Agenda - Council - 02/08/2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ELIGIBLE PROJECTS • Fee title acquisition of natural or scenic areas. • Permanent easement acquisition of natural or scenic areas. • Minimal betterment activities are eligible as part of an acquisition project including site surveying, boundary signing, and immediate measures needed to stabilize the site and ensure the safety of users. • Active restoration efforts are eligible as part of an acquisition project that would significantly improve the site's natural resource values. INELIGIBLE FACILITIES AND COSTS Ineligible facilities or costs are those items that cannot be funded with a Natural & Scenic Areas Grant or included as part of the local match requirement. The following list includes common types of ineligible facilities. A determination of eligibility will be made by the Department of Natural Resources. • Acquisition of land already in public ownership. • Any expenditure that occurs outside the dates of the grant contract. • Administrative expenses, contingency allowances, archeological surveys and legal fees. • Incidental costs of land acquisition (Appraisals, closing costs and legal fees) • Recreational development. • Operation and maintenance. GUIDELINES FOR USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF NATURAL AND SCENIC AREAS 1. Compatible Use and Development In general, outdoor recreation use of natural and scenic areas should be limited to passive outdoor recreation activities, such as nature observation, walking or hiking, bird watching, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, canoeing, photography and similar low impact activities. In some cases, environmental education activities may be appropriate. Limited facilities to support these activities, such as trails, overlooks, interpretive displays, benches, informational and boundary signage, protective fencing, and parking are allowable uses. In some cases, rest room facilities and limited picnic facilities may also be compatible. All development plans should be submitted for review and prior approval by the Grants staff of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Development proposals will be reviewed on a case -by -case basis, taking into account the specific characteristics of the natural and scenic area. Any development should be designed to avoid damage to natural resources and features, steer activities away from sensitive areas (such as steep bluffs, erosion prone shorelines, rare plant communities, etc.), and discourage inappropriate recreational use. Facilities must meet all safety and accessibility standards. NS November 2020 4