9.1. SR 07-21-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Dedicate funds for the perpetual monitoring, management and enforcement of those easements. The Land Trust will prioritize existing and future potential parcels for protection using the following criteria, in this order of importance: • Habitat: quality and quantity of existing habitat on site • Context: proximity and relationship to other protected lands • Opportunity: cost-benefit ratio:which landowners will participate now • Other Benefits: meeting multiple objectives, including visual and physical access, forestry goals, water quality, etc. The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc. will acquire fee title to 240 acres of high priority habitat to expand the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) in the floodplain of the Minnesota River between Chaska and LeSueur. The Trust will acquire 60 additional acres with other non-state funds,for a combined total of at least 300 acres. The Refuge expansion units have been prioritized by the USFWS in its Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP)for the Minnesota Valley!National Wildlife Refuge and Wetland Management District. Priorities were identified through a science-based, public planning process as having strong potential to provide high quality habitat for wildlife and opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation. Ail prioritized lands are along the Minnesota River and include river frontage,floodplain and cropland. Following acquisition,the Trust and USFWS will develop a restoration and management plan,then restore and enhance the floodplain forest,wetlands and prairie in cooperation with partners. This project will reduce fragmentation and combat habitat loss to provide quality habitat and increase breeding and migratory habitat for waterfowl,shorebirds, neotropical migrants, and other species, . including non-migratory resident species. It also will protect native plant and animal species, improve water quality of the Minnesota River and increase public access for wildlife-dependent recreation, including hunting,fishing, birding, photography, hiking and wildlife interpretation. After restoration and enhancement,the lands acquired will be donated to the USFWS for perpetual management for wildlife and wildlife-dependent recreation as part of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The Trust for Public land (TPL)will acquire fee title to 200 acres of forest, wetland, prairie and aquatic habitat along the Minnesota, Mississippi and/or St. Croix Rivers and keytributaries.TPL will protect another 67 acres with leveraged dollars,for total protection of 267 acres of high quality habitat. TPL will select among five projects (described below)that are high priorities identified by TPL's public partners to protect high quality habitat alongthe three big River Corridors in the Metropolitan