodlands, fields, meadows, village greens, and playing fields. in their general suitability for development, these dry upland areas are similar to the types of land that would otherwise be dedicated to golfers. After identifying the open space that is to be conserved, the next three steps are quite straightforward: locating house sites, align- ing streets land trails), and drawing in the . lot lines. As any experienced site designer could attest, these steps represent a complete inversion of the usual process of designing conventional subdivisions. By reversing the procedures, however, open space becomes the central organizing feature of the devel- opment rather than merely an afterthought. By contrast, in standard checkerboard sub- divisions, the central organizing feature is the linear network of asphalt that we call streets. Herein lies the fundamental differ- ence between subdivisions designed by land- scape architects and ones typically laid out by other professionals such as engineers, planners, and surveyors. • Of course, the skills one learns in engi- neering schools and those emphasized in landscape architecture programs are both es- sential•in producing designs that are pleas- ing and functional. In fact, experience sug- gests that the best subdivisions are designed by multi- disciplinary teams. It could be ar- gued that_ landscape architects .should take • the lead during the initial phases (greenlining and house site location), with engineers as- suming most of the responsibility as the plan proceeds into its detailed design stages. However, good give -and -take collaboration throughout the design process is always to be encouraged. The accompanying set of illustrations, from a site planning handbook called Con- servation Design for Subdivisions: A Prac- tical Guide to .Creating Open Space Net- works, demonstrates how this methodology would be applied to a property typical of the Piedmont region in southeastern Pennsylva- nia, where the Natural Lands Trust assists landowners, municipal officials, and devel- opera in designing land - conserving residen- tial subdivisions. The process begins with two markedly dif- ferent site planning exercises. One calls for sketching a conventional layout — realisti- cally and with minor engineering involve- ment at that point —to demonstrate the maxi- mum yield of the property, given its inher- ent constraints. This yield plan is illustrated Continued on page 52 lanuarvI998 Workshop Figure 5 (above). Locatlng potential house sites. Figure 6 (below). Desiging road alignments and trail links. Continued from page 50 in Fig. 1, which shows the legal develop- ment potential to be 32 lots. The second exercise involves producing a plan showing existing features and site analysis. This critical drawing identifies all the special characteristics of the subject prop - erty, from unbuildable areas such as wet - lands, floodplains, and steep slopes to other land types that are developable but which contain certain features that merit the small • • • amount of additional effort needed for their conservation (by designing around them carefully). Such features might include ma- ture or healthy and diverse woodlands, wild - life habitats critical for breeding or feeding, hedgerows and prime fannland, scenic views into and out.from the site, and historic build- ings in their.rural context. . Production of:the plan showing existing features and site analysis sets the stage for beginning the four -step design process. Step 1, which involves identifying ill open space worthy of preservation, is divided into two parts: primary conservation areas limited to regulatory wetlands, floodplains and steep slopes, and secondary conserva- tion areas, including those elements of the natural landscape that deserve to be spared from clearing, grading, and development (Figs. 2 and 3). The act of delineating conservation areas simultaneously defines the potential devel- opment areas that occupy the rest of the site (Fig. 4). This completes the first step and virtually ensures that the site's fundamental integrity will be protected, regardless of the actual configuration of house lots and streets that will follow. In other words, once the big picture of conservation has been brought into focus, the rest of the design process essen- tially involves only lesser details. Those de- tails, which are of critical importance to de; velopers, home builders, realtors, and future residents, are addressed during the last three steps. Step 2 involves locating the approximate sites of individual houses which, for keting and quality -of -life reasons, should placed at a respectful proximity to the con- servation areas, with homes backing up to woodlands or hedgerows for privacy, fronting onto a central common or wild- flower. meadow, or enjoying long views across open fields or boggy areas (Fig. 5). In a typical open -space subdivision, the number of house sites (32 in this example) will be the same as that shown on the yield plan, as this process is density - neutral. Step 3 develops a logical street alignment to provide access to the homes and a net- work of informal footpaths to connect vari- ous parts of the neighborhood, making it easier for residents to enjoy walking through the open space, observing seasonal changes in the landscape, and possibly meeting folks who live at the other end of the subdivision (Fig. 6). Step 4 is simply a matter of drawing in the lot lines, perhaps the least important part of the process (Fig, 7). Successful develop- ers of conservation subdivisions know that most buyers prefer homes located in attrac- tive park -like settings and that views of pro- tected open space accelerate the sale of or houses and at premium prices. S homes also tend to appreciate more in value compared to those on lots in standard cookie - cuuer developments that offer no views or nearby open space. While current zoning and subdivision codes often pose obstacles to creative site • • • • • design. the four-step approach is so user - friendly and simple to understand that in 1996 a group of non - designers (including local officials. developers. and grassroots conservationists) mastered the process in an hour and produced their own competent con- servation designs with relative ease. Those results are reproduced in the handbook's ap- pendix. along with model ordinance lan- guage that should help readers introduce these procedures into their zoning and sub- division codes. An important feature of the model code language is the treatment of conservation subdivisions as a use by right" (rather than as a special exception or conditional use), together with standards for the quantity, qual- ity. and configuration of open space. This recommended approach can aid in discour- aging conventional layouts and help ensure sound design. Toward this end, the handbook has been written to help persuade local offi- cials that this approach should be welcomed and even actively promoted as an alterna- tive to cookie-cutter development. From a broader perspective. the general location of conservation land in these kinds of subdivisions can be predetermined through a community-wide open space plan. thereby ensuring that individual conserva- tion areas in separate but adjoining devel- opments will ultimately merge together to form an interconnected network .of open. space linking numerous properties that will some day be developed. • TRACK RECORDS SPEAK VOLUMES The track records of several conservation subdivisions detttonstrute the advantages such designs offer. Farmview was the fastest - selling devel- opment in its price range (high 8200,0(K)s) in Bucks County. Pa., despite the fact that its lots wcrc one -third to one -half the usual 1 -acre size that is required for conventional Workshop subdivisions in this district by Lower INakelicld Township. • What distinguishes Farntview's layout is the fact that its 310 house Tots cover less than hull the parcel and that a large number of homes abut either 137 acres of permanently protected fields or 100 acres of wet woods on the 431 -acre site. The developer. Realen Homes, questioned the conventional wisdom that people move to rural areas primarily to live on large Tots; figuring instead that what really attracts buyers is rural ambience, as reflected in sweeping views of farm fields that many of its houses were positioned to •,enjoy. The fast sales at Farmview were a signifi- cant factor in Realen's impressive 24 percent annual growth in total sales during the slug- . gish 1989 -1991 period. Reduced infrastruc- ture costs at Farmview, with its more com- pact development form, contributed to the project's profitability. according to its presi- dent. Joe Duckworth. Although subdivision Figure 7. Drawing in the lot lines. Workshop f Figure 8. Conservation subdivision of 32 lots. open space is often given to a homeowners' association, in this case the recipient was a ko al land trust that leases the fields to a neigh- boring farmer. Emphasizing the desirability of living next to or near protected open space is a. key as peel of marketing homes in these develop- ments. At Garnet Oaks in Delaware County, Pa., the same developer produced a simple but handsome brochure identifying different trees and wildflowers along the informal trail that the firm had created through the wooded conservation land in this second open -space subdivision. Reviewing salesrec orris at Gar- net Oaks. Realen staff discoverd that the Jots which sold first were .predominantly. those that adjoined the conservation area, even though those lots where priced higher than others. At Shepherd's Vineyard in Apex. N.C., a similar trend has been experienced, with lots along the greenway selling for $5,000 more than the base price of ordinary lots in the same development. Sometimes buyers have to he reminded, that they are getting more. not Tess, for their money when they purchase a smaller lot In a conservation subdivision. For example. pro- - •i pcctive buyers at Hawksnest, an upscale 'subdivision with 80 acre: of open space in Detafield Township, Waukesha County. SA • Civil Enoinrrrine Howe Wise., 'waned mes ask Siepmann Realty if the price of their t -acre lots could be reduced because they are about the same cost as the 3 -acre lots in a competing subdivision down the road. After Ron Siepmann explains that purchasers of lots at Hawksnest are in fact buying 81 acres, which is 78 more than they would have the use of if they bought from his competitor, most people decide to buy a home in Siepmunn's development. Besides outstanding views, Hawksnest offers trails, tennis courts, wildflower meadows, a small orchard, a pond, and informal playing fields. - The simple amenities frequently pmvided in conservation subdivisions boost residents' quality of life as well as their pmpenies' re- .sale values. One study in Massachusetts found that property value increase: in such devel- opments have outpaced those in conventional subdivisions that offer nothing more than house lots and streets. The reduction in lot size appears to be more than offset by the open space, especially when moan lots abut or enjoy views of the conservation land. Among those subgroups of the population that are most likely to buy homes in such developments are empty- nesters, singles, young couples with very small children, and single - parent households, all of which are an the rise. However, in rural locales where standard lots of 13 to 2 acres are downsized tu.30,000 to 60.001) square fret to create • neighborhood conservation areas, the mar- ket among growing families with several - children remains strong. Concerns about homeowners' associa- tions can be allayed by following a few ba- sk rules. In addition to membership being automatic upon purchase (with membership documents signed at the closing or settle- ment), homeowners' assocation bylaws must include provisions giving them legal author- ity to place liens on properties of members who fail to pay their annual dues. When the site amenities are kept simple (woodland trails, playing fields, wildflower meadows, etc.), maintenance fees can he kept remark- ably tow — from MO to $250 per year. Simplifying thcdesign pmceess should en- able many more people to imagine the pos- sibilities for combining conservation prin- ciples with new development in a pleasing manner that is likely to find considerable favor in the marketplace. • Randall Arendt is vire president for canaer- rvaian planning with the Natural Lands T in Media, Pa. His serond book, Rural Design, was published by Planners' Par . (American Phoning Association. 1994). The site planning prinriplex desrribed in this ar- title are illustrated in his latest volume. Con- servation Design for Subdivisions (Island Press. 1996). Ienuarv109R STORMWA TER INFILTRATION OVERVIEW Published by Rice Creek Watershed District 3585 Lexington Avenue North, Suite 330 Arden Hills, Minnesota 55126 -8056 Phone: (651) 766 -4191 Fax: (651) 766 -4196 District Engineer: Montgomery Watson Several cities and townships in the District have identified additional runoff volume from developing areas as a priority problem. This coincides with a national trend to question how we design our communities with respect to stormwater. The RCWD looked at the issue in depth in 1995 and revised their management plan and rules to tackle the problem. This is one of two fact sheets published by the RCWD to outline an initial_ strategy. This document provides an overview of stormwater .controls utilized by local government officials and planners. The second companion document provides additional . technical information for developers and engineers to utilize during design and permitting. INTRODUCTION When buildings, parking lots, and streets are built the area available for rain to infiltrate — soak in — is reduced dramatically. The water that runs off from these hard areas represents water that our community then has to pond somewhere, route into a storm sewer, or send to a ditch. A typical residential development may have only 50% of its total area remaining to soak up rainwater. Commercial and industrial sites commonly leave as little as 20%. WASHINGTON COUNTY HENNEPI N COUNTY The large sources of impervious surfaces in a typical developed community . are roads, parking lots, driveways, and roof tops. The following figure shows the relative proportion of these impervious surfaces. Source of Impervious Surfaces 35% ■ Streets D sidewalks ▪ PErldng!DriYeways E Roofs Runoff management in the RCWD is important for flood control and for maintaining and improving the water quality of lakes and streams in this District. Reducing runoff benefits: ■ citizens, by reducing flood frequency and duration. • Cities, by minimizing street and storm sewer construction and long-term maintenance costs. Developers, by reducing initial development costs with features such as smaller stormwater pipe and lower stormwater basin costs. Everyone, by providing better quality water in our lakes and streams. How PRESERVING INFILTRATION WORKS FOR You • Mimics natural lath cape • Reduces runaffvolume and flooding • Slows runoff so it does not pick up pollutants • Decreases cost of streets • Decreases maintenance costs • Can reduce storm sewer costs WATERSHED DISTRICT GOALS The soils in the northern half of the watershed are especially conducive to infiltration. We want to use this capability to the advantage of all. The philosophy of the Rice Creek Watershed District regarding runoff volume management is. • Erg minimize the creation of impervious surfaces to limit runoff from happening in the first place, and • Second; maximize infiltration of runoff that must occur. The first philosophy is addressed by council and township - officials and the . second by municipal and development designers. District rules and regulations regarding stormwater runoff and infiltration tration can be found in the companion document, Stormwater Infiltration Guidance. By limiting the loss of pervious surfaces, through practices such as narrower streets, municipalities gain several advantages. Reduced construction costs (less materials and preparation needed). • Reduced maintenance costs (less area). • Reduced mature tree loss associated with narrower streets and smaller parking spaces. Less mature tree loss helps create an enhanced community environment. *1 Traffic calming/reduced speeds for more pedestrian friendly neighborhoods. Desirable: Narrower streets mean smaller ponds, lower _ construction cost, and lower long -term maintenance costs. Undesirable: Are 32 -foot wide streets necessary on a two-block long street? • WHAT YOU CAN Do Without a doubt, the control of impervious surfaces is most effectively addressed at the city and township level. By the time a development plat or street construction plan reaches the District, it is often too late to economically incorporate large design revisions. - Municipalities and local governmental units can help by: 1. UPDATING ORDINANCES Ordinances can be redefined to reduce pervious surface losses during development and to preserve infiltration. Examples include: • Zoning, which set maximum impervious limits. • Landscaping ordinances, which create areas where stormwater can infiltrate. • Stormwater management, requirements for development to control runoff volumes in addition to runoff rates. • Promoting cluster development reduces the amount of road surfaces needed for the community. Added benefits are: O Reduced capital cost of development (10 to 33 %). o Reduced site imperviousness (10 to 50%). o Reduced size and cost of stormwater quantity and quality controls. 2. REVISING STANDARDS Standards can be revised to minimize impervious surfaces. Examples include: • Parking lot standards to reduce paved areas that contribute to runoff. Some standards to consider are: Use of overflow lots with more permeable surfaces. Shared lots for businesses with different peak operation times. Smaller parking stall dimensions. Reduced number of parking stalls required for each land use. Many commercial parking lots are over designed with around 20% excess capacity during normal peak usage. • Street width standards can allow for variable widths based on traffic counts. " Narrower streets mean less impervious area and less construction and maintenance costs. Mature tree loss is reduced. Reducing road width • by 6 ft can reduce road contributions to impervious surfaces by 15 %. The minimum street width should be selected that will reasonably meet the needs of the service area. Recommended street widths for residential areas are: Width (ft) Dm. Ave Daily Traffic 22 -24 Access streets 0-250 26 Subcollectors 250-1,000 36 Collector 1,000 -3,000 SOURCE: American Society of Civil Engineers, National Association of Home Builders, Urban Land Institute • Cul-de -Sac turnarounds hammerheads need only be as large as necessary for emergency vehicles to turn around. and Using a 30 -foot diameter . turnaround will reduce impervious surfaces by 44% compared to a 40 -foot diameter turnaround. Large turnarounds can be landscaped in the center to reduce impervious area . by up to 12%. The goal of •redefining ordinances and standards is to encourage the construction of only as much impervious surface. as necessary to provide for both public safety and services. ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONAND SUGGESTED READINGS Stormwater Infiltration Guidance. 1998. Rice Creek Watershed District. Better Site Design: A Handbook for Changing Development Rules in Your Community. 1998. Center for Watershed Protection. Environmental Land Planning Series: Site Planning for Urban Stream Protection. 1995. T. Schueler. Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Center for Watershed Protection, CWP Publication No. 95708. Residential . Streets, 2"a Edition. 1990. American Society of Civil Engineers, National Association of Home Builders, and the Urban Land Institute. ULI Publication No. R07. Impervious Surface Reduction Study. 1994. City of Olympia Public Works Department and the Washington State Department of Ecology. If you or your consultant want copies of these materials, contact the District at 766 -4191. The American Society of Civil Engineers, National Homebuilders Association, and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials are all looking at ways to make our communities livable and pervious. SUGGESTED NEXT STEPS... 1. Refer topic to planning commission, subcommittee, or staff for discussion. 2. Attend the workshop sponsored by RCWD and the Board of Water and Soil Resources scheduled for March 8, 1999 (more information to follow). 3. Invite District managers/staff to attend meetings in your community to assist with the process of reviewing your ordinances and standards. • • MINNESOTA LAND TRUST Guidelines for Subdivision Conservation Easements In addition to Criteria for Evaluating Land Protection Proposals, proposed subdivisions are subject to additional standards. Creating viable open space and protecting conservation resources often take different forms in a subdivision than on individual parcels. Section I Process: Steps involved in creating a conservation easement in a subdivision Section II Evaluation parameters: Guidelines that direct MLT participation in subdivisions Section III Fees & monuments: Explanation of costs to applicant. Section I -- Process Criteria for Evaluating Land Protection Proposals, Guidelines for Subdivision Conservation Easements and Subdivision Conservation Easement Fee Schedule are provided to applicant. 1.2. Applicant submits conceptual plan before application to city or county for approval. I.3. MLT and applicant meet to discuss details of the project and to visit the site of proposed development. I.4. Payment of $1000 application fee to MLT (see Section III). I.S. MLT reviews project with the local authority if ordinance or other regulation is at issue. I.6. MLT provides recommendations regarding the open space requirements, the design and resources available to assist in the creation of a subdivision that protects the conservation values of the land. I.7. Proposal reviewed by MLT Board of Directors, preliminary action taken. I.B. If preliminary approval granted, conservation easement is drafted and reviewed by all parties. I.9. Conservation easement is revised, if required. I.10. Final plan with conservation easement is submitted to MLT Board for final review prior to city or county approval. I.11. If approved, final payment of the Stewardship Fee (of $5000) is required. Then the conservation easement is signed by the appropriate parties and recorded at County Recorder's office. Section II — Evaluation parameters In addition to the Criteria for Evaluating Land Protection Proposals that applies to all conservation easements held by MLT, the following principles and questions will be utilized in judging the suitability for MLT participation in the subdivision. • II.1. Percentage of the total project to be protected as open space by a conservation easement. • Minimum of 10 acres in developed areas or 40 acres in rural • Usually, at least 50% of the buildable land preserved as open space. The actual percentage may be more or less depending on type of land (i.e. wetlands, steep slopes). • Open space criteria of local ordinances establish the minimum requirements. II.2. Configuration of proposed open space. (Attached graphics illustrate preferred designs) • Blocks of contiguous open space preferred • No backyard/corridor easements II.3. Proposed use of open space. MLT reviews the proposed uses and ask questions such as: • Are existing natural areas preserved? If so, what types of activities are allowed? • Is farmland preserved? If so, what types of agricultural uses may occur? • Will native plant species be used in the landscape design? • Is recreation a component of the open space? If so, how intensive? II.4. Surrounding land. Proposed open space should be located adjacent to any neighboring natural areas or parks. 11.5. Relationship to the community comprehensive land use plan. Comprehensive plans will be examined to determine if the proposed open space will be compromised in the future: For example: Would a possible road expansion effect the protected land? II:b. Ownership of open space. MLT requires ownership of the open space to be by a single entity (i.e. Homeowner's Association, city), unless each individually -owned parcel meets criteria. Multiple fees will be charged. Section III — Fees & Monuments III.1 Minimum fees for MLT involvement in a subdivision are $6000. Fees for complex projects or those with multiple owners will be more. • The application fee of $1000 is due before I.S. Services provided for this fee include project review, coordination with local units if necessary and easement drafting. • The stewardship fee, minimum of $5000, covers the ongoing expense associated with monitoring the easement and any possible enforcement actions. Payment is made before the easement is filed. • III.2 Permanent markers clearly defining the boundaries of the open space must be installed and maintained. 10/22/98 MINNESOTA LAND TRUST 2356 University Avenue W. Suite 400 St. Paul, MN 55114 Phone:. 651/647 -9590 www.mnland.org WUI Local Unit of Government Work Group 4rd Work Session Tuesday, June 20, 2000 1:30 to -3:00 pm AGENDA 1:30 pm ❑ Introductions ❑ Minutes from 5/25/00 Meeting (note assignments / any corrections ?) ❑ Date for July -Aug Meeting ❑ Miscellaneous Announcements 1:40 pm Updates from Local Units (Hugo & Lino Lakes) • PROJECT STATUS & PROGRESS ON WORK TO DATE - Reports & Discussion 2:00 pm Basic Tools for Working with LUG's ❑ checklists for natural resource guidance - progress reports ❑ useful NR documents/language - more input needed • 2:10 pm Assistance to LUG's NR Inventory & Assessments ❑ status of Mn Land Cover Classification system mapping ❑ status reports from work group teams /members ❑ next steps? 2:30 pm Review & Comment on LUG documents ❑ comments made on Lino Lake's landscape ordinance ❑ Hugo Comp Plan & Lino Lakes Zoning Ordinance - available for review ❑ other status reports & discussion ❑ next steps? 2:45 pm Assistance to LUG's on Subdivision Planning ❑ presentation & discussion on Lino Lakes Conservation Subdivision process ❑ other status reports & discussion ❑ next steps? 2:55 pm Other? 3:00 pm Adjourn City of Hugo Land Use Regulations Ordinance (effective 7/7/99) Preliminary Review by Meredith Cornett (5 /18/00) In the general purpose, natural resource conservation not mentioned as one of the things Hugo trying to promote. The document in general is intended to be a combination of the city's zoning, subdivision, shoreland, floodplain, driveway, fence, parking and loading area, planning, and sign ordinances. Only the bare minimum of attention is paid to natural resource issues. Sec. 2: Development Areas 2.4 Rural Development Areas - This is an opportunity for Conservation Development, but it is not addressed here. Sec. 3: Zoning Districts - This section does not explicitly include natural areas/natural communities (lumped under agriculture ?) 3.4 Agricultural District allows for 1 unit/10 acre residential development. 3.5 Long -Term Agricultural District was established to allow agricultural property to be included in the MN Ag. Preserve Program. Fig. 3 -2 - Table 2 apparently allows for some clustering, but it is unclear. Fig. 3 -2 - Tables 3 -4 outline the fairly minimal differences between dimensional requirements for shoreland and non - shoreland lots. Sec. 4: Overlay districts for shorelands, floodplain, wetlands, wellheads Does not provide for natural communities /natural areas ▪ Shorelands don't amount to a lot of area in Hugo Does not break wetlands /water bodies down by categories (quality, wetland types, etc.) (Only category is DNR Protected Water ?) Sec. 5: Environmental Protection: Rules for protection for natural, built, cultural environment -- This is the most relevant section, but only does the minimum (Should be improved). 5.2 Environmental Reviews (process? Ask Bill P. to review) 5.3 Steep slopes (pretty standard) 5.4 Bluffs 5.5 Public Waters C. Should include bioengineering as an option. 5.7 Drainage & Stormwater Management (Have Dale/Duane review?) 5.8 Erosion Control B. 4) Should emphasize natives for permanent vegetative cover. 1 5.9 Forests and wetlands ▪ This portion is really weak— essentially anything can happen with a permit, and no guidelines are given as to when a permit should be granted. ▪ There should be a section on natural communities (MCBS and other), and Forests and Wetlands should be separated out. - These areas should be included in an overlay district for natural communities. C. Is not timber - harvesting friendly. Should use a model such as the Biko ordinance (conservation vs. preservation areas) to clarify. - There is no mention of restoring equivalent areas for areas damaged— except a brief mention of following the WCA 5.16 The wildlife section should be completed. Rare species should be mentioned, as well as corridors/large blocks of habitat There should also be a section on rare animal species 5.18 Landscaping This section should be reworked. Native plants (except for leaving natural vegetation mentioned in Sections K. Wetlands and L. Buffer Strips) are not mentioned anywhere. Even where they are mentioned, nowhere is "natural" vegetation defined. Some combination of the Lino and Minneapolis (SEMI) landscaping ordinances should be used as a model. Need to mention here and elsewhere the importance of dealing with invasive - exotic plants S. Plantings should refer to the types of trees and shrubs native to the area. The list (Fig. 5 -1) should be adapted to emphasize natives. ▪ Native perennials could also be mentioned. Sec. 7. Land Division & Platting ▪ This looks incredibly standard, nothing innovative except requiring stormwater management on the site (Duane? Dale? Comments ?). Using some language from Lino's platting process (preservation development) would be useful here. 2 • Subject: WUI LUG minutes & assignments Date: Mon, 22 May 2000 14:31:45 -0500 From: "Peggy Sand" <peggy.sand @dnr.state.mn.us> To: Marty D Asleson <asles007 @tc.umn.edu> Marty this is the other e -mail that was originally sent on 5/5/00. I am very sorry, that I didn't get this to you earlier - I forgot you weren't on my e -mail list & I needed to send you a hard copy. This very long memo is being sent directly to everyone who is on my list as a WUI LUG project work group member AND is CC'd to everyone on the list as a "consultant" to the project, plus a couple other managers. This memo contains attachments & instructions which need your attention before the next WUI LUG work group meeting on Thursday, May 25, 1 -3:30 pm. I strongly suggest you import each attachment into Word Perfect (or the equivalent) before you try opening or printing it. If any of you have any problems with any of these attachments let me or Peggy Gabriel know & we can get you a hard copy. 1. Work Group Member /Consultant List This attachment (LUG_wkgl.wpd) is a 3 -page table of this list of people, please check it to make sure your #s etc are correct. Also, please let me know ASAP if any names should be changed or added. Currently, everyone except Marty Asleson is accessible by e -mail. 2. Work Assignment Matrix This attachment (LUG_ work_matrix.wpd) is the 1 -page table we worked on at the last meeting with all the names people filled in. A few folks (Suzann, Sharon, Bart, & Rick D from Lino) are listed in [brackets) because their names were suggested at the last meeting, but they were not there. Please note, I am still looking for volunteers to be the point people where no names exist on the matrix. Each of you should be working this month on your assigned areas as reflected on this matrix and the "Primary Activities & Products of the Project /Schedule" (sent out by e-mail on 4/19 & handed out at the 4/20 meeting). Please let me know ASAP if I have you listed correctly on the matrix or if you have any questions about what your duties are. 3. Natural Resource Documents List Thanks to Meredith who has developed a format & made an excellent start at a list of documents which provide useful sample language and ideas for local units developing policies, reg's, plans, etc. Meredith has it organized into 6 categories of documents: * comprehensive plans /policies * native landscaping ordinances ... * sustainable development ordinances * landscaping ordinances * management plans * natural resource inventories We are open to adding new categories as needed. So far, Meredith has put in the table information on about 18 documents including: the reference's biographical citation; the location for which it was developed (typically a city); a contact person, organization, and phone number; and a comments section which describes what the document includes that is particularly useful related to natural resource management. This third attachment (NR_doc_examples.wpd) is a table that so far is about 5 pages long. Each of you are requested to find additional documents we should add to the list and provide (either electronically or hard copy) complete information on each additional document to Peggy Gabriel who will update etc this table. Contact Meredith if you have any questions or suggestions on the format, categories, etc. 4. Land Cover Mapping - Ecological Quality Modifiers As requested by the LUG work group, Meredith has developed some suggested language for natural community ecological quality ratings to be used in the Mn Land Cover Classification System ( MLCCS) inventory and mapping process we will be doing for Hugo and Lino Lakes. Here is Meredith's latest version. It applies to both natural communities and restorations that are intended to mimic natural cover. Would any of you interested /concerned about this please look it over & get Meredith your comments? We will be convening soon a special meeting' on how we are going to proceed on the MLCCS part of this project. 33X -- Modifiers that reflect natural quality of a site 331 - High quality natural community High quality examples of natural communities include a large portion of the species typical of the community (see the community descriptions section). Few weedy plants are present. (Weedy species can be native or non - native and are typical of disturbed areas. In forests weedy species include boxelder, buckthorn, prickly ash, and garlic mustard; in prairies they include red cedar, sumac, brome grass, and Kentucky blue - grass.) Most natural processes are occurring, including disturbances such as fire or flooding, if appropriate. There is little or no evidence of human disturbances, such as logging or livestock grazing. 332 - Medium quality natural community Medium quality examples of natural communities lack many of the species typical of the community. Weedy species may be abundant, but they are not dominant over the typical native species. (In communities with multiple layers of vegetation, weedy species are not dominant in any layer.) Natural processes may have changed and there may be evidence of human disturbance, but the nature of the community has not been altered beyond recognition. 333 - Low Quality In low quality examples of natural communities weedy species are dominant in any or all layers of vegetation. Natural processes are highly altered and there are extensive human disturbances. The community may not resemble any naturally- occurring community (i.e. one described by DNR Natural Heritage or USNVC). 5. Minutes of 4/20/00 Work Group Meeting Attached (LUGminutes_4_20_00.wpd) are some minutes of the last meeting based on notes taken by me and Samantha Hayes. Obviously, they are selective and don't reflect all of the good discussion and ideas we had. Let me know if you have corrections or additions. 6. Other Work Items * Hugo meeting - I'd like to set up a meeting with the new. Hugo City Administrator that would preferably happen sometime this month. Who would like to go on that meeting? Interested DNR folks: is your groupwise calendar up -to- date so I can check your day /time availability? • * MLCCS - We need to have a subgroup meeting on the MLCCS work. Who would like to be involved in that meeting? Interested DNR folks: is your groupwise calendar up -to -date so I can check your day /time availability? * GIS maps - Dale Homuth, Bill Penning, & I have been working with Jacque Stubbs who is doing a set of GIS natural resource maps of Hugo and Lino Lakes and with Dave Redelman who has the Lino Lakes NR Inventory data layers. A set of enlarged hard copies of the maps will be given to Joan Galli, Bill, etc for their wildlife field work in mid-May. We will have various forms of the maps for display and use at our next 5/25 work group meeting. Please let me or Jackie know if you have other suggestions etc on the maps we are doing at this phase of the project. Any other business? Name: LUG_wkgl.wpd LUG_wkgl.wpd Type: WordPerfect Document (application /wordperfect5.1) Encoding: base64 Name: LUG_work_matrix.wpd LUG_work_matrix.wpd Type: WordPerfect Document (application /wordperfect5.1) Encoding: base64 Name: NR_doc_examples.wpd NR_doc_examples.wpd Type: WordPerfect Document (application /wordperfect5.1) Encoding: base64 Name: LUG_minutes_4_20_00.wpd LUG_minutes_4_20_00.wpd Type: WordPerfect Document (application /wordperfect5.1) Encoding: base64 Subject: 5/25/00 Meeting Date: Mon, 22 May 2000 14:27:06 -0500 From: "Peggy Sand" <peggy.sand@dnr.state.mn.us> To: Marty D Asleson <as1es007 @tc.umn.edu> Marty this is the first of 2 messages I am sending to you via e-mail this one was orifinally sent on 5/18. It has 2 attachments. Please let me know if you get them & the attachments work. I will fax you the agenda tomorrow am & anything else you request from these e- mails. The primary purpose of the meeting is to share status reports on who's doing what and to discuss coordination & next steps. I am assuming that many of you are already doing work on this project and we'll have much to share. Please bring to the 5/25 meeting any NR guidance checklists you have found or developed as well as any other handouts that will be useful for the group on your work to date. Check the "Work Assignment Matrix" and other info I e- mailed to you on 5/5/00 or call me (651- 772 -7562) if you are unsure what you should be working on. If possible, please do the following by Wednesday 5/24 am: 1) Let me know if you have a status report to make so that I can adjust the agenda times. 2) Submit additional references for our "Useful Natural Resource Documents /Language for Local Government:Examples, Checklists, and Guidelines" matrix (was attachment to 5/5/00 e-mail message) - so we can hand out an updated version of it at 5/25 meeting. 3) Double check the workgroup member /consultant list (another 5/5/00 attachment) so I can hand out a corrected version at 5/25 mtg (I've only received correction from Zumeta to date). Also, bring your calendars to the 5/25 meeting or let me know ahead of time which of the following is best for you for our June meeting date: June 15 am or pm June 19 am or pm June 22 am or pm Attached are: - a preliminary meeting agenda, and - a preliminary review of the Hugo "Comprehensive Land Use Regulations" that Meredith has done to start us on that part of the project. Name: LUG_agenda_5- 25.wpd LUG_agenda_5- 25.wpd Type: WordPerfect Document (application /wordperfect5.1) Encoding: base64 Name: HugoLUregord.wpd HugoLUregord.wpd Type: WordPerfect Document (application /wordperfect5.1) Encoding: base64 • Draft 5/22/00 Site Based Management Plan Checklist for Natural Areas Adapted by Meredith Cornett from Allman, L. 1997. Natural Areas: Protecting a Vital Community Asset. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) ❑ Purpose— Does the plan contain a clear purpose and identify the management goals near the beginning of the document? ❑ Authority/Responsibility— For lands under the jurisdiction of the plan, does the document identify under what authority (e.g., city policy, ordinance, etc.) the LUG has the responsibility for management, and what department is responsible for overseeing the management (e.g., Parks and Recreation, Forestry, etc.)? ❑ Summary— Does the plan contain a summary (two pages or less) identifying management goals, general strategies and tools to be used, partners, etc.? ❑ Property report— Does the plan contain a property report? ❑ Legal description or map is included of lands subject to the plan. ❑ e.g., Current land uses are described. ❑ e.g., Ownership is documented. ❑ Resource inventory— Have the current natural features been assessed comprehensively as appropriate to the situation? Are clear maps presented for these features? ❑ e.g., significant landforms ❑ e.g., bedrock and surficial geology ❑ e.g., soil types ❑ e.g., hydrology & water quality /character ❑ e.g., land cover has been described using the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System ❑ e.g., natural communities (using Minnesota County Biological Survey (MCBS) data, additional survey data, and MCBS terminology) ❑ e.g., rare species occurrences ❑ e.g., other native plant and animal species ❑ Historical context— Has the historical context of the project been provided? ❑ e.g., Have literature searches and/or personal interviews been conducted to assemble information on the site's natural history? ❑ e.g., Have presettlement surveys, pollen studies, historical photos and/or other available resources been used to understand the distribution of historical natural communities and disturbance patterns across the site? ❑ e.g., Has the site's land use history been documented? ❑ Status analysis— Has the quality of each of the natural resources on the site been ranked by a qualified site manager or team of natural resource professionals according to defined values? Are these quality - ranked resources clearly delineated on a map? ❑ e.g., Is the site contiguous with other important natural areas? (Does the plan seek compatible uses of adjacent land ?) ❑ e.g., What is the overall degree of naturalness of the site compared with other local /regional/statewide natural areas (e.g., using the Element Occurrence Ranking Guidelines, DNR Natural Heritage Program)? ❑ e.g., How rare are the site's features in a local, regional, or state context (e.g., using the Element Occurrence Ranking Guidelines, DNR Natural Heritage Program)? ❑ e.g., Is the site of sufficient size and quality such that natural processes ensure its long -term viability? ❑ Management goals and objectives— Does the plan include goals and objectives for the site's natural features, its level of development, and use? ❑ Are goals and objectives broken down by different management units within the site, corresponding to specific areas on natural resource maps? ❑ For all restoration projects, are appropriate target communities identified and described? ❑ Action plan— Does the plan state specific actions to be taken to achieve objectives, with a timeline for implementation? Are these actions linked to specific natural communities or management units identified on natural resource maps? ❑ Are projects to restore degraded areas detailed? ❑ Are practices to maintain or improve the quality of natural communities identified (e.g., removal of invasive /exotic species, promotion of natural disturbance regimes)? ❑ Are methods to control the spread of exotic species described? ❑ Do actions minimize threats to natural features (e.g., do they avoid fragmentation and maximize interior environments ?)? ❑ e.g., Is a public use policy outlined (interpretive services, permitted and unpermitted uses, etc. if applicable)? ❑ Monitoring plan — Are ways to measure the effectiveness of management techniques and evaluate the health of natural communities, plants, animals, and natural processes built into the plan? ❑ Does the plan provide adequate detail on how monitoring will be accomplished? ❑ Is the plan written adaptively such that the results of monitoring will be incorporated into management and protection planning? Draft 5/22/00 II/ • Draft 5/22/00 ❑ Have natural resource specialists such as from agencies and universities been consulted about the best monitoring techniques for each kind of site? ❑ Budget— Have staffing requirements, equipment, and other projected expenses associated with performing the activities in the action plan been identified (may include funding sources), or is this included in another document? ❑ Appendices— Does the plan include or reference additional documents and information that put the site into a regional context or ❑ e.g., Additional maps depicting natural communities, ownership of natural areas and surrounding land, rare species locations, visual representation of what the action plan is intended to achieve) ❑ e.g., Aerial photographs ❑ e.g., Species lists ❑ e.g., Bibliography of references used in plan preparation ❑ e.g., Reference to public policies (comprehensive plans, ordinances, codes) that affect the natural resource values of the site ❑ e.g., Glossary WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE PROJECT Growth Management Policy Areas- Lino Lakes '4.\k~1 Lk �.. l k '�4• \'.may, 1 1 2 Miles • Growth Management Policy Areas "N Urban Area Illustrative 2020 MUSA• Urban Reserve E ` = Permanent Rural Area Do Hugo Roads Data recieved from the Metropolitan Council, 1997. a) E E 0 0 0 a The plan contains a good example of a natural resource section, including significant natural communities and rare species. This plan identifies the standard "Areas in Need of ;Protection," but specifically addresses "Critical Habitat/Endangered - Threatened species" (p. 3) and preserving biological diversity (p. 10 -11). A table of rare species (p. 11) and natural communities (p. 13) present in Red Wing provides important specifics. It also acknowledges the need to develop a strong open space preservation/protection program (p. 4, 7 -8) and explicitly addresses both farmland preservation and urban forestry needs (p. 5). This document serves as a checklist of critical natural resource components that should be included in comprehensive plans. It contains a description of the benefits of natural areas and open space, land protection tools, best management practices, and a list of references and examples for several of these categories. The policy addresses the management of Tax Forfeited Trust Lands to maximize biological, social and economic benefits. It contains good examples of language in support of wise stewardship of native flora and fauna and protection of critical natural habitats. It creates a special designation, "Significant Resource Management Areas," and the Procedures section refers specifically to perpetuating "significant examples of the ecological diversity" of the county's natural heritage. John Anderson, City of Belle Plaine, (612) 873 -5553 Brian Peterson, City of Redwing, (612) 388 -6734 Meredith Cornett, DNR Metro Region, (651) 772- 7574 cis a 0 3 b Twin Cities Metro Region 0 o 0 0 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Belle Plaine. 1998. City of Red Wing Comprehensive Guide Plan. 1993. Natural Environment (Section L). Addressing Natural Resources in the Comprehensive Plan. 1998. Metro 2040: A Growth Strategy for the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. (Published by the Metropolitan Council). St. Louis County Land Department Policy 2740 -1: Significant Resource Management Areas. 1997. Useful Natural Resource Documents/Language for Local Government: Examples, Checklists, and Guidelines - compiled by MnDNR - draft 5/25/00 Comments 52 Was 0 a Chapter 4 discusses the role of local government in encouraging the use of natural landscaping and describes a range of regulatory approaches that help eliminate local weed ordinances as a deterrent to natural landscaping. Appendix 6 identifies sources of several municipal ordinances. See website (below) for full text. Good examples including the Madison "Permission Law," modified local weed laws, and promotional natural landscaping laws This ordinance is a modified weed law that allows some exceptions for native lawn (Sec. 11 -24). Homeowners may seek approval of a land management plan to convert a portion of their property to a native lawn in the rear yard. To obtain approval, homeowners need support of >50% of their neighbors and screen the plantings with fence and shrubbery. The language describes an exception to the existing weed ordinance, stating that "Native grasses and wildflowers indigenous to Minnesota, planted and maintained on any occupied lot or parcel of land as part of a garden or landscape treatment are exempt from this article" (on weed prohibition). Three new developments in Chanhassen have been required by the City to use native plants in their landscaping. The language in this ordinance adapts a local weed law by adding a section on lawn maintenance that allows for certain areas to remain in a natural state providing a more natural character (Sec. 15 -7). This portion of the ordinance allows for up to 35% of unmaintained/umnowed lawn. If native vegetation is maintained as a garden, 100% of the yard could be in native vegetation. This is an example of a modified local weed law with language that prohibits the uncontrolled growth of vegetation, while permitting planned landscape designs that use a diversity of plants, particularly those that use native vegetation. (312) 454 -0400; http: / /www.epa.gov /glnpo /gr eenacres /toolkit/index.html http: / /www.epa.gov /glnpo /gr eenacres / toolkit/index.html Marc Shippee, City of Blaine, (612) 785 -6178 Jill Sinclair, City of Chanhassen, (612) 937 -1900 Steve Kernik, City of Woodbury, (651) 714 -3533 James Burks, City of Crystal, (612) 531 -1162 Q z Madison, WI Long Grove, IL Ft. Collins, CO N c iii Chanhassen, MN Woodbury, MN Crystal, MN Natural Landscaping for Public Officials: A Source Book. 1998. Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission, Chicago. (Chapter 4: The "How To" of Natural Landscaping (pp. 21 -37); Appendix 6: Sample Local Ordinances (pp. 65 -67). The John Marshal Law Review. 1993. Vol. 26(4). City of Blaine, Chapter 11, Article II on Weeds and Tall Grass. Chanhassen City Code - Ord. No. 222, 1, 9- 26 -94, Sec. 13 -24. Woodbury City Ordinance No. 16 An Ordinance Relating to Vegetation: Amending Crystal City Code, Section 640. 1996. cN compiled by MnDNR - draft 5/25/00 • Useful Natural Rt E 8 O O 0 O a .a An overlay district of natural areas and rare species sites is identified in this ordinance, and development is generally guided away from these areas. However, compliance with this ordinance is largely voluntary (lacks "teeth)." Biko Associates worked with numerous agencies and citizens to develop a package of model ordinances for sustainable development. The ordinances span seven topics ("clusters") including citizen participation, grant management, managing community resources, neighborhood design, infrastructure planning, resource efficient buildings, and economic development. The cluster on managing community resources divides significant natural environment areas into two categories: Natural Resource Protection Zones (highest protection status) and Natural Resource Conservation Zones (where management for economic production is an option). 0 w John Wells, Minnesota Planning, (651) 297 -2377; http: /www.mnplan.state.mn. us /SDI/ordinances.html 0 U O 0 ..? cip City of St. Cloud Environmentally Sensitive Areas Ordinance Minnesota Planning/Minnesota Environmental Quality Board. 2000. From Policy to Reality: Model Ordinances for Sustainable Development. (Prepared by Biko Associates, Inc., Desotelle Consulting, and BRW, Inc.) lIn this document, eight different types of landscape plans are described for various site conditions and desired landscape functions. The guidelines emphasize that priority should be given to establishing communities of plants native to the Twin Cities that achieve native biodiversity and wildlife habitat. However, there are situations in which other types of landscaping are more appropriate. These guidelines were adopted by the City of Minneapolis as part of the Peggy Sand, DNR Metro Region, (651) 772 -7562 0 w Sand, P. 1996. Site Development Guidelines. Bridal Veil/Southeast Industrial Area Master Plan. Useful Natural Resource Documents/Language for Local Government: Examples, Checklists, and Guidelines - compiled by MnDNR - draft 5/25/00 a d E E 0 U O os O Management Plans III 3uidelines - compiled by MnDNR - draft 5/25/00 z z III 3uidelines - compiled by MnDNR - draft 5/25/00 E E O 0 0 a The plan divides the city into 9 resource management units for which separate goals and strategies are presented. High, medium and low quality natural communities are identified within each management unit, and MCBS natural communities and rare species sites are highlighted. A technical appendix provides more detail about native plant communities, quality and rarity rankings, techniques for restoration and management, and land use planning/protection tools. The report is a comprehensive guide to the natural communities of Cottage Grove, and does an especially nice job of describing their location, quality, and management. The goal of the inventory was to protect and enhance the health of natural areas. It gives some fairly detailed species lists for each of the natural communities inventoried, and assigns a local value, based on the city's comprehensive plan, the ability to link other features in the landscape, etc. Beth Nixon, SEH, Inc., (651) 490 -2054 Kim Lindquist, City of Cottage Grove, (651) 458- 2800; Tony DeMars, Emmons & Olivier Resources, (651) 770 -8448 o P. E co Cottage Grove, MN City of Burnsville Natural Resources Management Plan. 1998. (Prepared by SEH, Inc.). City of Cottage Grove. 1998. Final Report: Natural Resources Inventory. (Prepared by A. R. DeMars formerly of Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik, & Associates. Currently with Emmons & Olivier Resources) *. Other Policy /Plan/Implementation Guidance Useful Natural Resource Documents/Language for Local Government: Examples, Checklists, and Guidelines - compiled byMnDNR - draft 5/25/00 • iuidelines - compiled by MnDNR - draft 5/25/00 = • x CC LLI C.! • REGULARLY CLEANED ROOF • NON- FLAMMABLE SKIRTING ON DECKS - - - -2 • CLEAR OF FLAMMABLE MATERIAL AGAINST STRUCTURE W 0 td • USABLE WATER SUPPLY NEARBY — • FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT O. U LL 2 w te O 0 cm P 0 C¢ CW9 W S Li W 0 J m o n O 0 z O CC: , U Y m • • • • OUTBUILDINGS HAZARD- FREE------------ - - - - -2 TOTAL HAZARD REDUCTION FOREST HOME FIRE RISK CALCULATION TOTAL SITE HAZARD + TOTAL STRUCTURAL HAZARD -T u. TOTAL SITE HAZARD - - - -- TOTAL FOREST HOME FIRE RISK 1 CS = _ S. E ta3 e js. .0 "'_o =''-' 0 � m co0mt°i °ET c E 6 C^ Y to S 0. Y a, Ws O C V C J'! a y O N W m co y es .0 a1 0 W O = ` f� .' CO y O m = �{�I.. 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DECKS AND OVERHANGS CO °z i WUI Local Unit of Government Work Group 3rd Work Session 4, Thursday, May 25, 2000 ea, 1:00 to —3:15 pm AGENDA 1:00 pm ❑ Introductions ❑ Meeting Agenda (who will be giving status reports ?) ❑ Minutes from 3/14/00 Meeting (any corrections ?) ❑ Date for June Meeting (select June 15, 19, 20 or 22 - am or pm) ❑ Work Group Member /Consultant List (hand out revised list & ck again) ❑ Work Assignment Matrix (any changes or additions ?) ❑ Miscellaneous Announcements PROJECT STATUS & PROGRESS ON WORK TO DATE - Reports & Discussion 1:30 pm Basic Tools for Working with LUG's ❑ checklists for natural resource guidance - preliminary examples (handouts) ❑ useful NR documents/language (handout) 1:50 pm Assistance to LUG's NR Inventory & Assessments ❑ preliminary GIS maps ❑ Mn Land Cover Classification system mapping ❑ status reports from work group teams /members ❑ next steps? [--- 2:10 pm take 10 minute break] 2:30 pm Review & Comment on LUG documents ❑ preliminary review of Hugo "Comp Land Use Regulations" (handout) ❑ other status reports & discussion ❑ next steps? —2:50 pm Assistance to LUG's on Subdivision Planning ❑ status reports & discussion ❑ next steps? —3:00 pm Other Information Swap / Status Reports ❑ Bring information, examples & suggestions to share on other's work assignments —3:15 pm Adjourn From: To: Peggy Sand Date: 5/5/00 10:39AM Subject: WUI LUG minutes & assignments This very long memo is being sent directly to everyone who is on my list as a WUI LUG project work group member AND is CC'd to everyone on the list as a "consultant" to the project, plus a couple other managers. This memo contains. attachments & instructions which need your attention before the next WUI LUG work group meeting on Thursday, May 25, 1-3:30 pm. 1 strongly suggest you import each attachment into Word Perfect (or the equivalent) before you try opening or printing it. If any of you have any problems with any of these attachments let me or Peggy Gabriel know & we can get you a hard copy. 1. Work Group Member /Consultant List This attachment (LUG wkgl .wpd) is a 3 -page table of this list of people, please check it to make sure your #s etc are correct. Also. please let me know ASAP if anv names should be changed or added. Currently, everyone except Marty Asieson is accessible by e- mail. • 2. Work Assignment Matrix This attachment (LUQ work_matrix.wpd) is the 1 -page table we worked on at the last meeting with all the names people filled in. A few folks (Suzann, Sharon, Bart, &Rick D from Lino) are listed in [brackets] because their names were suggested at the last meeting, but they were not there. Please note, I am still looking for volunteers to be the point people where no names exist on the matrix. Each of you should be working this morith on your assigned areas as reflected on this matrix and the "Primary Activities & Products of the Proiect/Schedule" (sent out by e-mail on 4/19 & handed out at the 4/20 meeting). Please let me know ASAP if 1 have you listed correctly on the matrix or if you have anv questions about what your duties are. • 3. Natural Resource Documents List Thanks to Meredith who has developed a format & made an excellent start at a list of documents which provide useful sample language and ideas for local units developing policies, reg's, plans, etc. Meredith has it organized into 6 categories of documents: * comprehensive plans/policies * native landscaping ordinances ... * sustainable development ordinances * landscaping ordinances * management plans * natural resource inventories We are open to adding new categories as needed. So far, Meredith has put in the table information on 'about 18 documents including: the reference's biographical citation; the location for which it was developed (typically a city); a contact person, organization, and phone number, and a comments section which describes what the document includes that is particularly useful related to natural resource management This third attachment (NR doc examples.wpd) is a table that so far is about 5 pages.long. Each of you are requested to find additional documents we should add to the list and provide (either electronically or hard copv) complete information on each additional document to Peggy Gabriel who will update etc this table. Contact Meredith if you have any questions or suggestions on the format, categories, etc. 4. Land Cover Mapping - Ecological Quality Modifiers As requested by the LUG work group, Meredith has developed some suggested language for natural community ecological quality ratings to be used in the Mn Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) inventory and mapping process we will be doing for Hugo and Lino Lakes. Here is Meredith's latest version. It applies to both natural communities and restorations that are intended to mimic natural cover. Would any of vou interested /concerned about this please look it over & get Meredith your comments? We will be convening soon a special meeting on how we are going to proceed on the MLCCS part of this project. 