Section 5 – Natural Resources Stewardship and Water Resources Plan
Section
5 Natural Resources Stewardship and Water Resources Management Plan
Overview
As part of the system study, a general review of the natural resource areas across the city and within parks was undertaken to gain a sense of their overall ecological condition. This review was used as the basis for developing a framework for the natural resources stewardship program presented in this section. The stewardship and water resources management plan applies to all public parks and open space parcels within the city that exhibit natural plant communities and ecological systems. For consistency and continuity, the program is also applicable to privately held properties or those that are held by other public agencies, such as the Anoka County Parks.
Complement to Protection Strategy for the Greenway System This section complements the protection strategy for greenways as defined in Section 3. That section addressed the issue of setting aside or preserving public and private natural open space throughout the city. This section focuses on the stewardship of those resources.
Achievability and Sustainability of Stewardship Programs
Restoring and managing natural resources must be done in a manner that is both achievable and sustainable. The following considers each of these from an ecological and economic perspective (human/economic capital).
Ecological Perspective Ecologically, achievability and sustainability is defined in scientific terms based on testing and research. Scientifically, human intervention through well conceived and implemented programs can help reverse the current downward trend in the ecological quality of the city’s natural systems (as measured by biodiversity and general ecological health). Although dramatic improvements can be made, restoring the landscape to absolute presettlement conditions is scientifically not realistic. Past impacts to the land since man first settled and introduction of invasive alien plants simply preclude this possibility. The city of Lino Lakes must set realistic goals and expectations and manage ecosystems to sustainable and productive levels that result in considerable human and ecological value that can be perpetuated for generations to come.
Economic (Human/Economic Capital) Perspective Economically, achievability and sustainability relates to the amount of human and economic resources that the city (or private partner) can indefinitely commit to ecological programs. The importance of this cannot be overstated in that the long-term viability of any ecological program undertaken is directly related to the long-term commitment made to it in terms of human and economic resources. It is critical that ecological programs be pragmatically implemented in a manner that is in sync with available economic resources. PARKS, NATURAL OPEN SPACE/GREENWAYS, AND TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN
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Section 5 – Natural Resources Stewardship and Water Resources Plan
A Public – Private Partnership
Implementing a natural resource stewardship program across the city will require a close public-private partnership to be successful. The city alone will not likely have the financial resources to undertake stewardship of all of the greenways and parks as defined by the system plan. Realizing the ecological preservation aspect of the broader community vision will require making stewardship of natural resources one of the public values being sought as part of all private development proposals. As defined in Section 3 – Park and Greenway System Plan, integrating stewardship programs into private development will have to be balanced against any flexibility given to the developer to maintain economic viability while achieving this goal.
Overview of Ecological Conditions
The city has an extensive inventory and mapping of ecological conditions across the city using the Minnesota Land Cover and Classification System (MLCCS) developed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as the primary analysis tool. (Additional detailed MLCCS information is available through the Environmental Coordinator.) This past planning activity provides the scientific underpinning for natural resource stewardship programs. As defined in Section 3 – Parks and Greenway System Plan, the proposed greenway system seeks to preserve the highest quality and most unique landscape features of the city. The quality of the natural ecological systems found within the greenways range from relatively healthy natural and undisturbed systems to those that have been highly impacted and degraded by past development or lack of management. In virtually all cases, the lack of natural processes along with impacts from past development has resulted in a significant threat to the overall health of native plant communities as the years pass. In many cases, certain species of plants – native and nonnative – are out-competing other native plant species when natural processes are disturbed or halted. This is resulting in a substantial reduction in biodiversity, function, and visual beauty. In addition, the stands of trees in many of the parks and in the greenways are of one age class, which makes them highly susceptible to disease and wind blow.
Observed Trends In Ecological Systems Without human intervention and conscientious stewardship, it is expected that the overall trend of the ecological systems across the city will be toward continued decline, as measured by bio-diversity and general ecological health. Figure 12 graphically illustrates the current trend in a typical oak savanna system found in this and many other midwestern regions.
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Section 5 – Natural Resources Stewardship and Water Resources Plan Figure 12 - Ecological trend in oak savanna system.
Opportunity for Restoration of Ecological Systems Although some of the past ecological degradation will have lasting affects, there are also many opportunities to forestall further decline and make substantial progress toward achieving a more sustainable and healthier landscape for future generations to enjoy. Figure 13 graphically illustrates the current overall trend in ecological quality, as well as defining the spectrum of opportunity for reversing this trend. Figure 13 – Overall trend in ecological quality.
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Section 5 – Natural Resources Stewardship and Water Resources Plan
Natural Resources Stewardship Vision
Although duplicating the natural systems that were present prior to settlement is technically unachievable, it is reasonable to expect that through conscientious intervention a more robust natural ecology can be restored across the city for future generations to enjoy. This is the underlying premise of the natural resources stewardship vision.
Natural Resources Stewardship Philosophy The stewardship vision promotes an ecosystem-based approach to restoration and management. An ecosystem is essentially where things live and represents an interacting group of physical elements (soils, water, plants, animals, etc.) that inhabit a particular place. All of these elements and their interactions need to be considered in developing goals and plans for management. Ecosystem-based management views people as part of the community, and that maintaining a healthy ecosystem is the best way to meet human needs as well as those of other organisms in the community. General goals of this philosophy are to: • Enhance the health of the ecosystems across the city. • Enhance the biological diversity of the localized native habitats. • Provide an appropriate balance between resource preservation, recreational use, and community development. • Maintain the natural integrity of Lino Lakes. • To establish partnerships and stakeholder involvement with a variety of agencies and citizens in the community to perpetuate sustainable resources in Lino Lakes. The stewardship plan focuses on achieving a sustainable landscape quality, which is defined as the point at which Lino Lakes and its partners can indefinitely maintain a certain acceptable level of resource quality within the context of realistic limits – which is contingent upon two primary factors: • Public understanding of and commitment to natural resource preservation and stewardship programs. • Undertaking ecological restoration and management programs that are scientifically sound. Through a well-defined stewardship program and a concerted, ongoing effort by Lino Lakes, a certain level of confidence can be gained that the current ecological conditions and trends can be reversed and a more sustainable and higher quality landscape achieved. Note, however, that stewardship programs also need to be flexible due to the changing nature of the living systems addressed by the plan. For these reasons, the plan presented here should be viewed as being neither conclusive nor absolute. It is a starting point in an ongoing process that relies on monitoring and research to provide feedback on program effectiveness.
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Section 5 – Natural Resources Stewardship and Water Resources Plan
Dual-Track Stewardship Program Strategy
The comprehensive stewardship program entails a dual-track strategy, as the following graphic illustrates.
The first track relates to publicly held parks and natural open spaces. The second track relates to privately held natural open space in the form of conservation easements or land trusts. (Note that in this context, private and public relates to direct ownership, not access. As defined in Section 3 and 4, many privately held open space parcels will be accessible to the general public (via trails) as part of a developer’s agreement associated with establishing the greenways and trail system.) Each of the tracks requires different stewardship strategies, as the following considers.
Stewardship Strategy for Public Parks and Natural Open Spaces The stewardship strategy establishes a road map toward the realization of a more healthy and vibrant natural landscape and achieving the stated vision. Implementing the plan will require a multi-phased approach spread out over an extended period of time and lockstepped with funding appropriations and scientific expertise. The following table provides an overview each phase.
Stewardship Program Implementation Phasing Phase Phase I – Testing and Education
Overview Broadens understanding of restoration needs, options, and opportunities. Also increases local residents’ knowledge and understanding of restoration issues. The need for extensive testing prior to restoring larger tracks diminishes over time in line with knowledge. Involves the major restoration and management tasks and Phase II – Remedial consequently is the more expensive phase. Its focus is on Phase returning the land to the biological and structural conditions necessary for a healthy ecological landscape to emerge and prosper. Phase III – Represents the routine tasks that are conducted annually Maintenance at strategic times to maintain specific ecological and Phase biological objectives set for each unit and subunit.
