MOU readers
I sent an email to the listserv re. Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Dakota Co. on December 16, 2013. You can look at that again if you want. It included a link to the County "master plan" proposal. This is an update from Holly Jenkins who has been enjoying the park for many years and providing comments on successive development plans for the park. She is very knowledgeable re the history of changes in the park and is a key advocate against the new development plan proposed by Dakota Co staff and consultant. There is also a petition at the bottom of this message. I just signed it. They would like 1000 signatories by January 18. There is a Board of Commissioners meeting again this Tuesday, January 7. It will be too cold tomorrow to chase more snowy owls. Instead, you could read up on the plan for this park (in previous email) and sign the petition. Holly is very much looking for supporters who know and value the birdlife in LHRP. Individuals I have spoken to are very concerned about the prospect of approx. 9 miles of NEW paved trails thru the park. Additional subtractions of habitat are detailed in the plan. If you are interested, I can send you a previous update from H Jenkins subsequent to the Dec 16 meeting with Dakota Co Park staff. ( Ask to my email address-not reply.) She is happy to talk to people about this plan. Tom Tustison who has birded LHRP since 1984 has noted a decline in bird species already --- notably veery and mourning warbler. He has seen 133 species in the park. You all know that new wide trails and the addition of other 'urban park' features will result in fewer birds in this important metro-area park. (you can look at the bikeways in the map in the Plan document) Lebanon Hills still has some relatively large areas that are not fragmented. It hasn't happened yet and a lot of people want to prevent it. You can help. The motto of Dakota Co. Parks is "Forever Wild". You can help make it real. Gordon Andersson St Paul _____ From: Holly Jenkins [mailto:hollyc.jenk...@gmail.com] Sent: Sunday, January 05, 2014 7:02 AM To: undisclosed-recipients: Subject: Lebanon Hills Update - January 5 The official public comment period is scheduled to end in less than two weeks on January 18. After that, it is expected that park staff will refine the plan and present it to the Board of Commissioners for adoption at their February 11 meeting. Continue to submit comments and tell others about this issue. Information in this update includes: * Buckthorn and the 2013 Development Plan * January 14 Open House Details * Upcoming Board of Commissioner Meeting Details * What you can do BUCKTHORN AND THE 2013 DEVELOPMENT PLAN "Invasive species degrade ecosystems and prevent regeneration of native red oaks, the park's dominant native tree. As oaks decline, buckthorn and other species will dominate. Buckthorn is well established and is a major threat." (p. vii) "In general, oak forests in Lebanon Hills are in degraded condition, largely due to invasive shrub species, primarily buckthorn." (p. 43) "As [oak woodlands] become increasingly dominated by non-native invasive woody plants, their ability to support native birds and other wildlife diminishes." (p. 76) "Without more strategic management to mitigate disturbances and destructive processes, the future outcome for LHs will be a park with diminished quality for native pants and wildlife, water resources, scenic beauty, recreation, and education." (p. vii) NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (p. 173) "Dakota County has undertaken less challenging and more cost-effective prairie restoration projects, but has not done woodland, wetland, or lakeshore restoration to any significant degree in Lebanon Hills. As time passes and buckthorn increases throughout the park, the threat to Lebanon Hills' trademark canopy woods and lakes also increases." The proposed plan identifies "...the need to develop appropriate capacity to properly manage park natural resources -- a comprehensive natural resource management program". It does not define an exact path to accomplish that goal. IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT BUCKTHORN MANAGEMENT (PAST OR FUTURE), THIS IS THE TIME TO ASK QUESTIONS, such as... * What has been accomplished from the Ecological Stewardship Program, which was defined as a top priority in the 2001 Master Plan? * What action is proposed to control buckthorn throughout the entire park? * How many acres of buckthorn control in are included as a top priority in the proposed plan? OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULED - TUES., JAN. 14, 5-7 pm Western Service Center (Galaxie Library Building), 14955 Galaxie Avenue, Apple Valley * Attendance is highly encouraged -- be sure to let others know. * This is an opportunity to discuss with staff how the county is proposing to spend $31 million in taxpayer money. * Ask Questions -- Stay Informed -- Provide Feedback NOTE: Once this plan is approved, the county has discretion over what parts of the plan to implement. There is no system of checks and balances with regard to implementation. Our message to the Park Staff and County Commissioners: We want citizen participation in updating the Master Plan for Lebanon Hills Regional Park. UPCOMING BOARD OF COMMISSIONER MEETINGS Public comments are welcome and are limited to 5 minutes. Board Meeting -- Tuesday, January 7, 9am Administration Center, Boardroom, third Floor 1590 Hwy 55, Hastings For additional information, call 651-438-4417 * Lebanon Hills is on the agenda. * Item 14.1 -- "Direct Preparation of Connector Trail Alignment Alternatives and Amend Process for Lebanon Hills Regional Park Master Plan." * We will report what is discussed following the meeting. Board Meeting (Physical Development Committee) -- Tuesday, January 14, 9am Northern Service Center, Conference Room 520, 5th Floor 1 Mendota Road West, West St. Paul, MN 55118 * The agenda is not yet available. * We will notify you as soon as possible if Lebanon Hills is on the agenda. Board Meeting (Physical Development Committee) -- Tuesday, February 11, 9am Northern Service Center, Conference Room 520, 5th Floor 1 Mendota Road West, West St. Paul, MN 55118 * The agenda is not yet available. * At this time, it is expected that Dakota County Parks will present the Draft Development Master Plan and request a vote for adoption at this meeting. TAKE ACTION NOW -- WHAT YOU CAN DO The official public comment period ends on January 18 -- in less than two weeks. This is a critical time to TAKE ACTION! (1) SUBMIT COMMENTS TO PLANNERS AND DECISION MAKERS * Dakota County Parks Department: plann...@co.dakota.mn.us * Dakota County Board of Commissioners: bo...@co.dakota.mn.us * Individual County Commissioners: click on link below for contact information * http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Government/Board/Pages/default.aspx (2) SUBMIT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR * SunThisWeek -- Email tad.john...@ecm-inc.com * Star Tribune -- http://www.startribune.com/opinion/115289839.html * Pioneer Press -- lett...@pioneerpress.com (3) CONTACT YOUR STATE LEGISLATOR The Development Plan requires Met Council funding, including use of Legacy Funds. Let your legislator know how you feel about they way Dakota County is proposing to spend $31 million. Click "Who represents me?" on the following link for contact information. * http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/districtfinder.aspx (4) SUPPORT THE ONLINE PETITION If you agree with the goals of the petition, be sure to sign now and invite others to sign. * http://www.thepetitionsite.com/545/227/790/restore-balance-to-lebanon-hills- regional-park-planning-and-development/#sign (5) INFORM OTHERS Many citizens are not aware of this issue. Help inform others -- spread the word to neighbors, church groups, family, co-workers.etc. If you'd like clarification or additional details on any items, feel free to contact me. Holly Website: wildlebanonhills.org Facebook: Lebanon Hills - Wilderness in the City ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
