Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 03/15/2007 - Special Meeting

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. ~. .' .' ~! ~' ~ . ~. ~, ~' . ~' ~ ~ . . ~ .' . ~ . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~. ~ ~ . Bonestroo willvse the City's existing data as a starting point of the NHI, update and refine it where appropriate and conduct field surveys to veJi6t the data's accuracy. , 111 City of Ramsey li Nilwra/ Resources /nventoty potential to negatively impact wildlife, forest, soils, and water resources are high. Conducting a NRI for the land within Ramsey that also integrates the recently completed wetland Function and Values Assessment will serve as a tool to effectively manage and protect natural resources while enabling compatible growth to occur. o Approach Balances Human Needs, Ecologically Sound Natural Resource Management Our approach to completing a NRI for Ramsey emphasizes an ecosystem-based perspective combined with a practical, readily implemented approach that can serve as a foundation for natural resource and land management efforts far into the future. Our goal is to help you balance human needs and ecologically sound natural resource management by providing the solid field-based information that is e~ential to land use planning. We also recognize that financial resources and time requirements can sometimes constrain a project. A significant amount of existing natural resources 'information is available through the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) mapping completed by Anoka County, and through the recently completed MnRam 3.0 assessment of wetlands within the city. Using these data sources will: ~ Provide solid, foundation information for your NRI ,., Allow an expedited "start-up" for the project ~ Reduce costs Our approach 'to your NRI involves using the existing data as a starting point, updating and refining it where appropriate, and conducting field surveys to verify the data's accuracy. The field surveys are critical, as wuch of the existing MLCCS and MnRAM is based on a review of aerial photowaphs, and was not checked in the field. As an example, 333 areas have been mapped as upland natural communities within the existing MLCCS. Of these, 323 sites have no information about site quality, invasive species, or other data necessary for making sound conservation, planning, and management decisions. Supplementing the existing MLCCS with a field assessment will provide this essential information. Once the field review is completed, the data will be summarized in an Arcview GIS layer for review, analysis, and mapping. Throughout the NRI project, we will create a process that is: ~ TImely: We have the staff and experience to meet your schedule. ~ Effective: You need a variety of types of information from your NRI to plan effectively for Ramsey's future. We will work closely with you so the produces meet your needs. 5