Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 04/10/2014

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City of Ramsey 2030 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A: Community Background Natural Resources Inventory Ramsey recently completed a Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) in a process separate from the Comprehensive Plan Update. That report and its findings are incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan Update by reference. Figure 3-29 shows the initial draft data from the NRI, along with wetlands, water bodies and areas that are designated by the DNR as having biological significance. The NRI natural areas are separated into four types, exceptional quality, high quality, moderate quality, and low quality. These classifications are defined as follows. Exceptional quality natural community. No disturbances and natural processes intact. Site must be visited entirely or partially to accurately assess its natural quality at this level. High quality natural community. Has its natural processes intact, but shows signs of past human impacts. Low levels of exotics. Site must be visited entirely or partially to accurately assess its natural quality at this level Moderate quality natural community. Includes obvious past disturbance but is still clearly recognizable as a native community. Not dominated by weedy species in any layer. Minimally, the site must be visited from the edge to accurately assess its natural quality at this level. Low quality natural community. Includes some natives, but is dominated by non -natives and/or is widely disturbed and altered. Herbaceous communities may be assessed with this ranking from a distance if large masses of invasive species are present and the entire community is visible. The NRI process includes recommendations for changes to land use policy and city ordinances to most effectively protect and enhance Ramsey's natural resource areas. These suggestions will be reviewed by the City, and will be valuable for discussions during the implementation phase of the Comprehensive Plan Update. Metro Greenways In 2002, the City of Ramsey and Anoka Conservation District partnered to undertake a greenway planning project. The impetus for this project was the projected residential development within Ramsey, along with a community desire to protect remaining open space and natural resources. The project identified remaining open space and describes multiple options for protecting and managing this open space. The Anoka Conservation District recommended as part of the greenway planning that Ramsey amend their comprehensive plan to include the identified greenways. Greenway lands warrant special management consideration to ensure their function both ecologically and socially. The plan also recommended that where feasible, the trails be planned in conjunction with greenways because trails can help to ensure that sensitive natural areas have protection into the future. The greenway plan identified a number of implementation steps for specific geographic areas including sites for acquisition, transfer of development rights (sending and receiving locations), trail dedication, easement priorities, restoration, and educational opportunities. City of Ramsey 2030 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A-45