3. Bluff Creek Study UpdateMEMORANDUM
CITY OF
�HaNHasssN
690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Kate Aanenson AICP, Planning Director
DATE: March 11, 1996
SUBJ: Bluff Creek Watershed Plan
The work of developing the Bluff Creek Watershed Plan is well on its way. The Task Force has
been meeting monthly and the work of the technical committees is now beginning. Enclosed is a
draft copy of the Vision Statement as well as a copy of the Goals of the Plan. At the work
session I will be presenting an overview of the document to date.
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VISION FOR THE BLUFF CREEK WATERSHED
Collective Statement Results
The best possible outcomes for a Natural Resources Management Plan for the Bluff Creek
Watershed would be that ...
Bluff Creek is a model -- the focus of identity and pride to the people of Chanhassen, a
community that is integrated with and celebrates its natural environment. (An achievable)
do able (natural resources management) plan (has been) developed -- its goals have met (the)
needs of both natural systems and people (through) integration of (the) more populated (areas
of) Chanhassen (while) and maintaining (the) naturalness of Bluff Creek.
Management of (the) watershed (is) shared by various government agencies, private groups,
interested parties (landowners) -- all stewards cooperatively caretaking (and who also) cooperate
with adjacent communities.
(While) governmental agencies embrace the plan, no government intervention (is required) to
accomplish (its) these goals. (The) citizens of (the) watershed care about natural areas and take
an active role in (their) management and protection. (It is a) resource of residents who want to
volunteer (at) all ages to maintain the pristineness of the watershed.
Future generations will (be able to) enjoy and appreciate the trees, wildlife, and nature in Bluff
Creek, (and its) development process (has become) a part of (a community) education and
community involvement effort (such that) people (who are) helping to create (the) plan will
continue to protect (the watershed) plaee.
(The) watershed remains as (it is) today (with) no more development in sensitive areas (and) no
further development beside (the) creek. (There is a) recognition of private property ownership
rights. Developable property within the existing MUSA is not taken through zoning (declared
unuseful) (and) property outside the MUSA be acquired, if needed without condemnation
proceedings. Significant portions of property within the existing MUSA that the plan calls for
incorportion into the plm (design) be actively acquired. Tax incentives (are given) to
landowners for using their land for conservation purposes. (Ideally) no more people (would)
move into (the) area.
(The) design (is one) where people and nature mix spanning multiple ecosystems. Development in
Bluff Creek is designed ecologically, built around natural features, (i.e. trees) (and) significant
natural features determine development. (There is) eco- sensitive mixed development (farms,
housing, industry) (with) buffer areas between development and wild areas. Development within
the watershed has been clustered and concentrated in higher densities to allow for more open
space. There is open countryside between clustered nodes of development (and) several large
pieces of open land and woodland along the creek and tributaries have been preserved for
recreation and to ensure (sufficient) (habitat area) for wildlife.
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VISION FOR THE BLUFF CREEK WATERSHED
' There is a variety of habitat and environments r
( ) y is p eserved (i.e. wetland, woodland, prairie, etc)
(and) the natural areas have been stabilized to native vegetation (i.e. big woods, tall grass prairie,
wetlands). (The) forests and wetlands are healthy and protected by easements and/or
management agreements. (The) lower valley is a wild, nature sanctuary (and there is) very
' restricted access to the lower reach corridor.
There is a continuous greenery park along the creek from the Minnesota River to Lake
' Minnewashta. (The) entire creek corridor is parkland (wild, natural park) -- part park, part wild
(more wild than domesticated). (The) design of an open space network has protected a diversity
of wildlife habitats and cultural landscapes like farmland.
' (In addition, there is) adequate access to resources (with) attention to trail design, parking,
facilities, (and) interpretive elements. (There are) numerous active areas ((for) picnics, etc.)
' to minimize pressure on passive (wild) areas.
(The) upper creek (is) accessible for (a) variety of uses, (including a) trail system on (the) upper
' and middle reaches with possible out -of- corridor connection(s) to observation areas. A
multiple -use trail runs north from Pioneer Trail for biking, running, (and) skiing. Side trails run
into the neighborhoods. No motorized vehicles (are allowed) in the greenway. (T here
' trail in the
' Contiguous to (the) trail system is a community park -- in (the) upper reach.
Significant envionrmental areas through the corridor can be identified and prioritized with some
kind of rating system. The spectacular lower creek has been preserved in its natural state with a
minimal, rustic limited -use nature trail running the length of it (and) the upstream development is
limited to accomplish the preservation of the lower creek. Areas once degraded have been
' restored (and) maximum protection against pollution caused by urbanization (has been
achieved). (The) restoration goals (for the watershed) are realistic. (In the) lower creek,
preservation of woods, stream quality, wetlands, wildlife, and a nature sanctuary (allows one to)
' only hear sounds of nature (and one) does not hear cars.
