2c Seminary Fen Assumption CreeMEMORANDUM
CITYOF
690 City Center Drive
PO Box 147
Minnesota 55317
Phone
952.937.1900
General Fax
952.937.5739
952.937.9152
&dlding Deparn,e,t Fro'
952.934.2524
Web Site
www. ci. cha,hasse,.m,.m
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Mayor Jansen
City Council
Lori Haak, Water Resources Coordinator0 ~J
January 7, 2002
Resolution in Support of State Funding to Acquire the Seminary
Fen in the Assumption Creek Watershed
BACKGROUND
The City is currently part of a group of public entities that has been meeting
with the owners of the "Assumption Seminary property." These meetings
have included talks regarding the potential acquisition of the property by a
public entity or entities. The discussions have advanced to a level where
funding is a critical piece of the puzzle. Since the natural resources contained
on the property are of high quality and regional significance, the group is
seeking funding from the State for the acquisition of the property.
The City has repeatedly given protection of this area the highest priority of all
wetlands in the City (Surface Water Management Plan, Bluff Creek Natural
Resources Management Plan and Comprehensive Plan). Other organizations
have expressed similar goals.
The purpose of this memo is to:
1. Provide background on current efforts to acquire the Assumption
Seminary property; and
2. Request adoption of a resolution supporting the request for State funding
for acquisition of the Assumption seminary property.
THE PROPERTY
The Assumption Seminary property consists of 159 acres north of Highway
212 and west of Bluff Creek Drive. Although the creek and fen are larger
than this property, the Assumption Seminary property (shown below) contains
the largest parts of the creek and fen still in private ownership.
(Tit~, of Uha,ha,e,. A oro,,i,a cnmm,,itv wit/, flea,
Mayor and City Council
January 7, 2002
Page 2
Assumption Seminary Property ]
NATURAL RESOURCES
The Assumption Creek/Seminary Fen complex is a very unique and significant resource
within the City of Chanhassen, the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District
(LMRWD) and the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. It contains a DNR-designated trout
stream (Assumption Creek) and a cal'careous seepage fen (Seminary Fen).
Assmnption Creek
Assumption Creek is a tributary of the Minnesota River. The creek is Carver County's
only remaining native trout stream. It is one of only 15 streams in the metro area that still
· _
supports trout populations. Additionally, it is one of the few streams in the metro area
that supports native brook trout instead of non-native brown trout.
Setninary Fen
The Seminary Fen is a 90-acre calcareous seepage fen. Most of the fen is located on the
Assumption Seminary property. Calcareous seepage fens are the least common type of
fen because the conditions required to create them are unique. Because these fens are
uncommon, the plants that live in calcareous fens are quite rare. Seminary Fen is known
to support eight rare plants: five "state threatened" plant species and three "state special
concern" species. The plant community of the Seminary Fen is exceptional not only
because it contains these rare plant species, but also because it is relatively untouched and
has resisted invasion by non-native plant species. According to Hannah Dunevitz,
Regional Plant Ecologist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR),
the Seminary Fen is the highest quality calcareous seepage fen in the Minnesota River
Valley in the metro area.
ACOUISITION EFFORTS
Past Efforts
The City has cooperated with other organizations in the past (including the DNR) to try
to bring the Assumption Seminary property into public ownership. The most recent
Mayor and City Council
January 7, 2002
Page 3
effort took place between 1997 and 1998 and would have resulted in the relocation of a
DNR regional office to the property. At that time, the price being asked by the property
owners (backed by the property owners' appraisal) was more than 10% above the value
reached by the DNR's appraiser. For this reason, the DNR could not proceed with its
negotiations.
Since then, the working group has been trying to find other ways of protecting the natural
resources on the property (including increased setbacks from Assumption Creek and
Seminary Fen). However, none of the protection measures would protect the resources as
well as outright acquisition of the property and subsequent management of the resources.
Current Efforts
Several public and private organizations (including the City, DNR, LMRWD and Friends
of the Minnesota Valley) have been working together over the past year in a renewed
effort to acquire this property. A non-profit organization called The Conservation Fund
intends to purchase the property from the current owners once adequate funding has been
secured. In turn, the DNR would purchase the property from The Conservation Fund
(using the funds acquired from the State and other organizations with funds available).
The DNR would then divide responsibility between its divisions to ensure proper
management of each resource. Funding is being sought in exCess of the purchase price so
the DNR will have funds available for the management of the natural resources without
having to request legislative funding annually.
OTHER EFFORTS
Stewardship and Protection Plan
In 2001, the LMRWD received a Metropolitan Greenways Planning Grant from the DNR
to help fund the development of a Stewardship and Protection Plan for the Assumption
Creek and Seminary Fen. The Stewardship and Protection Plan will provide Assumption
Creek subwatershed residents with natural resource-sensitive property management
options and will include residents in the development and implementation of the plan.
The Stewardship and Protection Plan Grant has already funded several workshops for
property owners within the Assumption Creek subwatershed. The workshops (held in
November and December 2001) focused on everything from the definition of fens and
trout streams to background on land protection options. More workshops will be held as
development of the Stewardship and Protection Plan continues.
Neighborhood Wilds Program
As a result of the Stewardship and Protection Plan workshops, several Chanhassen
residents living in the Assumption Creek subwatershed have expressed interest in
participating in the Neighborhood Wilds program. This program will provide property
owners with resources for the management of their properties. Management strategies
Mayor and City Council
January 7, 2002
Page 4
may include buckthorn removal, native landscaping and preservation of existing
vegetation.
FUNDING/RESOLUTION
As part of the current acquisition efforts, it has become evident that State funding is
needed to make the acquisition of the Assumption Seminary property possible. Ms. Judy
Erickson, Government Relations for Friends of the Minnesota Valley, is spearheading the
legislative effort. In order to demonstrate the broad base of support for this funding
initiative, Ms. Erickson has requested a resolution from the City of Chanhassen in
support of State funding.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution (Attachment 4) in
support of State funding to acquire the Seminary Fen in the Assumption Creek
Watershed. Staff strongly supports passage of this resolution as it solidifies the city's
commitment to protect and preserve natural areas within the City of Chanhassen.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution in Support of State Funding to Acquire the Seminary Fen in the Assumption
Creek Watershed
G:XENGkLori\WETLANDS',Assumption SeminarykResolution of Support CC Cover Memo.doc
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER COUNTY, MINNESOTA
DATE: .lanuarv 14. 2001
RESOLUTION NO:
MOTION BY:
SECONDED BY:
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF STATE FUNDING TO ACQUIRE
THE SEMINARY FEN IN THE ASSUMPTION CREEK WATERSHED
WHEREAS, the City of Chanhassen has previously upheld the importance of the natural
resources contained on these properties in its Comprehensive Plan, Surface Water Management
Plan and Bluff Creek Natural Resource Management Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City of Chanhassen wishes to preserve, protect and enhance these
natural resources (including the Assumption Creek and Seminary Fen) to the greatest extent
possible; and
WHEREAS, the City of Chanhassen encourages and supports the cooperation and
collaboration of public and private organizations and agencies to finance the acquisition and
maintenance of these properties.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Chanhassen City Council that the
City of Chanhassen supports State funding to acquire the Seminary Fen in the Assumption Creek
Watershed.
Passed and adopted by the Chanhassen City Council this 14th day of January, 2002.
ATTEST:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
Linda C. Jansen, Mayor
YES NO AB,qENT