HomeMy WebLinkAboutForestry Plan Update 4-13-15
March 11, 2015/ April 13, 2015
Lake Elmo Park Board, Michael Bouthilet-Public Works Director.
City of Lake Elmo
3800 Laverne Avenue North - Lake Elmo, Minnesota 55042
Dear Park Board, Michael Bouthilet,
I am providing this note to update you on the Forest Management Plan.
Update as of March 11.
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, identified by City
staff 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. This first phase removal will be by city staff and
equipment. 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, 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 impute 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.
Update as of April 12.
I have met and walked the site with Ann Thies of the Minnesota Land Trust so she could see the
problems we are facing with the site and to give her an overall view of our plan strategies. The walk, I
feel went well. Ann was very interested in the overall goals of the plan and requested a number of
pictures be taken as we walked the property. One concern she had was that after any salvage
operations, the trails would need restoration included as part of the contract with any salvage
companies. In a subsequent email from the Land Trust they requested that we send a detailed map of
the areas that will be worked on and pictures of the sites. I responded that the requested information
would come in the form of a completed plan from the City of Lake Elmo along with a formal request to
proceed.
On April 7th I met with Stephen Handler of the US Forest Service. He is a specialist in the Northern
Institute of Applied Climate Science. We toured the site and discussed several management options
which would incorporate various aspects of site adaptation with respect to climate change. There is a
possibility that the site could be used as a demonstration site which we discussed. We also discussed
some possible funding possibilities which could follow that designation. I have attached a short email
which Stephen Handler sent to the Land Trust.
Prior to completing the final draft I will be meeting and touring the site with a silvaculturalist from the U
of M and also a hardwood management specialist from the MN DNR to get their perspectives and to go
over the overall management strategies. This will add strength to the plan as we present it to the Land
Trust for approval. I feel the Land Trust is very cautious as to any management activities on their
conservation properties.
I also will try to meet with managers from Great River Greening conservation organization which has
numerous projects each year for buckthorn control and reforestation planting, etc. They also are an
organization which will help secure funding through the Environmental Trust Fund which uses gambling
funds for conservation activities. This communication will be important for ongoing funding to support
the management goals on the property.
I will continue to update you as things progress.
Thank you,
Steve Kunde
Forester
Following is the email from Stephen Handler to Ann Thies
Hello Ann –
My name is Stephen Handler, and I work with the US Forest Service Northern Research Station
in Houghton, MI. I’m also part of the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science, a group
that works with foresters and land managers across the Midwest and Northeast to help them
consider climate change as a part of forest management. We work with a wide range of forestry
and conservation organizations: federal, state, and county agencies; tribes, conservation
districts, private landowners, industry, NGOs, and others. You can learn more about our work
here: www.forestadaptation.org.
I’m getting in touch because Steve Kunde asked me to tour Sunfish Lake Park yesterday, and
we’ve been discussing the possibilities for climate change adaptation on that property. Right
now Steve is considering a variety of general options to prepare for climate change – some
places where it might make sense to try and resist change and preserve the current conditions,
and some places where it might make sense to actively encourage a transition to different
conditions. All of this is being considered with the overall goal of ensuring that a healthy forest
remains on the property for ecological and social benefits.
I’ve read the easement for Sunfish Lake Park, and I’d be interested to chat with you about how
you see climate change adaptation meshing with the intent of that document. Is an issue that
Minnesota Land Trust has addressed on other properties? I think there are definitely ways that
preparing for changing conditions can work within the context of an easement, but it’d be good
to hear the Land Trust’s perspective!
Anyhow, this email is just to introduce myself and start the discussion. I’ll be out of the office
for a couple of weeks, but perhaps we could talk about this sometime near the end of April? I’ll
be interested to learn more, and I can also share more about our group and our approach to
climate change adaptation.
Thanks,
Stephen
Stephen Handler
Climate Change Specialist
Forest Service
Northern Research
Station
Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science
p: 906-482-6303 x21
f: 906-482-6355
sdhandler@fs.fed.us
410 MacInnes Dr.
Houghton, MI 49931
www.fs.fed.us
www.forestadaptation.org