Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 04/10/1997

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Wildlife Refuge Management Zone 2 Recommendation: Access should be limited onto Cloquet Island. Cloquet Islmid represents a declining floodpl~ forest commtmity native to the Anoka sand plain. Some human disturbance has occurred on this island, when the river has been Iow people have been known to take their off-road vehicles onto the island to drive around (Cox, 1995). Limited access onto this island will help preserve it5 ecological integrity as a wilrlli~ee management zone. Recommendation: The proposal to develop campsites on Cloquet Island shouM be eliminated. The 1994 Anoka County Master Plan recommends that campsites be built on Cloquet Island. We beheve these campsites should not be developed. Three factors limit the development of the proposed campsites: 1) soft erodibility, 2) flooding potential, and 3) potential liability. Camping generally involves a high amount of human traffic and take. s place near the water's edge. This added human activity will involve a high cost and a high level of maintenance to ensure that the soils on the island are not eroded into the Mississippi River. The elevation of the high ground on the islands is below the high water level of the Mississippi River and will be immersed in the event of a flood. Flooding usually occurs in the spring and during wet summers. Human life may also be at risk in the event of a flash flood. If campsites are highly desired on this island, it is suggested that development be kept to a minimum and that the campsites have restricted access during the spring and other times when flooding appears likely. Preservation Zones The steep slopes along the river ( preservation management zone 1) and the oak woodland- brushland (preservation management zone 2) in the old gravel pit are the preservation zones within the park. Preservation Management Zone 1 Recommendat~'on: Traffic and development near the river banks should be kept to a minimum. The soils inventory indicates that loose sandy soil dominates this area. If trails or other development were to occur, the cost of stabilizing the banks would be significant. Vegetation along existing trails may act as a barrier to soil erosion. 25