A diversity of animal and plants native to the area will be in the watershed (and the) space is
' defined according to habitat needs. The former fields and drained wetlands of the upper creek
have been restored to the original big woods vegetation (with) all vegetation (and) trees within
300 feet of the creek are preserved (and) intrusive species (such as) purple loosestrife,
buckthorn, and weeds are eliminated. (The) creek serves as a wildlife corridor supporting deer,
fox, turkeys, beaver, and coyote. The wildlife is thriving and circulate freely throughout the
' greenway.
(The) water quality in the creek is of the same high quality throughout the watershed. (The)
water quality is maintained and protected (and) grassed waterways and restored wetlands absorb
stormwater runoff, keeping (the) water clean. You can swim, fish, and drink from the Minnesota
River. (Bluff Creek) has fish. If needed (necessary), open water storage areas either in -stream
' or upland are developed (and) natural flood control is achieved through these restored wetlands
Includes edits from the February 22, 1996 meeting Page - 2
VISION FOR THE BLUFF CREEK WATERSHED
as reservoirs in the upper valley. (The) erosion is managed by bio- engineering (and) the erosion
of gullies in the lower creek has been stopped by natural means (i.e. runoff control and
revegetation). It is a stable system requiring minimum maintenance and expense. Bluff Creek and
its tributaries are restored to their natural water courses and are lined by natural wetland
vegetation. (The) highway crossings of the creek allow for a pleasing vista by passing motorists,
but ensure the continuity and natural integrity of the creek corridor.
(To be) effective(,) wildlife corridors and greenways must be connected to larger preserves
such as farmland and woodlands. (Therefore, the) comprehensive plan goes beyond (the)
creek corridor to connect other natural areas. Bluff Creek is a link in a metropolitan chain of
recreational and wildlife habitat open spaces -- Minnetonka/Minnesota River /St. Croix.
All children at the school site are involved in watershed awareness both in and out of school. The
creek serves as a field laboratory for the schools, teachers, and community (in order to develop a
stewardship of the land). There is an interpretive nature center in the upper creek near the
school easily accessible to high volume activity and education and adequately provided. (There is
a) multi -level observation/education facility including one short trail loop to (the) creek and back
in (the) lower reach (telescopes, etc.). (The) edges of bluffs serve for view, education, access,
(and are) sensitive to environment. (There is an) interpretive nature trail from the southwest
regional LRT to Pioneer Trail or Lyman (walk -in only).
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VISION FOR THE BLUFF CREEK WATERSHED
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Goals
Community /Government Roles
a. Develop an Achievable Natural Resources Management Plan.
b. Secure cooperation and endorsement from the City, public agencies, adjacent communties,
and the private sector.
C. Design a management scheme to maintain the environment/habitat.
d. Protect the lower reach from overuse.
e. Distribute management and caretaking responsibility for the Bluff Creek Watershed so that
it is shared among multiple representative stewards: various government agencies, private
groups, residents, and interested parties.
Development
a. Preserve open space for ecological protection through development options such as mixed
or clustered development, easements, and alternative zoning.
b. Manage upstream development to accomplish the preservation of the lower creek so that
it remains in its natural state.
C. Maintain the naturalness of Bluff Creek by providing transition from populated areas to
the corridor.
Greenway
I. Acquistion
a. Create a continuous greenery park along the creek from the Minnesota River to
Lake Minnewashta that is part park, part wild (more wild than groomed).
b. Create parks contiguous to the trail system.
Design/Development
a. Provide adequate access to resources, with attention to trail design, parking,
facilities, and interpretive elements.
b. Provide active areas (for picnics, etc.) to minimize pressure on passive (wild)
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areas.
C. Develop a multiple -use trail that runs north from Pioneer Trail for biking, running,
skiing.
d. Create side trails that run into the neighborhoods.
e. Create out -of- corridor connections to observation areas
f. Connect the greenway to other natural areas such as woodlands and large
preserves such as farmland
g. Link the Bluff Creek Watershed to the existing metropolitan chain of recreational
and wildlife habitat open spaces.
III. Management
a. Prohibit access to the greenway by motorized vehicles.
b. Manage the greenway network including areas for wildlife, recreation, and nature
appreciation.
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VISION FOR THE BLUFF CREEK WATERSHED
Goals (Continued)
Protection, Restoration, and Enhancement of Natural Resources
a. Divide the watershed into subwatersheds (ecoregions) for protection, restoration, and
enhancement.
b. Define the type of of wildlife and vegetation to be protected and provide space for habitat
tolerance (densities) and designate areas to be enhanced or restored.
C. Define management techniques for designated ecoregions (i.e. wetlands, forest, prairie)
and wildlife areas.
d. Protect water quality in the creek, tributaries, wetlands, etc.
e. Restore the creek and its tributaries to their natural water courses.
f. Provide protection from water quantity (i.e. flow control, erosion control, etc.)
Educational
a. Provide interpretive nature centers in the upper reach and a multi -level observation facility
including a short loop to the creek and back in the lower reach.
b. Develop a watershed awareness program for the entire community (school, citizens, etc.)
so that the plan implementation process is part of an ongoing community education and
involvement effort.
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