ADMINISTRATION- Rebecca Haug, Water Resources Manager
Title
AUTHORIZE THE EDA PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CCES TO DEVELOP A LONG TERM MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING PLAN FOR THE BLAINE WETLAND BANK BRANCH 3
Background
The EDA’s 103 acre Branch 3 Wetland Mitigation Bank completed its five (5) years of required ecological restoration and implementation along with the associated monitoring and reporting tasks to meet the requirements set forth by the permitting agencies at the end of the 2015 growing season. This allowed for the city to generate 53 acres of wetland credits.
A requirement of wetland mitigation banks is long term monitoring and management of the site. Critical Connections Ecological Resources (CCES) has provided the EDA with a scope of work to develop a 10 year management and monitoring plan for the 103 acre Branch 3 Wetland Mitigation Bank. This long term management and monitoring plan would be put in place for 2020-2029 and then likely be repeated over 10 year intervals beyond 2029. The proposed cost of preparing the management plan is $24,450.
The scope of work includes reviewing the existing conditions and determining management needs. The management needs will include prescribed fires, spot herbicide treatments and potentially supplemental seeding. Some years may have minimal management needed depending on how the site responds to the management. Development of this plan will help with managing the larger Blaine Wetland Sanctuary as a whole and allow the wetland banks to stay in compliance with the permitting agencies, as well as with the investment of restoring the area and the goals of the site.
The management plan will provide a reasonable estimate of the annual maintenance costs of the wetland area. There is approximately $1.4mil in the EDA wetland bank fund from proceeds of wetland credit sales. These funds would be used for maintenance. Understanding the annual maintenance budget will assist in determining what funds are available for other EDA activities.
Recommendation
By motion, approve the following resolution.
Body
WHEREAS, the Blaine Economic Development Authority (the “EDA”) has a 103 acre Wetland Mitigation Bank,
WHEREAS, the EDA is required to have a long term monitoring and management plan for the bank to remain in compliance with the permitting agencies,
WHEREAS, Critical Connections Ecological Services has provided the EDA with a scope of work to develop a long term management and monitoring plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Blaine Economic Development Authority approves entering into an agreement with CCES to develop a 10 year management and monitoring plan for the 103 acre Branch 3 Wetland Mitigation Bank site.