5.2 ERMUSR 02-10-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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December 4, 2003 City of Elk River Attn: Dave Anderson 13065 Orono Parkway Elk River, MN 55330 Re: Royal Valley Park Dear Dave, On Monday I visited Royal Valley Park with Mike Evenocheck. Mike relayed to me that it is your request to receive a three year maintenance estimate for this project beginning with the growing season of 2004. This 1.2 acre project includes the existing Prairie Restorations restoration only. The following is a brief overview, including estimated costs, of the work needed to ensure long term success for your new project. 2004 Summer management work will consist primarily of complete site mowing. This is typical during the "germination year" of a newly restored prairie. The goal is to reduce the canopy coverage created by annual and biannual weed species. Proper timing of these mowings also ensures long term control of these plants by reducing the amount of viable weed seed produced at the restored site. Usually the cutting height for the first season will be approximately 5-8 inches. 2005 The first full growing season will probably require a mowing or possibly two, followed by a more "target specific"hands-on approach to dealing with undesirable plants, while reducing any negative impact on the newly emerging native plants. This hands-on summer management work can be mechanical and/or chemical, depending on the species we are trying to control or eradicate from the restored area. 2006 This may be our first opportunity to begin the growing season with a controlled bum (sometime in late April or early May). Native herbaceous plants are adapted to the benefits of fire, whereas European exotic species are not. Our experienced land management staff uses controlled bums like any other management tool available to them, and much effort is put forth to achieve optimum timing on the use fire. The window of opportunity for implementing this work is small, however the benefits to the restoration are huge and cannot be replicated in any other way. In addition to the possible spring burn, summer management work would again be necessary during the 2006 growing season. The land managers would begin dealing with more of the long term perennial weed species, which may require some spot mowing and spot herbicide application. Cost estimates for the above mentioned work are as follows: