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NRMP - Draft Goals, Objective, Policies WORKING DRAFT: August 25, 2014 Goals, Objectives, and Policies Introduction The vision and goals of this Plan provide a detailed expression of the community's aspirations for the future of Golden Valley's natural resources. The objectives and policies provide direction for natural resource policy and decision making in the future. Vision Statement Golden Valley is a beautiful, healthy city that preserves its balance of natural and urban spaces where residents, government, and developers work together to preserve, protect, restore and enhance the community's natural resources. [To be discussed and approved by EC at August 25, 2014 meeting] Goals, Objectives and Policies Goal 1: Habitats [Forests, Woodlands, Prairie, Grasslands, Wetlands, Lakes, rivers and streams] Objectives • Preserve and protect high quality and environmentally sensitive areas • Restore degraded habitats • Retain existing wetlands within the city and protect from being developed Policies • Identify and acquire significant habitat areas and areas of unique plant and animal species to help ensure their preservation • Protect and preserve endangered and threatened species and their natural habitat through cooperative efforts with Metropolitan Parks Commission, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service • Restore degraded moderate quality habitats • [Study low quality habitats to determine best use for the area] • Enforce no-net loss of wetlands within jurisdictional limits through administration of the Minnesota Wetlands Conservation Act. City of Golden Valley Natural Resources Management Plan 2015 Goals, Objectives and Policies Page 1 ' 4 WORKING DRAFT:August 25, 2014 Goal 2: Wildlife Objectives • To control nuisance wildlife populations • To maintain or attract desired wildlife species Policies • Use most humane and effective management approach to controlling over- population of nuisance wildlife [Deer, Canadian Geese, etc.] • Provide appropriate habitat and nesting structures to attract desired and endangered wildlife species [Wood ducks, Songbirds, Bees/Pollinators, Butterflies, etc.] Goal 3: Invasive Species [Buckthorn, Reed Canary Grass, Purple Loosestrife) Objectives • Eradicate the spread of invasive species in high quality habitats • Control the spread of invasive species in low to moderate quality habitats Policies • Educate private property owners on how to protect and maintain natural resources on their property • Create a Buckthorn Management Program [similar to what has been created for establishing native vegetation buffers around stormwater ponds in the City] Goal 4: Insect Pests and Disease [Emerald Ash Borer, Gypsy Moth, Dutch Elm Disease, Oak Wilt, Anticipated or Unknown] Objectives • Prevent or control the spread of pest infestations and disease of susceptible plant species. Policies • Continue to take a proactive approach in efforts to identify and monitor existing and anticipated threats of disease and insect infestations in a timely manner. • Create a City Shade Tree Pest and Disease Management Program City of Golden Valley Natural Resources Management Plan 2015 Goals, Objectives and Policies Page 2 1 WORKING DRAFT: August 25, 2014 Goal 5: Access and Connectivity Objectives • Provide easy/controlled access to and within the City of Golden Valley Nature Areas and [Open Spaces —[there are a number of un-programmed open space areas within the City, does the City want people to access them?] • Provide contiguous linear corridors between patches of open space and natural areas to provide for movement of wildlife and native plant communities. • Provide controlled access to water bodies within the City[ex. water body in Pennsylvania Woods Nature Area could be used of kayaking/canoeing?] Policies • Maintain and develop natural corridors to foster eco-system continuity and provide connections to parks and open space • Provide, maintain, search for, and develop public access to nature areas on water bodies Goal 6: Passive Recreation Opportunities Objectives • Increase passive recreation opportunities of existing natural resources. Policies Goal 7: Land Acquisition Objectives Instill in property owners the desire and knowledge of restoring and maintaining natural resources on their property Policies • Search for, and take advantage of, opportunities to acquire properties to add to the City's inventory of natural resource-based open space Goal 8: Open Space Objectives • Balance the need of providing quality public open space for current and future residents with best use of the land [intent is to address miscellaneous open space parcel assessment and best and most cost effective use of the land] City of Golden Valley Natural Resources Management Plan 2015 Goals, Objectives and Policies Page 3 WORKING DRAFT:August 25, 2014 Policies Goal 9: Private Land Development Objectives • Ensure that open space and high quality natural resources are available to future generations. Policies • Review development proposals for conformance with ordinances regarding tree preservation, water quality, wetland protection and mitigation, and shoreland protection • Require open space to be provided within new developments • Work with private property owners and developers to encourage reforestation and preservation of significant vegetation and enforce current tree preservation ordinance • Increase emphasis on minimizing runoff volumes, through implementation of storm water best management practices and other environmental practices, that are technically acceptable and financially feasible Goal 10: Public Land Development and Improvements Objectives • Develop or improve public City in a sustainable manner to ensure that open space and high quality natural resources are available to future generations. Policies • Protect nature areas and open from unnecessary encroachment or destruction from neighboring properties • Use site planning, construction, and maintenance techniques on publicly owned lands to minimize negative impacts to the natural environment • Use of specify native plan materials in projects on City property • Use best management practices to improve the effectiveness of natural resource management Goal 11: Community Natural Resources Education Objectives • Protect the City's natural resources and eco-system through community education. City of Golden Valley Natural Resources Management Plan 2015 Goals, Objectives and Policies Page 4 WORKING DRAFT:August 25, 2014 • Instill in property owners the desire and knowledge of restoring and maintaining natural resources on their property • Provide educational opportunities and information on how to protect, restore, enhance or maintain natural resources on their property using a range of outreach tools • Provide volunteer programs that will encourage community members to care for their naturals resources while providing them additional hands-on experience Goal 12: Program Monitoring and Evaluation Objectives Policies Goal 13: Maintenance and Inspection Objectives Policies Goal 14: Partnerships and Interagency Cooperation Objectives • Maintain regulatory authority at the local level while recognizing the role of other local, state and federal entities and complying with specified programs and requirements Policies Goal 15: Funding Objectives • To have adequate funding to identify, protect, preserve, restore, enhance and maintain the City of Golden Valley natural resources Policies City of Golden Valley Natural Resources Management Plan 2015 Goals, Objectives and Policies Page 5