Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 02/11/2016

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• The protection, restoration and enhancement of native plant and animal habitats throughout the park; • Protection and improvement of water and soil resources; • Increase public awareness regarding the diverse natural resources in the area; and • Sustainable practices related to park development, operations and maintenance. General natural resources management strategies include identifying and assessing remnant plant and animal communities, monitoring rare species, controlling invasive species, ecologically restoring native plant and animal habitat, controlling detrimental insects and disease, wildlife management, enhancing water quality, erosion control and cooperative land stewardship. A sustainable development framework is utilized in all new park and trail development and redevelopment to ensure ecologically sound land stewardship with an emphasis on maintaining the longevity of the facilities for public benefit. The following natural resource management components are an integral part of Anoka County's planning efforts associated with the development of Mississippi West Regional Park: 1. Anoka County's Natural Resources Unit will be directly involved with the design, construction and monitoring of the proposed park development. A concerted emphasis will be placed on avoiding and minimizing any adverse impacts to the plant and animal habitat, as well as to the overall watershed. In addition, Anoka County will focus on incorporating local native seed and plant material that will compliment the ecology and function of the surrounding native plant communities. 2. Protection of surface water and ground water resources will be a top priority for this project. Anoka County will work very closely with the Cities of Ramsey and Anoka, the Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization, the National Park Service's Mississippi National River Recreation Area, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Metropolitan Council to ensure the standards and requirements for resource protection are consistent with the Council's model ordinance for storm water management. 3. The overall vegetation management goal for Anoka County is to identify restoration needs and to define and implement adaptive management strategies that will sustain the biological diversity, production, and function of native plant communities. Vegetation management within Mississippi West Regional Park will focus on preserving native plants, introducing local native plants, maintaining water quality within the watershed and providing for linear plant and wildlife corridor connections. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reference Page 21 of 22