HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.b Natural Area MappingAGENDA ITEM: Natural Area Mapping
AGENDA SECTION:
Update
PREPARED BY: Dan Schultz, Director of Parks and
Recreation
AGENDA NO. 3.B.
ATTACHMENTS: None
APPROVED BY: G
RECOMMENDED ACTION: None, discussion only
4 ROSEMOUNT
CITY COUNCIL
City Council Work Session: November 15, 2006
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ISSUE
Staff would like to update the City Council about the work that has been completed on the mapping of
natural areas in Rosemount.
BACKGROUND
Due to Rosemount's anticipated growth, the City Council identified preserving natural areas as being an
important issue. The City Council expressed their support for takmg a proactive approach to preserving
open space by mapping and creating a contact list of property owners with quality natural resources.
The Council had directed staff to coordinate the mapping of the significant natural areas in Rosemount.
For the Past several months staff have been working with Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. to create a map
and GIS based information that includes past natural area planning efforts, existing resources and
opportumnes to protect and connect sensitive areas.
SUMMARY
The map does not need Council adoption, but will rather serve as a resource for staff and other groups
dunng the review of development projects. Staff will have a map available at the meeting for Council to
review.
The mapping of Rosemount's natural areas used the following criteria to develop the map:
Criteria for Identification
Natural areas identified in the City of Rosemount have been classified into two categories: highest priority
and lower priority. Highest pnonty natural areas are the most important water quality and habitat
resources in the City. Lower pnonty areas are natural areas that have habitat and water quality value but
have expenenced some disturbance or are dominated by non -native species.
Highest Priority Areas are:
Areas that are the most important water quality and habitat resources in the City include:
1. Open water
Data Source Cary of Rosemount
2. Wedands
Data Source. City of Rosemount
3. A buffer up to 75' around open water and wetlands
Data Source Gty of Rosemount Wetland Management and Protection Requirements
4. Land within the 100 and 500 year floodplatns
Data Source- FHVLA
5. The area has been identified by the Minnesota County Biological Survey as a Natural Community
Data Source Dakota County Sod and Water Conservation Distnct Dakota County Pnonty
NaturalAreas
6 Natural /semi natural land cover* with at least one of the following characteristics-
a. Land with native vegetation.
b. Presence or habitat for a state endangered, threatened sperial concern plant or animal.
c. Land is within 300' of a lake, stream or water body
Data Source. Dakota County Sod and Water Conservation District, Dakota County Pnonty
Natural Areas
*Natural/ semi-natural land covers as classified in the Minnesota Land Cover Classification for Dakota County developed by the
IVLNDNR Natzrral /semi natural lands an areas where there es not a presence y man -made impervious surfaces and include forests;
woodlands; shrub lands, herbaceous vegetation; water; and areas that have sparse vegetation such as rock chaffs or sand flats.
Lower Priority Areas are:
Natural areas that have habitat and water quality value but have experienced some disturbance or are
dominated by non native species. These areas include:
1. The land has natural /senii- natural and cover but does not meet any of the criteria outlined under
Highest Pnonty.
Data Source Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District, Dakota County Pnonty
Natural Areas
2. Lands identified by the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System as having the presence of
man-made impervious surfaces but with those surfaces covering less than 25° of the land. The
minimum size for these areas to be included is 50 acres.
Data Source, tiL' Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Land Cover Clasafkatton System
3. Other areas with significant tree cover.
Data Source. Co' of Rosemont Staff
Data Sources
The following datasets have been used to identify natural areas in the City of Rosemount: the Minnesota
Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS), developed by the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources; Dakota County Pnonty Natural Areas developed by the Dakota County Soil_ and Water
Conservation District; FEMA floodplain information available through the MNDNR; and wetland
location and management and protection requirements provided by the City of Rosemont.
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