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d. The extent to which environmental effects can be anticipated and controlled as a <br />result of other available environmental studies undertaken by public agencies or the <br />project proposer, including other ElSs. <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT that based on all of the evidence <br />presented and the findings below, the City Council determines that the Project does not present the <br />potential for significant environmental effects: <br />1. The Project involves construction of approximately 4.20 miles of single-track <br />mountain bike trails within Sunfish Lake Park. <br />2. Multi -use single-track trails are unpaved and average 18-24" in width. Single-track <br />trails have been shown to have minimal impact on the environment, resist erosion <br />through proper design, construction, and maintenance, co -exist with the natural <br />environment, and blend with the surrounding area. <br />3. All trails --whether improved or unimproved or for use by pedestrians, bicycles or <br />mountain bikes --have some environmental impacts. The evidence demonstrates that <br />the Project is not likely to have significant environmental impacts, which is required <br />by Minnesota Rules Part 44 10.1100, subpart 6. <br />4. Studies have shown that the environmental impacts from properly designed mountain <br />bike trails are similar to those of hiking trails. The City has hiking trails throughout <br />wooded areas of the City, including within Sunfish Lake Park and the City has not <br />found those trails to have caused significant environmental impacts to those areas. <br />5. The petitioners assert that the Project will have significant environmental effects in the <br />following ways. Each of these assertions is addressed in the findings below: <br />a. Negative effects !f <br />ffiects on the fragile environment o this specific area, The City has not <br />found any evidence that the Project will have a negative effect on the environment <br />in Sunfish Lake Park and the petitioners have not provided any evidence to that <br />effect. Furthermore, the Minnesota Land Trust holds a conservation easement over <br />the area in Sunfish Lake Park and the purpose of the conservation easement is to <br />protect habitat for wildlife and native plant communities. The Minnesota Land <br />Trust has consented to the Project. It would not have consented to the Project if it <br />had found that the Project had a negative effect on the environment as protecting <br />the environment is the purpose of the conservation easement. <br />Resolution 2019-078 <br />