Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 04/02/2007

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. been identified as a location of the airport. When the state legislature.said it would not be located there, the citizens asked now what. It was a situation where the County had a consciousness about growth, similar to Ramsey where the North Star corridor location is important. Blaine surveyed natural resources and engaged the community in a thoughtful way to develop a priority plan. Ms. Pierson read the ballot language for the Dakota County ballot measure. They surveyed their natural resources, identified critical land, engaged the community, and developed a priority plan. They had a boost from the Environmental Natural Resources Trust Fund. In 2002 they put before the voters the ballot questions. She stated for their purpose, protecting waters was first, open space was next, natural areas and farmland was next. Dakota County was the first successful measure in Minnesota, in spite of the fact that 2002 was the no new taxes year under newly elected Governor Pawlenty, at the time of a huge state deficit budget. Ms. Pierson explained the successful ballot language for the City of Eagan Greenway and Caponi Art Park; Pilot Knob, Mendota Heights in Dakota County; Point Douglas Trail in Washington County's Green Corridor, and successful campaigns in Plymouth and Andover. . Ms. Pierson explained five critical steps for Local Land Conservation. The first step is to define a conservation vision, securing conservation funds. She explained that steps 1-4 might take six months to a year. She provided the EPB members with a suggested campaign calendar. Board Member Bentz asked Ms. Pierson what the procedure for protecting private farmland is. Ms. Pierson replied that in Dakota County it is working with land owners. to identify farm land near waterways and wetlands. Dakota County is purchasing conservation easements to prevent the land from development, while it remains for farming purposes. There is a federal program called the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program. Board Member Bentz asked if the farmer still owned the land under that program. Ms. Pierson answered in the affirmative, that the federal program only requires an easement from the farmer. Board Member Freeburg asked what is involved in the campaign phase. . She stated it depends on who it is that you need to reach. In a campaign similar to an election for a candidate, core supporters need to be identified, as well as the identification of swing voters. Public opinion polling can help with the demographics to target communications to those people. She suggested approaches such as direct mail to the swing voters, letters to the editor, attending Rotary Clubs, attending sporting clubs and community events, parades, television advertising, and various things to raise the profile of the issue. Environmental Policy Board! April 2, 2007 Page 5 of 14