33X — Modifiers that reflect natural quality of a site 331 - High quality natural community High quality examples of natural communities include a large portion of the species typical of the community (see the community descriptions section). Few weedy plants are present. (Weedy species can be native or non -native and are typical of disturbed areas. In forests weedy species include boxelder, buckthorn, prickly ash, and garlic mustard; in prairies they include red cedar, sumac, brome grass, and Kentucky blue- grass.) Most natural processes are occurring, including disturbances such as fire or flooding, if appropriate. There is little or no evidence of human disturbances, such as logging or livestock grazing. 332 - Medium quality natural community Medium quality examples of natural communities lack many of the species typical of the community. Weedy species may be abundant, but they are not dominant over the typical native species. (In communities with multiple layers of vegetation, weedy species are not dominant in any layer.) Natural processes may have changed and there may be evidence of human disturbance, but the nature of the community has not been altered beyond recognition. 333 - Low Quality In low quality examples of natural communities weedy species are dominant in any or all layers of vegetation. Natural processes are highly altered and there are extensive human disturbances. The community may not resemble any naturally- occurring community (i.e. one described by DNR Natural Heritage or USNVC). 5. Minutes of 4/20/00 Work Group Meeting Attached (LUG_minutes 4_20_00.wpd) are some minutes of the last meeting based on notes taken by me and Samantha Hayes. Obviously, they are selective and don't reflect all of the good discussion and ideas we had. Let me know if vou have corrections or additions. 6. Other Work Items * Hugo meeting - I'd like to set up a meeting with the new Hugo City Administrator that would preferably happen sometime this month. Who would like to Qo on that meeting? Interested DNR folks: is your groupwise calendar up -to -date so I can check your day /time availability? * MLCCS - We need to have a subgroup meeting on the MLCCS work. Who would like to be involved in that meeting? Interested DNR folks: is your groupwise calendar up-to -date so I can check your day /time availability? * GIS maps - Dale Homuth, Bill Penning, & I have been working with Jacque Stubbs who is doing a set of GIS natural resource maps of Hugo and Lino Lakes and with Dave Redelman who has the Lino Lakes NR Inventory data layers. A set of enlarged hard copies of the maps will be given to Joan Galli, Bill, etc for their wildlife field work in mid -May. We will have various forms of the maps for display and use at our next 5/25 work group meeting. Please let me or Jackie know if you have other suggestions etc on the maps we are doing at this phase of the project. Any other business? CC: Art Widerstrom; Bart Richardson; Brian Loeffelholz; Dave Zumeta; Dennis Martin; Hannah Dunevitz; Jacqueline Stubbs; John Saxhaug; Kathleen Wallace; Larry Westerberg; Olin • �e y Sand- WUI LUG minutes & assi 444 49 age Phillips; Susan Burks; Wayne Barstad 6. Subdivision Mgmt o o b a Meredith Meredith Meredith Meredith Jean Jean r. .a o Ati A a Joan Con Bill (Dave. Z / Doane:) .[Suzann] Rick (Dave.Z Duane) Molly [ Tom 11 Kate i Kate (Dave Z / (Dave Z / Duane) [ 1?ua e) --.4; °°� i• _ -, -, .0 �o iv.. F tak 7 -aA Meredith 1 Meredith Jean P Jean Bill i l$ill. 5. Subdivision Plan ----- ---- o -- Meredith i Me:M *1th Jean i Jean... - -,,---6- a _ _ A.° -'.a Joan I Joan.... Con I Con Bill i Bill (DaveZ / i (DaveZ/ Duane) i Duane) [Suzann] [Suzann]._ Laurie [Rie1D] (Dave Z / (Davd/ Duane) Duard) i Molly I Tom H Kate [ Kate (Dave Z / (Dave-Z / Duane) I Duaiie) John S John. 8 Jean Jean [Bart] ]Bart]- w bij �aA Meredith Jean Bill 4. Subdivision Assessment o x ''M Don Don - Jean Jean Larry Art Brian L Brian L Joan Joan Con Con Bill Bali (Dave Z / (Dave Z/ Duane) Duane)" [Suzann] [Suzann] Laurie [Rick D] (Dave Z / (DaveZ f Duane) Duane.) Molly [ Tom H Kate [ Kate (Dave Z / i (Dave Z./ Duane) Duane):. c. it .2 g g ,o ;; as [Sharon] i [Sharon] Peggy Tom H Dan C [ Peggy Meredith i Meredith Jean i Jean Bill i Bill .a 3. LUG Policies Hugo Lino Meredith Meredith Jean Jean Hannah Hannah a aA gM A " a Con Con Bill Bill (Dave Z / (Dave Z / Duane) Duane) • [Suzann] [Suzann] Laurie [Rick D] (Dave Z / (Dave Z / Duane) Duane) • Molly Tom H Kate Kate (Dave Z / (Dave Z / Duane) Duane) g °tip [Sharon] [Sharon] Peggy Tom H Dan C Peggy Meredith Meredith Jean Jean Bill Bill 2. LUG Assessment 00 Meredith Meredith Jean Jean Hannah Hannah a g .a oafs A., cA A •, .4ri Joan Joan Con Con Bill Bill (DaveZ/ (DaveZ/ Duane) Duane) • [Suzann] [Suzann] Laurie [Rick D] (Dave Z / (Dave Z / Duane) Duane) • Molly Tom H Kate Kate (Dave Z / (Dave Z / Duane) Duane) John S John S Jean Jean [Bart] [Bart] [Sharon] [Sharon] Peggy Tom H Dan C Peggy Meredith Meredith Jean Jean Bill , Bill 1. Checklist Examples Peggy Meredith Jean Hannah g ° A - R x x H "a 0 Meredith Jean overall coordinator Peggy Meredith ... a C A [Suzann] C o i. u Meredith Topic overall coordinator(s) ecological context / native plants 0 w forest health /urban forestry/ forest BMP's wildlife (& fisheries as applicable) recreation & trails wetlands, surface & ground water soils & minerals development patterns natural resource management .r, PO a) A• cus CI) a) 0 o Cet CJ 0 Alea� a inl W a) Comments 0 0 •4 The plan contains a good example of a natural resource section, including significant natural communities and rare species. This plan identifies the standard "Areas in Need of Protection," but specifically addresses "Critical Habitat/Endangered- Threatened species" (p. 3) and preserving biological diversity (p. 10 -11). A table of rare species (p. 11) and natural communities (p. 13) present in Red Wing provides important specifics. It also acknowledges the need to develop a strong open space preservation/protection program (p. 4, 7 -8) and explicitly addresses both farmland preservation and urban forestry needs (p. 5). This document serves as a checklist of critical natural resource components that should be included in comprehensive plans. It contains a description of the benefits of natural areas and open space, land protection tools, best management practices, and a list of references and examples for several of these categories. The policy addresses the management of Tax Forfeited Trust Lands to maximize biological, social and economic benefits. It contains good examples of language in support of wise stewardship of native flora and fauna and protection of critical natural habitats. It creates a special designation, "Significant Resource Management Areas," and the Procedures section refers specifically to perpetuating "significant examples of the ecological diversity" of the county's natural heritage. John Anderson, City of Belle Plaine, (612) 873 -5553 Brian Peterson, City of Redwing, (612) 388 -6734 Meredith Cornett, DNR Metro Region, (651) 772- 7574 as a' a as b a Twin Cities Metro Region 0 0 0 I Comprehensive Plan for the City of Belle Plaine. 1998. City of Red Wing Comprehensive Guide Plan. 1993. Natural Environment (Section L). Addressing Natural Resources in the Comprehensive Plan. 1998. Metro 2040: A Growth Strategy for the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. (Published by the Metropolitan Council). St. Louis County Land Department Policy 2740 -1: Significant Resource Management Areas. 1997. Useful Natural Resource Documents /Language for Local Government: Examples, Checklists, and Guidelines - compiled by MnDNR - draft 5/5/00 Comments Chapter 4 discusses the role of local government in encouraging the use of natural landscaping and describes a range of regulatory approaches that help eliminate local weed ordinances as a deterrent to natural landscaping. Appendix 6 identifies sources of several municipal ordinances. See website (below) for full text. Good examples including the Madison "Permission Law," modified local weed laws, and promotional natural landscaping laws This ordinance is a modified weed law that allows some exceptions for native lawn (Sec. 11 -24). Homeowners may seek approval of a land management plan to convert a portion of their property to a native lawn in the rear yard. To obtain approval, homeowners need support of >50% of their neighbors and screen the plantings with fence and shrubbery. The language describes an exception to the existing weed' ordinance, stating that "Native grasses and wildflowers indigenous to Minnesota, planted and maintained on any occupied lot or parcel of land as part of a garden or landscape treatment are exempt from this article" (on weed prohibition). Three new developments in Chanhassen have been required by the City to use native plants in their landscaping. The language in this ordinance adapts a local weed law by adding a section on lawn maintenance that allows for certain areas to remain in a natural state providing a more natural character (Sec. 15 -7). This portion of the ordinance allows for up to 35% of unmaintained/umnowed lawn. If native vegetation is maintained as a garden, 100% of the yard could be in native vegetation. This is an example of a modified local weed law with language that prohibits the uncontrolled growth of vegetation, while permitting planned landscape designs that use a diversity of plants, particularly those that use native vegetation. (312)454 -0400; http: / /www.epa.gov /glnpo /gr eenacres /toolkit/index.html http: / /www.epa.gov /glnpo /gr eenacres / toolkit/index.html Marc Shippee, City of Blaine, (612) 785 -6178 Jill Sinclair, City of Chanhassen, (612) 937 -1900 Steve Kernik, City of Woodbury, (651) 714 -3533 James Burks, City of Crystal, (612) 531 -1162 z Madison, WI Long Grove, IL Ft. [Collins, CO Blaine, MN Chanhassen, MN Woodbury, MN U Natural Landscaping for Public Officials: A Source Book. 1998. Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission, Chicago. (Chapter 4: The "How To" of Natural Landscaping (pp. 21 -37); Appendix 6: Sample Local Ordinances (pp. 65 -67). The John Marshal Law Review. 1993. Vol. 26(4). City of Blaine, Chapter 11, Article II on Weeds and Tall Grass. Chanhassen City Code - Ord. No. 222, 1, 9- 26 -94, Sec. 13 -24. Woodbury City Ordinance No. 16 An Ordinance Relating to Vegetation: Amending Crystal City Code, Section 640. 1996. S Cg b • • N .05 An overlay district of natural areas and rare species sites is identified in this ordinance, and development is generally guided away from these areas. However, compliance with this ordinance is largely voluntary (lacks "teeth)." Biko Associates worked with numerous agencies and citizens to develop a package of model ordinances for sustainable development. The ordinances span seven topics ( "clusters ") including citizen participation, grant management, managing community resources, neighborhood design, infrastructure planning, resource efficient buildings, and economic development. The cluster on managing community resources divides significant natural environment areas into two categories: Natural Resource Protection Zones (highest protection status) and Natural Resource Conservation Zones (where management for economic production is an option). John Wells, Minnesota Planning, (651) 297 -2377; http: /www.mnplan.state.mn. us /SDl/ordinances.html St. Cloud, MN 0 c a) .5 W 0 a) City of St. Cloud Environmentally Sensitive Areas Ordinance Minnesota Planning/Minnesota Environmental Quality Board. 2000. From Policy to Reality: Model Ordinances for Sustainable Development. (Prepared by Biko Associates, Inc., Desotelle Consulting, and BRW, Inc.) Landscaping Ordinances Minneapolis, MN Jseful Natural Resource Documents/Language for Local Government: Examples, Checklists, and Guidelines - compiled by MnDNR - draft 5/5/00 Comments 4 0 0 U 0 0 u a OA eJ 0 ir w a Management Plans The plan gives good descriptions of the site's native plant communities and detailed species lists generated from releves. A clear map on which the communities are delineated is presented. The plan also gives a detailed list of animal records found on the site from 1997 MCBS work. A number of management and monitoring activities are proposed and clearly described, but unfortunately are not explicitly linked to specific portions of the site. This chapter is a good overview on the management of natural areas, and can serve as a checklist for important components of management plans (e.g., avoid fragmentation, maximize interior environments, control exotic species, promote natural disturbance regimes, etc.) The plan puts specific restoration and management • recommendations into a landscape context, with information on geology and soils, pre- European settlement vegetation and wildlife, land use history, and present -day vegetation and wildlife. Four distinct restoration and management projects are described, although more detailed plans for implementation will be required. Bill Bleckwenn, Peterson Environmental Consulting, Inc., (651) 686 -0151 Hannah Dunevitz (651) 772 -7570 Hannah Dunevitz (651) 772 -7570 Eden Prairie, MN z z City of Eden Prairie. 1997. Prairie Bluff Conservation Area Management Plan. (Prepared by Peterson Environmental Consulting, Inc.). Allmann, L. 1997. Natural Areas: Protecting a Vital Community Asset. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program, Saint Paul. (pp. 77 -89) Management Recommendations for the Koch Petroleum Group Property within the Pine Bend Bluffs Natural Area. 2000. Department of Natural Resources (107 pp.) Useful Natural Resource Documents/Language for Local Government: Examples, Checklists, and uidelines - compiled by MnDNR - draft 5/5/00 Comments .- 0 0 V 0 a it 0 F-1 v 0 0 Ga Q.) Tet s, z The plan divides the city into 9 resource management units for which separate goals and strategies are presented. High, medium and low quality natural communities are identified within.each management unit, and MCBS natural communities and rare species sites are highlighted. A technical appendix provides more detail about native plant communities, quality and rarity rankings, techniques for restoration and management, and land use planning/protection tools. The report is a comprehensive guide to the natural communities of Cottage Grove, and does an especially nice job of describing their location, quality, and management. The goal of the inventory was to protect and enhance the health of natural areas. It gives some fairly detailed species lists for each of the natural communities inventoried, and assigns a local value, based on the city's comprehensive plan, the ability to link other features in the landscape, etc. Beth Nixon, SEH, Inc., (651) 490 -2054 Kim Lindquist, City of Cottage Grove, (651) 458- 2800; Tony DeMars, Emmons & Olivier Resources, (651) 770 -8448 y E Qci Cottage Grove, MN City of Burnsville Natural Resources Management Plan. 1998. (Prepared by SEH, Inc.). City of Cottage Grove. 