WORKSHOP ITEM - Rebecca Haug, Water Resources Manager
Title
SITE 7 UPDATES
Background
Prescribed Burn
A prescribed burn is scheduled for the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary sometime before November 30, 2018. Prescribed burning is an important tool that is used by resource managers to achieve various land management goals. The Blaine Wetland Sanctuary is being restored to a fire-dependant wetland system and the City plans to burn the wetland and woodland edges every 2 to 3 years in the immediate future and every three to five years beyond 2025. A prescribed burn is a wildland fire that is planned, ignited, and managed by trained wildland firefighters. Prescribed fire is one of several management tools needed to most effectively restore the native plant communities located within the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary. The prescribed fire planned for the site will help to minimize the invasion of aggressive woody shrub species, reduce the cover of accumulated leaf litter resulting invasive grass species, and expose the underlying soils allowing for the germination of a diverse array of native plant species. In addition, the type of fire planned for the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary will help to avoid any environmental damage that could be caused by any unplanned or accidental fires in the area (resulting from discarded cigarettes, burning debris, recreational fires, etc.).
Smoke produced by a prescribed burn occurs only for the duration of the burn. Prescribed fires produce low intensity smoke that disperses into the air and dissipates quickly. The smoke impact in the immediate area is short term. The first prescribed burn will typically produce the most smoke due to accumulated fuels, and smoke production from subsequent burns typically lessens with each subsequent burn.
Historically, natural wildfires were caused by lightning strikes and other means. These natural fires, occurred every five to ten years within the presettlement landscape of Blaine and played an integral role in the development of the natural vegetation and maintenance of the species diversity and complex upland and wetland habitats located within and around the City of Blaine.
Unfortunately, I cannot give you a specific date. The timing of the burn depends on weather conditions.
A few things to note are:
• The prescribed burn may occur any day of the week, including weekends
• Timing of the prescribed burn is dependent on the weather, including temperatures, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction so a specific date cannot be provided, but rather crews will mobilize when these weather conditions align
• The prescribed burn will be carried out by trained and professional staff from Applied Ecological Services, Inc. (AES)
• The city will issue a permit to AES and they will be required to notify the DNR and Anoka County Dispatch Police and Fire regarding the prescribed burn prior to implementation
• Residents should not approach the area during the prescribed burn
• Area residents may want to consider keeping their windows closed when they are not home between October 15 and November 30
• Prescribed burns do produce smoke which will rise and dissipate, but smoke may drift temporarily toward area homes or neighborhoods
• If the prescribed burn need to occur after November 30, we will provide further notification
• If weather conditions do not align this fall, the prescribed burn may not occur until Spring of 2019 (as early as March and as late as June) at which time a separate notice will be provided.
• Signs will be placed at the trailheads indicating the trail is closed because of a prescribed burn.
I will keep you informed of any changes to this plan and I will let you know of the exact date of the burn as soon as we have that information. This information will be emailed out the residents in the neighborhood who have requested updates on work that is occurring at the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary. The City will also post information on the website and social media.
Tree Removals
At the March 1, 2018 City Council meeting, there was a discussion about the remainder of the trees needing to be cut this winter to be in compliance with the permit requirement. The tree removals have been scheduled for December-January, depending on weather conditions. The map that was provided at the March 1, 2018 meeting is attached. Part of the discussion at the meeting was to notify the neighboring residents about the restoration activities and the requirement to remove additional trees. The Council requested a meeting to be scheduled with the property owners in the fall prior to the tree removal. Staff is proposing a meeting be scheduled for Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. to be held at the Blaine City Hall. This information will be emailed out the residents in the neighborhood who have requested updates on work that is occurring at the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary.