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Home My WebLink About1997-05-30 NAC Ltr to MN DNR Forwarding Grant Application • • NORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS INC N COMMUNITY PLANNING - DESIGN - MARKET RESEARCH 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 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, which consists of site preparation. To complete the second stage, which includes additional site preparation and installation of prairie grass, 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. / 10// Scott D. Richards Senior Planner pc: Mike Robertson Mayor and City Council 5775 WAYZATA BOULEVARD, SUITE 555 ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA 55416 PHONE 612-595-9636 FAX 6 1 2- 595 -9837 • 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: $ 22,200 Grant Requested: $ 10,000 Grant Program Which grant program are you applying for? Check one only. Ell 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 eight acre 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, which involves only site preparation, includes a burn of the entire site, tree and brush removal (Box Elder, Buckthorn, and Siberian Elm), and weed control (herbicide application). This area 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 $6,350 for completion of this phase. The second stage of the project, which is subject to Conservation Partners Grant funding, begins in the Fall of 1997 and involves site preparation, consisting of tilling, weed control, and additional tree and brush removal. The next step consists of a burn and another herbicide application in the Spring of 1998. The final step will be the planting of site appropriate grasses and forbs that Spring and Summer. Maintenance of the project is expected to be ongoing during and after completion of the stages with the City accepting all responsibility and costs. As a part of the maintenance, the City is working with the Washington County Health, Environment, and Land Management Department on a test site for biological control of purple loose strife. 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 6) and to implement the project stages. Additionally, the City will utilize Sentence to Serve labor and the Bayport Fire Department to assist with brush clearing, tree removal, and the burn. 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 with assistance from Tree Trust volunteers 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 recreational and educational access to this area. Page 2 • • • VALLEY VIEW PARK RESTORATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA ITEM 3 - BREAKDOWN OF TOTAL PROJECT COST Component Description Cost Site Preparation Fall/Winter 1997 Tree Removal (Box Elder, 500.00 Buckthorn and Siberian Elm) Fall 1997 Weed Control 625.00 Fall 1997 Soil Tilling and Leveling 1,200.00 Spring 1998 Weed Control 625.00 Burn - Bayport Fire Department Fire Line Establishment 2,800.00 Planting Spring 1998 Truax Drill and Planting 2,000.00 Site 1 - Seedlings 1,950.00 Site 2 - Seed 2,940.00 Site 3 - Seed 1,100.00 Site 4 - Seedlings 2,500.00 Site 5 - Seed 5,060.00 Project Coordinator - Andrew Weaver 20 hrs at $45 /hr 900.00 TOTAL PROJECT COST $22,200.00 Page 3 • • • VALLEY VIEW PARK RESTORATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT OAK PARK HEIGHTS, WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA ITEM 4 - NON -STATE CONTRIBUTIONS Donor Name Type of Contribution Value Sentence to Serve Labor - Brush and Tree 100 hours Tree Removal at $5.00 /hr = $500 Bayport Fire Department Site Burn $2,000 City of Oak Park Heights Cash - City Park Capital $9,700 Improvement Fund TOTAL CONTRIBUTION $12,200 Page 4 • • • • VALLEY VIEW PARK RESTORATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT OAK PARK HEIGHTS, WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA ITEM 5 - OTHER PARTNERS HELPING WITH PROJECT In addition to Sentence to Serve and the Bayport Fire Department, 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 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 Exhibit 7. Page 5 • . • 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 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 - Site Location Map Exhibit 2 - Detailed Site Location and Adjacent Land Uses Exhibit 3 - Project Plan Exhibit 4 - Air Photo Exhibit 5 - USGS Map Exhibit 6 - Restoration Management Plan Exhibit 7 - Letters Page 7 • VALLEY VIEW PARK RESTORATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT OAK PARK HEIGHTS, WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA EXHIBIT 6 - RESTORATION MANAGEMENT PLAN EXHIBIT 6 • • VALLEY VIEW PARK RESTORATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT OAK PARK HEIGHTS, WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA EXHIBIT 7 - LETTERS EXHIBIT 7