DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Release Draft Mississippi River Greenway Natural Resource Management Plan For Public Review
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the release of the Draft Of The Natural Resource Management Plan of The Mississippi River Greenway for public review.
SUMMARY
By Resolution No. 17-274 (May 23, 2017), the County Board adopted the Dakota County Natural Resources Management System Plan (NRMP) which demonstrates a need to develop NRMPs for all County Parks, Greenways, and Conservation Easements.
By Resolution No. 20-568 (November 17, 2020), 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.
By Resolution No. 20-519 (October 20, 2020), the County Board adopted the River to River Greenway, and established precedent for a County and Landowner partnership.
Friends of the Mississippi River was hired to develop an NRMP for the Mississippi River Greenway, which runs for 28 miles along the river, from St. Paul to Hastings. The public lands along the corridor are owned by Dakota County, the Cities of South St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights and Hastings, and Independent School District 199.
The NRMP addresses the natural resource inventory, future vegetative cover goals, and recommended projects developed in cooperation with landowner partners. An estimated $2,389,000 in projects were identified in the plan. $589,000 has been secured from an Environment and Natural Resource Trust Fund Grant and a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant to begin implementing the recommendations in the plan. Project implementation will be subject to additional grant funding and the establishment of partnership agreements.
The NRMP was presented to the Dakota County Planning Commission on June 26, 2025, at which time the Commission passed a resolution to recommend to the Dakota County Board that the draft plan be released for public review and comment.
https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/parks/About/ResourcePlans/Documents/MississippiRiverGreenwayNRMPDraft.pdf
Next Steps: Upon County Board approval of the Draft release, a website for providing comment on the NRMP will be made available for the 30-day community review period. After public comments are addressed and incorporated, the Final Plan will be considered for adoption at future meetings of the Planning Commission and the Dakota County Board of Commissioners.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends the release of the draft MRG NRMP for public comment
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 17-274 (May 23, 2017), the County Board adopted the Dakota County Natural Resources Management System Plan (NRMP) which demonstrates a need to develop NRMPs for all County Parks, Greenways, and Conservation Easements; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 20-568 (November 17, 2020), 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, by Resolution No. 20-519 (October 20, 2020), the County Board adopted the River to River Greenway, and established precedent for a County and Landowner partnership; and
WHEREAS, Friends of the Mississippi River was hired to develop an NRMP for the Mississippi River Greenway, which runs for 28 miles along the river, from St. Paul to Hastings; and
WHEREAS, the public lands along the corridor are owned by Dakota County, the Cities of South St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights and Hastings, and Independent School District 199; and
WHEREAS, the NRMP addresses the natural resource inventory, future vegetative cover goals, and recommended projects developed in cooperation with landowner partners; and
WHEREAS, an estimated $2,389,000 in projects were identified in the plan; and
WHEREAS, $589,000 has been secured from an Environment and Natural Resource Trust Fund Grant and a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant to begin implementing the recommendations in the plan; and
WHEREAS, project implementation will be subject to additional grant funding and the establishment of partnership agreements; and
WHEREAS, the NRMP was presented to the Dakota County Planning Commission on June 26, 2025, at which time the Commission passed a resolution to recommend to the Dakota County Board that the draft plan be released for public review and comment; and
WHEREAS, upon County Board approval of Draft release, a website for providing comment on the NRMP will be made available for the 30-day community review period; and
WHEREAS, after public comments are addressed and incorporated, the final plan will be considered for adoption at future meetings of the Planning Commission and the Dakota County Board of Commissioners.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the release of the draft Mississippi River Greenway Natural Resource Management Plan for a 30-day public review and comment period.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
17-274; 5/23/17
20-568; 11/17/20
20-519; 10/20/20
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: None.
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☒ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Niki Geisler
Author: Tom Lewanski