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Home My WebLink About1997-05-27 NAC Fax to OPH Forwarding Grant Application Draft for CC Review •RTHWEST ASSOCII.D CC NSULTANTS INC 5775 W AY Z ATA BOULEVARD, SUITE 555 ST.LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA 554 1 6 TRANSMITTAL PHONE (6 1 2)595-9636 DATE: 27May1997 NUMBER OF PAGES TO: INCLUDING Mike Robertson COVER: 10 FROM: Scott Richards QUANTITY: MATERIAL /DESCRIPTION: DATED: 1 Draft Grant Application VIA: REMARKS: MAIL Please make copies and distribute for Council action tonight. FAX X PICK UP DELIVERY PROJECT: Oak Park Heights - Conservation Partners Grant JOB NUMBER: 798.04 -97.05 • • 30 May 1997 Ms. Audrey Mularie Grants Manager MnDNR 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155 RE: Oak Park Heights - Conservation Partners Grant Application FILE NO: 798.04 - 97.05 Dear Ms. Mularie: Please find attached the City of Oak Park Heights' application for funding under the Conservation Partners Grant Program. As indicated in our pre - application material, we are requesting funds for the second stage of a project to restore the natural habitat in a portion of Valley View Park. The City has already allocated funding to begin the first stage of the project this summer. To expand on the project and complete the second stage, the City will need the assistance of the DNR through this grant program. Without the grant, it is unlikely the City will be able to complete the project in 1998 as planned. I believe we have fulfilled all the requirements specified for the application process. If there is any additional information, maps or additional documentation required, please do not hesitate to call me or Andrew Weaver, the Restoration Consultant, at 351 -1416. Sincerely, NORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS, INC. Scott Richards Senior Planner pc: Mike Robertson Mayor and City Council • • Grant Application Conservation Partners and Community Environmental Partnerships ITEM 1 - APPLICATION SUMMARY Applicant Organization Name: City of Oak Park Heights Contact Person: Scott D. Richards Title: Planning Consultant Address: 5775 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 555 City: St. Louis Park State: MN Zip: 55416 Telephone: ( 612 ) 595 - 9636 Project Title: Valley View Park Restoration Management Project Location: County Washington Section/Township /Range 3 / 29N / 20W Total Cost: $ 13,000 Grant Requested: $ 6,500 • Grant Program • • Which grant program are you applying for? Check one only. E3 Conservation Partners ❑ Community Environmental Partnerships page 1 • VALLEY VIEW PARK RESTORATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT OAK PARK HEIGHTS, WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA ITEM 2 - PROJECT NARRATIVE The City of Oak Park Heights is committed to a multi -stage project for Valley View Park to restore native species and habitat within an area that has not been previously developed for recreational purposes. Valley View Park consists of 57 acres of woodland, prairie and wetlands of which only a third is currently accessible and utilized. The remaining park land consists of previously tilled and grazed land surrounding a waterbody referred to as Perro Creek Pond. Additionally, the site is adjacent to DNR reserve properties. The purpose of this project is to restore natural plant communities, protect Perro Creek Pond through the establishment of species appropriate for a marsh perimeter, and provide enhanced natural habitation for wildlife. With the addition of a trail system through these areas, access would be provided for educational and recreational programs. The first stage of the project is to be completed by the Fall of 1997 and is not subject to the Conservation Partners Grant. This stage includes a burn of the entire site (completed May 1997), weed control and planting of native species. This area, totaling five acres, includes knolls, bottom land, a marsh perimeter and a sedge meadow all prescribed for differing plant species appropriate for the soil and topographic conditions. The City has committed $8,200 for completion of this phase. The second stage of the project, which is subject to Conservation Partners Grant funding, is concentrated to the north of the first stage in a seven acre site area described as rough bottom land. The first step consists of a burn and elimination of all Box Elder, Buckthorn and Siberian Elm. The area would be tilled, sprayed for weeds and mowed as needed. Two zones, mesic and wet mesic, would be planted with appropriate grasses and forbs. The second stage is projected to begin in the Fall of 1997 for completion in the Fall of 1998. Maintenance of the project is expected to be ongoing during and after completion of the stages with the City accepting all responsibility and costs. The City has retained the company, Northern Prairies, from Cannon Falls, MN in cooperation with Andrew Weaver, a Biologist with the Stillwater Area School District to prepare the Restoration Management Plan (see Exhibit 5) and to implement the project stages. Additionally, the City will utilize Sentence to Serve labor and Tree Trust volunteers to assist with brush clearing and tree removal. The labor from these two groups will provide for a portion of the local match, with the remaining match in the form of cash from the City Park Capital Improvement Fund. As an ongoing project within Valley View Park and adjacent NSP owned property, the City will develop a trail system connecting the distinct areas of the park with access through the restored natural prairie and wetlands. As a final project, the City plans to provide a wetland observation deck to further enhance the recreational and educational access to of this area. Page 2 • • VALLEY VIEW PARK RESTORATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA ITEM 3 - BREAKDOWN OF TOTAL PROJECT COST - STAGE 2 Component Description Cost Site Preparation Fall/Winter 1997 Tree Removal (Box Elder, 1,500.00 Buckthorn and Siberian Elm) and burn Fall 1997 Weed Control 600.00 Mowing 600.00 Fall 1997 /Spring 1998 Soil Tilling and Leveling - 2,000.00 Two Required Spring 1998 Weed Control 1,800.00 Three Required Planting Spring 1998 Truax Drill and Planting 1,440.00 Seed: 22 lbs of Mesic /7 lbs Wet Mesic • Mesic 80/20 3 Grasses /12 Forbs 1,430.00 Mesic 60/40 4 Grasses /24 Forbs 2,200.00 Wet Mesic 80/20 3 Grasses /12 Forbs 590.00 Wet Mesic 60/40 4 Grasses /24 Forbs 840.00 TOTAL PROJECT COST $13,000.00 Page 3 • • • • VALLEY VIEW PARK RESTORATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT OAK PARK HEIGHTS, WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA ITEM 4 - NON -STATE CONTRIBUTIONS - STAGE 2 Donor Name Type of Contribution Value Sentence to Serve Labor - Brush and Tree 100 hours Tree Removal at $5.00 /hr = $500 Tree Trust Labor - Brush and 100 hours Tree Removal at $5.00 /hr = $500 City of Oak Park Heights Cash - City Park Capital $5,500 Improvement Fund TOTAL CONTRIBUTION $6,500 Page 4 • • VALLEY VIEW PARK RESTORATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT OAK PARK HEIGHTS, WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA ITEM 5 - OTHER PARTNERS HELPING WITH PROJECT - STAGE 2 In addition to Sentence to Serve and the Tree Trust, the City has retained Stephen Thomforde of Northern Prairies and Andrew Weaver a biologist with the Stillwater Area High School to develop a Restoration Management Plan and to coordinate the two stages of the project. Commitment from the City of Oak Park Heights was confirmed at the 27 May 1997 City Council meeting in which the Council offered financial support for the project and approved the application. In addition, NSP is willing to give the City an easement for development of a trail connection through their property. Letters from these individuals /organizations are attached as Exhibits and Page 5 • i VALLEY VIEW PARK RESTORATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT OAK PARK HEIGHTS, WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA ITEM 6 - ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF LANDOWNER The City of Oak Park Heights owns the entire area included in Stage 2 of the proposed project. Only the trail within the NSP property affects another property owner. Construction of this trail is not a part of the DNR Conservation Grant request. • . III Page 6 • VALLEY VIEW PARK RESTORATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT OAK PARK HEIGHTS, WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA ITEM 7 - MAPS AND OTHER EXHIBITS To assist the DNR with the project review, please find the following maps and exhibits: Exhibit 1 - Location Map Exhibit 2 - Staging Map Exhibit 3 - Air Photo Exhibit 4 - USGS Map Exhibit 5 - Restoration Management Plan Exhibit 6 - Letters Page 7 • • VALLEY VIEW PARK RESTORATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT OAK PARK HEIGHTS, WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA ITEM 6 - ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF LANDOWNER The City of Oak Park Heights owns the entire area included in Stage 2 of the proposed project. Only the trail within the NSP property affects another property owner. Construction of this trail is not a part of the DNR Conservation Grant request. Page 6 • • VALLEY VIEW PARK RESTORATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT OAK PARK HEIGHTS, WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA ITEM 7 - MAPS AND OTHER EXHIBITS To assist the DNR with the project review, please find the following maps and exhibits: Exhibit 1 - Location Map Exhibit 2 - Staging Map Exhibit 3 - Air Photo Exhibit 4 - USGS Map Exhibit 5 - Restoration Management Plan Exhibit 6 - Letters Page 7 ,_� __mot Valley View Park i t 1,1 4 �( / / \.� y`2` \� \� f C' � '4J1 '' r I ,r w 1 1 \,, c. „, ,, y .0',:i \'‘\:.\\,\''.\,.._''''''''" r Restoration rf : I • : , 11 , ,, , , „ � ,,_ ` \ \ 1 ; , , Overlook __ \2 \� . 1.� G � Q� \„ L i t a \ '� "_;�0,6-9 Mana ement - '4.... �� -' ' i��t' 7,, �'�� y � '�� _ ' �� ° � � � �, , , Project /,'' I . \ 4 " - .. \ )\ ) It ,Ill'' 2 \,1111\k,\;„ � 1�;1� lioff(ritI O �ih , : 1 w � iii - -- 43. \ I \ 1u +� " � 1 , . ) ■ 0 p Existing Developed � �� , . ® _ = (Su bject to '- G� Park Area��r A _ : DNR Funding)--"-7--f:-=-11:---jr:: �, , " � 1 �a� i °G�, Staging Plan -,',-.) ; , , +., ,Ip o� �., - i _ t = a „_, r 1 ro ' ,,,... 1 ' " ,_ , 1 k4 411 ,.7t,T, c i." 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