DEPARTMENT: Parks, Facilities, and Fleet Management
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Adopt Natural Resource Management Plan For Vermillion River Greenway Hastings Segment
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the County Board adopted the Greenway Collaborative Guidebook, whereby the County assumes all natural resource vegetation management within the 30-foot easements for greenway trails; and
WHEREAS, for Minimum Greenway Corridors beyond the 30-foot easement, the County will work in partnerships with landowners for natural resources restoration within 100-foot wide (urban) to 300-foot wide (rural) linear parks with a 50 percent cost share; and
WHEREAS, the County may assist with a 25 percent cost share for restoration of connected natural areas, but long-term maintenance would be the responsibility of the landowner; and
WHEREAS, external grant funding will be used to fund restoration projects, and grant match and cost share fiscal impacts will be established and individually brought to the County Board for review in the form of future joint powers agreements between partners prior to project implementation; and
WHEREAS, the County Board adopted the Dakota County Natural Resources Management System Plan, which demonstrates a need to develop Natural Resource Management Plans (NRMPs) for all County Parks, Greenways, and Conservation Easements; and
WHEREAS, the County Board adopted the Land Conservation Plan, which aims to improve County coordination and collaboration with other agencies and organizations regarding land protection and long-term natural resource management; and
WHEREAS, the County adopted the River to River Greenway and established precedent for County and Landowner partnerships; and
WHEREAS, the Dakota County Board authorized the Natural Resource Management Plan to be released for public review and comments for 30 days, from July 18 through August 28, whereby comments have been received and are reflected in an updated version of the NRMP, which was reviewed by both the City of Hastings Parks Commission and the Dakota County Planning Commission (10/26/23), and a final draft Natural Resource Management Plan has been completed; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hastings Parks Commission reviewed the final draft on October 18, 2023, and expressed support for the plan; and
WHEREAS, the Dakota County Planning Commission reviewed the final draft on October 26, 2023, and recommended that the County Board of Commissioners adopt the plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the adoption of the draft Vermillion River Greenway Hastings Segment Natural Resources Management Plan.
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