Additional Comment Small test or demonstration plots are the backbone of the initial testing to determine the restoration practices best suited for the setting. Direct exposure to restoration practices and their impact on the surrounding environment will give park visitors working knowledge of stewardship programs. The remedial phase employs a variety of restoration techniques in a major effort to restore vegetation and habitat structure and biological diversity and restore ecological functions.
After significant investments during Phase II, the stewardship program shifts to a lower level of intervention during the maintenance phase. This is inherently less costly and provides an excellent opportunity for long-term citizen and student involvement as volunteers.
The following defines the action steps associated with developing and implementing the stewardship program as it relates to public lands. (Note that many of these have been previously defined in the Handbook for Environmental Planning and Conservation Development and still remain pertinent.)
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Section 5 – Natural Resources Stewardship and Water Resources Plan
Action Step 1 – Develop Overall Mapping of Ecological Systems Using the MLCCS, the vegetative communities across the city have been substantially mapped. Refinements to the mapping will continue on a routine basis. Additional ecological evaluations will also continue through partnerships with other agencies and the private development community as development occurs. Action Step 2 – Develop Ecological Prototypes for Healthy and Unhealthy Systems Ecological prototypes refer to the general structure, site conditions, vegetative species lists, and other variables attributed to each of the ecological communities found within the city. Prototypes assist restoration and management efforts by helping compare existing conditions against measurable criteria for healthy systems and in recognizing possible causative agents that result in ecological changes. By recognizing what a healthy system looks like, specific targets or models for management and restoration programs can be developed and implemented. The city has substantially completed this task, with refinements being made to prototype models as new scientific data is gathered. The refinement process will continue indefinitely as part of the monitoring and evaluation process. Action Step 3 – Prioritize Public Lands for Stewardship In the context of funding limitation, a multi-phased approach is required. The baseline strategy for publicly held land is to sequentially address stewardship needs based on established priorities. The key priorities include: 1. Continuing to manage ecological communities that have already been restored. 2. Mitigating immediate threats to natural areas and ecological systems 3. Protecting and enhancing the highest quality systems within existing parks, with an emphasis on areas readily observable by the public. 4. Systematically expanding stewardship activities, with an emphasis on areas that are adjacent to previously restored areas to reduce habitat fragmentation, create sustainable systems, and maintain stewardship efficiencies. Appendix A – Five-Year System Implementation Program should be referred to for the current listing of stewardship priorities. Action Step 4 – Establish an Annual and Five-Year Budget for the Stewardship Program Critical to the success of the stewardship program is consistent year-to-year funding. The Park Board and Environmental Board will recommend to the City Council a five-year plan that defines funding levels associated with priorities. The plan will be updated each year to ensure that stewardship program planning is in alignment with funding allocations. Action Step 5 – Undertake Stewardship Program for Priority Sites Consistent with the approved budget, a phased approach will be implemented at the priority sites.
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Section 5 – Natural Resources Stewardship and Water Resources Plan
Stewardship Strategy for Privately Held Natural Open Space Establishing a stewardship program for privately held land is tied to the development planning process, as is the actual setting aside of land for greenways as defined in Section 3. Since these programs cannot be specifically mandated, the city will have to rely on collaborations with the developers and landowners if stewardship programs are to be integrated into land development packages. The technically based practices, techniques, and phases associated with private stewardship programs are consistent with those ascribed for public land. The primary difference is that these programs are generally funded as part of an overall developer’s agreement with the city. Depending on the economies of a specific development and the public values ascribed to the area, the city may also participate in some aspects of these stewardship programs. To protect all interests, the developer’s agreement as it relates to stewardship programs should include the following specific provisions: • Definition of a stewardship program – relates to the construction, restoration, maintenance, and monitoring of natural ecological systems as part of the designated development proposal. • Fund agreement – relates to the establishment of a perpetual funding source for longterm stewardship program within the designated development. The fund typically consists of some combination of an endowment (that bears yearly interest) and yearly association fees that are a stipulated part of the purchase agreement for a property. • Areas covered under the stewardship program – defines the specific land areas where stewardship would occur, most often being legally defined under a conservation easement. • Stewardship program phases – typically includes two phases: 1) development phase and 2) long-term stewardship phase. Under the development phase, the developer would bear the cost of stewardship. Once the development is complete, a homeowners association takes over stewardship responsibility through an established fund. • Stewardship program technical requirements – defines the technical specifications for constructing, managing, maintaining, and monitoring designated natural areas. • Restriction of uses within conservation easements – defines uses that cannot occur in conservation areas. • Signage of the conservation easement – stipulates the type of signage required to define the limits of the preserved areas. Protocol for administration of the stewardship program – stipulates the administrative procedures for program oversight and the city’s legal authority to take action if the agreement is not fulfilled.
