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Metro Greenways <br /> <br /> Criteria for Selecting, Potential Land Protection Sites <br /> <br /> * Indicates Key Criteria <br />I. Why the Site Should be Considered <br /> <br />A. *Ecological Quality- Several factors determine the overall ecological quality ora site. <br /> Potential sites should be relatively large tracts with a high interior to edge ratio. Sites <br /> should contain one or more native plant communities, should be relatively undisturbed <br /> and should provide habitat for a wide variety of resident and/or migratory wildlife. The <br /> pre',ence of"state listed" species is an added value. Sites which have been disturbed or <br /> degraded should not require extraordinary restoration efforts and expenditures. Current <br /> and future use of lands adjacent to the site should not, over time, significantly diminish <br /> the ecological quality of the site. <br /> <br />B. Significance of Location <br /> t. Connectivity- Sites chosen for their connectivity should provide habitat for and <br /> promote the movement of wildlife in order to stabilize and or enhance wildlife <br /> populations. Th_is may involve protecting or restoring areas to create continuous <br /> habitat between 'separate habkat areas, or it may involve the creation of "stepping <br /> stones" between habitat areas. <br /> <br />Gm <br /> <br /> 2. Buffers- Sites chosen as buffer lands should add to the protection of adjacent natural <br /> areas, important open spaces, rivers, streams and lakes.by reducing current or future <br /> negative impacts of nearby land uses. <br /> <br />Environmental Functions - Natural areas and othei'~open spaces provide a wide <br /> variety of environmental benefits to people. Potential sites may protect and improve <br /> surface and ground water resources, soil stability, and natural flood storage capacity, <br /> <br />II. Can We Do It? <br /> <br />The following factors must be acceptable before proceeding with any agreement to <br />protect a potential site even though the site meets or exceeds the other criteria: <br /> <br />*Willing Donor/Seller- This program depends upon property owners who are willing <br /> to cooperate with the Metro Greenways program and its community partners on <br /> discussing and negotiating land protection options including donation or sale of fee title <br /> or conservation easements. <br /> <br />-432- <br /> <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> i <br /> <br /> I <br /> I <br /> i <br />! <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br /> <br />