1998. Final Report: Natural Resources Inventory. (Prepared by A. R. DeMars formerly of Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik, & Associates. Currently with Emmons & Olivier Resources) *. • Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)- Local Unit of Government Workgroup ( LUG) • Minutes from 4/20/00 Work Group Meeting Attendance: Peggy Sand (chair), Bill Penning, Con Christianson, Duane Shodeen, Lillian Baker, Meredith Cornett, Jean Mouelle, Don Mueller, Tom Polasik, Dale Homuth, Tom Hovey, Molly Shodeen, Joan Galli, Marty Asleson, Dan Cornejo, Kate Drewry, John Saxhaug, Samantha Hayes (facilitator) Attendees introduced themselves, agreed to the agenda, and affirmed the work group expectations. Project Overview & Discussion Peggy Sand gave an overview of the purpose of this work group. Tom Hovey will contact John VondeLinde or Jeff Perry of Anoka County Parks, Tom Polasik will check with Jim Luger of Washington Co Parks, and Kate Drewry will contact Jane Harper of Washington County about participating in this work group. Concern was also expressed of the impact that changes to Highway 61 may have and options for the roadway character. Status Reports & Discussion Hugo Peggy provided copies of the 4/16/00 Pioneer Press article on Hugo "Developing, Naturally" which talked about dual projects - 1 being the DNR WUI project, and the other project is a planning charette (intense workshop) approach which Dan Cornejo explained to the group. Specifically, Hugo received $50,000- $75,000 from Metropolitan Council to do a charette process (probably 3 main public events as part of a week of intense work) to develop a community vision on how the land should be developed and how they may address affordible housing goals. This process is expected to come up with recommendations to be used in revising their land regulations. The charette is proposed for mid summer, but timing may be effected by Hugo also starting the process now of hiring an on -staff development director. Hugo's comprehensive plan was adopted in 1996 when no one predicted the current pace of development. Emerging issues include transportation systems and sense of place. Serious concerns were expressed by Bill Penning and other work group members over the timing of the charette, in particular, it should be based on our natural resource inventory which is not expected to be completed until September. Shakopee and Robbinsdale were cited as examples of communities facing similar highway - related issues. Kate Drewry provided information on Hugo's current moratorium which only affects those areas within the MUSA line, but excludes the Wenzel Farm project (now undergoing environmental review) which started before the moratorium went into effect. This week Mike Erickson (formerly with Maplewood) starts as Hugo's new City Administrator. Natural Resource Assessments Joan Galli reported that they are having a consultant assess Blanding turtle habitat and that the study area could be expanded to include Hugo. The group discussed getting a set of GIS maps made of the two cities using various existing data layers such as the natural heritage database. These will be used to conduct some wildlife fieldwork in the two cities in mid -May. Lino Lakes has new soils data. Dale Homuth will follow -up on getting Jacque Stubbs to create the maps. Work is still needed to determine who will do the land cover mapping/natural resource inventory 1 (MLCCS) and how much of Lino Lakes will be done. Meredith will develop a proposed system for rating the quality of habitats as part of the MLCCS mapping. Lino Lakes Meredith Cornett reported that Lino Lakes is currently having a consultant develop a tree preservation ordinance and a landscaping ordinance. She coordinated with Hannah Dunevitz and various Forestry staff in reviewing drafts and providing input. Meredith, Peggy, and Kris Larson (Minnesota Land Trust) met with Lino's planner Jeff Smyser and environmental staff Marty Asleson to discuss the city's preservation development process and how we may collaborate on a subdivision plan which would incorporate conservation easements and an natural resource management plan. Primary Activities & Products of Project/Work Assignments Peggy walked the group through a simplified 4/19/00 . version of the "Primary Activities & Products of Project/Schedule" which organizes DNR's work on the WUI LUG project into 6 primary activities. Samantha Hayes provided directions to the group on filling out a "Work Assignment Matrix" and then each person signed up for which of the 6 primary activities for which city they will work on. The group briefly discussed the results and gaps, including the need for overall coordinators for each topic /activity. (See attached results of sign -up - including a few suggestions in brackets for suggested people who were not in attendance. Peggy will check with Sharon, Suzann, and Bart; Marty Asleson will check with Lino Lake's park staff Rick D.) Information Swap The group discussed various publications that will be useful in this project. Anoka County has a natural resource management plan for their park lands. Dan C. will get DNR a copy of Hugo's Comprehensive Plan and amendments Meredith brought up a number of good natural resource inventory and management planning documents, including from Cottage Grove, Burnsville, Woodbury, Belle Plaine, etc. Joan mentioned the "Planning for Birds" booklet. Peggy mentioned Biko's sustainable development model ordinances. Kate mentioned the watershed district's guide to surface water. Also mentioned were an article on management in Restoration Ecology and reference manuals put together by the Center for Watershed Management. Meredith offered to develop a matrix which we can use to list useful documents with the expectation that other work group members will contribute information to the matrix on other useful documents. Duane Shodeen suggested that throughout this project we keep track of the barriers and problems we face in the process. Wrap - Up/Next Steps The next WUI LUG work group meeting was set for Thursday, May 25, 1 -3:30 pm in the Metro Region Conference Room. At the May meeting, work group members will be expected to report on progress they are making on the primary activities they working on - with emphasis on developing checklists and making significant progress on the various natural resource assessments. Meeting participants completed meeting evaluation forms. 2 • Metro n n IV Metropolitan Council Working fir the Region, Planning foram Pfdure 2 A Growth Strategy for the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Addressing Natural Resources in the- Comprehensive Plan In many communities, comprehensive planning is well underway. Whether you are just beginning a plan or are nearing completion on a plan update, the following information about natural resources, recently compiled by the Department of Natural Resources, should be useful to you. The inclusion of a Natural Resource section within your official Comprehensive Plan can provide many tangible benefits (see sidebar). The overall health and identity of communities is intimately linked with lakes, streams, wetlands, forests and other natural resources. Integrating natural resource policies with other community land use, infrastructure, and capital improvement policies lays a strong foundation for sustainability in your community. It is hoped that you • will find the following guidelines and resource list helpfulin developing a natural resource plan. Primary Natural Resource - Related Components of Comprehensive Plans Vision statement In order to ensure citizen support for your plan, a vision statement should be developed with input from a wide variety of citizens representing all of the important sectors of the community. Many vision statements include a description of historical and present natural features to help set the stage for desired future conditions. Your vision statement can be detailed or general, but the goals and policies in subsequent sections should be consistent with its tone. For example, if your community's vision is to grow while protecting the natural environment, it is important that goals and policies address this central vision. Natural areas and open space provide a wide range of benefits prized by Twin Cities residents. Conservation of these areas enhances property values by making communities more attractive. They project water quality and fuel a multi - billion dollar outdoors recreation industry. They provide habitat for animals and a storehouse of biological diversity. In a number of recent polls, Twin Citians have made it clear that such benefits and the natural areas that yield them are a critical part of what they look for in a place to do business and call home. Natural resource inventory and analysis r An inventory of existing natural resources in your community is a critical first step in determining natural resource goals for the community. An inventory collects existing information about soils, waters, wildlife, native plant communities, and other critical natural resources. Analysis and interpretation of this information allows the communication of meaningful results. One widely used format is the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) maps and analyses. The inventory section should also identify gaps in existing information and outline ways to collect additional data. See the attached resource list Illustration ®1997 Chris Baird, Minneapolis. All rights reserved. for some sources of inventory information for your community. For examples of inventories conducted by • other communities, call the number at the end of this document. Natural areas and open space Open space is land that is largely unbuilt, including but not limited to natural areas, parks, and agricultural lands. Natural areas are sites largely unaltered by modem human activity, where native vegetation is distributed in naturally occurring patterns. Recreation, protection, and utilization are examples of potential designations for open space in your community. Conservation of open space, especially natural areas, is a broad -sweep approach to address many of the specific considerations listed below. In the open space section, the comprehensive plan often states a specific goal about.the percent of retained open space or designates special areas that the community wants to protect. Land protection tools A variety of tools for protecting open space, such as conservation easements, transfer of development rights, land retirement programs, property tax relief programs, restoration cost share programs, ordinances, public dedication for subdivisions, and land exchanges have been implemented successfully by many communities. The options that would work best for your community should be addressed in the comprehensive plan. See the attached resource list for places to obtain more information about these methods. Considerations for Comprehensive Plan Development Natural resources that should be addressed with specific goals and policies: • Soils • Waters (includes lakes, rivers, wetlands and riparian areas) • Native plant communities (includes forests, wetlands, prairies, and savannas) • Areas with potential for ecological restoration (includes old fields and disturbed woods) • Wildlife • Rare animal and plant species • Agricultural lands • Special geological features • Air quality • Urban forests (includes street trees) Local ordinances Many of the above elements are enforceable through local ordinances that can be supported by the Natural Resource chapter of the comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan gives your community a chance to strengthen existing environmental ordinances and calls attention to needs for new ordinances that can aid the community in reaching its natural resource goals. The plan can also specify appropriate special use areas, such as conservation, recreational or agricultural districts. • Clustered development zoning enables developers to protect open spaces in new subdivisions. • Wetland and shoreland protection ordinances are designed to provide buffers that protect wetland habitat and water quality of significant water resources. Tree, woodland, bluffland, and steep slope preservation ordinances are designed to protect valued natural resources at all times and minimize development and construction damage. Illustration ®1997 Chris Baird, Minneapolis. All rights reserved. • Environmentally sensitive areas ordinances or conservation district overlays can help protect valued open spaces and the biological diversity of important natural areas. Best Management Practices Whenever possible, Best Management Practices (BMP) guidelines should be followed for projects in your community. The comprehensive plan can reflect this goal by referencing BMP guidelines that have been developed cooperatively by citizens, agencies, and private non -profit organizations. To date, BMP guidelines have been developed for protecting wetland and water quality and visual quality (see Resource List). Another management consideration to address is the protection of natural resources during development, including providing for adequate open space in development plans, and identifying sensitive areas that should remain undeveloped. Biological diversity Biological diversity refers to the wide variety of living organisms, the genetic differences among them, and the ecosystems in which they occur. Natural areas are the most important source of native biological diversity, and can be found in many communities throughout Minnesota. Your community can conserve local biological diversity by expressing a commitment to avoid fragmentation of natural areas and by maintaining and creating green corridors that connect open space. You can submit -a data request form to find out about important natural areas and rare plants and animals living in your community. Call the DNR's Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program at (651) 296 -8324 to obtain a form. Committing to the use of native Minnesotan plant species on city projects and eradication of invasive exotic species are other ways that your community can enhance local biological diversity. These guidelines were developed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Metro Region office. For more information, call Meredith Cornett, Community Forest Ecologist, at (651) 772- 7574. Resource List Note: Copies marked * are available from the DNR upon request by calling the number listed or the number above. Information on many natural resource topics can be found on the DNR's website: http:/lwww.dnr.state.mn.us Vision statement Nassauer, J.I., B. Halverson, and S. Roos. 1997. Bringing garden amenities into your neighborhood: Infrastructure for ecological quality, a guidebook for cities and citizens. University of Minnesota, Department of Landscape Architecture. 48 pp. Natural resource inventory * Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Metro Region. 1998. Natural resource county maps (updated versions soon available from the Metro GIS Coordinator (651) 772 - 6150). * Minnesota Department of Natural Resources GIS data layers. http : / /grouse.dnr.state.mn.us /gis (website). Minnesota Planning, Land Management Information Center. EPPL7 and EPIC GIS Data. (Two data sets packaged on one CD -ROM, with information about climate, ecology, Illustration ®1997 Chris Baird, Minneapolis. All rights reserved. forests, geology, hydrology, native ranges of trees and shrubs, and much more. Call (651) 296 -1201 to purchase a copy). Open space Greenways and Natural Areas Collaborative. 1997. Metro Greenprint: Planning for nature in the face of urban growth. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, State of Minnesota. 41 pp. (Or see http: //www.dnr. state. mn .us /greenprint /greenprint.pdf). Hren, B. J., N. Bartolomeo, and M. Singer. 1995. Securing your future: Pathways to community sustainability. Izaak Walton League of America, Gaithersburg. 28 pp. Washington County Planning and Administrative Services, Metropolitan Council, and BRW Inc. 1997. Open space design development: A guide for local governments. 64 pp. Land protection tools * Allmann, L. 1997. Natural areas: protecting a vital community asset: A sourcebook for Minnesota local governments and citizens. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program, St. Paul. 148 pp. * Allmann, L. 1996. Land protection options: A handbook for Minnesota landowners. The Nature Conservancy, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, The Trust for Public Land, and the Minnesota Land Trust, Minneapolis. 78 pp. Local ordinances * Allmann, L. 1997. Natural areas: protecting a vital community asset: A sourcebookfor Minnesota local governments and citizens. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program, St. Paul. 148 pp. Board of Water and Soil Resources. 1998. Model ordinance No. 1- Environmental management ordinance. St. Paul. 41 pp. Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities Area. 1977. Environmental protection: Model ordinances for use by local governments. St. Paul. 80 pp. * Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry. 1995. A guide to developing a community tree preservation ordinance. St. Paul. 13 pp. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Waters. 1998. A guide for buying & managing shoreland. St. Paul. 24 pp. Best Management Practices Building for Nature - Indiana Partnership. 1996. Building with nature. Carmel. (booklet & video) 32 pp. Eagan, City of. 1997. Trees and the construction process (brochure). Miller, N.L. D.M. Rathke, and G.R. Johnson. 1995. Protecting trees from construction damage. NR-FO-6125-S. Minn. Extension Service, University of Minnesota, St. Paul. 13 pp. Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources and Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Minnesota construction site erosion and sediment control planning handbook 264 pp. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Waters. 1998. A guide for buying and managing shoreland. 24 pp. Minnesota Extension Service. 1992. Shoreland best management practices. Duluth. (16 fact sheets). Illustration ®1997 Chris Baird, Minneapolis. All rights reserved. • Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. 1989 (currently under revision). Protecting water quality in urban areas: Best management practices for Minnesota. Schueler, T. 1995. Site planning for urban stream protection. Environmental Land Planning Document Series. Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. 232 pp. Call the DNR Information Center at (651) 296 -6157 for free copies of the two following: * Protecting water quality and wetlands in forest management in Minnesota. 1995. 140 pp. * Visual quality best management practices for forest management in Minnesota. 1994. 78 pp. Biological diversity * Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, County Biological Survey. Minnesota County Biological Survey Map Series. Call (651) 296 -8324 for free maps. Wovcha, D.S., B.C. Delaney, and G.E. Nordquist. 1995. Minnesota's St. Croix River Valley and Anoka Sand Plain: A guide to native habitats. