DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
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Authorization To Release Draft Natural Systems Plan For Public Review And Comment
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Dakota County owns and manages 5,850 acres of public park land and additional land in greenway corridors and has protected more than 12,000 acres through conservation easements on private lands; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County recognizes the importance of restoring and managing its protected lands for ecological and societal benefits; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County adopted the Parks Natural Resources System Plan in 2017 and the Land Conservation Plan in 2020 to guide protection and management of high-quality natural resources lands; and
WHEREAS, staff has been directed to combine these two legacy plans into a single operational plan called the Natural Systems Plan to 1) protect ecologically valuable lands amid development, growth, and habitat fragmentation; 2) ensure consistent, science-based management for long-term ecological resilience; and 3) provide a framework for funding, restoration priorities, and partnerships; and
WHEREAS, targeted stakeholder engagement and general public intercepts were conducted in March and April of 2026 with positive comments received on continuing this work; and
WHEREAS, a draft Natural Systems Plan has been prepared to articulate objectives, strategies, and implementation pathways for land protection, natural systems stewardship, and program operations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes release of the draft Natural Systems Plan for a 30-day public review and comment period, commencing on September 1, 2026.
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