01/19/95 Agenda & Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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•Iso recommends, "To establish and maintain an uncom- contains irreplaceable remnant prairie potholes (small promised sense of nature, at least 80 percent of each wetlands) that have been largely undisturbed. The pot- park reserve should be managed as wild lands that holes are known habitats for the Blanding's turtle, a display native landscape. This would permit up to 20 state-listed special concern species, and numerous other percent of a park reserve to be developed for compatible amphibians. recreational activities." We strongly advocate this policy 4. Marsden Lake Complex: low intensity use. The for the TCAAP - that 80% be retained as natural open almost 500-acre Marsden Lake dominates this _1.,12, and space. is one of the largest wetlands in Ramsey county. It 7. The presence of subsurface pollution makes develop- provides essential habitat for the Blanding's turtle, intro- ment dangerous or undesirable. Open space uses pose duced trumpeter swans, and numerous other wetland little or no threat to the public, with measures that have wildlife. Sunfish Lake, a tributary waterbody, has high already been taken. aesthetic values, has been documented to harbor black 8. Preserving wildlife habitat along the Rice Creek corridor terns (a species of special concern) as well as numerous is essential for wildlife migrations and maintenance of ducks and geese, is a DNR rearing pond, and provides a local biological diversity. Similarly, preserving habitats valuable component to the wetland complex. The tract has been used for years as an Army Reserve training outside the corridor will preserve biological diversity and maintain a 'snapshot' of the northcentral metro's preset- area, and does not appear to have been severely tlement natural history. A block of land this size makes it impacted by this use. feasible to preserve a functioning ecosystem. 5. Gravel Pit Hill: low intensity use. Although this tract 9. The site offers unprecedented opportunities for an has been dramatically altered by gravel extraction, there environmental education center, especially considering its are numerous valuable resources. Several good-quality natural resourcesand itsproximity to the urban remnant prairie tracts remain on the northwest and east vast e ox m P �Y metro area. slopes of the hill, harboring key prairie indicator plants. Mature oak woods are found on several sites, and provide • valuable wintering habitat for the large deer herd present LAND USE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE TCAAP on the TCAAP. The unreclaimed pit may present oppor- tunities for disposal of clean fill or specific recreational (e.g., mountain biking). As discussed previously, 11 tracts comprising the TCAAP activities P 9 9) were evaluated for their resources and compatible open 6. Magazine Road: moderate intensity use. As does space/recreational uses. The 11 tracts, and recommen- tract 2, this area provides a valuable connection to the ded land use classifications are discussed below (num- Rice Rice Creek corridor and provides a needed buffer bers correspond to those in Figure 1). between natural areas and the highly developed areas in 1. Rice Creek Corridor: moderate intensity use. tract 11. The area contains high-quality mature oak Rice Creek, adjacent riparian wetlands, and associated woods, existing and restorable wetlands, and provides uplands are included in this tract. It is a crucial tract for water quality improvements for Rice Creek. completing the proposed Rice Creek - Chain of Lakes trail 7. Meadowlark Breeding Grounds: high intensity (already partially completed) and could provide excellent use. A relatively small field in this tract provides habitat canoeing opportunities. It provides exceptional wildlife for the largest breeding population of meadowlarks habitat and is a vital component of a wildlife corridor that known in Ramsey county (J. Galli, DNR, pers. commun.); extends from the TCAAP to the DNR's Carlos Avery substantial numbers of bobolinks also nest here. Any use Wildlife Management Area in Anoka county. Some high should protect these colonies. The tract also contains a intensityuses maybe acceptable on more disturbed sites PTCAAP open could ulimatelyconnect on the west side of this tract (e.g., ball fields). railroad spur that spaceswith Long Lake Regional Park (along with tract 2. Indoor Range Area: moderate intensity use. This 10). Finally, it provides a buffer area between natural tract is essential as a connecting tract between the Rice areas and highly developed lands. Creek corridor and other natural areas to the east. It is a 8. Reservoir Hill: low intensity use. At 1100 feet mean good site for permanent recreational facilities (e.g., park sea level, this is reported to be the highest point in headquarters, trailhead, parking, etc.) and is agood north q P g Ramsey county, and offers an outstanding vista. It is an entryarea. There is apossible drained wetland in this contains example of a glacial kame, and tract that could probably be restored. Because of high outstanding disturbance in this area, some high intensity uses could large stands of mature oak woods. These provide be considered (as noted above). wintering habitat for deer, as well as breeding habitat for numerous other species. 3. Prairie Potholes: low intensity use. This tract TCAAP REUT1UZATION PLAN PAGE 3