Water Resources Management
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Water resources management refers to managing stormwater in an ecologically sound manner that is consistent with the larger ecological vision for the community. Under the System Plan, using natural infiltration methods will be an underlying principle for managing stormwater on all public, and, where feasible, private lands.
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Section 5 – Natural Resources Stewardship and Water Resources Plan
Natural Infiltration Method for Stormwater Management The natural infiltration approach to stormwater management relies on passive, overland routing of runoff, as opposed to storm sewers, engineered ponds, and other built structures. The nature approach offers a couple of distinct advantages over conventional systems: • Introduced contaminants picked up by runoff are removed at the initial stages of water flowage rather than being transported to downstream locations and accumulating in wetland, lake, and river systems. This greatly reduces degradation to water quality and vegetative health in downstream systems. • Stormwater flow rates and volumes more closely emulate natural conditions. This greatly reduces unnatural fluctuations in water levels in downstream systems (wetlands and lakes) and therefore reduces impacts to the natural condition of water systems and vegetation. Natural infiltration systems typically consist of four primary natural system components, as illustrated in figure 14. Figure 14 – Principles of natural infiltration system.
Each of the components function in sequence to treat the water before it enters wetlands, lakes, and rivers. Initially, stormwater runoff from the built environment is routed into swales or, more recently, “raingardens,” that are planted with native plants with deep root systems. These swales and raingardens provide initial infiltration and removal of pollutants, as well as convey runoff from developed areas and disperse it across upland and prairie systems. The upland systems (i.e., prairies and oak savannas) are the second component of this method, functioning to convey stormwater as diffused overland flow to the wetland systems that often link directly or indirectly to bordering lakes and rivers. These systems infiltrate a substantial portion of the annual surface runoff volume due to their very deep root system. They also provide additional solids settling and biological treatment.
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Section 5 – Natural Resources Stewardship and Water Resources Plan
The wetlands are the third component of the natural infiltration method and provide both stormwater detention and biological treatment prior to runoff entering the lake and river systems. The final component is the lake or river, which provides stormwater detention, additional solids settling and biological treatment. The use of a natural infiltration system also produces a much more natural hydrograph, resulting in lower peak flows and higher base flows relative to the hydrograph of a typical engineered flow rate control approach. Figure 15 is instructive in that it illustrates the difference between a flow rate control and ecological approach to stormwater management. Figure 15 – Annual hydrographs comparison.
Under the System Plan, the natural infiltration approach philosophy to managing stormwater is supported by the application of Best Management Practices that address common development circumstances likely to be encountered as the system plan is implemented. These practices define specific techniques that can be applied to different development scenarios to achieve stated environmental protection objectives. The Metropolitan Council’s “Urban Small Sites Best Management Practice Manual” provides the basic underpinning for many of the techniques that will be employed wherever applicable as the development initiatives are undertaken. Note that newly emerging ecologically based techniques will also be applied to achieve desired ecological benefits.
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Section 5 – Natural Resources Stewardship and Water Resources Plan
Specific techniques envisioned to have application for the park include: • Minimization of impervious surfacing for parking lots and roadways, including the use of naturally surfaced areas for overflow/temporary parking. • Use of infiltration systems (e.g., biofiltration systems, rain gardens, filter strips, swales, and slotted/flat curbs) as part of parking lot and hard surface designs. • Use of infiltration techniques for managing roof runoff from buildings (e.g., downspout infiltration systems). • Use of site grading techniques to achieve naturalized infiltration objectives. • Use of contemporary erosion control techniques to prevent migration of soils during the construction process. • Limiting the use of maintained turf to the more active use areas.
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