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b. Erosion concerns —soils are erodible throughout the terrain of the park Trails in <br />this area will inevitable erode, requiring ongoing maintenance as well as present <br />possible hazards. There is no evidence that the soils in Sunfish Lake Park are any <br />more erodible than soils in other areas of the City. As stated above, any erosion <br />caused by the mountain bike trails would be similar to those of hiking trails, which <br />also are present in Sunfish Lake Park. Furthermore, the mountain bike trails will <br />be designed, constructed, and maintained so they resist erosion. Mountain bike <br />trails will follow existing contours that will minimize erosion potential. There has <br />been no evidence presented by the petitioners that these techniques or plans will be <br />insufficient to prevent a significant environmental impact. <br />c. Habitat destruction and the changing nature of the park that the trails would <br />present. Potential habitat loss due to the Project is minimal (approximately one <br />acre of ground disturbance) and represents a small fraction of the habitat within the <br />268-acre park. Additionally, the mountain bike trails will be unpaved and <br />construction of the trail system will result in minimal tree removal, so there will be <br />very little disturbance to the nature of Sunfish Lake Park or its habitat. Trails will <br />be designed to go around mature trees to avoid their removal. <br />d. That habitat loss would be significant. As noted above, potential habitat loss due <br />to the Project is minimal. <br />e. Wildlife and sensitive species would be lost. There is no evidence that the Project <br />will negatively impact any wildlife or any sensitive species. <br />f. Protected areas would be forever changed. The Minnesota Land Trust holds a <br />conservation easement over the area within the Park. It has consented to the <br />Project. The Minnesota Land Trust would not have consented to the Project if it <br />had found that the Project was going to change the conservation easement area as <br />the purpose of the conservation easement is to preserve the land in its natural state, <br />g. Incompatible uses and promises were made when the park was established, not all <br />parks are appropriate for all uses. Mountain bike trails provide opportunities for <br />bikers to observe and appreciate natural surroundings in the same manner as <br />existing trails through Sunfish Lake Park. The mountain bike trails are being <br />designed in order to avoid trail cross -over conflicts with other trails in the park and <br />are predominately located in areas which do not have an established use, thus not <br />now actively used. When trail crossings occur, they will be established in a way <br />that will require mountain bikers to slow down to a speed that allows them to safely <br />cross the other trails. <br />Resolution 2019-078 <br />