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, 234 pp. Illustration © 1997 Chris Baird, Minneapolis. All rights reserved • Would you like to learn more about applying the above concepts to community plans and projects? If so, attend a "Keeping Nature in Your Community" workshop for two full days of hands -on training. The workshops are designed for teams of local officials, planners, natural resource managers, technical advisors, and interested citizens who are working together on community -based projects, including comprehensive natural resources or open space plans. For more information about the workshops, call the Tree Trust at (612) 920 -9326. • WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE PROJECT "Integrating Natural Resource Guidance to Enhance Smart Growth in Wildland -Urban Interface Communities" February 2000- September 2001 Contact: Peggy Sand /DNR Forestry / 1200 Warner Road / St. Paul MN 55106 (651)772 -7562 / e -mail: peggy.sand@dnr.state.mn.us Briefing Paper on Local Unit of Government - Development Collaboration updated May 2000 The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) (with support from the USDA Forest Service) is kicking off a new project called the "Wildland Urban Interface" project. This project has two primary parts - one working with local units of government and the other to develop a guidebook for landowners to better manage their natural resources. This paper is on the first of these - a collaborative project with two cities. Background: Need & Response All communities are facing significant challenges in accommodating new development while conserving critical resources. This situation is complicated by the existence of many types of environmental review which are not always well integrated nor as timely as they could be. Now, on top of that we're hearing about "smart growth" and wondering how all that relates. In response, the DNR has just kicked off a new effort aimed at providing more useful and better integrated assistance to local governments dealing with development on the urban fringe (also called the "wildland -urban interface). As DNR develops and refines its ways of providing guidance and assistance, DNR Metro Region staff will collaborate with selected local units to determine the best ways to work together. This project is possible at this time because the DNR received a modest grant from the USDA Forest Service to cover some expenses for a project on "Integrating Natural Resource Guidance to Enhance Smart Growth in Wildland -Urban Interface Communities ". Thus, the DNR is providing hands -on assistance and resources to 2 local units (referred -to here as local units of government - LUG's) who are interested in . working with the DNR over the next 18 months to address habitat/woodland preservation, wildfire, forest health, greenways, natural resources management, water quality, smart growth, and related issues. Project Purpose & Scope The DNR (in cooperation with the Minnesota Land Trust) has begun to work collaboratively with the adjoining cities of Hugo (Washington County) and Lino Lakes (Ramsey County) in creating land development and management tools which better incorporate natural resource conservation goals. Natural resource assessment and policy /plans will be addressed at the "landscape" scale - covering the whole jurisdiction for each city. Another component of the project on subdivision design is proposed to • be done for 1 specific site in Hugo and possibly an additional site in Lino Lakes. An interdisciplinary team of DNR Metro Region staff and representatives of the Minnesota Land Trust, Rice Creek Watershed District, and the cities of Hugo and Lino Lakes is staffmg and coordinating the project. Primary Activities & Products of Project Basic Tools for Working with LUG's ❑ Develop checklist(s) for natural resource guidance (including related sustainable development & smart growth concepts) & key questions to be addressed; & compile good examples of natural- resource (and sustainable development/smart growth) related documents (compile lists of good examples & start a central repository for such documents for use by staff and cooperators), such as for: — natural resource inventory, - comprehensive plan, - ordinances (e.g. zoning, subdivision, etc), and - management plans. Preliminary Time Line Assistance to LUG's - for 2 target communities - Hugo & Lino Lakes ❑ Conduct natural resource inventory & assessments @ LUG scale: complete the Mn Land Cover Classification System mapping (detailed land cover mapping to 1 acre polygons for each city's total geographic area totaling about 70 square miles); - conduct natural resource assessments (on ecological context, native plant communities, wildfire risk, forest health, urban forestry, wildlife & habitat, fisheries, recreation ,trails, wetlands, surface and ground water, soils and minerals, and related development patterns); develop GIS -based data layers and maps of existing information and various assessments with accompanying narratives; and - use the assessments to focus the rest of the project on each city's most critical and significant natural resource issues and opportunities. ❑ Provide information and assistance to LUG's in developing natural resource (and sustainable development/smart growth)- supportive city policies, ordinances, & practices: review & comment on selected LUG(s) documents (using checklists); - assist with development of selected ordinances, plans, etc.; and - make recommendations (suggestions, not regulatory review) to LUG(s) on natural resource conservation strategies and options for better integrating natural resource conservation and related smart growth concepts into city policies, plans, practices, etc. Assistance to LUG(s) on Subdivision Planning - for selected site(s) ❑ Conduct natural resource inventory & assessments @ subdivision scale (i.e. for a 80 -200 acre site conduct a more in depth assessment on topics noted above at landscape scale). ❑ Work with LUG(s), interested owners/developers, and. Mn Land Trust (MLT) to test conservation subdivision planning on a selected site(s): — develop & apply guidelines for subdivision plan incorporating natural resource conservation and smart growth concepts; - develop & review alternative concept plans; and — assist LUG(s) in using this to refine & test subdivision ordinance ❑ Work with MLT to develop guidance for the LUG(s) & landowner/ developer(s) on management plans for the developed subdivision site(s) (including conservation areas). Evaluate Project & Prepare Final Project Report April -May 2000 April-Sept 2000 May 2000 -Jan `01 (or sooner pending LUG schedule) Aug -Oct 2000 (or sooner pending LUG schedule) Aug 00 -Feb `01 (or sooner pending LUG schedule) Feb -Apr 2001 (or sooner) May -Sept 2001 Revised 5/4/00 • O Address DNR Work Group Members 1200 Warner Rd St Paul MN 55106 1200 Warner Rd St Paul MN 55106 1200 Warner Rd St Paul MN 55106 500 Lafayette Rd St Paul MN 55155 1200 Warner Rd St Paul MN 55106 1200 Warner Rd St Paul MN 55106 1200 Warner Rd St Paul MN 55106 1200 Warner Rd St Paul MN 55106 r 1200 Warner Rd St Paul MN 55106 1200 Warner Rd St Paul MN 55106 1200 Warner Rd St Paul MN 55106 (all have same address) E -mail Peggy. Sand @dnr.state.mn.us Duane.Shodeen @dnr.state.mn.us Dave.Zappetillo @ dnr.state.mn.us Meredith.Cornett@dnr.state.mn.us Tom.Polasik @dnr.state.mn.us IPeter.Leete @dnr.state.mn.us Molly.Shodeen@dnr.state.mn.us Phone No. 651- 772 -7562 F:772 -7562 651- 793 -3981 651- 772 -7982 VD Y1 N N11 ,r1 VD 651 -772 -7954 651- 772 -7963 651- 772 -7579 651- 772 -7574 N 01 N N tel "D 651- 772 -6148 N. 01 N r.1% h VD 651- 772 -7922 651- 772 -7923 651- 772 -7916 651- 772 -7915 Organization Forestry - R6/RMT/DMT Admin - R6 (Greenways) Admin - R6 (Planning) Eco Services - CO (ER) Fisheries - R6/RMT Fisheries - R6 Forestry - R6 (Fire) Forestry - R6 (Ecology) Forestry - R6 (BMP /CFM) Forestry R6 & U &CF Parks - R6 Waters - R6/RMT Waters - R6 Name Peggy Sand (chair) on I a 'ag Sharon Pfeifer Con Christianson Duane Shodeen Dave Zappetillo i. a ca g a Meredith Cornett Jean Mouelle Don Mueller Tom Polasik Dale Homuth/ Tom Hovey / Peter Leete/ Molly Shodeen/ 9925 Valley View Rd Eden Prairie MN 55344 500 Lafayette Rd St Paul MN 55155 Local Unit of Government & Non - Government Organization Liaison to Work Group 2356 University Ave W #400 St Paul MN 55114 600 Town Center Parkway Lino Lakes, MN 55014 -1182 3535 Vadnais Center Drive 200 SEH Center St. Paul, MN 55110 3535 Vadnais Center Drive 200 SEH Center St. Paul, MN 55110 3585 Lexington Ave N #330 Arden Hills, MN 55116 IDNR In -house Project Consultants 1200 Warner Rd St Paul MN 55106 1200 Warner Rd St Paul MN 55106 1200 Warner Rd St Paul MN 55106 1200 Warner Rd St Paul MN 55106 1200 Warner Rd St Paul MN 55106 g Y H 4 3 0 v) klarson @mnland.org dcomejo @sehinc.com E ° U U 0 b drewr001@tc.umn.edu Wayne.Barstad @dnr.state.mn.us (612)826 -6764 651- 297 -2277 651- 647 - 9590x6 F:647 -9769 651- 982 -2435 c:612 -510 -6338 651 -490 -2182 F:490 -2150 651- 490 -2043 651- 766 -4193 F:766 -4196 651- 772 -7940 651- 772 -7570 651- 772 -7927 651- 772 -7564 651- 772 -7929 Trails & Waterways - R6 Wildlife - CO/R6 (Non - Game) Mn Land Trust City of Lino Lakes SEH (Hugo economic development consultant) SEH (Hugo parks consultant) Rice Creek Watershed District Eco Services - R6 (ER) Eco Services - R6 Forestry - R6 (Forest Health) Forestry - R6 (U &CF) Forestry - R6 (CFM) A 3 1 cn Joan Galli Kris Larson Marty Asleson Dan Comejo Laurie McRostie Kate Drewry Wayne Barstad Hannah Dunevitz Susan Burks Brian Loeffelholz Larry Westerberg 1200 Warner Rd St Paul MN 55106 500 Lafayette Rd St Paul MN 55155 500 Lafayette Rd St Paul MN 55155 1200 Warner Rd St Paul MN 55106 1200 Warner Rd St Paul MN 55106 Work Group Facilitator Dept. of Forest Resources/UMn 115 Green Hall 1530 Cleveland Ave N St. Paul, MN 55108 -6112 DNR - Others Receiving CC of LUG Work Group Info 1200 Warner Rd St Paul MN 55106 500 Lafayette Rd St Paul MN 55155 500 Lafayette Rd St Paul MN 55106 Art. Widerstromna,dnr.state.mn.us I I B h v on ci I cn 1 0 ti Kathleen.Wallace@dnr.state.mn.us Olin..Philips @dnr.state.mn.us Dave.Zumeta @dnr.state.mn.us 651- 772 -7928 0 M 0 to os N In 4D 651- 296 -5255 651- 772 -6150 651- 772 -7920 612 - 624 -1224 651- 772 -7990 651- 296 -5971 651- 297 -3359 Forestry - R6 (CFM) Land & Minerals Land & Minerals MIS - R6 (GIS) Waters & MIS - R6 University of Minnesota, Dept.of Forest Resources Adm - R6 (Reg. Manager) Forestry - CO (Sect. Ldr.) O U cn Art Widerstrom Dennis Martin John Saxhaug Bart Richardson Jacque Stubbs Samantha Hayes Kathleen Wallace Olin Phillips Dave Zumeta • Ethical hunter award pg 4 Lao community center hosts ELS pg 6 Russian visitors pg 7 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. • • WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE PROJECT "Integrating Natural Resource Guidance to Enhance Smart Growth in Wildland -Urban Interface Communities" March 2000 - September 2001 Contact: Dave Schuller, DNR Forestry; 1200 Warner Road, St. Paul, MN 55106; (651) 772 -7931; e-mail: dave.schuller @dnr.state.mn.us Briefing Paper on Landowner Guidebook - with May 2000 status report The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) (with support from the USDA Forest Service) is kicking off a new project called the "Wildland Urban Interface" project. This project has two primary parts - one working with local units of government and the other to develop a guidebook for landowners to better manage their natural resources. This paper is on the second of these - development of the landowner guidebook. Background: Need & Response Natural resource agencies have many discrete programs which assist landowners to manage their natural resources. Too often this guidance is piecemeal, too late, or even conflicting. Furthermore, unless such guidance is timely and cohesive, opportunities are lost to fully incorporate natural resource and ecological concerns into landowner decision making. Of particular concern to DNR's Forestry Division and the Forest Service are the individual landowners who own wooded tracts for their personal or family's own use - typically called non - industrial private forest land (NIPF) owners. Such owners that have more than 20 acres of land are served through the Woodland (or Forest) Stewardship Program through which individual landowners receive natural resource guidance (including a forest stewardship plan professionally prepared for the property) as well as financial assistance for forestry and habitat improvements. However, in Minnesota, 800,000 of the 6,000,000 acres of NIPF land is in parcels of less than 20 acres and the category is growing quickly. While this category is only 15% of the land base, it represents the large majority of landowners. About 40,000 people own between 10 and 20 acres. If parcels less than 10 acres are included, the number of owners probably jumps to the hundreds of thousands. Professional natural resource service for this group of landowners is now lost between existing programs. Such landowners are not organized by communities to the extent that they can benefit from traditional urban programs. And while these landowners have a high interest in their land and appreciate the one-on -one assistance provided by traditional rural programs (e.g. Forest/Woodland Stewardship), the sheer number of landowners and their higher turnover make it nearly impossible to have any significant effect through personal contacts. In response, the DNR has just kicked off a new effort aimed at providing more useful and better integrated guidance to landowners on the urban fringe (also called the "wldland -urban interface). This project is possible at this time because the DNR received a modest grant from the USDA Forest Service for a project on "Integrating Natural Resource Guidance to Enhance Smart Growth in Wildland -Urban Interface Communities" which will largely cover the expenses for the guidebook's writer, illustrator, and printing. Project Purpose & Scope The DNR assembled a broad -based work group in March 2000 who will over the next 18 months develop and distribute copies of a landowner guidebook to conserving and managing their natural resources. The primary audience for the guidebook will be smaller scale rural/wildland -urban interface landowners (typically owning 5- 20 acres). The intent of the guidebook is not to re- create anything that already exists, but rather to bring together 1 and integrate the best information available and package it to be most useful to these landowners. (Including coordinating with the comparable trout stream watershed guidebook also under_ development.) This may include addressing conflicts between guidance given by different programs with different goals. The preliminary concept is that the guidebook will: • be about 30 pages long; • be both printed as a paperback booklet and placed on the DNR web page (with hot links to other information and resources); • consist of a series of fact sheets on different natural resource topics (see last page); • have limited narrative, but rather be primarily checklists, helpful hints, bulleted points, photo's and illustrations; • be specifically geared to Minnesota landscapes and natural resource issues. Landowner Guidebook Work Group Within the general parameters of the Forest Service grant, the specific content and style of the guidebook will be determined by a interdisciplinary workgroup. In addition, some agency staff may be involved as "consultants" to the project - contributing information and/or reviewing drafts rather than being work group members. (Note: "consultants" in this case means staff who are providing input into the project, not people who are hired or receive special funds to participate.) The work group includes representatives of: within the DNR • Division of Forestry - Metro Region (Public Affairs, Forest Ecology, Forest Health, Cooperative Forest Management specialists) • Division of Forestry - Central Office (Fire Prevention specialist), • Division of Forestry - other regions (Cambridge & Pequot Lakes Areas), • other Metro Region DNR staff (Division of Waters, Section of Wildlife, Aquatic Plant Restoration project, Trout Stream Watershed Initiative, etc.), and • DNR Information Center. outside of the DNR • Minnesota Extension Service • Washington County Extension Office, • Natural Resource Conservation Service, • Anoka County SWCD, • Board of Water and Soil Resources, • Metropolitan Council, • Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, • Sherburne County Tree Board • East Cental Woodland Council and Minnesota Forestry Association, • USDA Forest Service, • Tree Trust, and • consulting forester. The primary duties of the work group are to: • determine topics and basic organization of the guidebook, • refine the geographic and audience focus of the guidebook (as needed), • contribute ideas for content (including finding examples of similar existing materials), • review and approve the basic content, • provide direction to the professional writer and illustrator, and • develop strategies for distributing the guidebook and promoting its use in various programs and events. In addition, work group members will review and approve the text, illustrations, and layout. The work group is expected to meet about 5 times (from March through September 2000). From then through May 2001 (when the guidebook goes to the printer), the work group may choose to meet as a whole or in part or to otherwise provide review and comment and approval to the guidebook content. 2 • •Basic Phases of the Project when what • • March - June 2000 July - Oct. 2000 Nov. `00 - Jan. `01 Feb. 2001 March - April 2001 May 2001 June 2001 July - Sept. 2001 compile information/content distribution/use discussed text written & revised text reviewed & approved illustrations prep'd & revised illustrations reviewed final approval of text & illustr. layout done & revised layout reviewed distribution plan finalized final copy approved printed & put on web distribution & documentation who work group & "consultants" work group contract writer work group members & "consultants" contract illustrator work group members & "consultants" work group members DNR I &E Bureau work group members & "consultants" work group work group members outside printer & DNR webmaster DNR w/ work group agencies Proposed Guidebook Framework / Status Update - May 2000 The work group has met twice and has developed a basic framework for the guidebook. Meetings in June and July will fmalize this framework, and provide resource materials to fill in the details. A writer will be hired in time for the July meeting who will take the work group's framework and resource materials and write the guidebook. Below is the framework: Introduction (2pp) • The big picture - Begin with big picture (3 biomes), where you are determines what you can do. Some property are anomalies on the landscape. Consider how your actions can affect the rest of the biome. • Fragmentation - Fragmented areas (2 -25 acre lots) have unique problems, issues, opportunities. Cost of fragmentation, of breaking large parcels into 10 acre lots (fewer songbirds, more exotic invasion). • Value of restoring connectivity - Native plant communities provide benefits. Goals - relating to landowner needs (2pp) • Overall goals - Why do you own the land? What do you want to see in 10 yrs. • Economics - What can I get ($$) for forest management (harvesting), products from small volume with new small/portable sawmills. Variety of products (beekeeping, etc.). Aesthetics of management - By looking at their land, we hope they will gain an appreciation for forest management activities on other private and public lands. • Costs ($ & time) - For management practices . Address lawn management - most pesticide use is on lawns, • Wildlife - Attract, coexist with (nuisance wildlife). Tactics - "How to" (20pp) How do you fit into your neighborhood /region (look what's around you) • Regional considerations - How does your property relate to state and local plans. Fit into the ecoregion, local climate. • Neighborhood considerations - How does your property fit into your neighborhood? E.g.: you can't create habitat for all wildlife species on your property. Look to neighbors for other habitat components. Work with neighbors to gain economies of scale for timber management, TSI, etc. Work with neighbors to retain connectivity 3 Assessment (what do you have) • What is on the property - Simple resource inventory (divide into polygons [wetland, forest, open]. What's there. Multiple scales. Indicators of health. What are the critical areas on your property - wetland, soils, water (drainage). • What is adjacent to the property - Is there a forest, prairie, etc. that can be expanded or a wetland that can be buffered by your actions? Capacity of the land. • Legal considerations = Natural communities may be home for rare species (legal issues to consider). Prescribed fire as a management tool: will it be allowed (local ordinance), is it possible to do safely? What to do • Managing existing resources - How can your property be managed to blend personal goals with other plans? One option is leaving it alone. Many tools available to protect remaining natural communities (covenants, easements.). • Enhancing adjacent resources thru restoration actions on your property - Restoration/Management options that match goals. How to Restore/Enhance(what led to degradation? Choose target community that is possible, baseline inventory, develop sound plan of action - long term. Landscaping with native plants. Understanding and maintaining native plants. Correct soils for appropriate plants. Cost share programs. Economies of scale - Work with neighbors. • Effects of actions or inactions - Wildlife habitat improved/lost; critical areas may erode; succession, etc. Effects of clearing