Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 02/06/2006

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Acting Chairperson Max provided a news release from the Forest Service about a project that he worked on in the City of Minneapolis. He noted that they looked at the value of trees, dollar values for storm water intemeption, pollution, and precipitation. He noted that there was a $3.00-$7.00 benefit for every tree annually to do maintenance. Board member Olds stated the cost is not included in the value of the tree to replace it. He noted that the value of the tree may be in wood, but the tree can't be replaced with a tree of equal value. Board member Bentz suggested that this news release should be brought to the Expo. Case #3 Peterson Environmental Company Draft Explanation of Preliminary Wetland Classifications Ramsey Wetland Classification System PEC Project No. 2005-059. Environmental Specialist Bacon provided the EPB members with a copy of a draft of the preliminary GIS based results and an explanation of the methods used to develop the preliminary classifications. He noted the flow chart, and a map of the City. Board member Freeburg provided the members with a copy of a newspaper article report that raises alarm over loss of wetlands in the state. He explained he is familiar with the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. He explained that report indicates that developers are going in to subdivide land and fill in. He explained that another developer comes in again and fills the entire wetland in. He stated the wetlands are being lost by benign neglect. Environmental Specialist Bacon provided EPB members with 2006 Protect our Water Campaign flier. He stated that he felt the EPB should be looking at the issues presented in the article. Environmental Specialist Bacon passed out postcards to mail to Governor Pawlenty regarding lakes, rivers, and fish contaminating dangerous levels of mercury. Board member Bentz stated that the DNR will be doing baseline aerial surveys and repeating it periodically, which means there will be some funding. He asked if the Peterson report was going to be looked at as an initial report and whether or not it would be ongoing and repeated. He asked if the vegetation survey could be done in offyears. He asked if the DNR was going to be looking at something that all the local townships have already done, could resources be pooled. Acting Chairperson Max concurred that may be worth looking into. Board member Bentz stated that the Peterson report shouldn't be kept for one use, but to spread it out. Board member Max asked how to follow up. Environmental Policy Board/February 6, 2006 Page 8 of 10