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A-3. Joint Meeting with the Environmental Commission0 CITY OF CHANHASSEN 7700 Market Boulevard PO Box 147 Chanhassen, MN 55317 Administration Phone: 952.227.1100 Fax: 952.227.1110 Building Inspections Phone: 952.227.1180 Fax: 952.227.1190 Engineering Phone: 952.227.1160 Fax: 952.227.1170 Finance Phone: 952.227.1140 Fax: 952.227.1110 Park & Recreation Phone: 952.227.1120 Fax: 952.227.1110 Recreation Center 2310 Coulter Boulevard Phone: 952.227.1400 Fax: 952.227.1404 Planning & Natural Resources Phone: 952.227.1130 Fax: 952.227.1110 Public Works 7901 Park Place Phone: 952.227.1300 Fax: 952.227.1310 Senior Center Phone: 952.227.1125 Fax: 952.227.1110 Web Site www.ci.chanhassennn.us A -3 MEMORANDUM TO: Todd Gerhardt, City Manager FROM: Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resources Specialist DATE: May 27, 2014 SUBJ: Joint Meeting with the Environmental Commission The Environmental Commission is looking forward to the opportunity to discuss current projects and updates with the Mayor and City Council. Submitted for Council review is the commission's annual work plan, 2013 -2014 commission accomplishments and the 2014 Chanhassen Sustainability Report. 2013 Environmental Commission Focus Topics • Urban forestry • Water quality • Water conservation • Stormwater management g: \plan \js \ec \ecl4 \ec cc it mtg may14.doc Chanhassen is a Community for Life - Providing for Today and Planning for Tomorrow Chanhassen Environmental Commission Annual Work Plan 2014 January • Final Discussion /Approval 2014 Work Plan • Review Sustainability Report • Discuss Needs • Assign Duties /Due Dates • Establish Commission Goals • Discuss potential projects by based on Sustainability Report • Swm p CAC • Volunteer projects • Articles • Discuss Partnerships • Select Arbor Day contest theme • Mailings for Arbor Day Poster Contest • Advertisement Posted for Openings on Environmental Commission February • Sustainability Report Progress • Potential Project Planning • SWMP CAC — Terry Jeffery, Guest March • Interviews for new members • Select Arbor Day Poster Contest Winner • Arbor Day Planning • Determine Needs /Assign Duties • Attendance • Final Sustainability Report • List of Term Accomplishments • Joint Council Meeting Reminder • Villager Submittal - Arbor Day and Earth Day • Villager Submittal — EC accomplishments • March 31- Last Day of Term April • Appointment of New Members • Review By -Laws • Appoint Chair /Vice -Chair • Joint Council meeting prep • Sustainability Report • Term Progress • Discuss 2014 Priorities on Work Plan • July 3rd Trade Fair Planning • Finalize Arbor Day Work Plan • Arbor Day Poster Contest Presentation at City Council • April 1 - First Day of Term • April 22 - Earth Day • April 28 - Arbor Day Poster Contest Presentation at City Council • April 25 - MN Arbor Day • April 25 — Chan Recycling Day May • Guest speaker — forestry - Jill • July 31d Trade Fair Planning • Arbor Day Summary • May 3 — Chanhassen Arbor Day • May 11— Fishing Opener • May 27 —joint meeting with City Council • May - Arbor Month June • Guest speaker — water resources — Madeleine • Guest speaker — water conservation - Krista • July 3rd Trade Fair Progress o Finalize details • Villager Submittal — Water Conservation • Joint Council Summary • Revisit Work Plan July • Fen Day Planning o Determine Needs /Assign Duties • Trade Fair Event Summary Review onboarding packet • July 3 — EC at Trade Fair Event • July 8 —joint commission tour August • Month Off September • Villager Submittal — Surface Water Quality • City Commissions Joint Tour October • Harvest Moon Potluck • Fen Day Planning o Finalize details, plan attendance • Oct 25 — Seminary Fen Clean Up Day November • Develop 2015 Preliminary Work Plan • Nov 1 - Deer Opener • Nov 15 — National Recycling Day December • Villager Submittal - Holiday Waste • 2015 Work Plan Discussion Chanhassen Environmental Commission 2013 -2014 Accomplishments Arbor day - Lake Ann - May 4th City staff and the commission hosted an opportunity for the community to come to Lake Susan Park and plant trees in celebration of Arbor Day. Trade Fair Informational Booth - July 3rd Members of the commission provided educational materials on Emerald Ash Borer. Seminary Fen Work Day — October 26th The commission provided an opportunity for the community to remove buckthorn. Due to the popularity of the event, the DNR secured grant money to dispose of the buckthorn on the entire site this past winter. Sustainability Report Update — January - April Arbor Day Poster Contest — April Partnering with Carver County Environmental Services to share articles for the Villager Workshops, Education and Activities commissioners have taken part in: Joint Environmental, Planning and Park Commission Tour Minnehaha Creek Watershed District WaterPro Lecture Series Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District Meetings Metropolitan Council Forums —Water Supply Seminary Fen Workgroup Minnesota Master Naturalist Program Minnetonka Trash into Treasure Reuse Drive Shorewood City Council meeting presentation on making town "Bee Safe" "Minnesota's Changing Climate," Paul Huttner lecture at Freshwater Society Lake Minnewashta Garlic Mustard Pull OP SUSTAINABILITY REPORT- Prepared by the Chanhassen Environmental Commission Keith Anderson I Brett Borth I Glenn Kaufmann I Katie Mahannah Matthew Myers I Amy Omann I Amy Wenner - z 9NH ASSN The City of Chanhassen is committed to protecting its natural resources now and into the future. To ensure the continuation of this effort, the city strives to develop sound policies, take advantage of new technologies, and engage the community in environmental topics. Sustainable management of our natural resources is endeavored through protection, conservation and best management practices. In 2011, the Chanhassen Environmental Commission was interested in knowing if our city was growing and functioning in a sustainable fashion. This report is the result of that curiosity. The City Council assigned the commission four key focus areas: Surface Water Quality, Stormwater, Water Conservation and Urban Forestry. In each of these areas the group investigated the current goals established by the city's comprehensive plan. Then they selected the three most important goals from each area. Through interviews with city employees, they determined the current status of those goals along with trends and improvements or challenges and any recent activities. Ultimately, the commission documented a baseline inventory for each of the topic areas. This 2014 version of the Sustainability Report includes the ongoing goals and provides annual updates and recent activities. Information about these activities was collected from interviews with City staff and publicly available information. The report achieves the goal of educating Chanhassen residents in the Environmental Commission's target areas. s SURFACE WATER Goals IIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII The initial goals for surface water were based primarily on maintaining and improving water quality and have largely been met. New priorities are being developed to address changes in land use, aging of infrastructure, new data on surface water resources, and changes in watershed science. The city will continue to monitor and improve water quality of lakes and streams and manage aquatic vegetation. Community Resources 11111111111 IIII IIII I IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I I I III III I 111111111111111111 IIIII 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 Chanhassen contains 356 wetlands, 4 creeks, and 12 lakes, 7 of which are recreational and 5 that are natural environment lakes. The city is also home to a rare and unique calcareous fen, a state protected Scientific and Natural Area. Efforts to preserve all of these important natural resources require partnerships between the city, county, watershed districts, Met Council, MNDNR, and MPCA. Portions of four major watersheds exist within the city: Carver County Watershed (1.9%), Lower Minnesota River Watershed (8.4%), Minnehaha Creek Watershed (18.8%), and Riley- Purgatory-Bluff Creek Watershed (70.9 %). Over 26% of Chanhassen's 24 square miles are covered by lakes, streams, ponds and wetlands. Water quality, lakeshore preservation, lake level variability, and flood management are some of the important issues that impact the quality of life enjoyed by all residents. Maintain- ing, protecting and improving water resources is a high priority for the city which is currently preparing its third Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP). The plan outlines goals for managing these resources and implementation recommendations to achieve them. Recent City and Community Activities I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I1111111111111I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 The City continues to monitor its waters for temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity through monitoring stations, grab sampling, and the Citizen Assisted Lake Monitoring Program. A spent lime treatment system was installed on the eastern side of Lake Lucy after a 2012 assessment reported both Lucy and Ann were negatively impacted by runoff from the surrounding watershed and the release of phosphorus from the sediment (internal loading). A wetland restoration project is currently underway on the southwest corner of Lake Susan as a remediation option to help reduce phosphorus levels in the lake, which was added to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) impaired waters list for nutrients in 2010. SURFACE WATER Lake level variability can erode shorelines and impact property www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/`index.html .st ate.mn . us /lakefind / index.html values. The watershed has installed a data logger at the outlet w. of Lotus Lake to monitor flow rates in and out of the lake. Resources,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, „,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,, ,,,,, ,..................,,,,,,,,,,,, City of Chanhassen "Second Generation Surface Water Management Plan” www. ci. chanhassen.mn.us /index.aspx ?NID =588 Bluff Creek TMDL— Turbidity and Fish Biota www.pca. state.mn.us/ index.php/ water /water- types- and - programs /minnesotas- impaired- waters - and- tmdls /tmdIprojects/ minnesota- rive r - basin -tmdl /project - bluff - creek- turbidity- and - fish- b iota. htmI https: / /mnchanhassen2. civicplus .com /AgendaCenter /ViewFile /Item /103 ?filelD =82 Lake Lucy & Lake Ann Use Attainability Assessment (UAA) Update, September, 2013: www.rpbcwd.org/files/7213/8426/4821/LakeLucy_LakeAnn_UAAUpdate Septernber20131FI NAL. pcif Lake Susan Use Attainability Assessment (UAA) Update, July 2013: www.rpbcwd.org /files/ 4013 / 8426 / 4706 /Lake_Susan_Report_FINALredl.pdf Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District www.rpbcwd.org Minnehaha Creek Watershed District www.minnehahacreek.org / Carver County Water Management Organization www.co. carver.mn.us/ departments /lws /water_managment.asp Lower Minnesota River Watershed District www. watersheddistrict .org /index.html Recent City and Community Activities cont. Get Involved! As a result of Bluff Creek being listed as impaired for We all have a role to play in the manage- turbidity in 2002 and for low fish biological scores in 2004, ment of water resources for the health a Total Maximum Daily Load Report and Implementation of our community and for the benefit of were finalized and approved. There is a protected natural wildlife ecosystems that rely on them. corridor around the creek and plans are in place to repair Whether through direct use of Chanhas- culverts and banks. sen's many lakes, streams, ponds, and wetlands or through runoff from yards, The city and watershed district are updating their Stormwater driveways, and streets, pollutants find Pond Protocol and Prioritization project to identify ponds that their way into the water and degrade may be contributing excessive amounts of phosphorus to our these valuable resources. natural water bodies. Once identified, these high risk ponds may be rehabilitated to minimize the impact. City Assisted Monitoring Program (CAMP) for lakes: www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us /index. Salinization of waterways from winter salt applications is a asp ?NID =595 major issue in Minnesota, and Chanhassen has upgraded and Surface Water Resources page: recalibrated all salt augers on city trucks to use less; five trucks www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us /Index. aspx.NID =153 have been outfitted with brine tanks to pre -wet roads before storms. Aquatic Invasive Species: www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us /index. aspx ?NID =156 The watershed district installed aeration systems in Lake Learning g pportuni.mn. Susan and Rice Marsh Lake to increase dissolved oxygen www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us /index. and prevent a fish kill in the winter. p aspx ?NID =558 Landscaping with Native Plants Boat inspections for invasive species continued at www.rpbcwd.org/files/4913/9032/3379/Lakes Ann, Lotus and Minnewashta. Landscaping with Native Plants reduced size.pdf Carp harvesting from area lakes continued in 2013. The If you own property on a lake, consider shoreline stabilization methods to prevent harvest is a result of an endeavor b Sorenson Labs at the y erosion and to filter runoff: University of Minnesota to minimize populations of this files .dnr.state.mn.us /publications/ waters shoreline alterations riprap.od abundant fish and encoura a the reestablishment of native g plant and fish populations. Monthly tips to keep our water clean www.robcwd.oriz/monthiv-tios/ Lake level variability can erode shorelines and impact property www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/`index.html .st ate.mn . us /lakefind / index.html values. The watershed has installed a data logger at the outlet w. of Lotus Lake to monitor flow rates in and out of the lake. Resources,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, „,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,, ,,,,, ,..................,,,,,,,,,,,, City of Chanhassen "Second Generation Surface Water Management Plan” www. ci. chanhassen.mn.us /index.aspx ?NID =588 Bluff Creek TMDL— Turbidity and Fish Biota www.pca. state.mn.us/ index.php/ water /water- types- and - programs /minnesotas- impaired- waters - and- tmdls /tmdIprojects/ minnesota- rive r - basin -tmdl /project - bluff - creek- turbidity- and - fish- b iota. htmI https: / /mnchanhassen2. civicplus .com /AgendaCenter /ViewFile /Item /103 ?filelD =82 Lake Lucy & Lake Ann Use Attainability Assessment (UAA) Update, September, 2013: www.rpbcwd.org/files/7213/8426/4821/LakeLucy_LakeAnn_UAAUpdate Septernber20131FI NAL. pcif Lake Susan Use Attainability Assessment (UAA) Update, July 2013: www.rpbcwd.org /files/ 4013 / 8426 / 4706 /Lake_Susan_Report_FINALredl.pdf Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District www.rpbcwd.org Minnehaha Creek Watershed District www.minnehahacreek.org / Carver County Water Management Organization www.co. carver.mn.us/ departments /lws /water_managment.asp Lower Minnesota River Watershed District www. watersheddistrict .org /index.html STORMWATER Goals Illllllllllllllllflllllllll II 111111 II I I I IIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIII I I I IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII The City of Chanhassen strives to ensure that development projects minimize soil erosion, sedimentation, and stormwater runoff. City personnel manage this task by maintaining primary responsibility for managing water resources at the local level but continue coordination with other agencies and organizations. In an effort to engage the public, the city provides information and educational resources to improve knowledge and promote an active public role in managing water resources. Resources IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 1111111 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIII II IIII111111111111111111111111111 Metro Blooms www.metroblooms.org /workshops.php Bluff Creek Watershed Total Daily Load Implementation Plan www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/ viewdocu ment. htm I ?gid =19803 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency www.pca.state.mn.us Clean Water Minnesota www.cleanwatermn.org At large drops in the stream where fish passage is not possible, adding a fish ladder would encourage fish to reach the upper stream and restore a natural cycle. Stormwater management is crucial to preserving Chanhassen's natural environment and protecting our surface water resources. Stormwater runoff is rain and snow melt that runs off surfaces such as rooftops, paved streets, highways, parking lots and compacted lawns. As water passes over these surfaces, it can pick up pollutants such as soil, fertilizers, herbicides, trash and pet waste. If not treated properly, this polluted water can flow into a local stream, lake, or wetland causing degradation of the resource. Stormwater mitigation seeks to reduce, control, and prevent stormwater runoff through a variety of strategies. Open land in Chanhassen continues to develop and the city looks for every opportunity to incorporate best management practices that minimize the volume and impact of water runoff as well as protect water quality in surface waters. Recent City and Community Activities 1 1 1 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111I 11 1111 I I111111111111111111111111 1 1 1 1 1 1111I1111111111I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1 11111111111111 I I I I I I I I 1 111111111111111111 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I City staff as well as county representatives monitor erosion control measures required at all construction sites. Infractions are dealt with as quickly as possible in order to minimize any impact from runoff. STORMWATER Get Involved! There are opportunities for residents of Chanhassen to get involved with storm- water management. With any road con- struction project, city staff will continue to educate neighborhood groups about Low Impact Development (LID) instal- lation opportunities and their benefits, such as rain gardens and rain barrels. Residents are encouraged to learn more about incorporating raingardens into their yards. The city also partners with Metro Blooms to provide education on environmentally sound gardening and landscape practices. Additionally, com- munity volunteers continue to install storm drain markers on neighborhood storm drains. Storm drains can lead di- rectly to a city water resource. Marking the drains help raise awareness that any- thing carried by these storm drains can impact our natural resources. These highly visible storm drain markers are a first step in public education in stormwater pollution prevention. Rainbarrels and composters can aid in stormwater runoff prevention. Recent City & Community Activities cont. A Total Maximum Daily Load, or TMDL, is a calculation of the maximum amount of pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still safely meet water quality standards. A TMDL management plan for Bluff Creek was approved by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and adopted by the city in July 2013. Part of the management plan includes ravine stabilization which is currently underway for one of the ravines in Bluff Creek. In the future, the city plans to continue the same repair plan for other ravines. A new and exciting plan is also underway to introduce a fish ladder in an area of the creek where passage for fish from the lower to upper section is currently not possible. Once installed, the ladder would provide passage for fish to reach the upper stream. As this occurs, habitat can begin to be restored and improve the quality and environment of Bluff Creek. The city utilizes cutting edge technologies in treating stormwater runoff. These technologies, developed at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL) at the University of Minnesota, are well suited for northern climates and represent the best management practices of our time. During street reconstruction in the Greenwood Shores neighborhood, the city utilized manhole baffles developed by SAFL to catch sediment inflow from stormwater. The "Minnesota Filter" Iron Filing Filtration System was installed during street upgrades in the Lake Minnewashta watershed. This system should reduce phosphorus loading into the lake by 76 %. In 2014 additional filtration projects are to be included in new road construction projects, such as the Bandimere Heights and Minnewashta Shores neighborhoods. WATER CONSERVATION Goals IIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIII I IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Each year, as presented in the city's comprehensive plan, the city shall review, develop and implement the current water conservation strategies and practices suitable for our community. The city continues to endorse and promote water conservation through the dissemination of educational materials to city residents. Resources IIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIII 111111 IIIII IIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII City of Chanhassen "2030 Comprehensive Plan," Chapter 9: Water www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us / Docu mentCenter /Home /View /134 Metropolitan Council Water Supply Planning www. metrocouncii.org/Wastewa- ter- Water /Planning /Water - Supply -Plan- ning.aspx ?sou rce =child WaterSense Tips to Save Water & Money www .epa.gov /watersense /ou %water/ start_saving.html Chanhassen's water distribution system is comprised of 13 wells, 3 res- ervoirs and two water treatment facilities. The distribution system also contains over 148 miles of water main that serves over 7,000 residential and nearly 300 commercial accounts daily. Pipelines and physical facili- ties, such as wells and reservoirs, are geographically distributed through- out the city. Chanhassen will be adding a new well this year to supple- ment our city's current water supply. The Metropolitan Council has found that our region's current approach to water supply is not sustainable. Aquifers are being depleted; lakes, streams, and wetlands are being adversely affected; and in some areas, groundwater levels have declined by as much as 40 feet, since the 1970s. Today in the seven - county region, surface water taken from the Mis- sissippi River provides 30% of the water used in the region. The rest of the metro area, including Chanhassen, relies on pumping groundwater through municipal and private wells to supply the remaining 70 %. The ef- fects of aquifer drawdown are visible in our region already and continued unsustainable use will impact generations to come. Aquifer drawdown is larger than just Chanhassen. It affects the entire metropolitan area. Municipalities in the region are encouraged to pro- mote Water Conservation and Water Conservation Education as the best economical action to manage fresh water as a sustainable resource for current and future human demand. Recent City and Community Activities I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I The city has a tiered billing system in place to incent water conservation. City code limits the use of the city water supply system for lawn and garden sprinkling, irrigation, car washing or other nonpotable uses to odd -even days. The City has extensive tree preservation requirements for new subdivisions as well as stringent planting requirements for new site plans. The use of trees in site landscaping assists in the reduction of turf evapotranspiration. Newly installed irrigation systems are required to include a rain sensor as part of their operation. Rain sensors signal irrigation systems not to water during wet periods. The City offers free toilet leak test kits to homeowners. Toilet leaks can account for as much as 7,000 gallons of wasted water per month. WATER CONSERVATION Play your part, be water smart! Wise Water Use �� t� S w 440 of Aky swater your yard and outdoor plants early or late in the day 4 to reduce ,,.,, evaporation IZ Take shorter showers - five minutes or less is best. J Q Put faucet aertors on sink faucets. Source: www.nelsonmandelabav .gov.za /Content.aspx ?obilD =419 Install new tolletes that use less than 1.6 gallons per (lush. plants that require water. Get an Energy Star labeled washing mashine. .Use low flow shoerhead. Wash only full loads. Use a shut - off nozzle on your hose. Z OFF 1 ulch around lants to hold water in the Turn oft the water while soil. soaping hands and brushing teeth. Turn off sink faucet whle scrubbing dishes and �l pots. n �q Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and walkways. Save it, or do without it! Recent City and Community Activities cont. Chanhassen offers irrigation system audits, free of charge, to Homeowners' Associations, businesses, and other organizations as a way to promote water- saving best management practices. The audits are performed by a WaterSense- certified city utility department employee. Chanhassen partners with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in their WaterSense program. This program seeks to protect the future of our nation's water supply by offering people a simple way to use less water with water - efficient products and services. The city provides education and promotes water conservation and stewardship through various local municipal publications. The city utilizes Carver County's educational programming to meet its state permit requirements. URBAN f ORESTRY Y !ice _ ,�Io��„ •-*�,� ___ � I. Downtown Chanhassen, 1954 Goals IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIII 111111 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII The city's Comprehensive Plan set forth the goal of maintaining a healthy and diverse urban forest. To that end, the city continues to plant a diverse urban forest which helps reduce the impact of pests and disease outbreaks, manage invasive species that threaten our urban forest and increase canopy coverage in the community. Tree cover reduces energy costs, water use and stormwater runoff while also increasing property values and community aesthetics. Downtown Chanhassen, 2001 Around 30% of Chanhassen's 24 square miles are covered by trees, more than the city's water resources. Urban trees are a renewable resource that are often overlooked when it comes to urban infrastructure, but Chanhas- sen recognizes the important role that trees play in the health and livabil- ity of our community. Trees provide a significant cost savings to the city in terms of energy use, water consumption and stormwater mitigation. It's been documented that a single tree can retain up to 100 gallons of storm - water during an event and trees can reduce winter and summer energy bills by up to 12 %. In a community of over 20,000, these savings add up. Threats to our urban forest come in many forms. From tree removal for development to tree fatalities due to disease, pests or environmental con- ditions, our urban forest is under constant attack. City staff and homeown- ers work hard to insure that the trees in our community are well cared for and that new trees are added on a continual basis. The most recent threat is the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). All the hard work can be wiped out in a few short years due to this introduced beetle that does irreparable harm to ash trees. The adult beetles nibble on ash foliage but cause little damage. The larvae (the immature stage) feed on the inner bark of ash trees, dis- rupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients. EAB infestations have cleared major cities of their urban forest. It is not a question if EAB will infest Chanhassen, but when. The City has started measures to lessen the impact. A city -wide public tree inventory has been completed and an- nual plantings focus on replacing ash trees with a diversity of species. As part of the city's EAB management, healthy ash trees will be identified for chemical treatment to protect them from infestation. URBAN FORESTRY What can homeowners do? Don't move ash wood in Minnesota, including firewood and cut trees. Firewood certified by the MDA is ok to use anywhere. Decide on treatment options for the ash trees in your yard. Options include preventative chemical treatment or removal. Become familiar with the symptoms of EAB. Research them at h ttD.11www. emeraldashborer, info If you suspect your trees may have Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), contact Environmental Resources Specialist Jill Sinclair at jsinclair @ci.chanhassen.mn.us Ecosystem services provided by urban trees t J 3 V u 5 u Air pollutant reduction �' O 0 �, a Ql J � � 6 � s� NO, SO z, P ��o l� CO2 sequestration Energy savings & avoided � b 0 i emissions 0 r due to shading 5.. ��_ i Aesthetic value (increased market value) Stormwater runoff er duction Recent City and Community Activities Annual Arbor Day tree planting: The Environmental Commission, city staff and numerous community groups gather on the first Saturday in May to plant trees in city parks. Annual public tree planting: The city annually plants and replaces boulevard trees throughout the city. Buckthorn symposium: In February, the city hosted 4a a symposium on how to effectively manage buckthorn. �. The day -long event had over 80 attendees from municipalities and organizations from across the state. Ongoing invasive species removal on public property: The city manages nearly 100 acres of forested public property for invasive species such as buckthorn and garlic mustard. EAB inspections, diseased tree inspections: The city continues to monitor public and private trees for the first appearance of EAB. In an ongoing effort to control widespread diseases, the city y ' responds to resident reports of Dutch elm disease and oak wilt. • 's -- r .. 11".a. '• Tree coupons: In partnership with local nurseries, the city offers discounts to residents on purchasing trees for their yards. As part of mitigation efforts to reduce the impact of EAB, the city preemptively removes and replaces ash trees at homeowner's request in conjunction with street reconstruction projects. The city is currently developing a management plan /policy for EAB. For 18 years, Chanhassen has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA for its commitment to proper tree care, planting, protection and planning. 2014 ARBOR DAY r Ft I ki NJi