understory to a lawn condition (esp. 2 acre lots). Construction damage. - Fire Management - Adapt management/landscape plan to make property fire safe. Think about 10 years from now. What will it look like? Dealing with vegetative debris (alternatives to burning). Onsite options (piles for habitat, lop & scatter so decomposes quickly). Offsite options? Natural "disasters" (flood, fire, etc) may be beneficial. - Water Issues - On -site septic. Adjacent shoreline /wetland issues. - On -site livestock - Animals can have detrimental effects unless managed properly. How to: maintain green vegetative cover to prevent erosion; minimum 1 acre per 1000# animal; keep animals out of lakes, streams, wetlands [phosphorus & high biological oxygen demand], and woodlands). Laws - consult local ordinances, comply to new Apr 2000 MN feedlot rule. Soil test to determine nutrient needs (fertilize ?). References (6pp ) 4 • • MEMORANDUM To: Lino Lakes Environmental Board From: Dawn Bugge, Community Development Secretary Date: July 21, 2000 Re: Article for City Newsletter The fall issue of our city newsletter Lino Lakes News will be delivered to residents the last week of August. I have written a short informative article regarding the website that the Environmental Board and the Bell Museum of Natural History have collaborated together to create for environmentally responsible homeowners. Please look over the article and make any necessary changes. It would be very beneficial to the residents of Lino Lakes to be made aware of this website through the city newsletter. Item for Fall City Newsletter: Homeowners Make a Difference - Keep our Environment Healthy! The City of Lino Lakes Environmental Board has collaborated with the University of Minnesota to provide environmental tips to homeowners on The Bell Museum of Natural History website. The site can be found at: www 1. umn. edu/bellmuse/ or search under The Bell Museum of Natural History Click on "Your Environment" under the table of contents to open a page titled "Quick Links for Environmentally Responsible Homeowners." Here you will find numerous options to explore ways to keep our environment healthy through your own back yard. Proper lawn and tree care, yard waste and composting are just a few of the topics you can learn about. The practical, easy -to -use tips are a great start to a healthy environment. Take a few minutes to find out how you can make a difference! • • Lino Lakes Environmental Memo To: Lino Lakes Environmental Board From: Marty Asleson Date: 07/20/00 Re: 4H Tree Planting Grants Chairman Scott Lanyon wrote about the 4H program below. Lets talk about it. Marty > Scott Lanyon wrote: » Marty, » I meant to talk to you at Wednesday's meeting Tree » Planting Grant Program ", an initiative of the » (http://www.fourhcouncil.edu). They $200 about the "Community National 4 -H Council will provide grants of between and $1000 to stimulate tree planting and /or reforestation projects. Awarded funds must be matched by local resources. Are you interested? Scott ..\..\programs /ind ex.htm .. \..\programs/ind ex.htm http: / /www.founcc ouncil.edu /searc Working in partnership with DEFT, Inc. National h/query.htm following youth groups wishing to be involved in http:J /www.founccbeautification projects. ouncil.edu /searc ARKANSAS h/query.htm Center Point 4 -H Club Contact: Brian Helms http://www.fourhcGrant Award: $1,000 Phone: (870)845 -7517 ouncil.edu/sitem 1999 Community Tree Planting Grant Summaries Funded by: Deft, Inc • Page 1 4 -H Council awarded grants of $200 to $1000 to the community tree planting and/or reforestation and • • • ap.htm Thirty -five youth and adults from the Center Point 4 -H Club will conduct a landscaping project to plant http://www.fourhcshrubs, trees, and establish flower beds around a new community center, playground and historic ouncil.edu /sitem square. The community just built a brand new community center and fire station. The 4 -H'ers plan to ap.htm develop a park and to landscape around the community center, plant trees at the park site and around the square. 4 -H member Amanda Goodson said, "This is a way for our club to say thank you to the community and play an important role in the community center project." ARIZONA Mohave County Leaders' Council Contact: Angie Wilks Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (520)565 -3488 The Mohave County 4 -H Clubs will contact and organize other youth and civic groups to gain their support for the tree planting project. Groups will meet with Mohave County Fair Association, Mohave County Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners, and the National Resource Conservation Service to develop plant selection guidelines and design an irrigation system. Workshops will be conducted to train youth and adults on planting techniques and irrigation installation methods. 4 -H Clubs will solicit community support for the project though the Adopt -A -Tree program. Individuals or businesses can make donations to help fund the purchase of trees. 3000 feet of tree line will be planted utilizing a mix of evergreen and deciduous varieties of Afghan Pine, Eucalyptus, Arizona Ash, each spaced on 10' center; for a total of 300, five gallon container trees. COLORADO Avon Elementary School Tree Planting Project Contact: Susan Mackin Dolan Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (970)926 -8056 Avon Elementary School in Avon, Colorado is working on a habitat enhancement project to provide outdoor classroom areas for environmental education and to complete the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program that helps schools become more environmentally friendly. The first half of the planting was completed in the spring of 1999 by 80 third graders and the second half will be completed by a new class of third graders (with the help of the fourth graders) in the fall of 1999. The Town of Avon and local businesses donated laborers and equipment to help the school with the plantings. "On a sunny day in May, 80 hard working third graders along with their parents and teachers and a town crew planted fruit trees, shrubs, and a wildflower garden at Avon Elementary School. The excitement and enthusiasm was contagious and the result was a beautiful new outdoor classroom area. We look forward to completing this planting in the fall." Sedgwick County 4 -H Council Contact: Gary K. Lancaster Grant Award: $720 Phone: (970)474 -3479 Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Office, Sedgwick County will partner with the Sedgwicl County 4 -H Council to carry out this project. Our objective is to strategically plant shade trees at the County Fairgrounds. Due to the time of year, Hackberry and /or Honeylocust trees will be purchased, but left in their pots. The potted tress will be carefully managed during the remainder of the summer. In the fall, upon dormancy, the trees will be planted in the desired location. These two types of trees will providE very nice shade as well as help beautify the grounds. "I strongly support the community tree - planting at the Sedgwick County Fairgrounds. I believe the addition of these trees to our County Fairgrounds will greatly benefit the community, as well as our environment." - Krystal George, Sedgwick County 4 -H President. Ute Trail 4 -H Club Contact: Jane Surber Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (719)530 -0858 The Ute Trail 4 -H Club will plant trees in a small village at the intersection of Highway 50 and 285 in Colorado. Poncha Springs is billed as Crossroads of the Rockies. These trees will be planted in memory of the Columbine students and teacher who were killed in the spring. Collaborative efforts between Ute Trail 4 -H Club, Colorado State Forest Service, Keith Surber, backhoe owner, craftsman Danny Noble, • Page 2 • • Page 3 Poncha Lumber Company and the Poncha Springs Board of Trustees resulted in development of creative methods of implementing this project. "This will serve as a living memorial to students who were our age, to remind us that our actions can affect everyone." Yenter, club member. GEORGIA DeKalb County Government Contact: Christi Gaasch Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (404) 244 -4880 Forty-five middle school and high school 4 -H'ers from around DeKalb County will work together to plant and care for trees at the DeKalb Extension Service's Environmental Education Center. These trees will be planted along the nature trail and students and families will be able to view and learn to identify these specimen native trees. In addition, these urban 4 -H'ers will learn proper planting and maintenance techniques for the trees. Amy, the youth coordinator, expressed the groups enthusiasm. "We are very excited to have the chance to help plant trees and that others will be able to learn about tree selection because of our work." GEORGIA Jenkins County Ag /4 -H /FACS Contact: Cynthia L. Cochran Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (912) 982 -4408 The 4 -H Native Landscape Project Club and Mrs. Andrew's 7th grade science classes will create a demonstration garden of native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. Students will do the preparation, planting, and maintenance of the plants at the Jenkins County Cooperative Extension Service. The beautification project will be used by the science classes to teach erosion control, reforestation, care of plants, identification of plants, the relationship between the environment and pollution, and specifics about native plants. The 4 -H group will get valuable hands on experience and be able to continue the project during the summer and in future years. The site will also be open to other 4 -H groups, classes, and community groups for education and enjoyment. Christina, the Youth Coordinator, says "I think it is great that Jenkins County students will be able to plant trees and turn the area into an outdoor classroom where students and the community will be able to go outside and appreciate nature." IOWA Goal Setters Contact: Chris Boone Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (515)961 -7825 The Indianola, Iowa Goal Achievers 4 -H Club was formed in 1997. Currently there are 14 members, ages 10-13. One of their goals is to provide meaningful service to their community. The Goal Achievers will be partnering with the Indianola Middle School Ecology Club to develop an outdoor habitat for wildlife. The Middle School ground lacks mature trees, which provide shelter to birds, insects, and small animals. Eleven mature trees will be transplanted to the Middle School. Fruit trees, shrubs, and perennials will be added to the standing of trees. Students, in various science classes, will build structures for feeding and nesting. The Goal Achievers will use identification tags to label the vegetation. Science classes will utilize this area for species identification, feeding, and nesting patterns. Sixth grader. Abby, says, "I am excited to be working on a project at my school. It is neat when students can provide service to their school, because it encourages pride and ownership. We know students and teachers will benefit from the tree habitat for years to come." Ocheyedan Indians 4 -H Community Club Contact: Ronald Rubsam Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (712)754 -3648 The Osceola County Soil & Water Conservation District provided and planted more than 69,000 trees and scrubs in the Spring of 1999. Our Agriculture Community has identified the need to know what these trees look like for constructing a windbreak. The Ocheyedan Indians 4 -H Community Club joined with the Osceola Soil & Water Conservation District and with Osceola County Fair Board to find a solution to the problem by the construction of a Windbreak Demonstration Plot at the Osceola County Fairgrounds. The fairground was chosen for its public access and the availability of a plot where we could educate the public and show research in actual environmental working conditions. The community has demonstratec tremendous support to plant, maintain and make this Windbreak Demonstration Plot available to the public. The Osceola Soil & Water Conservation District has given away over 225 trees each year to 2"d and 3rd graders, making youth and adults aware of the rewards of planting trees. "Trees are like youth, they grow and mature to be valuable assets of a community." - Ronald Rubsam, Osceola County Extension Education Director • • Page 4 ILLINOIS Maryland Avenue 4 -H Club Contact: Tony A. Bell Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (708)563 -1608 The Maryland Avenue 4 -H will work with a non - profit urban conservation membership organization dedicated to protecting open spaces in northeastern Illinois. Youth will learn more about the importance of urban greenery in five sessions. In the first session, youth will learn about the environmental impact/importance of trees; how trees grow, the tree industry and other related fields. Next they will complete an outdoor identification of common urban tree species and what functional uses these species would be used for. The third session will be lessons on tree maintenance, pruning and planting, to basic diseases and pests. Session four will give members general horticulture information, such as landscaping, waste laws, and pruning for special places, such as electric lines. The last session will be donated to a tree maintenance /planting project. Graduates of the program will be invited to return fifteen hours of community service through organized projects incorporating what they have learned. "This project will allow youth to donate their time and talents to a worthy community project," says youth coordinator, Jeremy. Hamilton Busy Beavers 4 -H Club Contact: Larry R. Sewell Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (217847 -2259 A tornado hit the town of Hamilton, Illinois on April 8, 1999, tearing a path of destruction through one major business district, several residential areas and both Hamilton City Park and Wildcat Springs Park. Lost in the path were 58 mature trees in the City Park and another 68 at Wildcat along with tennis courts picnic areas, shelter houses, restrooms, the city swimming pool, and a baseball diamond. Hamilton Busy Beavers 4 -H Club will be working with the Hamilton Park Board and the Hamilton Lions Club not only provide 15 trees for the park, but also to enter into a "Sponsor -A- Tree" program to allow residents and friends to purchase trees for the park. A community tree planting is scheduled for September, 1999. The Busy Beavers 4 -H Club has also issued a challenge to other youth organizations in the area to get involved. "Hamilton has always been noted for its beautiful parks that were a main recreation area for residents from the three state area. We'll never have the beauty of the lost trees, but this is our chance tc give back to the community," says Tara , youth coordinator for the project. Raymond Buckeye 4 -H Club Contact: Dianne Hampton Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (217)229 -3290 The Raymond Buckeyes will use the grant money to landscape the entrance at the local High School. Bradford Pears, Red Buds, Flowering Crabtrees, and other ornamental and shade trees will be planted. The tree planting project will make the grounds more attractive as well as detour people from driving through the sodded area. Youth participant Lara said, "I am so happy that our club has been awarded this grant. Now we will be able to complete the beautification project that we started at our High School a couple of years ago." Plans are underway to start planting the trees later on this summer. KANSAS Greenwood County 4 -H Foundation Contact: Janet Stephens Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (316)583 -7455 Trees do grow in Kansas! The Greenwood County 4 -H Foundation plans to improve their fairgrounds located in Eureka, Kansas with plantings of trees, shrubs, and flowers to beautify the area. The trees will not only shade and beautify the gathering place of Greenwood County residents, but will also be part of an educational and community project. Trees to be chosen and labeled to demonstrate various varieties of hardiness for Kansas weather. By watching the progress of these trees, citizens will be able to make better choices for their own plantings. Youth will also learn the involvement of citizenship as they work to improve the fairgrounds and further their landscaping and forestry projects. "The Fairgrounds are a community gathering place during the fair and other activities, this grant will allow us to make it more pleasant and enjoyable for all." - Janet Stephens, County Extension Agent. Smith Center Tree Board Contact: Donna J. Overmiller Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (785)282 -3762 The Smith Center Tree Board/4 -H Club project Plan of Action is as follows: The objective is to purchase and distribute 75 new trees in 1999 -2000 in the city of Smith Center for the use of street trees. These trees will be planted on public and private property by 4 -H members and Tree Board members. Local citizens may assist in the planting if they wish. Those involved will be given • • • Page 5 training on proper planting methods and will then in turn help educate the public. The funds will be used to purchase the trees, plastic protectors, and starter fertilizer. It is hoped that this project will encourage the citizens of Smith Center to realize the value of a shade tree and thus will plant more on their own. KENTUCKY Fayette County 4 -H Council Contact: David Swenk, CF Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (606)258 -3286 The project proposed is an extension of the annual "Reforestation the Bluegrass" event, where, by using donated funds and citizen involvement, systematic reforestation of Fayette County has been initiated. Sponsored and coordinated by local 4 -H volunteers and supervised by Lexington's Urban Forester, this project will involve community volunteers planting approximately 1,000 bare root seedlings of various species native to the area. The seedlings will be planted along a stream this fall in a city of Lexington park in order to establish a buffer enhancing water quality and providing wildlife habitat. Management of the competing vegetation will be accomplished by placing Vispore® tree mats around the trees inhibiting encroaching weeds. The planting design was determined by Lexington's Urban Forester and ongoing management of the area will be done by Lexington's parks staff. The goals of the tree planting will be to enhance environmental stability, promote community involvement, and serve as an educational tool teaching reforestation methodology and benefits for urban areas. Jessamine County 4 -H Council Contact: Donald Grimes Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (606)858 -4857 The Tree Planting Partnership Program between the Jessamine County 4 -H Youth and the staff of the City of Wilmore will be an excellent opportunity for both to work and learn side by side. Participating in worthwhile community projects is an important lesson for teens who will have the opportunity to study the need to preserve the natural environment in order to provide green spaces and wildlife cover in a city. Our project requires the study of plant materials and their relationship to solving problems related to traffic, heat and wind, and the lack of color, shape, and beauty in this railroad setting. Planting trees, blooming plants and shrubs will provide habitat for birds and other wildlife and preserve green space for the community. MINNESOTA Imagination 4 -H Contact: Dana A. Raines Grant Award: $500 Phone: (218)327 -2849 The Imagination 4 -H Club of Nashwauk, Minnesota will be working with the city in the landscaping of a community park. In recent years trees have been lost due to wind storms and neglect. The park is used by the community for a variety of activities that include picnicking and camping. 4 -H Club members will learn about various plant materials, landscape design, and the value of plants for wildlife. The landscape will emphasize native trees and shrubs that are valuable to wildlife. A maintenance plan for the plantings will be developed as part of the project and will serve as an ongoing community service and learning opportunity for the club. MARYLAND The New Windsor Tree Committee Contact: Linda F. Donaldson Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (410)875 -0991 The New Windsor Tree Committee, together with the 4 -H Youth Coordinator and volunteers will plant approximately 25 shade trees in and around the Town of New Windsor, for the purpose of increasing shade in the town and enhancing the environment. We will purchase the trees from Wakefield Valley Nursery and they will hold them until we are ready, and deliver them to prepared sites where our volunteer (4 -H, local school children, NWTC members) will plant, water, and mulch them. - Linda Donaldson MONTANA Broadus Tree Board Contact: Ramon Tresch Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (406)436 -2133 The Broadus Tree Board in cooperation with two local 4 -H clubs identified a need for additional trees an( shrubs in our south - eastern Montana community. We have all come together to complete a project that will be long lasting and beneficial economically to the community and educationally to our participants. One area of neglect has been the retirement and nursing home. A partial shelterbelt was begun two years ago and never finished or cared for. It has been an eye -sore for years. We will be replacing dead • • • Page 6 shrubs and adding two new rows of trees. In addition, we will install a drip system to greatly enhance the survivability of the new, as well as old, trees and shrubs. This will improve the aesthetic quality of our community as it lowers heating and cooling costs to the Power River Manor, not to mention the savings in snow removal from the entrance to the Manor. NORTH DAKOTA Nelson County 4 -H Council Contact: Kristi Berdal Grant Award: $200 Phone: (701)247 -2521 A "Natural Resources Day Camp" will be held on an afternoon in September or October 1999. Area youth, along with adult volunteers of the Nelson County Historical Society, will meet for an afternoon at the Stump Lake Park Pioneer Village near Pekin, North Dakota. Educational sessions will be conducted by NDSU State and County Extension staff members, with sessions focusing on forestry- related subject (types of trees, healthy environments for trees, proper tree planting, and care of trees). Participants will then prepare the soil and ground and plant the trees. Youth participants will also be urged to take part in the long -term care of the trees planted in the Pioneer Village. The youth coordinator of the project has expressed, "The Day Camp will be a fun day and we will also plant trees that will be at the park for many years." OHIO Belpre Middle School Contact: Greg Ring, Principal Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (740) 423 -3010 In conjunction with the Washington county Extension 4 -H program, the Belpre Tree Commission, Northlake Nursery, and several area businesses, Belpre Middle School in Blepre, Ohio has committed tc planting 200 trees on its ground by 2003, the Bicentennial birthday of the state of Ohio. The sixth grade class has organized as a 4 -H club under the direction of science teacher Pat Rouse. They have assumed the leadership role in raising funds, planning and implementing this project. With the aid of a local landscaper, the project has blossomed to include many unique plans, such as hummingbird feeders, a small pond area, a butterfly and box turtle garden, a handicap accessible path through the area, wind chimes, benches, and stepping stones featuring handprints of the students. OKLAHOMA Ripley Schools 4 -H Activities Contact: Natalie Cox Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (918)372 -4242 4 -H members and students at Ripley Public School will develop a plan and begin the establishment of a memorial grove to remember the 44 people who were killed by the tornadoes that crossed Oklahoma on May 3. The trees will be planted along the edge of the school property where they can add beauty to the grounds while serving as a wind break to the area. Plans will be developed so the trees can be planted in the fall of 1999 and the spring of 2000, as trees are available. Students will work with an advisory committee of school personnel and volunteers from the community to make sure varieties that are selected will grow well in the area. As much as possible, 4 -H members and students will be involved in planting the trees and caring for them. When tornadoes set new wind speed records on May 3, they damaged and destroyed many homes, businesses, and trees. "The trees that were not completely destroyed are attempting to grow again, just like the people who lost many of their possessions in the storm. This memorial grove will be a way for us to make future homes for birds and wildlife while remembering those who died that night," says Hope Cox, co- author of the grant proposal. A small sign will be erected on the site recognizing Deft, Inc. and 4 -H as the sponsor. OREGON Harney County 4 -H Knitting Kool Kats Club Contact: Shana C. Withee Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (541) 573 -2506 Cooperation is the plan for the Knitting Kool Kats 4 -H Club and Harney Wildlife Parkway Committee. Work has already begun to turn an abandoned 1.6 mile railroad right -of -way into a trail for watchable wildlife through Burns and Hines. Knitting Kool Kats members and their families will plant and care for trees at the six resting areas along the trail. Trees will provide shade for people resting on the benches and perches for birds near the trail. Shrubs for wildlife and ground birds cover and food are being provided by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. Tree planting, tree protections, watering and caring for the trees for the first year will be the responsibility of the Knitting Kool Kats 4 -Hers, their families and their 4 -H Leader. • • • Page 7 PUERTO RICO Clubes 4 -H de Ceiba Contact: Reinaldo Vega Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (787)885 -3110 Forty 4 -H youth and twenty volunteers will participate in reforestation of Los Machos Beach in the Municipality of Ceiba, Puerto Rico, where 200 trees will be planted. 4 -H members will have the responsibility to protect and maintain the trees and give orientation to the public about the project. The initiative for this project was due to the deforestation caused by Hurricane George on the Ceiba Beaches and the need to protect endemic species that use this beach as their natural habitat. The local office of Puerto Rico Agricultural Extension Service in Ceiba will work in cooperation with the Ceiba Committee for the Development of the community Resources, the Ceiba Municipal Government and the local Civil Defense for the implementation of this project. One thousand leaflets will be distributed in four committees to educate them on the project. Achievements will be published through local radio station spots and newspapers. Bumper stickers with the phrase "I planted and adopted a tree in Los Machos Beach in Ceiba" with a certificate of adoption will be issued to the participants. The youth coordinator, Samuel Astacio Cintron, says, "Through this reforestation project the youth of our community will develop conscience on the need to protect the green acres of the Ceiba Municipality." Lajas 4 -H Club Contact: Edwin F. Bayron Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (787)899 -1960 During the next few months, the Lajas 4 -H Club plans to stimulate the planting for the trees for reforestation after Hurricane George. The project will be conducted to train twenty 4 -H members of the rural area on selecting, planting, and taking care of these trees. This will provide better living for the whole community and will also help to conserve the natural resources. In addition, the project will enable more people to be active together and promote better understanding between youth and adults. For example, lots of community organizations such as the Lajas Township, the Agricultural Extension Service, the Commonwealth Natural Resources Department, and the Solic Waste Authority will all be helping, along with ten volunteers. Each 4 -H member will promote a new member and help teach a new member about the importance of reforestation. Each tree will be adopted for a person or family. Franchesca Aponte, San German 4 -H Club Contact: Kenneth Garcia Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (787)892 -1385 The 4 -H Youth, the local 4 -H Council and Advisory Committee will develop an educational program about the importance of tree planting and reforestation of rural areas that were affected by the pass of Hurricane Georges on September 21, 1998. The tree planting project will be along the county of San German, especially in the watershed of Guanajibo River to avoid soil erosion, sedimentation of rivers and to protect the quantity and quality of water in the area. The reforestation of the area will increase the rain and the habitat for wildlife and birds of the region. Different working committees of Community leaders, farmers, and County Agencies will be organizing to implement the reforestation and tree planting programs to guarantee its success. Clubes 4 -H de Camuy Contact: Magali Cardec Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (787) 898 -2270 The Guajataca Lake serves water to the municipalities of Aguadilla, Isabela, Aguada, Rincon, Moca, anc Quebradillas. The low level of water of this lake has created rationing in these communities. The water 01 this lake is used to generate electrical energy, for agricultural, industrial, and domestic uses. Areas nearest the lake have been deforested and are considered one of the causes for the reduction of the water level of the lake. The 4 -H Club members from Camuy shall learn the importance of the forestation and take care of these areas and can continue a reforestation plan in their communities. This will have a multiplicator effect in the community, so that youngsters, the Natural Resource Department, Electric Energy Authority, and other persons can be involved in these activities. SOUTH DAKOTA Kattle Kings 4 -H Club Contact: Peggy Kalt Grant Award: $350 Phone: (605)226 -0746 The Kattle Kings 4 -H Club will plant trees at the Community cemetery for screening and beautification purposes. The trees will screen fuel storage tanks that are right beside the cemetery. The project will take place right outside the town of Warner, South Dakota. The Kattle Kings 4 -H Club is an active 4 -H Club who enjoys doing community service work. With the financial help of the Community Tree Planting • • • Page 8 Grant, the Club will purchase trees, prepare the ground, and plant the trees to add beauty and screening to the cemetery. "It is exciting to be a part of this Community Tree Planting Grant. It will benefit our community and all that come to or pass the cemetery." -A.J., Youth Coordinator. TENNESSEE Crockett County Agricultural Extension Service Contact: Tonya G. Bain Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (901)696 -2412 The Crockett County 4 -H Program is working closely with local agencies to plan and plant a "Community Tree Park." This park will have over 80 species of trees, that will be identified by plaques, that can be utilized by students and 4 -H'ers for leaf identification, nature lovers for its beauty, and perhaps wildlife as well. A section of land by our county's outdoor classroom has been set aside for this park. 4 -H members. extension personnel and more will help with the planting and maintaining of this project. It will be a much needed and eagerly awaited project. WASHINGTON Spokane County 4 -H Council Contact: Cheryl NL Chi Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (509)838 -0409 4 -H will partner with the West Central Neighborhood and other community volunteers in Spokane, Washington to plant trees and shrubbery to beautify a community garden site. This tree planting is the first step in the process to transform a vacant lot into a garden and community focal point. The tree planting will take place later this summer. 'We can't believe we got this grant. We are excited to plant trees and be involved in the community." - Andrew and Kerry, youth coordinators. WEST VIRGINIA Jefferson County 4 -H Leader's Association Contact: Jim Staley Grant Award: $750 Phone: (304)728 -7415 The Peter Burr Living History Farm near Charles Town, West Virginia will be the recipient of 110 new trees, thanks to the National 4 -H Grant Program. The Jefferson County WV 4 -H Leader's Association, in cooperation with the County Farm Bureau and the County Historic Landmarks Commission, saw a need for trees on the site location of this 1790's farmstead to provide shade, authenticity, and soil conservation. Most of the trees will be poplars and pine, but 10 antique fruit trees will also be planted. Lars, youth coordinator and a member of the Middleway Climbers 4 -H Club said, "I'm excited about the changing character of the farm as the trees grow and mature over the years." WEST VIRGINIA Leon Luckies Walking Track Contact: Ruth Dunham Grant Award: $1,000 Phone: (304)458 -1637 The "County Trail" Walking Track we recently completed at Healthcare of Leon/Buffalo is not a very picturesque scene. The planting of trees and shrubs will enhance the overall appearance of the track, plus help stabilize the soil. We plan to label the trees with their scientific names. This will further our children's education on recognizing and identifying some of our West Virginia trees. Benches will be placed strategically around the track to provide relaxation for the walkers, or anyone who visits, and alloy them to enjoy natures beauty. The construction of this walking track has increased the needs and knowledge of individuals to exercise. We are extremely pleased with the number of individuals who use the track. Leon Luckies 4 -H Club's success will be measured by the enjoyment and pleasure the landscaping provides the track, the area, and the community. As Nancy Baker, Walking Track Coordinator says, "There is no measurable guideline for the success of the track, only smiles of appreciation, words of gratitude, usage of the track and the knowledge that we, members of the Leon Luckies 4 -H Club, are contributing to the health and welfare of the community." [ Programs I Are you into it? I 4-H Stuff I What's New ] [ 4 -H Center I Press I Get Involved I Who We Are] [ Search I Sitemap I Discussion I Alumni ] [ 4 -H Info ] [Home] June 15, 2000 • • Lino Lakes Environmental Memo To: Lino Lakes Environmental Board From: Marty Asleson Date: 07/20/00 Re: "Rescue" / "Adopt A Tree" Idea / Dave Mach I think every one received the email from Dave Mach on the Rescue /Adopt -a -Tree idea. I have attached his thoughts below. Lets discuss this idea. Subject: A silly Tree Mitigation idea for the City of Lino Lakes? Date: Fri, 30 Jun 2000 11:23:48 -0500 From: "Dave Mach" <dave.mach @dnr.state.mn.us> To: Marty D Asleson <asles007 @tc.umn.edu> CC: <mtreefort @aol.com >, <rkeacbird @ aol.com >, <tere53 @ aol.com >, <slanyon @ biosci.cbs.umn.edu >, <adonlin @ pheasantsforever.org >, Maurine L Davidson <david036 @tc.umn.edu> Create a Lino Lakes 'Rescue Tree' or 'Adopt A Tree' Program . provide transplantable trees to city residents that are threatened by development . review all permitted development projects for potential for program • Page 1 • .. make site visits to assess vegetation types, species, age, access .. post areas with transplantable trees, provide species name . market trees to city residents .. provide them FREE for the picking but must they must transplant .. advertise and describe the program on the Lino Lakes Home Page .. provide transplanting documentation .. time of year, feeder root protection, tap root cutting, canopy trimming, watering instructions .. present disclaimers to protect city from injury lawsuits, etc. . make remaining unwanted trees available to: .. local nurseries, charge a nominal fee to support city environment programs .. or move to a Lino Lakes Tree Nursery/Orphanage ... dedicate area in city for temporary home for threatened trees ... possible location would be adjacent to the existing compost site ... or choose a highly visible area to raise resident interest ... these trees could be used for city plantings such as, parks, etc. ... or can me available to residents at other than construction dates . benefits of the program would be: .. raise resident awareness of existing natural resources and their value .. raise resident awareness of development affects on our environment .. trees are FREE, save both residents and city money, trees are expensive! .. raise residents interest in trees, shrubs, etc., interest grows exponentially program) • Page 2 .. trees are native to Lino Lakes (provide only quality native trees in • .. program would be the first of its kind in the state? Will other cities • follow? . disadvantages of the program would be: .. coordination effort will be required ... city staff time limited, someone will need to lead the effort, volunteers will need to be recruited to study sites and mark trees We could try a pilot program to check it out. If staff time is short, I would be excited to contribute or run such a program. You asked Marty! Let me know if this is feasible, a complete joke, or some version of this is possible. I would love to spend more time with this committee brainstorming possible solutions on our environmental issues. It is a highly talented and passionate environmental team! I am honored to be a member. - Dave • Page 3 • • LINO LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL LANDSCAPING PACKET Because Nature resides not only in the distant wilderness, but in your own backyard as well, the Lino Lakes Environmental Board has compiled this packet to assist you in recognizing and nuturing the ecosystem in which you live. USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS Lino Lakes Department of Environment and Forestry (651) 984 -2400 University of Minnesota Soil Testing Laboratory (612) 625 -3101 Minnesota DNR Nongame Wildlife Program (651) 296 -0700 June 2000 OTHER REFERENCES 1. Landscaping for Wildlife by Carrol L. Henderson 2. Lakescaping for Wildlife and Water Quality by Carrol L. Henderson, Carolyn J. Dindorf, and Fred J. Rozumalski 3. Wild About Birds: the DNR Bird Feeding Guide by Carrol L. Henderson 4. A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold