9.2.A. PRSR 12 08 2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2004 Metro Greenways Site Protection Nomination Page 7 C. Imminence of Threat Many natural areas and potential corridors are threatened by development pressure, fragmentation and other factors. In some situattons, only a short period of!!me may be available to protect an area from being permanently lost or signifrcantly degraded. Higher priority will he given to those sites with an immediate or high Level ofthreat. Describe the type and level of threat, if any, to the site. The level of threat to the site is high. There are significant gravel resources located in this parcel. While the city has a 200' easement along the trail corridor, everything outside this easement will be mined. Once the mineral resource is exhausted, the site will be reclaimed as a housing development. D. Other Factors Certain sites, by virtue of their size, characteristics, location, and history can further natural resource protection by increasing awareness of the Metro Greenways program and its goals. Sites and projects Chat bring Lhese important benefrts to the program will receive tetra consideration. Would the project not be able to be done, but for Metro Greenways support? Also, an attempt will also be made to distribute protected sites throughout the region and wtthin urban, suburban and rural areas. Explain any other benefits that may accrue from protection and/or restoration of this site. It cannot be emphasized enough that this site is part of a key hub in the city's Greenway Corridor network. It forms critical connections to high quality forest and woodland habitat to the north, and extremely high quality barrens prairie in the Sportsmen's Club to the west, to the Mississippi River to the south, and along a corridor that runs north towards the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. Further, the size of the habitat represents a unique opportunity to protect a large tract of high quality natural area in a rapidly growing part of the City, for reasonable cost. Because of its central location within the City and within the City Park network, the site is an ideal location to generate interest in and public awareness of the Metro Greenways Corridor Program and goals. There are opportunities for signage and informational literature within the park itself, as well as along the trails and on park literature, and other options for increasing awareness exist as well. Because of the high cost of land in Elk River, DNR assistance is key for protecting this property. The city does not have the resources to purchase the property, either directly or through a mix of direct purchase and park dedication credits, and a cooperative venture with many partners is essential for a successful outcome. The funds requested in this grant application would provide vital "seed money' to help engage other donors. City jClk 1(lver Top nfihe Wnr4l Addiiiwi Greenways'Grans /loeenrnn and Asrucimeq NaoemAer 29, 2001