HomeMy WebLinkAboutElmo Park Board let 3-11-15
March 11, 2015
Lake Elmo Park Board, Michael Bouthilet-Public Works Director.
City of Lake Elmo
3800 Laverne Avenue North - Lake Elmo, Minnesota 55042
Dear Board, Mike,
I couldn't attend the meeting on Monday March 16, so I am providing this note to update you on the
Forest Management Plan.
Tree Inspection.
Mike and I, along with a representative from S&S tree met on site and discussed a tree inspection
option. We agreed that an initial removal of obvious problem trees on the property would be an
acceptable start to abating any tree issues along the trails. This initial activity would just have the trees
dropped and moved off the trails. Removal of the tree debris would be during any active firewood
utilization and or larger scale forest management activities. Further removal recommendations would
come during the firewood harvest or ongoing management activities. This is a structured approach and
would address the need for ongoing inspections and abatement.
During our meeting we also discussed removal issues including access to various portions of the park
and how that could be accomplished. As expected Mike had a number of options and plans for accessing
these areas and also for storage of the material prior to its moving off site. While there may be limited
removal and firewood salvage this year to reduce fire danger, I would expect the majority of the harvest
and management activities to take place next winter. It is important not to rush into these activities
without having a solid plan for managing the site long term, including invasive control, planting options
and funding opportunities established. Large scale removal or harvesting without a long term plan could
jeopardize future cost share opportunities and make it harder to obtain.
Forest Plan.
We have a good base for a management plan which addresses the blow down, debris cleanup,
reforestation, and management guidelines which would satisfy the City's goals and fulfill the Land Trust
requirements. Currently I have sent information and/or requests for assistance or review to the US
Forest Service, DNR, and other Conservation funding groups.
While I am sure our plan would be acceptable to Land Trust, I am also soliciting involvement and
recommendations from these other entities which would greatly increase the opportunities for future
funding and cost share opportunities in the years ahead. Because of the highly significant environmental
ratings of the park it is important to address not only the blow down issues or reforestation but also
other things such as recommendations for number of logs or material to be left on the ground per acre,
or numbers of dead standing trees to be left for bird and bat habitat. These are only a few of the small
pieces of the whole that could open up various funding opportunities down the road.
We also have a request for assistance into the Center for Climate Change with the US Forest Service in
Michigan. They are looking for possible demonstration sites in the Upper Midwest to address climate
change and how it affects tree species survival. We have initially addressed this within the plan, in one
way, by maximizing aspen/ birch cover type on the north facing aspects and reducing it on the south
facing aspects within the park. The areas of mature aspen in the northeastern portion of the park were
hit hard by the wind. We expect to transition these areas to oak or mixed upland hardwoods over the
years.
At this point we are waiting for the input from these outside organizations before completion of the
final draft of the plan. We will not make any commitment to any programs without prior approval of the
City of Lake Elmo. At this time we are just trying to get them on board and aware of our situation.
Land Trust.
During the Week of March 16, I will be sending an initial informational letter to the Land Trust to
address the debris removal along the trail system within the park.
Thank you,
Steve Kunde
Forester