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A Strategy for Lake Elmo's Natural Resources: <br />An Ecosystem -Based Plan <br />INTRODUCTION: Lake Elmo can serve as a model for other communities by initiating an innovative <br />natural resource management strategy. This strategy will incorporate social, economic, and <br />environmental components to establish an ecosystem -based approach to planning and management. <br />ISSUES: <br />* Citizens are concerned about development in and around Lake Elmo. Can Lake Elmo's small- <br />town, rural character be maintained with the current level of development pressures? <br />* Lake Elmo's current and future development has a direct influence on development activities <br />throughout Washington County. <br />* Currently there is a lack of available data biological resources, hence a critical information <br />component is lacking for the planning process. <br />* Without a comprehensive development plan, land owners are uncertain about the role their <br />property may have in current and future development. <br />OPPORTUNITIES: <br />* The combination of aware citizens, innovative municipal leadership, involved natural resource <br />managers will allow development to occur while preserving and maintaining ecological integrity. <br />* A biological inventory will provide a resource for Lake Elmo citizen action that reflects the <br />natural character of Washington County, and provides an additional resource to make effective <br />land use management decisions. <br />ACTIONS/STEPS: <br />Step 1: Meet with Ann Pung-Terwedo, City Planner to discuss Lake Elmo'snatural resources. <br />Step 2: Gain approval for a natural resource management strategy. <br />Step 3: Promote the strategy: <br />1. Write an article for the Lake Elmo Newsletter <br />2. Organize an informational workshop open to all Lake Elmo citizens <br />3. Identify natural resource inventory volunteers <br />Step 4: Natural resource inventory: <br />1. Train volunteers on natural resource inventory techniques and plant identification, <br />and form data collection teams <br />2. Select inventory sites <br />3. Collect data for each site at three times (spring, early summer, late summer) <br />4. Analyze and compile data <br />Step 5: Organize an informational meeting for Lake Elmo citizens on natural resource inventory results. <br />