Agenda - Council Work Session - 11/13/2007

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Topic Report: Natural Resources Inventory By: Chris Anderson, Environmental Coordinator Background: As Council may recall, in April of 2007 the city hired Bonestroo & Associates to complete a Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) that focused on the natural areas within the city. The purpose of the inventory is twofold. First, the NRI provides the city with an array of information on the natural areas within Ramsey's boundaries that will assist in guiding more ecologically sustainable growth. Secondly, the information compiled in the report will be incorporated in the comprehensive plan update that is currently underway. The inventory has been completed and the fmal report has been received by Staff (the executive sum:rnary is included as an attachment). In addition to the specific information gathered and/or verified on the semi-natural and natural areas, the report also contains several other significant components. The report includes discussion on recommended greenway corridors, recommended amendments to City Code, and general management concepts for natural areas. These components should help the city better plan for future growth and maintain/restore natural areas on public lands. Staff will utilize the NRI data in a number of ways including planning of restoration efforts on public lands (and on private lands if there's interest from a property owner), identifying priority lands for acquisition (if funding is available) and/or possible protection, and as an educational tool for the residents. In a broader spectrum, this information could be a stepping stone that leads to a new approach for the city with regard to development proposals. If in fact there are high-quality natural areas within a proposed development site, this data could provide an opportunity to be a bit more flexible with some development standards; however, only if it ultimately leads to a better design and protects/enhances a natural area and/or feature. There were a couple of significant fmdings from the NRI. First, that Ramsey is home to a diverSe array of natural communities including forests, woodlands, wetlands, grasslands, and open water. Secondly, the. most common upland cover type is oak forest and oak woodlandlbrusWand (941 combined acres) while the most common lowland cover type is cattail marsh (874 acres). Finally, a couple of rather unique plant communities were identified incluping a mesic oak savanna (rare in Minnesota) and a poor fen (wetland) area The Environmental Policy Board reviewed the NRI report in September. Representatives from Bonestroo will be attending the work session to provide an overview and summary of the NRI. Funding: - In April of2007, City Council authorized the use of monies from the Landfill Tipping Fee Fund, in an amount not to exceed $34,646.00, to complete the NRI. No additional funding is necessary. Action Statement No action needed as this is for informam'onal purpos nly. Revrewed by: ~ City Administrator:. ' Community Developthent Director CCWS: 11/13/07 .l